What to buy? GTI or R20

[Timbo]

Sorry Timbo, wasn't having a go or anything mate - I just feel that VW will play ball from the get go as they have with the GTI

Jay, was no concern to me, merely pointing out that if the engine and AWD drivetrain is now your key criteria, then there are S3s out there now, for the asking.

. This is actually a good point, since the S3 and R20 are so similar then VW may ask Audi to stop giving such significant discounts on the S3 so it doesn't hurt the R20 sales!

I'm not sure how that would work. Audi and VW are separate companies and organisations in Australia. There's not a lot of love between them. More importantly, their dealer networks are very different and I suspect Audi dealers would be very pissed off by any action Audi or VW took to reduce their competitiveness. It'd probably give rise to a complaint to the ACCC. If it was possible (and I say not) we would have already seen it in play, as the low spec A3s can be had at Golf prices.

My other point is this: having owned (and still owning) both VW and Audi, my preference is currently well towards the Audi and I'd certainly pay a $10k premium for a car that has fundamentally the same underpinnings. The Audi interior is a much more pleasant place to be, the build quality is generally better, and (IME) Audi service and support is, hands down, a much better experience than VW.

[Mk6 GTI]

Jay, was no concern to me, merely pointing out that if the engine and AWD drivetrain is now your key criteria, then there are S3s out there now, for the asking.

I'm not sure how that would work. Audi and VW are separate companies and organisations in Australia. There's not a lot of love between them. More importantly, their dealer networks are very different and I suspect Audi dealers would be very pissed off by any action Audi or VW took to reduce their competitiveness. It'd probably give rise to a complaint to the ACCC. If it was possible (and I say not) we would have already seen it in play, as the low spec A3s can be had at Golf prices.

My other point is this: having owned (and still owning) both VW and Audi, my preference is currently well towards the Audi and I'd certainly pay a $10k premium for a car that has fundamentally the same underpinnings. The Audi interior is a much more pleasant place to be, the build quality is generally better, and (IME) Audi service and support is, hands down, a much better experience than VW.

I looked at both the Audis 2.0T and the VW GTI.. and at this point in time i dont think Audi has the edge with the interior.. Usually yes.. but not at this point in time..

Its overdue for a makeover if you ask me! I was a little disappointed..

Just my opinion though!

Also.. One thing that people seem to be forgetting is that irrespective if the base price of the R and the S3 are close.. the cost of the options on the Audi and alot more!! One example is the satnav: VW=$2500 Audi=$5500!

If your not buyuing any options then fair enough.

[astro]

I got this email back from VW when I asked about release date on the R

Thank you for your correspondence in regards to the exciting new Volkswagen Golf R.

The information available regarding the release date for the Volkswagen Golf R is very limited. However, I am able to advise you that at this stage the estimated release date for the Volkswagen Golf R is due approximately in the third quarter of 2010.

Please continue checking the Volkswagen Website for updates on this vehicle, as it will also provide the latest information released on the Volkswagen Golf R.

Alternatively, please consult your nearest Volkswagen dealership to find out if they are accepting advance orders for the vehicle.

[Mk6 GTI]

I got this email back from VW when I asked about release date on the R

Bugger! Goodluck to all of you waiting on the R.. esp if your going to custome order.. you'll get it 2011 :|

[elisiX]

May is not Q3... SO where did May come from and why the hell is there going to be a 9 month delay between NZ and Australia. If this is true - it may have made my mind up. There is no way I will be waiting that long for an R (and even longer if the spec I want doesn't arrive early from a pre selected batch). Oh and in response to an earlier post - I wouldn't take a base R over an optioned GTI either - but the R will most likely still come standard with Leather and Xenon's with Nav retrofitted later (or I stump up for it).

[Mk6 GTI]

May is not Q3... SO where did May come from and why the hell is there going to be a 9 month delay between NZ and Australia. If this is true - it may have made my mind up. There is no way I will be waiting that long for an R (and even longer if the spec I want doesn't arrive early from a pre selected batch). Oh and in response to an earlier post - I wouldn't take a base R over an optioned GTI either - but the R will most likely still come standard with Leather and Xenon's with Nav retrofitted later (or I stump up for it).

Bixenons will be standard.. But i doubt leather will..

All the photos ove seen indicate cloth as standard..??

[Sharkie]

Bi-Xenons, Leather & metallic paint will be standard, same as the R32. Goodies as such as alarm etc also likely to be standard.

Options likely to be limited to sunroof & SatNav / Dynaudio, MIDI / IPOD & Bluetooth interfaces. Option list on the R's will be small just like the R32s.

I have seen a dealer notification that showed deliveries to start end May 2010. These will be pre-ordered by VWA and if you want specific spec, likely be able to order end May with a 4 month wait ......

.... and its not about the budget, its about value for money.... .... spending $20K extra on an optioned GTI is poor value for money. But if you like wasting it, by all means do so .....

[elisiX]

Once official pricing is released (I imagine within the next month for sure), then we will know more about pre selected vehicles. I would also think that leather/xenon will be standard, but if they pre select a few with a roof, i'd be happy with that. I can retro fit the Nav and not wait 4-6 months further again. I am sure i've read that MDI can be retro fitted also but itll be in the glove box and not in the centre console. All of this is pure speculation so lets not get ahead of ourselves. I will be disappointed if the wait is further than May and pricing isn't as expected but I want to be optimistic ..

[dave_r]

I looked at both the Audis 2.0T and the VW GTI.. and at this point in time i dont think Audi has the edge with the interior.. Usually yes.. but not at this point in time..

Its overdue for a makeover if you ask me! I was a little disappointed..

I had the same opinion when doing a back to back test drive of a sportback S3 to a 5dr GTI.

Bi-Xenons, Leather & metallic paint will be standard, same as the R32. Goodies as such as alarm etc also likely to be standard.

This is what I'm banking on!

I have seen a dealer notification that showed deliveries to start end May 2010. These will be pre-ordered by VWA and if you want specific spec, likely be able to order end May with a 4 month wait ......

My info at the time of pre-order was about the same. All first shipment cars are spec'd by VWA, just have to hope that there is one in a spec you want otherwise you'll be waiting until 2011 most likely for a custom order 2nd/3rd batch.

The other comment about a 3rd qtr first shipment doesn't work for me, if that info proves to be likely, I'll be cancelling my order and going back to the drawing board.

[Corey_R]

Also.. One thing that people seem to be forgetting is that irrespective if the base price of the R and the S3 are close.. the cost of the options on the Audi and alot more!! One example is the satnav: VW=$2500 Audi=$5500!

It's not quite that simple. Since the S3 is always over the LCT threshold, all the options are quoted including LCT. As the Golf starts at $25,990, most of the models are under the LCT, including the 3dr manual R. However, by the time it's on-the-road all Golf R's will be subject to at least a few $ LCT.

What this means is the Sat Nav for the Golf R will cost $3325 (plus stamp duty), compared to the $5500 (plus stamp duty) of the Audi. It's still a big difference, but not as bad as $2500 vs $5500 looks.

So remember, all Golf R options will cost 33% more than on the GTI in the 'on-the-roads' price of the car

I'm not sure how that would work. Audi and VW are separate companies and organisations in Australia. There's not a lot of love between them. More importantly, their dealer networks are very different and I suspect Audi dealers would be very pissed off by any action Audi or VW took to reduce their competitiveness. It'd probably give rise to a complaint to the ACCC. If it was possible (and I say not) we would have already seen it in play, as the low spec A3s can be had at Golf prices.

Yeah, VWA and Audi Australia are separate companies, but they still both report to VAG in Germany. There is no way an A3 would be priced the same as the equivalent Golf due to Audi being the premium brand. As soon as their prices match VW, then what's the point of Audi?
As others have noted, the Golf is probably a higher quality car than the A3 right now, but Audi still won't reduce the pricing to below the Golf because they need to maintain that premium image. I'm sure in Australia that the Golf R vs S3 will be the same. R32's are still cheaper than S3's today, I still haven't seen anyone here post any valid reason why that would change with the Golf R.