S3 or Golf R or even an S1?

PhilA4 said:
I drove the S1 at the weekend. Not for me. Too cramped, road noise would drive me mad on long trips and it didn't feel as fast as I thought it would be. Seriously considering the S3 now after a longer test drive in one.
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s3 is better for longer runs......when I ordered my s3 sportback, I was actually considering the golf gti. however I hated the interior as it was near identical to the style of my mk2 golf gti I had years ago.....looked at the s3 and it was way way better. seen the golf r, but id still go for the s3 sportback

s1 specced up is expensive...id go for the sportback.....looks nice car though

I like the s3 cabrio though and s3 saloon
 
veeeight said:
Really must get round to having a Golf R on extended test to see for myself what the (dynamic) differences are !

Car Magazine
August
Best Hot Hatch, Class of 2014
Golf R

Digital preview of the new issue of CAR magazine Car Magazine
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I was originally intending to buy a Golf R, but ended up ordering an S3. But I am still going to the VW drive experience day, where we get to use Golf R and GTI PP around our local race track (Eastern Creek). So will be interesting to see the differences.
 
The picture of the R dashboard with the stig sums up why I didn't like the R. Lots of shiny cheap black plastic.
 
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DRIVE Review (3') Chris Harris
VW Golf R vs BMW M235i




or DRIVE+ Extended Review (12') including a little track sequence at the end:

 
Last edited:
Be very very careful when looking into personal lease deals on VW Golf R's, as VW financial services will NOT under any circumstances do a personal lease. They only do business ones. They will want at the bare minimum, documentary proof of sole trader status if you cannot do a business lease

As for choice, its a personal thing ain't it?

For me VW don't do a Golf R saloon, so a no brainer for me. Plus IMO I think Audi is a more, shall we say, premium brand ;)
 
Chris Harris seems to suggest the S3 was OK but slightly different set up to the R
 
^ I can understand that! slightly different engine ECU's, most definitely different calibrations. Lots of R owners complaining about a flat spot, S3 owners don't.

Also the suspension setup is almost certainly different, and again, sounds like the Golf R damping is better than the S3, which is a little pitchy/fidgety/bouncy.

Really must get my hands on a Golf R for an extended drive.
 
veeeight said:
^ I can understand that! slightly different engine ECU's, most definitely different calibrations. Lots of R owners complaining about a flat spot, S3 owners don't.

Also the suspension setup is almost certainly different, and again, sounds like the Golf R damping is better than the S3, which is a little pitchy/fidgety/bouncy.

Really must get my hands on a Golf R for an extended drive.
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I've seen the full video (I have paid for the subscription for Drive+ rightly or wrongly) and he says he has driven the same set up in the S3 but made a comment that they drive differently.

High speed damping is just as bad on the M135i to be fair to the S3 but it does sound like VW have tuned the R better for UK roads.

When I test drove the R I personally felt the engine sounded fake (think the S3 soundaktor thing does sound much better) and the engine did seem slightly more hesitant with the DSG box. My S3 does this too (at junctions in the main) but it was more noticeable on the R.
 
^^ oh! and I will just add it seems every UK R road test example had adaptive dampers.....

Going through a few old reviews of the S3 it doesn't seem they were ever tested with adaptive dampers.

Make a difference?
 
Mucho !

Caveat though. I think adaptive dampers seem to work well on the saloon (heavier body) - but prob on the 3dr it will be like every other Audi mag ride and just unbearable.

Wonder if they have changed the calibration.
 
Adaptive dampers seem to work well on the R.

Anyone got the adaptive dampers on the 3dr or SB ? Interested to know thoughts on how it rides ?

I will give credit where it's due to the S3 / A3 and note that the ride quality is much improved over the 8P and many others models in the Audi range. A1 and A4 being good examples. My mate had a A5 cab and the ride on 18" wheels was unbearable.
 
Pulp84 said:
Adaptive dampers seem to work well on the R.

Anyone got the adaptive dampers on the 3dr or SB ? Interested to know thoughts on how it rides ?

I will give credit where it's due to the S3 / A3 and note that the ride quality is much improved over the 8P and many others models in the Audi range. A1 and A4 being good examples. My mate had a A5 cab and the ride on 18" wheels was unbearable.
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I've driven quite a few A4's and A5's with 19" and the ride has been awful and steering all over the place. Suspension obviously plays a key part here though.

I find the ride in my partners A1 good but very firm indeed. ( non sport suspension )
 
The Challinor said:
I've driven quite a few A4's and A5's with 19" and the ride has been awful and steering all over the place. Suspension obviously plays a key part here though.

I find the ride in my partners A1 good but very firm indeed. ( non sport suspension )
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All a4's steer like a barge irrespective of the wheel size...
 
Yeah the S5 / RS5 just another level really.

I'd love one in all honesty. Only had my S3 three months but have the odd thought about what next.

My dealer reckons the next gen A4/S4 will be something else in terms of tech and engines.......sounds interesting.
 
really easy decision if you are buying - id go for the s3 as it has a far better interior and importantly something overlooked by dimwits on social media sites that clearly haven't seen the cars - the s3 has leather the golf doesn't - add leather means the golf is almost the same price with a worse spec

if you are leasing then id get a golf r as you can get one on a 24 month lease 10K miles for under £250 month and with depo its about £7200- I posted it on hotukdeals when it was £225/mth - nearly got the wife one as it was such as amazing deal

I ordered the s3 sportback because its a near perfect size for our small roads

sat in an s1 sback and it only has 4 seats and was way too small. plus speccing it so it looks like the ads will mean near £33K...no thanks id rather get a basic spec s3 sback! plus its manual only
 
Oh and the S3 in a drag is quicker off the lights......whoever I saw yesterday in the black S1 in Swindon I am sorry. Yes the 70 bhp seems to make quite a bit of difference......*

*speed limits were adhered to
 
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CraigI said:
I'll probably be shot down in flames here, but the S3 IMO isn't the fun car you are looking for.
Fast, well built, good looking, yes.
Fun, no. Character, no. Do I want to get in and drive it, no.

Out of the 3 I think the S1 sounds like the most fun, although I haven't driven it or the R.
The set up just sounds like it will be fun.

Other cars to possibly consider, none of which are my cup of tea, but supposed to be a huge amount of fun and brilliant to drive - Toyota GT86, Fiesta ST, m135.
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I would kind of agree on this ok I have a standard A3 but feel the same. Is it the best car Ive ever owned? yes. Is it the most fun to drive? For some reason, no it just does everything very well. Would I buy another? well after having driven 2000 miles with 2 kids in the back and feeling pretty released upon arrival, yes!
 
I know adaptive makes a big difference on the M135i, the M235i in that comparison vid didn't have it yet as usual the golf did.
I think the golf gets favoured a lot because it's billed as the peoples car and it's punching above its weight, the fact it's priced almost identically to the Audi isn't really looked into, nor is the fact leather costs £1700 compared to the stunning £700 SS.
One thing I've noticed when jumping out the S3 and back into my M135i is how crap the S3's tyres are, the mich SS's on the bimmer contribute alot to its lap times and reviews I think, I already can't wait to burn off the rubber on my incoming S3 so I can stick some on
 
The Challinor said:
To be fair your S1 is fully spec'd, all quattro packs in arguably the best colour out of the brochure so cost more then a base S3 I imagine.
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I noticed that anything seems to be an extra cost option on an S1 where as the base (?) S3 seems to quite well specced.
 
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steeve said:
I noticed that anything seems to be an extra cost option on an S1 where as the base (?) S3 seems to quite well specced.
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Yer I noted that to, from memory no full leather, no flat steering wheel, no AMI, armrest and more that I'm sure I've forgotten. 30K easy for a decent spec, mine due more options to play with on the S3 so 40k is easy to get to
 
The GFV's are few £k lower than an S3. So as The Challinor notes - get it to the right spec and it's S3 territory price wise. Then in finance terms they are fairly similar monthly payments.

I enquired after ordering my S3 as thought I may have been to hasty with my order and the S1 maybe a better buy. Think the S1 was £10 a month cheaper for a £31k S1 almost identical spec to my S3 minus LED headlights and S-Tronic. BUT what killed it for me was no S-Tronic option, 70 bhp deficit, smaller size and poorer quality cabin. The S1 was quickly dispelled from my thoughts after considering all that!
 
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Pulp84 said:
The GFV's are few £k lower than an S3. So as The Challinor notes - get it to the right spec and it's S3 territory price wise. Then in finance terms they are fairly similar monthly payments.

I enquired after ordering my S3 as thought I may have been to hasty with my order and the S1 maybe a better buy. Think the S1 was £10 a month cheaper for a £31k S1 almost identical spec to my S3 minus LED headlights and S-Tronic. BUT what killed it for me was no S-Tronic option, 70 bhp deficit, smaller size and poorer quality cabin. The S1 was quickly dispelled from my thoughts after considering all that!
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All valid points but the A1 / S1 is still a nice place to be. Albeit not as nice as the S3
 
I've owned both A1 / A3 now and was pleasantly surprised how the A3 moves the cabin quality on even further.

The A1 cabin is OK - it still the best in the super mini arena if a little dated in areas.
 
The Challinor said:
Definitely better, no question. I had to say that as the missus has a A1 and I'm quite fond of it inside.
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My mums considering one to replace her MINI Cooper and I honestly believe it's the best super mini on the market. Used values holding up very well too....
 
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