S3 get's bummed!!!

Quote from the review:

the S3’s understated styling, traction and composed dynamics provide a totally different experience. In the end, the Audi’s desirable image and more upmarket feel
​
Exactly why I bought one.

Damn pity the Rocco R isnt coming in 4wd, I would have been in the queue at the VW dealers.

Cheers
Paul
 
Report lost all credit by having the VW interior as top of the list :wacko: Its absolute toilet and worse than all the others, S3 interior is class leading IMO. I guess if we all thought the same life would be boring - I wont be swapping for any of those listed, and ive looked at them all
 
Ah just an article really - don't think too much of it mate. Audi drivers usually look for something that's quite unique and cannot be found elsewhere. Whatever that special something is, the Megane certainly doesn't have it IMO.
 
I'm always surprised when they're not even considered. You see hundreds of comparisons with hot hatches and the A3/S3 is always looked over for Focus', Golfs, Megans etc. And i'm sure i'm not alone in thinking it should be way up the list.
But hey ho, as long as we're happy :)
 
Indeed TomR. A3 has always been an understated car so don't expect the same public attention as the other cars. It's one of the factors I like about them.
 
Read a reputable magazine such as Evo, not mainstream garbage like AutoExpress *** :)
 
AutoExpress......everytime I read their articles I just have to laugh it off, they are clueless as MSN car reviews!
 
consilio said:
Report lost all credit by having the VW interior as top of the list :wacko: Its absolute toilet and worse than all the others
Click to expand...

i think you're being a bit of an Audi fanboy. the Golf 6's interior d1ck's all over the A3/S3's. and RNS-510 is light years ahead of RNS-E
 
sub39h said:
i think you're being a bit of an Audi fanboy. the Golf 6's interior d1ck's all over the A3/S3's. and RNS-510 is light years ahead of RNS-E
Click to expand...

The Rocco certainly doesnt though.

Mate has one and it has a very nice cabin, however it certainly doesnt `****` on an S3.
I can guarantee that.

Ive never sat in a Mk6 but it must be pretty special to `****` on an S3/well specced A3.

VW NAV is much nicer though.


Cheers
Paul
 
don't get me wrong. i have to love A3s or i wouldn't have owned 2 in a row... but there's really no contest between a well specced Golf 6 and a well specced A3. i'd go so far as to say i'd easily pick a GTI over an S3
 
Have to agree, the golf gti interior is a much nicer place to be than dated a3/s3 imo! And as far as my car goes interior buil quality was better in my skoda fabia vrs! I also think although fairly capable round corners my s-line is very DULL and it's absolutely appaling in the winter! Yes the A3/S3 was a good chassis when it came out but it is now very datted. Only my opinion though and i'm sure plenty will disagree!
 
I assume you've actually sat in a wll specced gti?! It's a newer car so obviously more up to date. I have no doubts that when the new A3 gets rolled out it will be even better but until then i would have to say it is by a long shot! I'm not an audi hater but they seem to have everyone fooled by their clever marketing. Reliability is nowhere near the top of the tables and after driving various different A4's and A3's etc new and old i would have to say that their ride and handling are nowhere near the top either. Granted they always look "premium" but they dont usualy feel it IMO!!
 
OK I just had to double check with the photoshots below, and yes, there is no contest for me. The most annoying thing about VW is that hard glossy plastics they use everywhere, looks like a melted down wheely bin. Its such a shame as VW do some awesome cars which are much better looking from the outside than the S3 (Scirocco one of the nicest cars on the road), but its not the outside I see when i'm driving. Steering wheel is ugly too

http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/vw-scirocco-r-2010-interior-img_9.jpg

http://www.seriouswheels.com/2007/2007-Audi-S3-Interior-1280x960.htm
 
sub39h said:
don't get me wrong. i have to love A3s or i wouldn't have owned 2 in a row... but there's really no contest between a well specced Golf 6 and a well specced A3. i'd go so far as to say i'd easily pick a GTI over an S3
Click to expand...

Really?

Ok, but I would never choose a fwd 211bhp Golf over an S3.
A 20T fwd maybe, but not an S3, even towards the end of the platform life.

I went from a 2wd MK5 Gti to an S3 and I would really struggle to back into to any fwd hatchback, VW or other wise, even the improved MK6.

For me the Golf R would be the more obvious alternative but its more expensive and is one of the dullest looking hot hatches on the road IMO. Dull enough that I wouldnt even test drive one.
The Golf Gti is much prettier but isnt anywhere near powerful enough for me and is fwd only.

As for cabin quality, the MK6 must be MUCH better than the Rocco right?
Like I said, the Rocco is very nice, very modern, better than an S3/specced A3. Not from where I was sitting.

Odd that the MK6 has crept into the debate and it wasnt even in the Autocack Test??

Cue debate:

fwd v 4wd
S3 v Everything

cheers
Paul
 
The problem here is age. the reviews are not going to say, yup the 7 year old Audi is the best. Also you are never going to beat a £22.5k car in a test in a £32.5k Audi either. Money dosnt seem to matter to most people who buy an Audi but in the real world £10k is a lot of dosh. I have spent most of this year in loan cars and anyone who spends some time in a new A4 or A5 and gets back into an A3 is going to realise just how dated the interior is now. audi's have come a long way since they launched the 8P !

As for the Rocco ? well its just so tame to look at, the megane looks like that was what the VW guys were trying to do but failed.!
 
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the s3 lacks drama performance wise but the scirroco has "punchy turbocharged engine, the Scirocco R delivers serious performance" do they know its the same ****** engine!!!


​
 
paddy said:
anyone who spends some time in a new A4 or A5 and gets back into an A3 is going to realise just how dated the interior is now. audi's have come a long way since the launched the 8P !
Click to expand...

Agree.
The latest A4 cabin is superb, real step up from the A3/S3. I had one a few weeks ago as a loaner and there was a marked difference getting back into mine after the A4, even though the A4 had cloth!
How good you rate the A3/S3 cabin, depends on what its being compared to.

My point was more applicable to the original posts and how it compares to the cars in the Autocrap test.
The only VW in that test is the Rocco, and having been in and driven a Rocco I can say that it is simply not a better place to sit than an S3 or indeed a specced A3.
Which is testemant to how good the AUDI is as its getting on a bit now.

Cheers
Paul
 
Going off on a bit of a tangent... I've been in a number of the latest A4's and had another one yesterday on a 10 plate while my car was being serviced. Anyone else find that the gearbox is dreadful? I find them all hard work to get them in to 1st and 2nd gear, really notchy. The gearbox in general feels crap. The one yesterday had 8,500 miles on it too so its had a bit of time to bed in.

Interior though is brilliant.
 
I supose its what you are used to Paul ...I think the A3 interior is very nicely finished, streets ahead of a ford for example but then having lived in a Corsa for the last 6 weeks....its fine as well. Its not up to Audi standards but you get used to it and dont really notice it after a while. I did have a C-max for a week and that was simply disgraceful !! I know it was a hire car but the dash top had warped in the sun and it was under a year old !!
 
Who makes the Cayman then ? Are they as expensive as an S3 ? :laugh:
 
It always amuses me comparison tests, just a shame they actually not make it equal comparisons, i.e performance, DSG VW, why not a DSG S3, and the time they recorded is laughable, the good looking test, but oh! they added 19" wheels to one, but not to the others, the test is just so bias it is sad, does not do auto Express any favours in my view.

That test is somewhat old too
 
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careys_mankini.jpg
 
Brett Butler said:
It always amuses me comparison tests, just a shame they actually not make it equal comparisons, i.e performance, DSG VW, why not a DSG S3, and the time they recorded is laughable, the good looking test, but oh! they added 19" wheels to one, but not to the others, the test is just so bias it is sad, does not do auto Express any favours in my view.
Click to expand...

they use press cars, so I'd assume the makers themselves have deliberately equipped the cars so they'd do favourably in group comparisons. In an event as someone pointed out the S3 is £10k more expensive already and doesn't come from the factory in anything bigger than an 18.

The reason the Golf came into the question is that someone made a sweeping comment about Audis v VWs. The 'Roc has the mk 5 interior which isn't as nice, but still has RNS 510 which swing the balance back. And to whoever asked, yes I've sat in a 6 GTI with and without nav and it's a much nicer place to be.

I've also driven an 8P2 S3 and now own a 2.0T FWD and the S3 really is nothing special. Ok once you tune them there'll be a handling difference but atm there'll probs be a negligible handling difference on the road because the extra weight will cancel out the speed or handling advantages in a small car. That may be why the 'Roc seemed more fun in a back to back test with the S3. It's
got the same engine but is FWD
 
Let me just add that I do love the S3. If I had the money I'd have gone for one over th 2.0T, but I don't in an way feel short changed or hard done by. That's my point
 
sub39h said:
I've also driven an 8P2 S3 and now own a 2.0T FWD and the S3 really is nothing special. Ok once you tune them there'll be a handling difference but atm there'll probs be a negligible handling difference on the road because the extra weight will cancel out the speed or handling advantages in a small car. That may be why the 'Roc seemed more fun in a back to back test with the S3. It's
got the same engine but is FWD
Click to expand...

Well Ive owned 2 Mk5 Gtis and an S3 back to back, both standard and remapped and there is a significant difference.

The S3 has epic grip in all weathers and has Zero torque steer.

The Golf, although very good, is not a patch on that score.

So in my view, its better.

And no less fun neither IMO, unless wheelspin and torque steer = fun that is.

But then it should be, it costs a lot more.

Each to their own, however.

Cheers
Paul
 
The bottom line is - who cares what journalists think? Also, we can't all like the same car or there would only be one manufacturer in the world! It's all about personal preferences.

Until last October, I'd had Golf GTIs for 15 years (******, I'm getting old!), my last being a Mk4 25th Anniversary. When it became time to change that the obvious option was a Mk5 GTI. I know it is a nice car and great to drive from all the reviews and comments I've heard, BUT I just can't stand the look of the thing or the dash. So I looked at alternatives. I considered an E46 M3 but decided I couldn't stomach the mpg, so that left me with a Scirocco or an S3. With my budget, I has the option of 200bhp Rocco or 260bhp S3 with quattro - no contest in my book, so I bought the S3. And haven't looked back since!

Interstingly, I drove a friend's Mk5 GTI Edition 30 which is REVO'd to 280bhp the other day. It felt a little quicker and more urgent than my standard S3, but booting it off roundabouts the ESP light was flashing like crazy - no such issues with the S3 :)
 
i just think that considering the S3 is basically FWD with part time power to the rear wheels for most conditions, most of the time it doesn't have any advantage over a 6 GTI. or a 5 GTI or my FWD 2.0T. and we don't spend most of our time doing standing starts and on the move it's gonna have to have a lot more power than a simple remap to try and light up the front tyres.

like i said on the road it's not really going to make a difference. what you WILL feel is the extra weight tho. on a track obviously things are a little different, or if it's snowing then i'm sure the extra driven wheels will come in handy. but otherwise i dunno i don't really see it as a major advantage and like i said i have driven one before.
 
sub39h said:
i just think that considering the S3 is basically FWD with part time power to the rear wheels for most conditions, most of the time it doesn't have any advantage over a 6 GTI. or a 5 GTI or my FWD 2.0T. and we don't spend most of our time doing standing starts and on the move it's gonna have to have a lot more power than a simple remap to try and light up the front tyres.

like i said on the road it's not really going to make a difference. what you WILL feel is the extra weight tho. on a track obviously things are a little different, or if it's snowing then i'm sure the extra driven wheels will come in handy. but otherwise i dunno i don't really see it as a major advantage and like i said i have driven one before.
Click to expand...

Seriously mate, Ive owned them back to back and believe me, theres a notable on road difference
Especially when the fwd is remapped, its a right handfull and Im not on about standing starts.

Then there is the whole wet weather debate.

Cant comment on how they behave on track though.

Dont get me wrong, the Golf was fun and very capable but to say there isnt much difference to an S3 on the road just isnt true.

Try stock and remapped 20T VAG fwd and an S3 back to back (or Golf `R`for that matter) and you will see what I mean.

Anyway, lets not have another fwd v 4wd thread:sadlike::icon_thumright:

cheers
Paul
 
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The 4wd is the whole point of the Audi.. I loath FWD ! even this ****** corsa 1.2 i have spins the wheels in the wet trying to pull away and that is just something my A3 dosnt do full stop. Like Paul i had back to back with a VR6 and the A3 is a totally different thing. to be honest its the only reason i have an Audi.
 
sub39h said:
i just think that considering the S3 is basically FWD with part time power to the rear wheels for most conditions, most of the time it doesn't have any advantage over a 6 GTI. or a 5 GTI or my FWD 2.0T. and we don't spend most of our time doing standing starts and on the move it's gonna have to have a lot more power than a simple remap to try and light up the front tyres.

like i said on the road it's not really going to make a difference. what you WILL feel is the extra weight tho. on a track obviously things are a little different, or if it's snowing then i'm sure the extra driven wheels will come in handy. but otherwise i dunno i don't really see it as a major advantage and like i said i have driven one before.
Click to expand...



Having OWNED both-I can assure you that the difference between a 2WD and 4WD TFSI is unmistakeable. Whether you're talking roundabouts, twistys or in the wet, TRUST me, there's a difference..I'm afraid you're wrong.:think:
 
Sorry Sub, but if you dont see difference between fwd & 4wd in any vag car then somethings wrong with you fella, not being rude but I've owned GTI mk3's, VR6's many I add & then an S3 for 7 years & then S4 B6 for 2 years & back to A3 8P fwd, the difference is vast take my word for it, very very noticable even if its part time 4wd, hell of a part time aswell, my S3 used to stick to the road like glue, loved that car which is why it was with me so long, just never came of the rails as such, but my fwd A3 8P now, well nowhere near as comfortable as 4wd, was nowhere near full stop.
 
I have to agree really to, I have driven Front, Rear, and now awd, and there is a noticeable difference in all road holding ability, and especially from standing over a fwd.

While on way to Germany mates were bored so read manual, DSG, in the manual there is launch control instructions too :)
 
well i can't argue with those of you who've owned them. i can't honestly say that in my extended test drive i was overly thrilled with the difference. it didn't make me sit up and go wow. when i do boot my FWD from a standing start yes there's some wheelspin and torque steer and yes i've already agreed that when you've mapped the car there'll be a difference. but within the scope of the debate regarding the S3's standing in the article i'm saying their opinion on the standard car may well be justified.

there've also been a few road tests where the S3 came out unfavourably against the 5 GTI so i'm guessing there's an element of personal preference here too. my point is that there's a compromise to be made. you've made it clear you're happy with your lot, and i've made it clear i'm happy with mine :).
 
consilio said:
OK I just had to double check with the photoshots below, and yes, there is no contest for me. The most annoying thing about VW is that hard glossy plastics they use everywhere, looks like a melted down wheely bin. Its such a shame as VW do some awesome cars which are much better looking from the outside than the S3 (Scirocco one of the nicest cars on the road), but its not the outside I see when i'm driving. Steering wheel is ugly too

http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/vw-scirocco-r-2010-interior-img_9.jpg

2007 Audi S3 - Interior - 1280x960 Wallpaper
Click to expand...

Golf interior looks to me like a copy of the A3 but with cheap, shiny plastics everywhere tbh.

As for the RNS-510, ok it has a touchscreen but frankly, who gives a toss? The functionality looks fine but the interface looks horrible imo. All bright silver buttons which look very garish to me compared to the slick, understated elegance of Audi's MMI interface.
 
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