Golf R Line

[dubber36]

Regarding the front end of the GTD being the best looking am I missing something here? Apart from a different colour stripe at the front which is barely noticeable is there any difference? 

The point is the GTI/GTD front end is considered by many to look better - and some (me included) don't like the red strip going through the headlamps. The GTD does not have that which makes it the winner!

It also has twin exhaust pipes as opposed to split pipes at the back which makes it a loser 

Whereas the GTI looks like a wheelbarrow 

[CraigW]

Regarding the front end of the GTD being the best looking am I missing something here? Apart from a different colour stripe at the front which is barely noticeable is there any difference? 

The point is the GTI/GTD front end is considered by many to look better - and some (me included) don't like the red strip going through the headlamps. The GTD does not have that which makes it the winner!

It also has twin exhaust pipes as opposed to split pipes at the back which makes it a loser 

Whereas the GTI looks like a wheelbarrow 

And the GTD drives like a tractor, whats your point? 

[carl1]

I do think the GTI is better at the back than the GTD regarding exhaust split. So that's one thing i prefer on the car i bought, also the red is growing on me regarding the badges on the wings and even the line on the front a little. I have always liked the red GTI badges on the front and rear as mine is a Met Black PP, i think those make it look just that little bit special.

[wigit]

Never had any issues with the R-Line range, the Golf looked great in the flesh when I took a gander at Frankfurt, I do not see any real heratige to the R brand either and really don't lose sleep over it given its not as if its been around for ages

VW diluted the GTI brand on the mk4 especially given the TDi and in reality the mk5, 6 and 7 have helped restore that

Personally for me the GTI is the more iconic brand, the fact that everyone asks if i have a R32 says it all really, I always wished they had badged it GTI-R

I like they they differentiated GTD from GTI but really annoys me that VW won't do a PP GTD

[monkeyhanger]

Regarding the front end of the GTD being the best looking am I missing something here? Apart from a different colour stripe at the front which is barely noticeable is there any difference? 

The point is the GTI/GTD front end is considered by many to look better - and some (me included) don't like the red strip going through the headlamps. The GTD does not have that which makes it the winner!

It also has twin exhaust pipes as opposed to split pipes at the back which makes it a loser 

Whereas the GTI looks like a wheelbarrow 

And the GTD drives like a tractor, whats your point? 

I thought I was at the R forum for a second there. 

[Booth11]

Never had any issues with the R-Line range... I do not see any real heratige to the R brand either and really don't lose sleep over it given its not as if its been around for ages...

There's truth in this, but, if the .:R is to really establish proper brand heritage (like the R32), then additions such as lthe R-line may only cause confusion.  As you say not likely to lose sleep over it but still...

[carl1]

It could be said that the GTD is the R-Line of the GTI, same body kit etc. Obviously the performance gap is a lot closer on GTD/GTI and a different planet on the R/R-line. Was the performance gap a lot back in the mk1 days between the GTD/GTI, just a thought.

[wigit]

The GTD has always had a heritage as dates back to the Mk2 an thats why I like it

The likes of Merc, Audi and BMW have been diluting the AMG, S and M brands by sticking these on some dreary often woefully underpowered derv cars in order to meet the aspirations of the CO2 strangled company car driver so he can get one up on his mates at the drive through Costa

[Andyl]

The GTD has always had a heritage as dates back to the Mk2 an thats why I like it

The likes of Merc, Audi and BMW have been diluting the AMG, S and M brands by sticking these on some dreary often woefully underpowered derv cars in order to meet the aspirations of the CO2 strangled company car driver so he can get one up on his mates at the drive through Costa

There was a MK1 GTD too...

[andykram]

I find this all very interesting as I'm beginning the process of looking for the replacement for my Mk6 GTi. I now need 5 doors and I'm also not car sharing to work anymore so will be doing a lot more miles so I have started to consider going to the dark side and buying a GTD. Purely out of necessity with fuel cost.
Test drove one last week and I must say (it had literally just come off the transporter and still had all its wrapping on) I really liked it. It had the 19 inch upgrades on and, in red, it looked really smart to me. I had been considering a GT and I think it would work out a couple of grand cheaper but think I'd struggle with a "mere" 150hp!. I didn't see any point to the R Line as it's just cosmetic differences. As people have said I may as well buy a GTD.
And then today, I walked into the local Skoda dealer and looked at the diesel Octavia VRS. Well, that was really smart too. Missing some little chrome bits of the GTD and the lined door pockets but other than that, it was all standard VW fare inside. It would b £2.5k cheaper tan a GTD of the same spec.
And for a complete left field option, I'm off to look at that new Jaguar XE tomorrow night at a preview event. Yes, that would be more than a GTD but it's a gorgeous looking thing in my eyes and certainly worth a look.
Choices, choices, eh? Do I fancy a change or not?