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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Tim in Holland on 03 September 2008, 22:18

Title: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 03 September 2008, 22:18
I'm about to move to Holland and will be buying a car out there, a Mk3 golf, due to the high prices of second hand vehicles and the reasonable price of them when compared to other vehicles.

Now bear with me as I describe what I want to do with it:

Firstly it will be my only car, but I'll be cycling to work and just using it for longer trips, shopping, the odd holiday etc. I have a motorbike for getting my big thrills with (on road and track).

Now what I will be doing with this car is towing my bike to the Nurburgring for weekend trips (approx 4-500 mile round trip in total from Haarlem). But no worries, the bike and trailer are pretty light. However what I also want is a car that will be reasonably fun around the 'Ring in the wet/damp/very cold when it's unsuitale for the bike. As it's for the wet ultimate power isn't too much of an issue, but I may also do the odd dry lap  ;)

So here's my questions;
1. Which would be better for this, a VR6 or GTi 2.0 16v?

2. Which is better as standard handling wise etc?

I'll be happy to upgrade discs and pads, and possibly springs/dampers and ARBs in the near future before much track use, but not sure how extreme to go if I still want to tow a light bike and trailer.

3. Is there much difference in fuel consumption when just driven gently?

4. And when being thrashed?

5. Which type is mechanically more reliable?

6. Anything else I should bear in mind when choosing, years to go for etc..?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tim
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Marcus G60 on 03 September 2008, 23:05
 :undecided: If was me ,i'd be looking at the 2L 16v

for one its not as heavy so will handle better

its more reliable and is something you can work on yourself !

dosen't use as much fuel as a 2.8L v6  :rolleyes:

alot cheaper to buy (i've seen them in the uk go for £600 to anywhere up £2000 for a mint one) :grin:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: azzrobz on 03 September 2008, 23:28
As above really, go for the valver, much better all rounder  :wink:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: boneybradley on 04 September 2008, 00:18
16valve if you really want to track it..... they handle better due to the vr6 having a heavy engine fitted upfront
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 04 September 2008, 14:37
16v it is then, easy choice!
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: pro-biotic on 04 September 2008, 14:57
dont discount the other option untill you have driven it... a lot of this is personal opinion/preference.
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: DazVR6 on 04 September 2008, 16:16
Get the vr.........if just for the noise + if you buy and obd2 model, mid 95 onwards you'll have about 180 bhp compared to the 150bhp of the valver aswell as alot more torque.
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 04 September 2008, 16:23
You're all now making what was a clear cut choice harder, noise and power or handling?

I doubt I'll get to test drive both on track though!
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: pro-biotic on 04 September 2008, 16:24
Get the vr.........if just for the noise + if you buy and obd2 model, mid 95 onwards you'll have about 180 bhp compared to the 150bhp of the valver aswell as alot more torque.
the noise - thats why i said not to discount untill you have driven and fallen for the noise.... 4 pots suck haha
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: oliver07 on 04 September 2008, 20:04
like the rest say my vr6 1997 sounds just great loads more power less stress on the engine due to the extra cc i put the group buy coilovers on it with a magnex system removed all the tell tail badges now its just the bad boy  :grin:rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: dubburke on 04 September 2008, 21:58
Buy both like me :wink:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/dubburke/vr6033.jpg)














Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: VW BUSH on 04 September 2008, 22:34
Buy the Valver and rev the nuts off it!
My mate just came back from Rotterdam and brought me Stroop Wafles! man i love those things :wink:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: beccasmk3gti on 05 September 2008, 06:39
u want the vr6 if ur pulling anything great power delivery low down torque great sounding engine fuel aint as bad as every one says i avarge 26 mpg. around town around 33mpg on motorway.
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 05 September 2008, 07:59
u want the vr6 if ur pulling anything great power delivery low down torque great sounding engine fuel aint as bad as every one says i avarge 26 mpg. around town around 33mpg on motorway.


Sounds like there's not a lot in it fuel wise when being driven normally then.

What's a VR6 like round a track, and in the damp??
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: oliver07 on 05 September 2008, 10:50
the vr6 is the -ogs bollocks wet dry just treat your self and big smiles :grin:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: ben1.8T on 05 September 2008, 14:31
I would get the VR6 had a 16v and my uncles mate had the VR6 always wish I had gone for that. The VR6 sounds also and I wasnt overly impressed with the performance and handling of the 16v  :cool:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: beccasmk3gti on 05 September 2008, 17:24
u want the vr6 if ur pulling anything great power delivery low down torque great sounding engine fuel aint as bad as every one says i avarge 26 mpg. around town around 33mpg on motorway.


Sounds like there's not a lot in it fuel wise when being driven normally then.

What's a VR6 like round a track, and in the damp??
the lumps going to push you wide in the corners and trust me both wheels will spin in dry and wet so be warned good tyres will help the vr6 has the stronger top mounts than the gti and suspension/coilovers are fairly cheap. plus if ur thrashing it no chance of timing belt snapping as the vr6 is chain. but trust me will but smiles on ur face every day. ive had my vr6 couple of months now and my gf has got the gti 8v and trust me love my vr6 to bits always wanted one since the first time i saw one parked up many years ago
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 05 September 2008, 18:36

the lumps going to push you wide in the corners and trust me both wheels will spin in dry and wet so be warned good tyres will help the vr6 has the stronger top mounts than the gti and suspension/coilovers are fairly cheap. plus if ur thrashing it no chance of timing belt snapping as the vr6 is chain. but trust me will but smiles on ur face every day. ive had my vr6 couple of months now and my gf has got the gti 8v and trust me love my vr6 to bits always wanted one since the first time i saw one parked up many years ago

The plan is for a wet weather track car, so sounds like the pushing wide and wheel spinning wouldn't be ideal!
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Stu G on 05 September 2008, 20:37
dont be a pussy. get a vr. the noise power and just the fact you can annoy people with it :D
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: MrBounce on 06 September 2008, 00:30
Go with what Clarkson says: POOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
  :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: boneybradley on 06 September 2008, 00:59
I still say for the track the 16v is a much better all rounder  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: DazVR6 on 06 September 2008, 16:06
I still say for the track the 16v is a much better all rounder  :lipsrsealed:

Go away bony, its already been decided that a vr is whats best......... :tongue:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Stu G on 06 September 2008, 18:49
damn straight. i need a vr in my life :D
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Mark_H on 06 September 2008, 18:54
Got to be a VR, you can't beat the sound.......It you can stretch to it take the next step and get a charged VR !!!!!!!!!!!! :smiley:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: pro-biotic on 06 September 2008, 18:58
this topic is nuts - started off looking like 16v is the better, then we all say VR is more fun...

i want to be buried with a VR6 head as a pillow
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: BobbyT on 07 September 2008, 10:00
only had a vr a year but i loved every min! the sound of the car is superb and its just soooo fast, you hit a ton and it just keeps going like your only doing 60. Yes they use a fair bit of fuel but if you dont rag it you can get a good 30mpg. Trust me, you just cant beat the sound of the vr6, you feel like your in a super car  :cool:
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 07 September 2008, 10:26
I'll probably go for a valver as power is lesss of an issue in the wet and the fuel consumption is a little better. However from the sounds of you lot the VR6 sounds an accoustic masterpiece

I think both will feel slow compared with my current car, a Subaru Legacy GT-B with twin turbos and 280bhp, but the import tax to Holland would crucify me! And I've always the bike to go properly fast.
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Dragon6 on 07 September 2008, 10:29
Vr`s are a  great allround car, the drive to the ring alone would be worth it in the VR ,like Rob says they are good on fuel for a V6 averages around 31mpg,  never owned a 16v so cant comment on them but if they are anything like the mk2 16`vs where you have to rev the nuts off them to get them going I wouldn`t thank you for one,although on a track this may not bother you.Again a case of each to there own best thing would be to try a good unabused example of both..
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: pro-biotic on 07 September 2008, 14:57
I'll probably go for a valver as power is lesss of an issue in the wet and the fuel consumption is a little better. However from the sounds of you lot the VR6 sounds an accoustic masterpiece

I think both will feel slow compared with my current car, a Subaru Legacy GT-B with twin turbos and 280bhp, but the import tax to Holland would crucify me! And I've always the bike to go properly fast.

import tax to holland and EU country from the UK an EU country, on a currently owned vehicle - how does that work??
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: Tim in Holland on 07 September 2008, 15:19
They have a vehicle first registration tax the sly buggers, apparently the EU aren't too happy about it! And a luxury import tax or something! So I'll just buy an overpriced Mk3 GTi, at least the amount I'm paying above UK value is diminished by the low(ish) value of the vehicle and is one reason why I'm not going for a higher performance more expensive car! But also the valver looks like it'll do everything that I require.
Title: Re: VR6 or 2.0 GTi 16v? Help me decide.
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 07 September 2008, 16:10
Buy the vr, much better than a 16v  :grin:
Handling isn't an issue if you put a decent suspension kit on it. Handling is crap on standard suspension 16v and vr6  :grin: