Hot Hatch decisions
Discussion
Hi All,
Its that time again and I've got the itch to change my car...
I'm now at the point where i think i know what i should buy, what i want and what would be sensible; just after a few opinions / outside contenders.
Wish List: Another Porsche (Probably a Cayman GTS), sadly running and purchase costs mean this will have to wait a year or two.
Next down the line would be another S3, I quite like the new car; especially the interior but i have also started doing a few more miles recently and could i realistically expect to achieve mid thirties / early forties (MPG) from a DSG car??
I currently drive a E82 123d Coupe which i bought for a good price 18 months ago but having come from a cayman S it has always been lacking in excitement, It has been pretty economical and the looks have grown on me so i have also considered replacing it with a 125d auto; this should provide the decent MPG that would be sensible.
Aside form that I have looked at S5's (3.0T) and the golf R / M135i but each has its drawbacks to me
Anyone got any thoughts?
Its that time again and I've got the itch to change my car...
I'm now at the point where i think i know what i should buy, what i want and what would be sensible; just after a few opinions / outside contenders.
Wish List: Another Porsche (Probably a Cayman GTS), sadly running and purchase costs mean this will have to wait a year or two.
Next down the line would be another S3, I quite like the new car; especially the interior but i have also started doing a few more miles recently and could i realistically expect to achieve mid thirties / early forties (MPG) from a DSG car??
I currently drive a E82 123d Coupe which i bought for a good price 18 months ago but having come from a cayman S it has always been lacking in excitement, It has been pretty economical and the looks have grown on me so i have also considered replacing it with a 125d auto; this should provide the decent MPG that would be sensible.
Aside form that I have looked at S5's (3.0T) and the golf R / M135i but each has its drawbacks to me
Anyone got any thoughts?
- 55 months until your 1st post 
It seems people get better fuel economy from the M135i than the Golf R or S3.
It gives even less reason to buy the smaller less powerful, less refined engine.
The genuine average for the R and S3 seems to be around 26/27mpg.
Given the tested figures are over 40mpg, that is way short of what you'd roughly expect
It gives even less reason to buy the smaller less powerful, less refined engine.
The genuine average for the R and S3 seems to be around 26/27mpg.
Given the tested figures are over 40mpg, that is way short of what you'd roughly expect
Edited by Driver101 on Friday 22 August 02:08
lamboman100 said:
Golf R.
It beat the Cayman GTS in Top Gear mag's performance car test for 2014. The R is the top benchmark for hot hatches. Combines speed, handling and style like no other car in its class.
You're one of the most biased people I've ever read on a forum in my life. It beat the Cayman GTS in Top Gear mag's performance car test for 2014. The R is the top benchmark for hot hatches. Combines speed, handling and style like no other car in its class.
You can pick numerous magazines to back up your opinion one way or another.
Some magazines pick the Golf R as being the best hot hatch, other magazines choose other cars as being their best.
I've rarely heard Top Gear magazine chosen as the benchmark in reporting.
In what terms did they choose the Golf R over the Cayman? I honestly find that impossible to believe if they were solely concentrating on the driving experience.
The Nissan Qashqui won car of the year. That doesn't mean it's better than a Ferrari to drive. It's all things considered.
Style is subjective. I think the Golf R is good looking. A lot of people seem to hate it who know nothing about cars.
Define speed. The Golf has lost in numerous test of speeds around the track.
You're not going to quote 0-60mph times again avoiding the bigger picture?
Chris Harris' review was a bit odd. He slated it for looking dull and then kept reporting it was "capable" and "competent".
He hated the carbon effect seats and the standard seat are worse.
In recent magazine reviews of the M235i I've read quite a few times that it is the best car to drive this side of a Cayman.
Speed is no better than many of the cars in its class and many choose the handling of other cars.
The Golf R is without doubt a very good car.
However you keep blowing it up way too much.
Edited by Driver101 on Sunday 24th August 00:46
StottyEvo said:
M135i is supposed to be pretty decent on fuel in the real world isn't it? It would be a nice progression from the 123d too.
The M235i could be a good call if its within budget and you don't specifically need a hatch.
It certainly interesting that the big 6 cylinder is proving more economical in the real world, I do have a soft spot for the car and actually had one on order for march delivery. unfortunately due to a change in circumstances i had to cancel; given the LCI facelift being expected MY15 (so i understand) i may have to look into them again.The M235i could be a good call if its within budget and you don't specifically need a hatch.
Its not all about economy but as an everyday driver it has to be affordable but also provide some fun which i currently miss in the 123d
I’m in a similar position right now. Either a new M3 or a hot hatch with a toy, e.g. M135i/Golf R/S3 + Boxster Spyder.
S3 is my top pick right now after a few test drives. The interior with the quilted leather sports seats is just so far ahead of the Golf that I couldn’t possibly justify the R over the S3 considering there’s almost no price difference after rebate between the two. (fully optioned & I’m not into financing)
That being said the Golf R absolutely feels sharper, the suspension is tighter and the DSG makes the S3 version feel lazy in auto-mode. It seems quite obvious that the S3 was built with plenty of headroom for the RS3 in mind, unlike the Golf R.
There are some rumors about a S3 Plus with the EA888 4-cylinder at 360 hp to slot in between the normal S3 and the full-fat five cylinder RS3.
If that S3 Plus gets the same sporty calibration as the Golf R then that’ll be my pick.
In Nardo Grey
with this interior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...
Maybe not the most PH car of them all but a nice allrounder in my eyes.
S3 is my top pick right now after a few test drives. The interior with the quilted leather sports seats is just so far ahead of the Golf that I couldn’t possibly justify the R over the S3 considering there’s almost no price difference after rebate between the two. (fully optioned & I’m not into financing)
That being said the Golf R absolutely feels sharper, the suspension is tighter and the DSG makes the S3 version feel lazy in auto-mode. It seems quite obvious that the S3 was built with plenty of headroom for the RS3 in mind, unlike the Golf R.
There are some rumors about a S3 Plus with the EA888 4-cylinder at 360 hp to slot in between the normal S3 and the full-fat five cylinder RS3.
If that S3 Plus gets the same sporty calibration as the Golf R then that’ll be my pick.
In Nardo Grey
with this interior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...
Maybe not the most PH car of them all but a nice allrounder in my eyes.
Edited by EricE on Sunday 24th August 14:10
Not driven the rest but regarding the S3's thirst, my wife's car is the worst I have driven for drinking. With your foot down I have seen 5 MPG!!!!!! Before we bought her diesel A3, I mentioned to the salesman about liking the S3, he said that he used to have one and got rid of it purely due to it's thirst. This is very sensitive to driving style but why would you buy a fast car to pootle about in??
Usually hovers around the mid 20s according to the OBC but I think it is being optimistic due to the amount of times the bloody thing needs a drink.
Usually hovers around the mid 20s according to the OBC but I think it is being optimistic due to the amount of times the bloody thing needs a drink.
Captainawesome said:
Not driven the rest but regarding the S3's thirst, my wife's car is the worst I have driven for drinking. With your foot down I have seen 5 MPG!!!!!! Before we bought her diesel A3, I mentioned to the salesman about liking the S3, he said that he used to have one and got rid of it purely due to it's thirst. This is very sensitive to driving style but why would you buy a fast car to pootle about in??
Usually hovers around the mid 20s according to the OBC but I think it is being optimistic due to the amount of times the bloody thing needs a drink.
Interesting, I owned a 8P S3 (2008) and it averaged 30 mpg over the 15,000 miles that i had it, unfortunately it also used to drink 1L of oil per 1000 mls in the end hence why i moved on. Usually hovers around the mid 20s according to the OBC but I think it is being optimistic due to the amount of times the bloody thing needs a drink.
I would hope that a DSG car and model updates would present a 20% improvement but one to bear in mind during the test drive phase
Edited by stuart1441 on Sunday 24th August 17:31
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