Mk5 R32 v A3 3.2
Discussion
baz1985 said:
But £17-18k buys a 18 month old A3 3.2 DSG, its essentially the same car as a £24k Mk V R32
I'd noticed ! It must be the only car in the A3 range that is not more expensive, even new, than its equivalent Golf.
I was just concerned they might be using the old vulcanised rose joints in the cupholders, or somesuch ....
The A3 3.2Q isn't the same car as the Mk5 R32 - the A3 is based on the Mk4 chassis.
If you're after some fun, get an R32 (I run a Mk4 R32) - it's a practical car when it needs to be (I drop 4 kids off at school every day on the way to work). If you're after a bit more refinement and slightly smoother drive, get the A3 3.2Q
If you're after some fun, get an R32 (I run a Mk4 R32) - it's a practical car when it needs to be (I drop 4 kids off at school every day on the way to work). If you're after a bit more refinement and slightly smoother drive, get the A3 3.2Q
I'm not an A3 lover, and would previously have thought 'go for the Golf only poncers would buy the A3', however having driven the Golf at the weekend (and the A3 beforehand) I am no longer so sure.
On the outside both look nice, but on the inside is a huge difference. The A3 is typically nice Audi and nothing special, but the Mk 5 Golf inside just feels fairly cheap and nasty. It's closer to a Skoda than an Audi if that makes sense. I was quite disappointed as the Mk 4 was quite nice inside.
The A3 3.2 may be less valuable than R32 in future as it has much less 'chav appeal', but if they handle as competently as one another I would probably choose A3.
On the outside both look nice, but on the inside is a huge difference. The A3 is typically nice Audi and nothing special, but the Mk 5 Golf inside just feels fairly cheap and nasty. It's closer to a Skoda than an Audi if that makes sense. I was quite disappointed as the Mk 4 was quite nice inside.
The A3 3.2 may be less valuable than R32 in future as it has much less 'chav appeal', but if they handle as competently as one another I would probably choose A3.
I agree with the last post - drove a Golf last week and it certainly didn't feel like the £27k car they told me it was.
And what's this with 6 speeds ? The VR6 engine sounds and feels as great as it did in my old Corrado Storm, but with a 6 speed you're forever changing gear and never get to ride that wonderful torque. (I did blow up the Storm, though. Perhaps the gearbox is a sfety measure)
And what's this with 6 speeds ? The VR6 engine sounds and feels as great as it did in my old Corrado Storm, but with a 6 speed you're forever changing gear and never get to ride that wonderful torque. (I did blow up the Storm, though. Perhaps the gearbox is a sfety measure)
re the quality issue, that's all about perception
I chose my Audi partly due to it being a nice place to spend 25k miles a year
however, it rattles like a my previous Alfa never did, gives me chronic back ache as a result of crap seats, and the service from the dealer has been frankly preposterous
personally, I'd rather pay Skoda money and get what I'm paying for rather than get the fancy aluminium trim glossing over stock VAG quality
I will not consider an audi again - VW/Skoda/SEAT yes, Audi no.
I chose my Audi partly due to it being a nice place to spend 25k miles a year
however, it rattles like a my previous Alfa never did, gives me chronic back ache as a result of crap seats, and the service from the dealer has been frankly preposterous
personally, I'd rather pay Skoda money and get what I'm paying for rather than get the fancy aluminium trim glossing over stock VAG quality
I will not consider an audi again - VW/Skoda/SEAT yes, Audi no.
benzedrine said:
And what's this with 6 speeds ? The VR6 engine sounds and feels as great as it did in my old Corrado Storm, but with a 6 speed you're forever changing gear and never get to ride that wonderful torque. (I did blow up the Storm, though. Perhaps the gearbox is a sfety measure)
The 6 speed 'box in the R32 is fantastic simply because it is so closely geared. You can pull right through the rev range and only drop 1,000 rpm when changing gear - so keeping it above 4K, the best place to keep it for a mix of torque and power.
You could blow up the engine on it if you tried really hard (but I won't be!). The rev limiter was raised on mine to 7,400 when I had the AmD Stage 4 upgrade done, but I never take it over 6,500 rpm - peak power is at 6,300.
Have you thought about the MK5 GTi fella?
My misses currently drives a A3 3.2 Q S-line with DSG, she wanted to replace it so looked at another A3 and both Golfs (GTi and R32). She's totally blown away with just how good the GTi is! It's nimble secure and great fun. The A3 is a great car but your not involved in the drive, the R32 was also great but feels a little lardy and crashy when compared to the GTi.
Matty
My misses currently drives a A3 3.2 Q S-line with DSG, she wanted to replace it so looked at another A3 and both Golfs (GTi and R32). She's totally blown away with just how good the GTi is! It's nimble secure and great fun. The A3 is a great car but your not involved in the drive, the R32 was also great but feels a little lardy and crashy when compared to the GTi.
Matty
matt555 said:
Have you thought about the MK5 GTi fella?
My misses currently drives a A3 3.2 Q S-line with DSG, she wanted to replace it so looked at another A3 and both Golfs (GTi and R32). She's totally blown away with just how good the GTi is! It's nimble secure and great fun. The A3 is a great car but your not involved in the drive, the R32 was also great but feels a little lardy and crashy when compared to the GTi.
Matty
Got to say, the dealer's rep told me half way thru the drive that he preferred the GTi. Whether he'd just read EVO and wanted to follow the mag of the moment I don't know, but I am very interested to hear you say it too...
Gotta try a GTi !
benzedrine said:
Got to say, the dealer's rep told me half way thru the drive that he preferred the GTi. Whether he'd just read EVO and wanted to follow the mag of the moment I don't know, but I am very interested to hear you say it too...
Gotta try a GTi !
Do it fella! I'm really impressed with the GTi, it reminds me of one of my old favourite motors the 306 GTi-6, but on a different quality level lol....
My current ride is a '03 Boxster S, but I imagine the Golf and I will become best of buddys ;0)
Matty
hi
i own a mk4 R32 its a great car i have got the mk5 R32 coming next week i have just canceled the car lost a £500 depo the car looks like a GTI what is the point of paying £29650 for a car when you can have the same for £23000. I have now just bought a BMW M3cs cost £38000 but it is only 8k more than the R32 and it is 10 times better to drive a hell of a lot faster if the R32 was faster it would be better it needs to be 300 bhp to be a 30k car i think.
i own a mk4 R32 its a great car i have got the mk5 R32 coming next week i have just canceled the car lost a £500 depo the car looks like a GTI what is the point of paying £29650 for a car when you can have the same for £23000. I have now just bought a BMW M3cs cost £38000 but it is only 8k more than the R32 and it is 10 times better to drive a hell of a lot faster if the R32 was faster it would be better it needs to be 300 bhp to be a 30k car i think.
bo55y said:
hi
i own a mk4 R32 its a great car i have got the mk5 R32 coming next week i have just canceled the car lost a £500 depo the car looks like a GTI what is the point of paying £29650 for a car when you can have the same for £23000. I have now just bought a BMW M3cs cost £38000 but it is only 8k more than the R32 and it is 10 times better to drive a hell of a lot faster if the R32 was faster it would be better it needs to be 300 bhp to be a 30k car i think.
Welcome. I'm glad you saw sense. Even £23k is too much for a Golf imo- £30k you'd have to be stupid and rich
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