Golf R vs WRX vs Evo vs Megane RS250

[anthony_VWJET]

The Golf R is a great car thats been detuned for our *****ty Australian roads. Cant you just leave it as that?

[simonm]

Generally there are no VW dealers in Australian locations with those conditions though.
And if you are in those conditions you won't be using the 188kw to it's potential anyway.

There are no VW dealers in Canberra? Who did I give my deposit to?

The ACT and surrounding region also has some very nice paved roads for having fun on (Cotter/Tidbinbilla region, coastal roads etc), so I think there's plenty of opportunity to use the 188kw to its potential.

[team_v]

There are no VW dealers in Canberra? Who did I give my deposit to?

The ACT and surrounding region also has some very nice paved roads for having fun on (Cotter/Tidbinbilla region, coastal roads etc), so I think there's plenty of opportunity to use the 188kw to its potential.

And how often do you drive on these roads in these conditions?
It does get cold in Canberra but the roads have never frozen over with a layer of ice on top of them when i have been there.

[Rocket36]

There are roads in Canberra (and surrounds) notorious for being icy in winter... I can attest to that!

[team_v]

There are roads in Canberra (and surrounds) notorious for being icy in winter... I can attest to that!

That's interesting to know.

How often would one drive on these roads at a speed that would require an AWD system?

[triode12]

It fixes the power delivery and transfer with the Haldex switch.
To clarify, yes it does have AWD which set's it apart from the normal golf range but it will almost never get used to it's potential.
Hell i couldn't even get the Mk6 GTI to loose control at the driver training day.

It is a good overall package but it isn't "the greatest car ever made" which most new Golf R owners tend to believe (especailly one in particular)

I would probably prefer one over the renault and jap cars as well but i would get a GTI over the R purely becasue there is no need unless you are going to track in, in which case you get a lotus or an MX5.

I am sure others will disagree (and they are entitled to their opinion as I am to mine)...IMHO, I feel the R is better than the MkVI GTI because it is more fun to drive. It feels closer to a MkV GTI/Pirelli than it is to the MKVI GTI. The MKVI GTI is technically a better car than the MKV but the resultant refinement has made it lose some of the MKV GTI's sparkle (like it is too composed and has lost that "fly by the seat of your pants" feel - one feels slightly disconnected from the car - perhaps one is too cosseted in the MKVI GTI).

The new R has has managed to put the fun back into the drive (which I know defies logic since it too is a MKVI). If I had the money to spend, I would opt for an R with no options rather than a MkVI with options. There is something about the R that stirs the soul when you drive it (like the MKV did). I can't explain it - it just does.

Just my 2 cents. YMMV.

[G-rig]

The GTI feels faster which could br half the fun (especially after a retune), and not hard to add an exhaust if you want more noise.

Always something faster around, you could be in a plane and it doesn't feel fast.

[Greg Roles]

That's interesting to know.

How often would one drive on these roads at a speed that would require an AWD system?

As often as possible!

[Silverarrow]

To clarify.

The R comes witha Gen 4 Haldex which is a significant improvement over the stock Gen II Haldex (R32), the option offered by Guy is the upgraded Haldex Gen 4 (As there was an upgraded Haldex Gen II for the R32). The same remote switch will work for both.

I have the upgraded "Blue" Gen II controller in my R32 with the remote switch. The upgraded controller offers 3 modes - Stock, Sport and Race - Stock being equivalent to the standard Gen II, each mode in order is more agressive at transferring drive to the rear.

With the Gen 4 Haldex the upgraded version offers Economy, Sport and Race modes, again each being more agressive with torque transfer to the rear, the same switch works with the UPGRADED Gen 4 controller that works with the upgraded Gen II controller. The Gen 4 is the same unit as fitted to the Audi S3.

The Gen 4 (even stock) is an improvement on the previous versions. In my own experience (Gen II stock vs. Gen II Blue) the upgraded controller is primarily worthwhile if you are tracking (given commensense usage on public roads).

I wouldn't position the upgraded controller and switch as a "Fix" for anything, but more of a good upgrade for owners who wish to track the car and gain the additional benefits of more aggressive drive transfer.

However, I am coming from a position of experience rather than bias on this.

[REXman]

How about realising that your golf isn't the "be all and end all" and stop trying to stir ***** in every thread.
It's just a normal Golf with AWD and all the trimmings that you can get on the lower models.

Note how nowhere did i say that the Tiguan was better yet you still jumped to that conclusion.


If the 4Mo system in the R was so good, then why would APR have a solution to fix the issues with it?

But it is a very nice car, and I love everything it is and does. I have no such feelings for the Tiguan.

Its just that I find you trying to bag out the R, when you don't have one, on a pro-VW website. Obviously everyone here enjoys VW. So go to another forum if you want to bag other owners rides out.

-On one hand your talking about not needing AWD cause the conditions never warrant it..? Or you would only use that on a track (again where you dont seem to need it) Not sure where you live but in Sydney, it rains. And having a performance edge will always be fun to me.

-On the other hand your talking about it losing its track feel and being a glorified AWD thats just a base car at heart.

Well guess what buddy, I have created a list just for you.

-Impreza-->WRX---> STI
-Lancer-->Ralliart-->EVO
-Golf-->GTI-->R
-Commodore-->SV6-->SS-->GTS
-BMW 318-->BMW 335-->M3
-C180-->C500-->C63
-Porsche Carrera--> Carrera 4S--> GT3

The performance of the last in each of the lists not being needed unless your on a track.

Im not going to begin to start on you about the Tiguan again and its position, but please dont come here, expect to bag the R with things (untrue and unsubstantiated) like how bad its AWD is.

Even the R32's (one of the reason I am getting an R) AWD is really good, anyway.

[REXman]

PS, If AWD is not a need of yours.. why did you buy a TIGUAN?

[Karlosovic]

I would probably prefer one over the renault and jap cars as well but i would get a GTI over the R purely becasue there is no need unless you are going to track in, in which case you get a lotus or an MX5.

This is kind of my stance for Golf Vs others. I see the GTI/R as taking a preference for refinement in daily living as opposed to an edge on track day Vs other in price-point

GTI is fine for around town and may not get the most out of the R unless you are on the track.

Or you live in wet/icy climates, travel to the snow, use dirt/gravel country roads etc. where AWD gives you a genuine advantage.

I fully agree with both these sentiments, and as I live in the middle of the biggest city in the country, the GTI will serve me well
Having said that, I have previously lived in the country, with dirt roads, and I can appreciate the extra traction AWD/4x4 can offer

Generally there are no VW dealers in Australian locations with those conditions though.
And if you are in those conditions you won't be using the 188kw to it's potential anyway.

This is a stupid comment, however. The first part is just wrong, and the second point is wrong and irrelevent. Regardless of any validity to the claim you don't need power in slippery conditions, who says the same car will only ever be driven in those slippery conditions? Who says you won't want grip one day, and power the next?

Which decends into:

How often would one drive on these roads at a speed that would require an AWD system?

How does a guy with a Tiguan call to question the validity of AWD ? Do you live in the outback and therefore "need a four wheel drive" ? Or are you just another .... person .... with a 'Chelsea Tractor' ?

[Corey_R]

Guys, what's the deal with YET ANOTHER Golf GTI/R vs Tiguan discussion?
But I'm actually interested in the answer to the question:

Which decends into:How does a guy with a Tiguan call to question the validity of AWD ? Do you live in the outback and therefore "need a four wheel drive" ? Or are you just another .... person .... with a 'Chelsea Tractor' ?

If AWD wasn't important, then surely a Golf Wagon or Skoda Octavia Wagon would give the same quality, space, and features as the Tiguan, minus the "useless" AWD (in fact, I'm sure both the Octavia and Golf Wagon's have MORE cargo space than the Tiguan).

[team_v]

I chose the Tiguan becasue i will be taking it on soft-roader/snow mountain/rainforrest trips when i break it in, these trips will be happening at least once a year so the benefit of AWD will be realised for me.
I wouldn't be comfortable taking a golf or similar spec'd car on the dirt roads/softroader treks because of their low clearance and the fact that they are FWD only which means i am more likely to get into trouble on the softer roads.

It also comes in a lot cheaper than the "competitors" and provides all the benefits or the higher spec'd cars i.e. AWD, hill assist, Realised safety rating etc.

[G-rig]

Good point, I don't know why you'd buy a tig if you didn't think AWD was worthwhile.