Thinking of selling my BE A3 for an .:R32
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Not too far away mate... i'm in Balornock..Turbonutz hails from Dennistoun... We should get our own wee meets going from time to time in the Robroyston retail park haha... always good to put faces to names
Not too far away mate... i'm in Balornock..Turbonutz hails from Dennistoun... We should get our own wee meets going from time to time in the Robroyston retail park haha... always good to put faces to names
yeah iv met up with him before going up to an Audi meet once. If definitely be up for that. Robroyston is really handy for me too. Ill sling you a message and get something organised
Yeah defo mate, i'd be up for that...I've signed up for that Moffat meet too... gonna go to that aswell and see some of the guys.. only guy i've met off this is Brodster and that was at the mcs in the secc there
screechmr2
I love beer
Why does everyone on this forum hate anything that's not an s3? Sometimes people don't want an s3, they want a bigger capacity car or something different. If he wants a fast car why even bother with an s3, get a car that is properly fast like an evo fq. When i was looking for a car i decided against a turbo. Been there, done that. An r32 is a nice car, if you want one get one. People always suggest you'll be disappointed, go on the r32 forum and see how many people are disappointed with their cars, there aren't many if any wishing they had an s3.
the evo was certainly something I had looked at but for me to get insured it was just silly money! 5k? I could have my mk2 golf gti that i so desperately want with that kind of money. I think just to hear both sides of the story I shall post the same thread on an R32 forum regardless of the s3 loyalists I cant wait to go and take this thing for a spin tonight.
regardless of the s3 loyalists I cant wait to go and take this thing for a spin tonight.
Dont gete wromg I like r32s amd have for years. But just prefer s3s. And mk4 r32s just for the looks. Same as I like mk4 golfs over mk5s. And an evo not cheep car to own or ad have an evo 8 haaaa. Its all about balance and personal choice... not like he said he wants a clio 200 hahaa for which would have been offensive
I've gone from 8P2 140 TDi Quattro to 8P2 2.0 TFSi to 8P3 and loved them all.
I can see the appeal of the R32 and would easily have one over a 3.2 A3.
Definitely wouldn't swap the S3 for one though, different league.
I do prefer the MK4 R32 over the MK5 though so it rules it out as the main car as they are just too old now I feel.
Ideal 2nd car though but with having the MK2 golf also it doesn't really make much sense.
R32 still on my list of cars to own though but need to try and fit it in somewhere....
I can see the appeal of the R32 and would easily have one over a 3.2 A3.
Definitely wouldn't swap the S3 for one though, different league.
I do prefer the MK4 R32 over the MK5 though so it rules it out as the main car as they are just too old now I feel.
Ideal 2nd car though but with having the MK2 golf also it doesn't really make much sense.
R32 still on my list of cars to own though but need to try and fit it in somewhere....
Im also not sure that you can compare "luxury" hot hatches to thuggish rally cars. Yes the FQ's are fast, but theyre hardly the car of choice for most people for something day to day? Hes asking for our opinion & my opinion is between the 2, it has to be an S3.
essIII
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I spent a couple of years living in a 2 car household - my S3 and my missus' Mk5 R32. Once I got over the novelty of blatting the R32 through tunnels (and it is a luurrvly sound) I quickly got bored of driving it. The power delivery is obviously different as it's NA, but it just felt so sluggish. Then I got the S3 revod. Then added a Milltek, Maxogen and revo stage 2. Then I never drove the R32 again .
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you have an S3 and a mk2 gti? that is like my ideal driveway haha I am so jealous! I am taking a trip up to Inverness. You are my new best friend
basically the position I am in just now is. Hold onto the car I have and save for 17 months until I can afford the s3 I want and will probably have enough money for the mods I want by that stage OR spend 17 months with the R32 which may limit my savings to a certain degree and going from the golf back to an Audi might make the S3 feel a bit more special as the cabin in the S3 in comparison to my car is identical whereas in the golf it is inferior. I will make my decision after the test drive
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I'm thinking the same thing about my BE the now. Really want to change it but cant afford something new(ish) that would be fun to drive. Currently looking at older motors but ones that will be fun. Looked at some 911s, M3s and TVRs obviously all will have some issues as they are older but get some with 40000 miles on the clock make a saving and keep some cash spare for any breakdowns haha
yeah man the BE and just a3s in general are just becoming too common now and I would like something faster than the diesel
Dan-Jnr
Registered User
Don't forget to take out shares in a fuel company. The 3.2 engines are easily sub 18mpg unless you drive like a granny.
Smiffi
Registered User
I know what you mean about the R32. I wanted one but went for the Gti instead. Since then had an M3 and now the S3 but it's still have an R32 itch I want..... no, need to scratch. Especially since being up in Aberdeen and seeing how many S3s are about. Trying to persuade the missus she needs a R32 DSG instead of her CR-V!!
Also a MK4 GTi but it's not really worth talking about lol. MK2 will be off the road for the winter soon though :-(
i was in the same boat as you r32 r32 r32 but then i seen the s3 was like aww man i love the look of the s3 but love the sound of the r32
well as i looked into i stubbled across a gem of a car the audi a3 3.2 v6 quattro sportback s-line and dsg and sat nav and bose, they had a same year r32 with manual gear and no sat nav with a 3k premium over the audi took both for a spint and only noticed from inside the ride in the golf was a bit better but that was it the audi is nicer inside and although the sound is not as raspy as a r32 with the 3k saving you can spend on the audi, i got a magnaflo sysytem and it sounds good and looking at coilovers
the bonus with the audi is you can also do a facelift job on it and put a s3 kit or rs3 kit on it
the sound is just addictive
i get good comments on my car and r32 owners are even appriciative of it one day a guy asked me what the engine was in it so i popped the bonned and he was like eh you have a r32 engine in there ( they are exactly the same ) the cars also share the same platform
hers a pic of mine and a vid
i say go look at a s-line sportback if you can find one
Audi a3 3.2 v6 - YouTube
well as i looked into i stubbled across a gem of a car the audi a3 3.2 v6 quattro sportback s-line and dsg and sat nav and bose, they had a same year r32 with manual gear and no sat nav with a 3k premium over the audi took both for a spint and only noticed from inside the ride in the golf was a bit better but that was it the audi is nicer inside and although the sound is not as raspy as a r32 with the 3k saving you can spend on the audi, i got a magnaflo sysytem and it sounds good and looking at coilovers
the bonus with the audi is you can also do a facelift job on it and put a s3 kit or rs3 kit on it
the sound is just addictive
i get good comments on my car and r32 owners are even appriciative of it one day a guy asked me what the engine was in it so i popped the bonned and he was like eh you have a r32 engine in there ( they are exactly the same ) the cars also share the same platform
hers a pic of mine and a vid
i say go look at a s-line sportback if you can find one
Audi a3 3.2 v6 - YouTube
Picked it up last monday, 2009 Ice silver s-tronic with nav, wingbacks, cruise control, black edition pack, the list goes on! haha
gixerson
Registered User
If it was me i'd keep what i had and save my money, but then i wouldn't accept any money from my parents towards a car either.
Had my 05 3.2 for just over a year now, really really wasn't much of a fan at first.
Coming from a MX5 all A3's just felt dull as dish water, heavy and had absolutely no feel, the V6 just added to that with a bit more understeer.
1 year on though i like the car now, part of it was accepting that A3's are more a GT car than a sports car, so your not going to get the same sort of driver feedback as a sports car, the other part though is the noise.
I've driven a fair few S3's and i just couldn't seem to gel with them.
To my mind at least they have the power characteristics of a hot hatch type sports car but the feel and feedback of a bus, so you have a motor saying go, go, go and chassis that although offers fantastic amount of grip just doesn't give you the feedback to involve you.
With the V6 the power curve just seems to be more fitting with the rest of the car.
Have you had a good drive in a S3 yet?
Reason i ask is, you might be saving for one, but there is a chance you might not actually like it in the end.
My advice would be to save your money, test drive a few S3's, R32's and V6 A3's and see what you like.
I'd also throw in a few more direct handling hot hatches in the mix as well, just so you can see the differences in feel and handling.
Had my 05 3.2 for just over a year now, really really wasn't much of a fan at first.
Coming from a MX5 all A3's just felt dull as dish water, heavy and had absolutely no feel, the V6 just added to that with a bit more understeer.
1 year on though i like the car now, part of it was accepting that A3's are more a GT car than a sports car, so your not going to get the same sort of driver feedback as a sports car, the other part though is the noise.
I've driven a fair few S3's and i just couldn't seem to gel with them.
To my mind at least they have the power characteristics of a hot hatch type sports car but the feel and feedback of a bus, so you have a motor saying go, go, go and chassis that although offers fantastic amount of grip just doesn't give you the feedback to involve you.
With the V6 the power curve just seems to be more fitting with the rest of the car.
Have you had a good drive in a S3 yet?
Reason i ask is, you might be saving for one, but there is a chance you might not actually like it in the end.
My advice would be to save your money, test drive a few S3's, R32's and V6 A3's and see what you like.
I'd also throw in a few more direct handling hot hatches in the mix as well, just so you can see the differences in feel and handling.
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Hi there. I appreciate your comments. I test drove the R32 last night and I have fallen completely in love with it. The driving felt very involving and the roar of that v6 when I put the foot down put the biggest smile on my face. I am going to test drive an S3 tonight to see which I prefer. If i prefer the s3 I will save up for one and do it properly and just accept there are no short cuts. I have got a very funny feeling I will be driving a golf by the end of this weekend. What a car. The s3 will have to do a lot to impress me and to justify its price tag IMO
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gixerson
Registered User
Honestly think you're looking at it about right there.
Only thing i'd add is, try and get a test drive in a V6 A3 while you're at it.
I know you said you like the looks of the R32, but the V6 A3 is essentially the same car but for less money with a better interior.
I test drove both and they felt THAT similar that a good R32 felt better than a poor A3, likewise a good A3 felt better the the bad R32 i drove.
I removed all badges on my A3 so it looks just like a bog standard A3, not had any problems with vandalism (unlike the 911 and Boxster), i hardly ever get any jack the lad boy racers 2cm from my bumper trying to egg me on, even noticed i have less atraction to the police as well.
So although some folks like body kits, chrome and flashy cars i really recon that for a daily that's parked on public roads the more subtle A3 makes a bit more common sense.
Different personality types will like different things though, so no right or wrong answer.
R32's also seem to be holding their value a LOT better than V6 A3's, so if you sell it after say 3 years i'd bet that you'd get more money back from a R32.
So there is that as well.
Only thing i'd add is, try and get a test drive in a V6 A3 while you're at it.
I know you said you like the looks of the R32, but the V6 A3 is essentially the same car but for less money with a better interior.
I test drove both and they felt THAT similar that a good R32 felt better than a poor A3, likewise a good A3 felt better the the bad R32 i drove.
I removed all badges on my A3 so it looks just like a bog standard A3, not had any problems with vandalism (unlike the 911 and Boxster), i hardly ever get any jack the lad boy racers 2cm from my bumper trying to egg me on, even noticed i have less atraction to the police as well.
So although some folks like body kits, chrome and flashy cars i really recon that for a daily that's parked on public roads the more subtle A3 makes a bit more common sense.
Different personality types will like different things though, so no right or wrong answer.
R32's also seem to be holding their value a LOT better than V6 A3's, so if you sell it after say 3 years i'd bet that you'd get more money back from a R32.
So there is that as well.
The Mark V R32 is a great looking car and the V6 sounds amazing BUT... the interior is very poor compared to an A3.
Personally this is how I would grade the suggested cars:
Personally this is how I would grade the suggested cars:
- Golf GTI - Still a car that ticks most of the boxes but it's low on the tuning potential and FWD is a negative against it.
- GTI Edition 30 - Bags more tuning potential and better looks than the base GTI but still FWD.
- R32 - Plenty of out of the box power, great soundtrack, poor interior for the badge.
- A3 2.0 TFSI Quattro - Same tuning potential as the GTI but the 4WD is excellent. Doesn't handle anywhere near as well as the S3.
- A3 3.2 - V6 soundtrack and good power but only comes with S-Line suspension at best.
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That is a very fair summary. It is all going to come down to the test drive in the S3 tonight.
Right, so last night I took the S3 out a spin. It was a white black edition 3 door fully loaded with the s tronic gear box. I love the way the car looks which drew my initial attention towards it. I have to say though I was rather disappointed when I drove it. Although it is very fast it just doesnt feel that much quicker than mine (although it is). I was expecting the s3 to blow me away and for the extra price tag it did not and ultimately felt that the R32 is an overall better car to drive. what DID blow me away however .. was THIS:
absolute machine. fair enough its a lot more expensive but for the looks of that thing and 300bhp added with the exclusiveness of it I think this is the car I will be holding out for and will just have to enjoy my car until then. Those quad exhausts do funny things to my middle parts. Thanks again everyone!
and ultimately felt that the R32 is an overall better car to drive. what DID blow me away however .. was THIS:absolute machine. fair enough its a lot more expensive but for the looks of that thing and 300bhp added with the exclusiveness of it I think this is the car I will be holding out for and will just have to enjoy my car until then. Those quad exhausts do funny things to my middle parts. Thanks again everyone!
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Right, so last night I took the S3 out a spin. It was a white black edition 3 door fully loaded with the s tronic gear box. I love the way the car looks which drew my initial attention towards it. I have to say though I was rather disappointed when I drove it. Although it is very fast it just doesnt feel that much quicker than mine (although it is). I was expecting the s3 to blow me away and for the extra price tag it did not
Before my S3 I had a 2.0TFSI Quattro which was Bluefinned. When I took an S3 for a test drive it didn't feel quicker even though I knew it was. I wasn't dissuaded though because I know that the low down grunt in my 2.0TQ (because of the remap) was the reason why the S3 felt slow. I imagine that the whoosh of your diesel has the same impact. For example, my dad has a Passat 1.9 130BHP, when I drive that it feels deceptively quick because of the surge you get once the turbo spools.
Suffice to say, once I remapped my S3 it felt a hell of a lot quicker. If you can get a go in a stage 1 S3 I reckon it might change your feelings.
yeah I do believe a stage 1 would make all the difference because it did on mine. But i expected the stock one to be more than it was. I think maybe because I lusted after it for so long I built it up to be more than it is! I think thats where reality sinks in. So anyway. I think I would also like a shot in the manual because I am getting slightly bored of the automatic transmission. It takes a bit of the fun out of driving IMO
Each to their own but i have to disagree slightly with the DSG comment. Although ive not driven any other car except for my S3 with a semi auto transmission, i can imagine in a non performance car it possibly isnt the best gearbox to have if you enjoy spiritied driving in a non performance car, however in a performance hatch i think it comes into its own. Once you pop it into manual you pretty much have all control back bar pushing down a clutch, the only things it really does for you is changes up at the redline
which isnt a problem and down****s when your slowing down for a junction/roundabout, with the paddle shifts i hardly think it takes the fun out of it. Someone mentioned on here the other day that with his S-tronic in manual mode on a track he couldnt beat his lap times in Sport mode, its a very very clever gearbox.But like i said, each to their own however i agree entirely with whats being said about the diesel cars not making the car feel quicker even though it is. My S3 is back at Audi having a few niggles sorted, they have given me an A3 8V 150 Tdi manual, and because of the turbo it feels a teeny bit like the S3, but when you actually take a look at the speed your doing when hoofing 2nd or 3rd its not quite the same!!
gixerson
Registered User
Each to their own but i have to disagree slightly with the DSG comment. Although ive not driven any other car except for my S3 with a semi auto transmission, i can imagine in a non performance car it possibly isnt the best gearbox to have if you enjoy spiritied driving in a non performance car, however in a performance hatch i think it comes into its own. Once you pop it into manual you pretty much have all control back bar pushing down a clutch, the only things it really does for you is changes up at the redline
But like i said, each to their own however i agree entirely with whats being said about the diesel cars not making the car feel quicker even though it is. My S3 is back at Audi having a few niggles sorted, they have given me an A3 8V 150 Tdi manual, and because of the turbo it feels a teeny bit like the S3, but when you actually take a look at the speed your doing when hoofing 2nd or 3rd its not quite the same!!
As you say Dave each to their own
To me nothing beats a good manual gearbox though when it comes to feel and control.
With an Auto even in manual mode the ECU is controlling the gear change not you, you can "request" a gear but if the ECU doesn't like the request it won't give you the gear.
With a manual you can shift from 4th to 2nd and have it in gear ready for the road speed to drop enough so you can raise the clutch.
This then gives you controllable (via clutch bite and toe and heeling) consistent way of giving a bit more engine braking.
There is no doubt that some automated manual gearboxes are fractionally faster in both acceleration and some tracks with some drivers.
There is also no doubt in my mind that a good manual gearbox also connects the driver better and gives folks that enjoy driving simply for the thrill of driving a bit more involvement.
I drive Automatic cars because i have no choice, if i did then there is not a doubt in my mind i'd trade them all in for manuals tomorrow, if for nothing else but because i enjoy the process of controlling the car and changing gear myself.
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gixerson
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DSG transmission performance software throws that out of the window
Not of downshifts.
As i said above with a manual i can barrel into a corner, change down from 4th to 2nd while braking, and once the wheel speed is within 2nd gear speed i can heel and toe, lift up the clutch and use the engine braking.
By adjusting the bite of the clutch and rev matching via heel and toeing i can control the car.
You just can't get that same FEEL with a auto box
For me personally i would always chose a manual transmission if i could, i don't really care if the auto is quicker in a 1/4 or 1/10th quicker around the ring.
For me it's all about enjoying the driving experience and i enjoy it more if i can have full control of the clutch and gear change.
I'm just not getting this 8V malarky.
Viewed one at my local garage last month, very disappointed.
I think the headlights are the only thing that I'd have off it.
As for the quad exhaust, WTF!?
From what you've mentioned above, I'm with you on your choice of R32.
The S3 price tag is high for the performance you get. Yes it's only a re-map away but that's not the point.
Having gone from a 2.0T to the S3 I can see what you mean by not getting blown away.
Maybe my expectations were just too high but it was the same when I drove a V8 R8 and my friends RS4.
They were fast, yes, but certainly didn't blow me away.
If I were you I'd go for the R32, I can't see how you would be disappointed after your reaction to the test drive.
