VW GOLF GTI EDITION 40 VS CLUBSPORT S - WHICH IS BEST??

CHECK OUT MY OTHER CLUBSPORT S VIDEOS!
This is an in depth video by long time GTI enthusiast Andrew Chapple of Volkswizard showing the differences between the two best GTIs of modern times, the Clubsport Edition 40 and the Clubsport S including footage of dynamic driving on British country roads.
Watch this video to explore how these two awesome GTIs vary and see for yourself if the Clubsport S is worthy of its instant legendary status having set the front wheel drive lap record at the Nurburgring's Nordscheife and whether its prowess on track relates to demolishing a British B road, something many fast cars fail to achieve.
Song at the beginning is • Video

[@sleepygamer5590]

Nice comparison. Thanks for sharing. I think both these cars are good in their own ways according to the way you described them. And don't be afraid to admit you like the DSG auto gearbox, because I most certainly do on mine. Cheers.

[@NiceGuyAidey]

Nice review, i have the ed40 in the exact colour and in DSG and love it... had it since launch and enjoy the drive everyday, great fun

[@tredfxman]

Mee too! We better not tune it, or the streets goes soo Unsafe! Hehe 😄 👍

[@dlamb999]

Really great review, makes me want one so bad now. That exhaust soundtrack too wow. Doing my golf mk5 r32 at present for show season love that exhaust sound aswell :). Keep up the great videos

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for the positive comments - yep the exhaust sound of the R32 is pretty unbeatable! Look forward to seeing your R32 in the show season.

[@stephengalwey1872]

VERY IMPRESSED, I've watched some of your early Videos, Im glad you got a couple of Go pros!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks, there is still room for improvement, when funds allow I will buy a gimbal to make the detail panning shots smoother.

[@LRWmotorsport]

Really enjoyed watching this. I've never got lost on the way to Cadwell though.

[@cozmo1589]

Great video. I have a 2016 Golf R and your Clubsport S appears to be as equally fast and sounds just as throaty if not more 😉

[@golferboggie]

Excellent review. Surprised no one has done this direct comparison till now.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks, really appreciate it!

[@jordivanelewout8379]

German revieuw autogefuhl is nice too

[@anthonyashton3000]

I've just found your channel tonight and looked through some of your reviews, very good stuff. I'm just shopping round for a gti, possibly edition 40 so very useful

[@volkswizard]

Glad you enjoyed the videos. Edition 40 is a great car and unusually for something modern, feels special. Best of luck!

[@anthonyashton3000]

volkswizard the one you have for sale fits my bill in every respect but I just have to have DSG

[@tredfxman]

@@anthonyashton3000 My Clubsport is with DSG, but its not for sale! 😉

[@theclutch19]

We can hardly hear you and I have the volume up. You need to invest in a decent mic.

[@volkswizard]

Will do, thanks for the feedback

[@ChandrinKatuwawala]

Thank you for this comparison.

[@volkswizard]

It was pleasure!

[@alanbooth7280]

Good review thanks. The club sport interior sounded very noisy though but the trade off is obviously the weight saving and grip

[@volkswizard]

Glad you enjoyed it Alan and thank you for your comment. The S is definitely noisier but the road surface contributed to making it sound so much worse than the Edition 40. Listen to the road noise where the cars are driven fast on the same road and the difference isn't so great. You can still make a phone call quite easily on any surface in the S. Compared to a 996 and 997 911 it's really quiet!

[@Skivipop]

Nice review ! I own a gti clubsport i also think the car is a bit to quiet so i'm thinking about getting the FI-Exhaust for the golf gti clubsport !

[@volkswizard]

It would finish off an otherwise brilliant car so do it!

[@Spike0000]

Oh my days the Edition 40....what a machine!....I had a MK4 Anniversary a few year back before a mate ended up with it....VW always come up with something special at anniversary time....:)....

[@volkswizard]

As you say the Anniversary models are special - I think the Edition 40 is probably one of the best but bang for buck right now, Edition 30 is the one.

[@DarrenRC76]

Just found this. Great review. I ordered a CS ed40 and nearly cancelled when the S was announced to buy that. I reckon the ed 40 with pretorias, sticky tyres and a manual 'box and you'd be splitting hairs to separate them. The ed40 is way too quiet, to solve this I removed the centre box and what a difference that makes. Not only does it way over 6kgs it now, in sport, makes all the pops, crackles and bangs on changing gear and lifting the throttle. The big difference between the two for me is the lack of ACC and a few other little extras that the S does not get. As mine is a daily driver I like these little extras. Next up for me is potentially a remap? These S models will be a sure fire collectors car. Great choice, enjoy it.

[@volkswizard]

CSS is not the ideal daily driver. You are right about tyres levelling the playing field with CS Ed 40 but don't forget CSS has unique front hubs for more negative camber and bigger floating brake discs which combined have a big effect. Interesting that you managed to get the pops and crackles by removing the centre box, that's a good tip. What did you replace it with?

[@DarrenRC76]

volkswizard. At first I went with a straight plain pipe in the same diameter but that was very noisy but had an incredible soundtrack of pops and bangs. Now I have a small straight through circular box about 1/3 the size of the original. It still has plenty of noise and once the car is warm it will crackle on the over run and if you accelerate hard it makes the ‘dsg’ style pops when changing gear. It’s more of a crack of thunder rather than the fart the dsg box makes. It is a manual and I spec’d the buckets too. Kinda an everyday CSS 😀

[@solobellimino2356]

nice review. am in love with the S.

[@volkswizard]

Thank you -10 months later, I'm still in love with the S too!

[@sheldonm3535]

The closest GTi I could buy in the USA was a used GTi with performance package and lighting package. I plan to convert mine to a clubs port S.

[@MrVideeeooo]

Thanks, nice vid :)

[@volkswizard]

Thanks :)

[@fredericgourgues95]

Yeah! Finaly! ^^

[@pk-zx2vb]

Css in race is like driving in torture chamber😈😂 What a machine💗

[@micklewrightlee]

Good video Andrew!!!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Lee, glad you enjoyed it. If you ever want to come over and give it your special OCD treatment, feel free!

[@micklewrightlee]

Would love to Andrew it is a beautiful car !!!

[@jay55148]

Great video mate 👍

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Jay, that's very kind of you 👍

[@jay55148]

volkswizard I have a mk5, grey,55, 3door, grey colour, leather heated seats, 18"monza2 alloys, armrest, CD changer. Got it for 5grand back in 2015. Still pulls like a train. Going to start tuning it.... I. E air intake, short shifter, springs, cat back and have it chipped. I will post up once done. I LOVE YOUR CLUB SPORTS!!! ONE DAY FOR ME WHEN THEY DOWN AT 15GRAND. Great video keepthem coming. the vw community are 😊 .

[@ingeniousdesigns7872]

I shit myself at 11:35 thought that van was reversing haha

[@aodhanmaccoluim8262]

Hi Andrew.. I have a question for you?? Have had a few searches on the net... no joy! Can you list exactly all the finer part differences between the two car. Is there even such a list? Really enjoyed all your informative videos so far.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Aodhan, that's a fair question. Have you seen this video? There really isn't that much difference between the two cars but what there is does amount to a signficant change in character. The unique front hubs of CSS to give more camber and the Cup 2 tyres are very significant. Plus the software mapping for the engine not only produces more power but also makes some amazing pops and crackles. Other than that, aluminium subframe on CSS is first for a Mk7 Golf but all 8v Audi A3 have them anyway so not bespoke as such. Bigger brakes up front with CSS on calipers, no sound proofing pad under bonnet. Rear bar and net are unique to CSS too, no cruise buttons on steering wheel, unique plaque in centre console. Software for DPS modes is different, CSS has RACE while all GTIs inc Ed 40 have SPORT. You also have the 'ring mode by resetting INDIVIDUAL mode. Both are great but CSS is spectacular. kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=ox9TcHdnYsA

[@malcolmscott4150]

Rewatching this now - maybe edition 40 for new daily?

[@lok481]

Nice review. I have been wondering if one of these would be worth the change from a megane 275 trophy which is equally fantastic. Same tyres and the ohlins suspension.

[@volkswizard]

Megane is a great car but from what I can work out the Clubsport S is a little bit more refined and easy to live with. A magazine did a good review (EVO?) and they said that the Megane with still better as a track car but the Golf was almost as good on track yet not much different to a normal GTI for road use.

[@planesailing6919]

Plus the Megane is a Renault!

[@thamilawrence8468]

What is the top speed for the Clubsport S on the speedo meter?

[@JMB1891]

Great video, so what's your view on manual vs DSG in terms of advantages and disadvantages, having a hard time trying to decide..

[@volkswizard]

Firstly I need to say both are good. The manual box is sweet (apart from a deliberate delay to the clutch pedal returning during quick shifts) and the DSG box is smooth and relaxing in auto yet super quick when driven manually. Depends how much normal driving you do and how much driving for pleasure you do. if it's over 50% normal driving then DSG is the way to go but if you get the satisfaction from making a perfect shift then the opportunity to do that with a manual might be worth the inconvenience of manual shifting in traffic. Imagine doing a drag race, in an auto you just stand on the gas which in a manual you have to make sure you get the shift just right and if you get a good time then you know it's you and not computers achieving it. OK, I know, who does a drag race anyway but my point is you still get a proportion of that pleasure getting a shift perfect while driving normally on the road.

[@JMB1891]

volkswizard Mainly town driving during the week and a play at the weekend, always had manual but I think I'm getting a bit lazy and feel like the DSG probably gives the best of both worlds.

[@volkswizard]

You know what to do ;)

[@quickdraw1216]

Love this video 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾😀

[@stefmetselaar4744]

Thx !

[@volkswizard]

Thank you Stef!

[@Tracertme]

Hi Andrew, So I tried to read all the comments to make sure I haven't wasted your time answering the same thing. Do you think the main difference between the two cars is the race map and the cs tyres, plus maybe the DCC. If so a ed40 would be great option with these changes implemented by a VW dealership. There maybe a little NVH difference given the rear seats etc, but that does not concern me.

[@volkswizard]

The changes to the CSS over Ed40 add up but only on the track. If you can get an Ed40 on Pretoria wheels and PS2 tyres, with bucket seats and DCC and then get someone to map it like a CSS you'd have a great car - you could even have DSG. Don't forget the brakes are different though, CSS are a bit bigger but it's mainly the alloy bell that makes the difference - having said that, Simon Harper, VW Driver mag contributor warped his after a track evening so maybe they aren't' all that?

[@user-wv6sn9kc3r]

Final question... CS 2016 or the Audi S3 2016?

[@darrenkendall7184]

Ive decided the Ed 40 is the car to replace my edition 30. Ive always had manual cars but i am definately going to take the 40 to stage 1 remap and from the forums the manual clutch is weak and struggles with standard power! Ive had a test drive in the dsg but its hard to get a full appreciaton on a test drive with the salesman next to me. I only do 6k miles a year and never in heavy traffic. I am concerned that the driver involvement wont be the same as a manual. Having said that you seemed to be having a blast in the 40 with both hands on the steering wheel. Is the dsg just a different involvement? Am i over thinking this? Want to get it right as its a lot of money and dont want to be dissapointed. Any guidance very much appreciated.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Darren, thanks for commenting. It's a good question. Personally I'd keep it stock and go for the manual. Ultimate speed is pointless, enjoyment from the pleasure of driving is what it's all about and that doesn't mean going as fast as possible, doing the perfect gear change is much more satisfying or savouring the superb handling. I'd try and make the Ed40 sound more like a Clubsport S though as I'm still not bored of this in my car after well over a year. I'd recommend getting a car with DCC and 18" wheels, bucket seats. If you regularly get stuck in traffic then maybe the DSG would be worth it but if you don't, for your needs, I'd go manual.

[@darrenkendall7184]

Hi Andrew, thank you for the reply. With your background in golf ownership you sound similar to me. I am on golf number 11 now at the last count! I am definately going to look for a manual CS40 as it suits my needs and dammit i still love a manual car....! I am at the age now where id quite like to keep my next car standard so perhaps i wont be too hasty apart from the sound issue. My next problem is finding a manual 3door car with buckets/DCC and no sunroof!! If you see anything in white or Carbon grey give me a shout please. Thanks once again

[@MrSmitti87]

name of the musik?

[@stefmetselaar4744]

Whats the song name at the beginning ?

[@volkswizard]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWnIg4usgbFqjdE

[@TommyT_]

If only it had the 7.5 screen/centre console

[@julianbrass2411]

Clarkson, May, Hammond, this is a proper review - please learn from this chap......

[@juniorsena4160]

meu sonho é um golf😞

[@oppanheimer]

Is it really that noisy in the S?

[@volkswizard]

There is a lot of tyre noise yes especially on coarse surfaces but the Edition 40 isn't exactly silent either

[@VVH1997]

i owned both cars, first the normal clubsport now i own the clubsport S, i loved my clubsport but damn i fell in love with the S the first time i drove it. for me it feels like a completly other car. and yes its noise in the S it depents the most on wich tires you're running. as a daily driver i tried multiple tires and the semis are the worst

[@IGCameron]

Too much interfering Noise.

[@volkswizard]

Hi. This is an old video now and things have improved in my later vids so take a look!

[@colinmonk9113]

STUPID tweddle de tweedle dumb music, get rid of it vid people. current top selling gti's, i'm currently looking at a clubsport for sale to ad to my apr stage2 mk.7, & focusRS..altho probably not get the 310hp out here in nz as very limited build numbers, so it's a clubsport for me.