Golf R32 Vs S3 225

Post by **Alan** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 1:24 pm

Well I just had 3 hours with what I consider to be one hell of a car.
The Golf R32.
3.2V6, 240bhp, 4WD.
Not blisteringly quick (about 6.5 to 60 and 14 to 100 so very comparable) but what really made it for me was the handling and general chassis setup, a real joy.
Pointy, pointy, pointy, lovely crisp, slightly notchy gearchange, razor-sharp throttle response (maybe a little too much so for town driving) beautiful light controls, and fantastic manners in as much that you can comfortably twitch the rear end with a juditious lift of the right foot if you really want to.
Understeers very slightly if you adopt the slow-in approach as the only fault I could find with the cars' setup is that the engine (which is the same as in the VR6 and V6 4-Motion) is a bit on the heavy side and a lot of it is in front of the front axle. However they have done a magnificent job of controlling this with the rest of the setup.
Nice and firm, and a lovely exhaust note.
REALLY reminded me of a civilised EVO [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] and I'd take one over a Scooby anyday.
Would buy one but:
1) Ultimately S3 is as quick
2) Ultimately S3 handles as well (probably not on a track however)
3) most important, S3 is more of a comfortable ride/cruise and this is to be SWMBO's car and the one we use for trips to Cornwall etc with the dog [img]images/graemlins/nodder.gif[/img]
However [img]images/graemlins/24430-audibash.gif[/img] the S3 is 5 billion percent less involving/rewarding to drive, like all Audis, and in comparison it just "does it" while in the R32 you feel totally "involved".
A really, really impressive car.

However I am buying the S3 [img]images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img] of course, just thought you guys might be interested, blag a drive if you can [img]images/graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Post by **Alan** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 4:50 pm

"However I am buying the S3 of course!"

<DOH!>

Err...don't look like I am

Just found a brand new, UK dealer supply, unregistered R32 for list price, exact spec and colour that we'd want, available now!

Hastily off to drive the S3 again to try and stop meself just going for it willy-nilly...

Post by **tightcode** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:00 pm

I know this is a bit late but I thought I would post here before starting a new thread. I myself am trying to consider between an S3 and an R32. What I am looking for is something about the size of those two, proper awd (4motion or quattro etc...), good handling, and can be driven in town, not just the autoroutes. What prompted this is that I found a local R32 2003 30'000km for 25'000€ and in price shopping I found that the S3 doesn't appear to be any more expensive really. Could you give to me some tips about the two cars ?
ie:
- 4motion or quattro, which is better ?
- If it is the only car I am going to be owning at the time, will the r32 or s3 be bareable ?
- Is the suspension in the S3/R32 is far superior in design and functionality over the S3/R32 ?
- Is S3/R32 is much safer when being harshly fondled by a drunk driver than the S3/R32 ?

[edit]Something just occured to me. I saw an RS2 for 20'000€ (here). I realize it is a bigger auto, how does it compare in handling etc... to the other two I mentioned ? I realize it is 10 years old, that is the only thing which makes me a little nervous (10 years/140'000km) progress in 10 years is probably huge so I am still considering the previous two mentioned, just thought I would throw this one in in case someone had an opinion on it.[/edit]

Really any information would help make my shopping eaiser ! Thanks in advance !

Cheers,

TightCode

PS: I am not in CH but in continental EU, just a website I was using for pricing used autos.

Post by **Riz_RS4** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:20 pm

Right where do i start....

I used to own a Audi S3 before my R32.

- 4motion or quattro, which is better ? They are both based on the same Haldex 4WD system although the R32 is a better and newer revision
- If it is the only car I am going to be owning at the time, will the r32 or s3 be bareable ? Both are equally good, remember the R32 is more sport and will have a harder suspension setup- Is the suspension in the S3/R32 is far superior in design and functionality over the S3/R32 ? Yes i would say the Golf R32 has one of the best suspension setups based on its platform, once again the S3 will be smoother in ride- Is S3/R32 is much safer when being harshly fondled by a drunk driver than the S3/R32 ? Well this new ECU update has totally transformed the car, before it was just slightly quicker than my S3 if not at all... but with this update i feel its alot faster....

I agree with most of the comment BUT and big but..... did the R32 you test have the ECU update version 6463. If not your really missing out.... all of the R32`s tested with this new ECU update have produced over 250bhp

They are two very different cars though.... the R32 is geared up to be a more sporty car... the Haldex 4WD system is similar to the Audi S3`s but its revised version.. lets you have more fun...

I do miss the quality of the interior of the S3 but the R32 is way better in my opinion.

In standard form ofcourse.....

I managed to secure one of the last deep blue 5 door versions and its made life so much easier..... plus i dont really think it ruins the car being a 5 door....

The noise is amazing..........

Oh and its rarer too...

Riz

Post by **tightcode** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:28 pm

I actually haven't tested the R32 yet. Could you give me a mini checklist of things to look for ? I have never been in an R32 before. What is desireable what isn't etc...
And are you happy with it for getting you around town as well ?

Cheers and thanks for the prompt response and pictures !

TightCode

Post by **Riz_RS4** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 3:46 pm

tightcode wrote:I actually haven't tested the R32 yet. Could you give me a mini checklist of things to look for ? I have never been in an R32 before. What is desireable what isn't etc...
And are you happy with it for getting you around town as well ?

Cheers and thanks for the prompt response and pictures !

TightCode

Not much really too look out apart from the same as when you buy anyother car...

Check to make sure it has the engine sump guard fitted, its a plastic undertray.

Make you the car has been updated with the latest ECU update.. any dealer should do this for free under warranty

full leather interior and the deep blue colour like mine are desirable.... the other colours are nice also so its about personal choice...

I love the car alot.... in town its very easy to drive... alot say the throttle is very sensitive but you get used to it.....

The only one downside is fuel mpg....

My S3 used to do 300-350 driving normally and the R32 does around 250-300 driving normally.... but for me its worth every penny!

Riz

Post by **DuncS3** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:04 pm

My Standard form comparison:

The R32 is defenitely a much better handling car than the S3 (aftermarket suspension, bigger roll bars) - as Riz says both are pretty comparable in speed but R32 faster on paper for sure - in real terms I would say its too close to call, as is the case for all the cars in this class. S3 has a far better interior (easilt best in its class) in terms of overall quality.
R32 does though have more sporty (figure hugging) seats and a chunkier steering wheel (which I liked), and of course the Golf sounds quite a bit better too with the V6.
Looks are down to the individual, I prefer my S3 to a R32 everytime (especially compared to the R32 at my work with miltek, tints and chrome spinners on (its true!))

Obviously this is an Audi site so I'm biased to what I've got but the R32 is a very good car with most likely good long term residuals...

..and if you have some trev or chav tendencies, you can stick a straight through miltek on your R32, so it sounds like the Novas in Tesco car park...nice

Riz - is there any technical documentation about the Haldex differences? I didnt know that

Dunc

Post by **Riz_RS4** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:13 pm

Also, if you have some trev or chav tendencies, you can stick a straight through miltek on your R32, so it sounds like the Novas in Tesco car park...nice

Yes im not a fan of modded cars to be honest...... mine is standard and its ok for me

Riz - is there any technical documentation about the Haldex differences? I didnt know that

I dont think their is actually,
the hardware is the same for all 3 applications..... but the ecu`s are different.

Riz

Post by **S3rdias** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:49 pm

Well, don´t forget that the S3 is turbo charged, so if u intend to upgrade the ECU of both cars, the hp gain would be higher in the S3.

Post by **DuncS3** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:25 am

..not if you believe AMD's figures for R32 remaps

Dunc

Post by **S3rdias** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:15 pm

I didn´t know that... what are the numbers that AMD can achieve with a remap ???

Post by **himpe** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:20 pm

stage 3: 300 bhp

Post by **S3rdias** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:34 pm

That´s really impressive... I got the numbers of Amd Technik for the Golf R32

Stage 1- 20 +bhp
Stage 2- remap and Milltek exhaust - 270 bhp
Stage 3- sports cam shafts, remap, Milltek exhaust- 300 bhp

Considering that a stage 1 S3 can reach 265-270 bhp... that doesn´t seem so impressive...

Post by **DuncS3** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:47 pm

..but you can get a R32 to 300bhp cheaper than you could get a S3 to 300 bhp...

Bear in mind that these are AMDs claims from their own RR.

One thing for sure is that the 3.2 V6 must be heavily restricted somewhere to only push out 240-250 bhp say in comparison to the E36 M3 EVO engine (3.2 ltr = 321 bhp)

Dunc

Post by **S3rdias** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:39 pm

Hmmm... I never thought about that...so, do u think it´s possible to reach 321 bhp with the 3.2 NA engine of the R32 ??
But anyway, I wouldn´t exchange my

for a NA car, because I just love the feeling of a turbo charged engine.

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