Golf mk7 vs Audi A3 8P handling/ride?

[kalniel]

Has anyone moved to a Golf mk7 (either normal or sports suspension) from an A3 8P non-sports suspension and if so, how do you find the ride and handling?

I got the Audi with SE spec suspension precisely because it was said to be good over bumps, but some reviewers say it lost on out handling as a result. The new MQB platform Audis are stiffer in general, while the Golf on 16" wheels is meant to be more compliant (17" and above come with sports suspension I think). Ideally I don't want the handling to be any looser than the outgoing Audi, but would appreciate an even better ride quality.

[cs2009]

Has anyone moved to a Golf mk7 (either normal or sports suspension) from an A3 8P non-sports suspension and if so, how do you find the ride and handling?

I got the Audi with SE spec suspension precisely because it was said to be good over bumps, but some reviewers say it lost on out handling as a result. The new MQB platform Audis are stiffer in general, while the Golf on 16" wheels is meant to be more compliant (17" and above come with sports suspension I think). Ideally I don't want the handling to be any looser than the outgoing Audi, but would appreciate an even better ride quality.

I have recently switched from an A3 8V Sportback SE to a Golf Mk7 GT ACT, and the Golf is better in all respects. I found the ride on the A3 jolty and jiggly, despite having the 'comfort' suspension, and the tyre noise was terrible.

For me, the Golf GT achieves a perfect balance of comfortable ride on all but the most extremely uneven roads, and excellent handling and grip. The Golf suspension seems to be able to smooth out all the small surface irregularities in a way the A3 never did.

[a8toa6convert]

Kalniel - the firmness of the suspension, and the standard wheel size, depend on spec level. SE gets 16's and standard suspension, GT gets 17's and 10mm lower suspension. The latter is exactly as cs2009 describes above. If you're still concerned and you can afford it, maybe spec the DCC, but I don't think even the GT really needs it.

Try to test drive an SE/Match and a GT. It will probably be a 2 litre diesel because there don't seem to be many petrol ones around, but that will just make it a bit more cumbersome in the nose, while still giving you a fair idea of ride quality. Make sure the tyres are correctly inflated as well !

[kalniel]

I have recently switched from an A3 8V Sportback SE to a Golf Mk7 GT ACT, and the Golf is better in all respects. I found the ride on the A3 jolty and jiggly, despite having the 'comfort' suspension, and the tyre noise was terrible.

Thanks, but the 8V is quite different to the 8P I've heard.

Kalniel - the firmness of the suspension, and the standard wheel size, depend on spec level. SE gets 16's and standard suspension, GT gets 17's and 10mm lower suspension.

Well it's wheel size that's actually the differentiator - if you go for the SE on 17s then it comes with sports suspension too. And annoyingly you can't spec the GT with 16" wheels (which is a shame, I want that ACT engine).

The latter is exactly as cs2009 describes above. If you're still concerned and you can afford it, maybe spec the DCC, but I don't think even the GT really needs it.

That's one option, though I generally dislike DCCs and don't think they really help my situation.

Try to test drive an SE/Match and a GT. It will probably be a 2 litre diesel because there don't seem to be many petrol ones around, but that will just make it a bit more cumbersome in the nose, while still giving you a fair idea of ride quality. Make sure the tyres are correctly inflated as well !

Yeah, I find it quite hard to assess these things in a test drive compared to long term reports from actual users. For one thing it's quite hard to get a car I can use to test my usual commute - which is quite a long one and the bumpy stuff is at the other end unfortunately! But also I'm generally overwhelmed with so many other changes (for eg seat) that it would take me a while to decide whether I'm OK with the ride.

It's very annoying to want options from two different specifications but that you can't combine them! (I'm also grumpy that if I went for the 2.0tdi it's only Euro 5 in the Golf, while the Audi version is Euro 6 compliant. And about the golf being more than the Audi for a spec I want.. )

[andyCYM]

I've done 8000 miles in a petrol GT and 6000 in a diesel, the petrol has a much more compliant ride.

[kalniel]

I've done 8000 miles in a petrol GT and 6000 in a diesel, the petrol has a much more compliant ride.

Useful to know, thanks.

Well so far I have tested a Golf SE 2.0tdi, Audi A3 Saloon Sport 2.0tdi, and A3 cabriolet Sport 2.0tdi (not by choice). Annoyingly there were test restrictions on all but the cabriolet, so I couldn't directly compare, but impressions so far are that the cabriolet was awful - crashy over bumps yet also wobbly around corners. The Saloon might be a bit better, wasn't wobbly at least, and slightly better dampened.

The Golf was the surprise, was expecting best ride of all on 16" and SE suspension.. but actually the road surfaces were quite badly transmitted in terms of roughness. In this respect, worse than the new A3s. I didn't get to try it on any mildly bumpy roads though (and was told by the sales rep I wouldn't be able to either). I need to test some more to figure out if it was just overly expressed steering 'feel' and whether different driving mode would help, but again given reps insistence that I could only test on a very short, specific, route in the future as well, it's not going to happen. (Good way to lose yourself a sale VW...)

Now waiting to try other makes who will actually let me test cars before ordering :/ At the moment, I haven't found anything that rides as well as the old 8P.

[EssexGonzo]

Useful to know, thanks.

Well so far I have tested a Golf SE 2.0tdi, Audi A3 Saloon Sport 2.0tdi, and A3 cabriolet Sport 2.0tdi (not by choice). Annoyingly there were test restrictions on all but the cabriolet, so I couldn't directly compare, but impressions so far are that the cabriolet was awful - crashy over bumps yet also wobbly around corners. The Saloon might be a bit better, wasn't wobbly at least, and slightly better dampened.

The Golf was the surprise, was expecting best ride of all on 16" and SE suspension.. but actually the road surfaces were quite badly transmitted in terms of roughness. In this respect, worse than the new A3s. I didn't get to try it on any mildly bumpy roads though (and was told by the sales rep I wouldn't be able to either). I need to test some more to figure out if it was just overly expressed steering 'feel' and whether different driving mode would help, but again given reps insistence that I could only test on a very short, specific, route in the future as well, it's not going to happen. (Good way to lose yourself a sale VW...)

Now waiting to try other makes who will actually let me test cars before ordering :/ At the moment, I haven't found anything that rides as well as the old 8P.

If I were you I'd find a sales rep who will let you have a proper test drive. Looking to spend the thick end of £25k and he dictates which roads you can ride on.....?