GTI to an R... worth it?

[Raffe]

Is it modified as mine feels quite flat performance wise, bit quicker than my Leon but certainly not setting any pants on fire

[Exonian]

good article in this months TG on hot hatches and the stig and where the VAG contingent

It's not often I buy car mags but you just persuaded me to put a copy in my trolley at Sainsburys earlier!
Will read it tomorrow when the rain puts a stop to my car cleaning day...

[wigit]

its interesting how they rate the fun factor

[Edi35]

Is it modified as mine feels quite flat performance wise, bit quicker than my Leon but certainly not setting any pants on fire

One of the reasons I changed my MK6 to the ED35 as the bigger turbo makes the car feel faster (even if there is very little in it on paper). Std GTI is great, goes from low revs but does feel flat at the top end and therefore needs a map IMO.

[Raffe]

Is it modified as mine feels quite flat performance wise, bit quicker than my Leon but certainly not setting any pants on fire

One of the reasons I changed my MK6 to the ED35 as the bigger turbo makes the car feel faster (even if there is very little in it on paper). Std GTI is great, goes from low revs but does feel flat at the top end and therefore needs a map IMO.

Everything I have read indicates that once mapped I will find it a bit more exciting to drive, fingers crossed

Intake and CAT back winging its way to me should help spice up the sounds too...

[wigit]

power delivery between the GTI with IHI and K04 is completely different experience

IHI kicks in lower down the range so you get the surge of torque sooner (you can get caught napping with the K04) put still hits peak power around 5.5k, big advantage when i went stage 2 was there was very little drop off in power after this

when i took the mods off off the rocco i got Revo to go back to Stage 1 rather than stock as it had no mid range (in comparison)

in stage 2 form the IHI was good but for me couldn't match the K04 in terms of fun

[Raffe]

Starting to wonder if my impulsive purchase has stuffed me as I wanted an ED30 originally but got seduced by the MK6 looks...hmmmm

[R32UK]

i think i slightly prefered mapped mk6 gti to the ed30 for everyday driving... but once it gets into the big numbers the k04 just keeps on going.

[Arena8]

You'd need to drive an R to know.
In my short drive, they feel heavier and more reluctant to change direction - to be expected with 4WD.
No doubt that if your sense of 'fun' is going from A to B in all weathers as fast as possible, then an R will deliver...once you get used to how best to drive it...the problem I felt was that it didn't feel 'fun'.
It was very good...if anything, too good. To efficient...too well sorted, too easy...which meant the 'fun' came right at the edge of the grip envelope.

The last thing I want is something that pushes the speeds and limits even higher.

In my opinion, and it is purely an opinion, you have more fun at modest speeds in a GTI because it's not so good at putting the power down etc. You have to work at it, put some effort it...the R was uber quick and easy with minimum effort once you get used to the way to drive it to get the best from it (same as an S3/R32)

I think the final call will come down to how you want your fun delivered and what's important. 

Im totally in agreement here with theses comments.

Ive owed an Audi 8P S3 and i felt it was way to clinical and Id hazard a guess very much like the R. The 4 wheel drive system is heavier and transmission loss in my opinion doesnt make it feel that much faster although you can argue its better in bends but i didnt rag it every day so didnt always feel the cost value was in it (S3 is of course quattro by nature so no alternative)

Now that Im in an ED35 which is a VW alternative, its livlier not bogged down, corners just as brilliantly and i think in either GTI/ED35 a cheaper option thats still gives you miles of smiles