New golf r test drives

[PJC]

why is everyone buying these? its like the bloody milltek exhausts, one gets one then the sheep follow?

they are not a step up from an RS so whats going on?

To replace the Mrs S3 for me.

What about the S1 Sportback for the Mrs ?? I'm not sure of the performance figures but it looks a fair tidy motor.
See vid link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1y2RU9s ... e=youtu.be

Too late Golf arrives early May.

[RIV]

I like the s1 sport back, but the mrs reckons the boot is too small, guess it's going to be the s3 as she is not keen on the merc or the vw

[PetrolDave]

I just clicked everything and got 75k. Equivalent for me is 65k.

You must have missed the Audi Exclusive options, they can take it up to as much as £85k OTR, £83.8k RRP.

[Nickyboy]

I just clicked everything and got 75k. Equivalent for me is 65k.

You must have missed the Audi Exclusive options, they can take it up to as much as £85k OTR, £83.8k RRP.

So if you're comparing your B7 RS 4 to an 80k B8 yours must have a shed load of exclusive bits and ceramics etc right?

You said equivalent spec which surely isn't possible now with all the new tech which adds on a few k.

[HYFR]

knowing Dave (as in his forum persona)

He will have spec'd silver leather and silver seat belts in order to get a like for like spec as these were FOC on the B7 but are exclusive on the B8...

Hardly a fair or meaningful comparison...but some people just want to make a point, eh.

[Ian_C]

You are both right - prices have gone up, but the RS4 isn't too bad, especially when you consider the finance deal, its actually cheaper than the B7 (60k saloon 62k Avant wasn't it?)

However take the B8 S4 - lots of stuff you'd expect standard nowdays on the options list - which is precisely what PetrolDave is getting at. The B6 S4 launched in 2003 was good spec as standard with xenons, electric recaros, Avus 18s etc. Sure there were options, obviously you had to pay for Nav, but on the B8 you could add 10k quite easily - you have to pay for your 19s, you have to pay for your S4 seats, and in 2014 it seems daft to be paying for Nav etc

[PetrolDave]

lots of stuff you'd expect standard nowdays on the options list - which is precisely what PetrolDave is getting at.

Exactly, many things that used to part of the standard spec are now options - and IMHO the cost of adding them back on doesn't balance the cost of the added tech, much of which is electronic and as I well know, as an Electronics Engineer of 40+ years experience, the cost of that is falling all the time.

[RIV]

I took the new s3 out for a test drive and was really disappointed!! maybe I'm spoiled driving the b8 but I just thought that it felt boring to drive,with lots of road noise, even in comfort it was just too harsh, and compared to my wife's it didn't feel that quick,ok hers is not standard but I was still expecting more!! If the the golf R is going to be similar I would take a b7 any day of the week,I was more impressed with the sq5 that I also took out

[joinery80]

Wow the s3 must be quite different to the r then
Cos I prefer my golf to the rs4 (b7) in every way other than seats and noise
And it certainly isn't boring.
I am sure . Read in a s3 review by someone it was boring

[Nickyboy]

The S3 and R don't really feel that different to drive to be honest.

Road noise isn't the best but then mine has Conti's which I have always found noisy.

Standard S and RS cars do feel different, perhaps this is why it felt boring? RS cars just feel more dialled in. For me the S3 feels like a good S car and not an RS but then again its not meant to.

A remap would really waken it up.

Comfort wise my other half today said 'this is much more comfy than the RS 5. I can tell because my boobs don't jiggle around as much'. This was just after I suggested buying an RS 4.

[RIV]

Yep!! Remap and exhaust would do the trick I reckon

[Nickyboy]

Yep!! Remap and exhaust would do the trick I reckon

Trouble is then you need brakes and suspension etc etc.

[Ian_C]

I fricking loved the S3 tbh. I loved the subtlety (although maybe not in Misano....) and just as Nicky says its not compromised as its not trying to be an RS. My test route was a narrowish broken Northamptonshire C road and I thought it rode superbly tbh: I've mentioned before I love the fact it bucks the trend of ever increasing wheel sizes - the alloys are the same size as a 10 year old diesel A3 S line. Yes it was comfortable, my only criticism was that being a lanky guy I thought the standard seats were no more supportive than my dads A3 TDI. I'd love to see (feel) what the Supersports seats are like

[joinery80]

Yea I feel the seats let the golf r down slightly.
did u find the s3 boring at all bud

[Ian_C]

For what it is designed to be/do I thought it was great - as a car to drive everyday its perfect. Performance to match my S4, less than half the engine size, less than half the CO2, approaching double the mpg. Naturally its never going to feel 'as special' or be as fun / exciting to drive as a B7 B8 RS4 etc. So if you are looking for a weekend toy and don't care about mpg then V8 would give more thrills than an S3