R32 vs A3 3.2 - Which One and with DSG??

[vm1936]

Considering moving to a more refined hatch with a sporty side for when i manage to get out of car park london.

Also is the DSG any good - spend a fair amount of time stuck in traffic so considering.

Advice appreciated.

P

PS is the A3 170 TDI any good in chipped form - looks damn quick on paper?

[baz1985]

I'm biased.....I'd take the A3 3.2 with DSG. It has a nicer interior and is more discreet imo. The main difference is in the exhaust I believe and suspension setup. Typically the A3 suspension setup is cr8p....oversprung/under-damped (MKV R32 is pretty much spot on imo).....but if you're willing to go aftermarket a la KW V3 or Koni FSD/Eibach Pro-Kit then its not an issue.

[cuprabob]

I have a MKV R32 with DSG and the gearbox IMO is brilliant however you do need to change our driving style to get the very best out of it.

Do a search and you will see the manual vs DSG pops up every week and it's marmite, either love or hate it.

My advice is take a DSG for a good test drive in all traffic conditions you can and try all the various modes and see how you get on with it. The only extra maintenance DSG requires is an oil and filter change every 40k miles and it costs around £150

[Dr G]

I really do like DSG and would echo the above comments, borrow one if you can as both S-Tronic and manual A3 3.2s are very accomplished all rounders (if properly thirsty).

I'm a tiny bit biased but my choice would be the A3 having driven R32s 4 and 5 also. Better styled and a far nicer interior. Performance and dynamics seem very similar.