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Bit frightening for those who've bought and not leased their Golf R's ...I'm happy to agree that the R is dynamically better than the S3. I think VW have a great history of setting up Golfs to drive really well.
But that the press keep praising them, along with the apparent stunning lease deals will mean that in a few years the R will be a very common second hand vehicle. This should ensure that resale R values will be relatively low compared to the more rare S3.
................and of course you cant get a Golf R saloon.
I'm happy to agree that the R is dynamically better than the S3. I think VW have a great history of setting up Golfs to drive really well.
But that the press keep praising them, along with the apparent stunning lease deals will mean that in a few years the R will be a very common second hand vehicle. This should ensure that resale R values will be relatively low compared to the more rare S3.
But you can't get an S3 avant either…...
Bit frightening for those who've bought and not leased their Golf R's ...
Very true steeve................and of course you cant get a Golf R saloon.
But that Golf R estate is one ugly muthaBut you can't get an S3 avant either…...
Doesn't exist without the pics V8S3
Exclusive Portugese Blue
Correct number of doors
PMSLThe Challinor has been in my car.
Several times.
I've had to clean up after him on every occasion
@Louay also has Exclusive Portuguese Blue!
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/post-pics-of-your-a3-s3-8v-in-here.158398/page-41#post-2209484
Haven't posted this yet as been super busy but have now had a chance to drive an R for a a few hours a while back and have tried to put down my thoughts on the differences between the two below (seems quite apt!).
For me, The big difference between the two cars is the confidence (or lack of it) they give when pushing on. Please bare with me while and try and explain this.....
My S3 goes long periods (3/4 weeks) without being driven because of work commitments. After so long without driving it I find it takes me a good couple of hours to get "used" to driving it again. My daily driver is an F30 320d - drives and handles very different to my S3. The big issues IMO with the S3 are:-
About a month a go I had a chance to drive my work colleagues R up to Birmingham for a course (after much nagging). We have a blanket company insurance policy so no worries on that front. This R was a 5 door, DSG, standard dampers etc. My biggest surprise with the R was after about 15 minutes driving I felt very confident with all my inputs. I really enjoyed the drive! My thoughts after 110 miles on a mix of roads were as follows:-
- The steering goes from light to heavy without warning at low speeds. I personally don't think its a gradual transition and therefore I find it slightly unnerving trying to drive sharp corners.
- Steering is inaccurate and although the rack feels fast to me, it does not seem to turn as keenly as my steering input requires.
- Medium / high speed damping is poor. It's quite difficult to drive the S3 in a spirited way I find on anything but perfectly surfaced roads where the car bounces around a bit too much (smacked my head on the headlining a few times). This does not inspire confidence to really enjoy the car.
So overall the R is sharper in my opinion and that allows a lot more confidence to push on. Steering and damping is what makes it so different. I might be totally wrong of course but they are my honest thoughts - would love to hear of other people's experiences of the two to see if they were similar to mine.
- Steering "feels" quicker and is more accurate in the R. In fast corners the steering input seem to correlate better with the bank of the turn. The front end turns in sharper and dare I say it I thought it felt easier to plant in general.
- The steering is weighted far better - I left it in the "race" setting and was very consistent. It kept some heaviness at slow speeds which suits me much better.
- Damping is streets better. Soaks up bumps very well and no issues at high speed. Around a few corners I felt more confident with a bit more throttle. Don't get that with my S3 - when I was giving it some beans in the R this was the big noticeable difference.
Finally some other interesting R observations:
I'll get my coat
- Touch screen system is cumbersome and not great to use.
- The "soundaktor" thing sounds much more fake in the R. S3 sounds more natural IMO.
- Lots of shiny cheap plastics and rubbers.
- The seats are not as good
Good write up Pulp
I had to shout at the S3 suspension today.
I was in a situation where I had to make a quick swerve around a dozy pillock, and was aware of a X5 breathing down my neck. So no time for hesitation.
At the same moment I swerved back to get back into the correct lane, the car hit a small bump/compression, and it nearly pitched/threw me into the path of the X5. Wheels definitely lost contact with the ground.
The S3 is not good in these situations, albeit they are challenging for any car. But the dampers are definitely poo for fast road work.
And listening out of the window to the Golf R exhaust, it's definitely louder/deeper in Race Mode than S3 in Dynamic mode.
Doh! Didn't see that one coming ...@Louay also has Exclusive Portuguese Blue!
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/post-pics-of-your-a3-s3-8v-in-here.158398/page-41#post-2209484
Cheers
veeeight - do you find at speed on poor roads with the bouncing around and light steering the car has can be ever so slightly hard to control? Basically keeping it in a straight line.
Might be just my **** driving skills but it is unnerving to me!
Better late than never I suppose lol
You got there in the end
Knife drawer = sharpKnife draw?
Least it's not just me tonight then ...Jaysus
It loses something when you have to explain it
Cheers
veeeight - do you find at speed on poor roads with the bouncing around and light steering the car can be ever so slightly hard to control? Basically keeping it in a straight line.
Might be just my poor driving skills but it is unnerving to me!
Great write up Pulp
Wondering whether the mag ride on the saloon would make any difference to the ride inadequesies
Also wondering whether the 'progressive steering' that Audi fit to the S3's is causing the steering issues
But like steeve, I'm & old fart too so my priorities lie elsewhere
In my previous occupation, which I am now retired from, I must have had in excess of 12 months (in total) of advanced driver training and assessments. So when the 'need' takes me I have a few certain roads where my cars are 'given it' lol