MK3 GTI 8V OR 16V OR VR6?

[Sii]

As an 8v driver I would just add that's is very revealing that from about 1986/7 (when the first 16v came out) VW chose to continue to produce the 8v side by side with the 16v. Arguably, if the 16v head was a normal evolution (along the lines of fuel injection, disc brakes, ABS etc) then how come VW carried on with the 8v format both in 1.8 for the MK2 and 2.0 for the MK3? Answer: because they got it right first time round!

When the normally aspirated 20v 1.8 came out in the MK4 it only lasted one of two years to be replaced by the 2.0 8v from the Mk3 because although it was 'only' 115bhp compared to 125bhp 1.8 but it actually made some useful torque which is what you need for the real world.

I'm NOT slating the 16v engine just sticking up for the underdog 8v: just like VW themselves did!

 

[tdi_blu]

I feel the 8v love coming through    

[bulk66]

Ive owned all three and have enjoyed all of em i think the 8v gets a hard time and it is what it is, not the fastest car  in the world but still fun and well built the 16v ive get at the moment is a real rev happy motor but i prefered the 8v gear change but i have to say my favorite out of the 3 is my old VR6 it was lowered with an induction kit bora alloys and had an enlarged throttle body, yes they do cost a fair bit in juice but my god when ya give it its legs in 3rd the noise is to die for. :

So as a few people have said its not a case of which is the best but more of what suits your needs the 16v suits me to the ground not to bad on fuel but still quick enough to not leave me embarassed :embarassed: at the lights.