S3 MK2, R32 MKV or 130i

Mikey said:
Indeed if such a car was purchased it'd be straight down to JKM for Revo and Resonated milltek
Click to expand...

Personally i'd just buy a quicker car - edition 35 (lots of cash still though) or the S3.

Nothing to do with having anything against a map, I had one on the diseasel civic - just think that if you're spending that much on a car and aren't happy with the base performance you'll never truly be happy with it
 
The engine is fantastic to be fair, my dad has a z4 coupe with it and i've driven a few 130's, it's no less brisk in the 1 and feels very suited to it. I think an LE is where my money would go (at close to your budget anyway) but both the audi and VW are significantly better inside from both a space and general design point of view. They feel a bit more "worth" the money inside.

You could always spend less on an older car? There isn't a massive amount to go wrong with them.

You'll compromise somewhere along the line
 
Test drive a 130i manual this weekend. 130i auto does not sure but a nice 09 plate at birds.
 
I usually don't like any VAG cars but the S3 seems to fit well.

Probably because my dad had one. Seemed to be a great all rounder.

4wd
over 250BP
practical
not insane to run
 
NathWraith said:
I usually don't like any VAG cars but the S3 seems to fit well.

Probably because my dad had one. Seemed to be a great all rounder.

4wd
over 250BP
practical
not insane to run
Click to expand...

The first 130i I was looking at 09/auto looks like it's gone, but it's was expensive, but well spec'd

Test driving a 130i manual tomorrow, 58 plate. Seen a 57 S3 too, but not sure as £££
 
rodenal said:
I looked at a few mk6 gti's. Lovely all rounder and I could easily have seennmyself owning one -lacking a little something compared to the others though
Click to expand...

Checking out a MK6 GTi this weekend, can't find a 130i really that's ticked the box. So looking at VAG. Considering the sportback S3 too, but ouch.

MK6 GTI
 
Last edited:
xs2man said:
Sportback S3 would be a great choice. Always liked them. Like a mini-avant, with 4wd and 300 bhp post map.
Click to expand...

Yup, but damn rare lol, but then by the sounds of things very good.

Others have commented that if considering the S3 sportback look for the R Golf.
 
Golf R is a similar model. 4wd, similar engine etc... I would imagine the R would be a bit more expensive though being that they aint that old and are pretty expensive new. I think they have been holding their value quite well also, similar to the RS3, so I think it's doubtful you would find one particularly cheap, well around the same price as that 6 GTI anyway, without mega miles on it.
 
Last edited:
S3 interior is leagues ahead of the 1-series IMO.

I found my S-Line interior the same. In fact the interior is the only thing that put me off a 135i coupe.
 
Indeed, its significantly nicer inside.

The sport back isn't really rare at all, but its expensive as they only came out with the facelift
 
rodenal said:
Indeed, its significantly nicer inside.

The sport back isn't really rare at all, but its expensive as they only came out with the facelift
Click to expand...

Will see what I can dig up, but certainly moving away from search for a 130i. Haven't enjoyed my 123d this week going up the A3 and the handling on the 130i won't be any different, so will see what the VAG stable is like. DSG Sportback with black leather and nav narrows it lol, pondering the manual, but heard good things re DSG from a friend who's got a TTRS

Was going to test drive this, but going off it. 130i
 
Last edited:
There is a £3k difference on same model/mileage between S3 sportback manual and S-Tronic.

If you can only spend £17k then I would suggest getting a £17k manual S3 instead.

I nearly bought an S3 instead of my car but it was a manual and I really wanted S-Tronic, it wasn't very comfy for me as my shift knee hits the wheel/dash every time I change gear so for me the option was not really an option.

I was finding S-Tronic a bit boring honestly but now with a louder exhaust and getting the little bang on downshift it has made it a lot more fun! I imagine a standard S3 will be the same as they are louder/sportier in general.

I just came back from a random drive, the first in about 3 years, really enjoying my car and thinking an S3 would be a nice upgrade!
 
DSG can handle a lot of torque whereas the manuals tend to start slipping.

Plus you have full throttle full boost gearchanges so you can exploit a remap far better.

Shark is the place to go. A stage 2+ S3 is absolutely awesome circa 380hp.
 
86JR said:
DSG can handle a lot of torque whereas the manuals tend to start slipping.

Plus you have full throttle full boost gearchanges so you can exploit a remap far better.

Shark is the place to go. A stage 2+ S3 is absolutely awesome circa 380hp.
Click to expand...

I used to work with Ben when he worked in IT ;)

JKM are local to me and were very good with my Leon Cupra.

That's what I've heard re the remapped and DSG, so will start looking and saving extra for a DSG S3 sportback, so if I find one to the spec/age I'd like, test drive it and like it then I can be purchased. TBH for me I'd go Stage 1 and a resonated Milltek

I'm soon to be circa £50-600 pm better off as I stop commuting, plus a little pay rise ;)
 
You also need an uprated DV for stage 1, called a pierburg as the original diaghpram one will crack with the software. Induction kit is not necessary but is recommended as the standard one is a bit badly thought up and leads to heat soak.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom