We have a mk5 edition 30, and the S3 was on the shortlist next to what we presume will be the edition 40 coming out soon...
The two things we were looking to improve was the fuel economy and the space, and whilst the former was sorted through the passage of time, we had our eye on the A3 sportback as an alternative to the golf with a 'bit more luggage space'.
Well I was a bit surprised to find out that it appears that the S3 sportback is narrower in the luggage area, with just the same luggage space (380 litres). So I'm not sure the S3 is going to remain on the list after all...