Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[Gary_s]

Took the Audi S3 sedan for a 45 minute test drive today, got out of the car and wasn't completely sold...
Took the Golf R for a 5 minute test drive, got out of the car and was sold.

Golf R just felt like it was such a better car, also knowing it was 15k cheaper made it feel even better.

I'm 6"2 - 115kg (lean) and felt cramped in the Audi, the Golf felt like it had so much more room to move around in. It was probably the easiest decision I've ever made.

The only thing that the Audi did better was the sound system, that's about it IMO...

[Ryan_R]

...and they did a better test drive by the sounds of it

Congrats on the purchase

[Gary_s]

The dealer shut at 5pm, I started my test drive at 5:20!

Cheers!

[Ryan_R]

Must have been one heck of a suit you were wearing, haha

[godzilla_110TDI]

From all accounts the audi intetior is far more refined, especially the leather being real leather. Was this not the case in your opinion?

I love the look of the sedan but would struggle to find the justification for spending an extra 10-15k just for that

does the S3 come standard with adaptive cruise ?

[Ryan_R]

No, it's an add-on 'safety pack' iirc

[Paul_R]

They are best thought of as different cars for different tastes. The Audi stands out because it looks amazing in sedan form. Most people won't notice the Golf, except those that know.

The Audi interior is a lot classier (black piano in the Golf is not to my taste) and has far better leather. But it doesn't have a foot rest on the throttle side which is a mistake in car that almost drives itself in adaptive cruise. I commute, as opposed to drive, every where on cruise and will do so more with the adaptive cruise. It also lacks the wallet pocket on the right side too. The Golf is roomier inside and has the rear arm rest and ski port as standard. I was able to fit a massive 500 litre, 2.3 metre long roof box for a CX 9 inside the Mk 6 when I had to. Audi MMI and stereo are streets ahead of the Golf.

Then there is the cost. Some have had good deals on the S3 but I got the Golf for $24,000 cheaper than the S3 sedan. Things I didn't get in the Golf that the Audi had were the excellent Audi leather, I ditched the Golf leather because it wasn't worth the cost and lost the heated seats with it. I also don't get the decent sound and proper sized screen. I do get the extra storage, foot rest, arm rest and ski port. I also saved $2500 because I want a manual - in the Audi it's a no cost option! Other than that the equipment is the same in terms of engine and safety features.

When I got round to thinking with my head the Golf won but that's just for me.

[andrew7]

^ all good points Paul, agree that not having a foot rest on the throttle side in the Audi was perplexing and pretty much a deal killer for me as I cruise 30mins on the highway for work and also travel 1.45hrs to Melbourne frequently. The R driving position is spot on and I found the leather seats very comfy and supportive (+1 insists on heated seats. Often -4 in winter here so worth it). The R cabin feels more spacious and less claustrophobic. When you add in the sharper drive and performance/sound of the R and the substantial savings on the R its unbeatable (unless you must have the 4 ring badge

[AdamD]

Took the Audi S3 sedan for a 45 minute test drive today, got out of the car and wasn't completely sold... Took the Golf R for a 5 minute test drive, got out of the car and was sold. Golf R just felt like it was such a better car, also knowing it was 15k cheaper made it feel even better. I'm 6"2 - 115kg (lean) and felt cramped in the Audi, the Golf felt like it had so much more room to move around in. It was probably the easiest decision I've ever made.

I'm guessing the car you drove was the car you photographed? That car has the S Performance Pack, with the sports seats; I agree that these are quite restrictive and I too felt somewhat cramped with them (I'm 5"11 and ~75kg). The standard S3 seats are much more comfortable IMO (and have full electric operation), although they don't have the side bolstering of the S Performance pack (or R) seats.

A lot of people quote $15k as a price differential, but it's just not - unless you spec the Audi well above the R, which is really not an accurate comparison. When you spec the two as closely as is possible (so, add the magnetic ride and rear armrest on the S3 Sportback, taking it to $61,900, and DSG and leather on the R, adding up to $57,640), then the retail price difference is only $4,260. There are still differences (S3 gets much better leather and much better interior appointments, R gets bigger rims, a more roomy interior etc), but overall this is a much more apples-with-apples comparison.

Yes, some of the Audi options are more expensive than the VW equivalents (the assistance pack with radar cruise is $1k on the VW, $1,800 on the Audi), and if you're shopping a manual then you can save $2,500 with the R (although less than 10% of R buyers and 4% of S3 buyers go manual). But overall, I don't think that a financial comparison strongly in favour of the VW bears up to much scrutiny.

Then there is the cost. Some have had good deals on the S3 but I got the Golf for $24,000 cheaper than the S3 sedan.

You must be comparing a fully-specced S3 sedan with zero discount to a heavily-discounted and unoptioned R? Not really a basis for comparison?

Where the major differences lie are in the philosophical differences between the two cars. The S3 is more comfort/luxury-oriented, whereas the R is more aggressive and performance-oriented. This alone should and will be a clear decider for many buyers, one way or the other.

[Gary_s]

I just thought if I spend the extra money on the Audi, I'm also moving further away from my budget.
Audi did do a few things nicer as I said, the sound system is awesome and the diamond stitching sports seats definitely looked the part.
I just see that the best bang for buck is definitely the golf R, also I can get a very very good deal on a fully equipped R.
My next car will be definitely be a Audi, just won't be a S3, probably a RS4 or RS5..
The price of the S3 compared to comfort and performance, the Golf takes the win. When I buy a car over 150k then I'll be worrying about leather being real leather, but a 50/60k car, its good enough for me..