Audi S3 Quattro vs Volkswagen Golf R 4Motion

So I thought it was about time we reviewed these two cars up against one another. And lets face it, they are the same car at heart.

Why am I comparing these two cars? Well, one reason being is I personally own an Audi S3 8V Quattro. And secondly with managing MCS Performance, we specialize in German hot hatch performance cars. Stocking over 30 Golf's GTi and R currently.

View their stock here if you're in the market for a quality used approved car -

https://www.merseacars.co.uk/used-cars

Audi S3 8V, Sportback Quattro

• 2.0 Litre Turbo Charged

• 310 bhp

• Manual or Automatic

• 3 door or 5

• 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds - (stated by an online source)

• 1465 kg Kerb weight

Volkswagen Golf R mk7.5 4Motion

• 2.0 Litre Turbo Charged

• 310 bhp

• Manual or Automatic

• 3 door or 5

• 0/60mph in 4.9 seconds - (stated by an online source)

• 1483 kg Kerb weight

Photography credit to: @brandonleevisuals & @euphoricsoultions

So after looking at the basic stats the weight seems to be the only difference right? Well yes apart from the styling features we will cover later on. Why are we reviewing these cars? We have spent a fair few hundred hours driving both of these cars so wanted to have our say on them and to also show a few comparisons.

We get a few questions on these cars from clients. Is the S3 the classier version of the Golf R? Is the R the more desirable and easily modifiable? This is all dependent on the audience.

Everyone's opinion will be different on both these cars. However in our minds they are both great performance hot hatches but with a few key differences. If you're looking for something quick but also a good all rounder these are good entry level performance cars.

Comparing the styling options and features of the two cars is down to personal preference however you really need to get behind the wheel to see the difference in the drive. To sumarise things I have created a few things I personally prefer over the design of one another.

Audi S3 Likes:

1. Classier look - Sharper body lines

2. Steering wheel feel / comfort and controls.

3. Your typical large aggressive Audi front grille

4. More sporty / Hugging seats

5. Exhaust note - More poppy

6. Higher build quality of buttons and switches

Golf R Likes:

1. Good selection of wheel upgrades

2. Clean center entertainment system

3. More front end noise and growls

4. Adaptive cruise control from standard

5. Sequential rear indicators (same for both cars)

6. mk 7.5 come standard with virtual dash

Audi S3 Dislikes:

1. Oil temperature is buried in the dash menu (Unless you have it coded)

2. Virtual dash is an optional extra

3. Entertainment screen is not touch screen

Golf R Dislikes:

1. Exhaust note - Doesn't pop when coming off the throttle. ( personal preference )

2. Leather seats do not come standard

3. Seating position - Feels like you're sat on the interior rather than in the interior.

After looking through my likes and dislikes it is clear that I prefer the overall look and drive of the S3. This being the reason I chose to purchase it over the R. Overall this list was pretty hard to make as they are both similar cars however there isn't really too many drastic things we dislike. Yes some things listed are visual and not about how the cars drive. But in all honesty I couldn't fault the way these cars perform the DSG is almost perfect in the two. Apart from your first kick down lag which most Auto / Turbo cars have. (With a remap can be reduced.) Comparing the manual versions of these cars would be another story, however I believe these cars are in their prime in the DSG Auto models.

Here is a video produced by Euphoric solutions on behalf of MCS Performance to advertise one of their many Golf R's in stock. It is a shame we do not have a video of our personal S3 to hand, but thats not to say we won't have one in the future!

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Email in to let us know: nightbrandofficial@gmail.com