The key to performance motoring is....

[Hedge]

Oh really, so why have they made a mk6 GTi with more horsepower with the same suspension setup then 

A car may be made to go faster in a straight line for the public highways, doesn't mean the suspension is then hopeless. (which it isn't)

How do you know it's the same suspension setup. It looks the same but spring and damper rates could have been changed.

At the end of the day it's only 10 bhp difference...

[Saintsteve]

Oh really, so why have they made a mk6 GTi with more horsepower with the same suspension setup then  

A car may be made to go faster in a straight line for the public highways, doesn't mean the suspension is then hopeless. (which it isn't)

How do you know it's the same suspension setup. It looks the same but spring and damper rates could have been changed.

At the end of the day it's only 10 bhp difference...

Same as me Ian, you don't know and neither do I chap.

[Hedge]

Rest assured though if they had added 50 or 60 hp they would have revised the suspension (& brakes). 

[tony_danza]

The GTI's handling is superb on the OE kit.

With all the stuff I did to mine, I still say I never made the car 'better', I made it different. It was built to work on track.

[Hedge]

That's exactly right.

Throw a large chunk of horsepower at it though and you need to change stuff to match.

[RedRobin]

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The key to performance motoring is firstly to..........     REMAP YOUR DRIVER'S BRAIN!

Courses such as by Drivetrain are invaluable and can apply to whatever car you drive. It's all about Roadcraft and Awareness.

[Saintsteve]

The GTI's handling is superb on the OE kit.

With all the stuff I did to mine, I still say I never made the car 'better', I made it different. It was built to work on track.

Horraaa! Thankyou tony. That was what I was trying to say, but in a roundabout sort of way   

[RedRobin]

I think VW's own stock suspension is good enough personally..

....It is mostly so for a OEM standard car. But you forget that the standard car is designed for a market of folks who primarily want a comfy ride and aren't interested in tactile fun on the twisties.

[Saintsteve]

I think VW's own stock suspension is good enough personally..

....It is mostly so for a OEM standard car. But you forget that the standard car is designed for a market of folks who primarily want a comfy ride and aren't interested in tactile fun on the twisties.^[/sup]

Sorry robin. Don't agree with your statement of what the GTi was designed for. That's what it's built for, fun on the twistes, and it is still a fun a capable car in whether you've added some extra horsepower. brakes in my opinion for the use on the public roads are as you say correctly ! IMO remapping your driving style to suit. It's all bull about stuff not being up to the job.

[RedRobin]

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Personally I think that handling and hence brakes mods are more important than power mods. I include the Quaife (or similar aftermarket) diff in that.

Your car doesn't know whether it's being driven fast on a road or a track - It simply responds to how it's being driven. A track driven car is just more full-on and for much longer sessions.

I want to feel as safe as possible when I drive and handling and performance mods help that enormously. The other factor is just pure (responsibly driven) fun and enthusiasm for every mile. I remapped my car after many of my handling mods.

[RedRobin]

Sorry robin. Don't agree with your statement of what the GTi was designed for. That's what it's built for, fun on the twistes, and it is still a fun a capable car in whether you've added some extra horsepower. brakes in my opinion for the use on the public roads are as you say correctly ! IMO remapping your driving style to suit. It's all bull about stuff not being up to the job.

....I'm not saying that the standard car isn't up to the job but I am saying that it can be greatly improved to suit our individual tastes. 

Volkswagen haven't built the car which suits me best - It's a truly great allrounder which suits my lifestyle perfectly but I have felt the need to improve it.

[Saintsteve]

These cars are tested mile after mile after mile, I'm sure if these components weren't up to the job, then VW would of updated or replaced them since fitted to the mk5, and now which are STILL being used on the mk6 and even the more powerful Golf R, especially where Brakes are concerned, not sure about springs/ dampers if they have been beefed up.

[Hedge]

The Golf R has bigger brakes as standard.

[Saintsteve]

The Golf R has bigger brakes as standard.

that will be due to the extra weight then.

[Hurdy]

The key to performance (Road) motoring is.......

1. Remove weight
2. Better grip from performance tyres
3. Better brakes
4. ATB LSD

The key to performance (Road and track) motoring is...

1a. Driver tuition
1b. Remove weight
2. Better grip from performance tyres
3. Better brakes
4. ATB LSD
5. Anti Roll bars
6. Fully adjustable coilovers with adjustable top mounts
7. Performance map and full bolt-ons
8. Lightweight wheels

For track focused performance add a full strip out, race seats and cage.

Lots of other bits that you can add too, but they are just "icing".