1 x RS3 or 2 x Mk6 Golf GTIs, is it worth it?

[P_G]

I would suggest you are asking the question to the wrong people or at the wrong time. I looked at a new Golf at the time of trading up my RS4, both in GTi and R guises and was not that impressed. Ride is good in the VW's, tech is good but not sure the materials are that much better which is a concern comparing it to a the 8P A3 chassis that has been around 12 years? But ultimately both were way too slow and not a patch on the RS4 which I used as the yardstick to measure all the cars I tested before buying the RS3.

DK is right in that from factory the RS3 has serious flaws in tyres and roll but replacing both has transformed the car. Is it as dynamic as the '4; no. Is it as tuneful; as much as the 5 pot is nice it is not a V8 but the plus points are that for a fraction of the cost of the money I invested in modifying the RS4 the RS3 is quicker, bigger inside, more fuel efficient, nearly as good dynamically now (for what my ability can use) and it doesn't drink a litre of oil every couple of k miles but still has the exclusivity of the '4 the Golf will never give. I still like my $WD assurance to which only the Golf R (?) would give. As for s-tronic, being a staunch manual man for the last 22 years I'd happily say I wouldn't go back and the s-tronic is so flexible to everyday driving needs, D mode for tootling in rush hour stop start or cruising, s mode if you want to show someone a clean pair of heals and manual if you want to be part of it or twisty road work. And of course Lauch Control......

If I were in the market now and had to choose a used RS3 or a MkVI GTi it would be a different proposition from that I found myself in a year ago and I may choose neither but if they were the only two cars I had to choose from I'd still pick RS3 for its tuning potential. It's not perfect and it may not be worth twice as much used but each to their own.

[bam_bam]

Y'all can't read, innit!
The topic is "1 x RS3 or 2 x Mk6 Golf GTIs, bla bla bla". I don't know about you lot but I'd take 2 Mk6 Golfs over an RS3 any day. One for the road, one stripped out. Two perfectly good cars for the price of one. Job done.

I test drove a '3 for a weekend, I loved it but didn't buy one, too small. I didn't drive the GTI because I wasn't looking for a Volkswagen...

[P_G]

Too small? Bigger inside cabin wise than B7 RS4, maybe not C5 RS6 size but defo. more leg room in the rear innit. And as much as the title says1x RS3 or 2x Mk6 Golf GTi's the OP's opener is whether one RS3 is twice the value of an Mk6 GTi. Your logic of buying two and stripping one out would cost more than it would to have one tuned RS3 that would blitz your stripped out golf but still could be taken to B&Q to get your loft insulation in.

[bam_bam]

Too small? Bigger inside cabin wise than B7 RS4, maybe not C5 RS6 size but defo. more leg room in the rear innit. And as much as the title says1x RS3 or 2x Mk6 Golf GTi's the OP's opener is whether one RS3 is twice the value of an Mk6 GTi. Your logic of buying two and stripping one out would cost more than it would to have one tuned RS3 that would blitz your stripped out golf but still could be taken to B&Q to get your loft insulation in.

You obviously didn't see my "...bla bla bla" bit. AND, it costs nothing to strip... well, maybe £1 depending on where you drink. I have 2 x C5 RS6es to fit all the loft insulation in.

[Ian_C]

Lol

[Revolution]

I would suggest you are asking the question to the wrong people or at the wrong time. I looked at a new Golf at the time of trading up my RS4, both in GTi and R guises and was not that impressed. Ride is good in the VW's, tech is good but not sure the materials are that much better which is a concern comparing it to a the 8P A3 chassis that has been around 12 years? But ultimately both were way too slow and not a patch on the RS4 which I used as the yardstick to measure all the cars I tested before buying the RS3.

DK is right in that from factory the RS3 has serious flaws in tyres and roll but replacing both has transformed the car. Is it as dynamic as the '4; no. Is it as tuneful; as much as the 5 pot is nice it is not a V8 but the plus points are that for a fraction of the cost of the money I invested in modifying the RS4 the RS3 is quicker, bigger inside, more fuel efficient, nearly as good dynamically now (for what my ability can use) and it doesn't drink a litre of oil every couple of k miles but still has the exclusivity of the '4 the Golf will never give. I still like my $WD assurance to which only the Golf R (?) would give. As for s-tronic, being a staunch manual man for the last 22 years I'd happily say I wouldn't go back and the s-tronic is so flexible to everyday driving needs, D mode for tootling in rush hour stop start or cruising, s mode if you want to show someone a clean pair of heals and manual if you want to be part of it or twisty road work. And of course Lauch Control......

If I were in the market now and had to choose a used RS3 or a MkVI GTi it would be a different proposition from that I found myself in a year ago and I may choose neither but if they were the only two cars I had to choose from I'd still pick RS3 for its tuning potential. It's not perfect and it may not be worth twice as much used but each to their own.

well put P_G
does feel smaller inside though and i know youve measured it - probably the dash layout that makes the B7 feel bigger to the driver..

Apart from yours, Ive never seen another one in our area - so the rarity factor is spot on...!

[klauster]

I have made similar changes to P_G, wider alloys, better tyres and a rear ARB, car now handles like the RS4 B7 use to (which for me is the benchmark) the only thing I don't like about the RS3 is the not so special interior, its not as sexy as the RS4, i've nearly finished sorting that out... As far as the Golf, the wife drives one, its a good car, but they are everywhere, the engine is not a patch on the 3, it doesnt have the same road presence, plus i would miss the quattro. Twice the car maybe not but I haven't mastered the ability to drive 2 cars at the same time, so for now I'd rather have 1 really good car then 2 nice cars

[bam_bam]

*haldex

[P_G]

I would suggest you are asking the question to the wrong people or at the wrong time. I looked at a new Golf at the time of trading up my RS4, both in GTi and R guises and was not that impressed. Ride is good in the VW's, tech is good but not sure the materials are that much better which is a concern comparing it to a the 8P A3 chassis that has been around 12 years? But ultimately both were way too slow and not a patch on the RS4 which I used as the yardstick to measure all the cars I tested before buying the RS3.

DK is right in that from factory the RS3 has serious flaws in tyres and roll but replacing both has transformed the car. Is it as dynamic as the '4; no. Is it as tuneful; as much as the 5 pot is nice it is not a V8 but the plus points are that for a fraction of the cost of the money I invested in modifying the RS4 the RS3 is quicker, bigger inside, more fuel efficient, nearly as good dynamically now (for what my ability can use) and it doesn't drink a litre of oil every couple of k miles but still has the exclusivity of the '4 the Golf will never give. I still like my $WD assurance to which only the Golf R (?) would give. As for s-tronic, being a staunch manual man for the last 22 years I'd happily say I wouldn't go back and the s-tronic is so flexible to everyday driving needs, D mode for tootling in rush hour stop start or cruising, s mode if you want to show someone a clean pair of heals and manual if you want to be part of it or twisty road work. And of course Lauch Control......

If I were in the market now and had to choose a used RS3 or a MkVI GTi it would be a different proposition from that I found myself in a year ago and I may choose neither but if they were the only two cars I had to choose from I'd still pick RS3 for its tuning potential. It's not perfect and it may not be worth twice as much used but each to their own.

well put P_G
does feel smaller inside though and i know youve measured it - probably the dash layout that makes the B7 feel bigger to the driver..

Apart from yours, Ive never seen another one in our area - so the rarity factor is spot on...!

IIRC there is one coming into your shop tomorrow for engine volume adjustment......

[MikeFish]

I'm pretty sure the wifes S3 with buckets has no more leg room in the back than my 4. Also, I'd sworn the back seat is wider in the 4 but if you have measured it then it must be an optical illusion.

[Ian_C]

Space wise I've got a B6 Avant and the family have a Sportback which I drive from time to time, I'd say there's probably just as much room in the back of the Sportback. There is no comparison though when it comes to boot space

[MikeFish]

Space wise I've got a B6 Avant and the family have a Sportback which I drive from time to time, I'd say there's probably just as much room in the back of the Sportback. There is no comparison though when it comes to boot space

Would you say the rear of the sportback has as much elbow room i.e width as your B6?

[neckarsulm]

I have made similar changes to P_G, wider alloys, better tyres and a rear ARB, car now handles like the RS4 B7 use to (which for me is the benchmark)

Personally I'd expect an RS model to come from the factory as good as the platform it's based on would allow and not to have to modify it to make it the car is should already be.
The first R32 was like that and needed some tweakery to perfect but it was only £22k, slightly more than a similar spec GTI at the time.

[Ian_C]

Space wise I've got a B6 Avant and the family have a Sportback which I drive from time to time, I'd say there's probably just as much room in the back of the Sportback. There is no comparison though when it comes to boot space

Would you say the rear of the sportback has as much elbow room i.e width as your B6?

They are both pretty tight tbh! I have never found the Sportback cramped though four up (either when driving or rear passenger) but I did have to my seat forward quite a bit driving my S4 five up. The B6 B7 has a significant transmission tunnel, doesn't help when three in the back

[klauster]

I have made similar changes to P_G, wider alloys, better tyres and a rear ARB, car now handles like the RS4 B7 use to (which for me is the benchmark)

Personally I'd expect an RS model to come from the factory as good as the platform it's based on would allow and not to have to modify it to make it the car is should already be.
The first R32 was like that and needed some tweakery to perfect but it was only £22k, slightly more than a similar spec GTI at the time.

I agree but in reality even the RS4 needed a milltek (or another non standard exhaust) costing £1k to make it how it should have been! For the same cash u can have a remap, cat bypass and the ARB on the RS3...