Guess what's available to order tomorrow : )

[monkeyhanger]

S3 looks a little slower on paper (they quote 0-62 as 5.3s on the S3 - haven't seen a good reason why, as it is a little lighter - slightly higher gearing than the R?).

MH, when I had my R I encountered a new S3 (same reg) and we had a little play from a rolling start on an empty duel carriageway, and we were neck and neck the whole way (up to the speed limit of course  ) - it was exactly the same speed.  Granted, both were 300ps, so I'd imagine the 310 ones are the same too.

Did I read you wouldn't tick the virtual cockpit in the S3?  Honestly, go have a look at one before you do this, it's awesome!  I still think the R is the better looking of the two cars though.

It is a toss up between the 2 - lots of little things in the S3's favour, a couple of big things in the R's favour.

The R can be got a bit cheaper, but the S3 has better looking residuals (going off GFV).

The S3 can be got without the virtual cockpit and has great looking dials (I don't like the virtual cockpit from when I saw it in a TTS, something very weird about the flat 2D look of the output, maybe i'd get used to it - all cars are heading this way, so i'll have to!).

The R has more equipment, but Audi has closed that gap quite a bit, I would've had to spend £3k on options pre-facelift to get what I would consider essential, now it is more like £1500.

This Winter more than the last seems to highlight to me how crap and clumsy the touchscreen is in the Golf when the weather is cold. The MMI toggle that Audi uses is much better.

The R does look considerably better side on, but I like the front and back profiles of the S3 as much as those of the R - they're both quite understated externally.

The standard seats in the S3 look much better, the rest of the cabin i'm not arsed about either way - both are good in their own way.

As it is i'll probably be looking to order either (when I make my mind up and assuming I don't pick something else) towards the back end of this year for next March now i've got my sensible head back on! Unless I could get £20k for Sept on mine, i'd be waiting for the 18 plate.

[JamesR27]

I am in the boat as you monkeyhanger, although I am looking now. Trying to get a couple test drives in both of an S3 and current golf in DSG/STronic.

It's a very hard call as like you said pluses and minuses to both. 

[matchboy]

Interesting comparison MH, as you say tough choice between the two!  Nice problem to have though as both are awesome motors

[davyk31]

Might be tempted to upgrade my GTD for a new one. DTD seem to be showing 16% off at the moment which is nice when you're at the buying stage but a bit alarming for residuals.

[fredgroves]

VW finance were showing a GFV of £10k on a 20k p/a GTD when I got a quote. Doesn't look like the FL has changed much.

Is the car actually worth only 10k after 3 years and 60k on the clock? Of course it isn't.

[brown.jamesa]

I am in the boat as you monkeyhanger, although I am looking now. Trying to get a couple test drives in both of an S3 and current golf in DSG/STronic.

It's a very hard call as like you said pluses and minuses to both.

Hi James,

I am also in the same boat as you, but have test driven the following cars over the past 2 weekends which has left my re-questioning myself on what I want?:

Golf GTI PP DSG (7.0) -
Tested on a wet day and was impressed but not really wow'd over my current GTD performance around 10-50mph

Audi S3 310 BHP (Manual) -
Nice, but standard seats where not a comfy as the golf, also tech was nice but I know the FL golf will have a hi-res screen and prefer to touch the screen to control things instead of a wheel/dial

Golf R DSG (7.0) -
Sounded better than the S3 and felt faster as it was a DSG, seat more comfy and was use to the setup, very fast and gripped really well, i left the car with a big smile on face.

Golf GTI CS 40 DSG (7.0)
Wheel spin city, every time I put my foot hard down, the wheels spun like mad, but I think thats what to be expected of a 265/290 BHP front wheel car.

I thought I made up my mind with R, but keep on re-thinking about waiting for the GTI 7.5 PP with DSG 7 speed due to the increase in MPG and that having all the power i need, as I am thinking when do I really need 310BHP (maybe 15% of the time?).

This is nice problem to have and have offers around 10% off the following R Spec for a cash price:

Golf R 2.0 litre TSI 310ps 5 door DSG 4wd            33,935.00
Lapiz Blue Metallic                  630.00
Heat-insulating tinted glass 90%                    95.00
DNS PRO              1,325.00
Black 'Vienna' leather              1,750.00
Dynaudio Excite soundpack                  550.00

I know I want the 7 speed DSG gearbox and would probably be happy with the performance pack GTI, but I know there is wait :-(   Think I might need another go in the GTI PP DSG ??

[JamesR27]

I am in the boat as you monkeyhanger, although I am looking now. Trying to get a couple test drives in both of an S3 and current golf in DSG/STronic.

It's a very hard call as like you said pluses and minuses to both.

Hi James,

I am also in the same boat as you, but have test driven the following cars over the past 2 weekends which has left my re-questioning myself on what I want?:

Golf GTI PP DSG (7.0) -
Tested on a wet day and was impressed but not really wow'd over my current GTD performance around 10-50mph

Audi S3 310 BHP (Manual) -
Nice, but standard seats where not a comfy as the golf, also tech was nice but I know the FL golf will have a hi-res screen and prefer to touch the screen to control things instead of a wheel/dial

Golf R DSG (7.0) -
Sounded better than the S3 and felt faster as it was a DSG, seat more comfy and was use to the setup, very fast and gripped really well, i left the car with a big smile on face.

Golf GTI CS 40 DSG (7.0)
Wheel spin city, every time I put my foot hard down, the wheels spun like mad, but I think thats what to be expected of a 265/290 BHP front wheel car.

I thought I made up my mind with R, but keep on re-thinking about waiting for the GTI 7.5 PP with DSG 7 speed due to the increase in MPG and that having all the power i need, as I am thinking when do I really need 310BHP (maybe 15% of the time?).

This is nice problem to have and have offers around 10% off the following R Spec for a cash price:

Golf R 2.0 litre TSI 310ps 5 door DSG 4wd            33,935.00
Lapiz Blue Metallic                  630.00
Heat-insulating tinted glass 90%                    95.00
DNS PRO              1,325.00
Black 'Vienna' leather              1,750.00
Dynaudio Excite soundpack                  550.00

I know I want the 7 speed DSG gearbox and would probably be happy with the performance pack GTI, but I know there is wait :-(   Think I might need another go in the GTI PP DSG ??

All good cars and I know its very difficult to decide. I have had 3 GTI's now mk5 - 7 and even today for driving around town my GTI non PP is all you really need and I like the seats the steering wheel controls. It does everything well and is definatly a step up from the MK6, however I don't use my car everyday now, so thats what got me thinking to swap to the R or S3 for something that does push on a bit harder and gives the grin factor again.