S3

[am1w]

The Audi brand powers all the profits in the VAG group. I must admit they are beautifully made. The only thing I slightly dislike is the front grille and the slightly soulless drive which the Mk7 Golf seems to avoid. The A3/S3 interior is so minimalist that it is quite a shock when you first see it. Then, when you look at the inside of the Golf, the latter seems so cluttered (as do most cars except the new Mercedes S Class) and you wonder why VW did not up the ante a bit on the Mk7 by streamlining the interior a bit more in Audi fashion.

BTW, I rather like the look of the new A3 saloon.

[Gryzor]

The Audi brand powers all the profits in the VAG group. I must admit they are beautifully made. The only thing I slightly dislike is the front grille and the slightly soulless drive which the Mk7 Golf seems to avoid. The A3/S3 interior is so minimalist that it is quite a shock when you first see it. Then, when you look at the inside of the Golf, the latter seems so cluttered (as do most cars except the new Mercedes S Class) and you wonder why VW did not up the ante a bit on the Mk7 by streamlining the interior a bit more in Audi fashion.

BTW, I rather like the look of the new A3 saloon.

If you think the inside of the Mk7 is relatively cluttered, you should look inside a new focus...angles and buttons all over the place.

[drisser]

Like many people I considered the s3 but it really is a different price bracket, I mean paying for elec folding and heated door mirrors on a 30k car !?

Also, and its just my opinion but audis's are becoming incredibly bland and selling on their quality build and Christmas tree daytime running lights.. Someone at Audi must be in charge of " think of a new design of daytime running light".  I think the s3 looks more like a std a3 than a golf gti does a std golf.

Also, and again it's my opinion, but most of the nobbish tailgating drivers who once lurked in a BMW 3 series are now in a4 and a5's.  That is a generalization of course, but audis's  image really puts me off buying one to be honest. I would buy a bmw before an Audi to be honest, they are just as well made and better to drive.  My 2004 330ci coupe has just passed 100k miles and feels like it is 3 years old and Unbreakable.

There is a certain satisfaction in knowing how well dynamically a gti is sorted and that only those who have driven one can know beauty is more than skin deep..

[Johnc41]

Honestly Audi cars are the most boring looking cars on the planet, as for quality being better than vw, no sorry I don't see it at all. Had a few mark 5 and 6 gti's and just got rid of a mercedes cls 350cdi because it was like the Audi souless to drive and own. Can't beat the gti for driving and owning. The last Audi I had the sunvisor fell off when I opened it. Never had that with vw.

[Bill_the_Bear]

Honestly Audi cars are the most boring looking cars on the planet

Perhaps a little bit of an exaggeration.

[Johnc41]

No don't think so, I don't know anybody who likes the look of an Audi, the all look the same, you can hardly tell one from the other. And that grill is horrible, just my opinion i much prefer vw. I had a vw cc and Audi a4 and the cc was ten times better looking inside and out.

[JoeGTI]

I bought an A3 several years ago. I was suckered by the advertising and perceived quality. Big mistake. It rattled like a biscuit tin from day one and it was just a soul less dull machine. It looked nice when parked but I hated driving it. Traded it for a MKV GTI after 18 months. Night and day!

[Johnc41]

Well said Joe

[drisser]

Agreed

Audi is the German Peugeot..

Every one of their cars looks like a smaller or larger version of something else in their range.

[Bill_the_Bear]

Oh I completely agree they all look the same, said the very thing a while back on this very forum.  They're far from the ugliest though.  Fiat multipla comes to mind... Prius, juke, jag s-type, Toyota Camry... So many much much worse cars.