DELETED_96987
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had a 2016 Golf R estate (Mk7) very good performance for 2 years i had it, had very good standard features such as adaptive cruise, android auto/apple car play. Did not need any options such as the adaptive suspension. Seems to be VW quality has decreased in both build features since 2019.
Wanted a 2018 S4 (B9) Estate but got the saloon instead massive step up in build quality, features and speed.
Wanted a 2018 S4 (B9) Estate but got the saloon instead massive step up in build quality, features and speed.
Caporegime
I think this comes down to whether or not you want the V8 and the RS badge/look/heritage. The Golf R isn't the same class (in terms of car hierarchy or running costs), it's far more suited to the role of daily driver, but will never feel as special.
As a previous owner of an S3, I feel that whilst the platform of the Golf R is indeed quick, it's dull, but very capable.
As a previous owner of an S3, I feel that whilst the platform of the Golf R is indeed quick, it's dull, but very capable.
Soldato
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Have you considered the S4 Avant?
Associate
Could always get a "Stage 1" remap for the Golf R Estate if you wanted a bit more poke. I'd personally chose this over the RS4 as I personally feel the RS4 interior is aging whereas the Golf still feels a fair bit newer, but that's just personal opinion as such.
Stage 1 on the Golf R would generally see about 370hp and ~4 Seconds 0-60 without the need for any additional mods
Stage 1 on the Golf R would generally see about 370hp and ~4 Seconds 0-60 without the need for any additional mods
Autocar did this exact comparison 5 years ago when I was looking to get an R Estate.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vw-golf-r-versus-audi-rs4-comparison#:~:text=What's left is a superbly,of that what you will.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vw-golf-r-versus-audi-rs4-comparison#:~:text=What's left is a superbly,of that what you will.
Soldato
The days of being able to buy and run a V8 estate car are drawing to a close. If you’re excited by that V8, then there’s only one choice. If you’re not bothered about how the engine is laid out, then the Golf R is the choice all day long.
Associate
Long time since I've posted on here but do read a lot.
Anyway, I was in the same position and test drove 2 Golf R's, ond of which was a near new Mk7.5 R Estate (Both DSG's) and also 3 Audi RS4's (B8).
The Golf will win any argument when written down on paper, cheaper to buy (for newer and lower mileage), higher tech, cheaper tax, higher MPG, cheaper servicing, less "bork" factor (through a massive bill), bigger boot etc etc etc.
However, the Audi RS4 has a V8, is an RS Audi with the wide arches etc and even though it is older it is in my opinion a higher quality interior.
Test drives of the Golf's showed they were very very good cars, but just that - cars. It didn't wow me and I felt I would be wanting a change pretty quickly / modifying it massively. I didn't like the DSG box in the Mk7 Golf (6 Speed I think) - it was hesitant and always seems to do what I didn't want it to do. Mk7.5 with the 7 Speed DSG was much better. Very airy car inside, lots of glass etc, massive boot, comfy seat, lots of tech, easy peasy to drive. Didn't like the noise, with the sound booster thing it was ust boomy, and without it just a 4 pot, the DSG farts were annoying too.
Test drives of the RS4 showed the engine to be really special, the start up and the noise is amazing, the S-Tronic is good but not perfect - prefers fast driving as opposed to town driving, car handles well but it is heavy and it feels it, interior is much older tech that the Golf but it is a nice place to be, very solid and it still has enough toys (adaptive cruise (although it cuts out below 20 mph whereas Golf will stop and go)), DAB, climate control, cornering LED headlights etc etc.
I bought the RS4 and a year later I'm still loving it. It feels special whether going to Tesco or chomping up and down the motorway, on a back road revving it out makes a sound to die for.
I did have to look at 3 before I found one I'd consider buying and even then it was only subject to getting work done. First was a Jersey import and clearly clocked (looked tired, interior creaked and groaned), 2nd had very bad paint and had been smoked in, 3rd was in excellent condition but needed a new DRC damper, rear discs and pads and diff and gearbox services, (£2k of work at a specialist). It already had new Pirelli tyres and front discs and pads!
Anyway, I was in the same position and test drove 2 Golf R's, ond of which was a near new Mk7.5 R Estate (Both DSG's) and also 3 Audi RS4's (B8).
The Golf will win any argument when written down on paper, cheaper to buy (for newer and lower mileage), higher tech, cheaper tax, higher MPG, cheaper servicing, less "bork" factor (through a massive bill), bigger boot etc etc etc.
However, the Audi RS4 has a V8, is an RS Audi with the wide arches etc and even though it is older it is in my opinion a higher quality interior.
Test drives of the Golf's showed they were very very good cars, but just that - cars. It didn't wow me and I felt I would be wanting a change pretty quickly / modifying it massively. I didn't like the DSG box in the Mk7 Golf (6 Speed I think) - it was hesitant and always seems to do what I didn't want it to do. Mk7.5 with the 7 Speed DSG was much better. Very airy car inside, lots of glass etc, massive boot, comfy seat, lots of tech, easy peasy to drive. Didn't like the noise, with the sound booster thing it was ust boomy, and without it just a 4 pot, the DSG farts were annoying too.
Test drives of the RS4 showed the engine to be really special, the start up and the noise is amazing, the S-Tronic is good but not perfect - prefers fast driving as opposed to town driving, car handles well but it is heavy and it feels it, interior is much older tech that the Golf but it is a nice place to be, very solid and it still has enough toys (adaptive cruise (although it cuts out below 20 mph whereas Golf will stop and go)), DAB, climate control, cornering LED headlights etc etc.
I bought the RS4 and a year later I'm still loving it. It feels special whether going to Tesco or chomping up and down the motorway, on a back road revving it out makes a sound to die for.
I did have to look at 3 before I found one I'd consider buying and even then it was only subject to getting work done. First was a Jersey import and clearly clocked (looked tired, interior creaked and groaned), 2nd had very bad paint and had been smoked in, 3rd was in excellent condition but needed a new DRC damper, rear discs and pads and diff and gearbox services, (£2k of work at a specialist). It already had new Pirelli tyres and front discs and pads!
Soldato
@wingnuttzz - glad you’re loving the RS4. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with your response. I just wish I were allowed to buy an estate car (bloody SUVs being all fashionable and influencing my wife). I must be getting old, but I would consider consolidating the fun car and the family bus if I could have an RS Audi or an AMG Mercedes. Might try arguing that soon... although estate cars tend to have roofs which has been a red line for me up until now!
Pretty much par for the course with VWs these days IMO though I loved older Golfs. I don't know really how to put it into words - the way the ride is a touch firm and the feel between the driver and road somehow makes you almost feel like a passenger even at the wheel.
Associate
Excellent post, thank you. I think you've cemented everything most others have said and finished swaying me over to the RS4 (although I will test drive both as it's sensible obviously). Out of interest do you mind me asking you a few more specific questions? Please feel free to not answer some if you're not comfortable
I paid £25.5k last Aug for a 14 reg car with 56k miles. From CarShop - it was a horrible purchasing experiencing but we came out of it well - I think they had had the car for over 6 months and it had been moved around a bit so it was well priced. It was surprisingly in excellent condition with near blemish free paintwork - no doubt it has had a front end respray but bar some overspray when I bought it the paint was great. Interior was unmarked and the 4 Pirelli's were near new, serviced and new front discs pads. I managed to get out of them new rear discs and pads, gearbox and diff oils changed and a new front DRC shock and DRC recharge (technically all under the included warranty and I got it done at local specialist - I wouldn't trust them to do the work).
Spec wise, mines is a Sports Pack Car (Sports Exhaust (Valved exhaust), Sport Diff, Dynamic Steering and Dynamic Suspension), B&O Stereo, Adaptive Cruise + Lane Assist, Hill Hold Assist, Full Leather, keyless entry & Starter button. I think spec is quite personal, the Sports Pack I could take or leave it but the B&O Stereo, hill hold, and adaptive cruise are very useful.
Because of the work done when I bought the car running costs have been minimal, I swapped the tyres to MP4S at around £800 (along with new aftermarket wheels, haha), fitted KW High Adjustable Springs and some Powerflex Bush inserts, Pagid RS42 brake pads and Milltek exhaust. These were all personal changes as opposed to consumables. Only item i've had wear out is a track rod end that started knocking - £35 each for Meyle HD so not bad.
I have done a full engine service inc oil, filters and plugs etc, it will cost double what a normal 4 pot will as its 2x5l of oil for an oil change and there is 8 spark plugs. I do the work myself and it was nothing challenging. My car doesn't seem to use any oil and it gets an oil change every 6k.
Fuel economy is pretty brutal, 300 miles to a tank on the motorway, my car is a weekend/holiday car and it rare to go anywhere of any significant difference and not need to get fuel somewhere.
The running costs do scare me if something goes wrong, the engine, gearbox, diffs and suspension are all complicated and expensive if something goes wrong. A lot of the cost will be done to how tight the engine is in the engine bay, there is no space around it at all, fitting the Milltek was murder trying to do the downpipes.
My car has the normal sports seats in full leather. This was a compromise as I wanted alcantara (gripper and less sweaty) but never mind. They are comfy and support enough but I found it took my wife and I both a long time to get them adjusted to be comfortable. One of the cars I test drove had the Recaro's and I thought my heart was set on them, they are very supportive but they are hard as nails everywhere, haha. The lower bolsters are also quite narrow. I think I would still like some but they wouldn't be deal maker for me, standard seats are probably better for most uses but Recaro's would make it seem more special.
Hope my waffle helps
Associate
I just bought an 18 plate Golf R estate last month...and I was also considering the RS4. I spent the best part of a year looking at everything from the Hyundai i30N to Merc C63s but couldn't make up my mind. I kept being torn between the ideal of getting a vaguely practical and potentially hugely expensive monster and a sensible, newer compromise car. My old car was on it's last legs and the family were getting tired of having to jump start the thing for it's weekly lockdown trip to the supermarket so I bought the golf almost on impulse in the end. I don't regret it - yet! It's a nice place to be, feels well built and modern and it has a fair bit of go for what it is. It is not an RS4 though! For me it came down to age, modernity and the likely maintenance costs but I'd be lying if I said I didn't still think perhaps I should have gone with the more special option - which the Audi most definitely is.
Soldato
Associate
Was going to say RS4 anyday. Good decision! hopefully........ 