Golf GTI or the R

[a9wyn]

I have owned my GTI PP for just over a year now and I traded a one owner (me) mk1 TT 3.2 man. in for it. I  wish  now I had bought an S3 Sportback. Don't get me wrong the GTI is a very good car and I am very pleased with it. But, it's not an Audi. I have owned and still own VW's for well over 40 years, but I miss the Audi. Every time I see an S3 I wish I had bought one.

[Watts]

GTI traction vastly improved with Michelin tyres, I'm amazed over the improvement on the Pirellis. Just a thought.

As to the OP's question, I'd say go with what you really want as both will be a massive pile of cash. The best value for money will be the one you won't regret

[Daz Auto]

Traction is terrible in any other than perfect conditions.

I don't understand that either. And the conditions are terrible at the moment. Though I do have new Michelin PS4 tyres as well. Also, the VAQ limited slip diff probably helps.

Even Chinese ditch finder tyres would give good traction on a Golf R.

[Darlo]

My manual GTI did have PS4’s on eventually and yes it did improve it. Found the manual far easier to drive from standing.

My current GTI dsg has Bridgestones on it... that combined with the gearbox just isn’t for me. Plus I came from a modified S3 which was  fantastic at getting the power down.

[CHB100]

I have owned my GTI PP for just over a year now and I traded a one owner (me) mk1 TT 3.2 man. in for it. I  wish  now I had bought an S3 Sportback. Don't get me wrong the GTI is a very good car and I am very pleased with it. But, it's not an Audi. I have owned and still own VW's for well over 40 years, but I miss the Audi. Every time I see an S3 I wish I had bought one.

I see an S3 nearly every day in the village and so so glad I bought the facelift R. Then I do have an issue with Audi's and their owners, that treatment has never resolved Please do try a facelift R before you jump ship.

[clarky92]

If your jumping from an s3 I would go golf r. You will miss the power and grip in a gti and regret it. Different league of car espically on our greasy roads.

Test drives are the thing you need to do

[RAIDEN]

I was thinking I could save a few quid and go with the GTI PP.  Few videos I watched the R just seemed a bit quicker and better on the track with the AWD.  I rarely get time now to put my foot to the floor but I am very used to the grip on the S3 when I do push it.  My wifes California is booked in for a service next weekend so i've asked if they have both there for me to check out.

But with the grip and ride issue I defo think tyres make all the difference.  Years ago I had cheap tyres on my R32 and one day it was wet and giving it plenty and of coarse I lost it.  Changed to a set of Pilot sport 3 and it was so much better, Never made that mistake again

[Daz Auto]

But with the grip and ride issue I defo think tyres make all the difference.  Years ago I had cheap tyres on my R32 and one day it was wet and giving it plenty and of coarse I lost it.  Changed to a set of Pilot sport 3 and it was so much better, Never made that mistake again

... so, as you discovered yourself - grip comes from your tyres and NOT your drive system.

When I had the GTD with OEM Bridgestone tyres I though the car was poor in bad weather. It would easily spin the tyres, understeer on roundabouts and flash the ABS light when braking. When the front tyres were done I replaced all 4 with Goodyear Eagle AS2s. It was like driving a different car.

This time round I upgrade the tyres on my brand new car straight away.

[RAIDEN]

With the snow we had I learned a new lesson. I'm running Eagle F1 asymmetric 3's at the moment and went out to get my niece who got stuck in it and then of course I got stuck.  The Audi boys have told buy a set of michelin all weather tyres next time.  Absolute crap in the snow but I thought I would get away with it

[Daz Auto]

With the snow we had I learned a new lesson. I'm running Eagle F1 asymmetric 3's at the moment and went out to get my niece who got stuck in it and then of course I got stuck.  The Audi boys have told buy a set of michelin all weather tyres next time.  Absolute crap in the snow but I thought I would get away with it

I vaguely remember some discussion on that recently

Here is what VW have to say on their website -

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/need-help/owners/winter-tyres-4motion

"Do I need winter tyres if my car has 4 Motion?

Volkswagen's 4 Motion definitely offers an advantage delivering drive to the road, although it's a mistake to think that 4 Motion means you don't need winter tyres. When they're fitted, winter tyres increase the 4 Motion advantage significantly and will make sure you get the best results out of your 4 Motion system. 4 Motion doesn't do much for steering and braking. Fitting winter tyres provides better drive, steering and braking."

We live in the northern half of the UK. There are usually a few weeks of snow and ice every year. Some years more. We were going to buy an A3 with Quattro for my wife. After reading many articles and watching many videos, we bought a FWD A3 and fit winter tyres every Autumn.

There are a lot of myths about 4WD. Google search - 4WD myths.

Our FWD A3 accelerates really well on snow AND ice. More importantly it stops really well in those conditions too, because the tyres have plenty of grip.