S3

[mk7gti]

I went to see the S3 a few weeks back in the flesh and its a great looking car. The interior quality is in a different league to the Golf GTI. Having said that I have ordered a GTI 

[CraigW]

I went to see the S3 a few weeks back in the flesh and its a great looking car. The interior quality is in a different league to the Golf GTI. Having said that I have ordered a GTI 

The interior does look particularly nice and I like the air vents on the Audi's, very cool. The only thing is I actually prefer where the MMI is located in the golf, i.e. the middle of the console, rather than the Audi where it raises up from the top of the dashboard

[Bill_the_Bear]

S3 comes to £6k more than the GTI when speced to the same level as my order.

Its offering more power (which is desirable in this size vehicle why exactly?) but its not offering style or heritage like the GTI is.  I doubt 99 out of 100 people would know what an S3 is or be able to recognise it.  But you always know a car is a GTI, even when you don't know.  Let me explain.  Every now and then a Golf catches the corner of my eye, or is in the distance ahead on a motorway and I think "damn, the Golf looks good..." and when I get closer guess what, its a GTI.  Its that subtle styling that sets it apart even from far away.  Never happened with an S3 or an A3 for that matter.

To be honest if I had that extra £6k I would keep it and grab the GTI.  Otherwise I would be looking at a salon, an A4 or 3-series.

EDIT:
Thinking about it the Audis are even worse than normal on this.  So many times I see something in the review view or coming towards me on the opposite lane and I think it is an A4 or an A3 or A5 or whatever... then it turns out to be an A1.  From the front I don't think I could tell the difference between the A1,3,4,5 or 6.  It just seems to generic, too boring.

[mac7]

Being a Mk6 R owner I'm obviously waiting for the Mk7 to appear but I keep seeing 5 door A3's and quite like them. I think VW has the edge over Audi in terms of raw driving appeal these days, certainly with the Golf/A3 platform cars.

Price-wise not surprised they are more expensive - Audi is positioned above VW in the market place after all.

From the front I don't think I could tell the difference between the A1,3,4,5 or 6.  It just seems to generic, too boring.

Some of my mates say the same about VW's.

[Bill_the_Bear]

From the front I don't think I could tell the difference between the A1,3,4,5 or 6.  It just seems to generic, too boring.

Some of my mates say the same about VW's.

Granted my assertion is subjective, yet I struggle to see how anyone can incorrectly identify a VW car from the front on a consistent basis.  A Polo, Golf and Passat do not look the same in your rear view mirror, whereas an A1, A3 and A4 frequently do.

Please note I'm not a VW fan/Audi basher.  Until now I've only ever bought Ford, yet for years I've been confused about what Audi I am looking at when only looking at its front.  My dad even drove an A6 which I would see on a regular basis and still I'd confuse it with the A3 or A4, yet have no difficulty identifying any other car that I can think of.  Either I'm just inexplicably hopeless at spotting Audis or they are doing something such that 9/10 times the front looks the same, while on all other cars 10/10 times there is no confusion.  Its far too improbable to be coincidence frankly.

EDIT:
Also I bet none of your mates say the GTI is boring though.  And if they do I bet its because they bought an S3.   But I jest...

[Running Man]

I would take an R over an S3 every time.

VW which look good = Golf and Polo

Audi = A5 and R8

[Hobojim]

I would take an R over an S3 every time.

VW which look good = Golf and Polo

Audi = A5 and R8

I think the Polo is great, would love to see a Clio RS type Polo. 200bhp and add some lightness.

[Hawaii-Five-O]

VW which look good = Golf and Polo

What about the Scirocco = a cracker!

 

[Chriscav]

Really like the understated look of this.
Very tempted to cancel the golf and go for this.
Would have to compromise on spec as my choices would make the car nearly 36k 

[CraigW]

Really like the understand look of this.
Very tempted to cancel the golf and go for this.
Would have to compromise on spec as my choices would make the cat nearly 36k 

Chris

IMO if you can afford it you should go for it. It's a step up from the GTI but that's my opinion