Mk6 Golf GTI or Audi S3

[johnnyBv8]

Looking for a sportyish daily driver/runabout, and both of these are on the list. I really like Golfs, having previously had the Mk5 GTI, and aside from timing chain issues the Mk6 seems fairly well resolved. The S3 is quite expensive in comparison (£11-12k for an 8 year old car), and have the downside of looking like amlost every Audi A3 s-line on the road, but are quicker and rarer.

Any thoughts from people that have owned either? (or ideally both!).

Thanks

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Friday 26th August 10:56

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Friday 26th August 10:56

[va1o]

I loved my Mk5 GTI. I'd only go for the S3 if the later facelift version is in budget, otherwise it's just too dated.

Mk6 Golf R could give you the best of both worlds if you can stretch the budget a tiny bit - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Belle427]

I'm also considering a mk 6 Gti of some description but also can't help liking the s3, there is just something about it I really like.
It looks to me as if you can get a lot more golf for the money though but I'm guessing very similar cars on paper.

[anonymous-user]

The Gti is about 5 grand cheaper and unless your concerned about the badge or having 4wd then the golf with a remap will be very similar to the S3.

Golfs alot of car for the money and the Audi is a lot of money for the car.

[doogle83]

Timing chain issues were enough to put me off the mk6 golf. Considering an edition 35, R or S3 currently as well and I think it may just come down to what I can find at the time.

[mgian2]

New to the forums on PH but I saw this thread and felt the need to reply. I own a mk6 GTi and love it. Sensible, quite discreet and smart, practical and fun when you want it. Plenty of torque all through the revs too which is handy on a motorway run.

Can't comment on S3 as I haven't owned one but I had an A3 2.0TFSI Quattro which was good but not as fun as the GTi (handling felt a bit numb and uninvolving). I'm sure the S3 is different though.

[DoubleSix]

Out of those two I'd definitely get the BMW...

[nunpuncher]

I had a pre facelift S3 and it was nothing special to drive. Very capable and competent but yeah, nothing exciting ever. My mate currently has a 2010 sportback and it feels very dated inside now. Pre facelift must feel ancient.

No experience of driving or being in a Mk6 GTi but what I will say is that one went past me a few weeks ago on the motorway and as we both left a roundabout I actually struggled to keep up with him and I was in a mk7 R.