Help! Audi S3 or VW Golf R?

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B1ade said:
Quite a sexy car the M235i... unfortunately it's over R100k more than what I'm looking at, so it's more in the league of the AMG A45 and WRX STI. A very big factor for me as well is the 4-wheel drive, so that cuts BMW and most other manufacturers out.

Interesting comment regarding VW & diesel. My experience with the Polo TDI's at least is fantastic. Bought a TDI new in 2006 - still running perfectly today with no issues at all. My fiance bought a TDI in 2012 and again, it's been brilliant. We also bought two TDI's for company use in 2011/2012 and put over 200 000km's on each to date, with no major hassles. I guess we all have different experiences?

Thanks again all for input to date. Busy arranging test-drive of the R as we speak ;)
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The TDi's are solid cars, I haven't had any issues either, although I don't currently own one. Let us know what you think of the 7R, I still think you're better off with the S3, maybe I'm being a little biased, but it really is a nice car, the 7R is probably more fun to throw around if that's what you're after (I never drove the 7R), but that's just my opinion.
 
B1ade said:
Quite a sexy car the M235i... unfortunately it's over R100k more than what I'm looking at, so it's more in the league of the AMG A45 and WRX STI. A very big factor for me as well is the 4-wheel drive, so that cuts BMW and most other manufacturers out.

Interesting comment regarding VW & diesel. My experience with the Polo TDI's at least is fantastic. Bought a TDI new in 2006 - still running perfectly today with no issues at all. My fiance bought a TDI in 2012 and again, it's been brilliant. We also bought two TDI's for company use in 2011/2012 and put over 200 000km's on each to date, with no major hassles. I guess we all have different experiences?

Thanks again all for input to date. Busy arranging test-drive of the R as we speak ;)
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Where do you get your numbers from? List price for Golf R auto is R540 300 while for the M235i auto it is R586 846. And the BMW comes with a 5 year motor plan, while last I heard you have to pay extra for the golf.

As for the diesel comment, it was in reference to "sensible people" buying VW - I was taking a dig at VW being cheaters on a massive scale; sensible people don't trust companies like that...
 
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Ive been deciding between these two as well.
Test driving them both alot.
Tried the S3 sedan, looks damn nice, but the boot is odd, it is deep but not wide, which is an issue because i have a 1 year old.

The Golf R is a much more entertaining drive than the S3. It sounds more aggressive, feels more aggressive, the steering feels better.
There are only 2 major downsides for me, the first is the lack of maintenance plan, the second is the interior.
I prefer the S3 interior by quite a bit. The Golf is not ugly inside, but it doesnt appeal to me (could be personal preference).

If you are after a great driving experience, the Golf is a no brainer.
I wouldnt care about brand value, yes there may be a ....holy cow you paid 550k for a GOLF!!!! statement from people. But who cares, its a great car
 
syntax said:
I wouldnt care about brand value, yes there may be a ....holy cow you paid 550k for a GOLF!!!! statement from people. But who cares, its a great car
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Not as great as the offerings from non-VAG brands though, however for some the default option is just great.
 
syntax said:
Ive been deciding between these two as well.
Test driving them both alot.
Tried the S3 sedan, looks damn nice, but the boot is odd, it is deep but not wide, which is an issue because i have a 1 year old.

The Golf R is a much more entertaining drive than the S3. It sounds more aggressive, feels more aggressive, the steering feels better.
There are only 2 major downsides for me, the first is the lack of maintenance plan, the second is the interior.
I prefer the S3 interior by quite a bit. The Golf is not ugly inside, but it doesnt appeal to me (could be personal preference).

If you are after a great driving experience, the Golf is a no brainer.
I wouldnt care about brand value, yes there may be a ....holy cow you paid 550k for a GOLF!!!! statement from people. But who cares, its a great car
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If you want the auto I strongly suggest you at least test drive the m235i. I found the ZF auto to be far superior to the Golf's and Audi's when it came to normal driving. Which is 95% of the time for most people I would imagine.
 
Splinter said:
If you want the auto I strongly suggest you at least test drive the m235i. I found the ZF auto to be far superior to the Golf's and Audi's when it came to normal driving. Which is 95% of the time for most people I would imagine.
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I haven't test driven the m235i. I'm not a fan of BMW cars, so I can't really comment on the gearbox. Just couldn't imagine it being better than s-tronic. I'm a huge fan of the s-tronic gearbox in mine. I have no problems with it when it comes to normal driving. Is the ZF auto more decisive in every day driving perhaps? I noticed occasionally it gets a little confused which gear it should be in. But it's not often and hardly noticeable.

If you throw the BMW in the mix, I'd say that'd be a good choice over the VW. I'd take the VW last.
 
Splinter said:
If you want the auto I strongly suggest you at least test drive the m235i. I found the ZF auto to be far superior to the Golf's and Audi's when it came to normal driving. Which is 95% of the time for most people I would imagine.
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The problem is I have a 1 year old. a 2 door just isnt worth the inconvenience.
Even the m135 is a problem, its pretty cramped at the back, and with a child seat its terrible
 
Rouxenator said:
Not as great as the offerings from non-VAG brands though, however for some the default option is just great.
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What other options then? Please dont say an OPC.
I am going to wait possibly for the new A4 2.0t and see how that is, the first views seem quite positive.
I dont like BMW purely because of the interior. That orange 1980's look I just cant get past.
 
Enigma_ said:
I haven't test driven the m235i. I'm not a fan of BMW cars, so I can't really comment on the gearbox. Just couldn't imagine it being better than s-tronic. I'm a huge fan of the s-tronic gearbox in mine. I have no problems with it when it comes to normal driving. Is the ZF auto more decisive in every day driving perhaps? I noticed occasionally it gets a little confused which gear it should be in. But it's not often and hardly noticeable.

If you throw the BMW in the mix, I'd say that'd be a good choice over the VW. I'd take the VW last.
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Imagination is irrelevant; reality rules :D

Like I said, I test drove the R and the S3 and in both I noticed how often the gears seemed to change whilst driving normally. Seemed like very short ratios. In the beemer, you simply don't notice the gear changes. The BMW gearbox does not appear to be sequential - in other words, it does not have to go 1, 2, 3, 4 - it will change from 2nd to 5th if that is what it determines is best suited for the conditions and speed. Seamlessly.

As for confusion in gear changes? Never experienced that.

At the end of the day, it was the BMW gearbox that was the tipping factor in my purchase decision. Don't believe me - go test it yourself.
 
Splinter said:
Imagination is irrelevant; reality rules :D

Like I said, I test drove the R and the S3 and in both I noticed how often the gears seemed to change whilst driving normally. Seemed like very short ratios. In the beemer, you simply don't notice the gear changes. The BMW gearbox does not appear to be sequential - in other words, it does not have to go 1, 2, 3, 4 - it will change from 2nd to 5th if that is what it determines is best suited for the conditions and speed. Seamlessly.

As for confusion in gear changes? Never experienced that.

At the end of the day, it was the BMW gearbox that was the tipping factor in my purchase decision. Don't believe me - go test it yourself.
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Good point :p

Definitely get what you're saying with the gear ratios, it jumps around quite quickly, doesn't hold onto each gear for long, and one doesn't really want to drive around in sport/dynamic mode when you're just driving around town. The indecisiveness on the gearbox doesn't happen often, but I've noticed where it keeps hopping between 5th and 6th when cruising along at ~65kmph, then it finally settles in 7th. Maybe I'm just not entirely used to it yet, still new to s-tronic. I've never actually driven a BMW, so I guess I might check it out in the not too distant future.
 
Enigma_ said:
Good point :p

Definitely get what you're saying with the gear ratios, it jumps around quite quickly, doesn't hold onto each gear for long, and one doesn't really want to drive around in sport/dynamic mode when you're just driving around town. The indecisiveness on the gearbox doesn't happen often, but I've noticed where it keeps hopping between 5th and 6th when cruising along at ~65kmph, then it finally settles in 7th. Maybe I'm just not entirely used to it yet, still new to s-tronic. I've never actually driven a BMW, so I guess I might check it out in the not too distant future.
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the ZF box is very very good. It is almost as fast as a dual clutch (I dont think its as quick though) and is very easy to live with.
I agree its probably a better gearbox overall, I find the DSG is a little slow off the mark as well.
if i could take the 135 motor and gearbox and stick it in an audi i would be pretty happy
 
syntax said:
The problem is I have a 1 year old. a 2 door just isnt worth the inconvenience.
Even the m135 is a problem, its pretty cramped at the back, and with a child seat its terrible
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Enigma_ said:
Good point :p

Definitely get what you're saying with the gear ratios, it jumps around quite quickly, doesn't hold onto each gear for long, and one doesn't really want to drive around in sport/dynamic mode when you're just driving around town. The indecisiveness on the gearbox doesn't happen often, but I've noticed where it keeps hopping between 5th and 6th when cruising along at ~65kmph, then it finally settles in 7th. Maybe I'm just not entirely used to it yet, still new to s-tronic. I've never actually driven a BMW, so I guess I might check it out in the not too distant future.
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Seriously? That would drive me mad in my beemer. And if I put mine in sport mode, it stays in sport mode - even if I'm driving around town. And it hardly impacts the drive at all. In fact, I sometimes put it in sport in such conditions so I can instantaneously take a gap or avoid some moron in the traffic.

But you should just take one for a test drive - would be interested in others experiences. Even though I try not to be, I will be slightly biased in my opinion at the end of the day.
 
B1ade said:
Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated! A final comment – please don’t try sell me any other vehicle. I’m well aware of the WRX STI, A45 AMG, BMW 135i/2 series etc. My heart is set ;)
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:(

2 Series is also a 2-door.
 
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