GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: adw555 on 26 May 2009, 10:00
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Hi,
Have a 05 GTI and looking at a 2008 S3. Has anyone made this move and what did they like/dislike afterwards ?...
Thanks for your time..
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S3 is a great car, and vv quick.
you really need to drive it though, as it is not as tactile as the gti. very comfy and nice place to be, but not much feedback from the steering.
i test drove an S3, but went for the ED30 instead, as it drove better for me ( and was £5k cheaper).
would i have an S3 now ? - damn right i would.
I am sure you will notice the difference in power :laugh:
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echo above, BUT I couldn't justify the extra expense over the GTI......
The key word with all these Audis is COMFY.
Dan
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I've owned many Audi's and VW's. IMHO, you will not get a better all round drivers car than the Mk V GTI. Much better looking than an S3 as well - the S3 looks very heavy with that high window line and big 3/4 panels :rolleyes:
Audi's are a more mature drive and the driving experience, particularly the steering is not as rewarding as a VW. Great build quality and classy, but not as dymanic. Quattro's are great technology though.
Cass
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You can't really beat the taut and tactile feel of the GTI. However, the Audi's are much more 'luxury'. It depends what floats your boat.
Btw, my understanding is that the 'quattro' on the S3 is only a Haldex and not full quattro.
I've just spent 5 days driving the latest S4 but, great as it is, I still prefer my GTI.
Linky : - S4 Audi supercharged V6 2009 - Review.... (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4979.0)
:afro:
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I went from my ED30 to a 130i M Sport and havn't looked back.I did consider the S3 but found the 130i to be one really sorted motor.
Build qualitys as good as the Audi, same tax and insurance as the ED30.The 3ltr straight six when pushed delivers awesome acceleration.No issues with the Bridgestone RFT's they seem to really suit the car.My ED30 was standard and the ride in the 130i is certainly no firmer, but i would say the 130i is better damped
and has a well sorted chassis.
Factor in price compared to the S3 and :laugh: for me it was a no brainer.. :wink:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/dollonds/130iMSport009.jpg)
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I do like the 1-series, but it does feel like a size-down compared to the Golf and Audi.
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I went from my ED30 to a 130i M Sport and havn't looked back.I did consider the S3 but found the 130i to be one really sorted motor.
Build qualitys as good as the Audi, same tax and insurance as the ED30.The 3ltr straight six when pushed delivers awesome acceleration.No issues with the Bridgestone RFT's they seem to really suit the car.My ED30 was standard and the ride in the 130i is certainly no firmer, but i would say the 130i is better damped
and has a well sorted chassis.
Factor in price compared to the S3 and :laugh: for me it was a no brainer.. :wink:
The only problem with the 130i is the R32 beat in every test i have seen :cool:
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I've got to say, the BM is such a marmite car in terms of styling.
Sadly, whilst I love the stuff, I've never felt the same affection for the BMW......
I'm sure it's very good though :smiley:
Dan
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^^^^^^^^^
Ditto :sick:
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Dont mind one in white but it would be a step down for me :wink:
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I went from my ED30 to a 130i M Sport and havn't looked back.I did consider the S3 but found the 130i to be one really sorted motor.
Build qualitys as good as the Audi, same tax and insurance as the ED30.The 3ltr straight six when pushed delivers awesome acceleration.No issues with the Bridgestone RFT's they seem to really suit the car.My ED30 was standard and the ride in the 130i is certainly no firmer, but i would say the 130i is better damped
and has a well sorted chassis.
Factor in price compared to the S3 and :laugh: for me it was a no brainer.. :wink:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/dollonds/130iMSport009.jpg)
....Now if that had been available when I swopped my 2-door Coupe E30 straight-six BMW for my Golf GTI, I'd have definitely gone for the BM - I love those engines. But, I'm very happy with my much modded Mk5 GTI.
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Shame the 1 series doesn't do anything for me, no doubt it's a great car and a brilliant engine, but I hate the way it looks. No offense but that looks about as sporty as a flip flop IMO :sad:
The 1 series coupe kind of claw's a little bit more respect back in my eyes but the banana shaped door's sill's still ruin the line's of the car. It's probably the only shape BMW I don't like which is a pain as I like my hatchback's!
JMO of course, Sam
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IMHO, it's FUGLY, full stop :sick:
Cass
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The BMW Series 1 is considered ugly by a lot of people. However, it's clearly a great car in M form and has all the best engineering that Bavaria can offer. At least it has an individual style and character, unlike some (not all!) Audi's.
:afro:
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Agree with RR on this one... it doesnt shout out like most hot hatches, and is powered by the proper wheels!! gets on with the job in a subtle way.
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Agree with RR on this one... it doesnt shout out like most hot hatches, and is powered by the proper wheels!! gets on with the job in a subtle way.
It's cramped, fugly and has no grip in the wet - no comparison to the S3 IMHO.
The only thing that put me off buying an S3 was the extra weight crippling both the handling and the performance and the lack of DSG (at the time).
Let's get back on topic shall we?
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If I was going to a S3 from a GTI it could only be one like this : -
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/S3_modded.jpg)
And it would have to be S-tronic 5-door Sportback and modded. Any other version would be dull.
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Good to see the 1'er is still as controversial as ever.. :cool:
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lol not a fan of the 1 series shape :(
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I very almost bought a 123d, but I was put off when 2 BMW techs and a BMW partsman of 20 years mentioned that they're full of E30 parts.
You could see that as good as the parts will be cheap, but I see it as lazy development.
Back to the original topic, didn't Jonnyc go Ed30 > S3 > Ed30? There must've been something about the GTI that the S3 lacks.
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TBH Id rather an S3 than a GTI but the extra you pay for the S3 is just unjustifiable.
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Back to the original topic, didn't Jonnyc go Ed30 > S3 > Ed30? There must've been something about the GTI that the S3 lacks.
....I think that Jonny went GTI > S3 > Ed30, but I'm not 100% sure. He has said to me that he finds the Ed30 a much more involving and enjoyable drive than the S3 [Not his exact words].
Having recently spent 5 days doing nothing but driving the latest S4, I reckon the S3 needs something like a supercharged V6 to make it more exciting!
Linky : - S4 Audi supercharged V6 2009 - Review.... (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4979.0)
:afro:
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So getting out of the S3 after the test drive into my GTI .....the S3 has more lag until about 3000 rpm, but then you get a bigger kick in the back...and it's a bit nicer inside. The GTI seats are more supportive though and you do lose the auto wipers, lights and dimming mirror.
not sure what to do...it's a pre-reg 08 with 90 miles on it...so saving about 6k on a new one (there has been a minor facelift which changed the front headlights slightly)...
...for almost the same money a 2008 135i with 10-12k miles comes into the equation!
..then again I could just change the cambelt on the GTI and keep it for another year! ;-)
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135i anyday!! :evil:
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I am waiting for RS3.
I like the sound of that turbo-five! :drool:
Plus the field for tuning is boundless :smiley:
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135i anyday!! :evil:
Now your talking!I found both my GTi and ED30 a much more involving drive than the S3 and i am fairly sure so will the R20 Golf when it arrives next year.. :wink:
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Apart from the trivial difference of performance between the two, GTI and S3 bear different images. I think that's the main reason that stopped me switching from GTI to S3. Audi cars are mature and sophisticated yet boring and putting a S3 badge on it isn't going to change the story much. GTI looks dynamic and offensive. At my current age, I would go for GTI with no hesitation. It is also 5k cheaper - just think about how you could use these money on your GTI to make it distinct !
Vincent
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At my current age, I would go for GTI with no hesitation. It is also 5k cheaper - just think about how you could use these money on your GTI to make it distinct !
Vincent
....I felt exactly the same at 58yo! But I think I've spent more than 5k on her!
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/Mods/RED_RL.jpg)