[GrecianVolvo]

Last week we traded a <B>V</B>olvo <B>W</B>annabe (hehe!) Jetta 1.8T. It's a 2000 model with just-turned 27,000 miles. I have driven many times the newer Jettas but they either had the base 2.0L engine or the VR6 with automatic. One of my wife's friends has a 2000 Jetta VR6 with the manual and, yes, that car is a screamer (drove it briefly once). I had never driven the 1.8T (this one is 150 HP) with either the manual (that's what this is) or the automatic. <P>My curiosity about this engine has been further spurred by the fact that about a month ago when I was returning from visiting my uncle in the Kensington/Chevy Chase, MD area, from the Beltway all the way to the Le Havre bridge I had lots of fun with a very new Golf GTI with thatsame engine (although I suspect his car had 180HP). That car was very quick (of course it was no match for mine when the road opened up, on I-95) but he was able to open it up quite a bit(seemingly) relatively easy.<P>Anyway, I have been driving it for the last couple of days and what a nice surprise! The shifter is very smooth and the car seems like it has tremendous reserves of power! It certainly feels it has more than 150HP and 160 or whatever the exact number is lbs-ft. of torque. Killer first gear (Traction control activates very easily), OK 2nd gear, 3rd hear is strong, so is 4th but what impresses me is its 5th gear. You can be going 60 or 70mph and with the 5th gear it will go up very quickly to whatever you choose to go! <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/wink.gif"> And its suspension is fairly impressive around the curves. So, I must say that this little package is pretty impressive! Our friend's manual VR6 is very quick but the delivery of power of the 1.8T engine is more fun! I expected a coarse engine (have driven previous models Audi A4 with 1.8T and was not impressed) but it sounded pretty good. I have to say that this car fels quicker than my demo V40. perhaps because the VW is manual and also lighter.<P>Yannis <P>

 

[turboale]

Those are fun little cars. and have HUGE upgrade potential. I'd get the 1.8t anyday over the VR6. It's lighter and built for boost! What more could you ask for?? <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/smile.gif"><P>

 

[S.R.]

I have never driven a VAG 1.8T, but I would love to get my hands on one. We have a brand new Audi dealer opening up next to our Volvo/BMW dealer, so I will take a couple of test drives once it is ready. The 1.8T is probably one of the best Euro 4-cylinders currently on the market. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/wink.gif"><P>-Drew

 

[Kai]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by InDy:<BR><B>1.8T is probably one of the best Euro 4-cylinders currently on the market. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/wink.gif"><BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Kinda off the topic a little, what do you guys think is the best European 8 cylinder in the market?<BR>

 

[GrecianVolvo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The_one_n_only:<BR><B> Kinda off the topic a little, what do you guys think is the best European 8 cylinder in the market?</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Without venturing into "strange" products, I would personally go for the BMW 540i although I have received extensive literature (both product and technical) on the new 745 (with the 4.4L version of this engine) and that seems a schweeet engine.<P>Audi's 4.2 with the twin turbos is impressive but if one get 394HP from a normally aspirated V8, then I am impressed. Also, what about the M3 GTR? 4.0L and 450HP? Awesome or what?<P>Yannis<P><P>

 

[Kai]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GrecianVolvo:<BR><B>Audi's 4.2 with the twin turbos is impressive but if one get 394HP from a normally aspirated V8, then I am impressed. Also, what about the M3 GTR? </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yeah, the M5 4.9L 394HP V8 is impressive..and for daily driven. Not sure if they will never get that M3 GTR going to make it to the market. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/tongue.gif"> Guess no GTR race for them then if they can't make it for consumers.

 

[Leopold Porkstacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The_one_n_only:<BR><B> Kinda off the topic a little, what do you guys think is the best European 8 cylinder in the market?</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I've always been impressed by the Porsche 924 S4. Very smooth-running engine indeed. Makes some neato sounds with headers and a less-restrictive exhaust as well. There is a company in Texass that makes a righteous turbo setup for the 928 and 928 S4, and it apparently is good for up to 500HP, assuming you bump up the boost and also can get enough fuel to the engine (bigger injectors).<P>-he who stacks pork

 

[anony00gt]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The_one_n_only:<BR><B> Kinda off the topic a little, what do you guys think is the best European 8 cylinder in the market?</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Ferrari's 3.6L V8 from the 360 Modena/Spyder <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/biggrin.gif"><P>

 

[GrecianVolvo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by anony00gt:<BR><B> Ferrari's 3.6L V8 from the 360 Modena/Spyder <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/biggrin.gif"><P></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I will definitely 2nd that...how the hell did I miss it????<P>Yannis<P>

 

[[email protected]]

Back on the VW 1.8T, I own a 4dr 2000 Golf GLS 1.8T, now ****canned because sales didn't justify refederalizing it when they put the 180hp motors in the car for 2002. The car you have Yannis is a 150hp car. The ones with the 17" sport package are even more impressive as the suspension dynamics are much improved.<P>Now, as for performance, I was and always have been impressed with the motor. Combined with manual or now this year with a Tiptronic, it DOES make me wish Volvo would put some better tranny options in the 40 series.<P>My Golf is chipped by a company called APR ( <A HREF="http://www.goapr.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.goapr.com</A> ). These guys are some of the best in the business. The 1bar upgrade I have is adjustable via the cruise control stalk to different modes including stock, Stage I (1bar), valet (3000rpm rev limiter & 60mph speed governer, and Race Fuel mode. I can also clear fault codes and readjust the throttle body from the stalk, not to mention a security code that keeps it locked in a specific mode. Makes me wish they'd add a starter kill mode for parking in bad areas.<P>Anyway, on performance, the car now has 190hp and a whopping 240 lb ft of torque. It's not S4 territory, but it'll hang with an unchipped T-5 Volvo. It's an impressive little car.<P>We did pull out an automatic Jetta 1.8T and sport package along iwth an S40 and shot them for a comparo article, but frankly, I lost the photos somewhere. They don't seem to be on my hard drive.<P>Also, I'll be frank, I think the Jetta is the better car. Granted, it's a newer design, but the summary was....<P>Jetta Strengths<BR>Tiptronic Tranny, Sport package (17" Wheels, better suspension calibration), steering wheel stereo controls, better sound system (not a usual loss for Volvo), more power, solid feel<P>S40 Strengths - Trip Computer, higher satisfaction ratings at dealerships (probably attributable to Volvo's quality methods), better driver's seats<P>In all, both drivers believed the Jetta was the winner. Our S40 test car did not have the sport package, and unfortunately it is now out of the pool. I'm going to try to pull another Jetta and head on down to Annapolis and borrow one of their cars for another shoot if I can fit it into the schedule.<P>The Jetta is probably the 40 series closest competitor, so it's a good comparo. It'll be interesting to see how the new Focus based 40 compares.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by [email protected]:<BR><B>Back on the VW 1.8T, I own a 4dr 2000 Golf GLS 1.8T, now ****canned because sales didn't justify refederalizing it when they put the 180hp motors in the car for 2002. The car you have Yannis is a 150hp car. The ones with the 17" sport package are even more impressive as the suspension dynamics are much improved.<P>Now, as for performance, I was and always have been impressed with the motor. Combined with manual or now this year with a Tiptronic, it DOES make me wish Volvo would put some better tranny options in the 40 series.<P>My Golf is chipped by a company called APR ( <A HREF="http://www.goapr.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.goapr.com</A> ). These guys are some of the best in the business. The 1bar upgrade I have is adjustable via the cruise control stalk to different modes including stock, Stage I (1bar), valet (3000rpm rev limiter & 60mph speed governer, and Race Fuel mode. I can also clear fault codes and readjust the throttle body from the stalk, not to mention a security code that keeps it locked in a specific mode. Makes me wish they'd add a starter kill mode for parking in bad areas.<P>Anyway, on performance, the car now has 190hp and a whopping 240 lb ft of torque. It's not S4 territory, but it'll hang with an unchipped T-5 Volvo. It's an impressive little car.<P>We did pull out an automatic Jetta 1.8T and sport package along iwth an S40 and shot them for a comparo article, but frankly, I lost the photos somewhere. They don't seem to be on my hard drive.<P>Also, I'll be frank, I think the Jetta is the better car. Granted, it's a newer design, but the summary was....<P>Jetta Strengths<BR>Tiptronic Tranny, Sport package (17" Wheels, better suspension calibration), steering wheel stereo controls, better sound system (not a usual loss for Volvo), more power, solid feel<P>S40 Strengths - Trip Computer, higher satisfaction ratings at dealerships (probably attributable to Volvo's quality methods), better driver's seats<P>In all, both drivers believed the Jetta was the winner. Our S40 test car did not have the sport package, and unfortunately it is now out of the pool. I'm going to try to pull another Jetta and head on down to Annapolis and borrow one of their cars for another shoot if I can fit it into the schedule.<P>The Jetta is probably the 40 series closest competitor, so it's a good comparo. It'll be interesting to see how the new Focus based 40 compares.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>George,<P>I love the features of your chip! And with 240 lbs-ft. of torque...that's excellent for a small car like that. Especially the "valet" feature...I am extremely concerned that when I give up my car for valet parking (very rarely) the valet will get a whiff of the car's performance and off we go. So, I always record the mileage. That would be a great feature for iPd/TME to incorporate to their software upgrades!<P>I have to admit that this Jetta is more fun to drive but I think that the manual transmission is grossly responsible for this feeling. The engine is very good but the manual really pushes the car. I ahve driven automatic Jettas with the 2.0L and the VR6 engine and they 're not impressive at all. I have also driven a VR6 with the manual (albeit not extensively) and that car is fun! But guess what? I have driven a V40 T4 with the manual and let me tell you...will put any Jetta to shame! What a car! So, As things stand, the Jetta is more fun than my V40 demo but I am sure that if my demo had a manual transmission, then it would be a different story. <P>The Jetta is a tighter car but I hate the blue-glow instrumentation; it bothers my eyes after a while. Volvo's cool white is a lot easier on the eyes. And the Monsoon stereo is very unimpressive. OK performance on FM and almost no reception on AM! Jetta's seats, also, are very stiff. But we all know Volvo has the best seats in the business. But for the money, this car is not bad at all!<P>Yannis<P>

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah, the APR chip upgrades are cool as crap. I have spoken to IPD about these features, but I don't know what if any progress there is. I've also spoken to APR, but they are VERY busy developing Audi, VW and now Porsche products.

 

[S.R.]

<B> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Leopold Porkstacker:<BR>I've always been impressed by the Porsche 924 S4.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Good Call! The 928 S4 has a pretty sweet engine, a 5.0 liter V8 with 326hp/317lb.ft. The amazing part is how small the engine bay is, being able to fit a 5.0 liter unit.<P>-Drew<BR>

 

[[email protected]]

The 944 S2 is actually a great bargain for the money also. You can get them cheaply, as well as the 944 Cabrio.<P>Anybody remember the 968 Turbo. They only built a couple of them, but they were cool as heck.

 

[Leopold Porkstacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by InDy:<BR><B> Good Call! The 928 S4 has a pretty sweet engine, a 5.0 liter V8 with 326hp/317lb.ft. The amazing part is how small the engine bay is, being able to fit a 5.0 liter unit.<P>-Drew</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Even more amazing in terms of engine bay fitment is that unlike the 944/968 models which use struts, the 928 models have an A-frame setup with coilover shocks, and this takes up much more room! Gotta hand it to the Germans!<P>-he who stacks pork

 

[Watchdog]

One of my friends owns a V40 and we actually ordered a Jetta 1.8T that the dealer couldn't deliver before we ending up buying our current A4.<P>I pretty much agree with what both George and Yannis are saying, except that I found the suspension on my friends V40 to be pretty soft and allowed lots of body roll. I've also been in Iceman's S60 a number of times and he has the sport suspension that gets rid of that annoying body roll.<P>Yes, IPD should incorporate similar functionality into their reflash that APR has. Then it would be even easier for me to convince Iceman to get the reflash done <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/smile.gif"> <P>