A3 or Golf?

J

jbw

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I'm in the market for a new car but I'm after some advice from you kind folk. I currently drive a 1.6 a3 (99 plate) and I'm looking to get either a 1.8T quattro a3 or a VW golf equivalent but I can't decide which to go with. Top end of my budget is around £8,000-£9,000.
What I would like to know most is whether the differences between golfs and a3's are purely aesthetical or if one actually drives better than the other (I realise I'm in an Audi forum :) ).
I'm also keen to know if I'll get more for my money with one compared to the other.

ta,
jbw
 
GOLFS AN A3s SHARE THE SAME ENGINES, BUT IF U WANT AN AUDI BADGE U WILL HAVE TO PAY A BIT MORE. IF U GOT A HIGH SPEC GOLF GTI 1.8 TURBO WITH EXTRAS SUCH AS RECARO SEATS CLIMATE CONTROL,CD PLAYER, U COULD SAVE UR SELF A BIT RATHER THAN BUYING THE AUDI EQUIVALENT, ALL SAFETY ASPECTS R THE SAME. I HAVE GOT A 1.8 TURBO GOLF AND ITS A DREAM TO DRIVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS EITHER AND ITS FULLY LOADED.
I WILL BE SELLING MINE SOON IF U R INTERSTED IN A GOLF GTI TURBO?
 
Quattro models are different to FWD get ya self in one, i love mine ;)
 
The only 4wd model in the Mk4 golf range is the V6 4Motion (unless you get an import where TDI and V5 are also available). Other than that, drive one and see what you think! The A3 seems to be a smaller car inside, but the trim and overall package is just so much nicer than my Mk4 Golf. The only thing I miss is the bootspace (I have qauttro now..:D) and the blue dials! :)
 
They are similar but not the same.

Original Mk4 Golf 1.8Ts were 150BHP, but I believe they brought out a 180BHP version towards the end of its life.

The A3 1.8Ts also come in 150 and 180 versions.

The Golf 1.8T does not come with 4 wheel drive though - I used to own a Mk4 1.8T and it was quite easy to wheel spin (although traction control kicked in to reduce power).

So I think you should try and get an A3 quattro of some kind, preferably the 180BHP (which is probably the most expensive option!)
 
I think the Golf came in 180BHP only as the 25th Anniversary edition which I expect would be more then 8 - 9k.
I have a 1.8T A3 2wd and if I was to do it again I would try and get the 4wd as the 2wd spins the wheels a bit easy once chipped!!!
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm keen on the a3 1.8T quattro but the missus keeps banging on about how great her bosses golf is.
I like the idea of 4 wheels doing the work rather than 2 even though this can hike up the price. I've heard rumors that tyres and clutches are worn quicker on quattros than regular 1.8Ts. This true?
Most in my price range have done around 60k miles but occassionally I spot some that have only done 30k miles... should I be wary of these?
ta, jbw
 
I thought the quattro's came with a stronger clutch? May be wrong tho..
 
I've heard rumors that tyres and clutches are worn quicker on quattros than regular 1.8Ts. This true?
Click to expand...

I went from FWD Golf 1.8T to 4WD S3, and the tyres definitely wear quicker on the S3, although it depends more on how you drive it (quick launches, cornering will wear them).

Clutch: the standard clutch should be strong enough to cope with the quattro, but if you have the car remapped you may need to upgrade the clutch. Many clutches start slipping after remaps.

In both cases I would say it is more about how you drive the car rather than it simply being down to the quattro per se.
 
I know this wont go down well But I have an Audi A3 98 and had a Bora 2000.... the Golf/bora interior is far superior and you get better equipment IMO. Gamma Stereo is miles better than the concert.... I had to upgrade my stereo with an Andy mac sub (which is superb)and some bits... now its superb but cost me an extra few hundred quid....
But I wouls still say A3 as its a better looking car than the golf and the golf isnt exactly rare......

You really need to test drive both.
 
I don't drive hard so the tyre wear isn't so much of a worry and I won't remap or buy a remapped car so not worried about the clutch either.
I'd love an S3 but the two I've my eye on are a little over budget @ £10,000.
I've also got to sell my car ('99, 70,000miles, 1.6 A3) and take out a loan to cover the rest. Realistically I don't think I'll get much more than £4000 for my car. :(
When you chaps do HPI checks who do you use?

Golfs certainly aren't rare - there's about 200 of them for sale on pistonheads at the mo. Got an AndyMac sub in my current a3 - the improvement in sound quality is awesome! The Golf stereo sounds better and the interior is nicer? That's not just cos of the 2yrs difference between the cars? Defo something to bear in mind.
 
Yep..... I was quite disapointed in the A3 (its an SE) interior and the std stereo.... I can accept that the bora is 2 years newer and that explains a few nicities like lights on the doors when you open them and the on bouard computer etc but there is no excuse for the ****** plastic centre console panel on the A3... Im gonna spray that black like the S3s cos its horrible and looks cheap... Also the 4 spoke steering is just ghastly so that was binned almost immediatly in favour of an S4 one...... changing the steering wheel made a big difference.... although the seats are better in the A3.....
It sounds silly but the cup holders in the bora are great.... theres none in the A3.... but I got an insert for the arm rest for holding cups... not the greatest place but better than nowt...... Lots of silly things but that just tells me the golf bora interior is thought out a lot better, Even the storage in the A3 is pant compared to the bora.....
That said I still prefer the A3 overall.....
 
you might say that the seats r better in ur a3 (se) but in the golg gti turbo, u get recaros which r great.
RE:cup holders are also good as u grt them in the back aswell,and the lights for the speed dials and stereo r better in the golf.
 
confusionhunter said:
Yep..... I was quite disapointed in the A3 (its an SE) interior and the std stereo.... I can accept that the bora is 2 years newer and that explains a few nicities like lights on the doors when you open them and the on bouard computer etc but there is no excuse for the ****** plastic centre console panel on the A3... Im gonna spray that black like the S3s cos its horrible and looks cheap... Also the 4 spoke steering is just ghastly so that was binned almost immediatly in favour of an S4 one...... changing the steering wheel made a big difference.... although the seats are better in the A3.....
It sounds silly but the cup holders in the bora are great.... theres none in the A3.... but I got an insert for the arm rest for holding cups... not the greatest place but better than nowt...... Lots of silly things but that just tells me the golf bora interior is thought out a lot better, Even the storage in the A3 is pant compared to the bora.....
That said I still prefer the A3 overall.....
Click to expand...

You have just described a prefacelift SE.If he has 9 grand he could by a facelift A3 sport which has lights in the door (puddle lights), DIS, cupholder in dash and a 3 spoke steering wheel if that floats ur boat. Centre console design is updated and the dash is better quality. The Golf Recaros are no better than the standard seats in a A3 sport and not a patch on the S3 recaros. R32 interior is a different story though. The Golf has more engine sizes and trim specs and theres more about
 
Golf are good cars but the Audi A3 is definitely a much more solid car.
 
Well I've decided on an A3 1.8T quattro - thank you all for your advice.
I haven't found a single golf I'm really interested in. I could go for an S3 but the high mileage puts me off. I could wait till the new S3 is released and see if prices on the current S3's are reduced?
Eitherway it's got to be Audi. :)
 
To be honest mate on that budget i would go for a Golf MK4 GTI Anniversary 180bhp. Bodykit, 18's, Recaro's the usual refinements cant really go wrong with it.

Matt
 
curran33 said:
i would say go for a mk4 golf over a similar age of a3. i prefer the interior of the mk4
Click to expand...

i thought about the MK4 golf but every chav under the sun has one and i think the right choice of A3 is more classy.

I disagree about the golf interior - WOOD TRIM in the GTi?
what the **** would you want that for?
 
jbw said:
Well I've decided on an A3 1.8T quattro - thank you all for your advice.
I haven't found a single golf I'm really interested in. I could go for an S3 but the high mileage puts me off. I could wait till the new S3 is released and see if prices on the current S3's are reduced?
Eitherway it's got to be Audi. :)
Click to expand...

i waited 5 months to find a nice A3 Sport TDi with all the right trimmings.
As mentioned why do golf's have wood trim in the sporty model?

Tacky and minging IMHO.

Too many golf's on the road compared to the understated A3.
 
Some have the aluminium, anyway it can be changed hardly a big deal. Its only a chavy car if you make it look like one.
 
mattyboy199 said:
Some have the aluminium, anyway it can be changed hardly a big deal. Its only a chavy car if you make it look like one.
Click to expand...

besides - bit of a funny forum to be talking golfs !!
Biassed by any chance?


I'm finished my rant now!! :motz:
 
Well I've found what I think is my perfect A3.
I've a couple of issues though:
First is that he told me it is a full UK spec car but it was picked up in Germany? The service book has a german stamp on the inside front cover.
I called Audi customer services but they have no record of it, even though he's shown me the service documentation & I have the Reg plate and Vin? Chap at Audi told me to contact the dealer it has been with but I know they won't give me service history. It came up HPI clear when I did the check. Does anyone think I have anything to worry about with this?

Secondly (and more worryingly) there was a grinding noise when pulling away in first. As the clutch came up it sounded like a really quiet 'slam the car in reverse' noise. any one have any ideas? He tells me it's going back to audi to be sorted, which is good news. Suppose I'll just have to ask to see the receipt should I return to take another look?

Many thanks,
jbw
 
Just means the bloke bought it in germany and driove it over.... almost like doing a parrallell import but by yourself... nothing wrong with that, my A3 was the saem. I think the only difference is that the body work warrenty is only 2 years instead of 3 if it was bought in the UK..... my cars over 3 years anywayso I dont carre really...;)
 
just had the same decision to make myself and i went for an a3 tdi instead of a golf
 
i changed from a golf GTI 1.8 Turbo to an S3, the Audi IMO is a level up from VW, the build quality seems better. if you can push your budget go for an A3
 
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