Golf R Observations and Questions

[HPSOV]

When using launch control is it meant to limit revs itself? I thought I could just floor it and it would hold 3200rpm until I let go of the brake. But it doesn't look like it controls revs at all, not sure why I thought it did.
Also when using launch control the subsequent gear changes did not make the farting noise and felt slower than normal. Hard acceleration without having used launch and all is normal. Tried it 3 times and it was the same every time. All done using manual mode.

[REXman]

Still a bit of a gimmick IMO, but more necessary on the GTI with 18" from all reports (and having it personally the ride is good).

There is a noticeable difference between the settings and on bad roads the comfort setting is plush however handling may suffer slightly too.

I just like coilovers but ACC is good if you think you'll never go for aftermarket suspension.

Hey G-Rig, SO is that true about what I have been reading regarding the springs on ACC? I have ordered the ACC (also a gadget whore ) but does this mean pains in the backside when trying to drop the car 1.5inches on other springs?

[G-rig]

Hey G-Rig, SO is that true about what I have been reading regarding the springs on ACC? I have ordered the ACC (also a gadget whore ) but does this mean pains in the backside when trying to drop the car 1.5inches on other springs?

Wj seems to think you can drop it 1" or so on other springs without affecting the ACC system too much, but not sure. Someone in the US has.

[Corey_R]

When using launch control is it meant to limit revs itself? I thought I could just floor it and it would hold 3200rpm until I let go of the brake. But it doesn't look like it controls revs at all, not sure why I thought it did.
Also when using launch control the subsequent gear changes did not make the farting noise and felt slower than normal. Hard acceleration without having used launch and all is normal. Tried it 3 times and it was the same every time. All done using manual mode.

We've actually be discussing the R's launch control feature over in this other thread.

[Lima]

Just some notes on the differences between the Audi S3 & the Golf R



The Golf R cuts a lot of costs in comparison to the S3 (in hardware).

ACC is a much more cost effective solution compared to the Audi Magnetic drive. The Audi System seems to be way ahead - but costs more.

Golf R has cast steel control arms & hub carriers (front) The S3 is all lightweight alloy (lots less unsprung weight).

Added: The S3's rear subframe is also girder construction alloy, The Golf R simple pressed steel.

The Golf R intercooler is way smaller than the S3 (might be also why they rate the power as less).

Fit & finish is good, not to the Audi standard.

Audi's stereo is way better (and blue tooth standard) - but the RNS510 is a far better nav unit than the end of the generation RNSE in the S3.

Leather is also standard in the S3.

Worth more for the S3? - depends on what you want, but components alone almost stack up to the price difference - so there is a clear difference in the vehicles.

If actual bang for your buck is what you are after (not the nice bits listed above) the Golf R wins.



Personally not for me - I did a lot of running around, pot holes, round abouts, smooth highway & even a corrugated dirt road (road into Mount Cotton hill climb) - the difference is subtle & often hard to differentiate depending on the conditions, I would personally spend the $1500 elsewhere.

That's interesting info. Helps soften the $15K price premium a little bit, haha.

[Guy_H]

Cheers Liam, I think the VAG group will always keep that separation between the VW & Audi's - certainly if I was to drive to Sydney (1000 km's) I'd rather be inside an S3 than a Golf R.

[G-rig]

Cheers Liam, I think the VAG group will always keep that separation between the VW & Audi's - certainly if I was to drive to Sydney (1000 km's) I'd rather be inside an S3 than a Golf R.

Maybe leather seats are more comfortable than cloth?

There's no doubt in my mind that the S3 is still the premium car, but the price of the R is pretty good (15k less for basically the same think give or take).

[Lima]

If I was buying now it would be Golf R all the way!

[Corey_R]

It's been a while since I drove the Audi S3, but back in 2008 I drove it and the MKV GTI side by side. The GTI was completely optioned (except for Metallic paint) and the S3 not really optioned at all. But even comparing the MKV to the S3 I just didn't think that the S3's interior was worth the additional cost. I'm now much more "VAG-savy" and I still learn things every day about these cars (such as Guy_H's post today about some of the differences under the skin), but I really can't see how the S3 interior is nicer than the MK6's interior. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but to me the MK6 interior is the nicer place to be (as long as you have leather that is!)

[G-rig]

I do like the MK6 interior but have always liked the S3 interior as well.. still feels like better quality even the standard radio looks expensive and that dash display is pretty hot.

Leather is a bit overrated and I got cloth this time which is fine for QLD. The Audi leather looks of a higher quality, not sure if it is part man-made materials as well?

[Lima]

This will sound a bit daft seeing as I own an S3, but while I was waiting for my car to be delivered I had a lot of people says stuff like "oh you'll like the nicer interior over the Mk5 GTI" etc. At the time I didn't really appreciate the difference and dismissed such comments. Certainly, the interior was not one of the reasons that attracted me to the S3. Indeed, ergonomically, at least, it is inferior to the Mk5 in a few ways. However, after owning the S3 for almost a year now I do admit I much prefer its interior over the Mk5. And while I haven't spent a lot of time in a Mk6 to get a proper feel for its interior I dare say I'd still rate the S3 ahead.

Having said all that, Golf interiors, esp since the Mk4, have been first class and IMO anyone who used the interior as the only reason to buy an S3 over an R or even a GTI would have to be living in la la land, haha.

[Corey_R]

You could be very right Lima. I too noted the ergonomic issues between the S3 and the MKV GTI - especially apparently in the 3 door models. But as I decided to go with the GTI, I haven't spent a long time in the S3...

[dave_r]

It's been a while since I drove the Audi S3, but back in 2008

I drove one the other week when looking for race buckets to try out. It was on par or maybe a little nicer than the MK5 but no way better than a MK6 anything which you'd expect given the S3 hasn't been updated.

In saying all that, if the 3dr S3 came in DSG, i'd already be driving one months ago!

Oh and another thing: My observation is that all these people who've got their R's....WHERES THE BLOODY PHOTOS YA BASTARDS? I think we've only really seen FLM's!

[REXman]

<----- Blue R32??

Yeah, some photos would be nice. I mean the photos thread is just full of... comments?! Although one champ put 2 pics up today (NICE!!).. but thats it.

Yeah I dont know bout the S3.. it looks to bubbly to me and long/short in places. I would have bought whatever I wanted in this hatch class, but I just got sold on the VW's after seeing first a charcoal, and then a blue R32' on the road and was very blown away at how well sorted they looked.

I never got that feeling with the audi hatches. The just don't look that nice to me. Thats why Im a VW forum trying to pass time waiting for my ordered R to come..

Hope that does not come across as a dig at AUDI's, or any other car brand for that matter. But yeah I thought the VW's were the goods when it came to hatch segment so thats why i am buying one.

I could have bought a 135, or a S3, GTI, R, WRX, STI, etc.. I just really like what the GOLF's bring to the table, better than anything else out there right now. And Im not a hardcore VW fan. Haven't actually owned one yet either really so im not being biased. Im an outsider who has made his decision from what I have seen in real life on roads and at dealerships I have looked at to spend my coin.

Everyone might remember my rant about how GOLFs I always thought of as hairdresser cars. Which is what I thought till I tried them and there performance backed up their looks.

With the 135, I dont really like that they look like KIA from behind (which people also said about the MY09 WRX which I owned). And really they are a base BMW which is trying to much to get into the richie rich segment. But the fact that BMW sell you a KIA look alike for top coin shows how keen you are to get into the BMW brand IMO..

But as far as the driving experience goes, I know BMW's kick ass in terms of feel and they are still very much a boys car being RWD. So in no way would they be a bad or even average choice. great car for sure. I just like the R better.

[G-rig]

Oh and another thing: My observation is that all these people who've got their R's....WHERES THE BLOODY PHOTOS YA BASTARDS? I think we've only really seen FLM's!

LOL, sounds like you're ready for you R Dave... Should be worth the wait.

Agree, need more pics. Here are a few i found on the net in the mean time: