Just sold my gti, what next?

[austengti]

Just sold my gti, and safe to say i miss it already! I just wasn't confident with trying to get more power with it being an early AXX.

However now ive got the task of finding a new car, and its between an edition30, and an S3. I love the look of the edition 30's, the only reason im looking at S3's is because of the 4wd, as im not sure how a fwd car would drive/handle with 300+ bhp.

So a few questions, what are the pro's and cons of each? aka are there things better on one than the other?
Are there any specific problems to look out for apart from dv, pcv etc?
Any specific engine numbers to look out for? 

how do the edition 30's with big power handle? torque steer etc?

Just in need of advice really before i go buying, dont really want to end up with an engine model like AXX thats prone to problems. My budget is 9-10k, so im hoping this is enough to get me a nice example.

Any advice is appreciated, cheers

[Matthewsimone]

S3 mate
Many will disagree with me but anything over 250bhp is just too much in a fwd car particularly the mk5 golf with no fancy diff etc

Only issue with the S3 is they just don't look very special/exciting

R32 is another option but then they aren't particularly quick and expensive in the mpg and road tax area!

E46 M3
Maybe Up your budget and buy a mk6 golf R 

[Andy]

The s3 if your going for power

[bigeyd]

No torque steer with Eddys
S3's are good but you pay for the extras what an eddy has as standard also they are an A3 lookalike

[austengti]

That's always been my thoughts on fwd too, but as people are running 350+ in them im intrigued.

 Yeah the s3's don't look anything special at all, which if off putting.
R32's are gorgeous but as you say they aren't that quick and £500 road tax is just ridiculous !

E46 M3 is just too much of a killer on insurance :(

And as for a golf R.... Well the things I'd do to have one of them haha! I can up my
Budget if something special comes up but 20k is a bit steap!

I wouldn't say I'm looking for massive power, around 350 bhp and Id be more than happy.

[Mill750]

Just about to sell my E46 m3 , much prefer the golf , have to say the m3 is a lot quicker , no surprises there , but unless on a track where can you use it , the SMG is not as good as the dsg either , built well but feels dated for a 55 plate , just saying
Best of luck with next car choice

[flashp]

4 wheel drive with 300+ bhp will get off the lights quicker but an ed30 or Pirelli with an LSD once moving will be just as effective and probably more exciting. If fast launches are your thing then S3. If you want to drive quick once moving buy an ed30 or similar, sort the suspension and brakes and fit an LSD and I'd bet it'd be more exciting.

[Matthewsimone]

4 wheel drive with 300+ bhp will get off the lights quicker but an ed30 or Pirelli with an LSD once moving will be just as effective and probably more exciting. If fast launches are your thing then S3. If you want to drive quick once moving buy an ed30 or similar, sort the suspension and brakes and fit an LSD and I'd bet it'd be more exciting.

With a diff fitted in good conditions when it's realisticly safe to have ablast I would tend to agree mate 

Diff fitted isn't a cheap mod though!

[MKV_Sean]

Funny I came across this thread, I was literally about to type this up! I'm almost in the same boat but haven't sold my Gti yet (still in love!) but also getting a little bored and I'll be looking to change.

Looks like the ED30 is much preferred over the S3 so sounds like that's the route to go anyway!

You guys are lucky enough to only pay around 500 pound for tax on an R32. We pay €1809 on our roads!!! Ridiculous!

Has anyone here moved up from a Gti to an edition 30? Would love to hear what they have to say about the difference! Very few come up for sale over my way so would have to travel to the UK/Northern Ireland.

[Black9]

Edition 30 nice but will always struggle with traction when tuned Whch is frustrating. Get a Golf R and stage 2+ it. Best all rounder imo and looks better than S3. Saying that though, S3 in nice colour wit the 5 spoke black edition wheels does look nice

[PM30S]

Get an edition 30.
I've just bought one running 360bhp plus and it does not
Loose traction and is on rails.
Best front wheel drive car I've ever owned.
Ditch the s3 4wd is boring 

[Sug]

Stretch to 16k and you can have my R 

[mrdaveoconnor]

R would be nice motor.......you know you want to.....

[th3_f15t]

I have a similar thought train to yours regarding upgrades. I was going to 4motion conversion my GTI as it's relatively straight forward to do on the mk5 platform and that way you have the looks of a mk5 Golf and the 4wd that most people will agree will handle 300bhp without any trouble and the ability to go beyond the magic 300bhp mark. Only reason I backed out and am selling up is I also want DSG with my 4wd so I have little choice but to get a mk6 Golf R.

[garrardrj]

Driving a S3 will bore you too tears , get an ED30 as much lighter too , the S3 is only quicker off the line and with a mapped ED30 it will be quicker once rolling . ED30 handles better too due to that fact .
I sold my ED30 and couldn't find anything i would say compared up to £20k , so i went a different route and bought a Land Rover !
I am trying to get my wife into a Golf from her Mini Cooper so hopefully will be back in a Golf soon ..