I have been considering an 2003(ish) M3, but they cost a bit more....are they worth it?
Uhhh nooo way mate, went & tested the same as you're asking while back, went in my s3, got in the m3, hated it full stop, power was over stated, horrible drive, got back in my S3 & wow what an improvement, not cause I'm a vag fan but it was just a ***** car overall, feel, drive, interior, everything was horrible except the external looked good but thats not it for me, I like the whole package not just one thing.
So I was pleasantly surprised with the TDI, just a brilliant car until next year, from an s3, then s4 now A3 tdi, its a great car, but I do miss my S3, but everything has its time man, had to go so didnt get virtually nothing for it as some S3's are present day, mine had all the bells, whistles & more, I got 8k & now I see same cars getting 5-6k if lucky, thank god I sold both my S cars before the crash cause I'd have lost 10k I reckon easily, I'll keep my money until next year & get new s3