Which is the best - GTI or R?

[infernox]

I'm also wondering about this. 90-95% of my driving is city driving, so I'm not sure if its worth getting an R over a GTI. I only do around 4k miles a year too. Some people I've asked say I should still go for the R since there aren't many cars available that can reach the highs an R can.

For some reason I think my R rode better than any of the GTI's I've driven in that although it felt a bit more hefty it didn't crash over sharp ridges in the road which every GTI (and GTD for that matter) seemed to do.

Did your R or any of the GTI's/GTD's have DCC? I think a R/GTI/GTD on 18inch wheels with DCC should be comfortable.

[monkeyhanger]

I'm also wondering about this. 90-95% of my driving is city driving, so I'm not sure if its worth getting an R over a GTI. I only do around 4k miles a year too. Some people I've asked say I should still go for the R since there aren't many cars available that can reach the highs an R can.

For some reason I think my R rode better than any of the GTI's I've driven in that although it felt a bit more hefty it didn't crash over sharp ridges in the road which every GTI (and GTD for that matter) seemed to do.

Did your R or any of the GTI's/GTD's have DCC? I think a R/GTI/GTD on 18inch wheels with DCC should be comfortable.

City driving might benefit the R more than you think. There's nothing worse than being stuck at a very busy roundabout, looking for a gap, but also wary that if you give the throttle more than a tickle if it is wet and/or you have Bridgestones, the GTI or GTD will be sat tramping away. This is the main reason I ditched my DTUK'd GTD for an R. Depending on what you're coming from, you might not feel the need for DCC. the MK7 chassis is so good, I can honestly say that my R on 19s (and no DCC) is more comfortable in ride than my MK5 GT Sport TDI170 on 17" rubber.

[kalimon]

This 'getting onto a roundabout' sh!te as a reason to buy an R is ludicrous. I don't see run of the mill cars struggling to do it so I'm sure 300 bhp and all wheel drive is hardly an essential.

[Booth11]

I'm also wondering about this. 90-95% of my driving is city driving, so I'm not sure if its worth getting an R over a GTI. I only do around 4k miles a year too. Some people I've asked say I should still go for the R since there aren't many cars available that can reach the highs an R can.

For some reason I think my R rode better than any of the GTI's I've driven in that although it felt a bit more hefty it didn't crash over sharp ridges in the road which every GTI (and GTD for that matter) seemed to do.

Did your R or any of the GTI's/GTD's have DCC? I think a R/GTI/GTD on 18inch wheels with DCC should be comfortable.

I actually find that one of he great strengths of the R is city driving.  I thought it would be a bit heavy after a GTI (albeit it a mk6), but it really excels at lights, junctions and busy roundabouts, and as monkeyhanger, it's made for maximising those tight gaps, for a quick sure-footed getaway (on Conti 5Ps) and then when out of the city, shows another face out in open roads.  Sure the mpg can be on the lean side, but not a world of difference to a GTI.

[Watts]

Horses for courses 

[infernox]

My car right now is an Audi A3 2008 1.4TFSI Sport with 18 inch S-line alloys so I am expecting the ride to be firmer on the GTI and R but not sure by how much.

[monkeyhanger]

This 'getting onto a roundabout' sh!te as a reason to buy an R is ludicrous. I don't see run of the mill cars struggling to do it so I'm sure 300 bhp and all wheel drive is hardly an essential.

Run of the mill cars with run of the mill tyres don't have tramping bother as they can put down what they develop - my wife's 116ps 1.6TDI A1 on 16" Hankooks is far more surefooted than my GTD on Bridgestones ever was - in the wet and dry.

There are 2 very busy roundabouts on my old commute that gave me bother in the GTD (my 2 Sciroccos without Bridgestones never had bother, but my MK5 170TDI on Bridgestones had tramping issues also), small gaps that an 80PS car gunning it with sure-footed grip could manage to take advantage of. If my GTD had come on Contis/Dunlops/Pirellis and not tramped under all but the most heavy-footed getaways, I may never have thought about getting an R.

Maybe you're right, don't change your car, change your tyres (I changed my car and then changed the tyres - double whammy). 

[monkeyhanger]

My car right now is an Audi A3 2008 1.4TFSI Sport with 18 inch S-line alloys so I am expecting the ride to be firmer on the GTI and R but not sure by how much.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised - yours is built on the MK5 Golf platform and the MK7 MQB chassis is way more compliant and way less crashy on the ride. Go take a test drive.

[Snoopy]

If you can't drive for sh!t buy an R... If you simply want the fastest golf, buy an R...

[Raffe]

 

I went R as I knew it was going to be modded, my MK6 GTi at 300bhp (modded) was struggling with getting the power down on anything other than warm dry roads.

Personally I love the GTi, and would have 100% bought a Club Sport if the numbers had stacked up.

The R is the car which motoring forums love to hate, always high praise IMO as if it's become the villain its often due to great success in the motoring world/press.