I thought I'd start a little debate!
I have owned my S3 since 2000, and was looking forward to replacing it with the new version when it comes out, even though I'm getting well p'd off with the length of time Audi is taking to launch the new car. I mean, there hasn't been a new S3 on sale for nearly 3 years now, for goodness' sake! (Do they want to lose customers?)
Anyway, yesterday I wandered into the local VW dealer whilst on a mission to assist my Polo-owning mother. Big mistake. In there was a brand new R32 Golf, with all the options (including DSG, which I wanted on the new S3 but guess what, Audi aren't offering at launch!!) Temptation got the better of me, and I got a test drive. Now, I've always been a fan of V6 engines, and I was disappointed when Audi announced that the new S3 would be a 4-cylinder. The R32 reminded me why. It was simply awesome. Bags of torque, great handling, and great noise from the engine. I always thought the S3 had one of the best driving environments of any car I've ever driven, but it was beaten by the R32. The Recaro seats were amazing (much grippier and sportier than the Recaros in the S3), the driving position and instruments were spot-on, and overall it just felt a bigger, roomier, more substantial car than my current S3 (which feels small by comparison although I know the figures say it's not really that much smaller), and from what I've seen from the spy pictures, the new S3 too. Also, the steering wheel looked like it had come from a race car; one of the nicest I've ever used, particularly in "Tiptronic" mode.
I am now in serious doubt as to where my next car will come from. I had previously been eagerly waiting for the new S3 not wanting anything else. Now (and I know this is utter heresy from a dyed-in-the-wool S3 fan, and I can't quite believe I'm saying it) the R32 has become a serious contender for my cash. It appears to me that a fully-specced R32 (with a V6 3.2 engine) is not likely to be much different in price from what I was anticipating paying for a fully-specced new S3 (with a 4-cylinder 2-litre engine)
As usual when I find myself in a quandry like this, I try to list the pros and cons.
"Pros" in favour of the R32 include: V6 engine, power and performance likely to be very similar to S3, car feels bigger and more substantial than S3, great steering wheel, lots of standard kit for the money, likely value for money for this as against a smaller-engined S3, value for money for VW badge as against Audi badge (where both use the same parts bin), much quicker delivery time (even considering current 6-month plus waiting list for R32) bearing in mind that the S3 is not launched yet and there will be a further wait for the DSG option (if it's coming at all)
"Cons": Not an Audi (but I could get over this with the right counselling!), having to deal with VW service departments, slight concern about possible "boy racer" image of R32, Sat-Nav option doesn't include TV tuner option, no BOSE option, leather option very expensive.
God, I wish I hadn't set foot in that VW dealership. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm not sure. A Golf R32 V6 3.2 DSG in 6 months, or continue to wait for an S3 2.0 DSG which could be 12 months away. What do you think? Please help!!
I have owned my S3 since 2000, and was looking forward to replacing it with the new version when it comes out, even though I'm getting well p'd off with the length of time Audi is taking to launch the new car. I mean, there hasn't been a new S3 on sale for nearly 3 years now, for goodness' sake! (Do they want to lose customers?)
Anyway, yesterday I wandered into the local VW dealer whilst on a mission to assist my Polo-owning mother. Big mistake. In there was a brand new R32 Golf, with all the options (including DSG, which I wanted on the new S3 but guess what, Audi aren't offering at launch!!) Temptation got the better of me, and I got a test drive. Now, I've always been a fan of V6 engines, and I was disappointed when Audi announced that the new S3 would be a 4-cylinder. The R32 reminded me why. It was simply awesome. Bags of torque, great handling, and great noise from the engine. I always thought the S3 had one of the best driving environments of any car I've ever driven, but it was beaten by the R32. The Recaro seats were amazing (much grippier and sportier than the Recaros in the S3), the driving position and instruments were spot-on, and overall it just felt a bigger, roomier, more substantial car than my current S3 (which feels small by comparison although I know the figures say it's not really that much smaller), and from what I've seen from the spy pictures, the new S3 too. Also, the steering wheel looked like it had come from a race car; one of the nicest I've ever used, particularly in "Tiptronic" mode.
I am now in serious doubt as to where my next car will come from. I had previously been eagerly waiting for the new S3 not wanting anything else. Now (and I know this is utter heresy from a dyed-in-the-wool S3 fan, and I can't quite believe I'm saying it) the R32 has become a serious contender for my cash. It appears to me that a fully-specced R32 (with a V6 3.2 engine) is not likely to be much different in price from what I was anticipating paying for a fully-specced new S3 (with a 4-cylinder 2-litre engine)
As usual when I find myself in a quandry like this, I try to list the pros and cons.
"Pros" in favour of the R32 include: V6 engine, power and performance likely to be very similar to S3, car feels bigger and more substantial than S3, great steering wheel, lots of standard kit for the money, likely value for money for this as against a smaller-engined S3, value for money for VW badge as against Audi badge (where both use the same parts bin), much quicker delivery time (even considering current 6-month plus waiting list for R32) bearing in mind that the S3 is not launched yet and there will be a further wait for the DSG option (if it's coming at all)
"Cons": Not an Audi (but I could get over this with the right counselling!), having to deal with VW service departments, slight concern about possible "boy racer" image of R32, Sat-Nav option doesn't include TV tuner option, no BOSE option, leather option very expensive.
God, I wish I hadn't set foot in that VW dealership. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm not sure. A Golf R32 V6 3.2 DSG in 6 months, or continue to wait for an S3 2.0 DSG which could be 12 months away. What do you think? Please help!!
