S3 or R32

[zippy500]

Fancy a change of motor from my Griffith and shortlist is a late model S3 or early R32. Personally I prefer the Audi, think the Golf looks a bit chav. But like the idea of a V6. I know there both 4WD and 6 speed etc. And performance isnt that different. Anyone had both, any views. Will have around £18K to spend.

[Witchfinder]

The S3, IIRC, has the 1.8 Turbo engine with 225 BHP. This can readily be tuned to about 260 BHP for very little cost.

Personally, I think I'd go for the R32 out of those two, just for that roaring V6.

[catso]

Get the 3.2 A3, Audi looks with the V6, you know it makes sense

not that I'm biased but see my profile

[agent006]

*cough* RS2

[zippy500]

Did look into a 3.2 A3, but there out of my price range. Could stretch too 19K but that would be for special circumstances and a mint S3.

Guess I need to test both and then decide. Fist things first, sell the TVR. Cheers chaps!!

[Gren]

Have know a lot of people who've had both and all would say the R is the better car.

BUT, it'll cost more to buy, insure and fill up.

It is though faster (standard - S3 chipped will be a match, at least), better handling and sounds much better.

[neil.b]

Not driven an R32 but I've been a passenger in one. Compared to my S3 I'd have to say there's not much in it at all. Ride seemed a bit harsher in the R32. In standard form I don't think it feels much different in power. After the AMD remap mine now runs at 270bhp and 285 lb/ft torque which is considerably more than the Golf (especially the torque which makes a massive difference). AMD do a remap for the R32 for a similar price (500-ish quid) but the gains are much smaller I think (about 15bhp and 15 lb/ft compared to 40+bhp and 60+lb/ft for the S3) but then I guess that's the advantage of having turbo.

Have to say, the R32 does sound better. Difficult choice, don't think you'll be disappointed with either to be honest. I love my S3 - it's a cracking all-rounder and looks a bit more stealthy than the R32. What are R32 prices like then? I'd have thought you'd pay more than an S3 for equivalent age/mileage?

[Plotloss]

S3

Tuneability
Build
Engine Weight (for its position you want it as light as possible as its hung out over the front bumper)

[zippy500]

Prices are around the same really give or take a few hundred quid, have only looked at S3's so far in person and the R32 of dealer websites.

[Plotloss]

Why not go the other way?

Tuned Elise or VXT
Caterham Superlight R
Atom 190

Or does it have to maintain an element of practicality?

[zippy500]

Yea pratical is good, selling runaround Polo also, just want 1 good allround car.
Have thought of other options and Audi/VW is my shortlist.

[m12_nathan]

Latest VW R32 map is reputed to give ~260bhp for free

[andy mac]

Plotloss said:

S3 Tuneability Build Engine Weight (for its position you want it as light as possible as its hung out over the front bumper)

The R32 isn't particularly tunable, unless you go supercharger, which are damned expensive. Go S3, as long as it is quattro, and you can tweak it when you get a bit bored of the speed. Simple things like a chip, or upgraded turbo can make massive gains in the long run...