Stick with my Golf MK5 GTI or change to ED30/8P S3?

[peter_booker2003]

Have owned my Mk5 since August and I do love it. Since I bought it I've had 99% of all the service items done. PCV/DV/Cam Follower/ Cambelt/ Water Pump/ Thermostat/ Full Service inc Spark Plugs. Its done just over 120000 miles but still drives great. The spec its got is pretty much as good as it gets too. Every option box ticked. Highline/xenons/ electric heated folding mirrors/multifunction wheel etc

I've been looking at swapping it for an ED30/S3, mainly for the tuning potential. Im fairly new to cars (past couple of years) but love the idea of starting stock and going stage2/stage2+ etc.

I'd be looking at around £8/9k for a ED30/S3 and then selling the GTI for £4/4.5k ish.

Should I spend a little bit on mine first, go Stage 1 and see how I get on, or save the money and spend it on a ED30/S3 instead. I'd likely need a clutch if I was to go any further than Stage 1.

Thanks

[993BOY]

Don't spend any more money on yours, you will never get it back when you come to sell it. The mileage is quite high, and a tuned high mileage car will be even more difficult to move on!

Pound for penny, you will get vast performance increases on a ED30 with just a cheap (£500) stg 1 tune (maybe 290bhp), with so much potential for more!!.

I have only done a basic stg 1 on my Pirelli and the difference from the standard 230bhp is incredible.

Start looking for a good ED30 or Pirelli as soon as! I prefer the Pirelli myself due to them being far rarer (only 220) and nicer wheels, couple in a/trader for under 10K at the moment.

Good luck with the search 

[pudding]

If wheel spin troubles you, get the S3, because you'll get tonnes of it once the Ed30 is remapped.

Having said that, an Edition 30 is a lot better looking than an S3, but the S3 is a lot better made, so it's swings and roundabouts really.

[shoaybmakda]

I'm in a very similar boat but restricted to needing a 5 door with a DSG so that's the S3 out the window but the ED30 appeals to me.

I actually have a great spec one too and I've put the ED30 kit on mine (it's now touching 130k!) I just love the fact mine is white and has a great spec. For me I've decided that it does everything I need in a car and I wouldn't use the power hence I haven't even gone stage 1 with this car. Probably run it into the ground or when my boy starts driving pass on the mantle to him!

If your happy to potentially  loose the spec for more power I would definitely say go ED30/S3. Only thing is I'm sure a very well spec ED30 with lower miles will command a premium.

Good luck in your search!

[bonelorry]

Plus for sub £10K you will end up with a nail of an S3, £8-9K will get you a decent ED30.

[Kai96]

ED30 for sure, The S3 just looks boring and like an A3 unless you get a highly spec'd one with bucket seats pano roof black edition etc etc....

[Tazocin]

Newbie experience here.

I picked up my ED30 5 door nearly a year ago now. Had a mk5 GTI which was stolen and house, kids etc took all my money so I was relegated to a Clio ( ). Fast forward a few years and a stable financial situation got me looking for something more fun. I took a chance on my ED30, its a 5dr DSg and had 90k on the clock for 7k.

Ive had it for 30k miles now and love it. Its the first car I've modified and I'm glad I took the ED30 over a standard. Took it to stage 1 with my local specialist and he quoted me 296bhp (Hmm) but it goes bloody fast. Fitted a Forge Twintake CAI and booked in for a Powervalve turbo back. Getting into general maintenance is easy with so much help form the forum, DV check and cam follower just so I know how it all works tbh.

Basically I've got a (relatively) cheap car that I love the look of, is old enough to have most problems ironed out but reliable enough to run well and has enough tolerances to hit some big numbers tuning wise. Also fits the kids in easily (but my poor seats :S) Best choice I made going for ED30 over regular tbh.

[GYG30]

Nice to have S3 4wd but yeah doesn't look anything special does it?! The front tyres scrabbling for grip in a mapped ed30 never gets tiresome I reckon......

[peter_booker2003]

Thanks all for the replies. ED30 it is then. Just gotta find the right one at the right price now.

[slix]

I was looking at s3 just for the traction issues but once rolling they are pretty much the same performance. Though I'm guessing the s3 will be slightly heavier due to the quattro system and build.

And as said, to get a decent s3 you will pay about 4k more than an ed30.

I only really lose traction in my mapped ed30 when it's wet out or if doing a hard launch. Once you have decent tyres on and it's dry they arnt that bad at all.

[kenny.golf]

I put my ed30 up for 7800 with 85k miles,fsh stage 1 apr 3 weeks ago and bot had 1 bit if intrest. If there going for less than this then they are a great alrounder. Or mabe people just dont want to spend that cash on a 9 year old car

[slix]

I put my ed30 up for 7800 with 85k miles,fsh stage 1 apr 3 weeks ago and bot had 1 bit if intrest. If there going for less than this then they are a great alrounder. Or mabe people just dont want to spend that cash on a 9 year old car

This time of year is never great to sell a car

Try again in the summer as picks up quite a bit.

[AJP]

Ed30s are getting more and more niche in terms of their market, as they get older.

There are still people out there willing to pay a premium for them, but as time goes on more and more people are of the "I'm not paying that money for a 9 year old car" type.

As for traction, once you're up past 320lb/ft or so, these cars really aren't great in the winter. An S3 sees to that, but I'd agree with the comments about them being a bit bland. They don't seem to have any presence on the road.

A mk6 R though... That's the one I'd have, if money would stretch.

[slix]

It doesn't help that a lot of people not on this forum don't know what an edition 30 is. I didn't untill my mate told me. I just thought there was 1 type of mk5 gti.