can somebody please explain why r32 would handle better then GTI/Ed30? I am not talking about grip which is undeniable. For r32 you have to shift those bigger weight around which surely is never good for handling
To be honest, if you are talking about handling in terms of the way the car feels beneath you, ie the feedback from the steering/pedals and seat, both are equally inept. As are most modern VAG cars unfortunately, their tendency to understeer on the limit (stupid engine placement) and insistence on TC/ESP that is always lurking somewhere usually kills the ultimate level of driver/car interaction that is so prevalent in French hot hatches.
I do however like that the Haldex in the R32 can be brought into play to move the rear end of the car around a little more. Yes, trail braking into a corner in the Gti will do that to a certain extent, but my understanding is that when a Haldex controller is used in the R32 the additional rear bias of the transmissions torque shuffling further aids to help quell the on-limit understeer of the car.
Neither is ever going to be as intimate as my old 182 Trophy, but i think with work the R32 should be fairly rapid, albeit more of a blunt instrument than a delicate scalpel. All MK5's need a stiffer rear ARB though, the standard harder/softer ARB setup is great for safety, but will always create understeer.
