Bob,

I used to own a stock 95 GTI VR6 which I traded in for a 99 A4 GTI GLX in
January.  As far as the handling is concerned, the stock suspension of the A4
is MUCH better than the stock A3 suspension, that said however, for most
people who are perforamance oriented (like on this list), it still leaves
something to be desired.  Just like in the A3, a quick fix is by swapping the
stock tires (Michelins in this case) and getting a nice set of performance
tires.

The GTI GLX is much tighter as far as the squeaks and rattles are concerned.
I have had the car for 5 months now and I havent heard any squeaks or
rattles.  Of course, more time will be needed to see if it stands up.

The torque is the first thing that I noticed when I first drove the GTI
GLX...it really pulled hard from a stop but I think when it actually comes
down to 0-60 numbers, the performance figures are very similar as the hp
difference is only 2.

James Locopo
A4 99 GTI GLX
A3 95 GTI VR6 (gone, not forgotten)

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GTIhis wrote:

> HANDLING/SUSPENSION
> Has VW stiffened up the suspension?  The auto mag reviews are much more
> positive about the handling.

It's better, still not quite right to me.  Doesn't feel even REMOTELY like
the old car so it's kinda hard to compare.  Feels more balanced, less nose-
heavy (though it really IS just as nose-heavy, but it does feel more
balanced - to me at least).  Bilsteins and H&R's coming shortly.  Also
the stock tires (Michelin H-rated) are horrible as performance tires.
Certainly better than the GA's, but still not up to the task.

> STRUCTURE/SQUEAKS
> Have some of the well-known body noises been eliminated?  Do the doors/door
> panels squeak like they used to?

Again not even remotely the same car as the A3.  The body structure is so
much more rigid, so much more solid, it's unlike anything to ever roll off
a VW line in the past.  It feels Mercedes- or Lexus-like.  Not a peep in
my car, at least not yet, but with the body being so solid I don't expect
problems.  The door panels are quiet, have REAL armrests trimmed in fine
leather and dark walnut, and much higher quality rubber and plastics
than the A3 doors.

> PERFORMANCE
> I assume the new cars are slightly stronger due to the increased torque
> (and horsepower).

"New" VR6 feels completely different.  Much torquier down low, as the new
numbers would suggest.  I don't particularly care for the drive-by-wire
throttle, a little artificial and disconnected-feeling.  Hopefully a
firmware upgrade (or Garrett massage job) will help cure this.  The
car feels quicker in stoplight wars, and much better down low.

>         This said, my '96.5 GTI-VR6 is a very nice car and relatively
> solid, but the new ones tend to grow on you.

I'll get blasted by a few hardcore A3 guys for saying this, but having
owned both I think the A3 is in a totally different class - lower - than
the A4 cars.  Anybody feel free to voice an opposing opinion - IF you've
driven an A4!

--
Kevin Collins
'86.5 Scirocco 16V 2.0
'99 GTI GLX
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/1780
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