GTI vs R - initial thoughts

[matchboy]

Nice review Matchboy. Stunning pics.

Two quick questions.

Does the media display show the R logo on startup similar to the GTI?
How does the boot space compare?

Thanks 

I haven't noticed the R logo tbh - I'll check in the morning!

Boot space - it's slightly smaller but I've only opened it once 

[Mr Savage]

Precisely what the above 2 posts say. The R has 370NM of Torque compared to the GTI's 350NM at stock, so barely a difference. The R has a bigger turbo so technically should be better in the higher revs. Of course the extra 60-70BHP make a difference too but again not hugely noticeable in my opinion.

I was actually really disappointed when I drove my brothers R as it felt, dare I say it, slower than I expected for it's figures and very very heavy at the back compared to the GTI down to the 4 wheel drive system weighing it down.

I was ready to make an order to the R myself but wasn't all that impressed by it.

I must admit the R does sound much better in the cabin though. Especially the upshifts which are much louder. You had a manual before though which doesn't pop anywhere near as the DSG's. The R does boom better though.

Not trying to steal your thunder as I know you've obviously just spent a ridiculous amount of money changing to the R and it is a great car but just being honest.

You can be honest  I completely disagree with what you're saying, but that's fine too!

Having owned 7 GTI's from the 4 all the way to the 7 IMO the R is in a different league performance wise - I drive all my cars hard so trust me when I say I've tested it 

My missus read this and said if you don't think the R is a hell of a lot quicker then you didn't drive it right 

Not at all. Bear in mind I drive a Revo Stage 1 GTI with 420NM of Torque and 300BHP which destroys the R

[mcmaddy]

Who cares! The R is a fine car so is the gti and so is the gtd. It's not a pi44ing contest in the playground and the way some people think they always know best on here is starting to get a bit annoying. Plenty other cars will ”destroy ” a stage 1 with 420nm and 300bhp which wouldn't be that difficult either. Why can't people be happy for someone else.

[charlie]

Who cares! The R is a fine car so is the gti and so is the gtd. It's not a pi44ing contest in the playground and the way some people think they always know best on here is starting to get a bit annoying. Plenty other cars will ”destroy ” a stage 1 with 420nm and 300bhp which wouldn't be that difficult either. Why can't people be happy for someone else.

loving the peace mcmaddy keep up the good work and your right all 3 cars are fine in there own right 

[Hawaii-Five-O]

Why can't people be happy for someone else.

Im happy for him...if a little jealous What I'd love is my GTI with 4Motion to get all its power down in the greasy wet. But they'll never do that

[p3asa]

Lovely looking car Matchboy. I'm very jealous. Thanks for the review also, very enlightening.
I was never that keen on the front of the R but its starting to grow on me.
One thing that worries me though, is you parking in a car park side by side to another car!! That would freak me out and I couldn't leave it there.  Its top n tail only for me or I just won't park 

Enjoy that car of yours and keep us updated on things you like / dislike / discover about it.

[wigit]

the problem you have when you start a thread is people may differ in opinion, if you do not want people to make such comments do not make a post about it in the first place

when we are talking about performance of a R you really have two aspects chassis dynamics and engine performance

my comments were made in terms of outright straight line speed, but for me the dynamics and ability and accessibility of performance is were it absolutely shows its class

any fwd car running 300+ bhp is flawed unless you invest is some hardware upgrades and that is speaking from someone who has been there and done it on three occasions

[Mr Savage]

Who cares! The R is a fine car so is the gti and so is the gtd. It's not a pi44ing contest in the playground and the way some people think they always know best on here is starting to get a bit annoying. Plenty other cars will ”destroy ” a stage 1 with 420nm and 300bhp which wouldn't be that difficult either. Why can't people be happy for someone else.

Haha it's just a bit of harmless teasing! Calm down! If you read my first post I even said I'm happy for him and I also said numerous times that the R is a great car I just disagreed with the comment regarding it being on another planet that was all.

[matchboy]

Well this escalated quickly.....

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I'm a big boy and can take it    If I wanted to get involved in a p!ssing contest I'd pull out the fact that my brother is a millionaire and I frequently drive all the Ferraris, Porsches, BMW M cars, Audi R8s, RR's etc etc - which will destroy a mapped GTI - but there's no need to go down that route

I only posted the thread to offer a little insight into the differences between the two cars - this forum is the best place for help and insight into VW's, and there's some really decent and helpful people on here, so its nice to give something back every now and then - and as I said, apart from the speed element they are very similar cars.  It wasn't to slag off the GTI in any way as its an amazing car and I was sad to see mine go 

Thanks for all the nice comments - and yes p3asa I was very concerned when that joker pulled up next to me - suffice to say I didn't leave my car unattended 

[CraigW]

Who cares! The R is a fine car so is the gti and so is the gtd. It's not a pi44ing contest in the playground and the way some people think they always know best on here is starting to get a bit annoying. Plenty other cars will ”destroy ” a stage 1 with 420nm and 300bhp which wouldn't be that difficult either. Why can't people be happy for someone else.

Haha it's just a bit of harmless teasing! Calm down! If you read my first post I even said I'm happy for him and I also said numerous times that the R is a great car I just disagreed with the comment regarding it being on another planet that was all.

One small turn of phrase causes chaos  . We all have our own opinions and as mentioned imo it felt mighty fast compared to the GTI but then it was a brief test drive. I might feel differently after 6 months of ownership if i had one but who knows.

We are comparing apples and oranges here, your comparing against a stage 1 remap and i'm comparing against a bog standard PP. If you were to compare against a stage 1 R you may feel differently