2022 GOLF R vs NEW S3 - is the VW worth paying MORE for than the 'premium' AUDI? VW Golf R Audi S3
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Thanks to gilksgaragecaf... for allowing us to film on their premises
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In this video I decide once and for all whether the Audi S3 is the real bargain 300 PS + all wheel drive hot hatch from the VW Group seeing as it's £1155 (I got this wrong in the video!) cheaper than the Golf R which doesn't on the face of it offer much more and has the far less aspirational VW badge on the bonnet (and cloth seats, and a manual bonnet stay and that divisive interior...)
Simon's Instagram @torquecarz
Thanks to @haslerdesigns for the graphics at the start and end of the video
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I’m a drug dealer and I rather have the VW
How’s the pharmaceutical game these days?
@@MohammedIsmail-uj8yl pretty good. I just got a GLA 45 amg
Pay more and get the R.
I don't think Audi are expecting to sell as many S3's but VW need the R to sell in massive numbers.
So??
A few years back our family car was a S3 8v saloon beautiful car definitely a special car just far too small. Wow what have Audi done the new S3 is so far behind the mk8 golf r there is no doubt where my money would be the golf is a perfect hot hatch.
8V A3, even 1.4 TFSI Sport feel plush inside, I guess that was the problem. It was too plush for its price point but the interior stacked up in a £40k+ RS3. I think with S3 and RS3 Audi should have considered better plastics and carpets but that's not what manufacturers do. The Mk3 TT also had the same issue with a £55k TTRS (as specced) which had the nasty plastics from a 1.8 Sport. I suspect average buyers especially those who aren't aware how good 8V A3 was just don't notice or care and when sat behind the wheel it's fine.
@@volkswizard No doubt the special end of the range S and Rs should be a step up in quality the cost of these cars are crazy but I suppose the aim is maximum profit and if they can put cheap plastics and carpet in and get away with it they will. Like you say your exposure to these cars is far greater so you see these cars day in and out so you can tell.
Out of those two it has to be the R. However I'd be very tempted with a base spec RS3 ( + adaptive danpers) rather than a high spec R......
I still think it's £10k plus for an equivalent spec RS3 over R and what for? Engine is good but adds weight, I think 4 cyl and torque vectoring rear is probably the perfect combination for handling but I want to give RS3 a try in case it's mind blowing
@@volkswizard you may well be right. I specced one just with dampers and metallic paint it came to just under £52k otr. Prefer the look of the base model myself....
I've been looking at the base spec RS3 with Adaptive dampers and a few other bits that come to £53800 the R on the other hand £46k spec you can get 14% off discount online which brings it to £39735 it all comes down to the engine I suppose
The R definitely beats the S3 on the drive train. But the Audi even with all its limitations in refinement is still a class above the VW. The fact that it still has buttons give it bonus points.
The new RS3 is the only good looking version of this A3 generation. The styling is just so awkward.
Completely agree, got an 8V and was highly disappointed by the new 8Y series. RS3 barely saved as well because at least the bumper doesn't look as weird.
I agree, except for the fake grill thing in the rear bumper. That's horrendous.
Nice one mate! But Golf R anytime ‼️
Golf is a ICON ! Good vid
Thanks Andrew, I can't argue with that, it is!
@@volkswizard we love vw’s, You deserve more subs with your in-depth impartial reviews.
For saying you drive, buy/sell vag group cars you dont half slate vw… mk8 is a great car, ppl moan that theres not enough tech, they get given it then moan about it.. im vag through and through and im a vw technician have a mk6 tsi and a b7 tfsi avant both brilliant cars and which my audi is no better built than the golf
@@andrewlam426 Impartiality my arse.
@@andrewlam426 cannot agree more
golf looks well better
Also My R order has been in or 8 months but the price is locked down.. I ordered PP with a few goodies, looking at some of the R's on the used market now!!! My price is pretty decent
Apparently there is no shortage of ex-demo Rs out there so it will be interesting to see if prices hold up
@@volkswizard Agreed , I saw a used 2021 R with 5k on it for sale at 49'999 this weekend , No PP model, Mental
The wheels on the S3 are hideous
No argument there, designed to make you upgrade. In that regard they are a success!
Great video but the s3 doesn’t come close to the current 8R. Interior on the golf is uninspiring but feels more sporty. The lack of buttons is where the market is going, look at Tesla and Mercedes. The golf is the best hot hatch in that price bracket on the market with the right specification at the moment.
Yea but Mercedes and Teslas have a big enough screen to display multiple functions/features with just a more well thought out software to boot. The golf requires u to jump in and out of so many different menus menus and pages to do simple functions like adjust the climate. Also the capacitive touch steering wheel controls are more to accidental presses. I know these mk8 mqb cars are supposed to be a decent improvement in performance over the mk7 cars but I really dislike the cost cutting on interior materials and trims. Especially in that Audi, coming from my last gen 8v s3 sure it looks a bit dated now but at least material quality is high and consistent throughout both front and back. I hate that they cheap out in the rear and then try to hide or distract you from the cheap materials with the very angular design. Also the exterior of that Audi, looks like the cars melted or something it’s hideous. Best of both worlds would be the golf look with the Audi infotainment system.
S3 is better it's does a standard quarter mile with launch in 12.7 whereas the golf takes 12.8 at its best
@@Feral2k4 s3 is slower than the 8r look at all the tests people have done
@@Feral2k4
Lmao you must be living under a rock. The R has done 12.3 secs.
@@projectr2451 obviously ever heard of something called a tune
I really like the predecessors of these cars but the mk8 and this new s3 are not the best looking of cars but just on the aesthetic‘s I think the golf wins.
I really enjoyed the format of this one, Andrew, an excellent (and fun) way to do a comparison piece.
(Just quietly, I still think Rising Blue is the best R blue…)
I had a 7R and now have an 8R, it makes me laugh all the 7/7.5 owners who knock the quality of the 8R interior. There is such little difference.
This /\ is true, buttons do not make quality
@Manc I think the Golf R also beats it in exterior looks and here in N/A we get real leather not that blue grey stuff, so even interior is close to the audi. Plus the hatch has more usable space then your saloon as you call it.
@Manc Understood my Mk7 R is tuned and I'm looking at what to replace it with and I'm considering the R or Rs3 and also a G70, but I will be doing tuning to any of those choices 😉
@@vroomgc We haven't had real leather in NA in years. It's been imitation for awhile now they have just gotten better at it.
@@sinappanis Umm its nappa leather so I'm not sure what you think "real" leather is lol.
Like the review, the mk 7 R was better than the competing s3 and if anything vw have stepped up even further.
More like the rs3 wasn’t it?
Many actually said the Mk7 Golf R was better even than the RS3
i'd pay more for the golf if I only had the choice of the two cars just based on the look of the Golf over the Audi. That A3 is rank to look at from every angle in my opinion. The 8V model was soooo much nicer!
VW looks way better….the Audi does nothing for me. The wheels are hideous l the VW looks amazing….
golf....
Agreed S3 had become like the middle child that lacks attention because of the RS3
No fight. The Golf R is clearly the better of the 2....the RS3 is the next step up...
RS3 is more expensive so it should be lol...
@@johnstannard8366 Being superior never really says much when you're paying way more for it. If its not, there's something wrong.
Ah brilliant Andrew! Loved the banter in this really informative video. As always your straight to the point with a no holds barred comparison. The smile on your face driving the R compared to the S says it all. I had a test drive in both cars S first and then R. The S was good, but the R blew me away. For me it’s a no-brainer. R every time. Really can’t wait now for mine to arrive! Another great vid. Keep up the good work. Loving it.
Great review from you both. Definitely the R. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
If you’re a douche boy racer you buy the R, if you are refined, smart and classy, you buy the Audi. It’s a no brainer. Who do you want to be??
Just to add that mk8 looks great and a much sleeker car than the S3. Lovely car SImon
Couldn't agree more Luke!
The hard plastic at rear by windows is very useful. I have a boxer dog, and it resists her nails scratching. So it’s a thumbs up for me. 😊
Just need some kind of rear passenger window de-misting function to remove the dog nose art.
First, train Fido. And second, is the car for you (and your passengers) or your dog?
@@krane15 it has both uses.
My opinion:
Interior-S3
Exterior-R
Performance-R
Overall I would buy the R, actually I wouldn’t I would save another few quid and buy a GTI Clubsport in Moonstone grey+Pretoria’s.
I think the audi looks better on the exterior too
I also think the audi looks much more sportier on the exterior...golf r design is too safe and bland looking
In Greece, the S3 costs ~13.000£ more than the R!!!!!
With (same) extras the difference gets even bigger.
That shows a lot about Audi marketing and how they "persuade" everyone here that the S3 is 30% "more" of a car.
Agreed, in my country s3 is 6000 euros more expensive (base price), and many options have to added to reach the golf R standard equipment, so 13 000 difference is a good estimate. Funny that in the UK they are considered as close in price… In an other UK test i also saw a comparison between a fully speced R with a price alleged as comparable to a A45S. Over here here there’s an enormous gap too ! Maybe it has to do with different pricing policy, or base specs ?
@@geronimooo260
It is not a matter of specs here. The base R is even slightly better speced than the S3. As for Mercedes, their pricing is just ridiculous. See prices for base versions:
R 52.000€
S3 66.500€
A35 58.500€
A45 74.000€
A45S 80.000€!!!!! Only rear camera & Parking Assist more than the R.
It is a marketing strategy (higher price for supposedly a "superior" brand/car) and that's what I hate about it.
Sorry for the long reply.
When these two cars were released I was actually considering buying the S3 until I test drive the golf R and yeah Four months later it’s still amazing and on the back road literally nothing can keep up with me especially with a set of Michelin pilot 4S brilliant car 10 out of 10
Nothing can keep up with you? LOL. My AMG A45s eats the new Golf R for breakfast. Dusted several in last few months. I love looking at thee driver's reaction as I pull away from them. Priceless.
Golf R is a great car, but it's not that great. Rather have it over the S3 though
How do you find the interior in the R? More specifically, how is it living with all the touch screens and haptic feedback and lack of buttons?
@@mauricetoussaint7283 he was talking about back roads not a straight line.
You don't seem to know what the word "literally" means.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 you have no clue how good of a driver he actually is. He might just leave you in a cloud of dust like the rest of them he smokes in his gti
Went with son to look at audi sq2 and checked out s3 another issue is if you tick any options it takes you into higher tax bracket i assume golf r already is in that bracket which adds to cost i would be happy with either also sq2 insurance seems to be alot cheaper than golf r which also can influence some buyers
That’s a really basic s3 and the headlights are awful Audi didn’t change the exterior design enough
Mk8R has the new awd system. S3 doesn’t. VW wins.
thats a very simplistic evaluation
🤣🤣🤣🤣 classic review like audi but these s3 are so bland
I prefer the Golf
Volkswizard, the video would be much nicer with better audio.
I feel like this is a really good argument over there but in the US it’s not even close. I’m getting my mk8 golf R for 43-44k. It’s very hard to find a S3 around or under 50k, dealership tend to always spec S3 high and never around base. Ware the golf R comes top trim out of the gate for its price.
Is that because Golf R is cheaper over there than here or because S3 is more expensive?
The Mk8R wins hands down. Great video 👌
Thanks! 👍
In this comparison. But its not that the R doesn't have issues. I could fill a database and all of them would be on the interior.
Erm no
What's with the epileptic, attention seeking headlights? No, I don't like bling and fakery either. I miss the no-nonsense, understated, classy Audis of old. But then I'm old and unfashionable! Take a leaf out of Gordon Murray's T50 design book, Audi! Beautiful engineering, clean design but no bloat - everything on and in the car has function and purpose.
When has an Audi ever been classy?
The Audi looks boring & not a patch on the Golf R. Have never been a fan of the large Audi grills that came in some several years ago.
The Audi is most definitely boring. No doubt due it close sibling the SR3 which it can't outshine. The Golf is simply understated, like they've always been.
great vid lads, glad i brought a 8R over a S3
In Canada the R is a steal 50K Canadian and you are all the options in Europe except the Akropovic. Love mine a lot crazy fun car.
8R 😍😍😍
I wouldn't like to think what the Audi's ride is like on 19s, and I'm pretty shocked by the hard rattly plastics everywhere.
I had one on 19s last year, can't recall if it was on adaptive dampers
the new S3 just looks so wet, as you pointed out..they are definitely saving all the good bits for the RS3. That Golf R is amazing!
In fairness though, it had been raining.
Although I want to be, I have never been a fan of the uber-bland Audi A3. It's the VW Polo of the Audi range.
I think the current Polo is much better looking than this gen of A3/S3, and the interior quality is just as good. Audi seems to be going the way of BMW and Mercedes, Two a penny cars for those who think the more they spend, the better the car.
Not really, polo equivalent is the A1 and and the A3 has a totally different and better chassis than the Polo!
@@mattleistner313 You miss my point entirely.
@@robindow1061 The M135i has a much better quality interior than the S3 or Golf R
@@johnguidetti5839 That may well be so, but it looks so ugly.
Don’t like any of the new Audi styling tbh it’s like the designers have gone nuts with a ruler. The only thing I’m not sure on with the Golf is the front lights especially the light bar running across the front at night. Choosing between the two I’d have the Golf.
I think their new styling only works well on their bigger vehicles like their SUV’s, RS6 etc which would make sense as that’s what they sell the most of. Although I do like the look of the new RS3 and E-Tron GT.
@@jryalls I've got a C7 RS6 and although I like the C8 version I still think the C7 has way more road presence than the C8 unless you spend a fortune on the Urban upgrades & Vossen wheels. The E-Tron is ok looking until you get to the rear light cluster....eek! The RSQ8 though is a beast of a SUV and might be my next car.
@@paullangley4840 In my opinion the RSQ8 is the best looking SUV out there and I hate SUV’s. Audi’s new design language just works the best on that car.
Great video guys, but each to their own and to be honest I hope VW make a 8.5 r because that interior is still well...crap and I don't think paying megabucks for a interior lightshow to rival Vegas is worth it. As for the rear axle stuff well that should be standard especially for the price, and to be have driven a 400 hp RS which I loved as a drivers car but my Golf smashes it for everything else in the day to day stuff. The point is you will rarely get the back axle to do any of that rear biased stuff because A. roads are crap and B. too much traffic unless you live on track, so in the end I just never thought it was worth it. The 7.5 golf R, having driven so many Driver focused cars I struggle to criticize the little thing, who wants back axle rubbish especially in this day and age. Go buy a BMW m2 or 40i and enjoy but I think the quality is lacking in both cars and the Audi is just slightly better and no way that 8 R is worth 40 grand its a three years old car and people who hold on to their 7-7.5 R are seriously not missing out. I myself will wait for the 8 R to be priced at what it should be, or I myself and maybe many others will change manufacturer because other the car stuff out their and coming are well... better and more quality and better priced too and VW need to sort that pretty quick.
I would have the golf over the Audi!
It just shows how good the Mk8 R line interior is when you consider the price difference.
£10k more than R line for a bit more power and AWD seems a bit stiff to me for sure. Having said that an R line isn't that cheap really. Just shows you why VW like the R brand, it's a real cash cow as its selling emotion and kudos. Basically what Audi has been doing from day one.
Golf R. 100%
Golf R all day long
It's takes a real man to own up and say his mate's car is better!
Good video.
I would pick the Golf.
That's a dreadfully specced S3. This is why it isn't actually cheaper - to make it look even reasonably sporty, it's going to cost you more than the Golf
£250 for 19s and a better colour (no extra as Tango red is already extra cost) would go a long way. Annoyingly you have to go Vorsprung to lose the silver bits though chosing Daytona grey tones them down a lot.
@@volkswizard 19s, black trim and the adaptive dampers are essential I think! Seems like these come with the Vorsprung which is over £46k without any paint options etc.!
sweeeet video guys...... it's helped make up my mind....... I'm going to buy a new 2022 RS3!!! LOL
both dead specs tho so sad
I've watched a zillion of these but this one made me really laugh and it was also really educational :)
Short answer to the video? The audi looks a fuckload better. Who cares the golf will win the traffic light grand prix, which you're only doing to impress the lady, who's already in your audi, because it looks much better then your Volkswagen shopping cart.
It's clear the S3 hasn't been given the performance assets the Golf R has for the current generation but I think it's sensible, on the whole let the yobbos get the Golf and the middle aged people get the more laid back S3
Simon is such an annoying bloke... severe case of confirmation bias and post-purchase rationalization.
Buy the car with fewer or smaller fake vents.
nicht good machine
Nice review, I agree in this generation that choice is clear. I much prefer the older 8V audi S3 over the new one and in fact will be my next car once the market sorts itself out. And then at some point the Golf R would be next for sure
Just bought an S3 8v (2016) here in the states. I’m absolutely in love with it so far.
The comparison was very biased in tone, even if I agree with the conclusion.
That Golf owner is insufferable
Gives off Tesla owner vibes
Before watching this vid I would of said the S3 but now I would definitely say the Golf R….it just seems a lot better thought out car….if that makes sense 😂
Both cars suck
'Volks' wizard, more like Audi wizard! Golf R every day. Audi drivers are the new BMW drivers!
Great review the Audi looks old Golf wins the day.
I’ve got a Mk7 R, absolutely beautiful car, ticks all the boxes, like the Mk8 R, but unfortunately out of my price range
They both sound terrible from the outside , couldn't hear anything
R over that S3 all day long what's the point of getting that s3 you'd just get the rs3 lol
In Canada the R have far better Price :) I paid mine 50K cad and a full Audi S3 is 62K cad!!
i would buy the r. what's so prestigious about an audi? bmw & merc same class shit on them all day. and i hate audi interiors.
when simon called the audi a "repmobile" he hit the nail SQUARELY on the head 😉😉😉
I couldn't possibly comment 🤐🤐🤐🤐
@@volkswizard 👍
Vorsprung der Tecnik translated= Volkswagen but Expensive
I hate the S3 without the "Black Styling Pack"
It’s odd that the GOLF R is more expensive in Europe and in Canada it’s about $13,000 CDN less than the S3
That's all just taxes. I don't think VW is charging more.
Andrew lost this battle purely by virtue he turned up in an Audi A2😂🤔
You can order the GTI Clubsport in Europe and Ireland in Lapiz Blue according to the configurator. A weird move for VW in my opinion.
Not in Ireland you can’t. But you can spec a diesel R-Line Golf / Tiguan / Passat in Lapiz blue!
That is very weird indeed!
@@JoeGTI5 You definitely can, I’ve just checked the configurator again. New for MY 2022 Lapiz Blue, Lime Yellow Metallic both available in Ireland on the Clubsport.
@@jryalls no, you definitely can’t! That’s a mistake on the configurator. If you try to select Lapiz actually (I just tried it), it gives you an error and deselects it again.
I know the specs here only too well. I took delivery of a reflex silver CS myself recently.
That said - I know VW Ireland tend to be flexible with special orders. I know of cases where unusual / off spec cars have been ordered here in the past. But lapiz is definitely not an official option.
Que cosa más fea el audi s3 🤦♂️
"what an ugly thing the audi s3" - yep that translates well..😁
not the prettiest s3 sadly, mk8 looks far better. Interior doesnt change much in favor of Audi either... engine bay goes to Audi and I was hopping to justify the Audi for sure but I would choose the mk8 also :(
2 bad choices really you could say
Given that Audi is owned by VW that they would have a better pricing strategy.
I think the R brand is VW’s cash cow and they are milking it enthusiastically. R is £10k over cost of R line mainly just for AWD and a marginally more expensive engine. S3 is really just a faster S line (though again £10k more) and RS3 gets all the good bits.
Golf R. Better deals on them too.
When did he Order his Golf R ???
March
@@volkswizard hmmm just before my order then, maybe mine will arrive before xmas....🙄
I would like to disagree . I'll still choose the Audi S3 over Golf
Golf looks so much better! Are those 18s” on the Audi and I never liked the new front of the new A3
So in your previous comparison video the m135i beat the S3. Here the golf R beats the S3 too.
Which would you choose between the R and the m135i?
The m135i has a much better interior than both cars. Has bigger brakes and better passive damping than the S3. Chassis not as good as the golf R. Is down on power but up on torque… but it is also cheaper than the golf R. Close one…
Golf R I think because the BMW looks so awful from the B pillar forward
@@volkswizard each to their own I guess, I like the look of the bmw. I prefer the lights on the bmw to the golf R.
70 pounds a hydraulic strut . I bought one for 19.99 usd
Typical car dealer mentality slags off ever car he doesn't own
There is no need to protect the sills in a Volkswagen for god sake take of the protection
Actually getting in and out can scratch the paint which can lead to rust but in Simon's case he had the car delivered with all the protection on and coming to me for the video was his first drive. I am sure he'll take it off unlike me as mine is still there at 9000 miles, TBH it needs to be on the passenger side more (if you get my drift..)
@@volkswizard I under stand
But you can get clear door sill covers which you cannot see and don’t look as bad as the white plastic from the dealers
I’m afraid they don’t include door sill plates anymore another cutback by Volkswagen like the bonnet strut which really annoys me😂
Both motors use the same engine and running gears pretty sure the s3 has 15more bhp
Yeah that configuration wasn’t doing the Audi any justice
So the S3 has a harsh ride, but in a previous video you said it was good?
Ultimately different car a model year apart but I don't think I said last year's S3 was good, I've revisted the review (same passive dampers) and I said;
"it's a bit firm around town on broken surfaces but when you get on the open road even on average surface roads like this one, it's not bad at all but I'd still go for adaptive dampers"
I didn't show me testing it "around town" in either video but I did and I am sure a lot of people will use them in town or on worse than average roads like most of Northants, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire where it will be actually bad and crashy at slower speeds (driven it today in Northamptonshire and it's true).
It does breath with the road at higher speeds but this video was a direct comparison with the Golf R as tested with DCC in 'ring mode which made the firm ride even more apparent than last year when I tested it against M135i but not on the same day back to back.
Wait you didn’t love the 7.5R I thought that car was amazing
It's a good car but I have long history in videos of not being excited by the way 7/7.5 R drives, it's fast but not fun and I prefer slow and fun or a bit slower but a lot more fun in the form of a high power GTI. Just my opinion👍
s3 looks way better golf is so ugly those headlights are awful
The s3 needs thousands spent on options
I just don't know. I think the R is under done in looks. I think the S3 linda lives in no man's land but probably looks slightly better. The ride of the S3 puts me off though. If I'm gunna pay that much I'd spend the extra on a RS3 I think.
This type of video is very interesting, keep this format for the future real life comparisons;)
That golf R 😎🤙
What’s wrong with this vw guy? Totally bias
Audi please, because it has class, the VW is the same as Skoda and Seat, the badge means nothing. To be fair the interior of the vw is boring so at least they are consistent and yes I've owned loads of both