Even among people who actually have knowledge of VW’s and first hand experience with either motor coughalmostnobodyinthisthreadcough this is a question that cannot be answered. Neither is “better.”
Either one can be fast with a ton of money.
Niether one will be fast without a ton of money.
1.8T will be faster with a little modding.
1.8T gets better gas mileage.
VR6 is slightly quicker out of the box.
VR6 sounds better.
VR6 has a nice flat torque curve.
1.8T’s have to have their timing belts replaced every 60k.
VR6’s may need to have their timing chain tensioners replaced over 100k.
Either one can be had with a 6 speed, depending on year.
I’m glad I have a VR6 and not a 1.8T. I have no delusions of building a fast VW so I’d rather have something a bit quicker out of the box with an awesome power curve that sounds better than any other car I could afford.
That all being said:
http://nyspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21882&page=2
Bring me cash and you can have mine for $6600.