GTiMK5 Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Having owned a MK5 GTI for 15 months and now a MK5 .:R32 for the last 2 months I thought I would do a quick write up on what I feel the differences are. The spec for the GTI was Reflex Silver, 3 door manual, leather, armrest, 6 disc changer, 18" alloys and the spec on the R is Deep Blue, 3 door manual, leather, armrest, RCD500 and cruise control so both fairly similar specced. Interior wise, there is hardly any difference, I don’t mind the trim in the R but I would probably prefer the brushed aluminium look in the GTI. I prefer the dials on the R and the way they light up with blue needles and white background at night. One thing to note is the boot space is a fair bit smaller in the R due to the Haldex, for some this could be a problem as it reduces the practicality. I don’t mind the looks of the R on the outside either. The front has never really bothered me although I do think it could be better. I am not 100% about the rear because of the exhausts but since having the Milltek fitted it does look much better. I think the wheels on the R suit it well. I couldn’t say which look I prefer best, in my opinion the R looks more grown up than the GTI which looks sportier. The colour on the R helps, I liked the silver on the GTI because it made the styling stand out but I think the R in silver just blends in with the rest of the golf range. Driving wise, there are some notable differences. I have not really had a chance to try the R in the wet yet other than on a test drive last year but the traction in the GTI was a problem sometimes in the wet and obviously the R does not have this problem. The R does suffer from under steer though and this took a bit of getting used to coming from the GTI which does not suffer this, this initially gave me the impression that the GTI handled better (in the dry) but I am not sure that that is such a true statement now I have become more familiar with the characteristics of the R, it maybe that it just handles better. The R is definitely quicker than the GTI and I would say quite a bit quicker and is capable of getting up to license loosing speeds very quick without much effort at all. The GTI is also capable of this but the R seems to do it faster and more effortlessly. The sound of the R is obviously a big plus over the GTI, I had a Milltek on the GTI and have one on the R but the GTI can’t compete at all in the engine note. I think the main advantage of the GTI over the R is that it’s a fair bit lighter and this was most apparent when blasting down good twisty A and B roads, in this scenario the GTI is probably the more fun car to be driving. Fuel consumption on the R is noticeably worse than the GTI, there are some who say there is not a great difference and I wish I could agree with that. Why did I change? I had not had the GTI for too long and I was looking to change it, it left me wanting, never quite did it for me. So, I started looking for my next car, I considered a few options including the MK4 .:R, S4, the new S3, a 3 series coupe, 130i M sport and the new MK5 .:R. I test drove the 130i M sport and knew it wasn’t for me although it was a good car and some things on it were better than the R. I drove a MK4 R and had a few test drives of the MK5 R (both DSG and manual) and after a lot of thinking I ended up with the R. I didn’t drive an S4 in the end because to have one would have meant spending more than I wanted as I would have preferred a B7 S4 and I got bored of waiting for the new S3. In summary then, I am happy that I made the change. Both cars are good but for me the R is the better car, however, I can appreciate that for some the GTI is the better car. The R costs more to buy, more to run and it could depreciate more in the long run but for me it is the more fun car and the colour and noise it makes is the icing on the cake. I traded the GTI against the R and got £19500 for it, it was 15 months old, 16500 miles on the clock and I paid £21870 for it so I felt I got a good deal. The R was an ex demo, it had 6000 miles on the clock and I paid £24995 (2 grand below list) so was quite happy with that as some dealers were asking list for their demos. I am considering a remap on the R in the future, I have just received an email from APS and they now have a remap available which with the Milltek will give +20BHP and +15lbs of torque. Another option is the Haldex upgrade and also suspension upgrades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Looks great matey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Nice review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Good objective review and one which pulls no punches. It's swings and roundabouts. I could well be tempted by the next generation .:R next time....It's a tough call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Nice review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mwellsgarage Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 the r32 looks gorgeous mate very good choice of colour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Great review - totally non biased too! I had never considered the reduced boot space due to Haldex (space important to me with 2 little ones)...I assume it's just a couple of inches in depth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcool Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] I really dislike those wheels for some reason. Don't suit the car at all IMO. Great review though and the R looks awesome, love that blue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Great review - totally non biased too! I had never considered the reduced boot space due to Haldex (space important to me with 2 little ones)...I assume it's just a couple of inches in depth? [/ QUOTE ] ...I haven't measured it but it's at least 2 inches and can make all the difference. My stage amp wouldn't fit for a start (unless I put the back seats down and then it would be visible). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Looks lovely Dom, and an excellent unbiased review too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyp Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Cracking write up there mate, and of course you have it in the best colour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted July 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Thanks for the comments guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted July 8, 2006 Report Share Posted July 8, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Great review - totally non biased too! I had never considered the reduced boot space due to Haldex (space important to me with 2 little ones)...I assume it's just a couple of inches in depth? [/ QUOTE ] ...I haven't measured it but it's at least 2 inches and can make all the difference. My stage amp wouldn't fit for a start (unless I put the back seats down and then it would be visible). [/ QUOTE ] 4" iirc i know i measured it exactly but i just cannot find the figures at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy32 Posted July 8, 2006 Report Share Posted July 8, 2006 Thats a great review Dom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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