Author Topic: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R  (Read 27315 times)

Offline Tailpipe

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I have been wrestling for months about which car to get, the GTI or R, and having test driven both models I have concluded that the GTI is the superior car. Here's why:

1. The EA888 engine in the GTI is more frugal, more flexible and likely to have greater longevity than the R's EA113 due it having a steel cam shaft belt rather than a rubber one.
2. With the much greater power on offer with the R, it naturally seems to settle at around 38 mph on most roads, whereas the GTI is closer to 30 mph, although both will surge quite happily to speeds well above the national limit with very little lag when asked. The problem with the R is that when you are driving normally, say dropping the kids off at school, you find yourself driving very much faster on 30 mph limit roads than you should be going. The R feels unable to cruise comfortably below this speed.
3. The AWD system adds considerable weight to the R, but in most circumstances drive is only delivered through the front wheels, so you are carrying all that extra weight around and rarely actually use it. As you'd expect, this affects economy.
4. The R's ride and comfort is not as good as the GTI's across the variety of road surfaces we have in this country. The R's settings are much harder and less compliant overall. The balance of the three different settings for the ACC is notably better with the GTI.  It is also worth noting that both the GTI and R ride better on 18" wheels, so the R's 19" are a waste of time, even if they look sexier.
5. The GTI is produced on a standard Golf production line, whereas the R is produced in batches, so the order process for the GTI is easier, faster and more certain.
6. The daylight running lights are used instead of the GTI's fog lights, which are actually very good; if you need fog lights in the R, you're stuffed. For this reason, most manufacturers are now incorporating DRLs in the main headlight unit. Until this happens with the Golf, the GTI's fog lights are probably more important than the R's LED DRLs.
7. The AWD system makes the boot much shallower restricting the kind of bags you can put in.
8. If extra performance is essential to you, you can chip a GTI to within a hair's breadth of that of the R for a fraction of the cost, although it looks like a faster version will be offered sometime before the next GTI arrives.
9. Overall, the GTI feels lighter and more nimble with a wider range of capabilities to suit your driving mood, whereas the R is simply a very focused sports car that's also a hatchback.
10. When you add up the differences and compare the prices, the GTI seems to make much more sense. It's hard to tell yet, but I suspect that the GTI may hold its value better than the R.

Having said all that, there is no doubt that both cars are fantastic. I'd be delighted to own either and in truth I still haven't made-up my mind about which one to get. While the GTI objectively seems to make more sense, the R has an emotional quality that defies categorisation. You can't get the GTI in Rising Blue, which is a superb colour, but then you can't get the R in carbon grey which is also very attractive.

What do you think? I'd be interested to hear other members views, especially if you've tested both models.

I was going to post this on the R forum, but it is such a heresy, i'm worried i might be banned.  :evil:

Golf R - almost on order - 5-door, DSG, Rising Blue, leather, 19" alloys, RNS510 with Dynaudio, ACC, Sunroof, Parking camera and sensors, luxury pack and cruise control.

Offline Snoopy

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #1 on: 13 May 2010, 11:02 »
Oh dear i can hear the sh1t storm from here your going to cause  :grin:

Its all down to an individuals priorities imo but myself i do agree with a number of your statments.

I did feel the R had more turbo lag though.
If they made a (ED30/Pirelli) mk6 ie a scirocco R, golf GTIR ie 2wd with 260PS i think i would have found it harder to choose. But still as im not a performance freak i still may have gone for the GTI because of practical reasons mpg etc.

I find the GTI badge brings emotional to me but the R just brings up no emotions its an L or GL badge to me.

I also find the ride much better on 17s. I have been running my mates 18s this week and i can feel steering kickback and shudder i don't get with the 17s. But i don't have ACC. (maybe the 18s are why i now have more rattles lol)
« Last Edit: 13 May 2010, 11:07 by Snoopy »
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline p3asa

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #2 on: 13 May 2010, 11:03 »
Was there not a work-around to get the car in any colour that VW currently used?

Could be totally wrong but could you not order it abroad for delivery here? I'm sure I read someone mentioning it. I know it would be a hassle but to get that exclusive colour would make it worthwhile.
HIS: R 5dr DSG Lapiz: Tech Pack: Keyless: 90% Tints: Pretorias: Rear View Camera
HERS:  GTI 5dr Manual DBP: Parking Pack: Car-Net App: 90% Privacy Glass. Ordered 05-12-15. Delivered 03-03-16
DONATED TO SON:  GTD 5dr Manual White: Nav Pro: Dynaudio: Winter Pack: Sport & Sound Pack: Rear View Camera: Park Assist. Ordered 19-02-14. Delivered: 07-06-14

Offline Snoopy

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #3 on: 13 May 2010, 11:08 »
You can put in a special order request with VW sales team at VW customer service to get it in any colour VW currently do.

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your recent enquiry. I am delighted to learn of your continued interest in Volkswagen, in order to request a non standard colour on the order; the retailer will need to request a special build from the factory. If your retailer calls or emails our sales team then they can request this build from the factory.Regards


Damien Quirk extension 63296
Volkswagen Enquiry Management
Damien.Quirk@volkswagen.co.uk
www.volkswagen.co.uk



« Last Edit: 13 May 2010, 13:42 by Snoopy »
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline p3asa

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #4 on: 13 May 2010, 11:10 »
You can put in a special order request with VW sales deam at VW customer service to get it in any colour VW currently do.

As easy as that? Brilliant. Was that at a cost of £1.5k?
HIS: R 5dr DSG Lapiz: Tech Pack: Keyless: 90% Tints: Pretorias: Rear View Camera
HERS:  GTI 5dr Manual DBP: Parking Pack: Car-Net App: 90% Privacy Glass. Ordered 05-12-15. Delivered 03-03-16
DONATED TO SON:  GTD 5dr Manual White: Nav Pro: Dynaudio: Winter Pack: Sport & Sound Pack: Rear View Camera: Park Assist. Ordered 19-02-14. Delivered: 07-06-14

Offline Snoopy

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #5 on: 13 May 2010, 11:13 »
No idea i never found out as mine was already ordered months earlier. If i had i would have had a metallic red one more than likley.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline p3eps

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #6 on: 13 May 2010, 13:28 »
I'm surprise reason 1. isn't 'costs about £6k more' like it has been on everything else I've read  :shocked:

As for custom colours - I knew Audi did it, and VW used to do it - but I thought they'd stopped.  You can walk into an Audi garage with an old curtain and have them colour match if for you  :laugh:
Golf R... 3 door, DSG, Leather, Reflex Silver, Black 19" Talladega Wheels, ACC, Parking Sensors, RNS510 with Dynaudio, Reverse Camera, Luxury Pack, Cruise Control & Fiscon Bluetooth.

Offline R32UK

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #7 on: 13 May 2010, 14:02 »
I would probably agree with most of whats written above to some extend.... but given a choice between the 2 it would still be the R for me :grin: :cool:

Offline Duncreflex

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #8 on: 13 May 2010, 15:08 »
"5. The GTI is produced on a standard Golf production line, whereas the R is produced in batches, so the order process for the GTI is easier, faster and more certain."


Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha..... ha!  :grin:   :smiley:

8 months from order to collection.


Would total agree with all your other points, great write up.
Gti mark 6, Candy white, 18" monza shadows, ACC, cruise control.

Offline FamilyDub

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Re: 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than Golf R
« Reply #9 on: 13 May 2010, 15:15 »
I find the GTI badge brings emotional to me but the R just brings up no emotions its an L or GL badge to me.

^^^ This is my thoughts exactly. I always wanted a '90 spec, big bumper MKII GTI, so I bought the MKV instead of an ST or Civic Type R. The 'GTI' is much more emotive.



@ P3eps - Your R looks the absolute shizzle.  :drool:
MKV GTI | Reflex Silver | 5-dr | Anthracite 17" | Manual | Highline MFD | Cruise | Revision 'D' DV | Dirty Pipes |

The GTD is like a blow up doll. The GTI is like a proper woman. Sure the doll might last longer, and the woman might have higher running costs, but which would you rather have?