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GTI or Golf R … or something else?
A GTI or maybe an R has been on my mind for a while to replace my nice but un-exhilarating Comfortline FSI. We have a V6 CC my wife drives to work, which I really like. I like the refinement, its immediate smooth easy go, the heaps of features it has and good options. I want a new Golf or hatch to mirror the enjoyment I get from the CC. So I’ve been test driving:- a Merc A45 AMG; Merc A250; GTI, GTI-Performance; Golf R and an Audi S3, manual & DSG. In order of the drives: -
● Merc A45 AMG Auto (Fire breathing Dragon) – It’s quick and although it’s pricey, it has almost everything already standard equipment, even a sunroof, no options needed & circa $85K retail drive away. And in the boot it has its own compressor and tyre repair pack – which is confidence building for travelling at night, miles from anywhere – or not. With 3 on board, the suspension was very firm but at least it appeared to handle bumps without a severe jolt. Although there might be optional settings otherwise - I didn’t like the way some of the features worked, like the rear parking sensor lights don’t make a sound initially and you have to see them via the rear view mirror – bit hard when you want to look at the camera. Considering the dealership requires a $10,000 accident excess it was a worry. Anyway I digress.
Everything about the A45 drive was harsh, and loud. Pushing the A45, the noise between 1st and 2nd sounded like the exhaust had fallen off – it, however was “popping” from the exhaust. My GTI driver son was with me too, (and for the next four drives) we both came to a similar conclusion – Way too harsh and loud for normal around town enjoyment, but an interesting car.
● A GTI with leather: hard to find one with fabric seats; I’m not a fan of the tartan. The GTI was ok, but strangely disappointing – probably because of my inflated expectations. We (2 up) drove around Botany, sounds like the same route as you WhiteJames. I was hoping for a little more refinement, I thought the road noise was fairly loud. Also the traction from front wheel drive is a concern for me, particularly getting away in the wet, although the GTI traction is pretty impressive, all things considered. The leather in this one felt quite stiff.
● An Audi S3 manual – Red with S Performance pack. Again with 4 up, but this car felt good. A little more refined than the previous cars too, although at low revs and full throttle (only something you’d get with a manual) it wasn’t always super sweet. I thought the manual was nice, but not for me, but it will be my son’s choice for him. The manual gearbox was super nice; (if only you could buy a DSG with a clutch to have real manual experiences now and then). The Audi doesn’t have the inclusions that VW typically has in their basic specs, like adaptive dampers (Magnetic ride), a backseat arm rest (Load through facility) auto hold (Hold assist) as on the CC and lots more), so some care is needed to make sure you get what you want. S3 demonstrators are hard to find, it took 4 days to arrange to drive this one.
● A GTI-Performance: from a different dealer, also with leather. I’m not sure why but with relatively normal driving I thought this was perhaps a little better than the GTI. With 4 up, only a little laggy, it still felt light and nimble, and still felt good and had reasonable go with all that load. Still somewhat harsher than I’d like, but I accept, this is not how most people would judge it. Set to Comfort suspension it wasn’t bad at all around town.
● Merc A250. Although overpriced it does have good inclusions and good options at good prices, e.g. leather is a lot cheaper than on the Golfs’. This drive was in the damp, so traction was very ordinary and a lot of fuss and bother with wheel spin and axle tramp. No subtle quick get-a-ways. The twin clutch auto is just not up to VW standard. It doesn’t get it right, slow changes, holding gears too long etc. It felt quite a bit slower than the GTI too, but may not be. For some drivers, this car could be a good choice, but not for me.
● Audi S3 DSG, Red with S Performance pack. This car took about a week to arrange and was trucked out from Audi Australia. My wife and I took this one for a longer drive. I used “Individual” with comfort settings for suspension and motor noise, but auto or sport for everything else. It was generally impressive, only a little lag, and the feel and power were very addictive; the Quattro means it just goes; no fuss, no bother. It may not have the characteristics that some car journo’s rave about, but for enjoyable driving in normal situations, it was good. Including going around suburban streets and even without exceeding speed limits (well not by much), the car felt really responsive, and even with just a little squirts – it was fun. Still, not up to the CC refinement and more road noise than I’d like. I don’t like the pops between gear changes with the DSG, (even if everyone else does) but there you go. The steering wheel is very thick, and might take a while to get used to. The ride is OK with the 18” wheels. The optional B&O sound system sounds good, it’ san $1150 option. I quite liked this car. I just needed to check my perceptions of it against the R when it arrives.
● Golf R with Leather – 3 up. Finally Saturday 12th release date and a test drive, but not before the sales manager extolled its virtues – the 6R was good but this one is on a whole new level, he said. Sitting in the R is nice and the blue sill and dash lighting is a nice touch. Immediately into the drive - with the salesperson driving quietly out of the street, I thought the interior noise was disturbing. It didn’t get any better, and with slow driving I really felt the coarseness and the noise resonating inside the cabin. Taking off hard but not flooring it, from an inside lane with traffic, the car was particularly laggy and reticent – still I’m sure this in not a real reflection – it was a very new 200 km on the clock car that maybe hasn’t learnt yet. I wasn’t as so aware of the ride negatives, not because they weren’t there, more because I was stunned that this car was no where near what I wanted it to be and didn’t try anymore: and I completely accept WhiteJames’s comments. The May “Wheels” summary might be about right. More - I couldn’t find any seat tilt adjustment, and all “7R”s come with tinted rear windows, like it or not. The 5.8” screen really looks small, and the 19” wheels? I like the S3’s 18”, thanks.
Re the S3 versus a Golf - Price wise, the S3 is quite a bit dearer particularly when you add the options that generally VW supply as standard. But at least you do get good other good standard inclusions, which would bring the price of the R to a much closer figure – if you could option them on the R. This includes Nappa leather with electric adjustment including a seat tilt, but no memories, and a good quality large screen, with a nice rise action out of the dash (not a touch screen). If you get the $5000 S Performance Package it includes different quilted nappa leather S sport seats that loose the electric control, but still have a seat tilt.
Immediately after the R test drive, I ordered the S3
- Golf 7 R DSG White - 
Originally Posted by WhiteJames
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