MH:
I much prefer the detailing on the Audi S3 Sportback. Nothing you say will convince me that the Golf is equivalent in fit and finish to the Audi. The S3 Sportback is a handsome car to these eyes. So we will always differ on this subject.
My R is a great car to drive and I cannot fault it in this respect. It does not rattle, rides and handles beautifully, the engine and DSG gear box are epic and all the other specced bells and whistles work seamlessly.
My one major gripe is the way the front passenger door hangs. It has really upset and annoyed me.There seems to be an obvious manufacturing/pressing/fitting fault with my car with this panel. There are some other issues but these can be easily sorted.
I now have to convince the Warranty Manger that I will not take NO for an answer. Unfortunately, he does not have an eye for detail. Nice enough chap but a bit inflexible. I will probably have to go over his head to get warranty work sanctioned.
There are other irritations like the cheap looking black rubber window strips and the paintwork showing on the door frames on the inside. These do not make the R a bad car, just a car with obvious cost cutting with a distinct lack of detailing on a car which sells at quite a high price. There are other fit issues on the inside that I have come across on most Golfs, but I won't bore you with these. I was aware of these foibles of variable build quality when I selected the R. So I went into the ownership experience with my eyes wide open. More fool me!
Let's see how things transpire in the next few days.
Booth11
Yes, I do like cars and love trying out different ones, time permitting. It's good clean fun.
I not only compare cars when there is a problem with my own, but because I am an insatiable car voyeur. I don't think there is anything amiss in that.
I must admit that moving from BMW to VW was not taken lightly. I had the pre-monition that I might end up slightly dissatisfied. Only slightly, mind you. I will also admit that the main reason I got the R was because it was a cheap lease. Perhaps I should accept that I have a very good cheap fast car with a few issues, accept these as a given and just enjoy the car.
Once I get over my initial disappointment on fit/finish and detailing, I think I will be able to live quite happily with the R for 3 years. I will attempt to provide it with just enough care but not TLC so that it does not look too shabby, drive it like I stole it and accept it for what it essentially is: just a VW and a Golf at that.