smash Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 New to the forum guys but would like some advice! Im in the market for a car and have narrowed it down to a Mk 4 R32 or an A3 3.2 Quattro. I dont know which one to pick, ive already had to mark 4 golfs including a 4 motion and feel like a change, although my heart says the R32 but my brain says the audi! IS there much difference in terms of handling between the two cars, engine aside are they as good as identical, as the R32 seems abit more rougher round the edges and im wondering if that is emphasised in its handling and drive compared to the audi. Any suggestions and insight into this would be a great help as i am looking to buy this week! Thanks in advance Amash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gti_Fly Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 R32, very bumpy ride. Handling very good, balance very good considering it's a stock car. A3, much more biased towards an everyday usable car, which is not to say the R32 isn't. It's just the R32 is very bumpy riding. So depends on what you intend to use it for really?? I've happily been using my R32 as a daily driver for 4years now (now covered 60k miles), but I have recently bought an old banger (1992 Golf) as I now need a car to drive 2 miles to work everyday. The R32 just can't cope (or is it me?) with all the rush hour madness/speed bump hell daily commute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrakeSnake Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 you're not having a dig at all the money generated by speed camera's NOT going into repairing the bomb crater potholes that litter our public roads currently...? .:R rides pretty well over most surfaces imo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brisel Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 The A3 will depreciate much more quickly than an R32. Residuals are far worse. More opportunity for a nice discount when you buy it though I prefer the A3 interior too. Don't some of the revenues from the speed cameras go towards making MORE cameras? [Runs for cover] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gti_Fly Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 [ QUOTE ] you're not having a dig at all the money generated by speed camera's NOT going into repairing the bomb crater potholes that litter our public roads currently...? .:R rides pretty well over most surfaces imo... [/ QUOTE ] I think the thread refers to a mk4 R32?? Mk4 R32 - ride sucks Mk5 R32 - rides pretty ok! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 GTi, Mk4 R32's are a fine ride- Designed to do the job of being a very fast , decent handling toy. I'm not saying the ride isn't harsh for London and commuter runs- it is, but it wasn't really designed for that sort of stop, start, 20 mph crawls. The A3 knocks socks of the R32 for comfort and interior feeling- the R32 will blow the A3 away over all roads and make the driver feel alive with the car Are you a fast, find some empty roads type driver? If so the R will inspire you, the A3 will get you from A-B in a calm, relaxed, sedate mood- different strokes for different folks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaminBen Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Stock for stock, the MkIV R will be much more "sports-car" and the A3 (MkV chassis) "luxo-sports"... Yup, the engines are nigh-on identical, but the R makes a MUCH nicer (louder) sound, and its dampers are firmer. Start modding the A3 though, and you have the benefits of the A3 (nice interior, subdued (nondescript) exterior styling, but still have the wonderful 3.2. The MkV chassis, if heavier, is also slightly better (more camber gain, faster Haldex). Tough choice, which boils down to "luxo or sports?" - your call! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 ....I love your term "luxo-sports" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Do you want a drivers car or motorway cruiser? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 [ QUOTE ] ...as I now need a car to drive 2 miles to work everyday. [/ QUOTE ] What a lazy sod - why aren't you walking to work or riding a ? 3.2km should only take you 20 minutes tops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrakeSnake Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Seemed ok in my mates silver one when he had it. Yes, the V rides better, but the IV was ok too imo. Prob on a daily basis might be different... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] New to the forum guys but would like some advice! [/ QUOTE ] Welcome to Tyresmoke Amash [ QUOTE ] Im in the market for a car and have narrowed it down to a Mk 4 R32 or an A3 3.2 Quattro. I dont know which one to pick, ive already had to mark 4 golfs including a 4 motion and feel like a change, although my heart says the R32 but my brain says the audi! IS there much difference in terms of handling between the two cars, engine aside are they as good as identical, as the R32 seems abit more rougher round the edges and im wondering if that is emphasised in its handling and drive compared to the audi. Any suggestions and insight into this would be a great help as i am looking to buy this week! [/ QUOTE ] I went through the same thought process before I bought my Mk4 R32 nearly three years ago. Test drove them both. A lot. I've had too many VWs and Audis for feck knows how long. The A3 is more understated and yes, I would argue that the build quality is better, but, on the other side, they depreciate more, simply because not many people want an understated car with a big, thirsty engine that's really a Golf in drag (they share the same mechanicals). The A3 turned out to be what the original V6 4Motion was - a bit of an old man's car. It never hit the same spot that the Mk3 VR6 did. The R32 has a following and is a better all round car from the whole driving experience perspective - it's more involving. As posted above, if you're after a motorway cruiser, erm, don't buy either. Pretty much all cars feel the same at 70mph (or whatever speed you drive). Buy a GT TDI 150 for that. Yes, the R32 has a firmer ride than the A3, but you get what they're offering - VW Racing brand, or another A3, just with a bigger engine. Audi have missed out on a lot of sales by waiting sooooo long to launch the new S3. What do I reckon you should do? Drive both cars, for as long as you can. Make up your mind. Then buy an R32. Then start tweaking it... It's a slippery slope from there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrakeSnake Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 Yeah.... one that never shallows out at the bottom... My bank statements prove it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mf11 Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 Hi guys, I too am on the brink of an R having sold my Mk4 Anniversary GTi last week. I'm looking this weekend, for a Mk4 R but am also tempted by an E46 M3.... I've always been a golf-man (Mk2 GTi 16v, Mk3 GTi 16v and Mk4 GTI Anni) so the R32 feels like the right choice but I just wonder if it might be time for a change of tack.... Am I mad, should I consider the M3? Does anyone have experince of both cars? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smash Posted May 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] New to the forum guys but would like some advice! [/ QUOTE ] Welcome to Tyresmoke Amash I went through the same thought process before I bought my Mk4 R32 nearly three years ago. Test drove them both. A lot. I've had too many VWs and Audis for feck knows how long. The A3 is more understated and yes, I would argue that the build quality is better, but, on the other side, they depreciate more, simply because not many people want an understated car with a big, thirsty engine that's really a Golf in drag (they share the same mechanicals). The A3 turned out to be what the original V6 4Motion was - a bit of an old man's car. It never hit the same spot that the Mk3 VR6 did. The R32 has a following and is a better all round car from the whole driving experience perspective - it's more involving. As posted above, if you're after a motorway cruiser, erm, don't buy either. Pretty much all cars feel the same at 70mph (or whatever speed you drive). Buy a GT TDI 150 for that. Yes, the R32 has a firmer ride than the A3, but you get what they're offering - VW Racing brand, or another A3, just with a bigger engine. Audi have missed out on a lot of sales by waiting sooooo long to launch the new S3. What do I reckon you should do? Drive both cars, for as long as you can. Make up your mind. Then buy an R32. Then start tweaking it... It's a slippery slope from there [/ QUOTE ] Thanks mate, some sound advice there! I had categorised both the audi and the r32 into different brands anyway. I am in agreement with the general opinion that the R32 is more of a drivers car whereas the audi's tag of luxo-sports car could not have been better described! I currently have a gt tdi 150 and have had a 4motion too. I dont want a motorway cruiser, i want a better handling car and something which i will enjoy! Im a guy who likes his driving experience therefore the golf is definitely the car for me! I already made my mind up before i read the replies on the post! im hoping to buy within a fortnight! ill let you guys know what i end up with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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