S3

[Hobojim]

The other car I was considering was the new S3 sport back. I just did an online configuration and specified the Audi up to the level of GTI I have ordered (Sat nav - 5 yr warranty). It comes out at.... wait for it..... 36.5k !!!! 



That's 11k more than the GTI I ordered!

[Chief1337]

I've also been looking at the S3, as soon as you start adding all the options it becomes very expensive, VERY quickly. The Golf obviously comes with a lot more 'as standard'. Depends I guess if the standard features on the golf are of any use to you or not.

[CraigW]

The other car I was considering was the new S3 sport back. I just did an online configuration and specified the Audi up to the level of GTI I have ordered (Sat nav - 5 yr warranty). It comes out at.... wait for it..... 36.5k !!!! 



That's 11k more than the GTI I ordered!

I was really interested in the S3 as well coming from a TT and it was very high up on my list of potential new cars. However, I was already thinking that it would be out of my budget before they released the price and hence why I took the plunge with the GTI.

I was actually surprised to see them list it at just over £30k as I thought it would have been £33k - £34k. To be fair with the base spec your getting leather seats and proper 4wd not to mention 300bhp, but (and it's a big but) everything else is an option  Audi really are tight with standard equipment.

I also doubt you would get any sort of discount on the S3

[Hobojim]

That is why I love the golf so much more,the standard seats are great you don't have to upgrade to leather to make it feel special. A lot of the golf stuff I will use like the folding mirrors and cruise control. Things like the auto dimming rear view are nice, but flicking the little tab underneath the mirror isn't hard. I can't believe the S3 doesn't come with cruise control!

[Thornster]

The very two cars i'm looking at!

A little difficult to compare the two, as the R will be more comparable to the S3.

I think everyone would agree that Auto Lights/Wipers should be standard on a car costing £32k, although it does at least get Heated Seats & Washer Jets as standard.

Having run a Mk4 25th Anniversary GTI for 111,000 miles I have a soft spot for the GTI, and a recent Test Drive confirmed i'd be more than happy to own another GTI!

[matchboy]

I did an S3 config yesterday - I wasn't surprised by the price (£33k) to be honest as it does 0-60 in 5.2 secs (manual), and it's actually great value for a car that quick. What I was surprised was the lack of standard equipment for a top of the range car.  Personally I'd rather have the R when it comes out.

[Thornster]

If the R is priced right (needs to be under £30k as the S3 manual is £30,640) it'll be a good option, especially if the discount is 5 - 10% like the GTI.

I think the S3 is well priced when you look at the price of the Scirocco R and previous Mk6 Golf R, and even the Mk6 35th Anniversary GTI.

Is it worth £4,795 more than a GTI?

[mjh_056]

I could have spec a base GTI or even really pushed to a base S3 but at significant cost to self but experience of not being overly happy, the pain even, at seeing the additional ££ eating my income through months after, has over time brought my head into balance with my heart! Fully loaded GTD at no personal cost won over some addtional badge kudos and additional performance (In day to day driving conditions the GTD will very much hold its own perfornance wise as that is my experience now)

If budget is of absolutely no issue to you then chase the dream to the max as would love top spec GTI R and S3 but for those like me who have to spread ££ around the additional you get in performance for the loss in income has for me at least not proven to be worth. Think this GTD strikes the perfect balance

Likely getting a MKV GTI now as second car though as being on this forum and more I see them, the more I want one! My favourite GTI styling.

[monkeyhanger]

Is it worth £4,795 more than a GTI?

There's more than that in it in reality due to the woeful level of equipment on the S3. I could live with a base spec GTI for it's standard equipment, but I would have to add a fair few options on the S3 to live with it every day. Spec the 2 the same and in reality that extra performance is costing you £8k more.

[wigit]

Got to admit I was shocked at the lack of base spec, bugs me that lumbar support is £200 as I've always found Audi seats shocking compared to the GTI, I was at £34k but in reality would go Golf R as for me the A3 is a bit bland