Mk6 Golf GTI or Audi A3 2.0 TFSI ?
Discussion
MK6 Golf GTI or Audi A3 2.0 TFSI ?
The choice has come down to either of these two models but I don`t know much about them so would appreciate some thoughts.
Looking at late `10, `11 or `12 plate.
Each would have to be the DSG / S Tronic gearboxes.
But having ruled out earlier Mk6s due to timing chain tensioner issues with the Golf.
Do these Audi engines use oil or was that just a problem with earlier models?
I`ve had a few MK2 Golfs in the past and a MK5 TDI that nearly put me off VWs forever as it was so unreliable but know nothing about Audis.
I don`t do loads of miles but would like a half decent reliable car I can chuck stuff in the back of, mainly used on `A` and back `B` roads but I also like a bit of comfort and a quiet cabin for the occasional motorway journey.
Any info welcome, thanks.
The choice has come down to either of these two models but I don`t know much about them so would appreciate some thoughts.
Looking at late `10, `11 or `12 plate.
Each would have to be the DSG / S Tronic gearboxes.
But having ruled out earlier Mk6s due to timing chain tensioner issues with the Golf.
Do these Audi engines use oil or was that just a problem with earlier models?
I`ve had a few MK2 Golfs in the past and a MK5 TDI that nearly put me off VWs forever as it was so unreliable but know nothing about Audis.
I don`t do loads of miles but would like a half decent reliable car I can chuck stuff in the back of, mainly used on `A` and back `B` roads but I also like a bit of comfort and a quiet cabin for the occasional motorway journey.
Any info welcome, thanks.
Could you get into an early Mk7 GTI for that sort of money? Doesn't suffer any timing chain issues and drives a lot nicer. They've come down quite a bit recently e.g. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016... or http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
If not I'd probably go for the Mk6 GTI as the A3 8P feels quite dated now. I looked at them a couple of years back but wasn't impressed.
If not I'd probably go for the Mk6 GTI as the A3 8P feels quite dated now. I looked at them a couple of years back but wasn't impressed.
Timing chain tensioner issues was a problem with pre May 2010 Golf GTis. Any cars built after 1st May 2010 had the 1st revision of the timing chain tensioner fitted. So basically any 09, 59 and some early 10 plate cars without the revised tensioner would have suffered a problem. However, this has been well documented and most cars have been rectified. If you're looking at 2011 to 2012 cars you won't come across this problem. I have a November 2010 build car, therefore, a 2011 model GTi and I have no problem.
I have a 5 door Carbon Steel Grey 2011 model Golf GTi DSG and I've owned the car for almost 3 years, bought it in April 2014 from a VW main dealer and always had it serviced by the same dealer. They're not the fastest of hot hatches but they are good fun. I've played with mine a fair bit and it's now running around 280bhp which is what the car should have come out of the factory with and it's now a hoot to drive. It's also on VWR springs which lowers it a little and I've changed the rear anti roll bar for a thicker VWR version which has dialled out a lot of the understeer these suffer with (VWR being VW Racing). I've also changed a few other things but that's what I wanted to do to the car and basically personalise it without going mad. I was seriously considering going further with the power but I have something from BMW arriving in March which I've been waiting for now for a while and the Golf will stay in it's current tune for the time being.
As another poster has said you can get into an early mk7 GTi for not a lot more money, however, I quite like mine and as you can see it's a little different to standard with some very subtle changes
I have a 5 door Carbon Steel Grey 2011 model Golf GTi DSG and I've owned the car for almost 3 years, bought it in April 2014 from a VW main dealer and always had it serviced by the same dealer. They're not the fastest of hot hatches but they are good fun. I've played with mine a fair bit and it's now running around 280bhp which is what the car should have come out of the factory with and it's now a hoot to drive. It's also on VWR springs which lowers it a little and I've changed the rear anti roll bar for a thicker VWR version which has dialled out a lot of the understeer these suffer with (VWR being VW Racing). I've also changed a few other things but that's what I wanted to do to the car and basically personalise it without going mad. I was seriously considering going further with the power but I have something from BMW arriving in March which I've been waiting for now for a while and the Golf will stay in it's current tune for the time being.
As another poster has said you can get into an early mk7 GTi for not a lot more money, however, I quite like mine and as you can see it's a little different to standard with some very subtle changes
Edited by Andy OH on Tuesday 3rd January 20:20
My original budget was for a `09 Golf GTI but then upped the budget a little to consider something a bit newer.
All the `11 and `12 models seem few and far between with DSG/sensible miles and are usually at the other end of the country hence me considering something else which is where the Audi A3 came in.
I love to but I can`t stretch to a MK7 Golf.
All the `11 and `12 models seem few and far between with DSG/sensible miles and are usually at the other end of the country hence me considering something else which is where the Audi A3 came in.
I love to but I can`t stretch to a MK7 Golf.
I think the GTI will hold its value better over the following years, and if your sticking with FWD it will be a better driving experience. However, I personally always feel an Audi cabin is a nicer place to sit compared to VW, and, if your going to be tempted with any form of remap or power upgrades Quattro is the only way to go!
AudiSport said:
I think the GTI will hold its value better over the following years, and if your sticking with FWD it will be a better driving experience. However, I personally always feel an Audi cabin is a nicer place to sit compared to VW, and, if your going to be tempted with any form of remap or power upgrades Quattro is the only way to go!
I agree with the GTi holding its value a lot better over and above a normal A3, however, the cabin in an 8P A3 is not the nicest place to be, I'd sooner be in a mk6 Golf GTi. Regarding any tuning or power upgrade, yes Quattro will help to put the power down but that will narrow any choice to an Audi A3 Quattro or a mk6 Golf R which may be outside of the OP's budget. To say Quattro is the only way to go is not correct as if you use the power and torque increases in the real world i.e. mid range you don't need 4wd. You only need 4wd if you want to constantly play the traffic light Grand Prix.
I was in a similar situation after I cancelled my new R order. I wanted something to tide me over until I see something I want.
Wanting to spend £7000 max I fancied a Golf GTI mk5, but found most were quite basic inside. Not all leather, and without features like the steering wheel controls. The ones I preferred were the edition 30 models and with sensible mileage they were well over my budget. I even looked at the Octavia VRS as I could get a nicer one for my budget. There was none around where I live, but then an 07 plate 2.0T FSI A3 S line Quattro sportback came up locally. It had the Bluetooth, full panoramic roof, steering wheel control, full s line leather, mint condition and only 48000 miles. At £6200 it was a no brainer especially with Quattro, which comes into its own in all weather.Interior better than the Golf too. Very happy with it. I mapped it for more poke, so its about 245 bhp, and smooth.
Downside is the S line suspension is too hard, and steering too light to be a proper hot hatch. That said for what I needed, its a cracking motor.
Wanting to spend £7000 max I fancied a Golf GTI mk5, but found most were quite basic inside. Not all leather, and without features like the steering wheel controls. The ones I preferred were the edition 30 models and with sensible mileage they were well over my budget. I even looked at the Octavia VRS as I could get a nicer one for my budget. There was none around where I live, but then an 07 plate 2.0T FSI A3 S line Quattro sportback came up locally. It had the Bluetooth, full panoramic roof, steering wheel control, full s line leather, mint condition and only 48000 miles. At £6200 it was a no brainer especially with Quattro, which comes into its own in all weather.Interior better than the Golf too. Very happy with it. I mapped it for more poke, so its about 245 bhp, and smooth.
Downside is the S line suspension is too hard, and steering too light to be a proper hot hatch. That said for what I needed, its a cracking motor.
Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 4th January 12:34
nottyash said:
I was in a similar situation after I cancelled my new R order. I wanted something to tide me over until I see something I want.
Wanting to spend £7000 max I fancied a Golf GTI mk5, but found most were quite basic inside. Not all leather, and without features like the steering wheel controls. The ones I preferred were the edition 30 models and with sensible mileage they were well over my budget. I even looked at the Octavia VRS as I could get a nicer one for my budget. There was none around where I live, but then an 07 plate 2.0T FSI A3 S line Quattro sportback came up locally. It had the Bluetooth, full panoramic roof, steering wheel control, full s line leather, mint condition and only 48000 miles. At £6200 it was a no brainer especially with Quattro, which comes into its own in all weather.Interior better than the Golf too. Very happy with it. I mapped it for more poke, so its about 245 bhp, and smooth.
Downside is the S line suspension is too hard, and steering too light to be a proper hot hatch. That said for what I needed, its a cracking motor.
What a lot of car for the money, great buy! I love the Quattro stystem, nothing like making effortless 'fuss free' progress even in the wet. I had a mapped MK5 GTI which was simply useless!Wanting to spend £7000 max I fancied a Golf GTI mk5, but found most were quite basic inside. Not all leather, and without features like the steering wheel controls. The ones I preferred were the edition 30 models and with sensible mileage they were well over my budget. I even looked at the Octavia VRS as I could get a nicer one for my budget. There was none around where I live, but then an 07 plate 2.0T FSI A3 S line Quattro sportback came up locally. It had the Bluetooth, full panoramic roof, steering wheel control, full s line leather, mint condition and only 48000 miles. At £6200 it was a no brainer especially with Quattro, which comes into its own in all weather.Interior better than the Golf too. Very happy with it. I mapped it for more poke, so its about 245 bhp, and smooth.
Downside is the S line suspension is too hard, and steering too light to be a proper hot hatch. That said for what I needed, its a cracking motor.
Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 4th January 12:34
AudiSport said:
What a lot of car for the money, great buy! I love the Quattro stystem, nothing like making effortless 'fuss free' progress even in the wet. I had a mapped MK5 GTI which was simply useless!
It's not quattro though. It's haldex.I actually owned an A3 TFSI "Quattro" for about a month as I took it in PX for my Mk5 GTI, as it's easier to sell (My Mk5 GTI was heavily modified).
I never found it an issue putting down the 260bhp or so the Mk5 GTI had with decent tyres and upgraded bushes.
nottyash said:
I was in a similar situation after I cancelled my new R order. I wanted something to tide me over until I see something I want.
Wanting to spend £7000 max I fancied a Golf GTI mk5, but found most were quite basic inside. Not all leather, and without features like the steering wheel controls. The ones I preferred were the edition 30 models and with sensible mileage they were well over my budget. I even looked at the Octavia VRS as I could get a nicer one for my budget. There was none around where I live, but then an 07 plate 2.0T FSI A3 S line Quattro sportback came up locally. It had the Bluetooth, full panoramic roof, steering wheel control, full s line leather, mint condition and only 48000 miles. At £6200 it was a no brainer especially with Quattro, which comes into its own in all weather.Interior better than the Golf too. Very happy with it. I mapped it for more poke, so its about 245 bhp, and smooth.
Downside is the S line suspension is too hard, and steering too light to be a proper hot hatch. That said for what I needed, its a cracking motor.
I ended up doing pretty much the opposite 3-years ago lol. I was originally after an 8P A3 2.0 TFSI on a £8k budget, but then decided I could get just as much enjoyment out of a £5k Mk5 GTI. Now driving an 18-month old Mk7 GTD and still really missing my old GTI...Wanting to spend £7000 max I fancied a Golf GTI mk5, but found most were quite basic inside. Not all leather, and without features like the steering wheel controls. The ones I preferred were the edition 30 models and with sensible mileage they were well over my budget. I even looked at the Octavia VRS as I could get a nicer one for my budget. There was none around where I live, but then an 07 plate 2.0T FSI A3 S line Quattro sportback came up locally. It had the Bluetooth, full panoramic roof, steering wheel control, full s line leather, mint condition and only 48000 miles. At £6200 it was a no brainer especially with Quattro, which comes into its own in all weather.Interior better than the Golf too. Very happy with it. I mapped it for more poke, so its about 245 bhp, and smooth.
Downside is the S line suspension is too hard, and steering too light to be a proper hot hatch. That said for what I needed, its a cracking motor.
Andy OH said:
Timing chain tensioner issues was a problem with pre May 2010 Golf GTis. Any cars built after 1st May 2010 had the 1st revision of the timing chain tensioner fitted. So basically any 09, 59 and some early 10 plate cars without the revised tensioner would have suffered a problem. However, this has been well documented and most cars have been rectified. If you're looking at 2011 to 2012 cars you won't come across this problem. I have a November 2010 build car, therefore, a 2011 model GTi and I have no problem.
I have a 5 door Carbon Steel Grey 2011 model Golf GTi DSG and I've owned the car for almost 3 years, bought it in April 2014 from a VW main dealer and always had it serviced by the same dealer. They're not the fastest of hot hatches but they are good fun. I've played with mine a fair bit and it's now running around 280bhp which is what the car should have come out of the factory with and it's now a hoot to drive. It's also on VWR springs which lowers it a little and I've changed the rear anti roll bar for a thicker VWR version which has dialled out a lot of the understeer these suffer with (VWR being VW Racing). I've also changed a few other things but that's what I wanted to do to the car and basically personalise it without going mad. I was seriously considering going further with the power but I have something from BMW arriving in March which I've been waiting for now for a while and the Golf will stay in it's current tune for the time being.
As another poster has said you can get into an early mk7 GTi for not a lot more money, however, I quite like mine and as you can see it's a little different to standard with some very subtle changes
Those wheels make the car!!! I have a 5 door Carbon Steel Grey 2011 model Golf GTi DSG and I've owned the car for almost 3 years, bought it in April 2014 from a VW main dealer and always had it serviced by the same dealer. They're not the fastest of hot hatches but they are good fun. I've played with mine a fair bit and it's now running around 280bhp which is what the car should have come out of the factory with and it's now a hoot to drive. It's also on VWR springs which lowers it a little and I've changed the rear anti roll bar for a thicker VWR version which has dialled out a lot of the understeer these suffer with (VWR being VW Racing). I've also changed a few other things but that's what I wanted to do to the car and basically personalise it without going mad. I was seriously considering going further with the power but I have something from BMW arriving in March which I've been waiting for now for a while and the Golf will stay in it's current tune for the time being.
As another poster has said you can get into an early mk7 GTi for not a lot more money, however, I quite like mine and as you can see it's a little different to standard with some very subtle changes
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 3rd January 20:20
The car will be left as standard, I think I`m passed modifying now.
My budget won`t stretch to a Mk7 GTI, if it did I`d also consider a Mk6 Golf R.
I have actually been looking for a MK6 GTI for a while but I`m quite fussy and haven`t found anything hence considering the Audi of which there seems to be a better choice out there, although now having looked more, the A3 interior looks a bit dated.
I do tend to keep my cars for a few years so ideally I don`t want to buy a Audi and then 6 months on wish I`d bought a Golf.
My budget won`t stretch to a Mk7 GTI, if it did I`d also consider a Mk6 Golf R.
I have actually been looking for a MK6 GTI for a while but I`m quite fussy and haven`t found anything hence considering the Audi of which there seems to be a better choice out there, although now having looked more, the A3 interior looks a bit dated.
I do tend to keep my cars for a few years so ideally I don`t want to buy a Audi and then 6 months on wish I`d bought a Golf.
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