Would you buy a Golf R or an S3 if you had the choice (again)?

Esox Mark

Esox Mark

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I wonder which way I may have gone if I'd been looking to order my S3 today? I took a look at a Golf R at the weekend - nice, very nice. But climb inside and it's definately not as nice as the S3's interior and the price - good grief! I sat down with the sales guy and my spec (same as my S3...) came to £36k! I just don't get why anyone would want the Golf R over an S3? They're more or less the same car - aside from looks (I think the S3 looks better - but then I would...) the Audi has the better interior, high spec and it is cheaper! Oh and badge wise - what would you rather have - VW or Audi? After my experience of VW dealers - I know where I'd put my money.

I'm yet to drive the GolfR, but I bet you it's identical to the S3 performance wise and handles/stops/etc the same as well. So, it's all down to looks and how big your bank balance is? Incidently, I drove a Sciroco R and I do get that car (looks grrreat in white!)- although I must say, again, low rent interior, VW badge (meaning VW dealers) and it 'felt' slower than my S3, plus it really needed 4WD.

So, would you?!
 
I got chatting with a chap on another Forum this lunctime and he has a Golf R on order. £37,500 is what he's paying. Crazy money for a Golf that's essentially an S3 wearing different knickers and a VW medalion hung round its front bumper!
 
markwiggy said:
S3 every time, 36k for a golf is silly money.
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It's a brand spanking new car at least, unlike a the 6 year old A3.

£36K for a Golf is definitely getting silly, but I think it's equally silly to spend that on an A3.
 
V6Pete said:
It's a brand spanking new car at least, unlike a the 6 year old A3.

£36K for a Golf is definitely getting silly, but I think it's equally silly to spend that on an A3.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't spend 36k on a S3 either, but a Golf, you would have to be bonkers. Makes you wonder how much the new A3 will be when it arrives.

Mark
 
Have an S3 Sportback so would go for that again as it is bigger than the Golf and looks better IMHO. Cheaper too!
 
markwiggy said:
I wouldn't spend 36k on a S3 either, but a Golf, you would have to be bonkers. Makes you wonder how much the new A3 will be when it arrives.
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I find it a bit strange how so many people but an A3/S3 on a pedestal, as if it's in a different league to a Golf. Build quality is basically the same - the A3 has a nicer dash, but other than that, having had both, I wouldn't rate one any higher than the other.

In fact I would have gone for an R32 instead of an A3 - I only went for an A3 as it was significantly cheaper for essentially the same car.
 
V6Pete said:
I find it a bit strange how so many people but an A3/S3 on a pedestal, as if it's in a different league to a Golf. Build quality is basically the same - the A3 has a nicer dash, but other than that, having had both, I wouldn't rate one any higher than the other.

In fact I would have gone for an R32 instead of an A3 - I only went for an A3 as it was significantly cheaper for essentially the same car.
Click to expand...

That's probably because other people don't agree with you about the quality, myself included. The R32 is way behind an A3!
 
A3's are nicer looking cars than Golfs. I'm sure the majority of people on this forum will agree...
If you went to Golf forum you'd get people saying their cars are way better than A3.
 
V6Pete said:
It's a brand spanking new car at least, unlike a the 6 year old A3.

£36K for a Golf is definitely getting silly, but I think it's equally silly to spend that on an A3.
Click to expand...

But the MK6 is essentialy a `breathed on` facelifted Mk5` which is also 6 yrs old.

However hard we analyse it, AUDI is a `premium` brand so people want them and percieve they are expensive for a reason.

Better than a VW? Maybe.

More desirable than a VW? Yes (to most), because it has an AUDI badge and that makes people want them.

For the same reason people pay £50 for a Hugo BOSS TShirt rather than a fiver for ASDAs best.
Its not necessarily better just more desirable. Because its a premium product and sports a fasionable label.

Yes 36K is a lot for a hatch, but if forced to choose would rather spend mine at an AUDI dealer (gulp).

Cheers
Paul
 
I appreciate that on an A3 forum, more people will prefer an A3 to a Golf.

The Mk6 may well be based on the Mk5, but it's a much fresher looking car IMHO than the A3 - it's completely new bodywork, not just some new bumpers and lights.

I like the A3 - and would consider an S3 - but I just don't rate them as highly as some people do. I've had a few Audi's and do like the brand and the cars. But an A3/S3 is not anything like as 'premium' as an A4/S4.
 
I'd choose S3 over the Golf too. I do like the looks of the Golf, but the interior, where I spend most of my time when with my car, just isn't that great in the Golf. You can't spec buckets (yet) either, so wouldn't choose one.

I do think that Audi should have had a more aggressive stance for the S3 seeing as there was no RS3 in this model lifecycle. Audi historically have chucked a few silver/aluminium (faux or not) parts at their S models, but they are basically S-Line body kits apart form the front bumpers and rear valances. The RS cars however are that bit more. Apparently, the chat is that Audi intend to increase the gap between S-Line and S cars, then more between S and RS cars from now on, so here's hoping that the RS3 if it arrives is what we all hope it to be. If they don't release an RS3, only an S3 in the next lifecycle, which should have the 2.5l lump, then they should at least give it the symmetrical look at the back with double shotgun exhausts a la every other S car. It'll likely get a price hike again to take it to Golf R money, so it's only time. Ask this question again when the new S3 is out and it'll be less of a contest, S3 all the way IMO.

Back to today's question though, the Golf R is mad money. Wait for a used TT-RS to drop to around that price and I'd even take a used one of these over the Golf R. Looks good outside, better places to be inside. S3 for me.
 
V6Pete said:
I find it a bit strange how so many people but an A3/S3 on a pedestal, as if it's in a different league to a Golf. Build quality is basically the same - the A3 has a nicer dash, but other than that, having had both, I wouldn't rate one any higher than the other.

In fact I would have gone for an R32 instead of an A3 - I only went for an A3 as it was significantly cheaper for essentially the same car.
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Not really putting the S3 on a pedestal, but it's just a much nicer place to be than a golf the interior is far more attractive and nicer to the touch. It does appear your on your own with your opinion.

R32 is not a patch on the S3, although it does sound nice though.

Mark
 
markwiggy said:
Not really putting the S3 on a pedestal, but it's just a much nicer place to be than a golf the interior is far more attractive and nicer to the touch. It does appear your on your own with your opinion.

R32 is not a patch on the S3, although it does sound nice though.

Mark
Click to expand...

Not sure quite what you think my opinion is. I think £36K for any Golf or A3 is madness. I don't think either car are worth that sort of cash, regardless of spec.

I just find it strange how so many people are shocked about the idea of spending that sort of money on a Golf, but find it reasonable for an A3, which is hardly in a completely different league.
 
I think it is in a different league actually. i think the S3 is way over priced....BUT.... having looked about at the competition..well there is much is there ? a Golf is a Golf and it has a loyal following but it will always be a shopping trolly in the eyes of an Audi owner. Everything has its place in life and the golfs place is below the S3 :)
 
I had a Golf 6 Gti Dsg on order before I purchased my S3. Yes, also from the VAG stable so similar product- similar parts bin- the newer golfs are definitely an improvement over the 5- interior ambience is nice and imo on par with Audi- If I had to do it again ... S3 all the way- R only expected mid/late 2010... will be stupidly priced and for that money I'll rather buy something slightly used....
 
Anyway, I'd take a 'Rocco over either an A3 or Golf.
 
audi upgrades
I would choose the S3. I had a 57 MK5 R32 DSG, now have a 56 reg S3 and I have to say the build quality is in a differnent league to the VW. There was always one thing missing from the S3 and that WAS the DSG, as that is one hell of a gearbox setup, but as Audi now have this, the S3 is by far the best all rounder. Better looking, better quality and a great place to be when driving.

All said and done....its personal preference!
 
V6Pete said:
Not sure quite what you think my opinion is. I think £36K for any Golf or A3 is madness. I don't think either car are worth that sort of cash, regardless of spec.

I just find it strange how so many people are shocked about the idea of spending that sort of money on a Golf, but find it reasonable for an A3, which is hardly in a completely different league.
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I don't believe any of us think £36k is ok for a S3 either, but the fact that my spec of S3 is costing me £28k with a discount and the same spec R20 would be £35k is pure sillyness.

£28k for a fairly quick sure footed, quality interior hatch is good value in todays market. If i was to spec my present R56 cooper S Works up to similar spec with JCW buckets etc. it would be £25-26............................and it's a shoe box size and not great quality either...........and BMW dealers are *****.
 
I bought a new S3 at the weekend...dealer managed to find one in the uk so picking it up next week.

I considered a golf R and scirocco R, but when I considered everything....who would spend £3k ish extra for the same car with a VW badge...the only real difference being that the audi interior is far better.

If we consider the new A3 platform...this will not arrive until spring 2011 earliest so we will not see the next S3 until probably late 2012.

Bit of a no brainer to be honest!
 
I wasn't impressed with any of the VW range I looked at (albeit briefly), 'rocco is different, but still had that cheap and chunky feel to it. I didn't see the Golf R as it wasn't released when I was looking a few months back, but it is just a joke to be honest, even the seats appear to be cheap looking chavvy affairs, I really am at a loss at to why you would pay the same money as an S3 let alone more!??
 
What spec s3 are you getting for £28k japper ??
 
As far as I understand the VAG group marketing, there are 4 levels of product based on percieved quality and price. A bit like Sainsbury's Basics, standard & taste the difference, VAG bring you Skoda, SEAT, VW and Audi respectively. Given Audi are the premium taste the difference brand, I guess you could conclude the next A3 model will be priced even higher than the current Golf, presumably the current S3 is only cheaper because of it's model age?

£40k new S3 when it comes out????
 
audi upgrades
i know this is slightly off topic but if the rocco' had a 4wd option id opt for that over the s3 not the golf though
 
P5SND said:
i know this is slightly off topic but if the rocco' had a 4wd option id opt for that over the s3 not the golf though
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geo_nr1 said:
Totally agree with you there!
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+1 along with the improved interior- not a fan of the eos dash set up in the roc- with 4 motion and a golf 6 interior the roc would've been one hell of a nice car- pity the r is fwd....
 
gabrialboy said:
+1 along with the improved interior- not a fan of the eos dash set up in the roc- with 4 motion and a golf 6 interior the roc would've been one hell of a nice car- pity the r is fwd....
Click to expand...

Another +1

I love the Rocco, its looks the ********.
Ive driven the 20T and its great, AND I quite like it inside TBH!

BUT, I would want the same power as the R but with 4wd. (cue fwd v 4wd debate.....)
And that doesnt exist (yet).

cheers
Paul
 
PaulAr said:
Another +1

I love the Rocco, its looks the ********.
Ive driven the 20T and its great, AND I quite like it inside TBH!

BUT, I would want the same power as the R but with 4wd. (cue fwd v 4wd debate.....)
And that doesnt exist (yet).

cheers
Paul
Click to expand...

I drove a remapped TSI Scirocco, so similar power to a standard R / S3. I didn't find traction through FWD was an issue, but I agree that if it was tuned to 300+bhp, then it could be a different matter.

I love the interior - I understand some people don't, but I think VW got the car spot on.
 
I wouldn't buy a Golf R,as the price differential etc make it a pointless choice,but I would definitely consider another S3,and that's not something I'd say of many cars I've owned.

I've had an A3 2.0TDi,and a 3.2V6,but this has been the best of the lot by a long way...now if only the 2.5L engine was stuck in the S3....
 
S3Alex said:
I wouldn't buy a Golf R,as the price differential etc make it a pointless choice,but I would definitely consider another S3,and that's not something I'd say of many cars I've owned.

I've had an A3 2.0TDi,and a 3.2V6,but this has been the best of the lot by a long way...now if only the 2.5L engine was stuck in the S3....
Click to expand...

now we're talking.... :)
 
V6Pete said:
I drove a remapped TSI Scirocco, so similar power to a standard R / S3. I didn't find traction through FWD was an issue, but I agree that if it was tuned to 300+bhp, then it could be a different matter.

I love the interior - I understand some people don't, but I think VW got the car spot on.
Click to expand...

Agree to a point, I found my remapped Golf (250+bhp) very capable in a lot of scenarios but it it did have it limitations. Giving it beans with ANY kind of lock on, and wheel spin in 1st 2nd and 3rd in anything less than a dry road.

But drive it back to back with an S3 and then you really notice the difference in traction and feel when accerelating hard.
Thats partly why VAG make 4wd versions of these cars in the first place.
Have to admit that once on the move a remapped fwd gives nothing away to an S3 though.

So the difference was significant enough for me to part with my much loved golf and throw money at an S3.
Its personal choice at the end of the day, and the views here will be biased, being an A3 enthuisiast forum and all.

For the record I would happily have ANY of the cars mentioned on my drive.

cheers
Paul

Cheers
Paul
 
PaulAr said:
Another +1

I love the Rocco, its looks the ********.
Ive driven the 20T and its great, AND I quite like it inside TBH!

BUT, I would want the same power as the R but with 4wd. (cue fwd v 4wd debate.....)
And that doesnt exist (yet).

cheers
Paul
Click to expand...

By all accounts the Rocco was never engineered with 4wd in mind and is far too expensive to re engineer in the present generation. Could you imagine the price of it thought................£40k.

It does look fantastic though. I have a link somewhere of a guy who has modded his to perfection..............i'll dig it out.
 
The Golf R is stupidly overpriced, but then the Euro vs. Pound conversion rate isn't doing us any favours at the moment.

The Golf will be a nice car, and probably hold its value very well as I'd imagine it will be limited volumes sold. At £40k fully loaded there are some really decent cars I'd rather consider that a blown on shopping trolley.

I was on the point of having myself sectioned for paying £32k for an S3 back in 2007, but in 2010 you can pay £21k for a Corsa VXR, £27k for a new Leon Cupra R, and £40k for a Golf R. Somewhere in the middle of the recession the small car market went all hyper-premium to capture the fall out for when people no longer want to buy 40 valve V-lumped executive barges due to the tax implications. And somehow in all this price rise madness I'm finding myself getting decidedly bored of hot hatches which are NO way worth this kind of premium. When Corsa VX-R's start to make 996 twins look cheap, its time to move on!
 
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