GTD or GTI

[mcmaddy]

Matt if i hand it back and walk away I'll have to pay any additional miles penalty. Looks like I'll be paying them to trade mine in when time comes! !

[MJ26]

Hi Daz,

All my test drives were with "standard" suspension. I found the GTI broadly similar to my current Leon with the R and S3 slightly firmer. Now everybody's opinion of what is firm or to firm can only be individual to them but my own point of reference is an Mazda 3 MPS which I had prior to the Leon. Now it was almost comically too harsh, seemingly made of concrete. But I lived with it for nearly 4 years, so anything more supple is okay for me. I think if the adaptive suspension was say like around £500 as on the 135i I might be tempted, but at £1000 on the VAG cars, I think I'll be happy staying standard. But as you rightly say, it depends on the roads you drive most on...

Boot size isn't an issue to me but the super or standard unleaded decision definitely is. I have read copious threads on this forum and others (no, not joined Audi forum yet), but all my test runs were on standard unleaded, and both VW and Audi have been adamant that standard unleaded is perfectly acceptable. This is a biggie for me considering how hard it is to get super unleaded in N. ireland - I don't think any supermarket does super here? Having said that, there is a BP a mile up the road which does super, so I'm sure I'll be experimenting. But if super unleaded was mandatory, there is no way I would even have been anywhere near an R or S3 etc.

So when do you have to make a decision? Big difference between 12k and 20k + mileage? Can you wait to see what happens work wise before deciding? I found the GTI fantastic, and I'm sure the GTD would be too...

And intrigued to hear your observations on quattro, not that I'll ever be pushing hard enough to have any issues myself!

Cheers.

[monkeyhanger]

Matt if i hand it back and walk away I'll have to pay any additional miles penalty. Looks like I'll be paying them to trade mine in when time comes! !

Shouldn't be an issue if you get another VW, they'll swallow the extra mileage at least (unless it's crazy huge) for you showing your loyalty, but handing back the keys and moving elsewhere will probably see you paying out. Did you short your requested mileage allowance Chris? You only have a 3 mile commute! 

[Daz Auto]

...everybody's opinion of what is firm or to firm can only be individual to them...

True.

Some people on the Audi forum bought Sline cars and found them too firm. Others deleted the Sport Suspension and find the car too soft. It is a personal thing. Our Audi dealer said the Sport Suspension was comfortable. We had it for a 24h test drive and did not agree. My wife had a Mk5 Match and wanted similar comfort levels. She did not want a car as firm as my Mk6.
 

So when do you have to make a decision? Big difference between 12k and 20k + mileage? Can you wait to see what happens work wise before deciding? I found the GTI fantastic, and I'm sure the GTD would be too...

Just paid off my car and it is good for work. So I'm gonna hang on for the Mk8. The GTD has more smiles per gallon Though there probably would not be much in it if I was doing a lot of small journeys. As for work - if I don't get pushed, I will probably jump in a couple of years.

And intrigued to hear your observations on quattro, not that I'll ever be pushing hard enough to have any issues myself!

As we live in a rural location I did some research into buying a Quattro for my wife. Like many people I though it would be safer for her in the winter. What I discovered surprised me. Four Wheel Drive is definitely safer if you are in a tractor/SUV in a wet field with an unstable load such as a slurry tanker/stock trailer. Engine braking on all 4 wheels is really useful. I am from a farming background and have experienced this first hand.

What I discovered was - on snow and ice, in an emergency, a 4WD car will stop and corner the same as any other car on similar tyres. All things being equal - an 4WD SUV will take longer to stop and not corner as well as a car in similar conditions, as they are much heavier. A lot of 4x4 drivers discovered this last winter. My friend wanted his car serviced in March but his local garage was full of SUVs that were able to drive up icy hills, but could not safely drive back down them.

Notice how every winter Audi have adverts showing poor weather and a Quattro. Also notice how they say something like, 'better in all conditions.' They never use the word safer! Yet the Audi forum is full of people saying how safe Quattro is. I don't argue with them any more. I just ask them to show me the independent evidence. If what they are saying is true, then surely youtube would have lots of videos showing this. Also, there would be loads of independent articles written about the safety advantages of Quattro. There are NONE that I can find. Yet I can find videos and articles showing how winter tyres offer much better braking and cornering on snow and ice. You can google 'all wheel drive myths'. If you want to read some of the articles for yourself.

Both our cars are fitted with winter tyres. I have driven up and down mountains in snow with winter tyres in a front wheel drive, 170hp, automatic Golf. I know my wife won't get stuck or crash going down a hill because the car has no grip.

Having said all that, the S3 definitely needs Quattro. It is a great performance feature for all conditions

[AndyG]

I agree if you want to be safest in winter conditions you need to consider winter tyres on a 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive as the rubber compound is suited to colder temperatures.
I didn't think the s3 or R was marketed as a snow friendly vehicle anyway.
The 300bhp all wheel drive is so it can get all that power onto the road without wheel spin or tramping.

[monkeyhanger]

I agree if you want to be safest in winter conditions you need to consider winter tyres on a 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive as the rubber compound is suited to colder temperatures.
I didn't think the s3 or R was marketed as a snow friendly vehicle anyway.
The 300bhp all wheel drive is so it can get all that power onto the road without wheel spin or tramping.

Definitely the main purpose of 4Motion/Quattro - prevent tramping and drive the 0-62 time right down. The system will get you moving easier when you find yourself in an icy or snow-bound car park at work, but it won't help you stop any easier on an icy road.

[mcmaddy]

Matt if i hand it back and walk away I'll have to pay any additional miles penalty. Looks like I'll be paying them to trade mine in when time comes! !

Shouldn't be an issue if you get another VW, they'll swallow the extra mileage at least (unless it's crazy huge) for you showing your loyalty, but handing back the keys and moving elsewhere will probably see you paying out. Did you short your requested mileage allowance Chris? You only have a 3 mile commute! 

It's all these trips to Skye, arran and visiting our friends in Pickering!