Audi S3 or Audi A3 3.2 Quattro

DJ-S3

DJ-S3

Registered User
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
685
Reaction score
41
Points
28
Location
Wakefield
Hi there,
I sold my S3 nearly a year ago and am regretting it massively. As the title says im thinking about either one of them two cars, which one do you lot think i should go for?

A3 good points:
DSG
Exhaust note
Price/age

S3 good points:
Looks better
Better MPG (am i right in thinking this?)
With a remap would be faster

A3 bad points:
Fuel consumption
Doesn't look as good
Any more?

S3 bad points:
Rust from past experiance
Age/price (there older with alot more mileage)
Already had one (not sure this is actually a bad thing ha)
Doesn't sound as good as the 3.2
Any more?

I've got about £9000 max to spend on the car, lower the better.

Cheers in advance

Dom
 
Well Dom, I am going to say 3.2, but I would wouldnt I lol! Yes the S3 can be remapped and tuned but this can lead to other issues and reliability problems. The fuel consumption wont be too far apart from the 2 cars. Insurance costs mey be less on the 3.2. The sound of the 3.2 is awsome unlike the S3 lol!
Oh and if you want the 3.2 to be quicker, just bolt a turbo on and an intercooler and hey, bingo!!!

Good luck choosing and sure you will get some conflicting thoughts as there are alot of S3 owners on here. The S3 is a good car and you can tune it far better but tbh the 3.2 is just brilliant! (to me anyway!)
 
Last edited:
Hi Dom

I'd probably go for the 3.2 V6 S-line. Its newer, better looking ish i suppose (im not too sure:think:) and sounds alot better than an 8L S3.
But i suppose its down to your own taste really. Why not test drive an 3.2 and see how you get on? As you already know how an 8L S3 feels after you already owning one.
As said with the 3.2 tuning wise supercharger or turbo both big money (but big gains) in less you can speak to some the yanks about the kits they have on their R32s and A3 3.2 over there. What was the reason for selling the S3? But to be fair the 8L S3 does still look good for its age and doesnt look dated at all next to newer vehicle and are alot more tuneable. Every time i see an 8L S3 i think how beautiful they look. Test drive both and go from there
Cheers


EDIT: Think the 8L S3 looks better than the 3.2 that is Standard, Sport or pre facelift split grill.
But if S-line id say the 3.2
 
Last edited:
Sarah's A3 said:
Yes the S3 can be remapped and tuned but this can lead to other issues and reliability problems. The fuel consumption wont be too far apart from the 2 cars. Insurance costs mey be less on the 3.2.
Click to expand...

Think the insurance wouldnt be an issue both group 18 if im right?
Regarding tuning and reliability problems that will happen on any car you tune.
Just depends if you do everything right etc

Good luck with the search anyway Dom. Sure you will pick the one you want most
 
Last edited:
I'd definitely go for the 3.2. It's on the later platform, has a much nicer interior, sounds better and has the option of dsg.
Mpg wise I would say there isn't much in it. I traded a 225 remapped LCR in for my first 3.2 and the consumption was almost identical.
As for looks, then you need to go for the right A3, as in standard sport form it can be quite bland and look like any other A3.
Your not too far from me so your welcome to come for a spin in mine if you like
 
Go and drive one and see what you think. I've never driven the 3.2 but I've heard its pretty dull in the handling department (not that the S3 is the most engaging drive either), my brother test drove a few and wasnt that impressed by them. That fact its a newer car would be the big appeal for me. The dash and interior is nicer but the seats are lame compared to the recaros in the S3. Insurance wise they should be similar S3 is either group 17 or 18 dependant on 210/225 engine. Personally I'd look at a mk4 R32 or an E46 M3.
 
s3dave said:
Sarah's A3 said:
The sound of the 3.2 is awsome unlike the S3 lol!
QUOTE]
LOL thats a bit unfair, sarah.....the s3sounds awsome on full song......mine does anyway.....as does rightly said, the 3.2
Click to expand...

You may well be right but the ones ive heard locally didnt really sound anything but maybe they were standard and not being pushed! I guess with the right exhaust etc the S3 sounds good too!
Click to expand...
 
mk1chopper said:
Go and drive one and see what you think. I've never driven the 3.2 but I've heard its pretty dull in the handling department (not that the S3 is the most engaging drive either), my brother test drove a few and wasnt that impressed by them. That fact its a newer car would be the big appeal for me. The dash and interior is nicer but the seats are lame compared to the recaros in the S3. Insurance wise they should be similar S3 is either group 17 or 18 dependant on 210/225 engine. Personally I'd look at a mk4 R32 or an E46 M3.
Click to expand...

Why would you look at a MK4 R32 with the same engine? Ok the R32 got alot more hype than the 3.2 v6 but more or less the same cars just different badges etc.
 
benskin07 said:
EDIT: Think the 8L S3 looks better than the 3.2 that is Standard, Sport or pre facelift split grill.
But if S-line id say the 3.2
Click to expand...

I agree the S Line looks lovely but once kitted up just has a llittle something special. Although an 8L has a good look too.....oh decisions decisions lol

Good luck choosing mate
 
Last edited:
For 9k a B6 S4 Avant can be had, better equiped than either the A3 or the S3, proper 4 wheel drive faster than both and the V8 sounds better.

Audi : Audi S4

Note: Im ignoring running costs here
 
If you have £9K to spend your going to get a great example whichever car you go for so I would say drive both and see which one you like the most now. I personally think the 3.2 doesn't look as distinctive as it should considering the engine size and power but this could be said for most 8P models. The wide arches and a nice set of 18" wheels make the 8L S3 and like others have said its still a great looking car for its age.
 
audi upgrades
Sarah's A3 said:
I agree the S Line looks lovely but once kitted up just has a llittle something special. Although an 8L has a good look too.....oh decisions decisions lol

Goof luck choosing mate
Click to expand...

Yours is a perfect example aswell with the full S3 kit!

mk1chopper said:
Better seats, different suspension setup, rarer
Click to expand...

Probably just have to agree to disagree lol. I dont like the MK4 R32 Seats...I like the MK5 bucket seats they go quite cheap with higher miles than average on autotrader. But wouldnt say Mk4 R32 were rarer mind.


mk1chopper said:
For 9k a B6 S4 Avant can be had, better equiped than either the A3 or the S3, proper 4 wheel drive faster than both and the V8 sounds better.

Audi : Audi S4

Note: Im ignoring running costs here
Click to expand...


Hmm S4 sound lovely and beautiful! If i could get insured on an S4 i'd have one.
 
finesse said:
thought about it too, 8P S3's at 75k miles + are going for £17k
Click to expand...

Miles on such a new car for me are offer putting. I'm just waiting till later next year when 56-57reg have lowered.


s3dave said:
Arnt the 3.2,s very nose heavy in the twisties??......:undwech:
Click to expand...


Haha yeah Dave thats true i believe, but probably only noticeable on a track
 
Last edited:
S3 8L hands down, had 1 for 7 years & still miss it, 3.2 sounds good to most but not me, I dont go for sounds in cars, the S3 will give you smiles on your face far longer than the 3.2 will ever.
 
S3, better looking, easier to tune, better economy, better handling at a guess, and probably hold value better. Agree 3.2 sounds great but think the S3 is the better package. But as other have said, drive both and go with whatever you, like best, youre the one tha'ts paying for and driving the thing, both great cars so don't think you will be disappointed either way.
 
I say S3 all the way mate the new shape A3s and S3s all look the same but if you have £9000 get an S3 8l facelift for about £6,500 and spend the rest on remapping and other tuning stuff!!!
 
:s3addict: Dude

As said with 9k to play with you could have a very nice S3 with plenty of change to make it your own :thumbsup:
 
another here for 8L S3, you'll have change and a faster car without the urge to make it look like an S3 (no offence guys ;) )....my dilemma is that i can afford an 8P S3 but not a facelift version, i know for a fact that i will spend my life speccing the pre face to make it MY11 which in my mind is pointless

dont get me wrong, i love the 8P as it feels so much more modern, if your anything like me though, you'll always want the top spec
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Underside of Audi A3 Quattro Sport 3.2
Replies
0
Views
2K
Rozz
R
jgrannyfield
1.8T S3 or 3.2 A3??
Replies
14
Views
4K
martin g
martin g
C
a3 quattro or s3
Replies
16
Views
1K
Broken Byzan
Broken Byzan
N
A3 3.2 V6 Quattro
Replies
1
Views
866
dbm
dbm
Tom Pacey
Audi S3 3.2 V6
Replies
7
Views
1K
Nilz
Nilz
Top
Back