Golf R estate or RSQ3
Discussion
Hi all. Will be coming out if the company car scheme shortly and I’m after a family car up to 25K. I don’t do many miles a year and I live in suburbs of London. I’m after a premium feel car, that looks the part and has the performance when I want it (I have a Caterham for proper driving fun).
For the same sort of money I can get a golf R estate, or an RSQ3. Where would you put your money? Residuals, fun and running costs are key, as I will be planning to keep this car at least 5 years.
Thanks in advance
For the same sort of money I can get a golf R estate, or an RSQ3. Where would you put your money? Residuals, fun and running costs are key, as I will be planning to keep this car at least 5 years.
Thanks in advance
Phil Dicky said:
25k is a fair chunk of money and will get you into many fast premium cars from BM.Merc Audi etc. Have you eliminated all other options ?
Yes. I want auto and petrol. Needs to be practical and I want a fairly new car to have modern tech etc. Running costs needs to be reasonable and German build quality Anyone got either of these?
I have an R Estate with every option barring panoramic roof - could have bought the RS for the money.
My opinion is that the Golf doesn't have a 5 pot lump, but it's a better car overall. We used to have an A3 and they're not a patch on the Golf to live with.
It isn't my only car, but even if it was I'd have made the same decision.
My opinion is that the Golf doesn't have a 5 pot lump, but it's a better car overall. We used to have an A3 and they're not a patch on the Golf to live with.
It isn't my only car, but even if it was I'd have made the same decision.
I really like RSQ3s (accept I'm in a minority) and even I'd probably choose the Golf. They are leagues ahead in terms of feeling modern, the Q3 really shows its age these days.
The RSQ3 should have oodles of personality and dynamically they're actually very good (they ride waaaaaay better than an RS3) but Audi made two mistakes:
Winding the boost down
Fitting a boring exhaust
I don't think either of those are actually accurate because they nicked the bits out of the old RS3 (underwhelming) rather than the new one. In age terms though you'd compare it with the newer model where the powertrain really shines in a way this doesn't.
If it has RS3 levels of power (closer to 400 than 300) and an exhaust that let a little more of its character come through then it would have been an absolute belter. Weird that Audi didn't do these as the RS3 has both of those bases covered and the Q3 is very much parallel to it in the range, they had nothing to lose in marketing terms.
If you're happy with a mildly modified car an RSQ3 would be wonderful with some gentle tweaks. Out of the box I'd have the Golf (and the tech is way better too).
The RSQ3 should have oodles of personality and dynamically they're actually very good (they ride waaaaaay better than an RS3) but Audi made two mistakes:
Winding the boost down
Fitting a boring exhaust
I don't think either of those are actually accurate because they nicked the bits out of the old RS3 (underwhelming) rather than the new one. In age terms though you'd compare it with the newer model where the powertrain really shines in a way this doesn't.
If it has RS3 levels of power (closer to 400 than 300) and an exhaust that let a little more of its character come through then it would have been an absolute belter. Weird that Audi didn't do these as the RS3 has both of those bases covered and the Q3 is very much parallel to it in the range, they had nothing to lose in marketing terms.
If you're happy with a mildly modified car an RSQ3 would be wonderful with some gentle tweaks. Out of the box I'd have the Golf (and the tech is way better too).
If you're buying for practicality reasons (I'm assuming you are given it's the R Estate you're considering), then the RSQ3 will disappoint, it's tiny.
The RSQ3 has a smaller boot than a Golf R Hatch. The R Estate's boot has a wider and longer boot floor than a B8 RS4, I know this because when I sold my RS4, I was considering at a Golf R estate and I was astounded at the boot size. Ignore how many litres it has, it's width and length that counts (or so my missus tells me), not the height.
If you're not buying for practical reasons, then FWIW my opinion is the RSQ3 has an engine full of character, but little else going for it. That said, I chose a new GTI over a new R as I find the R image a bit dull & questionable.
I'm not sure my reply answers your question, but maybe some food for thought.
The RSQ3 has a smaller boot than a Golf R Hatch. The R Estate's boot has a wider and longer boot floor than a B8 RS4, I know this because when I sold my RS4, I was considering at a Golf R estate and I was astounded at the boot size. Ignore how many litres it has, it's width and length that counts (or so my missus tells me), not the height.
If you're not buying for practical reasons, then FWIW my opinion is the RSQ3 has an engine full of character, but little else going for it. That said, I chose a new GTI over a new R as I find the R image a bit dull & questionable.
I'm not sure my reply answers your question, but maybe some food for thought.
Golf R estate is a very talented car with a bigger boot than an A6 Avant. I struggle with the comments about it's looks as I think it looks great but I've got one so probably like it! I've got the adaptive dampers and glass roof and a few other small options. Passed on the leather as the standard seats are really nice. Let us know what you get.
I've got a Golf R Estate.
It's a Golf Estate, on that basis, it looks fine (a little meaner than a bog standard one, but not Manga comic silly like the Civic).
It'll do 42 MPG on a run if you don't insist in keeping it in Race Mode all the time, but will warp your mind slightly if you do and work it hard.
People who say it's "Not that quick" either drive supercars or aren't taking it out of Eco! It's a bit passive (and it can be a good thing around town and on the motorway) in Eco mode, but it's stupidly quick on boost in the sportier modes.
It goes around bends pretty well for an estate, but it's not a 5 door Elise!
It's very practical, pretty comfortable (I don't find the seats as good as the ones in my RX8 were, though, to be honest) and has decent nav and audio (someone will tell me it doesn't, but I just want something that plays music at a decent level and don't need something that make me sound like Ali G driving past). The Nav works with Google Maps too if you want it to and seems OK (I must admit, I've never had any issues with the standard Navigation).
On the other hand, the 8 will be out soon and an Audi has more badge cachet, so residuals on an Audi SUV might be better - They're much more 'school run' than a Golf Estate
M
It's a Golf Estate, on that basis, it looks fine (a little meaner than a bog standard one, but not Manga comic silly like the Civic).
It'll do 42 MPG on a run if you don't insist in keeping it in Race Mode all the time, but will warp your mind slightly if you do and work it hard.
People who say it's "Not that quick" either drive supercars or aren't taking it out of Eco! It's a bit passive (and it can be a good thing around town and on the motorway) in Eco mode, but it's stupidly quick on boost in the sportier modes.
It goes around bends pretty well for an estate, but it's not a 5 door Elise!
It's very practical, pretty comfortable (I don't find the seats as good as the ones in my RX8 were, though, to be honest) and has decent nav and audio (someone will tell me it doesn't, but I just want something that plays music at a decent level and don't need something that make me sound like Ali G driving past). The Nav works with Google Maps too if you want it to and seems OK (I must admit, I've never had any issues with the standard Navigation).
On the other hand, the 8 will be out soon and an Audi has more badge cachet, so residuals on an Audi SUV might be better - They're much more 'school run' than a Golf Estate
M
kmpowell said:
If you're buying for practicality reasons (I'm assuming you are given it's the R Estate you're considering), then the RSQ3 will disappoint, it's tiny.
The RSQ3 has a smaller boot than a Golf R Hatch. The R Estate's boot has a wider and longer boot floor than a B8 RS4, I know this because when I sold my RS4, I was considering at a Golf R estate and I was astounded at the boot size. Ignore how many litres it has, it's width and length that counts (or so my missus tells me), not the height.
If you're not buying for practical reasons, then FWIW my opinion is the RSQ3 has an engine full of character, but little else going for it. That said, I chose a new GTI over a new R as I find the R image a bit dull & questionable.
I'm not sure my reply answers your question, but maybe some food for thought.
Yes, good comments. For practical reasons, I need a large boot. The estate is a compromise, as I get the boot space for all the family stuff, but at the same time I have the performance there on tap when I want it for a bit of fun The RSQ3 has a smaller boot than a Golf R Hatch. The R Estate's boot has a wider and longer boot floor than a B8 RS4, I know this because when I sold my RS4, I was considering at a Golf R estate and I was astounded at the boot size. Ignore how many litres it has, it's width and length that counts (or so my missus tells me), not the height.
If you're not buying for practical reasons, then FWIW my opinion is the RSQ3 has an engine full of character, but little else going for it. That said, I chose a new GTI over a new R as I find the R image a bit dull & questionable.
I'm not sure my reply answers your question, but maybe some food for thought.
FWIW OP, definitely try and get in a facelift estate. They benefit from extra power and torque (310ps and 400Nm), active info display, LED head and tail lights, and more importantly a proper quad exhaust system. The older car had two fake pipes, whereas the facelift has an unvalved system with twin back boxes and four proper pipes. It's massively more vocal than any of the iterations of hatchback letting off really nice pops and crackles on lift off or on down changes. Oh, and you also benefit from 7 speed DSG.
Edited by andrewparker on Tuesday 4th June 10:12
Crispystork said:
The 5 pot 2.5 is like a mini lambo engine.. can't beat 5/10 cylinder sound.
It doesn't seem to translate that way in the RSQ3 though. I've been in both the RS3 saloon and RSQ3 and I found the latter really muted in comparison. I don't know if it's just a difference in the sound from inside the car, or whether there is a fundamental difference in the way they are set up.Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff