GT, GTI, ED30, R32 - Why?

[Aparoon]

I loved my 1.8t ! Had stage 2 with decat, cool overs , anniversary kit , brides Ali interior trim, lm reps ... Miss it :-(

[andrewparker]

Everyone swears by the build quality of the 1.8T

My boss has a 1.8T 225 Audi TT from new that he's just taken past 100k miles. Never had a problem with it bar a bad coil pack.

[Tamiyoman]

Everyone swears by the build quality of the 1.8T

It's far from bullet proof, largely due to their age. Lots of issues with split vac. pipes etc etc. Ask nick from R-Tech, he will have seen all the issues first hand.

A split vac pipe and a broken driver side window regulator was all that ever went wrong with mine in 5 years of having it, usual servicing, brakes/pads tyres aside.

[Mk5 GTian]

I thought the MKIV 1.8 turbo was alright, well the 180 bhp version anyway.

What was an absolute disgrace is the 2.0 8 valve version they did with 115 bhp.
How they could call this a Gti I will never know.

Ity wasn't the power that was the problem, it was the handling and lack of steering feel. For me, these are 2 of the fundamental characteristics that make a GTi a GTi, as delivered in Mks 1, 2, 5 & 6.

I totally agree, the 2.0 8 valve was a total disgrace, and a very cynical (and damaging) piece of marketing. 

[Ree]

I may be wrong but to my understanding, I thougth the MK4 had better feed back as the steering is not electrical as the MK5 range.

[andrewparker]

I may be wrong but to my understanding, I thougth the MK4 had better feed back as the steering is not electrical as the MK5 range.

The MK4 had appalling steering. Who on earth is providing you with this info?

[JigBake]

I had a mk4 R32 and loved it. The car was great fun and was bullet proof. It Loved to be driven hard but the downsides were that it ate through tyres when driven hard, not as comfortable as my ed30 and it wasnt very practical. I loved R32 and that noise and I love my ed30. My ed30 is faster and easier to drive smoothly.

Both great cars!!

[R32UK]

always the r32 for me..  and im not biased in anyway

[simonp]

The 2.0 mk4 GTI was an about face rescue mission, as it was originally a non turbo 1.8. It was slightly lacking in torque, so VW whacked in the old lump from the mk3.

[driver rider]

Went to look at a GTI today (looked at far too many now) they had an R32 id be lying if i said I wasn't tempted.  They look so tasty and the sounds amazing!  What are the extra running cost that one would need to be aware of over a GTI?

They also sound very tasty and what is the MPG compared to a golf GTI.

[Tinytim]

Extra costs I can think of are:

Road tax £460 instead of Gti at £245 although thu probably sneakily increased this in the budget.

From owning both I'd say between 5-8mpg worse off fuel wise.

You will get through tyres quicker as its heavier and 4wd

Haldex service for 4 wheel drive although I think this is only every 40,000 and probably £100 a time.

2 extra spark plugs on a service, again minimal cost. Plus 2 more coul packs if you ever need to replace.

Insurance was similar for me.

I can't think of anything else that's obvious at the minute.

[rdfcpete]

.:R32 with a turbo, or even two of the soldiers is of course, a different story; 

[R32UK]

Went to look at a GTI today (looked at far too many now) they had an R32 id be lying if i said I wasn't tempted.  They look so tasty and the sounds amazing!  What are the extra running cost that one would need to be aware of over a GTI?

They also sound very tasty and what is the MPG compared to a golf GTI.

I would take the R32 over the GTI everyday.... even though my mk6 revod GTI was probably on parr with the R32, the R32 would give me a smile everytime I drove it. The GTI only does sometimes.

[driver rider]

Extra costs I can think of are:

Road tax £460 instead of Gti at £245 although thu probably sneakily increased this in the budget.

From owning both I'd say between 5-8mpg worse off fuel wise.

You will get through tyres quicker as its heavier and 4wd

Haldex service for 4 wheel drive although I think this is only every 40,000 and probably £100 a time.

2 extra spark plugs on a service, again minimal cost. Plus 2 more coul packs if you ever need to replace.

Insurance was similar for me.

I can't think of anything else that's obvious at the minute.

Thanks for the reply some very useful info.  

Ive just had a quick look insurance quotes they seem reasonable.  

The road tax though is excessive.  But hey its the price to pay for having performance cars.  

Having owned both what did you like and dislike about the two cars comparing them side by side?  How much quicker did the R32 feel Vs GTI.  Which did you enjoy more personally?  Apologies for the questions!!

[driver rider]

Went to look at a GTI today (looked at far too many now) they had an R32 id be lying if i said I wasn't tempted.  They look so tasty and the sounds amazing!  What are the extra running cost that one would need to be aware of over a GTI?

They also sound very tasty and what is the MPG compared to a golf GTI.

I would take the R32 over the GTI everyday.... even though my mk6 revod GTI was probably on parr with the R32, the R32 would give me a smile everytime I drove it. The GTI only does sometimes.

Ive driven a GTI mk 5 to me it felt wonderful currently drive a polo (needed to build no claims as a young driver).  You couldn't explain what made you smile about the R32 every time where did the GTI fall short for you.

Mechanically is there anything i should especially look out for when buying an R32 over a GTI?