S3 Test Drive

[Creepy Coupe]

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.

[Rhyso]

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!

can't believe those wheels are the standard ones!!  they've been doing them for donkey's years!! Must have bought a job lot way back and can't shift them!!

[noj66]

No they aren't the standard wheels.I'll try and get it cleaned and photographed today and put a pic up.

[noj66]

This is the standard wheel on UK S3.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/noj66/DSCF0494.jpg

[Rhyso]

This is the standard wheel on UK S3.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/noj66/DSCF0494.jpg

thats more like it  still well overpriced though!!

[derdle]

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.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Just doesn't look special enough,

But that is what hot Audis are all about - masters of understatement, yet supremly competent! 

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! 

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.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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!