I'm currently shopping for either an MK3.5 ST or an MK7 GTI. The ST seems to be the better value proposition, but every review I've read or watched highlights the torque steer issue. I know this would annoy me. Whichever I get, I'll be fitting a Wavetrac LSD. However, if the cost of reducing torque steer closes the cost gap between the ST and GTI, I'll go for the GTI.

I understand that torque steer can't be eliminated from a front-wheel-drive car, but what are the established modifications to significantly reduce the torque steer issue in the MK3.5 ST?

Thanks

The Golf GTI Performance has an LSD as standard. There seem to be quite a lot about - I think the price differential was only originally about £1k over the standard car, so many buyers went for it.

40 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

The Golf GTI Performance has an LSD as standard. There seem to be quite a lot about - I think the price differential was only originally about £1k over the standard car, so many buyers went for it.

Bigger brakes came with the Performance Pack too.  I seriously considered a local Mk7 GTI around 5 years ago.  It was high mileage so just in my budget but also just into the facelift which I preferred.  But...it didn't come with the Performance Pack.  Why anyone would buy a GTI to do big mileage without the PP I have no idea...  It was up for sale for at least a year in the end.  So even if PP isn't a necessity for you, I would still recommend getting one with it for the ease of resale, along with higher residual value.

I ended up going for a Seat Leon FR Sport with the same engine as the Golf (slightly detuned) which was cheaper and technically better value on paper...  Though if you want to get into the 'scene', there are a lot more VW based shows and meets, and money can't buy the social side of that.  And I do find there is 'something' about the proper sports models GTi/ST etc that the lower models just don't have, even the sportier ones.

May upset some people with this but in my experience I found Fords were cheaper to buy, but cost more in money & time on repairs.  I did have one dodgy Golf, but generally found VW's to need far less maintenance, and the service parts don't cost any more than Ford parts, despite the fact Ford drivers often mention that as justification for buying a Ford.

Having said all that...if you want a car to look at, there's no denying the Mk3.5 Focus ST is better looking than the Mk7 Golf GTI.

So in conclusion, there's no right answer, both have their plus points, it really does come down to personal preference.

There's a few comments on the torque steer issue here:

https://www.focusstoc.com/threads/torque-steer.584039/

10 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

The Golf GTI Performance has an LSD as standard. There seem to be quite a lot about - I think the price differential was only originally about £1k over the standard car, so many buyers went for it.

The performance pack isn't a necessity for me. The LSD is an electronic one, and I'm gonna be putting in a proper mechanical LSD, the best one being from Wavetrac for about £1200. The plan is to swap the turbo for the larger turbo from the Golf R/S3, install a mechanical LSD, upgrade the clutch, fit RS3 brakes, and a stage 2 map to achieve around 400bhp if the torque steer doesn't ruin it.

The idea is to build my perfect 5-door clubsport GTI and keep it looking OEM. An MK3.5 ST3 keeps crossing my mind because I keep seeing them for significantly less money with fewer miles on the car, but from everything I've read, it seems the torque steer is going to make it a pig to drive, especially with more power.