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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Kus on 24 November 2011, 10:08

Title: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Kus on 24 November 2011, 10:08
Just wanted to put I out there that in the twisteys these things are awful I owned a 306 gti before this and that was amazing in all ways I'd even go as far to say that I think the 306 would beat a r32 In the corners. Anyway rant over the best thing about the golf though is the looks and build quality that's about it though
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: richw911 on 24 November 2011, 10:09
 :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

Ive never heard that before  :shocked:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: MattyV6 on 24 November 2011, 10:12
Just wanted to put I out there that in the twisteys these things are awful I owned a 306 gti before this and that was amazing in all ways I'd even go as far to say that I think the 306 would beat a r32 In the corners. Anyway rant over the best thing about the golf though is the looks and build quality that's about it though

Bring it on....bring it on  :grin: :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: daz veedub on 24 November 2011, 10:16
Just wanted to put I out there that in the twisteys these things are awful I owned a 306 gti before this and that was amazing in all ways I'd even go as far to say that I think the 306 would beat a r32 In the corners. Anyway rant over the best thing about the golf though is the looks and build quality that's about it though

mine handles like a go kart  :cool:

i doubt a 306 would beat an r32 on corners a 306 would beat u owning a 2slow  :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: richw911 on 24 November 2011, 10:20
Just wanted to put I out there that in the twisteys these things are awful I owned a 306 gti before this and that was amazing in all ways I'd even go as far to say that I think the 306 would beat a r32 In the corners. Anyway rant over the best thing about the golf though is the looks and build quality that's about it though

mine handles like a go kart  :cool:

i doubt a 306 would beat an r32 on corners a 306 would beat u owning a 2slow  :laugh: :laugh:

Indeed 1.8T has better brakes and suspension as standard over a 2.0 8v  :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: jamie16v on 24 November 2011, 10:20
with a bit of work and "money" spent the golf could be a brilliant handling car. in my opinion the problem with the golf is vw tryed too hard to make it a "gentlemans" (poofs) GTI.  the weight in the interior itself is just enormous and destroys the gti worthyness.. then it`s the suspension... it was made too woman like.. all soft and cuddly... get some stiff shock absorbers, ditch them silly jelly bushes and put some muscley ARB`s on...
 i have taken out most of the interior of my golf and can honestly say each component of interior has a silly weight for what it does, the front seats themselfs are incredibly overengineered.
fact is, it`s a well built car for comfort more than anything, most the french cars i have had have been tinny little boxes made of nothing and thats the difference.. if you want more from you golf, turn it into nothing... :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: JC on 24 November 2011, 11:01
You want to drive my vectra.....  :lipsrsealed: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: richw911 on 24 November 2011, 11:22
You want to drive my vectra.....  :lipsrsealed: :grin: :grin: :grin:

 :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

MPG though innit  :wink:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: daz veedub on 24 November 2011, 12:04
my wifes focus is dreadful cornering its actually scary, but she wont let me lower it  :grin:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Kus on 24 November 2011, 12:22
Trust me the gti6 is a beast in the corners! Don't get wrong I love the golf really want to get a gt tdi 130 though the 2slow is so slow obviosily and drinks petrol
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: thatwillis on 24 November 2011, 13:24
Changing the shocks makes a massive difference!
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Adam on 24 November 2011, 18:06
Rear ARB will make a difference apparently.
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: shaft69 on 24 November 2011, 18:33
Was reading a whiteline arb test said mk4 only need rear arb to tranform its handling.
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Ant1981 on 24 November 2011, 19:07
Driver ability.

My MK4 has standard suspension and I nail it in the twisties with no compaints.
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: symsymma on 24 November 2011, 19:13
Fitted a whiteline rear arb on mine and it does make it a lot better imo
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: redevo1 on 24 November 2011, 19:17
Standard 306 GTI6 vs a standard 1.8t the GTI6 will leave it for dead around corners far more adjusable on the limit I've owned both. But Uprated ARB front and rear make a huge difference plus a Re map taking it up to 190bhp ish+ make the Golf slightly quicker in a straight line. Would cost an arm and a leg to get the GTI6 up to 190bhp.
  
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Kus on 24 November 2011, 21:24
Your right there I'm sure you've heard about supercharged gti-6s :evil:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 24 November 2011, 23:49
I found the mk4 to handle pretty awful compared to a standard civic type r (ep3), keeping in mind this is another hot hatch that the golf gti was meant to compete with. I would say mine is alright now as it is currently setup but I have fitted quite a few handling mods:

Nex 4 piston calipers
330mm x 28mm vented, grooved two piece floating discs
Braided brake lines
ATE Superblue brake fluid
cooling ducts for the brakes
Solid top mounts
Bilstein pss9 adjustable dampening coilovers, front dampening: 2, rear dampening: 4
Neuspeed 28mm rear antiroll bar
Rear upper strut brace
Front upper strut brace
Lower s3 strut brace
Powerflex rear axle bushes
Powerflex dog bone bush
Super pro dog bone bush
Super pro castor wishbone bush
Super pro front wishbone bush
tt mk1 droplinks
Goodyear eagle f1 225/40 18" all around
Battery and other components relocated to the rear for better weight distribution
Completely stripped out interior and under carriage, now weighs in at 1140kg +/-20kg (5 door) with standard glass windows and standard fuel tank.
Hawk eye aligned with the front at 1.6 degrees of camber, over 7 degrees of castor and the rear 2 degrees of camber

I still need a set of lightweight wheels but feel that in order to make it handle a decent a proper limited slip differential is a must if to be taken seriously at all.
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Scott D on 25 November 2011, 16:32
^^ that's a fair decent setup

how much of a difference did the bushes make?
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 25 November 2011, 17:12
I would say bushes make alot of difference given their price, definitely one of the most under-rated mods of all time and overlooked all too often. My passengers notice a difference without me telling them it's been changed. I would say it's more noticeable than the rear antiroll bar because unless your on the ragged edge of the car's traction then the rear antiroll bar isn't very noticeable - to me the rear arb helps with when and how it breaks traction so can be setup to the driver's preference whereas the with bushes are you will notice them even when driving normally. You feel changes in road surface, the axles and wishbones feel more tight and firmer to the body. Bushes - or atleast the front wishbone bushes are definitely worth doing even if comfort is an important agenda, it doesn't make the ride any more crashy but just takes up the slack and bounce.
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Dave_IOW on 25 November 2011, 18:47
Mk3 section is ------> way  :grin:
Title: Re: Mk4 handles like a boat
Post by: Scott D on 26 November 2011, 15:40
I would say bushes make alot of difference given their price, definitely one of the most under-rated mods of all time and overlooked all too often. My passengers notice a difference without me telling them it's been changed. I would say it's more noticeable than the rear antiroll bar because unless your on the ragged edge of the car's traction then the rear antiroll bar isn't very noticeable - to me the rear arb helps with when and how it breaks traction so can be setup to the driver's preference whereas the with bushes are you will notice them even when driving normally. You feel changes in road surface, the axles and wishbones feel more tight and firmer to the body. Bushes - or atleast the front wishbone bushes are definitely worth doing even if comfort is an important agenda, it doesn't make the ride any more crashy but just takes up the slack and bounce.

sounds well worth doing especially considering how much a full set costs and my rear bushes are shot anyway