My Octavia is nearing 3 years old and it has been fantastic especially since the stage one Revo map. Pound for pound easily the best car I have owned (and that includes an E46 M3).

I would love a Mk3 (petrol) but nearly new ones with the spec I want are going for £25k plus. As a minimum DSG, Columbus, Black design pack and the Extreme alloys. I would say leather but the fake leather on my current one is one of my worst points about the car.

Am I better to just spend another 5k and get myself a Golf R? Or wait a year until both models depreciate further.

(or wait two years and get something in the next price bracket - S4, RS4, V60 Polestar, M3/4)

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Unless you need the space of the octy, the golf R is an easy winner. I nearly got one instead of the S1.

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The advantages the VRS has are:-

*Space (lots of)

*Purchase price

*Service costs

*Insurance

 

The Golf R:-

*Much faster

*Tons more traction

*Better handling

*Sounds nicer

*Better quality interior, leather much nicer.

 

If you do not require the space and can afford the additional purchase and running costs, get the Golf. I was tempted, but could not live with the rear leg room and boot space.

Having owned 3 of the cars you mention, and another as a loaner, I can hopefully give you some pointers

I came from a stage 1 mk2 Octavia vRS to a B8.5 S4 to my new Golf 7R. I also borrowed a B8 RS4 when the main dealer was trying to get me on the Audi upsell carousel.

Firstly I really loved my Octavia vRS, but in standard form they are (as you know), a little lack lustre. With a map they are transfomed, however this then highlights the weaknesses in the chasis, as handling & traction become annoying. However, still a great car for the money.

This led me to wanting AWD, so I jumped into a 6month old S4. S-tronic with the V6 supercharged engine, mmmm, it's nice, but like the Octy doesn't feel fast, unlike the Octy it is But a lot if this is down to AWD and the gearbox, raw engine power is not fantastic. I reckon 1-2secs of the 0-60 time is shaved off purely on the afore mentioned points. I quickly put a Revo map on it, and it turned it into a beast (411bhp), and properly quick. But the chasis still isn't the best, and it feels like a big car & isn't that nimble.

Interior on the S4 is great, and the Supersports seats are lush, as is the B&O sounds.

I had the RS4 for a weekend, and I will sum up this by saying, it is a stage 1 S4, with bulging wings & 2 extra cylinders very nice but not worth the premium over the S4 if you don't mind tuning.

Now to the Golf R. I've had mine 6 months now, and I can honestly say it's the best all round car I've owned. It's quick, feels quicker than the S4, but on paper it's the same. I think mainly down to power delivery as it's turbocharged as opposed to supercharged. The handling is sublime, besides a few choice sports cars, very little will keep up through the twisties.

The interior is not quite as good as the S4, but that's VW v Audi, and to be expected, but you could spec the leather seats and top media system & be nearly there. I would say however the standard seats are surprisingly comfortable.

If I were to buy the Golf knowing what I know now, I would spec the DSG & Dynaudio sound system. However I will be swapping in 18months to the new 5pot RS3, which will hopefully be my perfect car

Edited 27 January, 201511 yr by 999pooch

Having owned 3 of the cars you mention, and another as a loaner, I can hopefully give you some pointers

I came from a stage 1 mk2 Octavia vRS to a B8.5 S4 to my new Golf 7R. I also borrowed a B8 RS4 when the main dealer was trying to get me on the Audi upsell carousel.

Firstly I really loved my Octavia vRS, but in standard form they are (as you know), a little lack lustre. With a map they are transfomed, however this then highlights the weaknesses in the chasis, as handling & traction become annoying. However, still a great car for the money.

This led me to wanting AWD, so I jumped into a 6month old S4. S-tronic with the V6 supercharged engine, mmmm, it's nice, but like the Octy doesn't feel fast, unlike the Octy it is But a lot if this is down to AWD and the gearbox, raw engine power is not fantastic. I reckon 1-2secs of the 0-60 time is shaved off purely on the afore mentioned points. I quickly put a Revo map on it, and it turned it into a beast (411bhp), and properly quick. But the chasis still isn't the best, and it feels like a big car & isn't that nimble.

Interior on the S4 is great, and the Supersports seats are lush, as is the B&O sounds.

I had the RS4 for a weekend, and I will sum up this by saying, it is a stage 1 S4, with bulging wings & 2 extra cylinders very nice but not worth the premium over the S4 if you don't mind tuning.

Now to the Golf R. I've had mine 6 months now, and I can honestly say it's the best all round car I've owned. It's quick, feels quicker than the S4, but on paper it's the same. I think mainly down to power delivery as it's turbocharged as opposed to supercharged. The handling is sublime, besides a few choice sports cars, very little will keep up through the twisties.

The interior is not quite as good as the S4, but that's VW v Audi, and to be expected, but you could spec the leather seats and top media system & be nearly there. I would say however the standard seats are surprisingly comfortable.

If I were to buy the Golf knowing what I know now, I would spec the DSG & Dynaudio sound system. However I will be swapping in 18months to the new 5pot RS3, which will hopefully be my perfect car

We will see! R400 Just might be better 2016!

 

I prefer the manual R driving experience, especially around my Wiltshire country roads.

We will see! R400 Just might be better 2016!

I prefer the manual R driving experience, especially around my Wiltshire country roads.

I agree, manuals are better for pure driving pleasure, but 90% of my driving is mundane urban crawl these days. Having had the S-tronic previously I now realise this suits my lifestyle more.

This opinion changes when I'm thundering down a quiet B road the other 10% of the time

this thread needs merging with the other identical one :?

 However I will be swapping in 18months to the new 5pot RS3, which will hopefully be my perfect car

 

I think I may do doing the same, but in less time! Looks like a hoot to drive.

I think I may do doing the same, but in less time! Looks like a hoot to drive.

Perfection would have included the flared rear arches, but hey ho!

Perfection would have included the flared rear arches, but hey ho!

 

Totally agree - As do others... http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/new-2015-rs3.233110/

Just wait for the Golf R estate.............. comes out in the summer............... :sun:

 

The Golf looks way better inside & out & recon it won't age as badly as the Octavia. Although most of the tech is the same the Golfs have better versions of certain things like better heated front windscreens, the standard alcantara/cloth is great & so are the sports seats................ 

 

Also the estate has a better weight balance as more weight over rear axle..............

 

Me?........I'm loving my Golf estate GT!!!.........

Golf Estate looks mediocre compared to the Golf hatch. The rear end is far too bland, almost Focus-like.

I would say leather but the fake leather on my current one is one of my worst points about the car.

The (real) leather on our current Volvo has been one of my pet peeves. When it's hot, the leather is burning hot, and makes you sweat profusely. When it's cold, it's freezing cold until the seat warms up....and it's slippery. (Other than that it's more comfortable than regular fabric.)

 

Which is why I picked alcantara for the Octy; it seems to have the good sides of both leather and fabric.

I think I may do doing the same, but in less time! Looks like a hoot to drive.

Guess the S1 hasn't quite done it for you then Jose.

Guess the S1 hasn't quite done it for you then Jose.

 

Don't get me wrong, the S1 is still 'doing it for me' - but the RS3 looks like it's going to be INSANE! Just imagine it with a mild tune! And it's rear wheel bias, I do miss that. We are straying a little off topic though - sorry guys

If I were to buy the Golf knowing what I know now, I would spec the DSG & Dynaudio sound system.

 

I speced the dynaudio.......fecking brilliant................. :sun:

 

Golf Estate looks mediocre compared to the Golf hatch. The rear end is far too bland, almost Focus-like.

 

This is a pic of mine......if this is "mediocre" then I'll take it any day!!!..........

 

The vRS represents alot of car for frankly not alot of money. Its basically a Golf GTI/GTD for someone wanting alot more space.

The Golf R I would imagine is just an entirely different proposition though, being 300hp and 4wd as standard also being developed to be the halo VAG fast hatch (until the RS3 arrives of course). I do however think its silly money for a Golf...35k with a few choice (and in certain respects mandatory) options and its v over priced. Whilst it probably doesnt drive quite so well overall I think id still opt for an S3 myself.

If I lived in Dubai I might think differently as a well spec'd DSG 5 door with lapiz metallic only cost my mate just over 25k brand new; at that sort of money its a steal!

Golf R if you dont need the space

The vRS represents alot of car for frankly not alot of money. Its basically a Golf GTI/GTD for someone wanting alot more space.

The Golf R I would imagine is just an entirely different proposition though, being 300hp and 4wd as standard also being developed to be the halo VAG fast hatch (until the RS3 arrives of course). I do however think its silly money for a Golf...35k with a few choice (and in certain respects mandatory) options and its v over priced. Whilst it probably doesnt drive quite so well overall I think id still opt for an S3 myself.

If I lived in Dubai I might think differently as a well spec'd DSG 5 door with lapiz metallic only cost my mate just over 25k brand new; at that sort of money its a steal!

 

Don't forget you can lease a Golf R for ~£250pcm - they have some ridiculous deals from the brokers.

Don't forget you can lease a Golf R for ~£250pcm - they have some ridiculous deals from the brokers.

The actual cost over the full term is nearer £300 (inc vat) / month. I got one of the really good deals early on in the campaign @ £240 / month (£200+ vat), but you have factor in the deposit & a couple of cheap options

The actual cost over the full term is nearer £300 (inc vat) / month. I got one of the really good deals early on in the campaign @ £240 / month (£200+ vat), but you have factor in the deposit & a couple of cheap options

 

Still, lot of fast car for the money, a vRS is similar costs...

I wasn't that impressed with the Octy VRS.

But the Golf R is a cracking car.

 

It's a simple choice if you could have either.

Edited 28 January, 201511 yr by BossFox

Good thread, thanks for sharing your thoughts chaps.

 

I need to order a car in the next couple of months..  i've had two vRS's so a mk3 would be the default choice..  in reality it will be either:

 

- mk3 vRS estate, TSi, good spec, maybe with some mods too

- Leon  Cupra 280 ST estate.  basic spec, 

- Golf R estate with no options.

 

Head says vRS, really want 300bhp and 4wd R but i'd miss my heated seats, nav etc, so maybe the ST is the compromise?  Gets the 280PS engine, diff, big brakes, adaptable dampers, std nav, boot only a fraction smaller than the skoda.  Not keen on the looks but i could live with them.

 

 

I need to take some test drives i think..

Good thread, thanks for sharing your thoughts chaps.

 

I need to order a car in the next couple of months..  i've had two vRS's so a mk3 would be the default choice..  in reality it will be either:

 

- mk3 vRS estate, TSi, good spec, maybe with some mods too

- Leon  Cupra 280 ST estate.  basic spec, 

- Golf R estate with no options.

 

Head says vRS, really want 300bhp and 4wd R but i'd miss my heated seats, nav etc, so maybe the ST is the compromise?  Gets the 280PS engine, diff, big brakes, adaptable dampers, std nav, boot only a fraction smaller than the skoda.  Not keen on the looks but i could live with them.

 

 

I need to take some test drives i think..

Ive driven them all (in hatch format) and in terms of purely the driving experience.... my list would be the same as yours but reversed... so R then Cupra then vRS last. Both the R and Cupra really surprised me.