Mk6 GTI or R?

[slynch23]

I’m about to sell my Mk5 GTI and was going to get a mk6 but since I started looking I’ve noticed you can get a mk6 R for very similar money! One reason I’m selling the Mk5 is because I want something slightly better on fuel but I don’t think the R will be. Has anyone had or driven both? Is the R a much better car?

[Clarkj93]

The R variant uses the same engine as the your mk5 gti anyway so do the edition 35 mk6 gti. I've never been in a mk6 but from what I've heard they share a lot of the stuff from a mk5 so not much of a move forward, very similar car.

If fuel economy is important to you then get yourself a GTD.

[Hypertuned]

I've driven the MK5 GTi, MK6 GTi and I own a MK6R. A GTi will always be better than an R when comparing them for fuel economy because they weigh less.
Mk5 GTi manual = 1372KG - 35MPG comb.
MK6 GTi manual = 1393KG - 39MPG comb.
MK6R manual = 1521KG - 33MPG combined.
Stock the GTi also more fun to drive but the R gets off the line much better.
MK5 Gti & MK6R use the same EA113 engine, but the MK6 GTi uses the EA888, which is more fuel efficient.

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[slynch23]

Are all mk6 GTI’s chain driven? Or did they switch back to cam belts towards the end?

Fuel economy isn’t a huge part of it as I don’t do too many miles, but I want something that’s a bit better around town that my Mk5, which a mk6 is

I went to see a mk6 on the weekend, similar to a Mk5 but a lot more modern and the build quality felt a lot better.

[imprezzaworks]

Save money on fuel. Spend money on a new car 👍

[pudding]

From my own observations, the MK6 is way better made than the MK5.  Better paint quality, less rust prone, better interior, way fewer rattles, more sound deadening and just a more premium feel overall....and a gen 3 steering rack as standard 

It's the best Golf currently available in terms of build quality, imo. 

If you want economy with a bit of fun on the side, get a GTD.  If you want outright performance, get the R or ED35.  The R will attract a lot of road captains looking for a race though, and as said above, unless it's remapped to counter it's hefty bulk, you won't win that many races.  Avoid 09 to 11 GTIs as that was the peak of chain tensioner gate.

[slynch23]

Thanks for the info!! I’m pretty settled on a mk6 gti now anyway. After looking at one the weekend the difference between that and a mk5 was huge.

So basically only get a 12/62 plate mk6? If I got a 09/10/11 could I have the chain tensioner replaced? Sorry but I know nothing about it and concrete info seems scarce!

[Hypertuned]

You could do, but check to see if the tensioner & chain have been replaced already. Make sure you get reciepts for the parts and labour for having this done by the previous owner. If not factor in the cost of having this done yourself. A timing chain and tensioner job will cost £500 to £1300 depending on location & labour costs.

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[pudding]

Yup, this /\

Most will have had the chain gear replaced by now anyway because unlike the MK5, MK6 GTIs literally won't start if the timing drifts too far off spec. 

Early cars will have had it done under warranty, but check for evidence in the history to be sure.

I would recommend getting as late a MK6 as you can afford because they came with some good options.  Xenons, Dynaudio hifi, rear parking camera etc etc.

[slynch23]

Thanks for the advice! The main two options I’m after are cruise and the adaptive suspension. Not many out there with both!

[pudding]

Yeah the spec you want is hard to find in MK6 land.  A 3 door R with no sunroof, cloth seats, DSG, xenons, dynaudio, not blue, white or red.......try finding one of those!

Get the nearest spec you can and then retrofit the missing bits afterwards.  Cruise is easy to retrofit.  ACC less so, but is doable. 

Base spec cars are better value imo, because you save a bundle and you might think, you know what? I can live without ACC.  It's just something else to go wrong that will cost a bomb to fix.....because Covid + lockdowns + wars + inflation + just being alive + any excuse under the sun for prices to rise.

[slynch23]

YeH I know what you’re saying. I’m not sure how much I’d use ACC anyway, would probably always be in comfort. If the right car came up without cruise I’d be all over it, it’s a cheap retrofit. Ironically the ideal car has come up on autotrader. Very good price for the spec as well. Need to move house and sell my mk5 first so not ready just yet. So annoying

[pudding]

Always the way!  Maybe get a bank loan on standby and just pay it off when you sell the house?  Just a thought as loans are cheap at the moment. They won't stay that way for much longer!

[slynch23]

We complete on the house next Friday, don’t wanna take out a loan incase my lender does a final credit check and then see’s new credit on my file that I haven’t declared to them! So I’m stuck for a week annoyingly.

[pudding]

That's fair enough mate.  Hope the house and next car purchase works out for you 

Went with my mate today to inspect/buy a MK6 1.4 TSI and I have grown really fond of MK6s.  They drive so nicely and are built like tanks compared to the MK5. Tempted to get a loan myself as the savings aren't going too well in these current times