M140i, Golf R, S3 - Anything else to look at?

[paradigm]

S3: Buy the the Golf R instead, or find some extra pennies and get the RS3

Couldn't disagree more if you are talking 5-door hatch variants of either (obviously if you are talking the R Estate or the S3 saloon then you can't interchange as the bodystyle is only available with one brand). I'd rather spend the small amount extra and end up with the much nicer place to sit, with far better tech in the car. Your arguments for wanting the RS3 over the R are the same for the S3, barring the noise. Don't forget that the S3 now has a power increase over the R, as well as "looking nicer" and being "nicer inside". With the S3 facelift you also end up with the newer 7-speed dry S Tronic box.

Furthermore, given we are talking new, even if the RS3 were in budget (discounts are few and far between, and tiny even when they do exist), you can't currently order one as the facelift doesn't exist yet.

 

[( |-| |2 ][ $]

These new super hot hatches really upset me (ie i'm jealous)

<£500 per month gets you in a super hot A45 where as I'd saved £600 per month for nearly 2 years to buy a second hand Z4 coupe.

Now i'm saving for my next car but only have (so far) £6k and the Z4

I love my car, the looks, RWD and the sound but not really comparable in performance to an A45. Since when was a 3 litre 6 pot engine slow, since 2010 I guess.

 

[[TW]Fox]

These new super hot hatches really upset me (ie i'm jealous)

<£500 per month gets you in a super hot A45 where as I'd saved £600 per month for nearly 2 years to buy a second hand Z4 coupe.

The difference being you own your Z4, they are borrowing the Mercedes..

 

[( |-| |2 ][ $]

The difference being you own your Z4, they are borrowing the Mercedes..

Yes of course and for me I think that's the best way, I know I could swap to a contract hire at any time and have my equity back. But it's going to be years before I can buy a £35k car (at my current saving rate).

I think the answer is I should have stretched and bought a Z4M coupe.
Hopefully I'll be able to afford the new Z5 coupe I've heard is rumoured. (perhaps when I can get a year old one.)

Sorry to go off thread.

 

[Scottland]

Took out an M135i and S3 at the weekend, both auto.

Over the 2 I did prefer the drive of the BMW, both in terms of handling as well as the engine. However I did think the cabin was better on the Audi - the infotainment seemed much more intuitive and just generally the cabin felt better. Both dealerships have said I can arrange a longer test drive in one to see if that helps cement one of them in my head, but at the moment it's a toss up between the 2.

 

[P.B]

hasnt this gone slighty of topic lol?