GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: hitchenp on 07 February 2008, 09:01
-
Have narrowed wish list on new motor down to either ED30 or S3. And like many am unsure of the value for money with the S3. Therefore chipping an ED30 sounds like a nice alternative. However my concern is putting 270bhp+ through the front wheels. Can anyone give me an honest opinion of how it performs with a power hike?
-
Standard 244hp Ed30 non - better value and just as fast as S3 - lighter and only gives away 16hp
see
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=75605.0
-
S3 everytime! No contest. Can easily remap to 330bhp without wasting any power!
-
Have to be the S3, I drove one and couldn't beleive the difference to my car, standard GTI. The traction was unbeleivable, you cant go anywhere in the wet without wheelspinnin a front wheel drive car with that power. Its just my opinion tho.
-
To be fair, if money was not a factor in the discision (although it usually is!) then it would have to be the S3, I do miss my old R32's traction! I love the GTI but a 300+bhp S3 would be awesome! :evil:
-
I agree the performance and handling of a remapped S3 is really tempting, but its the looks that put me off. It doesn't look special enough, it just looks like any othe S line special edition, in fact some of them look better as the standard S3 wheels are nasty.
-
Have to be the S3, I drove one and couldn't beleive the difference to my car, standard GTI. The traction was unbeleivable, you cant go anywhere in the wet without wheelspinnin a front wheel drive car with that power. Its just my opinion tho.
....Not so! You need to be more sensitive with your right foot and learn to feed the throttle progressively. It becomes natural very quickly.
The S3 has superb interior but is very bland in appearance imo.
-
Have to be the S3, I drove one and couldn't beleive the difference to my car, standard GTI. The traction was unbeleivable, you cant go anywhere in the wet without wheelspinnin a front wheel drive car with that power. Its just my opinion tho.
....Not so! You need to be more sensitive with your right foot and learn to feed the throttle progressively. It becomes natural very quickly.
The S3 has superb interior but is very bland in appearance imo.
hence my original comment - S3 is just too bland and really does not represent good value over the Ed.
-
Thats true, I'm not bowled over with the looks either - just looked at the Audi page and you can spec another two types of rims for £600 (both 18's) but they ain't that nice IMO. The front end looks quite mean but the rear is boring and lacking character. You also have to spec loads of bits you get as standard on the ED30, like auto lights/windscreen wipers, tyre pressure sensor, through load with rear armrest and you even have to shell out extra for a flat bottom steering wheel! So the ED30 is definately the better value package :smiley:
-
I agree the performance and handling of a remapped S3 is really tempting, but its the looks that put me off. It doesn't look special enough, it just looks like any othe S line special edition, in fact some of them look better as the standard S3 wheels are nasty.
As above really..
I was in the same position and it came down to ordering a bog bog standard S3, or a nice spec Ed30 (Nav, Xenons, DSG, MFSW, Armrest etc etc). Now I know the S3 has xenons, but I would of wanted Nav, flat bottom steering wheel and a few other bits including those awesome seats. But it came in at way over £30k.. Just not feasible really.
-
Same with me...
I had the old S3 and was going to change for the new one - Got to the dealers and the looks really put me off! It's so borrrrrrring!
The inside was very nice but a little plain. The car drives really nice but not nice enough to spend another 7k on it!
I found very little real world speed dif from the std 30 and std s3 - I would think tho if your chipping both the S3 would take the extra bhp far better.
245ish from the Std ed30 is really the limit for fwd, but I dont think that will stop me chipping mine =]
-
If you wunt a real opinion mate dont go on a GTI forum because everyones oviously went down the GTI route. go test the car yourself everyone has got a different opinion.
-
If you wunt a real opinion mate dont go on a GTI forum because everyones oviously went down the GTI route. go test the car yourself everyone has got a different opinion.
....Very true! The only way to make a choice is a test drive of all cars being seriously considered.
-
2nd hand S3 low miles + new wheels (to improve looks) + remap an option?
A few choice mods could make an S3 stand out (subtley)
4wd certainly allows you to use everyone of those horses compared to an ED30
and of course ED30 are getting common :laugh:
Test drive both and let us know , maybe even see if a remapped ED30 would take you out?
I think the S3 would be ultimately the better car with performance upgrades, but given initial cost + mods you are well into some other really nice machinery.
-
I think the S3 would be ultimately the better car with performance upgrades, but given initial cost + mods you are well into some other really nice machinery.
....But car manufacturers compromise their product's performance potential in order to comply with various marketing and territorial laws. So, you'll get more out of most cars by modifying them.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/JesusSaysModify.jpg)
-
Hes sayin youll get better use of performance upgrades with the S3 as the GTI wont get the power down.
-
which do you think looks better. i dont think that theres £7,000 in it!! :lipsrsealed:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd153/joesgti/audi_s3.jpg)
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd153/joesgti/normal_picture_001.jpg)
-
which do you think looks better. i dont think that theres £7,000 in it!! :lipsrsealed:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd153/joesgti/audi_s3.jpg)
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd153/joesgti/normal_picture_001.jpg)
Id take my candy white ED30 anyday thanks, it has a lot more charachter than the S3 plus I specced one to my own taste, just under 34k!!! WTF :sick: Its an A3 at the end of the day, I just cannot justify that price!
-
ED30 looks the better car but its the slower car.
-
ED30 looks the better car but its the slower car.
well you could buy a very fast skyline r33-r34 for 24,000 and it would beat the living sh!t outof both of them........but you wouldnt :smiley:
-
ED30 looks the better car but its the slower car.
Im not to sure about that comment, a stage 2 Ed30 running about 330bhp against a remapped S3 would be extremely close, the S3 would have the Ed30 off the line no doubt, but the 4WD running gear on the S3 saps a lot of horsepower due to its sheer weight so the ED30 would soon catch up. There's not a lot in it at all IMO
-
Not on a B road it would'nt , the 300+bhp ED30 would not no which way the S3 went. :grin:
-
Not on a B road it would'nt , the 300+bhp ED30 would not no which way the S3 went. :grin:
:lipsrsealed:
-
In my opinion 300+bhp in a front drive car would not be any quicker than a standard car on a B road,you would only see real benefits on a motorway.
-
ED30 looks the better car but its the slower car.
....That depends on who is driving!
-
Two equally talented drivers,by by ED30.I would put my wages on it.
-
Without driving either car i coulddnt say for definate but i do hold the opinion of EVO magazine highly. They rate the standard GTI just over the S3 due to the clinical way in that it does its business.
VWGolf GTI (Mk5) (3dr)+ Character and ability: the original GTI is back - But at a price
Audi S3 + Very fast, very effective. verry, err quality...- A little too clinical
Now how much 'joe bloggs' would recognise the ability of the S3 as negative is questionable. IMO i would say that if you wanted fast, sure footed cross country pase then the S3 would probably be the better choice. If however, you prefered to realy drive (on a private road of course) then the adjustability of the GTI on the limit would make it the more engaging car to drive. At this price range power and speed should not come into it, remember 2nd hand Porsche's are available from £15k.
Either way, both cars would give any owner emense satisfaction!! Looks and how you like you car to 'feel' will be the deciding factors.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh and i would have the GTI / ED30 allllll day long :grin: :grin:
-
In my opinion 300+bhp in a front drive car would not be any quicker than a standard car on a B road,you would only see real benefits on a motorway.
....Are you comparing a standard Ed30 with a standard GTI?
If so, I'm not sure you are right and certainly my remapped GTI with modded suspension and AP big brakes would 'beat' a standard GTI (and probably standard Ed30) on B-roads no matter how twisty (assuming the two driver's skills to be equal). Why? - Out braking without fading, faster acceleration from lower revs, better road holding, faultless and superfast gearshifts on DSG paddles. Add a Quaife ATB and...........
-
ED30 looks the better car but its the slower car.
Im not to sure about that comment, a stage 2 Ed30 running about 330bhp against a remapped S3 would be extremely close, the S3 would have the Ed30 off the line no doubt, but the 4WD running gear on the S3 saps a lot of horsepower due to its sheer weight so the ED30 would soon catch up. There's not a lot in it at all IMO
Surely say off a roundabout or rolling start. A mapped Ed30 v's mapped S3, the Ed30 should be slightly quicker, due to it weighing over 100kgs lighter and not having the 4wd trans losses but having the same power?
Is there ANY difference at all to the S3 and Ed30 engine? Or is it just the standard map is slightly lower on the Ed30..
I've had a couple of S3's on test (weekends) and was well impressed, especially over 100 bananas per hour. Even had one with the Revo trail on it and it was a serious weapon. But in standard form, would you chaps say the Ed30 would be as quick as a S3 once rolling? Or has anyone had the chance to find out?
-
If your in Sweden,i challenge you to race my 330hp Ed30 :wink: I can assure you, it runs like a monster :grin:
-
If your in Sweden,i challenge you to race my 330hp Ed30 :wink: I can assure you, it runs like a monster :grin:
I bet.. Any pics or vids mate? As yours sounds like what mine will look like once I get my Black Detroits sorted..
-
The Ed30 has a 5-door option. Does the S3?
-
Standard ED30 isn't slower than an S3 off the mark!
At Inters last year there was a new S3 which went down the 1/4 mile quite a few times. The best it managed was 0-60 in 5.75 seconds - mine (as you ALL must know) 5.66 seconds. Same day and same timing device. In the wet I still managed a 6 second sprint and I'm sure the S3 would still not be that far in front as to make virtually no difference.
The S3 does have a larger intercooler, bigger brakes and Xenons as standard, but it is still expensive.
Would I have one over an ED30 - NO - I've had a 3dr A3 before and it isn't as practical as a 5dr, neither does it come with DSG :sad:
-
....Ed30 = DSG, 5-door, more load space, and more style. You'd have to consider a Oettinger works modded A3 Sportback to get close.
-
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/wolfbane1967/20080207466ed.jpg)
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/wolfbane1967/20080207469ed.jpg)
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/wolfbane1967/20080204457.jpg)
-
as far as im aware the only dif engine wise is the intercooler and an s3 intercooler fits straight on an ed30,costs far less than 7k and that would make it faster than an s3 easy considering ex weight,thats before you start remapping.
-
The Ed30 has a 5-door option. Does the S3?
Also the Ed30 has a DSG option. Does the S3 ? :tongue: :grin: (well not yet anyway)
-
the fact that the ed30 and the s3 are spoken in the same breath means a lot of pluses and minusis on both counts ........ however one is £7k more than the other - you'd need your head examined to pay that amount extra for whay is basically the same car.
For S3 money you could be in a 335i!
-
The Golf has more class than any version of the Audi A3.
Indeed more class than most cars on the road.
-
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd153/joesgti/audi_s3.jpg)
or
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd153/joesgti/normal_picture_001.jpg)
or
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q31/oaw9/whiteleon010-1.jpg)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q31/oaw9/whiteleon003.jpg)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q31/oaw9/whiteleon001.jpg)
Remember there is another VAG car that is able to compete with the S3 and Ed30 ;)
-
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q31/oaw9/whiteleon001.jpg)
Remember there is another VAG car that is able to compete with the S3 and Ed30 ;)
:sick:
-
Whether it's good value or not, the SEAT is defo not class!!
Actually I think that that white S3 looks classier than the Ed30 but I wouldn't hesitate to choose the Ed30 to buy.
-
of all the 3 white cars here, the best looking one is E30.
Lately I have been looking at the new TTS (you can spec it on German Audi website - 52000 euro I got), and 335i (new would cost around 57000 Euro, with my spec, which includes M package, but no hole in the roof and no navigation).
In my eyes, one of these cars will be my next, although it will be really hard parting with E30. :cry:
-
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q31/oaw9/whiteleon001.jpg)
Remember there is another VAG car that is able to compete with the S3 and Ed30 ;)
:sick:
Seconded :sick: Wouldn't have one of those over a GTI if it was half the price!
-
....Methinks that the SEAT would look much better if it was plastered with sponsors paint etc and stripped out and used on the track.
-
I would say the Cupra is well worth the money,nice Engine,R32 brakes,Recaro seats :wink:
-
I would say the Cupra is well worth the money,nice Engine,R32 brakes,Recaro seats :wink:
it probably is better value, but the looks alone put me off - I must be very shallow :embarassed:
-
I like the Leon Cupra, but then I have one so I am biased ;). And unlike the MK5 Golf GTi, it is still not common (yet) which is good :)
To be fair, the repsonses here are what one would expect from a Golf GTi forum. You would get pro S3 answer from their forum and pro Leon answers from their forum if you asked the same question.
In my opinion, the S3 is a much nicer car than the MK5 Golf GTi. It looks better, it is less common, it has 4 wheel drive and therefore a better basis for tuning (try getting power down fully from standstill on a wet road in an Ed30), the interior is nicer etc etc. Would I have one? No. Why? I need 5 door for the company car policy, but even if I never needed this, the S3 is very expensive - overly expensive in my opinion although it is an awesome car.
Why did I choose the Leon Cupra over the Edition 30? It is rarer, newer, better set up out the box (brakes) and it is cheaper. I also like the way it looks although the centre part of the dash is rank.
However, as it is almost identical under the skin to the Edition 30, what is good for one is good for the other as far as tuning etc goes.
-
I like the Leon Cupra, but then I have one so I am biased ;). And unlike the MK5 Golf GTi, it is still not common (yet) which is good :)
To be fair, the repsonses here are what one would expect from a Golf GTi forum. You would get pro S3 answer from their forum and pro Leon answers from their forum if you asked the same question.
In my opinion, the S3 is a much nicer car than the MK5 Golf GTi. It looks better, it is less common, it has 4 wheel drive and therefore a better basis for tuning (try getting power down fully from standstill on a wet road in an Ed30), the interior is nicer etc etc. Would I have one? No. Why? I need 5 door for the company car policy, but even if I never needed this, the S3 is very expensive - overly expensive in my opinion although it is an awesome car.
Why did I choose the Leon Cupra over the Edition 30? It is rarer, newer, better set up out the box (brakes) and it is cheaper. I also like the way it looks although the centre part of the dash is rank.
However, as it is almost identical under the skin to the Edition 30, what is good for one is good for the other as far as tuning etc goes.
it's not about mechanics, it's about interior and exterior. For me it was worth to pay the premium for E30, actually, I did not even consider Seat as an option.
-
I think the seat is actually a nice car looks wise. It looks like they spent alot of time making it look original and not like other cars on the road and should be applauded for that. I havent seen one inside so I wont comment on that!
Call me a badge snob but...... its just the Seat badge that spoil it.
-
I like the Leon Cupra, but then I have one so I am biased ;). And unlike the MK5 Golf GTi, it is still not common (yet) which is good :)
To be fair, the repsonses here are what one would expect from a Golf GTi forum. You would get pro S3 answer from their forum and pro Leon answers from their forum if you asked the same question.
In my opinion, the S3 is a much nicer car than the MK5 Golf GTi. It looks better, it is less common, it has 4 wheel drive and therefore a better basis for tuning (try getting power down fully from standstill on a wet road in an Ed30), the interior is nicer etc etc. Would I have one? No. Why? I need 5 door for the company car policy, but even if I never needed this, the S3 is very expensive - overly expensive in my opinion although it is an awesome car.
Why did I choose the Leon Cupra over the Edition 30? It is rarer, newer, better set up out the box (brakes) and it is cheaper. I also like the way it looks although the centre part of the dash is rank.
However, as it is almost identical under the skin to the Edition 30, what is good for one is good for the other as far as tuning etc goes.
it's not about mechanics, it's about interior and exterior. For me it was worth to pay the premium for E30, actually, I did not even consider Seat as an option.
And its for that exact reason I would not even consider an Ed30 if I wanted an S3 although it also happens to have the 4 wheel drive advantage :)
-
I like the Leon Cupra, but then I have one so I am biased ;). And unlike the MK5 Golf GTi, it is still not common (yet) which is good :)
To be fair, the repsonses here are what one would expect from a Golf GTi forum. You would get pro S3 answer from their forum and pro Leon answers from their forum if you asked the same question.
In my opinion, the S3 is a much nicer car than the MK5 Golf GTi. It looks better, it is less common, it has 4 wheel drive and therefore a better basis for tuning (try getting power down fully from standstill on a wet road in an Ed30), the interior is nicer etc etc. Would I have one? No. Why? I need 5 door for the company car policy, but even if I never needed this, the S3 is very expensive - overly expensive in my opinion although it is an awesome car.
Why did I choose the Leon Cupra over the Edition 30? It is rarer, newer, better set up out the box (brakes) and it is cheaper. I also like the way it looks although the centre part of the dash is rank.
However, as it is almost identical under the skin to the Edition 30, what is good for one is good for the other as far as tuning etc goes.
it's not about mechanics, it's about interior and exterior. For me it was worth to pay the premium for E30, actually, I did not even consider Seat as an option.
And its for that exact reason I would not even consider an Ed30 if I wanted an S3 although it also happens to have the 4 wheel drive advantage :)
there is a cut-off point money-wise. Mine was at the price of E30. S3 is too rich for me.