Invest 8-10k in my Edition 30 or move it on for new R or S3 RS4 B8 S4 or E92 M3

[Msportman]

Dilema:

Sell my GTI Engineering Stage 1 Edition 30 which so I have invested in KW Clubsports, H&R Spacers White Line Anti Lift Kiit, and Kenwood DNX Sat Nav and DAB roof mount.

Car is a mint black 3 door manual car with just 49k.

Or:

Invest a shed load and get to stage 2+ mainly for road and some track action. This will mean the following:
APR Stage 2+
APR HFP
APR RSC Exhaust
VWR Intake
Helix Clutch
Diff..Quaiffe or Wavetrack
Runner Flap Delete
H&R ARB (Rear)
VWR Big Brake Kit
APR FMIC
Wheels for Track
Dunlop Direzza Tyres (Similar to D01J)
OE Cruise Fitment

Approx £10k+ added up......dead money when it comes to re sell but will make the car pretty special.I hate the thought of losing a shed load down the road and perhaps keeping as it is is the more sensible approach.

Power will be approx 360bhp and more than enough for FWD. I have had a similar package before and got most of money back although I didn't have a big brake kit, clutch or diff.
As a road car it's more discrete than an RS and IMO more punchy than a heavy car. I don't know how good an S4 will be in comparison but the cost to mod it for track will be a fair few quid...brakes, MRC stage 2 to 450+ KW's, bigger cooler kit, the list goes on.....probably another £10k worth of bits.


M3 is a contender although the better spec Competion Pack cars are all £33k+...GTR money!

I always liked the RS4 but am told by tuners that I would get bored quickly as they are all (V8RS4) under power due to coking issues and the 4wd dulls the feeling of speed. I haven't tried one but APS tell me many are sub 380 bhp and in a heavy 4wd car will feel somewhat sluggish compared to the Ed 30.

Or do I turn my attention to the new R or S3 with view to map it and get similar 350+ when available. Certainly 4wd interests me not for track but for everyday useability.  
  

Certainly C63 is out of the question as I hate the box and interior.

I'd like a GTR but it's not in budget at mo but my missus is interested in the new SQ5 and getting one on a PCP as there are some sharp deals around.

I have a mk2 16V as a sorted track car for honing around although I know the Edition could be made into a real track animal with big investment like most cars. It's rare to impossible to find a car that does everything as they are all compromised.

What would you do ??

[betty_swollox]

from what i have been told, a stage 2+ ED30 will feel/be quicker from 30-100 than an S3.

Just look at the review for the new leon cupra 280 vs the golf R, they said the cupra was more fun with it being FWD.

Only you can make the decision mate, if you put the car back to standard you'd be able to sell the bits that came off it.

I was thinking about this the other day, I've spent nearly 1.5k on mods for this car so far, that's 1.5k I could have put towards an S3, but at the end of the day I am happy with what I've got and to make an S3 be as powerful as this, it would cost me more money too

[Msportman]

from what i have been told, a stage 2+ ED30 will feel/be quicker from 30-100 than an S3.

Just look at the review for the new leon cupra 280 vs the golf R, they said the cupra was more fun with it being FWD.

Only you can make the decision mate, if you put the car back to standard you'd be able to sell the bits that came off it.

I was thinking about this the other day, I've spent nearly 1.5k on mods for this car so far, that's 1.5k I could have put towards an S3, but at the end of the day I am happy with what I've got and to make an S3 be as powerful as this, it would cost me more money too

Absolutely.....S3 = £33K
Golf R = £29K

Out of the box manual car 296 bhp...heavier car but jut that they are newer.

I agree 4WD is great for sprinting and wet weather and everyday traction on UK roads. I feel FWD with a diff feels more natural on a dry track with a diff and sticky rubber....but can be modulated on road use....but 4wd is king in the wet.

Seems like a big investment for a basic car nice though it is although Edition still looks fresh.

B8 RS4 are still commanding big money....be a few years yet to come in on budget. 

[betty_swollox]

It's just all the sh*tty weather making me wheel spin has made me think I should have waited a bit longer and get S3, but had a few dry days a week ago and the car felt unreal in the corners etc

Once I've got a diff and ARBs etc it may make me feel better about my decision lol

I can always change in a few years, 8k on mods is a big commitment but worth it i reckon. Ya only live once. The ED30 will handle and perform better than a stock Golf R and won't cost half as much lol

[Upperoilcan]

Move on,Go for an S3 and Stage 1 it,more than enough grunt for little mod money.

[Shorty]

How long have you been going on about this dilemma now dude? Haha.

Just sell it and get a new Golf R..

[xBERTOx]

Having just sold an S4 I would agree that the 4wd kills steering feedback, the golf is so much more fun to drive, I do miss the power but as soon as I get to a corner that's all forgotten. M3 is a good shout, great to drive but expensive to service, have you had a look at the 335i? With a little tuning they turn into absolute weapons. Look quite subtle too. Rwd beats fwd in my experience, having had all 3 I enjoyed Rwd more than anything else, 4wd is good in bad weather and fwd is easier to drive but Rwd is more rewarding.

[Msportman]

Tried E92 coup last year...chassis and engine noise epic....power all at the top.....lovely when ragging it.

Got back into Golf...it is epic to on Clubsports....great easy low down power....easier in everyday use....sounds quite dull with OE exhaust...hence in needs an APR item!!

I may try S4 and new R when it arrives.

I agree .....RWD feels great.
Wonder what the new Haldex feels like full chat mid bend?....or is it slow in fast out like many 4WD.

[Msportman]

How long have you been going on about this dilemma now dude? Haha.

Just sell it and get a new Golf R..

I know I know.....just orn'd the Ed30 and getting bored wondering what to do with it.....got the 16V out for summer.

Keeping options open and gauging other oppinions

[D8MOA]

I am selling my stage 1 ED30 to go back to a bmw M3!

I miss RWD and the big coupe'ness

[Mk5 GTian]

Why not keep your mk2 for track, spend 3K on it, sell your Eddy for 12K, and put 7k into your new car pot on a £19K Mk6 Golf R?

Stage 1 The Golf R, and hey presto! A 300 plus bhp 4wd road car for 12 months a year fun in our sh1tty climate, as well as having a great track car.

[cuprajake]

Never put 10k into a car, put it towards a new one yes. But you'll never get it back if you do.

I've been in the new sq5 and tbh there a lovely car. But totally different beast to a small hatch.

Depends what you really want to do with it.

[Pete-r]

Leave it as-is and buy a VX220 or Elise for track days is my advice as it's the best of both worlds. A golf will never feel the same on a track no matter how much is spent on it, and you get a soft top for summer.

(I do practice what I preach - here's my current VX and old Elise lol).

[flashp]

Never put 10k into a car, put it towards a new one yes. But you'll never get it back if you do.

I've been in the new sq5 and tbh there a lovely car. But totally different beast to a small hatch.

Depends what you really want to do with it.

You'll lose it on a new car also. Only car I've ever had which lost no value was a VX220 which I had for 3 years.

[flashp]

I've implemented these mods on mine and I don't regret the expense at all. I get bored with generic or sensible cars (diesels etc) and end up selling them on thus incurring losses.
I've had some of the best fun in mine in wet weather. LSD brings it alive on roads in these conditions. As for track, well it's in another league now.
I've had it for 2.5 years now and still can't imagine what I'd buy in its place.

The two attitudes to car ownership (modify and enjoy & don't modify you'll lose money) can't coexist for one person. You are one or the other. Nothing wrong with either but be sure that which ever you are cars will lose money. Some will happily spend £25k on a car then sell it 3 years later for £17k and not worry about the £8k+ that just disappeared. No rules for this, it's entirely personal. Do whatever rewards you most.