S3 Test Drive

[Manu_R32]

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!

[Phil mcavity]

Which would u say creepy is quicker, the audi s3 you drove or the Golf gti??

[TagnuT]

How much was the shopping trolley going for? (third picture) 

[noj66]

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.

[Biteuk]

That the AUDI dealer in Chartham by chance?

[TASH1]

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.

[p3eps]

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?? 

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!

[noj66]

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!

[fliptophead]

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.

[Cass]

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

Cass