Golf doors are a distinctive brand asset. The nailed on screen and fussy styling are miss-steps, but the VW marketing team have committed the cardinal sin in allowing that door experience to be diluted. So disappointing! 7.5 remains peak Golf for me.
The lack of under-bonnet gloss paint is something the VW group has been doing for a long time - my 2015 Golf was like that. Looked okay when new but didn’t look so good as it aged. At the time it was “marketed” as being a weight saving measure if I remember correctly. I guess the accountants have a say too.
As a current low mileage 8v S3 owner and a previous owner of a Mk7 Gti P/P I would definately choose the S3. Streets ahead in quality over the Mk7 Golf. Or perhaps a 2 year old RS3.
@@wynhughes9072 The only thing I wouldn’t want from the RS3 is the astronomical running costs in comparison to the GTI/S3/R. I’ve sold my 7PP and stuck between an 8Y S3/ 8R and late model M135i rock and hard place. Can’t decide but I’d never have the balls to go for the RS after knowing what my friends shelled out over the years 😬
Wish all modern DSG optioned cars retained the fun gear shift lever because I literally use it all the time to shift gears in my Golf R turbo swapped Mk7.5 GTI.
I'm not a Audi or VW owner but I do enjoy your video's. I've had a BMW m140i and the m135i xdrive. What I now personally find astonishing is BMW is offering the new 2024 m135 which is costing roughly the same as the new S3 and new R but has less power than both the VW and Audi and doesn't have the trick rear diff, now I get that those things may not be that big a deal in the scheme of things but if your paying nearly 45k for a premium hot hatch then you want as much stuff as you can get for your money. I'm a BMW guy but I just don't see how the new m135 competes with these two cars 🤷♂️
Thanks for your kind words Mark. Don't know if you saw it but I did an S3 vs M135i xdrive review a few years ago and the BMW won mainly because it looked and felt worthy of its premium badge unlike the Audi which at the time was well matched on firepower. I've suspected and now seen in reports that manufacturers don't want to sell a lot of these cars but want to make max profit instead because ultimately that's the only reason they make them. The way Co2 emissions are penalised by EU is partly to do with this. So BMW will sell the first few to dedicated BMW M fans and max out on profit and then when the sales drop off they will have to sell enough to pay for all the R&D so discounts will improve but I bet actual sales targets will be much lower than the pre facelift car. As you call tell by the lack of hot hatch rivals these days, lots of manufacturers can't be bothered so I guess we should be grateful for having what little choice we do have👍🏻
The bigger downside of the Golf R is... not being available in Kings Red. I would still go for the base Golf GTi over any other, if available with a manual gearbox.
It's a lot more than the S3 too and I suspect dynamically inferior, only the way it will be quicker around the 'ring is its extra power but all that front weight is not good. But it does have a lot of character and is much sharper now than the old 8V cars. Just wish it could be specced how you want it in the UK
Not a fan of the front end TBH, looks a bit of a mess. Kinda bulbous like it's been taken from a bigger car and grafted on. The wheels are a bit fussy too, I like a cleaner looking wheel. It'd be the Golf for me, don't like leather and I think it's a better looking car. I like your shoe analogy, I always prefer trainers over brogues.
Do Audi still stick the cruise on a stupid bloody stalk instead of the wheel like normal people?
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Great review. One suggestion about the rough ride without having adaptive dampers, I've heard many times over with MQB cars, and especially the pre-facelift 8Y S3, if you downsize from 19" to 18" wheels then the ride becomes quite a bit more compliant. In the US, the S3 comes standard with 18" wheels. I've got years driving a mk7 GTI with a passive system on the stock 18" Austin wheels and it's perfect, not too firm or soft (on medium quality roads). I wonder how this S3's ride quality compares when equipped with 18"s and passive A few things you forgot to mention, is that now you can finally peg the needle on redline without it auto upshifting in manual mode. Also how nice and tactile the buttons are when you push them and hear the click. Would have also liked to hear you talk about the new dynamic plus, other reviews mention that the magna splitter is better calibrated for a daily cruiser like this compared to how it's full drift wildness in the rs3/R
I have the 8Y S3 black edition with 19 inch wheels, and I can say the stories about it being an uncomfortable firm ride are absolutely bollocks. My kids fall asleep in the car when I'm driving, and the first thing my wife said after I changed from an A4 2l diesel SE was that the S3 felt comfier, and it doesn't have the adaptive dampeners.
18s are ok but look dreadful, main because of their offset not actually their diameter. Not available in the UK anyway because once again we get shafted by Audi on choice of spec. Actually I forgot to say it still changes up in manual mode. Where have you heard it doesn’t? That is actually a point to the Golf which performance pack doesn’t. Re the Magna splitter if you are testing it on the road then best of luck but it’s not worth me getting into trouble. I did sample it off camera and it does exactly what I stated in dynamic mode, scared me the first time TBH. RS3 was similar but doesn’t that have a drift mode type mode? Stay out of that and R, S3 RS3 all behave similarly, in fact the 4 cylinder cars are probably better overall.
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@@volkswizard Mat Watson from carwow demonstrates the non-forced upshifting and pegs the redline here around the 10:15 min mark; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o4DaISjB-lw.htmlsi=8obEJ0MoRiAzhd9t (he's in both dynamic mode and manual mode) I thought the RS3 had a drift mode exactly like the golf R but just named something different like 'Torque Rear' (but tuned the same with almost too much rear slip like the golf R). I don't blame you for not wanting to get too aggressive on public UK roads, thanks for the feedback on the s3 in dynamic plus.
I’ve just got rid of a mk 8 Golf R. Couldn’t stand it. Looks, god awful HMI, interior quality, the list goes on. Was totally gutted as my 7.5 R was the best car I’ve ever had.
I've just checked and I am very surprised that yes the Polo gets proper adaptive dampers, because in the old Polo GTI and S1 they were just switchable and I think they just got harder which wasn' that useful. It's possible the torsion beam rear end on the Polo means the ride would be too firm without them. I had a torsion beam rear end Leon FR Sport TDI 150 with DCC and that was pretty terrible even with it!
Thanks Simon, that's tricky to say for sure but it may well have been beefed up in the same way as the brakes have been. I had 2 S3 press cars in 2021, one was on 19s, other on 18s but don't recall dampers. Need to check my videos to see what I said but don't recall it being an issue. I do recall the 1.5 TFSI S line I drove in 2020 being surprisingly plush for an S line Audi and I think S3 continued that theme.
On looks alone the R wins hands down. The S3 has lost its identity and in the wrobg colour would look like a model further down the range. Great reveiw
Thanks! Agreed the R looks more in yer face but the stealth factor of the S3 has its benefits especially if you like to push on when driving and keep a low profile. I just wish it said S3 more (or a bit!) inside.
I tried to get this answer out of Audi but no reply. Why delete one of the best features? Spec of UK Audis has been really poor in recent years to the point where I can’t get the car I want even if I want to pay a lot more on options. Not sure how this is good business.
@@MHVids409 This was probably an early press car before they removed it. I took delivery of the same Black Edition model 1 week ago and it has no powered tailgate. UK build configurator also shows "Manual boot compartment lid" for both Black Edition and Vorsprung.
@@jaxkesa Many thanks for clarifying! I ordered a Black Edition as well, so this would be rather disappointing... Did you get the Teck Pack Pro though? There is a brief mention of "The boot can be opened using a kicking motion" in the Keyless entry section.
@@MHVids409 Yes have Tech Pack Pro. Kicking motion doesn't unlock, open or do anything. I guess that only applies if you have the electric boot. Also missing Audi Beam on my model.
Thanks Colm, I've driven every GTE apart from Mk7, (7.5 + 8.0) and all have shown potential, 272 PS of 8.5 is a big jump so hopefully it's enough to make it feel like a performance car.
Just remember nobody cares, or should care. They are both part of the same group sharing the same parts. If you like golf's stick with golf's, if you like audis stick with audis and so on. Or just test drive them and see whats best for you rather than being sucked into what youtube says. I like both, but own an S3 8Y because I'm used to audis. My friend has the Golf R 20 years and it's a cracking car. I considered the golf but when I walked into the audi show room and saw the S3 in the show room I just bought it there and then and haven't been disappointed.
8V S3 was a great car. At the time I seem to recall Mk7 Golf R was dynamically superior supposedly so it never got the limelight but now I can't imagine Golf R can be much sharper. Flat bottom wheel still exists but adding driver assistance items deletes it - this is super annoying as the assistance stuff is bundled in with Tech Pack Pro so you don't really choose it and other brands including Audi have offered these functions with flat bottom wheel so I don't understand the reasoning.
I don’t like the front and not a fan of interior therefore I’d go for the golf, plus if there the same price roughly then surely the cheaper VW is better than a cheap Audi
Depending on spec the S3 can actually be cheaper than the VW (that bit is right at the end of the video). But they are so close that if you just don't like one of them then go for the other 👍🏻
Aesthetically on the outside the Golf R for me, but the interior? the S3....just. That said, there's hardly any difference (seats aside) with a boggy A3 in there, lots of cheap plastic. The M140i has a much better cabin and the A35 blows them all away. Not having the 360 camera available is so poor for a top range car, that just ought to be standard, its a £325 option on a Golf!! Not sure who's designing or signing off the alloy wheels for Audi (or VW) these days but they're really, really uninspiring. For me, the S3 Saloon would be my choice over the R and Sportback, purely based on looks alone. Dunno, the S3 is leaving me a bit underwhelmed these days.
I think drive the S3 and you’ll be impressed. It will drive similarly to R but you look at it and don’t expect it so its strangely more satisfying as a result, proper Q car
@@volkswizard I absolutely don't question the drive, i'm more than sure its really good. Its the looks, i like sporty but subtle, but i like looking over my shoulder at my car in a car park or somewhere and thinking, 'that looks good' (even though i should really grow up at my age) but the difference between a well specced boggy and top range seems to be becoming ever closer aesthetically with the interiors almost the same. It seems the only way to tell at a quick glance is to look at the exhausts. That's getting a bit too understated for an S3 imo.
Andrew, Nice review as usual. I've just taken delivery of an S3 Vorsprung in Progressive red, rear airbags and red brake calipers. Absolutely beautiful. The ride in Comfort mode easily takes care of our typical roads. Performance is effortless. It's expensive on paper but in relative terms I think it is worth the money.
Agreed, amazing how BMW have kept it so high and Audi who were class leaders have taken the mick, the carpet is the biggest let down, if you look at pre -2020 A3/S3 or your 1er you will see why
You need serious money to waste buying a fast hatch these days 50k to buy then luxury car tax then insurance and fuel , servicing etc factor in depreciation , wouldn’t even like to think what cost per mile is
Excellent comparison and definitely like the S3 understated design - in yellow would look great and with adaptive dampers my choice as not losing any performance or dynamic assets of the R 🎯👍
Audi for me. It has the premium factors that vw used to give you. (All the bits you point out. But i can't afford it! I paid £17k for my three year old GTi 7.5 in 2020, the car market is moving away from what i can afford.
Another great review. I love your Audi analogies whether it’s comparing new house builds or now shoes it makes the point well. BTW what’s that plastic on your gates - I need something like that.
Thanks Sean, much appreciated🙌🏻 I didn’t know how that analogy would go down but clearly we are on same wavelength. Same about the new house thing 👍 I’ve looked on Amazon and the plastic is Protec garden 300 gsm but can’t see any more as it’s been a while. I was dubious how it would look but amazing it fitted perfectly in height so only needed one cut on each gate for width. Secured with black cable ties. Looks better from the front. Keeps things away from prying eyes and people who think just because you used to sell cars and own a few cars that you must be selling cars from home… 🙄
I’ll be honest, I think both VW and Audi have totally dropped the ball with the design of the Golf and the A3. Far too much scooping, sculpting of the exterior. And the Golf just look too bulky / overweight.
Drive the deal have got an offer on S3 black editions with tech pack for £44,699. I'd be tempted if I could add DCC as an option but I think Audi are going to lose sales by forcing people to get the Vorsprung if they want it.
Not in last version as it just wasn’t as hardcore as mk8. This one now is and the premium thing is my point, it’s very close in PCP costs and in some specs cheaper than the R. So no premium
There is an Akrapovic available in other markets, another example of how we get screwed on spec in the UK. I mean why would they not want £3k+ for an exhaust that costs them a fraction of this?
Finance wise, Audi have just bumped up the GFV at the end to make the numbers look better. Overall you are paying more interest and more money with the Audi
Sure, the GFV is higher because it depreciates less and therefore the monthly is lower but you only pay more overall if you buy the car at the end of the term which most people don't do. So in this case less per month still equates to less overall even if more of what you do pay for the Audi is interest which is academic anyway as interest and depreciation are as bad as each other :) It's this slower depreciation of German premium brands that makes them cheaper to finance than inferior non-premium mainstream cars, generally VW have been immune to this because like for like they are usually cheaper but with VW R being seen by the marketing department as effectively a 'premium performance' stand alone, brand they are being punchy with their pricing but I think they've gone too far this time.
They are both nice cars but they are trying to be something they never will be For the new price of these cars you could own something really nice at 2 or 3 years old with 15 ,000 miles ish . I'm just not 1 for taking the hit when buying a new car.
There has to be reason why its in the range :) Choose whatever colour you like and if it's on PCP the depreciation is not your problem - Audi won't care because you've given them £4k towards it with the paint :)
Build quality and interior quality significantly worse than bmw m135i. Would be good to see you do a comparison video with the new bmw like you did last time? Or maybe the updated f40 bmw which had all the upgraded suspension and chassis revisions
Hi Andrew great video For me Audi has always been the premium brand over the years rubbing shoulders with bmw mercs but now Audi vw seat Skoda are different versions of the golf and don’t have there own character as much as they used to like the mk2 golf days. Looking forward to your thoughts on the R black edition. Thanks again Vdub :)
Nobody can pull along side of you in a better Golf when ur in the R but in the Audi the RS pulls up along side and ur in the S3 you may feel ur doing something wrong in life 😂
That is a fair point Lee, RS3 is still the MQB daddy and as with pre facelift car you feel S3 could be better if it was top of the tree but it’s definitely closer to RS3 and maybe even better dynamically without heavy 5 pot up front
By that I mean what’s the point of a VW if it’s more than an identical Audi to finance and no quicker, and less well made. Still trying to answer there one but do let me know 👍
@@volkswizard I agree, it was always the Audi exterior styling and interior luxury that was the appeal for the S3. To me, the S3 should be the best performance and all round car over the R. It’s all become a bit diluted and pointless.
