Golf R 3 door/5 door speculation/information thread

[Caillin]

So dissapointed right now

I think I may just stick with my current car and save some more pennies and see how the RS3 turns out. From rumours it sounds like a pretty perfect car if your after speed.

Might even start looking at the 135i as well as an option. I really liked the idea of switching to DSG though.

Maybe back to EVO X... just would love to try a euro car for a change of pace.

[G-rig]

Re: Golf R arrives in July?

So dissapointed right now

I think I may just stick with my current car and save some more pennies and see how the RS3 turns out. From rumours it sounds like a pretty perfect car if your after speed.

Might even start looking at the 135i as well as an option. I really liked the idea of switching to DSG though.

Maybe back to EVO X... just would love to try a euro car for a change of pace.

The new 135i have DCT, which would be just as good as DSG I assume, a lot better than the auto anyway.

[Caillin]

The new 135i have DCT, which would be just as good as DSG I assume, a lot better than the auto anyway.

Thanks for the heads-up G-rig, I'll do some more research tonight.

Still gobsmacked that VWA would pull this move, but judging from some of the comments of you guys that have been VW fans for quite a while, VWA are known to make some decidedly retarded decisions with regard to their local line-ups.

For those wondering why this is such a big deal. It is just a superficial change, but honestly, if I was going to drop $60k+ on a new car, I don't want to be thinking every time I went to get into it that it's not what I really wanted.

[Corey_R]

It is just a superficial change, but honestly, if I was going to drop $60k+ on a new car, I don't want to be thinking every time I went to get into it that it's not what I really wanted.

Word! With the options I'd like on the R (and based off 'R32 pricing') it'd come to almost exactly $80k. With a 10% discount that'd be just over $72k, and there is no way that I want to be in that situation, of having spent that much hard earned money, to have that constant reminder that I've paid that much for something which wasn't what I really wanted.

I too am happy to just not buy a new car if I can't find one suitable right now. There will always be new cars coming out. That additional $72k in my offset account will make a big difference to my home loan.

It's as simple as that

[G-rig]

Re: Golf R arrives in July?

I think the 135i would be a more satisfying drive as long a you are fine with it's looks. I'm not 100% sold on the shape but the engine is a pearler & rwd is an obvious benefit for the enthusiast.

Shame the wait and info/pricing is so drawn out for the new R. A pirelli for 40k may be good enough..

[dave_r]

Renault Megane III RS250.

A french car? ROFL...Sorry but no chance.

Oh guys, come on, all this wingeing about door numbers... As far as I'm concerned, mine should have at least one so I can get behind the wheel! Is there any difference in how they drive, is 3 or 5 door any faster? No? That's what I thought.

This has come up many times in the thread. It quite simply comes down to the drivers preference. If the most important person, ie the driver wants a 3 door then yes, there is a big difference.

The 3 door Golf R has been approved for sale in Australia, indicating that at some point in time, the 3 door will be available locally. I anticipate that any 3 door R's that were originally destined for Aus would most likely be diverted to other markets. Once demand is satisfied in on other continents, you may see a few batches of 3 door R's arrive.

If they did that say 6 months after I had to cancel an order, it would cement my position in never purchasing another VW in this lifetime.

S3 is the logical fallback but it isn't perfect. 3 door S3 is manual only which some may not like and the 3dr really is showing its age IMO looks wise.

For those wondering why this is such a big deal. It is just a superficial change, but honestly, if I was going to drop $60k+ on a new car, I don't want to be thinking every time I went to get into it that it's not what I really wanted.

That is why I haven't rushed out to order a GTI to make sure I have a new car around mid year.

The new 135i have DCT, which would be just as good as DSG I assume, a lot better than the auto anyway.
...
I think the 135i would be a more satisfying drive as long a you are fine with it's looks. I'm not 100% sold on the shape but the engine is a pearler & rwd is an obvious benefit for the enthusiast.

I didn't know they had a DSG either, but the looks thing is still the #1 problem with them.

[Caillin]

S3 is the logical fallback but it isn't perfect. 3 door S3 is manual only which some may not like and the 3dr really is showing its age IMO looks wise.

I do like the idea of the S3, but the shape just does absolutely nothing for me unfortunately. If the RS3 is just exactly the same shape, but with the better engine, then that would still turn me off....

Damn VWA for getting me excited about switching into a Euro for the first time and then pulling the rug out.

[G-rig]

I agree the S3 isn't really an option as the hatch has no DSG and is looking outdated.

Bit mean showing all the promo pics then saying no 3dr.. wtf! VW still have too many rattles anyway.

[Corey_R]

Bit mean showing all the promo pics then saying no 3dr.. wtf! VW still have too many rattles anyway.

At least with the R there were SOME promo pictures with the 5 door.
I remember for the release of the MKV GTI, going to the dealer just before they had one of the cars in stock, getting handed the brochure and EVERY SINGLE picture in the brochure being the 3 door car. I sat down with the dealer, looked at the options, discussed everything I wanted, and said I'll take all that in red with 3 door and they told me that I could only have it in 5 doors! I was like WTF, you don't even have a PICTURE of a 5 door yet that is the ONLY option I have?! That was really bad work VW!

[cme2c]

A french car? ROFL...Sorry but no chance.


If they did that say 6 months after I had to cancel an order, it would cement my position in never purchasing another VW in this lifetime.

S3 is the logical fallback but it isn't perfect. 3 door S3 is manual only which some may not like and the 3dr really is showing its age IMO looks wise.

I do understand your bias against French cars. A Peugeot 307 caused my wife to swear off Peugeots for life. She is very happy with her Golf 118TSI. Also the Megane is manual only FWIW.

And yet.. My Peugeot 206 GTi has been reliable, I have put 70,000km on it with only routine maintainance ( it's approaching 100,000 in total), and the way it drives puts a smile on my face. From reviews, the Megane has the French more direct road feel than Golf or Scirocco, So for me the RenaultSport is an option.

The A3 / S3 looks so yesterday compared to the Golf. Also, if you buy an Audi, your money goes to VW anyway.

But, hey, everyone's different. Just as well, or we'd all be driving Camrys.

[Caillin]

Ok, call me fickle, but I think a single photo has reinstated my faith in the 4 door being able to look sorted...



It's amazing how much a 20mm drop over normal height can give the 4 door a much much better stance.

Thoughts from other 3-door lovers?

[Corey_R]

There's no diff in the stance between the 3 and 5 door (I'm sure I had this convo before). So to me this has never been an issue.

[Qikas]

It's amazing how much a 20mm drop over normal height can give the 4 door a much much better stance.

Thoughts from other 3-door lovers?

Dropping it 20mm doesn't make it any less a boring 4-door family wagon IMO. I'd prefer something that looks the goods, is more entertaining and biased towards performance - that's just me.

I don't think resale and perceptions of build quality will dictate my next choice either, afterall, if you don't enjoy the car you own, resale value won't compensate for that. Which is why this data and this comparison seem all the more interesting.

..now here comes the

[G-rig]

30mm drop does the trick

The wheel gap is huge on the megane but doesn't look like you can lower it much, plus the **** resale.

[MurphyTheElf]

Dropping it 20mm doesn't make it any less a boring 4-door family wagon IMO. I'd prefer something that looks the goods, is more entertaining and biased towards performance - that's just me.

The 3 and 5 door are the SAME CAR!

OK, I understand people like a couple less doors and slightly different lines, but to say a 5 door version of the EXACT car is boring.... well....

As I've said before: the front looks the same, the back looks the same, the top looks the same.... but the side of the 5 door makes you go a big rubbery one?

I think coupe's look pretty damn hot, but I've never looked at a 4/5 door version of a coupe and shrivelled up at the sight of it. Another example is the Audi A5 5 door - it still looks amazing.