Golf R in Motor Mag this month in Perfomance Comparo

[REXman]

Not sure I agree there, doubt ACC and 19s have any benefit on the track?

The 19s have a thinner side walls on the bigger wheels, so that gives the side walls less flex under cornering.

The ACC in sport mode gives the car firmer steering, which improves feel (and confidence). Sport mode also increases the firmness on suspension giving a flatter entry and exit speed. Apparently it monitors for optimum suspension travel x amount of times per second, but I don't know too much about that last point.

So when you lose a one minute fifty three second race by point nine seconds, with the above extras, I can't see why not.

[REXman]

And call me crazy but I think you would have made that 0.9 sec up just by having the DSG alone.

[Danny]

I'm actually tossing about between a Clio 182 and a Pug GTi-6 as a track toy at the moment. They really are great little cars.

Having just sold an Immac 182 Cup I owned since brand new for 4 amazing years, I must say that when they come down, I will take another tidy one in a heartbeat! The very best hot hatch ever made in my opinion. I was after something more grown up with the R, but i will miss the rawness of my "Jean Claude"

To the bloke with the 172, Rubbish, the 182 was a very torquey little car down low when you consider its lack of a turbo I very rarely needed to take it over 3500 rpm and it would still pull quite impressivly for an NA.

You want a car that needs tits revved off it to get places, My sister has a type R civic 08' and that thing needs its ass revved off to feel anything approaching (albeit warm) performance.
-Dan

[pologti18t]

I'm actually tossing about between a Clio 182 and a Pug GTi-6 as a track toy at the moment. They really are great little cars.

I had a 306 GTi-6. The best car I have ever had. A brilliant drive. This is at the same time VW released the Mk4 GTI to the world

Actually not sure why the Clio keeps getting mentioned. The test was the Megane RS 250. Same power/Nm as the Golf R for 46K on the road.

My mate had a Clio 172.... great car except going uphill (think Oxley Hwy) in 30-50km/h corners. 2nd gear too lower, 3rd too high. Really needed a 6 speed box.

[hooba]

The test was the Megane RS 250. Same power/Nm as the Golf R for 46K on the road.

Not a fair comparison. The R has AWD, which despite the added cost provides a clear performance advantage.
..
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Never mind.

[sabloke]

Um, where exactly is that clear AWD performance advantage? Have you read the review at all?

[Corey_R]

I think hooba was just fishing...

[sabloke]

Oops... I think you're right
There are rumors of a 300 HP version of the RS250. I wonder if the French would do something more to it than jacking up power the APR way. How much more they could throw at the front wheels? The 250 is well behaved from what I read with the standard LSD keeping the wheels civil under brutal acceleration.

[Fab_R]

I did, AND now I am seriously concerned about this car not being much quicker than my 182 cup ClioSport. (even though it felt so much quicker in the test drive!! WTF!?)

I would expect at least high fives considering the DSG is getting around 5.3 in comparos (faster than VW claims). But 6.8 is embarrassing. That means me not being Warren luff can look forward to what? 7.5 seconds? great. What a joke. I'd give anything to know what the deal was here..

I feel so bitterly disappointed.... I love the feel of a manual and don't fancy myself a "real driver" at all. If this sort of performance is going to be the norm with manual r's then I'm seriously going to consider maybe not going through with the order of what I once thought was my dream car, until I find something that really gets me going.

Dont worry Danny....you know what can be achieved with the stage II + set up....

[Ideo]

I had a 306 GTi-6. The best car I have ever had. A brilliant drive. This is at the same time VW released the Mk4 GTI to the world

Actually not sure why the Clio keeps getting mentioned. The test was the Megane RS 250. Same power/Nm as the Golf R for 46K on the road.

My mate had a Clio 172.... great car except going uphill (think Oxley Hwy) in 30-50km/h corners. 2nd gear too lower, 3rd too high. Really needed a 6 speed box.

Yeah, the Megane is a cracking car for the money. Not what I was after though. Can really see it's appeal.

Also looking at a Citroen Xsara VTS. Same car as the GTi-6 but with a 5spd gearbox and a lot cheaper. Might make a tidy little sleeper.

[weewilly]

Wash your mouth out please, and drive a Renault Sport vehicle. They are a revelation to drive if maybe not as comfortable and well equipped as a VW.

but that is what I want out of a car, not just pure speed -would have gone US muscle or Oz grunt. I want comfort, appointment and NO rattles after 20K. The Renault will NOT pass the test of time. It can't because the French don't know how to build a car. Similarly to Ozzy if the truth be known... Propping up an industry that should have been aloud to die a natural death like the clothing and other manufacturing industries that simply can not be sustained with a $16.50 per hour wage and 9% mandatory super. Drove a 2010 Holden Statesmen a couple of weeks ago. A national disgrace.

[hooba]

Oops... I think you're right

I gots me a good one too!

I you really want to read about the AWD performance advantage, look at the following. There is pages and pages of it.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f112/golf-r-v-golf-gti-45833.html

[sabloke]

but that is what I want out of a car, not just pure speed -would have gone US muscle or Oz grunt.

Funny thing is, some of you R owners are obsessed with straight line speed, 0-100 km/h and quoter mile times! Several APR stages won't improve grip and handling or correct understeer, but all I read here is that APR's a miracle solution for all car dynamics. Typical V8 owner mentality I'm afraid... She'll be better with more power, mate! In fact, APR recommends upgrading car's suspension and braking to cope with the power increase. Sure, probably because they're keen to sell more stuff, but makes a lot of sense if you think about it.

I'd rather be concerned about 100-0 km/h distance, especially after repeating it several times. Braking is much more important than a few tenths to 100 km/h since it makes the difference between throwing some angry words at the ****head cutting you off at an intersection and death. How good is the R at that?

[Ideo]

Hmmm, quite a few fanbois out in force.

The Golf R is a great car - hell, after all the cars I test drove it's what I decided on - but it is also slightly compromised in some respects. It's not an out and out track car and will always suffer when compared to those. However, where they get 9/10 for track they might only get 5/10 for day to day stuff. The Golf R is a solid 7.5-8 for both. That's why I'm getting it because that is what I want.

But don't delude yourself that no other manufacturer makes good cars. Performance french cars are amazing. They picked up the mantle after Golf's got pudgy and slow. They still do it damn well and should be respected for that.

If you don't personally feel they are right for you, don't get one. But don't dismiss them because they don't have the right badge.

[pologti18t]

Vicki reviews the Megane. The LSD seems to do the trick it seems.
YouTube - Fifth Gear Web TV - Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup