Golf V6 4Motion opinions??
Discussion
Good value compared to R32s, because although the 2.8 in the 4motion is pretty quick, the R32 drives far, far better (and noticeably faster). R32 has better brakes, better suspension, better steering etc.
4 motion is good, but the R32 is easily worth paying the extra for if you can afford it, as well as holding its value much better.
4 motion is good, but the R32 is easily worth paying the extra for if you can afford it, as well as holding its value much better.
Hidiously overly reactive DSC stability control, might as well have a 2wd one if you drive even vaguely enthusiastic in one, it makes the 4wd bit pointless as it just kills the power & operates the brakes as soon it senses anything over happy shopper mode. For the same reason they also eat brakes if your at all heavily right footed or like going round corners.
I remember test driving a 4motion a few years back.
At the time I had a Corrado VR6 so seemed logical to try the Golf as it was newer etc.
VERY disappointing, even going round a roundabout at moderate speeds (not slow but not ridiculous) and it felt like it was tugging me back, making me go slower. This is the opposite of what a sporty car should do.
We got back to the dealership and I told the salesman "sorry, not for me, no-way near as good as the Corrado". His reply was "fair enough, we've had quite a lot of Corrado owners looking for their next car and trying the 4motion and being disappointed".
I think VW realised that they HAD to make the R32, the 4motion simply doesn't cut it.
However as a "nice", solid A-to-B car with a decent turn of speed, it will do the job, just don't expect it to be "fun" in the sporty sense of the word.
At the time I had a Corrado VR6 so seemed logical to try the Golf as it was newer etc.
VERY disappointing, even going round a roundabout at moderate speeds (not slow but not ridiculous) and it felt like it was tugging me back, making me go slower. This is the opposite of what a sporty car should do.
We got back to the dealership and I told the salesman "sorry, not for me, no-way near as good as the Corrado". His reply was "fair enough, we've had quite a lot of Corrado owners looking for their next car and trying the 4motion and being disappointed".
I think VW realised that they HAD to make the R32, the 4motion simply doesn't cut it.
However as a "nice", solid A-to-B car with a decent turn of speed, it will do the job, just don't expect it to be "fun" in the sporty sense of the word.
Just not sure I could stomach spending 10k on an R32. For 10k there's anlot I could be looking at, around the 5-6 k mark there's probably also a lot I should be looking at, 182s etc, I've just always had a soft spot for my mates V5 golf and wondered what the V6 would be like, I like some things about my current golf but the handling it too wallowy and it's slow, I'm guessing the R32 would not be like that, a sportier ride I mean, it's obv not slow.
The V6 4Mo is horrendously thirsty as well; I never got more than about 20mpg from it.
I'd either put up with the current car a bit longer, or get something that's actually fun to drive like the 172/182 you mentioned.. Seriously, I think you'd regret buying any of the MkIV Golfs, widely regarded as VW's 'low point' in terms of car excitement and driving fun. The MkV was light-years ahead of the MkIV in so many ways.
What's the budget and any other considerations (ie. for insurance reasons)?
I'd either put up with the current car a bit longer, or get something that's actually fun to drive like the 172/182 you mentioned.. Seriously, I think you'd regret buying any of the MkIV Golfs, widely regarded as VW's 'low point' in terms of car excitement and driving fun. The MkV was light-years ahead of the MkIV in so many ways.
What's the budget and any other considerations (ie. for insurance reasons)?
Can only echo what has been said so far. I've owned my v6 4mo for 4 months now and its pretty gutless. And it is extremely thirsty - 20mpg if you don't push it.
I know it looks like a bargain because you can pick one up for £5k but thats primarily because the market really has priced in what a dull car this is. I was totally fooled - I was sold for the v6, the sound, and the 204bhp figure..
fact of the matter is, there's no point going fast as the chasis can't handle it, and you can only enjoy the sound if you open her up - i live in London so rare occurence!
If you're fixed on a MK4, get the GTI 180bhp...a superchip will add a considerable amount to that and you'll have the kick of the turbo making it feel alot quicker.
Nick
I know it looks like a bargain because you can pick one up for £5k but thats primarily because the market really has priced in what a dull car this is. I was totally fooled - I was sold for the v6, the sound, and the 204bhp figure..
fact of the matter is, there's no point going fast as the chasis can't handle it, and you can only enjoy the sound if you open her up - i live in London so rare occurence!
If you're fixed on a MK4, get the GTI 180bhp...a superchip will add a considerable amount to that and you'll have the kick of the turbo making it feel alot quicker.
Nick
Edited by nickpan on Sunday 4th October 13:15
Im a bit suprised by the thirsty comments but agree with everything else. We averaged 27 in Mrs Phlap's and regularly got over 30 on motorway stuff.
The car is too soft and floaty but regard it as a smooth high spec wafter and its not too bad. Its nothing like an R32 but is approx 1/3 to half the price. Ours wasnt reliable either with plenty of niggles rather than anything catastrophic.
The engine is the best bit. The rest is fairly average IMHO.
The car is too soft and floaty but regard it as a smooth high spec wafter and its not too bad. Its nothing like an R32 but is approx 1/3 to half the price. Ours wasnt reliable either with plenty of niggles rather than anything catastrophic.
The engine is the best bit. The rest is fairly average IMHO.
1) I have a 1.6 8v golf, anything is going to feel fast to me.
2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
Somnophore said:
1) I have a 1.6 8v golf, anything is going to feel fast to me.
2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
I know what you mean - i was in exactly the same position 4 months ago...I'm 23, i'd been driving bangers around for the past 4 years..and given things were going ok at work, i thought i'd upgrade to something slightly more sporty..a low mileage v6 4mo at £6k seemed like the perfect solution.2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
I'm not going to bang on about how it's not that quick - as your rightly say, it will be ALOT quicker than your 1.6.
However, why I really regret my decision is...the added enjoyment i get from having the extra power and great soundtrack is outweighed by;
-> it costs over £400 p.a to tax given its engine size
-> I pay for my residential parking and anything above 2.0L is alot more costly
-> i pay £1000 p.a to insure it..
-> Costly to service...
-> it eats front tires - replacing all 4 tyres cost me £500.
-> the ludicrous 4 motion system...the one and only time i have ever felt RWD was when cornering fast in the wet...the front wheels cut out, and i felt a kick in the back which propelled the car around the corner. The system works nothing like my dad's A3 2.0T quattro which sens 80% of the power to the back wheels when launching...
If you live any where near London - come drive mine. I should have test driven a few motors but instead, I got excited by the V6 sound and jumped into bed with the first low mileage/FSH example I saw..
ERROR
Agreed, it drives like an understeery front-driver most of the time, and the 4Motion stuff isn't sophisticated. In fact, were it not for the 4Mo badge on the back, I'd never have said it was 4WD. I wouldn't have another one, put it that way.
As per my profile, it's a great cruiser, comfy, sounds nice but isn't particularly quick, handles like a barge and drinks fuel whilst only serving up around 200bhp. There are MUCH better cars out there for the money.
As per my profile, it's a great cruiser, comfy, sounds nice but isn't particularly quick, handles like a barge and drinks fuel whilst only serving up around 200bhp. There are MUCH better cars out there for the money.
Somnophore said:
1) I have a 1.6 8v golf, anything is going to feel fast to me.
2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
What about a Focus ST170?2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
PaulTypeR said:
Somnophore said:
1) I have a 1.6 8v golf, anything is going to feel fast to me.
2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
What about a Focus ST170?2) I like the Mk4 golf, I'd prolly have a V5 because i like the noise, its a fastish comforable cruiser thats practical with an edge of fun, its well specced and has resonable mpg 30-32mpg on a run.
I dont want a really fast car yet, I am trying to be sensible and work my way up to performance cars in steps, im still a new driver, and although ill be 25 in a few weeks I still realise I'm not the best driver ever, and id enjoy a bit more power, but dont want anything too quick that i might not be able to handle yet. I want something quicker than my Golf 1.6, thats not too much of a change, by that read not RWD etc, and something like 8secs to 60. Then when ive had that a year or 2 maybe ill opt for something seriously quick.
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