Facelift Better than they say?

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

So Ive just been to my local VW dealer, so my current car can have its first service.......

And while I was waiting to collect my car after its service. I got chatting to the guy who sold me my current polo GTI and the sales manager.

Anyway I let slip that Ive orderd a new S3 and the first thing the sales manager said to me, is its no where good as the Golf R.........

Now then

All of the reviews that pitch the cars head to head actually come to the same conclusion that the R is that bit more .... dare I say it !?
"involving" in driver terms.

the S3 is a far more quality product in terms of its cabin and gadgets. It just so happens that the vw dealer had a manual golf R in the showroom. which I was having a good look round and its quickly obvious that the materials in the S3 are of better quality and the infotainment/layout is so much better in the Audi.

The standard satnav screen in the R looked completely lost in its vast centre console.

I would say build quality is on par for both vehicles, the R is by no means a cheap product like the focus RS. But it was clear Audi had won that part.......

The driving experience is not something I can quite comment on ..... thus I call upon fellow Owners to give me your opinions on this and shed light on exactly how the S3 is for you!

Will I love the S3 ? Or will I be left feeling like im missing out?

Daveotto · Dec 2, 2016

R v S has been done to death on here many times (trying searching) but your summary is pretty much the consensus....R maybe a little more engaging and the S better quality build and materials...

You pays your money and you make your choice

billy.rt · Dec 2, 2016

hi @RSS-S3 I was the same as you at one point and ended up test driving a MY16 golf R and it was incredibly fun and obviously very similar to the S3 in terms of performance, not that the average person would notice, but when I was sat in the golf compared to the S3 I couldn't help but think to my self 'I'm just sat in a fast VW Golf' whereas the S3 felt like a nicer place be in so I placed the order...

have you ever driven the Golf before?

Daytonapig · Dec 2, 2016

RSS-S3 said:
So Ive just been to my local VW dealer, so my current car can have its first service.......

And while I was waiting to collect my car after its service. I got chatting to the guy who sold me my current polo GTI and the sales manager.

Anyway I let slip that Ive orderd a new S3 and the first thing the sales manager said to me, is its no where good as the Golf R.........

Now then

All of the reviews that pitch the cars head to head actually come to the same conclusion that the R is that bit more .... dare I say it !?
"involving" in driver terms.

the S3 is a far more quality product in terms of its cabin and gadgets. It just so happens that the vw dealer had a manual golf R in the showroom. which I was having a good look round and its quickly obvious that the materials in the S3 are of better quality and the infotainment/layout is so much better in the Audi.

The standard satnav screen in the R looked completely lost in its vast centre console.

I would say build quality is on par for both vehicles, the R is by no means a cheap product like the focus RS. But it was clear Audi had won that part.......

The driving experience is not something I can quite comment on ..... thus I call upon fellow Owners to give me your opinions on this and shed light on exactly how the S3 is for you!

Will I love the S3 ? Or will I be left feeling like im missing out?

My neighbour has a golf R and i have S3. We park within 5 ft of each other, he laughs because not one person in our street has ever remarked that they like his car yet i cant wash mine without a crowd of on lookers telling me how nice it is. I agree you pays your money you takes your choice, i know i did and im happy with my choice

richinsoton · Dec 2, 2016

I'm sure you'd get the same responce in a BMW, M-B etc etc retailer that their product is better.

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

billy.rt said:
hi @RSS-S3 I was the same as you at one point and ended up test driving a MY16 golf R and it was incredibly fun and obviously very similar to the S3 in terms of performance, not that the average person would notice, but when I was sat in the golf compared to the S3 I couldn't help but think to my self 'I'm just sat in a fast VW Golf' whereas the S3 felt like a nicer place be in so I placed the order...

have you ever driven the Golf before?

No :/ I had only driven a GTI and I know from what people Have said the GTI is nothing like the R in terms of savage power delivery.

Did you drive one? Manual or DSG?

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

richinsoton said:
I'm sure you'd get the same responce in a BMW, M-B etc etc retailer that their product is better.

More than likely! But I dont think it was a case of vw is better than Audi......... i think

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

Daytonapig said:
My neighbour has a golf R and i have S3. We park within 5 ft of each other, he laughs because not one person in our street has ever remarked that they like his car yet i cant wash mine without a crowd of on lookers telling me how nice it is. I agree you pays your money you takes your choice, i know i did and im happy with my choice

It certainly does look the nuts compared to Golf!
Your absolutely right about the bang for your buck!

billy.rt · Dec 2, 2016

I drove the DSG and I've never driven a GTI but I can only compare between the S3 and The R and obviously they perform very similar from what I could tell but something about the S ticked some more boxes than the R did. The golf R's race mode in the auto is brutal compared to the dynamic mode in the S3 sounds totally different in the cabin also

Jassyo06 · Dec 2, 2016

@RSS-S3 ................Come on man.............Your just buying into the....This Below.... we all do...mate....its a huge attraction

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

jassyo06 said:
@RSS-S3 ................Come on man.............Your just buying into the....This Below.... we all do...mate....its a huge attractionView attachment 111302

I know but I still got a long wait yet for my car :/ so as of this moment I can only ask fellow Owners

Jassyo06 · Dec 2, 2016

RSS-S3 said:
I know but I still got a long wait yet for my car :/ so as of this moment I can only ask fellow Owners

Ah the long winter nights...............Best advice stay off here....then it will fly in....Well maybe....just a little quicker...????....lol

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

Th

jassyo06 said:
Ah the long winter nights...............Best advice stay off here....then it will fly in....Well maybe....just a little quicker...????....lol

These wet/cold winter nights are making me cry for my Quattro ! Haha

Jassyo06 · Dec 2, 2016

RSS-S3 said:
Th

These wet/cold winter nights are making me cry for my Quattro ! Haha

Whaaaaaaaat...for it to get covered in grit....come on mate ....he who waits.....winter is a bad time indeed to get a YELLOW car....

S3GURI · Dec 2, 2016

I test drive a Golf R and I fell in love with it. Sadly VW were messing me about with delivery times, where Audi was waving a set of car keys in my face. So I went with the S3. The best decision I have ever made in my life. It's such a cracking car, the sound is much nicer, it pops when you lift up from the accelerator in sport and also has a 7th gear. Also has the very cool virtual **** pit... sadly you have to pay a premium for the badge.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Flying Scotsman · Dec 2, 2016

The VW R is indeed a bang for the buck and a better full on driving experience, but it looks like to the untrained eye like a zillion other Golf cars and as Jassy mentions does not have 4 rings on it. The S3 does have better materials, finish and looks way better as a saloon in my opinion. In the end, it is what you are looking for in a car, that guides your decision.

RSS-S3 · Dec 2, 2016

jassyo06 said:
Whaaaaaaaat...for it to get covered in grit....come on mate ....he who waits.....winter is a bad time indeed to get a YELLOW car....

Its got to grow a pair and deal with the crap weather!

At least no one can say they didnt see me !

Martinbanshee · Dec 2, 2016

I test drove a Golf R DSG with the Pretorias and it was a nice car but I bought the car at the top of my list, an S3 Saloon.
I'd have bought the Golf R before an S3 Hatchback though.

CraigI · Dec 2, 2016

Golf R wins in driving dynamics and hatchback exterior looks.
S3 has better quality and the Sportback looks better than a 5 door or estate R.
Saloon still the best looking of the lot.

I just wish Audi had the same attention to damping, steering and ride that VW do.
Then the S3 would be a very good all rounder.

CarloS3 · Dec 3, 2016

Daytonapig said:
My neighbour has a golf R and i have S3. We park within 5 ft of each other, he laughs because not one person in our street has ever remarked that they like his car yet i cant wash mine without a crowd of on lookers telling me how nice it is. I agree you pays your money you takes your choice, i know i did and im happy with my choice

He laughs about that?! fair play, sounds like you have a decent neighbour haha

CraigI said:
Saloon still the best looking of the lot.

Agreed, not that i'm biased at all

deanshaw24 · Dec 3, 2016

The golf will certainly not be the cheaper option to buy!!.... it only costs around £1000-£1500 less to buy like for like, but your monthly payments will be higher as the residule is £3000 lower on the r. Also once all those lease golf rs come back off lease they will be worth peanuts.

davc · Dec 4, 2016

Mine was in for a service at my local VW dealer and was chatting to the chap at the service desk when I collected it.

He and a few of the mechanics were commenting what a cracking car it is :rock:

The R word was never mentioned.

Dalzo · Dec 4, 2016

I had a golf r previously.

Absolutely cracking car, handles a lot better standard than the s3, feels very planted.
Interior was well put together but no where near as good as the s3
In terms of straight line speed my facelift edges it,presume this is down to the power bump and new gearbox.
Golf r is better equipped as standard IMO.
The soundaktor on the golf sounded terrible.
Not 100% on this but I'm sure vw brought in Porsche to help fine tune the golfs handling

If I had to make a choice again it would be the s3.

Jassyo06 · Dec 5, 2016

Dalzo said:
I had a golf r previously.

Absolutely cracking car, handles a lot better standard than the s3, feels very planted.
Interior was well put together but no where near as good as the s3
In terms of straight line speed my facelift edges it,presume this is down to the power bump and new gearbox.
Golf r is better equipped as standard IMO.
The soundaktor on the golf sounded terrible.
Not 100% on this but I'm sure vw brought in Porsche to help fine tune the golfs handling

If I had to make a choice again it would be the s3.

Power hump..... new engine faster than a run in one.... erm
...?

aussieR · Dec 5, 2016

I don't get all this the R is so much more involving than S3.

I have MK7R and my wife has S3 sedan both 2015 models. I can't tell tell any obvious better drivability or handling between them.

Now my car is stage 2, with pedal box and all bolt ons other than IC and DSG tune. I'm glad it does as the S3 is so far superior in looks, features, cabin that if both stock I'd fight to get keys to S3 more often.

If I was to chose one of them and cost similar it would be the S3 hands down every day.

Flying Scotsman · Dec 5, 2016

deanshaw24 said:
The golf will certainly not be the cheaper option to buy!!.... it only costs around £1000-£1500 less to buy like for like, but your monthly payments will be higher as the residule is £3000 lower on the r. Also once all those lease golf rs come back off lease they will be worth peanuts.

That is not the case in Canada....The Golf R is about 4,000-6,000 quid cheaper, dependant on options in the S3 saloon/sedan, as the R comes fully loaded (technology package @1,000 quid and DSG are the only options) ....no S3 hatchback in Canada. Plus their residual value is high due to a very limited supply.

Dalzo · Dec 5, 2016

jassyo06 said:
Power hump..... new engine faster than a run in one.... erm
...?

Gearbox too

Jassyo06 · Dec 5, 2016

Dalzo said:
Gearbox too

That extra gear is for fuel economy

Dalzo · Dec 5, 2016

jassyo06 said:
That extra gear is for fuel economy

Audi haven't just fired another gear in for fuel economy bit more than that.
Your also talking 10bhp and 15lb ft over the golf to start with.
I've owned both from new and know them pretty well the s3 is marginally faster.

davc · Dec 5, 2016

aussieR said:
I don't get all this the R is so much more involving than S3.

I have MK7R and my wife has S3 sedan both 2015 models. I can't tell tell any obvious better drivability or handling between them.

Now my car is stage 2, with pedal box and all bolt ons other than IC and DSG tune. I'm glad it does as the S3 is so far superior in looks, features, cabin that if both stock I'd fight to get keys to S3 more often.

If I was to chose one of them and cost similar it would be the S3 hands down every day.

Maybe the mag ride in the Saloon makes up for the suspension shortcomings found in the HB/SB.

Daz Auto · Dec 5, 2016

RSS-S3 said:
I got chatting to the guy who sold me my current polo GTI and the sales manager.

Anyway I let slip that Ive orderd a new S3 and the first thing the sales manager said to me, is its no where good as the Golf R.........

Will I love the S3 ? Or will I be left feeling like im missing out?

... "no where as good as the Golf R." They are essentially the same car. I would be happy in either.

Moving from a Polo GTI to an Audi S3 you are going to be extremely happy.

Funny, there is a similar thread on the VWROC forum. Lots of people over there are suffering from the 'endowment effect' too.

I'm changing my car next year and the A3/S3 was on my list. I love my wife's A3. The Golf is just a more practical choice for me.

Loopyt25 · Dec 16, 2016

Funny just part xd my wife's 1.0 polo blue motion for a facelift 66 plate s3, I can't stop smiling, the speed, sound and Daytona co,our , love it

infernox · Dec 17, 2016

I'm looking to get a used Audi S3 or Golf R and wouldn't mind either. Main problem with Golf Rs in the used car market is that so many of them are just bog standard cars with no options. They're decreasing in price rapidly now, pretty much same price as a Golf Gti (Which is also mainly bog standard cars but a lot less of them).

Facelift Better than they say?

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