Day of testdrives - The feedback (hope you are sitting comfortably !)

[drisser]

Thing is I am planning to buy the car outright anyway so I am just looking at putting max deposit to minimise the monthly cost, then pay the balance at some point within 24-36 months so may main drivers are - not going silly on spec, not paying a high interest rate, and good residuals.

The way I see it with Audi as you can put down 50% its more or less half up front, pay the finance charges over 24-36 and the pay the other 50% off at the end which I am fine with.. personally don't want to be on a PCP bandwagon..

Its looking like a straight fight now between S3 and 330d to be honest they both tick a lot of boxes..  time to play them off against each other for the best trade in price and extras thrown in..

[am1w]

Thing is I am planning to buy the car outright anyway so I am just looking at putting max deposit to minimise the monthly cost, then pay the balance at some point within 24-36 months so may main drivers are - not going silly on spec, not paying a high interest rate, and good residuals.

The way I see it with Audi as you can put down 50% its more or less half up front, pay the finance charges over 24-36 and the pay the other 50% off at the end which I am fine with.. personally don't want to be on a PCP bandwagon..

Its looking like a straight fight now between S3 and 330d to be honest they both tick a lot of boxes..  time to play them off against each other for the best trade in price and extras thrown in..

I see your point. I, however, get pretty bored with a car once the 2 year mark has passed.

Wonder which car will win? Both cars are very different, but both are super.

Best of luck in securing the best deal.

[fredgroves]

You could try looking at total cost of ownership over a period?

MPG, Road Tax, Insurance, Servicing...

Unless of course the monetary difference makes not one jot to you.

Maybe add the extras you want to each and review the price again? Neither BMW nor Audi give you jack in the way of extras. BMW certainly don't even offer things like rear headrests without a cost!

[am1w]

BMW certainly don't even offer things like rear headrests without a cost!

That is incorrect. All F30 BMWs come with 3 rear headrests as standard. Also, all F30 BMWs come with Sat Nav. 330d M Sports come with very good standard spec.

[fredgroves]

Hmmm I'm sure when i started building a 5 series they wanted to charge me for headrests.... and mirrors and seats and....

[monkeyhanger]

One question - does the Golf R (and I assume also S3 ) run on 98 RON petrol only or 95 also.  I must have missed the budget but diesel is the same price as unleaded everywhere now... which makes petrol less compelling v the 330d..

A penny or 2 drop on diesel makes petrol less compelling now? Wait until the oil Sheiks stop over producing in order to seriously undercut the American frackers, everything will be up 20p a litre. 98 RON is the recommended fuel for the R (and the S3), but it will run at around 285ps on RON95. You're looking at 7 - 15p a litre more for Super unleaded than Diesel or regular unleaded right now.

[wigit]

i did have a S3 moment today, sportback in sepang blue with the anthracite wheels

[matchboy]

i did have a S3 moment today, sportback in sepang blue with the anthracite wheels

I've seen one of those in the flesh, and turns an otherwise bland car into something special - awesome colour!

[wigit]

i did have a S3 moment today, sportback in sepang blue with the anthracite wheels

I've seen one of those in the flesh, and turns an otherwise bland car into something special - awesome colour!

A few knock sepang for being too popular but it is a stunning colour, i did spec a S3 up last night but thought RS

I do need to test drive a RS and drive it properly to see how it does handle

[matchboy]

i did have a S3 moment today, sportback in sepang blue with the anthracite wheels

I've seen one of those in the flesh, and turns an otherwise bland car into something special - awesome colour!

A few knock sepang for being too popular but it is a stunning colour, i did spec a S3 up last night but thought RS

I do need to test drive a RS and drive it properly to see how it does handle

I've seen two RS3's, one in Sepang Blue, the other in the Red - both look stunning I have to say.  I'm just not keen on the minimalistic interior - not doubting the quality of it, it just looks a bit dull for a £50k car.