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

Post by **neckarsulm** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:37 pm

Purely in the interests of creating some discussion and answering a question I have been asking myself;
IS THE RS3 REALLY WORTH TWICE AS MUCH AS A MK6 GOLF GTI?

Current issue of Evo mag has a Mk6 GTI buying guide and it sounds like all the hot hatch you could wish for, certainly seem to be more favoured by them than the RS3 (even without taking cost into the equation).

A decent spec 2 year old Mk6 GTI with 10k miles can be had for around £17500, around half the price of a similar age/mileage RS3.

The GTI is a great package and wasn't exactly a bargain when new anyway but there seem to be quite a few around so prices are sliding - just because there are loads around doesn't make it any better or worse but does make it better value.

So RS3 owners, why is it worth double the already excellent GTI?

Post by **Ian_C** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:59 pm

neckarsulm wrote:A decent spec 2 year old Mk6 GTI with 10k miles can be had for around £17500

Thats a hell of a lot of car for the money.

Post by **John Johnson** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:02 pm

I really can't warm to an rs3 tbh so I'd rather on the face of it have a golf if I must

Post by **Bacardi Jo** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:03 pm

I bought an RS3 because i wanted an RS3 i didn't want a golf and more money sitting in the bank earning next to nothing in interest no matter the difference in price so the answer to your question is yes.The reason the GTI prices are sliding and RS3s are firm is because the RS3 is a more desirable car in fewer numbers an the GTI are 10 a penny.

Post by **doodlebug** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:14 pm

I bought the RS3 to replace the r32. It had a great engine and gearbox but the rest was a bit meh. The handling was so-so and the crap OEM tyres made it miserable. The tech is pre-historic and the interior showed its age.

Now I'd either have the golf or go bigger and have the RS4.

Post by **neckarsulm** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:15 pm

blackphantom wrote:I bought an RS3 because i wanted an RS3 i didn't want a golf and more money sitting in the bank earning next to nothing in interest no matter the difference in price so the answer to your question is yes.The reason the GTI prices are sliding and RS3s are firm is because the RS3 is a more desirable car in fewer numbers an the GTI are 10 a penny.

RS3 is higher up the ladder but is it more desirable to everyone? For some people a GTI is equally as desirable if not more so as it's a model designation that goes back to the good old days and everybody has heard of it. I'd say for me the GTI has a more respectable image than an RS3, living in Birmingham the RS3s I see are usually ex-write offs loping around the inner city having been hastily rebuilt.

To many the name "RS3" has no meaning, it could easily be that of a horizontal cable manager (see link below - it is!)
http://www.siemon.com/uk/e-catalog/ECAT ... e-managers

What is less subjective is the technical superiority of the RS3 over the GTI but does it make it a better hot hatch and if so is it that much better?

Post by **neckarsulm** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:20 pm

doodlebug wrote:I bought the RS3 to replace the r32. It had a great engine and gearbox but the rest was a bit meh. The handling was so-so and the crap OEM tyres made it miserable. The tech is pre-historic and the interior showed its age.

Now I'd either have the golf or go bigger and have the RS4.

The Mk5 R32 is an OK car but the Mk6 Golf is a surprising step up from the Mk5 especially when it comes to interiors, the handling is loads better too if you compare Mk5 R32 with Mk6 GTI not least due to weight up front.
The optional adaptive chassis (ACC) is a nice bit of tech too giving comfortable ride or stiff track set up at the press of a button.

Post by **Dave_Hedgehog** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:25 pm

drive them both buy the one you like the most

i have driven the GTi and wouldn't swap 10 of them for my RS3

but go with what you like, dont worry about what any "expert" in a mag or peeps on a forum says

Post by **neckarsulm** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:34 pm

Dave_Hedgehog wrote:drive them both buy the one you like the mosti have driven the GTi and wouldn't swap 10 of them for my RS3but go with what you like

I don't doubt I'd like the RS3 although the auto only doesn't work in it's favour especially when Mk6 GTI has the most perfect manual box there is.
Obviously being a long term RS246 member I feel emotional about the RS brand but after the almost perfect B7 RS4, I want a great drive, RS or not and certainly don't want to pay double for one I'd enjoy less than a GTI (appreciate all your points so far

)

Post by **Revolution** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:39 pm

One word....no...

Loving the Rs3 and enjoying modding it, but yet to fall in love with it.

After the first drive home in the B7 RS4 I was totally smitten until the day I sold it 2.5 years later...

Maybe Audi cut a few corners with the 3, but guess we love a challenge to make it better!

Still a special car nevertheless, just need a few tasty mods to get it right

Mmmm, that was more than one word, hope it helps.

Big Glenn

Post by **Dave_Hedgehog** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:41 pm

neckarsulm wrote:
Dave_Hedgehog wrote:drive them both buy the one you like the mosti have driven the GTi and wouldn't swap 10 of them for my RS3but go with what you like
I don't doubt I'd like the RS3 although the auto only doesn't work in it's favour especially when Mk6 GTI has the most perfect manual box there is.
Obviously being a long term RS246 member I feel emotional about the RS brand but after the almost perfect B7 RS4, I want a great drive, RS or not and certainly don't want to pay double for one I'd enjoy less than a GTI (appreciate all your points so far )

i have a nice lightly used C7 RS6 i am sure i can get you a good deal on

Post by **HYFR** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:06 pm

my 2p's.

ran an RS 3 for 3 months.

borrowed a MKVI GTI for 4 days.

=

I much, much, much preferred the GTI. It was just so much more fun to drive. The handling was just spot on and just enough power to match the car.

Yes RS 3 has the badge, yes it has a great great engine .... but the handling is such a let down.

So, if a fun hot hatch is what your after, my vote is GTI ... if your after something more, I'd got B7 RS 4 ... either way, the RS 3 doesnt do it for me ... which is a shame, as in theory it ticks so many boxes, espcially at £40k brand new .... but it just left me so cold.

new RS 3 could be tasty though as the new chassis appears to be getting good reviews.

Post by **Ian_C** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:36 pm

The present S3 is certainly a good platform to build from

Post by **Revolution** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:55 pm

Spotted an S3 at adi on Saturday and looked...very err normal..!

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:21 am

Revolution wrote:Spotted an S3 at adi on Saturday and looked...very err normal..!

What's new!
Hope they have got rid of that embossed bin bag standard seat trim from the 8P

RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who is online