Why the negativity for MK3 Golfs - enlighten me :)

[jeremybarker]

Plus, and correct me when I'm wrong, but a similarly decent Rado VR6 would be double the money of a Golf VR6.

I'd definately consider it though, how much better is a Corrado VR6 over a MK3 Golf VR6. I suppose the flip side is that the Corrado will hold it's value better than the Golf.

[Wayne]

When first developed the MK3 16V had 177hp and the VR6 was supercharged and ran 220hp approx but due to poor economic climate and rising insurance costs and two cars that would be competing with each other VW de-tuned them both so the 16V became the 150hp we know today and the VR6 lost it's supercharger.

Internet rumours, sorry to burst your bubble but the 16v never had 177bhp, it has been posted many times if that was the case it would be a dam sight easier to get more power out of it.

Also the 16v and VR were never made to compete with each other, the VR was aimed at the same market as Bmw's 325's etc whilst the 16v was the hot hatch

[dom]

When first developed the MK3 16V had 177hp and the VR6 was supercharged and ran 220hp approx but due to poor economic climate and rising insurance costs and two cars that would be competing with each other VW de-tuned them both so the 16V became the 150hp we know today and the VR6 lost it's supercharger.

Internet rumours, sorry to burst your bubble but the 16v never had 177bhp, it has been posted many times if that was the case it would be a dam sight easier to get more power out of it.

Also the 16v and VR were never made to compete with each other, the VR was aimed at the same market as Bmw's 325's etc whilst the 16v was the hot hatch

I was gonna say, I thought that was all a myth!

[Diamond Hell]

So what we are saying then is that the MK3 GTI was a bit of a disapointment, not as focussed as the previous Golfs but has potential.

Correct.

4. Should respond well to some decent suspension, polybushing, brakes and be a fun toy i can use for trackdays.

All joking aside, if you want it specifically for track days then go for it - there are at least a couple of hard-campaigned VR6 G3 track cars I know of.

Move the battery and washer bottle out of the front, to where the rear bench should be, keep the spare in and add a 6-point cage and I suspect you'll maintain/improve the weight balance, so it shouldn't be too bad.

HOWEVER

You need to not mind the hike in fuel costs that comes with running nearly another litre of engine capacity.

If I was starting out to build a track car now I'd probably go find a VR6 Syncro in Germany because, provided you can get the rear end to participate I think it would be a very surprising device, especially if it were pressure-charged.  As it is, I made my proverbial bed a long time ago and I have a grippy, playful and fast track car, which is very different to most Golf2 track cars which, given a moist track can spank virtually anything that's not an Evo or Impreza.

[JC]

So what we are saying then is that the MK3 GTI was a bit of a disapointment, not as focussed as the previous Golfs but has potential.

Correct.

4. Should respond well to some decent suspension, polybushing, brakes and be a fun toy i can use for trackdays.

All joking aside, if you want it specifically for track days then go for it - there are at least a couple of hard-campaigned VR6 G3 track cars I know of.

Move the battery and washer bottle out of the front, to where the rear bench should be, keep the spare in and add a 6-point cage and I suspect you'll maintain/improve the weight balance, so it shouldn't be too bad.

HOWEVER

You need to not mind the hike in fuel costs that comes with running nearly another litre of engine capacity.

If I was starting out to build a track car now I'd probably go find a VR6 Syncro in Germany because, provided you can get the rear end to participate I think it would be a very surprising device, especially if it were pressure-charged.  As it is, I made my proverbial bed a long time ago and I have a grippy, playful and fast track car, which is very different to most Golf2 track cars which, given a moist track can spank virtually anything that's not an Evo or Impreza.

even when carrying Excess Ballast

 

[Diamond Hell]

even when carrying Excess Ballast

Yes, even the sort of ballast that's so girly it won't come to Germany....

[VR6_Wherry]

Hope this helps..

[robz]

long thread
my 2p...

i got the dub bug and honestly could not decide between the 2! but in the end i saw my mk3 and loved it instantly, the way it drives is fantastic, what ruins mine is the ebay suspension, and until i can afford to replaced this then i never will throw it around!
for me it cruises brilliantly, overtakes easily, corners well, so its everything i wanted from a car!
lets face it, the golf is never gonna handle like a mini is it, cos ive still not droven anything that grips like those for similar money!
the corrado is out cos its too expensive to repair/maintain, hence why i sold mine!
for me, i want the vr, and i bought the 8v knowing the engine was shot, so once it has a little more power, and a good suspension set up, ill be happy!
with regards to looks, the mk2 is iconic, as the mk1 is. but standard, i agree the mk3 looks cack, the cars fine, just the crap wheels/lights, etc... attached to it make it look poo!
also, i just get to laugh at my mate with 2 mk2's, as when he has to spend every weekend fixing which ever one has broken, i can sit on my arse enjoying other things, or doing what i want to do with the car!
as said, depends what you want with a car, dh's interest is track, which in his experience is mk2, but as i have a speed limit of 70 mph and road rules to follow, then im happy with low n slow!

[jeremybarker]

Welcome to the party Robz, what took you so long 

[Diamond Hell]

Welcome to the party Robz, what took you so long 

That's how long it took his G3 to get here.