Thinking of selling my BE A3 for an .:R32

[R90 STL]

I have had my 59 plate black edition 2.0tdi 140ps a3 for just over 6 months now. I love the car and I love everything vag related. I had been on the hunt for an S3 however I have come to the realisation that for the spec that I am after it is just out of reach for me at the moment whilst I am at university. My car has had a stage 1 remap and is good fun to drive however as I am sure every petrolhead has experienced, I just want more! Basically what I am looking for is a performance petrol with 4wd. The R32 is a car I have always had a soft spot for and the noise that v6 makes is just a thing of beauty which the s3 just cannot contend with. I think the golf would be a nice alternative to the S3. It ticks all the right boxes for me. I am unsure if anyone on here has owned both and can draw a comparison between the 2 beasts? I am going to test drive the golf tomorrow to see what I think and it may take a bit of time/travelling to get the right one. There are obviously some features of my own car that I will miss but will that 3.2 lump win me over? Any thoughts or views are welcome..

 

[NHN]

Save your money, tuning an R32 is very expensive in comparison to an S3, my advice is put the pennies away & get what you really want, cause as much as the R32 noise may appeal to you, the S3 power & cost of adding more will be far more worthwhile

 

[leeds2592]

Not thought of a quattro TFSI as a bridge car for a year or two until you can save up for an S3?

 

[Kaibo]

Yes!
Why R32 though and not the a3 3.2? You'll be paying a £3k premium for an equivalent age R32, that's £3k you'd have to spend on an a3 and still have a nicer cabin, plus you're not following the Crowd. If R32 is the one you want, go for it and enjoy the noise

Cheers kai

 

[R90 STL]

keeping my car and saving for an S3 is my other chioce and therefore keeping the diesel until then would be the more sensible option. My dad has also said he would give me money towards another car when he retires in 17 months. I am just the most impatient person in the world haha! 2.0tfsi was something I considered but I would still be in the same predicament that I am in just now.. its not an S3 and to me wouldn't be a new car. Like I say the R32 is something I have always had a soft spot for and IMO looks a bit more special than the pre facelift a3 which I believe you can only get the 3.2 in?

 

[Kaibo]

True but you could give it a face lift S3 style, I guess I'm just biased. Could you not get an interim loan for the 17 months? Saves you waiting, then again you could do the R32 as a stop gap for the 17 months, shouldn't depreciate much.

 

[sliced]

keeping my car and saving for an S3 is my other chioce and therefore keeping the diesel until then would be the more sensible option. My dad has also said he would give me money towards another car when he retires in 17 months. I am just the most impatient person in the world haha! 2.0tfsi was something I considered but I would still be in the same predicament that I am in just now.. its not an S3 and to me wouldn't be a new car. Like I say the R32 is something I have always had a soft spot for and IMO looks a bit more special than the pre facelift a3 which I believe you can only get the 3.2 in?

i went from a 2.0 tdi to a 2.0 tfsi and although it is cheaper to run buy insure etc it's just not an S3, I sometimes wish i bought the real thing lol, although 50mpg on the motorway isn't too shabby

 

[R90 STL]

there were always going to be slightly biased opinions! I think the R32 would be a nice way to spend 17 months before being in a better position to afford the s3 that I want! But then again should I just be content with what I have?

 

[R90 STL]

i went from a 2.0 tdi to a 2.0 tfsi and although it is cheaper to run buy insure etc it's just not an S3, I sometimes wish i bought the real thing lol, although 50mpg on the motorway isn't too shabby

yeah i agree with that. every time I see an s3 a part of me dies inside. With the mk5 golf r32 is as good as it gets and is such an iconic car. A 2.0tdi? not so much

 

[voorhees]

Do it if thats your plan just as said tuning is pricey,the R32 is "dripping in soul"

 

[Dave-S3]

Id save and get an S3, i was in the same sort of predicament as you and i just waited then got an S3. If an S3 is the car you really want, wait and buy one, you'l only kick yourself when an S3 with a stage 1 map whips your *** at the traffic lights....

 

[Kaibo]

Should you be content? Only you can answer that one, myself, I like things yesterday so 17 months would kill me.

 

[N8]

Save your money, tuning an R32 is very expensive in comparison to an S3, my advice is put the pennies away & get what you really want, cause as much as the R32 noise may appeal to you, the S3 power & cost of adding more will be far more worthwhile

Nige is right. Depends whether the V6 noise outweighs everything else for you, for me it doesn't.

 

[R90 STL]

tuning would be out of the question I think for the R32 as the money for which ever route I go down would be enough to afford the s3! I think the R32 would be a nice stepping stone to achieving the car that I am after to be honest. S3s and 2.0tfsis are already whipping my *** at traffic lights haha!

 

[Dave-S3]

Someone correct me if im wrong but a S3 has slightly more power and has got to be slightly lighter than an R32 since its not a V6 lump.

Just saying that even if you get an R32.. the S3 is still going to be faster and for £400 for a shark stage 1 taking you to 300BHP + its a winner in my eyes.

I think an R32 is going to be alot rawer in terms of performance compared to an S3, especially since its an N/A engine so it depends how you drive and where you drive...

 

[batch]

Here's your wildcard... Golf Mk5 Edition 30? Basically a detuned S3 engine, ripe for a remap, has that X-Factor of a limited edition model with nice spec and features and would come in under 12k for a really good one. And 300hp is only a flash of the ECU away!

 

[PaulAr]

Do it if thats your plan just as said tuning is pricey,the R32 is "dripping in soul"

Do you write for EVO ?

 

[PaulAr]

Here's your wildcard... Golf Mk5 Edition 30? Basically a detuned S3 engine, ripe for a remap, has that X-Factor of a limited edition model with nice spec and features and would come in under 12k for a really good one. And 300hp is only a flash of the ECU away!

This.

MK5s GTis are cool, and fast if you go for the ED30.
Then swap for an S3 when budget allows at which point the ED30 should still have a sensible residual value.

 

[NHN]

 

[R90 STL]

as expected then the majority seem to think hold off and save for the s3 (the sensible thing to do)

 

[Dave-S3]

Either that or go for an ED30 as others have said as a stop gap, i wouldnt both getting a standard 2.0T as they are ten a penny.

The R32 is a very nice car but i cant help thinking they arent much different inside from a GT140 diesel Mk5 plus its an outdated engine, it was the only other VAG option when the 1.8T's where all the rage.

Depending how bothered about fuel consumption you are too as with 4Mo & a 3.2 V6 i doubt you could expect to see anything other than high teen MPG figures through everyday driving, dread to think what it does when you put your foot down....

Its just my opinion but having had both an NA and forced induction hot hatch i much prefer the everyday useability of a turbo, despite how nice a revvy NA engine is when the time is right..

 

[R90 STL]

Either that or go for an ED30 as others have said as a stop gap, i wouldnt both getting a standard 2.0T as they are ten a penny.

The R32 is a very nice car but i cant help thinking they arent much different inside from a GT140 diesel Mk5 plus its an outdated engine, it was the only other VAG option when the 1.8T's where all the rage.

Depending how bothered about fuel consumption you are too as with 4Mo & a 3.2 V6 i doubt you could expect to see anything other than high teen MPG figures through everyday driving, dread to think what it does when you put your foot down....

Its just my opinion but having had both an NA and forced induction hot hatch i much prefer the everyday useability of a turbo, despite how nice a revvy NA engine is when the time is right..

yes, you are right. I think i would miss the little luxuries that the Audi has and will get pretty tired of putting fuel in the R32 rather quickly. I should just be honest with myself. The S3 is what I really want and after just getting a new insurance quote for my car whilst checking how much it would be for the R32 I was given a nice quote from Esure which will help towards saving up. I am just going to have to be patient. Afterall, 17 months isnt THAT long

 

[Goner]

R32 in deep blue pearl or red.. be different.

 

[voorhees]

Do you write for EVO ?

No

This.

MK5s GTis are cool, and fast if you go for the ED30.
Then swap for an S3 when budget allows at which point the ED30 should still have a sensible residual value.

And no,these ED30's are getting common as muck.
Get an R32 as the extra pots are being phased out for eco shizz so you'll never get one if you miss this chance

 

[PaulAr]

No

You should..

 

[PaulAr]

Get an R32 as the extra pots are being phased out for eco shizz so you'll never get one if you miss this chance

Yeah, then spec it with a tape deck, before they get phased out too...

 

[alexA3]

I have just changed from an 06 DBP R32 to a 59 plate black edition 140. I loved the rasp of the v6 and the colour of the car but the running costs were high. I was filling the car up every 4 days and I only work 25 miles away. The cabin in the a3 looks and feels a lot nicer. I love the flat bottom steering wheel on the a3 BE.

You get a lot of looks when driving the r32 and a lot of people trying to race you. The r32 is fast but doesn't feel that fast because the power is constant. My mate has an s3 and that feels so much quicker when you are driving it even tho there aint much in them.I am glad i had the r32 as all hot hatches are now going to 2.0 or 1.6 turbos and if you buy an r32, it will not depreciate much over 17 months. I love the a3 I have now as i am saving so much money but every time I see an r32, part of me wishes I kept it.

 

[PaulAr]

I actually like the R32, in particular the noise.
Had a real fancy for a SC R32 not that long ago.

Wouldn't mind one with a nice exhaust, CAI and some mapping just to squeeze a little bit more out of it and maximise the sound.
In Red please.

 

[Kaibo]

yes, you are right. I think i would miss the little luxuries
that the Audi has and will get pretty tired of putting fuel in the R32 rather quickly. I should just be honest with myself. The S3 is what I really want and after just getting a new insurance quote for my car whilst checking how much it would be for the R32 I was given a nice quote from Esure which will help towards saving up. I am just going to have to be patient. Afterall, 17 months isnt THAT long

If you think you might get bored of filling up, steer clear of the S3 and R32, you're talking maybe 5mpg difference between the 2 but coming from a diesel, surely that's negligible, don't buy a car like either of these if you're going to question the price of fuel, keep the diesel.

Cheers Kai

 

[turbonutz]

i like R32 n one of ma mates got one, but the s3 even with low spec interior and the such just seems a nicer car, sits lower feels cosy and just is the better option. r32 sounds best from the back, which if your in a s3... you wont hear

 

[S3_Jacko]

i went from a 2.0 tdi to a 2.0 tfsi and although it is cheaper to run buy insure etc it's just not an S3, I sometimes wish i bought the real thing lol, although 50mpg on the motorway isn't too shabby

Howd you manage that in a 2.0tfsi... most I ever saw outta mine was 40mpg average and that was cos I was stuck on a 40mph contraflow for about 10 miles lol and your right... the 2.0tfsi quattro is a nice car... but again when I got my s3 the difference is clearly obvious as soon as you drive it

 

[S3_Jacko]

You get a lot of looks when driving the r32 and a lot of people trying to race you.

You should see what its like in the s3 then.. my my, when I 1st got it, I didn't realise just how many traffic light dragstrips there were.. and soop'd up astras and ST's are the worst.... even a skoda fabia vrs tried to take me on the motorway 1 night haha

 

[turbonutz]

You should see what its like in the s3 then.. my my, when I 1st got it, Ididn't realise just how many traffic light dragstrips there were

i dont find this problem? mind u i prolly dont rev as much as u do

 

[S3_Jacko]

i dont find this problem? mind u i prolly dont rev as much as u do

Seriously mate.. i've kinda grown out that stage now and occassionally give in... but I found it murder!

 

[Dave-S3]

I love how understated the S3 is, certainly embarrassed a few people in mine ive only had it a week!

 

[sliced]

Wild card :- keep the a3 black edition and pick up an A3 3.2 quattro for a weekend car, you can get these for around 3k lol.


found a 3.2 local to me for 2.5k wow lol

Audi A3 3.2 V6 Quattro Sport 3dr DSG

 

[fireheed]

Get the R32, you wont be disappointed.
Then save your pennies for what you want, which will be a supercharger or turbo for the R32. Job done.:icon_thumright:

 

[S3_Jacko]

I love how understated the S3 is, certainly embarrassed a few people in mine ive only had it a week!

Ahhh what 1 did you go for then Dave? I remember talking to you and you were saying you were going to get 1

 

[R90 STL]

I assumed the r32 would be much more thirsty on fuel in comparison to an s3? Fuel isn't something that will particularly be a problem to me as I literally only drive my car at the weekends. A tank of fuel can last me a month I'm going to test drive the golf tomorrow just so I can get a better idea of what my best option is. I appreciate all of your input

 

[S3_Jacko]

I assumed the r32 would be much more thirsty on fuel in comparison to an s3? Fuel isn't something that will particularly be a problem to me as I literally only drive my car at the weekends. A tank of fuel can last me a month I'm going to test drive the golf tomorrow just so I can get a better idea of what my best option is. I appreciate all of your input

The Golfs are nice mate and no doubt you'll like it... if it was me though, i'd hold off... might interfere a bit with your S3 savings, but you'll know best... Where bout in Glasgow you based?