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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Creepy Coupe on 09 July 2007, 09:00
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I was over at my local Audi dealer on Saturday, got talking to a salesman who suggested I took the new S3 for a spin, so not wanting to be rude, I did :smiley:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/creepycoupe/Image034.jpg)
All credit to the bloke, as he let me have a good long run in it, all Kentish A& B roads, but they gave me a fairly good idea of what the S3 all about
The first thing I thought, was how ordinary the car looked, not saying it looked bad, but at first glance it look pretty much like an A3 that was stood next to it.
The interior was very nicely put together, as with all previous Audi's I’ve owned a nice place to be, I did think this particular model was a bit garish with it alli and red details all over the clocks and the flat bottomed steering wheel, it seam Audi were making up for the plain exterior.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/creepycoupe/Image035.jpg)
Anyway the drive...
Obviously when you fire up the engine three’s lots to remind you of the GTI, in both sound and throttle response, and nice light clutch pedal, and good gear selection, once again made me think GTi.
On the road the ride was a bit on the fidgety side, and reminded me of the new BMW 320d on run flat tyres, not harsh, just slightly unsettled, however it did handle the pot holes very well.
Road noise was more than I'd expected though.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/creepycoupe/Image036.jpg)
Now the engine..
The power delivery was noticeably higher up the rev band, with turbo lag at anything under 2500 rpm, but when the power came in, it did with a huge rush, pushing you hard in the back of your seat. together with a very satisfying engine exhaust note, however the engine sounded a bit rough and strained at anything over 3500 rpm, this might be because I'm used to my R32 though. I couldn't help feeling it felt a bit ordinary when you were on steady throttle, no real sound to suggest your in a special car.
There is no doubt though, this is a quick car over 3000 rpm.
When I returned to the dealer, and got talking to the salesman, I had to go through the motions of price and spec blah blah blah, he said the car I'd just driven was specced to £33k :shocked:
Which IMO is a staggering amount of dosh in any language.
And although it had done 3k miles, they were still asking £33k :shocked: because of the 12 week waiting list, and Audi weren't offering any discounts, yeah right. :rolleyes:
So in summery, did I like it, Yes, would I buy one, No way, for that money I'd have the new BMW 3235 Coupe, or a Z4 Coupe, for me there's no way it's worth more than £8k more than a similarly spec GTi, it's just not that much better, or offer that much more.
Thank you. :smiley:
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Hmmm, interesting write up CC.
I've had several Audi's and VW's over the years. I have to agree with you over the looks of the current range of Audi's - not very pleasing on the eye and that grille - it does remind me of a blow up doll :laugh:
The A3 doesn't look pretty - it's far too heavy looking and tarty. Better to keep it plain and simple, but today everyone seems to be looking to change their corporate look for something different - look at the way BMW has gone for example :sick:
No doubt that the Audi build quality and materials are superior to VW but it does come at a very hefty premium. My old TT Coupe was superb but it did suffer from the dreaded dual mass flywheel problem which was the reason I sold it. Wouldn't have an S3 myself and I am more than happy with the GTI. Don't really fancy anything else on the road either, except maybe an old Porsche 993, but that is probably going backwards and I prefer a more modern driving experience.
Cass
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I know what you mean Cass, my TT had to have it's gearbox out twice, once for DMF and once for clutch slave cylinder, funny thing is it hasn't stopped me buying VAG cars.
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Wow - I can't believe how FAT the A3's ass is in your pics.. Megane anyone? :grin:
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Wow - I can't believe how FAT the A3's ass is in your pics.. Megane anyone? :grin:
It might be my crappy camera phone Teddy, don't remember it being overly fat.
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I've had a couple of A3's:-
MK1 1.9TDI sport quattro - remapped
MK2 2.0TDI Sport DSG - remapped
Both were very good on quality, but both cost an arm and a leg over an equivalent golf. Audi's also come with a poverty spec compared with the equivalent VW. The S3 may have 4 wheel drive, but this makes it a heavier car. You can only get it in 3 doors, so it is awkward for family use. It doesn't come with DSG (or whatever Audi are calling it these days :rolleyes:), and so is not as flexible.
I can live without 4 wheel drive as most cars nowardays have a plethora of driving aids to compensate and with a price tag which would approach £33k against my ED30 there is no competition. All I need is a remap and the S3 would be a short memry disappearing in my rear view mirror :wink:
Now if VW could make the ED30 with 4wd, DSG and 305bhp for, say £27k then I may be sorely tempted :evil:
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^^^^^ in the S3's defence, although it has 4wd, it also has an alloy engine block and the whole car weigh's in at 1400 kgs, with is very close to the GTi, it definitely didn't feel heavy, but agree you just can't get away from the price.
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I'd wait until the launch of the rumoured RS3 myself.
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I'd wait until the launch of the rumoured RS3 myself.
I asked the Salesman about the RS3, and he said there is not confirmed date as yet.
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has it got the correct wheels on it?? i thought they came with wheels similar to those on the RS4?? :huh:
pretty rubbish if they don't!!
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The two S3's in the showroom here in Gibraltar have them Alloy rims similiar to the RS4...If the dealer said that S3 was specc'd to around 33K i think hes talking abit of bull...especially if those are the rims they are being sold with!
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Which would u say creepy is quicker, the audi s3 you drove or the Golf gti??
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How much was the shopping trolley going for? (third picture) :grin:
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Hiving owned a GTI with DSG and now the new S3 i can say hand on heart the S3 is definately quicker,by some margin.Power delivery is so linear though that,coupled with four wheel drive,the sensation of speed is dulled in the Audi.It has just replaced R32 in Evo magazine's fastest lap of their test route.
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That the AUDI dealer in Chartham by chance?
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Just doesn't look special enough, no little signature details like the GTi, honeycomb grille, red piping, skirts etc etc which set the GTi apart from the standards, the S3 could almost be mistaken for an S-line.
I do like it but not at £28K for basic new, they will probably hold their value so no bargains second hand either.
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I looked at them before buying my Ed30 - although the hefty price put me off.
has it got the correct wheels on it?? i thought they came with wheels similar to those on the RS4?? :huh:
pretty rubbish if they don't!!
Those wheels are the standard ones - there are a couple of other sets are 'optional extras' - and look much better!
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I agree with you,the styling is pretty understated.I'd seen mine advertised at my local Audi centre at £25,995,it was very well specced including the DVD sat nav so i put a deposit on it,in the hope i can keep it a year and hopefully not lose too much in depreciation!I had hoped to go to an R32 from last GTI but the hike in road tax put me off!(tight northener!),still love the look of them though.In fact, veering totally off the subject,every time i see a Mk.4 R32 lately i become more convinced it is going to be a classic of the future!
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I think that the S3 just doesn't look special enough to warrant the huge price tag.
When I was shopping around for a new car recently (prior to getting the Ed30.) the Audi salesman was giving me the spin that he had some real mental trade ins for S3s (boxsters etc), but if that was the case, I would have expected to ahve seen more new S3's on the roads by now, and I just havent.
Buying a GTI , S3 or similar you want a head turner... and for me the Ed30 wins that hands down.
I personally like the old S3 look a bit more than the new S3.
I've had 4 Audi's in recent years, mostly A3's of various descriptions, and they are quite understated in looks...
From my experience the build quality is no better than the VW's I've had in that timeframe either.
Pound for pound too, the A3 is way more expensive than the similar VW... for near enough the same car.
I've also come to the conclusion that I actually prefer FWD to 4WD. I've had a couple of 4WD cars in recent years, and none of them have lasted too long before I feel the urge to trade them and get a FWD again.
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I think that the S3 just doesn't look special enough to warrant the huge price tag.
When I was shopping around for a new car recently (prior to getting the Ed30.) the Audi salesman was giving me the spin that he had some real mental trade ins for S3s (boxsters etc), but if that was the case, I would have expected to ahve seen more new S3's on the roads by now, and I just havent.
Buying a GTI , S3 or similar you want a head turner... and for me the Ed30 wins that hands down.
I personally like the old S3 look a bit more than the new S3.
I've had 4 Audi's in recent years, mostly A3's of various descriptions, and they are quite understated in looks...
From my experience the build quality is no better than the VW's I've had in that timeframe either.
Pound for pound too, the A3 is way more expensive than the similar VW... for near enough the same car.
I've also come to the conclusion that I actually prefer FWD to 4WD. I've had a couple of 4WD cars in recent years, and none of them have lasted too long before I feel the urge to trade them and get a FWD again.
Good comments -fully agree with everything here :wink:
Cass
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Which would u say creepy is quicker, the audi s3 you drove or the Golf gti??
Phil I'd say the S3 was defo the quicker car when you nail it, but it's not a reponsive at low rpm as the GTi, so for real world driving, I stick my neck out and say the GTi was a quicker everday car, but if you did want to pass something, when the S3 comes on boost, feck me it went.
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has it got the correct wheels on it?? i thought they came with wheels similar to those on the RS4?? :huh:
pretty rubbish if they don't!!
Those wheels are the standard ones - there are a couple of other sets are 'optional extras' - and look much better!
can't believe those wheels are the standard ones!! :shocked: :shocked: they've been doing them for donkey's years!! Must have bought a job lot way back and can't shift them!!
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No they aren't the standard wheels.I'll try and get it cleaned and photographed today and put a pic up.
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This is the standard wheel on UK S3.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/noj66/DSCF0494.jpg
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This is the standard wheel on UK S3.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/noj66/DSCF0494.jpg
thats more like it :smiley: still well overpriced though!!
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You could buy a 2 litre A3 Quattro and then fettle it to give about 265bhp - the same spec as an unfettled S3. Same understated looks etc. But, then again, you could do the same to a MkV Gti.
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Just doesn't look special enough,
But that is what hot Audis are all about - masters of understatement, yet supremly competent! :wink:
no little signature details like the GTi, honeycomb grille, red piping, skirts etc etc which set the GTi apart from the standards, the S3 could almost be mistaken for an S-line.
Oh, the S3 certainly DOES have unique exterior signature items. It has the Audi "S" grille (small rectangles), a unique body kit (very different to the S-line), honeycomb fog light grilles, and alloy-look door mirrors. These are all subtle unique touches, which no other A3 shares.
Regarding "mistaking" it for an S-line - well Audi have succeded with their design brief! :nerd:
I do like it but not at £28K for basic new, they will probably hold their value so no bargains second hand either.
Yeah, the price is very steep, but residuals on Audis, particularly the previous S3, are still very strong.
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I think that the S3 just doesn't look special enough to warrant the huge price tag.
But that is NOT the ethos of hot Audis. They are not "in your face, look at me" type of cars. They are "understated" for a reason.
If you must have a car which "looks special", then look elsewhere, because an Audi will never fit that particular requirement. Look at my RS4, and you will see what I mean. http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=56988.0
Buying a GTI , S3 or similar you want a head turner... and for me the Ed30 wins that hands down.
But not everyone wants a "head turner"!
I've had 4 Audi's in recent years, mostly A3's of various descriptions, and they are quite understated in looks...
Sigh . . . that is the whole point!
From my experience the build quality is no better than the VW's I've had in that timeframe either.
Ohhh, I'll have to disagree. When you have the luxury of both, side by side - then the quality of the materials, especially the interiors - the Audis are way ahead of the VWs. There are many, many small areas of detail where the quality differs between VW and Audi.
Pound for pound too, the A3 is way more expensive than the similar VW... for near enough the same car.
Hmm, that is a subjective comment. OK, I think we all agree that you pay a "premium" for those four rings. And on the face of it, they may appear to be very similar. However, the devil is in the detail, in terms of quality of materials. Then there is the residuals at trade in time. With the exception of the GTI (which is a niche model, with "cult" like status), Audis have always enjoyed far stronger residuals compared to VW.
I've also come to the conclusion that I actually prefer FWD to 4WD.
Hmmm, what type of "4WD" cars? I'm sure you know not all so-called 4WDs are the same!
I've had a couple of 4WD cars in recent years, and none of them have lasted too long before I feel the urge to trade them and get a FWD again.
Well that last comment simply states you get far greater enjoyment out of wheelspin, rather than traction! :smug: