Golf R/Audi S3/Audi RS3 8P/Focus RS/A45 AMG

[Belle427]

I’m considering a change next year and will have around £22k to spend.
To be honest I like all of the above but it needs to be a daily driver and I do value comfort slightly with a turn of speed when needed.
I only have a total 25 mile commute daily, on poor greasy roads in winter.
I love the glorious engine note of the RS3 but the 8P has mixed reviews.
I am a bit of an RS fanboy but not sure I could live with the firm ride.
Which would you choose and why?
The Golf R probably makes the most sense out of the bunch.

[SiT]

FRS with the suspension box mod, fantastic bit of kit for what your after.

- Love an RS3 but for me has to be 2015>
- Golf R is nice but very clinical and common
- A45 is a weapon but some scary stories on engine/gearbox issues plus it’s quite a ‘small’ car
-S3 might be ok but could feel like a quick SLine which may be a good or bad thing?

Si

[Cw4578]

Either s3 or golf r with magride or adaptive suspension for daily use. Makes a big difference can be very comfortable or fairly firm. Although the rs3 and a45 are really in the class above so will naturally be more expensive to run.

[Belle427]

SiT said:

FRS with the suspension box mod, fantastic bit of kit for what your after.

- Love an RS3 but for me has to be 2015>
- Golf R is nice but very clinical and common
- A45 is a weapon but some scary stories on engine/gearbox issues plus it’s quite a ‘small’ car
-S3 might be ok but could feel like a quick SLine which may be a good or bad thing?

Si

Excuse my ignorance but what is the suspension box mod?

[ericmcn]

Why buy something everyone else has, how about a Subaru WRX STi, great for slippery roads too

20k would get a 15 or 16 reg 2.5turbo most of the engine issues should have been sorted by then too

[ericmcn]

[paradigital]

My daily for the last 3 years has been a late 2016 S3 saloon (facelift). It’s 90% as comfortable as my previous A4 SE owing to being able to put the magride into comfort. With options like virtual cockpit it feels far more modern than the pre-facelift.

I test drove both the S3, the Golf R and the M135i at the time and the S3 was by far and a way the most comfortable and nicest place to sit. The M135i was easily the most involving, but that in turn made it less of a relaxed drive when I wanted it to be. The Golf R just felt a bit too plane Jane in the interior. What won out though was being able to have a saloon rather than a hatch.

[ZX10R NIN]

My first pick would be Focus with the DSC unit:

https://mk3focusrs.club/forum/topic/dsc-the-unfair...

2nd choice would be the RS3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3rd A45 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[WonkeyDonkey]

Out of those choices I'd pick the focus rs as it's the least drab. Probably go for a civic type r or a Subaru mentioned early in the thread with my money though.

[SiT]

Belle427 said:

Excuse my ignorance but what is the suspension box mod?

DAC box of tricks - https://www.dscsport.com/product/v2-controller-for...

It seems to improve the daily ride in the FRS whilst improve the track and race settings. Few threads around on RS forums suggesting this is the case plus a very good video on YT - https://youtu.be/U487RnEfoRk

Si

[Driver101]

SiT said:

FRS with the suspension box mod, fantastic bit of kit for what your after.

- Love an RS3 but for me has to be 2015>
- Golf R is nice but very clinical and common
- A45 is a weapon but some scary stories on engine/gearbox issues plus it’s quite a ‘small’ car
-S3 might be ok but could feel like a quick SLine which may be a good or bad thing?

Si

Engine issues on the A45? Early facelift cars had gearbox issues.

Strange to promote the FRS and not mention all its problems.

A little biased?

[anonymous-user]

Out of that lot I'd definitely be going for the FRS although an STi would also be a consideration.

[SiT]

Driver101 said:

Engine issues on the A45? Early facelift cars had gearbox issues.

Strange to promote the FRS and not mention all its problems.

A little biased?

Apologies, gearbox issues not engine my mistake; I knew I had read up on an issue with one or the other.

No I wouldn’t say it was biased but as mentioned the FRS would be my choice, with the exception of the engine issues which is covered by warranty and most of these have now been changed I don’t think there is too much to worry about?

Si

[Sidecar Man]

What about V60 Polestar 3l 6 pot Ohlins Brembo 6 pots 4w Drive Super comfy and a proper sleeper. 360bhp

Edited by Sidecar Man on Saturday 16th November 21:45

[Driver101]

SiT said:

Driver101 said:

Engine issues on the A45? Early facelift cars had gearbox issues.

Strange to promote the FRS and not mention all its problems.

A little biased?

Apologies, gearbox issues not engine my mistake; I knew I had read up on an issue with one or the other.

No I wouldn’t say it was biased but as mentioned the FRS would be my choice, with the exception of the engine issues which is covered by warranty and most of these have now been changed I don’t think there is too much to worry about?

Si

All the Merc boxes were covered under warranty too.

The Focus has far more reliability issues than any of the other cars.

There was still FRS engine issues are the fix date.

[covmutley]

I test drove the A45 and m135i, but ended up going for a jag xe s.

The A45 was awesome but pretty full on all the time. Quite harsh set up and bit drony on the motorway. M135i was great (that engine!) but I found it tough finding a car with a nice spec. Leather but not heated, no parking sensors etc

For me, the jag had it all. adaptive as standard, well specced as standard, bit roomier than the 135i. The supercharged V6 is lovely. Its smooth and comfortable in 'drive' and changes character completely in dynamic mode. Give it a try.

Edited by covmutley on Saturday 16th November 23:05

[Sidecar Man]

Go and try one of these I'm sure you won't be disappointed
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[anonymous-user]

Driver101 said:

There was still FRS engine issues are the fix date.

Sorry but could you try again with this sentence please?

[andyb28]

A few years ago, I sold my R36 Passat and purchased a Land Rover Defender. The defender is perfect for the uses I got it for but pretty uncomfortable for anything else.

This made me realise I needed to get a second car for commuting and meetings further away. I had a very similar list to you and in the end went for the Audi S3.

I have to say it has been fantastic, its very comfortable on long journeys has the speed and grip when you need it.
Mine is in comfort mode most of the time as it softens everything up. Dynamic mode, which is like sport mode is only used occasionally.

To be honest, I dont think there is a bad choice in the vehicles you have selected. The reason I didn't get the RS3 was that the S3 isn't much more than a fraction slower than the RS3. At the time there were stories going round about RS3 seats being stolen and they are very expensive to replace. It just looked a bit too flashy to me.

[nickfrog]

Out of those, the Focus is the only one that would appeal but I would still choose either a M135i or a Megane RS over it. The occasional traction benefits of 4wd don't really appeal to me compared to how much better the two 2wd cars, are for different reasons (engine for one, chassis for the other).