S3 gone.. K1 or R32?

[warren_cox]

I have to say despite my intense dislike of the Leon centre console, I would go for the Cupra / K1 over the R32. Although handling wise the Mk5 R32 is streets ahead of the Mk4 R32, for some reason it doesnt have the road presence, and in standard guise although they make a decent noise it never seens to translate into enough 'go'.

I like the R32, but there is something lacking. Also with the new Golf Mk6 on the way I'd say the R32 Mk5 values may be hit again, and it may be left looking quite dowdy by comparison to its new replacement. Whilst I appreciate the Mk2 Leon may imminently be due a facelift I think it will be less radical.

So if it was my choice it would be the Leon Cupra.

 

[Revon]

IMO go with the Cupra. As has been said before, think of the £400 tax on the R32!

 

[Street]

I'd say Cupra.. Purely because R32s are as common as Astras round here! However, I barely see another FR let alone a Cupra or K1 on the roads..

Plus I prefer the looks of the Leon over the Golf, think the Golfs look a bit boring.

 

[Daffy]

K1 for looks and fun....

R32 for incredible traction and if nothing else for the fantastic sound (has to have a Milltek)

S3 for best of both.

How is the S3 best of both?
It is a four pot turbo the R32 is a narrow block V6 which with a Blueflame or Miltek will make ears bleed so is a mile off on the sound stakes.

 

[Michael B]

Anyone know if there is a MK6 version of the R32 planned?

 

[warren_cox]

How is the S3 best of both?
It is a four pot turbo the R32 is a narrow block V6 which with a Blueflame or Miltek will make ears bleed so is a mile off on the sound stakes.

think he meant S3 has Leon Cupra power, with R32 grip (not soundtrack). S3 with OE pipe is far too civilised.

 

[RickyD1975]

Anyone know if there is a MK6 version of the R32 planned?

Nope it's been killed off I believe, due to the high emissions. There will however be a GTI 2.0 R which will have 260bhp and 4WD....

 

[warren_cox]

Nope it's been killed off I believe, due to the high emissions. There will however be a GTI 2.0 R which will have 260bhp and 4WD....

Link to some basic GTI-R details

Nice if they make it, but will make the S3 look stupidly expensive

 

[2zeroalpha]

I also think it sounds like you have made your mind up. The K1 does everything you want from a hot hatch, just be aware it draws a lot of attention. I have not seen one yet in my area so I get looks wherever I go (which in my case is fine because I am a total poser)

 

[sjahLCR]

This is gonna sound daft.. but my mind keeps changing from hour to hour

I see some pics of the LC and think - woaahhhh, what happened there whereas when you see it in the flesh esp in K1 guise it looks the muts. It's just getting a decent spec (min requirements are bluetooth and xenons.. nav is rarity so would retro-fit) with convenience pack which is proving a bit of a problem.

MkV R32 has taken a massive hit in terms of value and so late 07's with a very good spec are available for ~15k which makes it tempting. However, as someone pointed out although it's got the additional doors the boot space is no bigger than the Audi's.

Agghhh.. need to take a trip down to my friendly local Seat dealer to see that K1 and it's boot again. Maybe that'll help me make the decision .

Cheers for comments, thoughts btw.. all appreciated. Keep them coming!

-Sal-

 

[InfernalBadger]

Not much chance of finding a K1 with xenons. I doubt many people would have paid £900 for them, same with sat-nav.

Out of those two I'd prefer the R32, but that's because I don't like K1's.

 

[Poverty]

How is the S3 best of both?
It is a four pot turbo the R32 is a narrow block V6 which with a Blueflame or Miltek will make ears bleed so is a mile off on the sound stakes.

S3 has the better engine and 4wd with a nice interior. That is best of both worlds. So the R32 sounds nice, but if your so obsessed with sound, spend 20k on a really nice sounding car, like a TVR for example instead of a lazy engine in a hatchback that sounds good to the VAG fraternatity but doesnt get a second look by joe public, unlike a tvr.

 

[Daffy]

S3 has the better engine and 4wd with a nice interior. That is best of both worlds. So the R32 sounds nice, but if your so obsessed with sound, spend 20k on a really nice sounding car, like a TVR for example instead of a lazy engine in a hatchback that sounds good to the VAG fraternatity but doesnt get a second look by joe public, unlike a tvr.

Thats your opinion and thats fine. Mine says the seats in the S3 were awful in leather and look like waffles and cheap as well which ruined the interior for me. IMO the S3 looks like a 1.6 A3 and is nothing special and way over priced for what it is. The Golf is not that special to look at but it is IMO just better than the A3. The only thing the S3 has over the R32 for me is the wheels and they are easily changed.
As for a TVR it doesnt have 5 seats and you dont look good parked at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. If the R32 is poor on mpg then you need to be a wealthy man to run a TVR. 2 completely different cars so not really comparable.
R32 is also 4wd on a Haldex which is the same as teh S3, isn't it?

 

[warren_cox]

The only thing the S3 has over the R32 for me is the wheels and they are easily changed.

And my opinion when comparing the S3 to the R32 is that the S3 is:

lighter, therefore more agile / handles better,
better looking,
more kerb appeal,
better resale,
lower tax bracket,
more fuel economical,
faster,
much cheaper to modify to a decent power level,
not much more expensive when specced up
I'm not a badge slut so I'm not going to imply the audi is a better badge as they're all the same under the skin.

other than that it's close, but each and every one to their own.

 

[Poverty]

Thats your opinion and thats fine. Mine says the seats in the S3 were awful in leather and look like waffles and cheap as well which ruined the interior for me. IMO the S3 looks like a 1.6 A3 and is nothing special and way over priced for what it is. The Golf is not that special to look at but it is IMO just better than the A3. The only thing the S3 has over the R32 for me is the wheels and they are easily changed.
As for a TVR it doesnt have 5 seats and you dont look good parked at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. If the R32 is poor on mpg then you need to be a wealthy man to run a TVR. 2 completely different cars so not really comparable.
R32 is also 4wd on a Haldex which is the same as teh S3, isn't it?

Get the S3 Recaros then

The S3 is the thinking mans hot hatch. Audi's are modern contemporary vehicles, thats what audi is all about.

The golf is similiar although the R32 stands out more from a 1.6 golf, but as you have said, nothing special to look at yet for some unexplained reason just better than the S3 even though its inferior in every way apart from noise, but audi dont really do the whole noise thing, hence their 3.2 models being quiter than the R32.

Ok so you need more seats, if noise is what you want get a M3 for the price of a R32, or a v8 S4.

Yes r32 and s3 both use haldex, only thing is that it works slightly better in the s3, as it doesnt have that heavy lazy engine portuding over its axle.

 

[Al]

And my opinion when comparing the S3 to the R32 is that the S3 is:

lighter, therefore more agile / handles better,
better looking,
more kerb appeal,
better resale,
lower tax bracket,
more fuel economical,
faster,
much cheaper to modify to a decent power level,
not much more expensive when specced up
I'm not a badge slut so I'm not going to imply the audi is a better badge as they're all the same under the skin.

other than that it's close, but each and every one to their own.

Some good posts above, but this hits the old nail on the head IMO.

I could see the point in the R32 if it came with 300+bhp out the box but given that it doesnt, it does not make a lot of sense to me. Even the 1996 BMW M3 Evo made 321bhp as standard from its 3.2 6 pot.

 

[Chris Lee]

K1

K1 anyday:d

 

[robdf2]

Some good posts above, but this hits the old nail on the head IMO.

I could see the point in the R32 if it came with 300+bhp out the box but given that it doesnt, it does not make a lot of sense to me. Even the 1996 BMW M3 Evo made 321bhp as standard from its 3.2 6 pot.

totaly agree , was as if the head of project for the R32 said there is going to be 1 and thats that !
must have been a total pain for marketing , what part of the market was it to be aimed at ect.
when i went to my VW local dealer before i got my cupra they were steering me clear of the R32 and pointing me at edition 30 and standard gti saying they were the better car lol.

 

[Daffy]

Some good posts above, but this hits the old nail on the head IMO.

I could see the point in the R32 if it came with 300+bhp out the box but given that it doesnt, it does not make a lot of sense to me. Even the 1996 BMW M3 Evo made 321bhp as standard from its 3.2 6 pot.

Yes but the Vanos on those is fragile and needs replacing at about 50k. IIR it costs over a grand from an independent. Could use that for a remap and full Miltek.
Still down on the BM but at least you won't look like a 'Merchant Banker' driving an R32.

 

[Poverty]

Yes but the Vanos on those is fragile and needs replacing at about 50k. IIR it costs over a grand from an independent. Could use that for a remap and full Miltek.
Still down on the BM but at least you won't look like a 'Merchant Banker' driving an R32.

I think VW drivers are the biggest W anchors, they slag off SEATs as being made from VW off cuts, and call audi drivers cocks just because topgear has made that the cool think to call a audi driver.

The thing about the 3.2 engine is that it was never designed to be a overly sporty unit, it was designed with smooth cruising in mind.