1995 Volkswagen Golf VR6 from UK and Ireland - Comments

I've got a 1997 Golf VR6. It's running a few mods (SS cat-back, high flow cat, SS manifold, K&N filter with drilled air box, 4 bar fuel pressure regulator, power pulley, power gasket, throttle body water pipe divert) and the car is seriously quick. 0-60 is less than 6 seconds and top speed is 150mph+.

The other day I was racing a 2001 Merc C class AMG, I was on its tail all the way up to 150-155mph, it eventually had to switch to the middle lane to let me past. With a long enough stretch I can see it hitting 160mph as there were still some revs left on rpm. Even before the mods, it was quick, but since the mods, I've left so many cars for dust. The throttle body water pipe divert mod is especially noticeable in cold weather. Oil temp stays low and the car is so much more responsive. That mod alone can add 5-10bhp. Any one who owns a VR, should think about the mods I've mentioned above. Much cheaper and less hassle than getting it turbo/super charged. Also don't be put off by high mileage VRs; since mine has gone over 120K, it's gotten much faster and free revving.

Interesting to hear people's comments on their car's around here, but I think we are to quick to forget exactly what VW were trying to achieve with the Golf VR6.

Having owned both a Honda Type R and a Golf VR6, I have to say I preferred the Golf. Honda designed the Type R because they wanted to attract a audience that loved to drive on the edge and know they were on it. Have a car with great handling even if it compromised comfort. They wanted to give the guy in the street something to shout about Honda, because let's face it why else would you buy a Honda?

I found in the Honda people almost expected you to drive like a raving idiot. VW I think wanted a car with enough class and butch to rival this without all the lunacy around it. They didn't want that boy racer look, more a mature driving style where driving could be what you wanted it to be. Plenty of power, good handling, but without the compromise of comfort like its sister the GTI. For me the VW was just as fast as the Honda, without it being rammed down your throat every time you sat behind the wheel.

I ran both the Honda and the Golf down the 1/4 mile. My quickest times were as follows; 14.6 seconds for the Golf VR6, 99 mph terminal speed,

15.2 seconds Honda Type R, 96mph terminal speed.

I've had both cars, and believe me a VR6 has no chance; from a standstill the Integra would just leave it. Top end the VR6 is fast, but still not faster than the Integra.

My VR6 has GT35 turbo, 8.9 comp ratio and 15psi and it makes 350+bhp. It can beat anything I've tried to beat. Good base for a turbo.

High Guys, I'm from SA and I've got a ABF in a Rabbit. Let me tell you. To put it plainly a VR is big beat and no speed. I've taken on even worked VRs and kicked their a***. My Abf has got on 45mm ITB's, 2 X 276cams, I'm running Golf 4 GTI injectors and the head was done as well. I managed to get 202hp and 240nm of torgue. I must also say the VR in SA standard does 171.65hp.

Hi there, I work for Honda in the engineering department, and I have been reading all your messages about the Civic Type R and VR6 Golf. The guys at Autocar have told me that if you uprate the suspension on a VR6 and chip the car to around 190 bhp, it is then on par with a Type R Honda in terms of power to weight ratio, and its torque to weight ratio is better in the VR6 than the Type R. Straight line speed off the mark would be about the same right up top speed, across country however with a few bends thrown in, the Honda as good as it is round the corners, wouldn't see which way the VR6 golf with uprated suspension had gone due to its inferior torque delivery and higher weight, as well as higher centre of gravity.

Hate to say this as I work for Honda, but the Type R is a little bit of a people carrier and driven by elderly people. My dealer has sold quite a few to elderly people over the years that we have all been working there. Also remember the driver also has to be good as well as the car, so if he can't handle the speed very well, then he would lose a race.

Hopefully you will all understand this message and stop arguing over whose car is faster. Just remember, I work for Honda as an engineer so I kinda guess I have a better idea of cars than most of you.

The Astra VXR is just crap by the way, clearly too much power for an already over worked chassis, so normal Vauxhall then!!!

KB 39 yrs.

For the guy that's works at Honda... I agree with most of what you said, having driven and been in both a CIVIC Type R, and VR6 in standard form and slightly modded. However even with uprated suspension a VR6 will not keep up with an INTEGRA Type R, regardless of how much torque the VR6 has. If you don't already know, the INTEGRA is a far better handling car than the Civic, due to its lighter weight (dc2 not dc5), having a better standard suspension set up, and a decent limited slip diff.

Guys, just raced a Golf mk3 VR6. It sounded great, obviously de-cated cos I could hear him over my engine. However I pulled away in every gear up to 4th, then we ran out of road. My car, a mk5 Golf 2.0 TDi, airfilter and chipped to around 190 bhp. That gives me over 300lbs of torque and an average of 44 mpg. Keep your revy V6, I'm gonna beat you and get to Edinburgh from London and still have 1/4 of a tank left! Oh and I'm getting a zorst soon so over 200bhp. And I've done Civic Type R's off the line, that's the new shape one not the old one. No torque, no go!

The mark 5 Golf diesel has a kerb weight of over 1400kg, so it needs all that torque, and bhp per ton is still going to be lagging compared to things like Type Rs, meaning flat out drags and 1/4miles etc the torque will make little difference. And good luck when you meet a bend with all that torque fighting with the wheels in FWD, and such a big fat weight up front making the balance and handling worse than its petrol equivalent.

The new diesels are nowhere near as reliable as the older ones, and are worse than modern petrols. And lets just hope nothing breaks because the repair bill will be sky high.

Also, the DC5 handles exceptionally well, just not quite as raw as the DC2. The DC5 was still the best handling FWD car about when it first came out, compared to what was on sale at the time.