by "Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
Published 06/12/2017 at 08:28
by "Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
Published 06/12/2017 at 08:28
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STARS: 3
Posted up on Friday that I’m currently kicking around some ideas for something a little more practical, and was considering stuff at multiple price points . My wife and I took some time out on Saturday to look at a few examples of the cars on the list, with the Golf R being the favorite of the day.
The Audi dealer didn’t have a S3 (new or used), but I later found that there’s another for sale locally that I’ll probably check out tonight. I know it’s mostly the same car as the Golf R, just with a sedan body and Audi interior. What’s amazing is that I found a nice example of both the Golf R and the S3 for under $30k.
My wife also digs the GTI, but my biggest concern about this trio is reliability. I haven’t heard a lot negative about the Mk7 at this point, but it’s also pretty new. If anybody has any experience with the GTI, Golf R or S3, I’d love to hear about it!
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/12/2017 at 09:00, STARS: 2
I can’t speak to reliability as there are only 20k miles on my S3, but (knock on wood) I haven’t had any issues yet. The DSG is fantastic, but not a replacement for a third pedal.
Here’s my review . I’m also happy to field any questions.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
06/12/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 0
I have a 16 GTI SE with the Performance package. A former coworker has a Golf R that he tuned; full stage 2 with a downpipe and new clutch.
The R is worth ever bit more than a GTI. I like my car. I’d get an R if I could without hesitation.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
06/12/2017 at 09:09, STARS: 1
I have the older 2008 A3 quattro and have come to accept the DSG. I’m at 41k miles and its been trouble free for me. The prior owner had a fuel pump go at 10k. I have one issue a rear sway bar end link but I’m certain thats due to me installing a beefier rear bar and Ohio roads. The car has enough performance to have impressed friends of mine with newer WRX and WRX STI on a trip last month. The comfort combined with handling is what I think they liked the most. My daughter had a new A3 for a loaner for two days while her A4 was being serviced. She loved it and might consider one for replacing her car in a couple years. As far as reliability concerns with Audi, the A4 she has just needed rear brakes at over 60k and a new cooling fan. She has had slightlyn elevated oil consumption but nothing I’d consider an issue. She expects to use no oil between extended changes and it needs about 1/3 qt.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 09:19, STARS: 0
Great review! I recalled reading it before, but just read it again. The Golf R was definitely the favorite of all the ones we saw/drove this weekend. My wife absolutely didn’t like the STi Limited, and I was a little surprised I didn’t like it either.
I suppose my question(s) to you would be:
1) Do you miss the manual? Meaning, do you think you’d be happier with a Golf R with the manual instead?
2) The one I’m looking at is used with about 28k on the clock. Base model. Is it worth holding out for one with some of the niceties (perf pkg, LEDs, etc) or lower miles?
3) Would you recommend I schedule a PPI with the local Audi dealer if we decide to move forward? It has roughly two years and 22k miles of warranty remaining, I think.
Thanks!!
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 09:22, STARS: 0
Right now, I feel somewhat confident that with enough time/effort, I could find a nice Golf R for about $30k. Staying in the used market, I could find a nice GTI S for $20k (ish). Is the R really worth the extra $10k? Or worth maybe the extra $2-4k over a brand new GTI SE?
I think that’s going to be one of the biggest things I agonize over, but your last comment really resonates there.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 09:26, STARS: 0
When you say, “have come to accept the DSG” that doesn’t seem like a ringing endorsement, lol.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/12/2017 at 09:47, STARS: 0
Thanks. I actually love the STi, it’s the toughest out of the bunch to live with but a great drive.
1. Two part answer. I didn’t miss it at first but now I do. I’ve got an E46 M3 that is manual, so is my ranger, and my wife’s forester. I still miss it when I drive the S3, except when I’m shifting down! The DSG is super quick there.
Would I be happier with a manual golf R? I don’t think so. I have never driven a 3 pedal VW/Audi where I liked the feel of the shifter/clutch, RS4 included. Clutch is light, shifter is plasticky. I’m sure that can be remedied, but out of the box I’ve not been a fan.
2. Has it got the magnetic dampers? The ride is stiff, the dampers make it more liveable for daily purposes. Mines got the dampers, led package, sound, and nav. Sound/Nav you can keep. The dampers and LED’s I would buy again.
3. If you’ve got a warranty I wouldn’t worry about a PPI unless, you have any suspicion that it has been modded. I’ve heard of a few nightmare scenarios where someone has bought one used/cpo then they take it in only to find out its been chipped by a previous owner and now their in a bad spot.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
06/12/2017 at 09:53, STARS: 0
Its not a M.T. and in the past I wore out a Tiptronic unit on an A4 from manual shifting for 110k miles. Playing with the DSG paddles becomes a bit video game like. The shifts are awesome fast. Even my 08 with a tune its down to a 5.6sec 0-60 so theres no issue in that regard. The only issue I ever see is sometimes there is a delay when I shift down into sport mode. I should know better than to do it just as I’m getting ready to jump out into very fast moving traffic. A downshift with the left paddle would achieve much the same results and then a shift into sport mode. Its different and you just need to get used to it. The extra hp in the S3 or R will make up for any issues until you adapt to it. I’ve been in a new A3 of same platform as the R and S3 it was fine. The WRX guys last month were surprised I was hanging with them on back roads but I think it was because they had to slow more for bad road surfaces than I did, the surfaces were beating them up while the Audi took the impacts. I also had it in sport mode most of the time and that made up for them being lazy on shifts.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
06/12/2017 at 09:58, STARS: 2
Funny you should ask.
http://www.rightfootdown.com/cars/reviews/cars-reviews/volkswagen-golf-r-audi-disguise/
My friend went from an S4 (albeit a 2001) to a Golf R. The VW is better in every way. You’d expect that with 15 years between them, but I think the Golf R really does feel like an Audi, it’s so good.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
06/12/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 1
Having owned one and driven the other on numerous occasions, the R is completely worth the extra money.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 10:16, STARS: 0
The only manual VW I’ve driven was a new GTI, and really get what you’re saying. I think I’d probably miss the manual as well, but the DSG really is quite good - hitting the paddles and having the car clip off shifts that fast is a lot of fun.
I’m pretty sure this one has the standard suspension - is there a button or anything inside that would clue me to whether or not it has the dampers? It has the base wheels and brake calipers, so I don’t think it has the mag dampers.
It doesn’t look like it has been modded - it’s completely stock in appearance, but obviously a tune past or present wouldn’t show. Do you think I could simply call Audi with the VIN and ask if the warranty is still valid?
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/12/2017 at 10:26, STARS: 1
Yea I actually giggle when shifting down with the Audi. My best friend who hates automatics, drove it and said “it’s awesome all around, but I never expected downshifting to be my favorite part!”
Dampers are controlled by a “driving mode” button, but I’m pretty sure that cars without the dampers still get that button as it changes the the steering, throttle, and fake noise box settings as well. If you go into the driving mode settings within the MMI you should be able to see it there. Honestly the only time I take them off the “hard” setting is for long trips, or on extremely shitty sections of road.
If it’s convenient to get a PPI, do it. You could call Audi and ask about the warranty, but I would want the confirmation of the warranty in writing.
"whatisthatsound" (whatisthatsound)
06/12/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 1
If you’re in the northwest I’m selling my R for 29k. I’ve had a mk6 and mk7 R. Ask me anything you’d like to know.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 0
Beautiful! Unfortunately I’m on the east coast.
Has it been a good car? Why are you selling? Is yours DSG or manual? Did you regret going one way over the other?
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0
Ah, yes, it does have that button - but like you said I bet it just controls throttle, steering, etc.
Do you generally get it serviced at the dealer? Has it been terribly expensive?
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 1
Wow - that is a vote. Screenshotting and sending to my wife :).
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/12/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 0
Yes, service at the dealer. I bought the maintenance package with the car, so I don’t pay for anything (out of pocket) during the warranty period. Not sure how much extra that was.