[one1er]

Hey guys

Before you smash me with repost posts, this is not about the comparison video, but the lap videos which I didn't find anywhere else in the forum...neither the videos or discussion!

I find this interesting because Chris and everyone praises the golf to heaven (rightfuly), but still, the M 235i was faster, and the golf isn't (much) slower than the bmw, on paper at least. So why the better chassis/suspension, identical acceleration, but slower lap time?

Also, I noticed a huuuuge difference in gear ratios...he laps the bmw using only 2nd and 3rd gear, while on the golf he needs 4th almost to its redline...

M235i lap - 47,95sec
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26...-m235i-hd_auto

Golf R lap - 49sec
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26...golf-r-hd_auto

The full (repost) comparison video:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x24...s-on-cars_auto


For those who didn't see or remember, here's Chris Harris doing 47,7sec (faster) on a stock M135i auto at the same track...guess the auto makes a lot of difference!

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Yea and it looked like he was adding some drama to it with drifting it out of the corners for the video
The Golf R sounds nice. Also if that is the euro R I think it is .5 sec 0-60 faster than the US spec if i remember correctly.

[m235boy]

Well the Golf R is AWD right? He should've compared the xdrive m235 with the golf, maybe the extra weight difference would even it out? Also not sure if drifting corners like that helps lap times lol

[abp689]

Originally Posted by m235boy

Well the Golf R is AWD right? He should've compared the xdrive m235 with the golf, maybe the extra weight difference would even it out? Also not sure if drifting corners like that helps lap times lol

Not sure it was an option when he ran them; but it would be a better comparison. He commented that the 235 was an advantage because of the unencumbered front wheels; with x-drive, is that still the case?

[ska///235i]

If it was xdrive then Chris would of hold his comments about RWD fun lol

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by abp689

Not sure it was an option when he ran them; but it would be a better comparison. He commented that the 235 was an advantage because of the unencumbered front wheels; with x-drive, is that still the case?

xDrive is rwd biased. I'm pretty sure it's a 60/40 split but I could be wrong.

[abp689]

Originally Posted by vinny84

xDrive is rwd biased. I'm pretty sure it's a 60/40 split but I could be wrong.

You may be right? I have a 328xi and the butt dyno feels like a 6/4 split. The xi is great in winter; but you can feel the extra weight and pay for it with poor fuel economy.

It would be interesting for me to see someone compare a 235 open-diff RWD and xi.

[edhawk]

Originally Posted by abp689

You may be right? I have a 328xi and the butt dyno feels like a 6/4 split. The xi is great in winter; but you can feel the extra weight and pay for it with poor fuel economy.

It would be interesting for me to see someone compare a 235 open-diff RWD and xi.

The fuel economy is 1 mpg less in city, lets not get too dramatic. The 190 pounds maybe you could feel, maybe not, regardless the xDrive is the faster of the 2 with additional weight penalty but better traction.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by abp689

You may be right? I have a 328xi and the butt dyno feels like a 6/4 split. The xi is great in winter; but you can feel the extra weight and pay for it with poor fuel economy.

It would be interesting for me to see someone compare a 235 open-diff RWD and xi.

Same, but I test drove the xi, not the RWD and bought the RWD. After coming from an Audi, the Xi drive just isn't up to the same traction level.

Decided to put the savings from the xi towards the LSD

[m235boy]

Originally Posted by vinny84

xDrive is rwd biased. I'm pretty sure it's a 60/40 split but I could be wrong.

Yes you're right by default its 60 rear 40 front but its dynamic, constantly changing depending on wheel spin. I believe it has the ability to put 100% front and/or rear. All I know is as soon as rear comes out sideways (dsc completely off) X drive says nonono none of that fun for you and puts power to front wheels lol if you can, get rwd with the limited slip...

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by m235boy

Yes you're right by default its 60 rear 40 front but its dynamic, constantly changing depending on wheel spin. I believe it has the ability to put 100% front and/or rear. All I know is as soon as rear comes out sideways (dsc completely off) X drive says nonono none of that fun for you and puts power to front wheels lol if you can, get rwd with the limited slip...

I agree 100%. RWD all the way.

Had a e90 335xi 6spd but was no where near as fun as my 135i 6spd and now my M235i 8AT

xDrive is for sensible people, I'm not sensible

I'm actually debating right now if I want to pull the trigger on the Dinan Stage 1 tune or Wavetrac Diff with 3.46 final drive. Been leaning more towards the Diff

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by vinny84

I agree 100%. RWD all the way.

Had a e90 335xi 6spd but was no where near as fun as my 135i 6spd and now my M235i 8AT

xDrive is for sensible people, I'm not sensible

I'm actually debating right now if I want to pull the trigger on the Dinan Stage 1 tune or Wavetrac Diff with 3.46 final drive. Been leaning more towards the Diff

Sticky summer tires and a good set of winters is definitely the way to go. But I'll be garaging my M235i for the winter since I have a B5 A4 with snows for the winter.

[nachob]

He also compared added on diff on M235 whereas golf was stock. I wonder how stock 235 would do?

[abp689]

Originally Posted by nachob

He also compared added on diff on M235 whereas golf was stock. I wonder how stock 235 would do?

Yeah, the odds were stacked in the 235 favor: LSD, exhaust, steering wheel, and other bobbles. Maybe what, ~$7k of MPerformance gear?

Did he state the VW had upgraded performance tyres? Overall, very good show for the R.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by abp689

Yeah, the odds were stacked in the 235 favor: LSD, exhaust, steering wheel, and other bobbles. Maybe what, ~$7k of MPerformance gear?

Did he state the VW had upgraded performance tyres? Overall, very good show for the R.

He stated no sticky rubber on Golf R. Don't get me wrong.... I'm not saying one is better than other.... I'm just curious what the numbers would've been for a straight M235i without all the other stuff on it.

I do think the Golf R is very cool but like Chris, I wouldn't care if it was faster, I prefer the feel of rear drive...just like I prefer the feel of MT over DCT even if it's faster.

So just curious how much the regular M235i would've fared against a stock Golf R?

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by abp689

Yeah, the odds were stacked in the 235 favor: LSD, exhaust, steering wheel, and other bobbles. Maybe what, ~$7k of MPerformance gear?

Did he state the VW had upgraded performance tyres? Overall, very good show for the R.

The only thing that you listed that would make it any faster is the LSD.

[one1er]

For those who didn't see or remember, here's Chris Harris doing 47,7sec (faster) on a stock M135i auto at the same track...guess the auto makes a lot of difference!

[abp689]

Originally Posted by MrBucket

The only thing that you listed that would make it any faster is the LSD.

I did not mention anything about these items making the car faster; but you are correct.

My take-away from the segment was to compare how the two matched up together. He mentions the exhaust noise from the straight six as superior - how much did the Performance exhaust help? He also stated the M-performance steering wheel was a nice touch over the "silly flat bottom VW wheel".

Stock-to-Stock would have been a more valid comparison; better yet, 235xi vs R.