Motor Magazine - BFYB 2010

[Highlander]

Tripping Wakefield

2-2.1 secs is a massive difference. Time that, and consider the pace is probably above 150km/h.

I'll assume 150km/h as the test speed.

To put in perspective, when the R crosses the line, the Clio is about 83meters behind and the GTI is about 87.43 meters behind. And thats on a course which took just over a minute. If it was a 10 minute race it would be nearing a kilometer behind.

That's.. quite a bit behind. Go R!! So I think it does offer pretty good value looking at it that way. But motor did it differently, which is how it is!

Wakefield Park circuit is 2.2 km. a 1.11 lap is an average speed of 118.91kp.
A 1.13.1 lap is an average speed of 116.71 kph

The R then is 2.2 km in front after 1 hour or a little over 37 metres for every minute they spend on the track or just 1 lap ahead after an hour.

If it matters to you buy an R. For an every day street drive it's pretty easy to mount a good case for the GTI and it's just as easy to mount a case for the R.

Your choice, your ego and your dollars.

No good arguing about anyone's criteria for BYB than your own. It was Motors test and they set their criteria just as every buyer is free to set their own.

Park either an R or a GTI in my garage and you won't wipe the smile off my face.

[dave_r]

I think this thread has run its course. Not everyone is going to like the result, but extrapolating data doesn't prove anything. Why do these threads always turn into an R is better/GTI is better argument?

[G-rig]

Park either an R or a GTI in my garage and you won't wipe the smile off my face.

Yeah I'd be happy with either one, both great in their own right. Apparently there isn't too much in it comapring the APR Stage 3 R and GTI's.

[REXman]

Yeah I didn't mean to make it sound like R is better than the GTI in this test.
The first comment I wrote a while back in this thread was that the GTI got the win, and it was DESERVED!!

I just wanted to put into perspective that 1 sec, 5 secs 10 secs etc doesn't sound like much but it actually is a lot in race talk, sorry guys wasn't trying to take away from the GTIs Victory!!!

(Not that who won has anything to do with ego's...)

No I definitely would be very happy with a GTI, amazing car.

Thanks!

[REXman]

True, they are essentially the same thing, but the Audi has the better fit and finish. Hard to say if it's worth the extra spend though but probably wouldn't get one now with a new model around the corner.



I had a 6MT MK5 R32 and now have a MK6 GTI DSG. Felt like a change, both great cars.

Hey Grig it sounds like you have been a VW customer for a while and the R32 you owned was the reason I started to like VW. Awesome cars there.

Well I tested the S3 today. Nice car. Definitely very kinky inside. It even had digital TV! I was looking at an 2008 Ltd Ed model. 3 dr. And it had the recaros. The proportions weren't quite right for me but the front grill looks great. It just has the twin tips, single outlet exhaust out back.

But yes the finish was great. Very golf- but just that bit more BMW, in design. Build quality seems the same though.

It was a manual and found that it didn't go as hard as an R in DSG which is weird. Maybe the R is just louder?

And the seats is what shocked me. To those people like me who wish they ordered an R with the Recaros but didn't, they sorta suck. As in, hear me out.

They LOOK SOOOOO GOOD!! But they don't hold you as well as the stock GTI/R seats. They don't suck you in? Which is weird because the look like they could hold you against wall but the back of the chair is just.. Sorta flat?

Overall, awesome car, great build, like the golf's, and the TV was killer good!! But no led tails, twin exhaust with less performance focus whilst looking a bit too rounded for me.

You can get heaps of them on carsales for around $63-65K driveway for a 2008-2010 model with 1500-7000KM still with 2years +++ new car warranty

so I'm probably going to stick with the R unless the car situation gets outta control for me.

[dave_r]

And the seats is what shocked me. To those people like me who wish they ordered an R with the Recaros but didn't, they sorta suck. As in, hear me out.

Sounds like we've driven the exact same model. And I have the exact same experience. Can't believe they were trying to flog an old dated 3dr for $65k either. Some clown will buy it eventually I'm sure.

Sucks if you can't hold out. I wouldn't be able to if the polo wasn't hitting the docks this w/e. I should have the missus old car to use in a couple weeks, pending customs/dealer etc.

[gareth_oau]

strange you make the comment about the seats, assuming they are the same that is fitted to the RS4, Motor magazine stated they are the best seats in the business

[REXman]

Thats fair enough gareth_oau, and Motor writes good stuff.

I too love good looking stuff (even spend money on Apple toys etc cause it looks great) and all tyes of motor gizmocity, but the Recaros in the S3, which are the same in the R, and RS4 and some other Audi's, just dont hold you in anywhere near what they look like they would. You would have to try them yourself and see what you think. But I had some Bride seats in my skyline which weren't too cheap, and when you sat in them, you were sorta snug on in there and werent going to move anywhere laterally during spirited driving.

What I am trying to say is that the Recaros are definitely the stuff, when it comes to eye candy. For sure. I'll even say best looking seat I have ever seen in a road car (almost - Ferrari!!)

But functionally, the dont even hold you in as well the stocka cloth jobbies in an R, which is unbelievable for $5300+LCT.

If you go and sample an STI for instance, or those lovely EVO seats, they just suck you in and dont let go. The recaros do not from the half an hour I had in them. Particularly the backs on the chairs, they feel very flat. And the bottom of the seat is not deep enough to compensate anyway.

But doesnt matter what I reckon, I guess the best way is to try and find one of the above mentioned cars and try for yourself!! Would love to know what you think.

PS - Check this video out If your a bit of rev head. Oldie but goodie!!

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f40/amazing-video-ferrari-vs-f1-vs-fiat-oldie-but-goodie-48670.html#post553331

[Fab_R]

I have the Recaro's in my Golf R and they are very supportive and absolutely hug and hold you in.

I think it all comes down to body shape, weight and height.
For me and my size they are sensational, in fact you could not ask for a more functional seat, and they look great!

If i had my time over again, i would definitely order them again...

[Corey_R]

Exactly - seats are a personal thing, which is why I've always urged people to go sit in the Motorsports seats before committing so much money to them.

However, not that this is really the place, the motorsport seats in the Audi S3 are slightly different to the R32/R - similar but not the same. Either way, you need to test them yourself and don't assume that just one person things a seat is great, that you will

[MACCAA]

I did just under 2000k's in Guy's Stage 3 Golf R with standard seats.
Not bad,but not a patch on the Recaros in my S3.
Have done heaps of Track laps and they're the best seats I've ever used.Good on the road also.

[Corey_R]

See, exactly why you need to try them for yourself...
I completely disagree with MACCAA and agree with REXman. The Recaros are great to look at, but functionally (for my body), the standard GTI/R seats hold better.

The best thing about this discussion is everyone is right!. The only correct answer for what is best for yourself, is your own answer

[REXman]

Yeah that's why I said it, everyones got a different body type and this makes the difference in how they feel. Could it be that the people who like them are yet to feel a proper sparco/recaro etc bucket seat, or maybe they are bigger than me?

I'm only 5'9 maybe 77kg reasonably shaped (6 pack on it's last legs at 29 though ).

Ps whats the difference in the recaro seats in the S3 and R?

[Corey_R]

Ps whats the difference in the recaro seats in the S3 and R?

On the official Recaro site, the features listed are the same for the Golf R Recaro and the S3 Recaro (apart from surface material of course). However, the design of the seat paneling is different between the two.

For example:


Sorry that's a side on picture, it's unfortunately the best I could find. You can see that the "shoulder bolsters" continue diagonally down and then across the back rest "one panel" below the tops of the "side torso bolsters". You can also see that the "tops" of the side torso and leg bolsters are a single piece which start in the "bucket" area and curve to the "outer seat side pieces".


The Golf R (in this case R32) seats have very obviously different seat panelling. Numerous more panels in the "insert" areas of the base and rear. Although the shoulder bolsters are still connected, they are not connected straight across the mid-upper back area below the tops of the side torso bolsters. Also, the "tops" of the side torso and side leg bolsters are not curved down into the bucket areas.

Also, there may be difference in the softness of the padding and leather between the two, but it's been ages since I sat in both on the same day...

[REXman]

I see the line differences. But when I meant there the same seat, other than stitching, they really are the same. Dont get thrown by the lines which distort an images shape.

Another shot of the Golf R seats in Recaro..

Image