Audi S3 vs Golf R

[liner33]

Thinking about changing my car and want an interesting runaround/daily, since these are pretty much the same car under the skin , I guess the question is , is the S3 worth the premium over the Golf R

[culpz]

Golf R for me. Even though they're essentially the same car, the Golf is known to be a bit more engaging and have a bit more character to it. I actually much prefer the looks and interior too. I've had an Audi before, and i wasn't particularly impressed on the inside and there's usually too much chrome going on. I've always preferred the VW equivalent.

[CJ1]

I had both, a manual Mk7 Golf R and a S Tronic Audi S3 Sportback.

Personally the Audi is a far nicer car, interior is much better (the golfs sun visors used to rattle on the headlining plastics!). S3 is more practical our Labrador fits happily in the boot thanks to the additional c pillar windows and upright boot shape. They’re very similar to drive, S3 is very slightly quicker though.

Depends what you can get for your budget, I only chose the S3 over another R as it was approved used with a 2 year warranty.

[nunpuncher]

Owned an R and have driven an S3. The S3 felt slightly more insulated and therefor a bit more boring. I liked my R but I would never have referred to it as "interesting". The number of times I drove it just for fun, just for the sake of going a drive was precisely never.

[Dave Hedgehog]

for involvement i would take the golf gti tcr over both of them

[liner33]

Dave Hedgehog said:

for involvement i would take the golf gti tcr over both of them

For involvement I'll drive my M235i , this is just a runaround to replace my Fiesta ST

[nunpuncher]

If that's your idea of involving then you'll think a Golf R is amazing. I much preferred mine to my M135i.

[Londonvaper]

Both are terrible don’t bother

[abzmike]

Londonvaper said:

Both are terrible don’t bother

Is that your serious assessment having driven neither?

[R2x]

I had a 2016 S3 s-tronic for 2 years, and also had a loan of a mate’s 2018 Golf R DSG for a couple of weeks last year.

The Golf R is slightly more fun to drive, but that’s where it ends. I found that the S3 felt faster (which it is, but only marginally on paper) and had a much nicer interior.

If I was choosing a car for a fun weekend, I’d choose the Golf.
If I was choosing a car to live with, I’d choose the S3 (again).

[pavarotti1980]

liner33 said:

Thinking about changing my car and want an interesting runaround/daily, since these are pretty much the same car under the skin , I guess the question is , is the S3 worth the premium over the Golf R

I test drove all variants of the VAG hot hatch. Leon Cupra, Golf R, S3 and Octavia VRs.

The most interesting one was the Cupra 300 (67 plate) with manual gearbox. Interior was a bit bland and boring but it had all the things you needed and was quick enough and set up to make it more interesting than the others. Now sold to buy a bigger house and bored in a Ford Focus worth £500

[ZX10R NIN]

For daily running around duties the S3 is worth the extra neither are the most engaging but both are good cars, I'd buy the Cupra 300 over the Golf R though.

Here's a readers thread on the Cupra:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[brightmotiv]

I’m an R fan. Reader’s car thread here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[liner33]

Had 2 Octavia VRS in the past the last 2015 model for 5 years and loved it but every Seat I have ever sat in felt really cheap and unfortunately that was what the wife said when I showed her the Cupra so they are a non starter

[Jag_NE]

liner33 said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

for involvement i would take the golf gti tcr over both of them

For involvement I'll drive my M235i , this is just a runaround to replace my Fiesta ST

Sell the 2 series and the fiesta, replace with M car.

[liner33]

Jag_NE said:

liner33 said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

for involvement i would take the golf gti tcr over both of them

For involvement I'll drive my M235i , this is just a runaround to replace my Fiesta ST

Sell the 2 series and the fiesta, replace with M car.

I am toying with that idea but a M4 would be impractical as a daily, need a hatchback really

[dunc69]

Disclaimer - I am biased - but consider a Kia Stinger GTS 3.3.

Same pace as a Golf R, but cheaper when options are considered and with a stunning V6 soundtracks and RWD

Bigger boot, hatchback with folding rear seats and a 720w watt HK sound system as standard.

Plus lots more. And a 7 year warranty.

(Just go for post March 2019 as there were significant upgrades then).

Also looks cooler than all the above.

[Gweeds]

liner33 said:

I am toying with that idea but a M4 would be impractical as a daily, need a hatchback really

M140i then and take it to Birds for the suspension and LSD. Flog the M235i.

[liner33]

Gweeds said:

liner33 said:

I am toying with that idea but a M4 would be impractical as a daily, need a hatchback really

M140i then and take it to Birds for the suspension and LSD. Flog the M235i.

Ha ha not likely .

[liner33]

dunc69 said:

Disclaimer - I am biased - but consider a Kia Stinger GTS 3.3.

Same pace as a Golf R, but cheaper when options are considered and with a stunning V6 soundtracks and RWD

Bigger boot, hatchback with folding rear seats and a 720w watt HK sound system as standard.

Plus lots more. And a 7 year warranty.

(Just go for post March 2019 as there were significant upgrades then).

Also looks cooler than all the above.

I did consider the Stinger when they came out but they are too heavy and too thirsty and the gearbox isn't as good