Golf 8R vs Golf 8 GTI - steering.

[Dogman12]

Hello there (c) 

I probably know that steering in the 8R is heavier than in the 8 GTI, but I'm seeking confirmation from people who actually drove both cars.

I feel that steering in my MK8 GTI is a bit on the light side even in "Sport" mode, and I'm wondering if it is heavier in R. Cause 8R even has three steering modes: comfort, sport, and race. (while GTI only comfort and sport).

Who drove both cars and felt the actual differences?

[fredgroves]

Are we trying to talk ourselves into a new R by any chance 

[Exonian]

3 years, 45000 kilometres (hopefully I’ve calculated that right?) in a mk8 Clubsport and 1 year, 15000 km in a mk8 R here.
Steering in both in normal settings is fairly light and pleasant, they drive quite similarly in everyday use BUT in Race mode the steering of the R really firms up and is quite heavy and direct feeling. The gearbox keeps in lower gears and the exhaust becomes pretty vocal. That setting is fine for a quick blast but would become a bit of an assault on the senses and my wrists would soon ache I’d imagine if used for longer periods. I might try it out on a longer journey for scientific purposes.

[Dogman12]

3 years, 45000 kilometres (hopefully I’ve calculated that right?) in a mk8 Clubsport and 1 year, 15000 km in a mk8 R here.
Steering in both in normal settings is fairly light and pleasant, they drive quite similarly in everyday use BUT in Race mode the steering of the R really firms up and is quite heavy and direct feeling. The gearbox keeps in lower gears and the exhaust becomes pretty vocal. That setting is fine for a quick blast but would become a bit of an assault on the senses and my wrists would soon ache I’d imagine if used for longer periods. I might try it out on a longer journey for scientific purposes.

Thanks! Appreciate the detailed feedback! 

So "Race" mode in 8R adds even more weight to the steering. By the way, are you the owner of Golf R 20 years, or standard 8R? I'm not sure if they did anything special to the steering in R20. VW probably only tuned turbo and engine for the 20R edition.

[Exonian]

Race mode adds lots more weight.
Mine is a standard R not a 20Y.
I was actually offered a better deal on an in stock R 20Y but I’m not keen on the leather seats. Admittedly the seats look really nice but I have to use the car at 4:30am in winter and I don’t fancy parking my delicate bottom onto a freezing cold slice of dead cow.
I doubt there are other dynamic differences between the 8R’s other than the anti-lag turbo.

[Dogman12]

Race mode adds lots more weight.
Mine is a standard R not a 20Y.
I was actually offered a better deal on an in stock R 20Y but I’m not keen on the leather seats. Admittedly the seats look really nice but I have to use the car at 4:30am in winter and I don’t fancy parking my delicate bottom onto a freezing cold slice of dead cow.
I doubt there are other dynamic differences between the 8R’s other than the anti-lag turbo.

Fair enough for the leather seats. I completely agree on all points. However, they do look great and add a premium feel to the 8R cabin. I don't like the look of fabric seats on 8R  . So it's a question of look or feel.

By contrast, GTI cloth seats have great looks and comfort. I'm glad I didn't have to pay more for the leather on 8 GTI (GTI leather seats look worse).

As for the differences between 20Y and standard R, yeah, I believe those are all software changes to the turbo and engine; anti-lag, wider torque, "emotional start," etc.

By the way, does your R have DCC?

[Exonian]

I actually quite like the look of the 8R cloth seats. They brighten the interior up, the alcantara grips quite well and I rarely feel the need to switch the seat heaters on.

No DCC on mine, again, everyone on the internet says you need it, I say you don’t! The springs are pretty firm and no amount of damper adjustment will change that.

[Exonian]

After a couple of weeks experimenting with the steering modes on an 8R (not an 8.5 unfortunately but likely very similar).
Race mode feels heavy when close to the dead ahead position, with resistance being felt in my wrists, but it lightens up on lock making it too much of a Jekyll and Hyde mode with very little natural feel to it.
The other two driving modes feel similar to each other and feel more natural and progressive, definitely more predictable for regular driving. Those modes feel quite similar to my previous Clubsport. Race mode feels more frenetic as far a gearbox and steering is concerned, ideal for boy racers but not great for commuting. 

[Dogman12]

After a couple of weeks experimenting with the steering modes on an 8R (not an 8.5 unfortunately but likely very similar).
Race mode feels heavy when close to the dead ahead position, with resistance being felt in my wrists, but it lightens up on lock making it too much of a Jekyll and Hyde mode with very little natural feel to it.

Thanks for the additional clarification! I feel that it can be valuable, though English is not my native language so it's tough to understand what is "close to dead ahed position" and what is "Jekyll and Hyde mode". haha 

[Exonian]

Good point Dogman!
Dead ahead is an old English phrase probably from sailing boats originally. It means straight ahead. In racing cars the marker at 12 o’clock (“top dead centre”) on the steering wheel is sometimes referred to as a dead ahead marker.
Jekyll and Hyde is a shortened name from a famous old book set in probably the late 1800’s. It’s been made into plays and films over the years. The story is about a respectable Doctor (Dr Jekyll) and an evil murderer known as Mr Hyde. They turn out to be the same person. Two very different characters in one person’s body.
The term is used commonly in English.
Basically the steering in Race has two different personalities depending on how much steering angle is applied. Not a natural feel but maybe useful on a racetrack(?)