Mk6 GTI is perfect, yet I am tempted by an R/Audi S3/TT

[MrGTIandRfan]

My Mk6 GTI is perfect - fast (with the mods I've done), reliable, refined, comfortable, luxurious (compared to anything I've owned previously) and is great for everyday commuting as well as weekend fun. The DSG is an amazing gearbox - I split my time about 85% driving in manual mode vs 15% driving in auto.

Yet I am still drawn to the idea of an R (I'm not MrGTIandRfan for nothing)/S3/TT.... plus it seems like everybody is getting into a GTI - not surprising because they are amazing value for money as an overall package.

So, what are the advantages/disadvantages for moving to manual versions of either of the following?

-2008+ Mk5 .:R32 (yes, a 'downgrade', but have found a perfect one with a manual gearbox.. and that noise, omg)
-2010+ Mk6 .:R

-2007+ Audi TT 2.0T FWD version
-2007+ Audi S3

I will probably at least throw a chip upgrade to any of the above, so consider mod potential.

[Corey_R]

You can find 229 pages of arguements back and forth on this topic in the R vs GTI thread here

[gjws]

I just sold a 2008 2.0 Turbo Audi TT, and purchased a MY12 GTI.

I would NEVER buy a TT again. I had no end of small problems with the damn thing:

Faulty rear brake lights earth. 3 times visit to the dealer. Known Issue.
Squeaking breaks. 6 weekly visit to the dealer to clean and scour. Known issue, Google it.
Heat shield around catalytic converter worked loose and required "Bending" after 6 months. Just what you want to hear from the dealer "We just bent your heat shield, it should be fine"
One of the dash vents broke for no apparent reason. Part was 6 weeks ex Germany and dash had to be removed to replace, car out of action for 2 days.
The back seats are unusable. Let me repeat that UNUSABLE! Why there are there I will never understand.
There is no usable storage in the car, the GTI is only a little better, but at least it is better.
Insurance was a killer. I'm over 30 with a rating 1 and was still over $1200 a year.
Tyres, Jesus the tyres! I had the 19" rims and it was $750 a rim to replace the things!
Stereo does not support modern phone such as iPhone 4.
Bluetooth does not support audio streaming.
There is more, it's just not jumping to the front of my mind right now, it's been blocked out!

And as you have pointed out yourself, the GTI is unbelievable value for money. When I got the TT I had to sacrifice DSG, Bi-Xenons and Sat Nav to get the car under $80K. And resale is a HUGE pain in the ass. I sold my car after 3 years, according to redbook it was worth around $45K-$50K. I had it advertised for $45K and got 2 calls! Ended up selling for $40K and I was lucky to get that, only 1 interested buyer. The problem is, selling at $45K you are in a really weird resale place, pay an extra couple of grand and you get a new GTI!

That's just my .02c but I would not recommend the TT to anyone.

[KRA21E]

Imo, stay away from the fwd as you may aswell stock with the gti. S3 is old, over priced, same as golf r but does look good, R32 is pure symphony to the ears, looks fantastic on the outside bit is a little dated on the inside, is missing some of the modern features of the mkvi and is slower than the golf r which leaves the golf r, new, fast, looks good, great inside...i might be biased though...

Enjoy!

[SilvrFoxX]

Imo, stay away from the fwd as you may aswell stock with the gti. S3 is old, over priced, same as golf r but does look good, R32 is pure symphony to the ears, looks fantastic on the outside bit is a little dated on the inside, is missing some of the modern features of the mkvi and is slower than the golf r which leaves the golf r, new, fast, looks good, great inside...i might be biased though...

Enjoy!

And comes in Rising Blue

[markwid]

I really like the clean, muscular look of mk4 R32. Would be tempted by this.

[SilvrFoxX]

But the pipes are in the wrong place.. the GTI boys will have just messed themselves though

[Candyman]

And comes in Rising Blue

Didn't they do a recall on all the RB's ?

[dyljoy]

Good point~

Didn't they do a recall on all the RB's ?

[SilvrFoxX]

Didn't they do a recall on all the RB's ?

Yes safety issues sadly, due to their outrageous good looks it was causing pedestrians to collide on the street, traffic to slow to view and general road rage as envy from non RB owners..

However all owners of Silver and White are safe as no one has noticed them yet and Black are considered dirt magnets so the greenies love them and try to plant moss on the panels as they are considered the slowest of all colours..