GTI vs R - initial thoughts

[shiners]

This place is far friendlier than rforum at the outset and ongoing (most there do seem to calm down a bit once they get to know you), maybe we've had more time to get to know each other. It's a good thing that the people who have or will soon have an R are staying with this forum for their primary car forum needs because it's a nicer place to be.

+1 

+2 
 I found the Seatcupra forum real friendly and helpful when I had the Leon FR. Have moved on and recently ordered a leaseR 

[Snoopy]

It's noticable compared to the Mk5/6 you get used to it

Interesting as i find the mk6 v.poor compared to the leon I also have which is basically a mk4 golf. Getting in and out of my drive and then swinging it into the garage with a mk7 maybe a bit of a challenge.

[Booth11]

It's noticable compared to the Mk5/6 you get used to it

Interesting as i find the mk6 v.poor compared to the leon I also have which is basically a mk4 golf. Getting in and out of my drive and then swinging it into the garage with a mk7 maybe a bit of a challenge.

Similar thinking here snoopy. Mk6 swings perfectly in driveway so I can drive out onto road.  Hope mk7 not going to be a faff.  Hardly a deal breaker though.

Btw matchboy, R looks fantastic, enjoy 

[mjh_056]

Matchboy: I see you have the dreaded Bridgestones, you'll have to let us know whether the 4WD really overcomes the sh!tty grip these provide on my GTD.

If not and I end up with them on mine, i'll be swapping out on day 1 for some Michelins from Costco and have them sold. Never had a response back from VW Germany relating to my request not to have them, and asking the dealer to swap them only works if there are 2 Rs on Cadiz in at the same time that don't both have Bridgestones fitted.

I had the Bridgestones on my GTI and never had a problem tbh - it's the Dunlops that I can't bear - awful tyre!

Saying that, once they're on the way out I'll be putting Michellin PS3's on it.

It was p!ssing it yesterday and I felt safe as houses at speed, so maybe the 4WD has overcome any issues?

In the dry there is no tangible difference between a standard drive and 4WD but when it is wet the 4WD definitely comes into its own with being able to just pull away as if dry (while everyone else around is having to manage their power or have car do it for them) and having come from 6 years of driving 4WD to standard can testify the fact that though the MK7 is very stable in wet the feeling a 4WD gives you is 100% and totally assured and something do miss.

The 4WD does make the car feel heavier too but in that solid and assured way mentioned above, it can be an on rails experience.

The R is really tempting me for my next car to compliment the GTD as becomes 2nd car, but my constant struggle is that even in the GTD I know that day to day driving conditions have not really let me explore its capabilities.

So its nice to have that extra power and torque on tap for bursts need it but its the comfort of cabin, DCC, DSG and auto hold that find appreciate the most through my regular miles.

I am keeping the GTD so going to have to really test drive the R to see how it 'makes me feel' as thats the overall decider, how you feel.

If feeling is there is not much over the GTD for most drives then actually will go top of range Tiguan!

Glad you like DSG, was new to me too, and total convert and doubt go back to manual now.

Its a lovely, lovely car though and love the colour though would be tempted to a white myself as shows all the lines and differentiates the styling features more clearly.

Remember all comments on this forum are at the very fine edge of personal taste when in reality whatever model you have you are not doing too bad 

[matchboy]

I agree totally guys. It's not a case of banishing people to the R forum. Everyone on here is great and I wouldn't wanna see them move forum.

It's just human instinct that if you go on a GTI forum and pick fault with the GTI it's going to naturally annoy people who are passionate about their GTI's.

Anyway, let's forget about it

Just to put this to bed, I don't believe once that I picked fault with the GTI, so slightly confused by your last two posts. This thread was purely for comparison purposes, and from my point of view.

Having been a member of this forum for 5+ years it's clear that I too am very passionate about GTI's - and I've owned 7. This is by far the friendliest forum on t'internet, and even if I didn't own a VW I'd still stick around 

[mjh_056]

I agree totally guys. It's not a case of banishing people to the R forum. Everyone on here is great and I wouldn't wanna see them move forum.

It's just human instinct that if you go on a GTI forum and pick fault with the GTI it's going to naturally annoy people who are passionate about their GTI's.

Anyway, let's forget about it

Just to put this to bed, I don't believe once that I picked fault with the GTI, so slightly confused by your last two posts. This thread was purely for comparison purposes, and from my point of view.

Having been a member of this forum for 5+ years it's clear that I too am very passionate about GTI's - and I've owned 7. This is by far the friendliest forum on t'internet, and even if I didn't own a VW I'd still stick around 

Think thats unquestioned really its obvious you love the Golf, the MK7 and have in reality just changed how you like your steak served 

The core of this forum will always be GTI but to understand its value as a car its good to read about the competition within and outside of VW which IMO does little more than solidify the VW GTI position as best all round hot hatch on market today.

[Edi35]

Changed to an R from ED35 this weekend as there is not enough of a difference in terms of performance between the ED35 and GTI PP. Agree MK7 R is the performance option and totally worth the extra expense and GTI still best all round.

Here is a pic of the change over, sad to see my ED35 go but grin factor even bigger behind the wheel of the R:

[mjh_056]

Changed to an R from ED35 this weekend as there is not enough of a difference in terms of performance between the ED35 and GTI PP. Agree MK7 R is the performance option and totally worth the extra expense and GTI still best all round.

Here is a pic of the change over, sad to see my ED35 go but grin factor even bigger behind the wheel of the R:

Think some support to my thinking the R maybe looks at its best in the white with how the black trim contrasts so markedly against the white compared to other colours and the R needs that impact much more than the GTI does with its more pronounced and IMO better front end styling.

Have to say the ED35 is such a lovely car too and whoever gets that is going to be feeling pretty good about themselves too.

[Edi35]

Thanks, I have really had a lot of fun in my 2 ED35s





Looking at the carbon grey I wish the R came in more colours and this would be a nice addition or a metallic red maybe?

[mjh_056]

Thanks, I have really had a lot of fun in my 2 ED35s

Looking at the carbon grey I wish the R came in more colours and this would be a nice addition or a metallic red maybe?

Think the R should have the full colour range and a couple of exclusive if folk want to really differentiate.

The white ED35 is a real beauty  garage will sale that easily.

Be interesting over a little time to read how the R makes you feel over the outgoing ED35, so do keep us updated as be good to know which aspects make the difference to you.