S3: Upgrade over Golf R? Need a new daily...

[tonymission]

I'm in a bit of a unique situation... just sold a stage2 750HP RS7 because I wanted a GT3 RS for more of a driving and track experience. Got the GT3 RS leaving me with a stage 1 2012 Golf R (6 spd) that I drive to work every day although now I'm tired of a standard transmission sitting in traffic. Was debating on getting back into a SQ5, but not sure if that overlaps too much with our Q7 and I really like the LOOKS of the S3!

Performance wise, is this a lateral move from my Golf R? I'm pretty sure I have a buyer for my Golf so not too worried about that; I suppose I need to just go out and do a test drive but maybe some others here have come from a Golf or even a much higher performance vehicle. What are your thoughts? Thinking with a tune and some basic mods like exhaust and coils; I can still have something fun to beat around with and take my kids to their baseball practices. Am I thinking down the right path?

[t28sentra]

The S3 with stage 2 and Downpipe is a very impressive car for the money outlay. If you're tired of the manual Golf R in traffic, I'd say the S3 is a good option to consider. I have an Allroad with similar ZF trans to your prior RS7 and although the ZF is a great auto trans, the DSG is on another level.

[Badger Audi]

get an S3. They drive nicer than the Golf Rs in my opinion.. Also I think the golfs look like a tiny minivan. :)

[TCHUN003]

A stage 2 s3 with suspension/sways is like a mini porsche :)
Honestly, they're fun little cars. Judging by the cars you've owned, I think you'll love the s3.

[pabs]

I'm local to you and in the 4 Rings ATL group too, saw you post feelers for your golf :P. You're free to take my car (currently stock ECU) for a romp if you want. The S3 pretty nice for a commuter and around town but the trunk is very shallow vertically and has only "ok" depth. This is important if you end up carrying a lot of equipment around with you for your kid's activities. Performance wise the MK7R and S3 make comparable power at Stage 1 to the MK6 R at Stage 2 so you should be pretty happy about that, only thing is you may find yourself wanting a DSG/TCU tune after flashing. Drive the 7R and see if you like it IMO, S3 is the same motor and transmission and you clearly have no problems with hatchbacks.

[tonymission]

I'm local to you and in the 4 Rings ATL group too, saw you post feelers for your golf :P. You're free to take my car (currently stock ECU) for a romp if you want. The S3 pretty nice for a commuter and around town but the trunk is very shallow vertically and has only "ok" depth. This is important if you end up carrying a lot of equipment around with you for your kid's activities. Performance wise the MK7R and S3 make comparable power at Stage 1 to the MK6 R at Stage 2 so you should be pretty happy about that, only thing is you may find yourself wanting a DSG/TCU tune after flashing. Drive the 7R and see if you like it IMO, S3 is the same motor and transmission and you clearly have no problems with hatchbacks.

Ha, cool thanks man! Yeah, I have been going back and forth. Turns out one of my employees wants the golf so that's convenient.
DSG tune necessary to even out the shift points for sure.
Can you fit a bucket of baseballs and a backpack style bat bag in the trunk? My wife is the one with the strollers and all that stuff.
I think what feels slow to me on the golf is the shifting... sure I can really go nuts and row my own intensely but I'm not trying to be that engaged for most of my daily driving nor do I feel that style of driving is taking the best care of a manual transmission/clutch.

A stage 2 s3 with suspension/sways is like a mini porsche :)
Honestly, they're fun little cars. Judging by the cars you've owned, I think you'll love the s3.

Stage 2 sounds like a reasonable stopping point here.

get an S3. They drive nicer than the Golf Rs in my opinion.. Also I think the golfs look like a tiny minivan. :)

Funny that you say that... there are certain angles on the Golf that just look silly and I know the one you're talking about!
And go Bucky!!! (If that's what your SN is about.. and if not, still Go Bucky!)

The S3 with stage 2 and Downpipe is a very impressive car for the money outlay. If you're tired of the manual Golf R in traffic, I'd say the S3 is a good option to consider. I have an Allroad with similar ZF trans to your prior RS7 and although the ZF is a great auto trans, the DSG is on another level.

ZF can handle a ton of torque, that's why they used it over the DSG in the S6. It's OK, but I'm a dual clutch fan and liked it on my S6-- DSG is more entertaining for sure!


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[LINDW4LL]

The S3 is definitely a nice step up from your '12 R. A generation newer (from a performance standpoint), a much nicer interior, etc...

I think it's a great move!

[MkUrMark]

Just do it man,

SQ5 its an SUV, in fairness I haven't drove one but S3 is very "tossible", don't know how it pairs up with S3 but can't imagine it doesnt have the character.

I came from 12' Golf R and its night and day better. The S3 drives much more comfortable and still very assertive sporty suspension, specially MAG ride.

[tonymission]

Just do it man,

SQ5 its an SUV, in fairness I haven't drove one but S3 is very "tossible", don't know how it pairs up with S3 but can't imagine it doesnt have the character.

I came from 12' Golf R and its night and day better. The S3 drives much more comfortable and still very assertive sporty suspension, specially MAG ride.

What's the deal with lowering the car with the mag ride? I hear you can't use coils without having error msgs on the dash. Just go with springs that work in conjunction with the MR?

[pabs]

Yeah springs is what most with magride do. Emmanuel Design makes some good springs, which I'm currently running, and MSS kits has something similar to KW's HAS if you're familiar with them. The MSS springs have been delayed forever though.

Ideally you can try to find a car without mag ride (so no sport package or black optics). They are out there but good luck finding one that isn't a stripper/lease special. I couldn't locate one with LED package + Nav + Side Assist when I was looking.

[Tim W.]

I can toss in my .02

I just traded my 12 Golf R APR Stage 2+ on a used 15 A3 (I know not a S3). I too used it for my DD. Was a fun car but the Stronic is nice. I also have a 2003 Porsche TT FVD X50 car at home. The A3 is peppy on its own and I am impressed. Not like my Golf but that will be fixed with some selective tuning. I really like the lines on the A3/S3 and the interior amenities are very nice. The MMI system takes a bit of getting use to coming from VW's. My biggest complaint is the handling is terrible in my opinion. Now remember I have the A3 with sport suspension and adaptive drive. I am having it looked at now to make sure something is not wrong with it. When I can take a corner in our Tiguan better than the A3 something is not right.

I am really happy with my move to the A3. And I do not miss my R.

Hope that helps

[tonymission]

Thank you guys... sold my Golf R today. That was easy.
Probably going to wait a little bit for the facelift announcement and see what prices do in the next couple months.
I do have a new F150 Lariat from work that I can drive in the meantime... between this and the RS7 sale, I'm sitting pretty good and not in a hurry to put another big dip in the bank account. :)

[forbiddenbeat]

Worth pointing out that the RS3 should be announced soon too. It may not be terribly more expensive than the S3 (maybe $15k premium, but no one knows for sure).

[tonymission]

Worth pointing out that the RS3 should be announced soon too. It may not be terribly more expensive than the S3 (maybe $15k premium, but no one knows for sure).

That was my original plan, but my salesman couldn't give me any sort of timeline on when it was expected to come out. I'd like to see a photo that's not all camouflaged ... looks like an S3 from the spy photos.

[ChrisF1]

Good choice!

I owned a '12 Golf R and now have a '16 S3 with JB1 as my DD. It's a really nice compliment to an RS too. RS is just bonkers fun. If you haven't tracked yours yet, I highly recommend it. Car comes alive when pushed hard. :)

[tonymission]

Good choice!

I owned a '12 Golf R and now have a '16 S3 with JB1 as my DD. It's a really nice compliment to an RS too. RS is just bonkers fun. If you haven't tracked yours yet, I highly recommend it. Car comes alive when pushed hard. :)

First track day on Thursday! I've just been doing country and mountain drives on the weekends. Super excited... you a rennlister? :)

[bmoreS4]

RS3 is coming to the US ............ just saying :)

[ChrisF1]

First track day on Thursday! I've just been doing country and mountain drives on the weekends. Super excited... you a rennlister? :)

Of course. Long timer. 997 C2S, Cayman S, 997.2 GT3, GT4, now 991 RS. ChrisF there.

[LINDW4LL]

Thank you guys... sold my Golf R today. That was easy.
Probably going to wait a little bit for the facelift announcement and see what prices do in the next couple months.

Facelift is already live!

https://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-s3-sedan

[Tim W.]

Rennlister since 03 here too :)