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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: danp on 07 March 2005, 23:20

Title: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: danp on 07 March 2005, 23:20
Something I read on www.honestjohn.co.uk [he does some car stuff for the Telegraph newspaper], struck me as odd the first time I read it, any1 any idea if this is true and if so why ?!

(it's in the car by car breakdown bit, for the mk3 Golf obviously)

To quote:

"
Three-door models flex quite badly (five-door models are better).
"

The solid rear panels would make a 3 door stiffer I'd have thought (i.e. where the 5 door has it's rear doors). Surely "cutting" extra openings in the bodyshell would make it weaker / more wobbly ?
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: redcarboy on 07 March 2005, 23:34
Could it not be that in the 5 door version with the  doors being heavier making the car stiffer the stress tollerances are spread over and taken up by the different parts of the car. On the 3 door version with one metal panel from the rear of the front doors  to the back of the car would surely be subjected to more of a load whereas the 5 door would absorb this through the door structure.. :huh: :huh:

Sure i will be told if im talking sh!te or not cos i don't really kno just a thought thats all... :laugh: :laugh: :undecided:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 March 2005, 13:21
Don't take any notice of honestjohn website.
It is not very good and full of terrible advise.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 March 2005, 13:27
Just to add HonestJohn is very anti VW, just read through the website and forum, and judge for yourself.
One of the classic comments on the car breakdown, is on the vr6.

 "Problems emerging of stretched timing chains on VR6s and chains actually breaking at around 90,000 miles"

Well not really, chains very very rarely break.
Infact i have a couple of contacts at VW, and they confirmed what i already knew, that such statements are bullsh!t.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: mrwotto on 08 March 2005, 13:30
Glad to see the naugthty word convertor being used again there mr6 :evil:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: Len on 08 March 2005, 13:42
My tuppeneth - Think coz of the thickness of the B pillar in a 5 door, it makes the structure stiffer.
Also the C post is strengthened to take the door closure.

A thin skin of steel in the back panel has little strength.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: topher on 08 March 2005, 13:49
^ Got it in one.

Generally 5 door variations are more rigid because of the "goalpost" effect of the b-pillar. That's why a 5 door shell was chosen for the G60 Limited.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: danp on 08 March 2005, 14:22
Cheers guys, the above sounds plausible to me !
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 March 2005, 14:35
I wouldn't worry about buying either models, both are very strong.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: carrie on 08 March 2005, 15:12
3 door in theory should be a liitle quicker off the mark as it would be lighter.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: Overseer on 08 March 2005, 15:18
and not full of kids...    :grin:

5 door = family car  :evil:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: mrwotto on 08 March 2005, 15:58
I agree with carrie
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 March 2005, 16:04
Performance between 3/5 door will be no difference, as the weight difference is so small.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: carrie on 08 March 2005, 16:59
it all counts, doors are heavy items add in all the mechanicals and extra pannels associated with forming the door and its quite a bit. certainly more than things like carbon bonnets.
mind ever seen a fat b*stard on a motor bike with carbn fibre, they would save more weight by eating 5 less big macs a day  :laugh:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: danp on 08 March 2005, 17:47
I read the 5 door is 30kg heavier (lets say 2.5%), which if u look at power is like having 4bhp or so less....probably less than the tolerances between a good and a bad engine.
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: carrie on 08 March 2005, 19:03
i could comment about filters on that basis but, will refrain  :kiss:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 March 2005, 19:18
No you can't as every engine is different.
So there's no way of telling  :laugh:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: danp on 08 March 2005, 19:50
What's a filtres ??!
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: mrwotto on 08 March 2005, 19:55
Think she means a filter?????
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: carrie on 08 March 2005, 20:03
^^ dont correct me i'm special and will spell filtre anyway i want. i also spell vacumn that way too  :smiley:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: mrwotto on 08 March 2005, 21:10
:evil:
Title: Re: 5 door stiffer than 3 door ?
Post by: Len on 10 March 2005, 13:35
Well my 5 door rarely has passengers in the back, i like it for the convenience.

Besides if we are talking about power to weight ratios - how bout the driver weight factor!!!
With me being 17/18 stone thats probably 5/6 stone more than most of you lot!! :grin:

But I will say this - Nobody these days can drive as fast as I used too!
I digress but back in the early 70's when traffic volumes were a fifth of what they are now and NO speed cameras, i could do cross country journey's an hour shorter than can be done nowadays.
So all this crap is irrellavant! :evil: