A full day of test drives approaching..

[drisser]

I don't think an RS is realistic to be honest but hey worth a look.

I did manage a quick spin in another dealers S3 after work today in the soaking wet and was impressed, specially full bore onto a dual carriage way, wet road the grip was impressive.  Nice feeling of quality and from memory a bit more space in the  back than a golf.

Have a proper drive of the S3 tomorrow.. Hope the dealer got the R lined up its the only one as yet not confirmed for tomorrow..

I think when all is said and done the 3 realistic cars will be Golf R, S3 and BMW 330d x drive,  all practical, all fast, 4 door, sensible costs, ticks the boxes as everyday useable fun..they should all clock in at just over 30k with discount I guess, on the assumption I don't go silly on S3 options..

[Jackie Treehorn]

I'd have the GTI, pocket the change and spend it on trackdays

+1

My reason for trading in a Cayman S and switching to something where consumables are far more affordable. £188 for a rear tyre compared to £98 on the Golf is only the start of it 

[drisser]

This is a valid point, for starters when I check insurance the GTi came in much cheaper than the other.. And given I could get a specced as I want GTi PP for bout £25k with discount I could have it fully paid off in the time the others will still have a final payment due..

Am looking forward  to driving the PP tomorrow as I think I on,y drove the 220 last year..

[Bungleaio]

Any thoughts of the Seat Leon Cupra? I was quite impressed when I test drove one.

[am1w]

I rather have a car with a spare in the boot especially with our terrible roads which are covered with lots of tyre damaging objects. The R/GTI/GTD/S3 tick this box. The cost of tyres for all these is the same.

The BMW: Has Runflats and fat lot of good they are. Most of the time they are not repairable and the only advantage is that it will get you to the tyre shop but the tyre and possibly the wheel is buggered. No spare obviously in the massive boot. Mind you, we have never had a puncture on our 3 F30 330d sDrive M Sport BMWs (I am now tempting fate), but I have on my R just recently.

The RS3: No spare which is bad, tiddly boot (280 litres). Great performance but the R is the better drive. Expensive car

Petrol cars: My choice would be the R or the S3. Again, R is the better drive. S3 has a great interior and looks expensive. Choose the one with the best deal. Both great cars.

Diesel cars: Obviously GTD or 330d xDrive. Very different cars. But it is BMW for me, no doubt.

Have fun choosing!

[drisser]

Feedback to come tomorrow !

[CraigW]

Have to say I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. It's a great range of cars you have lined up and I'm sure they will have their good points and bad. I'm particularly interested on your thoughts regarding M235i as its high up on my wish list as a potential next car. The RS3 would be amazing but probably a bit out my price range at the moment.

[drisser]

It's a real shame there aren't more 5 cyl cars out there Craig.

Worried I will love the RS3 and not afford it !  Can honestly say I haven't driven a car with better charisma, sound and punch than my 5 cyl 20v turbo fiat, including BMW straight sixes..

So the rS3 is going to be that plus 50% at least in terms of engine thrills..

Still, will be a fun and interesting day, hope I get a chance to drive the golf R

[CraigW]

It's a real shame there aren't more 5 cyl cars out there Craig.

Worried I will love the RS3 and not afford it !  Can honestly say I haven't driven a car with better charisma, sound and punch than my 5 cyl 20v turbo fiat, including BMW straight sixes..

So the rS3 is going to be that plus 50% at least in terms of engine thrills..

Still, will be a fun and interesting day, hope I get a chance to drive the golf R

Completely agree Andy. Very few 5 cyl vehicles nowadays. There's a real danger that test driving the RS3 will make the R feel quite bland in comparison and therefore could be very harmful to your wallet 

[monkeyhanger]

It's a real shame there aren't more 5 cyl cars out there Craig.

Worried I will love the RS3 and not afford it !  Can honestly say I haven't driven a car with better charisma, sound and punch than my 5 cyl 20v turbo fiat, including BMW straight sixes..

So the rS3 is going to be that plus 50% at least in terms of engine thrills..

Still, will be a fun and interesting day, hope I get a chance to drive the golf R

Completely agree Andy. Very few 5 cyl vehicles nowadays. There's a real danger that test driving the RS3 will make the R feel quite bland in comparison and therefore could be very harmful to your wallet 

The price of EU6 compliance.