Mega Hatch Vote - Golf R v RS3 v A45AMGv M135i v WRX STI
- Thread starter ZermattV
- Start date
.Price and fuel economy were not on your list.
I guess the 435d X drive is practical if you have no kids, no/a very small dog, few friends and no real need to ever move anything larger than a set of golf clubs. It also probably sounds good if you are hard of hearing. As for sporty. Well I guess it depends on your definition of this. I've had a few fast diesels but have never managed to find a sporty one.
Chris Harris stated that the RS6 was the best car in the world. And he's never wrong when it comes to cars
I guess the 435d X drive is practical if you have no kids, no/a very small dog, few friends and no real need to ever move anything larger than a set of golf clubs. It also probably sounds good if you are hard of hearing. As for sporty. Well I guess it depends on your definition of this. I've had a few fast diesels but have never managed to find a sporty one.
Chris Harris stated that the RS6 was the best car in the world. And he's never wrong when it comes to cars
I recently sat in an A6 2.0TDI, if the RS6 is the same comfort level, but injects brutal performance and more gadgets.. it has to be incredible.
RS6 is probably the best companion to a weekend sportscar, assuming money no object.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506074118992 - for example.
RS6 is probably the best companion to a weekend sportscar, assuming money no object.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506074118992 - for example.
The Golf has a btter boot than the M135i which has a narrower opening and debatable rear seat space. Personally I would discount the A45 and RS3 and they are simply silly money for what you get compared to the Golf and M135i. I'm unsure how the RS3 could be a better buy over the Golf. End of the day they are all a smallish hatchback with limited practicality.
In terms of price this sums it up quite nicely although were talking M135i and a Boxster but an interesting result and just goes to show spending more doesn't necessarily mean better overall.
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/sports-car-year-m135i-vs-boxster
Tim.
In terms of price this sums it up quite nicely although were talking M135i and a Boxster but an interesting result and just goes to show spending more doesn't necessarily mean better overall.
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/sports-car-year-m135i-vs-boxster
Tim.
I currently have the Golf and did have a 125d before that (same car as the M135i but obviously not the engine etc) both 5 doors. The BMW was more comfortable for the driver simply down to the fantastic seats. However, I did always find the BMW cabin a little claustrophobic with a narrow footwell and it always felt the door was right at my shoulder (i'm 6ft, quite broad shouldered).
Golf certainly does seem bigger from all seats, particularly the rear. The boot on the golf is actually pretty small due to all the haldex nonsense sat under the rear end. The BMW does have a more awkward opening but i'd say it's about the same size if not a little bigger. It's shape does make it awkward for bikes though (you will need seats down). The golf comes with a ski hatch as standard so that's pretty handy. Both cars take roof bars without issue.
I'd imagine the S3 and RS3 are pretty much the same as the golf in terms of practicality. I test drove an A45 and felt it was the smallest of the lot. Small boot due to 4WD, not much rear leg room due to big bucket seats and I actually hit my head on the roof above the front door a few times. It felt like a 3/4 size model of a real car inside.
Golf certainly does seem bigger from all seats, particularly the rear. The boot on the golf is actually pretty small due to all the haldex nonsense sat under the rear end. The BMW does have a more awkward opening but i'd say it's about the same size if not a little bigger. It's shape does make it awkward for bikes though (you will need seats down). The golf comes with a ski hatch as standard so that's pretty handy. Both cars take roof bars without issue.
I'd imagine the S3 and RS3 are pretty much the same as the golf in terms of practicality. I test drove an A45 and felt it was the smallest of the lot. Small boot due to 4WD, not much rear leg room due to big bucket seats and I actually hit my head on the roof above the front door a few times. It felt like a 3/4 size model of a real car inside.
Mowflow said:
Interesting POV - thanks!
Personally prefer the slightly more classy look of the RS3, the golf is nice but it's VW's best car it seems and it does feel like a golf with options ticked rather than anything particularly special inside.
Having done a recent trip with a 5 door 1 series the boot wasn't really anything to get excited about - we struggled with 2 bikes and 3 people in the back.
I would agree with you regarding the Golf. It is just a (fast) golf, the BMW is the same although it's engine does give it a certain level of refinement that most of the others can't compete with.
When the RS3 or even the S3 is optioned up with the expensive seats with diamond stitched leather etc it does feel a class above. Sports exhaust on the RS3 also makes an incredible sound. I actually prefer it to the i6 with the m performance exhaust.
It really comes down to justifiable cost. I got the Golf on the ridiculously cheap lease deal so nothing came anywhere near it on price. I would suspect an RS3 would have cost me 2 or 3 times as much, the gap is no doubt much narrower now. There are a few RS3 owners on the R forum and I have read a few online accounts of "run ins" with RS3s on the open road on other forums. By all accounts they seem to be brutally quick in the potholed, unforgiving, uneven and damp conditions that we tend to experience in the UK.
When the RS3 or even the S3 is optioned up with the expensive seats with diamond stitched leather etc it does feel a class above. Sports exhaust on the RS3 also makes an incredible sound. I actually prefer it to the i6 with the m performance exhaust.
It really comes down to justifiable cost. I got the Golf on the ridiculously cheap lease deal so nothing came anywhere near it on price. I would suspect an RS3 would have cost me 2 or 3 times as much, the gap is no doubt much narrower now. There are a few RS3 owners on the R forum and I have read a few online accounts of "run ins" with RS3s on the open road on other forums. By all accounts they seem to be brutally quick in the potholed, unforgiving, uneven and damp conditions that we tend to experience in the UK.