Golf R, S3 Saloon or Used S4
Discussion
18 months ago bought a brand new 335d touring, it was nice but ultimately not worth the money and not fulfilling enough for me. It went back (at not too bad a cost) I ordered a golf R. However the waiting time was 6 months so I bought a van while I build a house. Its great so I cancelled the golf order. The house will be finished in a few months and so I'm back to thinking about my car.
I have two young kids so need a bit of space but ultimately we have a discovery for major family duties.
After having a few autos I'm missing three pedal action. Have test driven both manual and dsg golf Rs I know that it's got to be a manual. I went to see a few cars a fortnight or so ago but didn't drive anything. Golf seemed a bit...old and familair after the previous excitement of the order so I almost felt as if I had been there done that - even though I haven't. Understand...?? The A3 interior is just wonderful and gives me a bit more of an excited feeling, however the deals dont seem to be as good.
Either of these would be a PCP deal but the last option is to go for an older manual S4 and buy it outright with a loan, maybe even find an estate???? But it's getting a bit old and the S3 looks so sharp.
What do all you VW group fans think?
PS long term BMW fan, cant afford the M3 Saloon, been there done that with the E92 M3, M5 is auto, too expensive and too big. C63 auto only.
I have two young kids so need a bit of space but ultimately we have a discovery for major family duties.
After having a few autos I'm missing three pedal action. Have test driven both manual and dsg golf Rs I know that it's got to be a manual. I went to see a few cars a fortnight or so ago but didn't drive anything. Golf seemed a bit...old and familair after the previous excitement of the order so I almost felt as if I had been there done that - even though I haven't. Understand...?? The A3 interior is just wonderful and gives me a bit more of an excited feeling, however the deals dont seem to be as good.
Either of these would be a PCP deal but the last option is to go for an older manual S4 and buy it outright with a loan, maybe even find an estate???? But it's getting a bit old and the S3 looks so sharp.
What do all you VW group fans think?
PS long term BMW fan, cant afford the M3 Saloon, been there done that with the E92 M3, M5 is auto, too expensive and too big. C63 auto only.
I personally think if you're a long time BMW fan you will be disappointed with the interior of the Golf. Although it's a massive improvement on previous generations (bar the MK4 IMO) it is still a good distance behind the interiors you get in Audis and BMWs.
Have you thought about an M235i or does it need a bit more practicality? Someone I work with you has an F10 M5 and an E92 M3 drove one last week and loved it.
Have you thought about an M235i or does it need a bit more practicality? Someone I work with you has an F10 M5 and an E92 M3 drove one last week and loved it.
I quite like the 235i but it really needs to be a 5 door. I tried a when I bought the 335d and I have to say I loved it, trouble is the interior is too much like the three now, again leaving a situation where I've been there and done that. Also as nice as it is upfront I don't think I could help myself thinking I was still on the 335d and looking back and thinking I wish I had the room of the estate.
Hmm, do they do a manual 335i estate? Residuals and finance would be abysmal though
Hmm, do they do a manual 335i estate? Residuals and finance would be abysmal though
No idea why the S3 doesn't get the praise the Golf R gets... IMO the interior is a much nicer place to be and the styling is spot on.
The V8 S4 would be a bit disappointing IMO.
This is a strange suggestion but... If you're not afraid of upgrading a few parts what about a B5 RS4? Yes the interior is a bit dated but the residuals will be amazing, 5 door estate and can be very very quick.
The V8 S4 would be a bit disappointing IMO.
This is a strange suggestion but... If you're not afraid of upgrading a few parts what about a B5 RS4? Yes the interior is a bit dated but the residuals will be amazing, 5 door estate and can be very very quick.
£200 a year extra for a manual gearbox, thats less than a pound a day. I'll pay that. The 2009 cars were actually a lower tax rate too.
I'm afraid I want that old school involvement and control. Flapping paddles just isnt the same, it's all about the clutch control and satisfaction of getting it right that appeals. Pressing a button to change the auto style just isn't the same either. I'd rather hold on to a gear or change up and down as I feel myself.
I'm afraid I want that old school involvement and control. Flapping paddles just isnt the same, it's all about the clutch control and satisfaction of getting it right that appeals. Pressing a button to change the auto style just isn't the same either. I'd rather hold on to a gear or change up and down as I feel myself.
The B5 is pretty tight for rear space compared to newer models
If PCP is favoured then S3 saloon sounds the best compromise - manual option but modern engine management should give reasonable VED bill
The B8 is great and at least the manual is an option - our version wasn't available without S-tronic and tbh I like it for the 90% of the time when we're just pootling about in it.
Speccing a manual in your search will severely limit your choice, but on the upside at least it won't be difficult to choose one once you've decided on a minimum spec!
If PCP is favoured then S3 saloon sounds the best compromise - manual option but modern engine management should give reasonable VED bill
The B8 is great and at least the manual is an option - our version wasn't available without S-tronic and tbh I like it for the 90% of the time when we're just pootling about in it.
Speccing a manual in your search will severely limit your choice, but on the upside at least it won't be difficult to choose one once you've decided on a minimum spec!
Adrian E said:
The B5 is pretty tight for rear space compared to newer models
If PCP is favoured then S3 saloon sounds the best compromise - manual option but modern engine management should give reasonable VED bill
The B8 is great and at least the manual is an option - our version wasn't available without S-tronic and tbh I like it for the 90% of the time when we're just pootling about in it.
Speccing a manual in your search will severely limit your choice, but on the upside at least it won't be difficult to choose one once you've decided on a minimum spec!
Search even more restricted for a sports diff!!!!If PCP is favoured then S3 saloon sounds the best compromise - manual option but modern engine management should give reasonable VED bill
The B8 is great and at least the manual is an option - our version wasn't available without S-tronic and tbh I like it for the 90% of the time when we're just pootling about in it.
Speccing a manual in your search will severely limit your choice, but on the upside at least it won't be difficult to choose one once you've decided on a minimum spec!
finnie said:
Search even more restricted for a sports diff!!!!
Potentially unicorn territory then!I'll leave this here as food for thought - potentially one of the last manuals and a spec to die for! No idea on price but suspect what gets left on it will have a significant influence on price
http://audisrs.com/about58603.html
There's also an 09 avant on there with ADS, but no nav
bought a B8.5 s4 avant black edition about a year ago, misano red, stronic box, and have to say its a staggeringly good car. started out looking for one with sport diff but just couldnt find one. given how well it goes on the road, i cannot imagine why you need the diff other than if you intend to compete or do some track work. stronic box in sport mode is brilliant fun 
best road car i have ever had my miles.
best road car i have ever had my miles.
Tooting my own flute a little here, but this is mine. Might help if considering an S3 saloon. Also consider you might have a couple of month wait if ordering from a blank sheet of paper: http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/aud...
I like fast Golfs (my wife wants a GTI of her own for her next car), so the R would definitely be something I had a long look at, but ultimately go and drive one of each...for as long a test drive as they will let you! Only then will you really know what you can live with on a day-to-day basis.
I like fast Golfs (my wife wants a GTI of her own for her next car), so the R would definitely be something I had a long look at, but ultimately go and drive one of each...for as long a test drive as they will let you! Only then will you really know what you can live with on a day-to-day basis.
I have an S3 Saloon S-Tronic in Sepang Blue with 19" alloys and the black pack. Other extras include sat nav and B&O sound. As stated, Audi are reluctant to discount too heavily on these cars but on the flip side you will get strong residuals. With options, my car has an OTR price of £42k but the trade in of my BMW M135i plus a decent dealer contribution meant I didn't have to pay too much in the end.
On the whole, the S3 is a very refined cruiser for a car of its size and on B roads it's a blast. The car is fast in all conditions and the steering is not as 'dead' as some naysayers would have you believe. The steering wheel isn't as fat as the one on the Bimmer for instance and it is nicely weighted (in individual mode where I have the throttle response and steering in dynamic but the ride set to comfort). The S-Tronic is smooth as silk and makes nice blat noises on the up shift. I like to use the paddles. Build is solid. Minimal interior is sparce but very well put together - leagues ahead of other cars in its class - such as the 1-series. Very quiet cruising.
Economy is reasonable. Worse than a turbo charged six cylinder I'd wager. I was averaging 31 mpg in the M135i and I'm getting 29 in the S3. I did get close to 40 mpg driving from London to Sheffield once - though those 50mph stretches had a lot to do it. Plus the Eco setting puts the car into a coast... There's a bit of turbo lag too. Not as good as the Bimmer in that respect. Though the Bimmer did 'surprise' me a couple of times in the wet. A bit of opposite lock to correct but the tail kicking out suddenly was unexpected and that never happened in a 911...
On the whole, the S3 is a very refined cruiser for a car of its size and on B roads it's a blast. The car is fast in all conditions and the steering is not as 'dead' as some naysayers would have you believe. The steering wheel isn't as fat as the one on the Bimmer for instance and it is nicely weighted (in individual mode where I have the throttle response and steering in dynamic but the ride set to comfort). The S-Tronic is smooth as silk and makes nice blat noises on the up shift. I like to use the paddles. Build is solid. Minimal interior is sparce but very well put together - leagues ahead of other cars in its class - such as the 1-series. Very quiet cruising.
Economy is reasonable. Worse than a turbo charged six cylinder I'd wager. I was averaging 31 mpg in the M135i and I'm getting 29 in the S3. I did get close to 40 mpg driving from London to Sheffield once - though those 50mph stretches had a lot to do it. Plus the Eco setting puts the car into a coast... There's a bit of turbo lag too. Not as good as the Bimmer in that respect. Though the Bimmer did 'surprise' me a couple of times in the wet. A bit of opposite lock to correct but the tail kicking out suddenly was unexpected and that never happened in a 911...
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