GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => Shows, events, track days, motorsport => Topic started by: Tim in Holland on 05 September 2008, 19:27
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Going to buy a mk3 golf as a tow car for my bike when taking it to the Nurburgring & a wet/damp weather track car for when it's a bit hairy to be out on the bike.
So what should I go for track day frequenters? (Sorry for those who have seen my similar thread in the Mk3 section)
Note: I'll be upgrading the pads and possibly discs, with a possible spring/damper firming up and and ARBs in the future, but that will be the limit (for now) in the way of track day mods (apart from decent tyres of course).
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i would have said the 16v because you save a bit of weight over the front of the car, but dont know the real world difference :huh:
the vr6 would be handy when towing though
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Duh - if it's to make the most of moist, cold cruddy weather then go ifnd yourself a G3 Syncro - 4WD = faithful handling...... shame they were only available with either TDi or VR6 - surely how hard can it be to fit an ABF, eh?!
*cough* not that hard *cough*
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There are no GTi/VR6 Syncros on the dutch autotrader, although there's a Mk2 G60 syncro for 12.5k euros :rolleyes:
Valver sounds best for in the damp I think, and should be adequate for towing a light bike...
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Going to buy a mk3 golf as a tow car for my bike when taking it to the Nurburgring & a wet/damp weather track car for when it's a bit hairy to be out on the bike.
Similar to a guy I saw there in July - he had an M5 tow car for his Ariel Atom. Well kind of the same :wink:
If you want a quick car round the Ring, seriously consider a Mk2 GTI - 8V or 16V, or even one with a 20V turbo conversion. Any one of them will tow a bike without any problems, and, in stock form they handle waaaay better than the stock Mk3, which, IMO, handles round a track with all the finesse of a tub of Flora.
Yes, you could spend a mint on mods on either car, but you'd be doing that anyway.
Mods you need to consider straightaway are brakes (disks and pads), plus anti-roll bars. Both relatively inexpensive upgrades which will change your enjoyment of any track. Brake fade on the Ring is horrible!
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Just thinking, would the more constant power delivery of a VR6 be better in the damp than a revvy 16V?
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In the damp, because of the extra torque, you'd need better throttle control with the VR6.
The VR6 is a much heavier car and understeers more than a 16V because of the additional weight of the engine. I've driven both cars in standard form on track and I would say the 16V is more fun.
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the most important thing in the rain is to be light, so buy the lightest car that will still tow your bike ok
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the most important thing in the rain is to be light, so buy the lightest car that will still tow your bike ok
At the front, yes, but a bit of weight in the middle/back can help in the rain, IMO.
Out of the 2, I would go 16v myself.
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yeah, but i was hinting at choosing a different lighter car than a mk3, you can choose where you want the weight later.
sandbags in the boot? :grin:
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I was trying to stick to the Mk3 options, but, if I was to choose a Golf for towing and tracking, I'd go for a Mk2 16V or a Mk2 with a 20V conversion
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yeah, but i was hinting at choosing a different lighter car than a mk3, you can choose where you want the weight later.
sandbags in the boot? :grin:
Yes, Mk3 wouldn't be my choice either, TBH. :wink:
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Yes, Mk3 wouldn't be my choice either, TBH.
G3 16V would be a lot cheaper to buy and make faster than a G4, especially on the 'ring.
Me, I'd still argue for a Syncro, especially having just come back from a damp weekend at the 'ring. Mine sticks to the track like sh*t to a blanket, even on the diesel spill before Ex-Muhle. It's rare I'd suggest a VR6, but given the non-availability of the ABF in Syncro flavour it'd be the way to go.
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G3 16V would be a lot cheaper to buy and make faster than a G4, especially on the 'ring.
Or you could go for a G2, stick a 20VT engine in it and go quicker than both :tongue:
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A 20VT is a lot of work for a tow car.
Also in the damp it's unlikely something with that much power through the front wheels would be quicker on the 'ring..... unless you're into LSDs etc etc.
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Another reason for going towards a Mk3 is the combination of being cheaper and lighter than a Mk4, but still very usable for every day type driving and longer trips (including down to the Alps for the odd bit of skiing) where a Mk2 might be a little more wearing. Also they're that bit newer than the Mk2. After all my main 'Ring vehicle is the bike, because cars lean the wrong way ;)
But cheers for the debate, if I stumble across a mint Mk2 16v I may still be tempted, but VR6 is still on my list.
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After all my main 'Ring vehicle is the bike, because cars lean the wrong way ;)
thats cos of the extra grip :grin: :tongue:
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Well, just seen a syncro VR6 with the 2.9 fitted (were all syncros 2.9??) for sale, good miles and price. Just need to wait and see what's about for sale when I move out there.
I also found this "Dakar" style Mk2 :shocked:
http://autotelegraaf.nl/autokopen/toon/?id=12350113;resultset=113243451;referrer=resultaten;opnieuwZoeken=ownerId%3D196811%3Bwhitelabel%3Dautobedrijf%3Brandom%3D1221676970%3Bresultset%3D113243451%3Bstart%3D0%3BcategoryId%3D1%3BsortBy%3DvraagprijsLH%3BcategoryId%3D1;whitelabel=autobedrijf#top
And as for the bike grip thing, race you round the 'Ring bike v your golf ;)
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I don't know the precise details of whether they're all 2.8 or 2.9, but I've seen 2.9 ones for sale before.
Bikes may lean the 'right' way, but I'd have been properly hacked off if I'd taken a bike this weekend - the track didn't open for them on Sunday or Monday! With a bit of diesel and a bit of damp I was very happy to lean the wrong way.
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Good to know they came as a 2.9 in the syncro too.
I don't fancy the bike on the 'Ring in the wet/damp/slippy conditions, and like cars too, so why not just maximise the fun, hence my reason for the golf too :)
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And as for the bike grip thing, race you round the 'Ring bike v your golf ;)
hardly fair :grin: a big roundabout would be a better test. dont worry i know how quick bikes are :wink: im just a car person.
i wouldnt discount a mk2 because of age. the mk3 is old now as well and the mk2 is supposedly the better built. a set of arb's and the koni shocks/eibach springs combo would give you decent handling and a fairly comfy car