S3 - Buy Now or Wait?

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andywaddy

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Hi everyone...been following things on here so a number of months but this is my first post so bare with me :)

Got a bit of a dilemma as it goes, absolutely fallen in love with the S3 so cannot decide whether or not to put an order in for a new one now or wait until the new model arrives (which could be what...two years away?). I'm not really interested in purchasing any other car as the S3 is exactly what I'm looking for and it has the tuning potential there as well should I want it. But seeing as it is coming to the end of it's life-cycle it just seems a little bit like I'm buying into old technology if you understand me? And it's not exactly cheap as you well know!
I saw the press photos from the Geneva car show where the new A3 concept got revealed and in my opinion...it didn't disappoint. I just HATE waiting lol.

Just curious as to any of your thoughts on the whole situation.

Thanks in advance!
 
I bought a new one this week and the salesman said he didnt expect the new A3 to be as good as the current one simply because the current one has evolved over the last 8 years into what it is. New models need a couple of years to iron out the oddities. Audi like a lot of companies ( microsoft springs to mind) use the public as research and development guinea pigs. Only after feed back from warranty claims are things like weak cam chains in the 3.2, porous heads in the TDi, chocolate clutches and valve springs in the S3, and weak coil packs in everything, addressed. Its not fashionable but often the last of an old model is a better bet than the first of a new.
 
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I think when then new one comes out, tech-wise it's going to make this model pretty obsolete and the interior is going to be stunning.

For the engine I reckon they will use an uprated 2.0TSI chain drive with a KO4 and circa 300 bhp, and not the 2.5 RS lump.
 
Maybe but it could be 2-3 years time and who knows where we will be then ?, you only live once and if you want a S3 why waist 3 years of your life waiting ? buy now and it will be trade in time in 3 years anyway.
 
Go for it now ,I think the current model is going to be hard to beat.Maybe the newer model will deliver on the hype the RS3 has not
 
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By it now... Life is too short and the current S3 is a nice car and proven build quality. The new model will be at least three years away....
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Well I think I'm sold! I don't take much persuasion let's face it...and the inside of the current S3 is no horrible place to be is it!
So we are agreed it'll keep me fully entertained for at least three years yes? haha.

Anybody have an approximation of the build time of a fully spec'ed SB S3? (Not a black edition).
 
audi upgrades
Go for it now, Buddy. As Paddy says, it takes car manufacturers a long time to iron out the problems found in new 'out of the wrapper' models. I bought the first of a brand new model (not Audi) a few years back and the car spent most of the first 2 years of its life in the workshop or on the back of a recovery truck. I'd never buy the first of a new model EVER again after the nightmare I had back then. S3 all the way, you'll LOVE it!!
 
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The 8P S3 is probably at its "cheapest" right now, as a new car - in relative terms. It's very competitive at the moment compared to, say, a Golf R, when you compare them spec for spec.

When the next generation S3 comes out, it will almost certainly be a step up in terms of tech - but also in cost. You'll almost certainly have to wait until 2013 if not longer too. I really think that the 8P S3 is probably your best bet, unless you can wait for the new model to optimise in its life cycle...by about 2017! :)
 
paddy said:
Maybe but it could be 2-3 years time and who knows where we will be then ?, you only live once and if you want a S3 why waist 3 years of your life waiting ? buy now and it will be trade in time in 3 years anyway.
Click to expand...

Was going to say that in my post also by my batt died and was hungover lol! Yes because of the wait I think i will end up getting one next year or maybe even a TT-RS all being well :-D
 
I'm going to go against the tide here but I can't see a new S3 as a good investment. It's almost 10 years old as a platform and starting to look it's age. I could understand picking up a second hand one but with the new A3 out soon (the new S3 will be later) I'd find myself looking lustfully at the new models. Theyre bound to be a big a step up in tech.

Why not think about a new A3 when they're out, there's bound to be a nice 2.0T in the lineup.
 
andywaddy said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

Well I think I'm sold! I don't take much persuasion let's face it...and the inside of the current S3 is no horrible place to be is it!
So we are agreed it'll keep me fully entertained for at least three years yes? haha.

Anybody have an approximation of the build time of a fully spec'ed SB S3? (Not a black edition).
Click to expand...

Bank on 12-16 weeks and you won't go far wrong....
 
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Minstadave said:
I'm going to go against the tide here but I can't see a new S3 as a good investment. It's almost 10 years old as a platform and starting to look it's age. I could understand picking up a second hand one but with the new A3 out soon (the new S3 will be later) I'd find myself looking lustfully at the new models. Theyre bound to be a big a step up in tech.

Why not think about a new A3 when they're out, there's bound to be a nice 2.0T in the lineup.
Click to expand...

The new A3/S3 will almost certainly be dearer than the current line up which will help values of used cars. My last car (A4 Cab B7) held it's value really well because a) the A5 Cab equivalent model was much more expensive b) the A5 is not regarded by many as not as good looking or finished as well.

Any new S3 is going to be at least 18 months away I would think.

S3 cars will all have the tech pack now so don't need a lot of options (and you never get the value of them back when you sell IMHO). I looked at a new one and would have specced a Black Ed Sportback with the comfort pack and roof rails.

If you ring round the dealers, some will have cars on order that you can have - you won't be waiting long.
 
Minster
No new car is a good investment !:) Audi dont devalue their cars by model, i was looking a cab A4 last week at Guildford which is well old compared to a new A4 or A5 cab but it was still £30k+...They just gave me £6k back on a 8 year old twin grill A3 and you can get a new spec'd up S3 for under 30k if you shop about..
Its a personal thing i suppose but i buy a car for me to enjoy now and not for what i might get back on it when i sell because there are so many things that can go wrong everyday in your life between now and then. NHN says in his Sig..."Live every day like its your last" and while i don't advocate being careless with your money, i don't advocate being overly cautious either. Really no point in dying rich :)
 
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JSH
You hit the nail on the head there mate, a new model doesn't guarantee its a better model. A4 Cab and A5 Cab is a fine example.
A new model S3 will be £40k + going on the R golf prices so some might say buy now while you can still afford it :)
 
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What about buying a nearly new one with just a few thousand miles on it? That way you'll be in an S3 straight away, but you won't take as much of a hit when it comes to depreciation as you would if you bought brand new? Then you can hold onto it for when the new model has been released and debugged.

I know exactly what you mean about the rear lights. I've always had 3 door cars, but I just had to have those SB LED rears. There's no way I could afford to buy new, but luckily you can retro fit them to the earlier models, which is what I did. Some people think I'm crazy for buying a car because of it's tail lights, but luckily they're attached to an awesome car so I can justify it.
 
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As you would expect you've got mixed views and some very good points here. It's becoming a cliche, but at the end of day (hoping you're still alive obviously), it's down to you and your own personal opinion and choice.

You mentioned that all you want is an S3, so why wait? I know you don't want the Black Edition, but it is very well specced now at the end of it's life and by ticking the right of the remaining options boxes, you'll have a very nice motor, both inside and out. So go for it. I've bleated in many posts about my previous cars, but with 3 A3's/S3's under my belt, I've always come back as it is a great place to sit to get from A to B. If you've never owned one, then you'll be extremely happy in an S3.

For me, I'm waiting for my suspicions and the rumours to be confirmed for the next gen. I'm eagerly anticipating a quality yet fresh new interior, sharp yet recognisable '3' styling and of course a detuned 300bhp 2.5 lump in the S and 350+ bhp in the RS. Obviously the S and RS in time will be Sportback as well as 4 door saloon and 3 door coupe-esque (hot hatch if you will). If the stories and press are right, Audi intend to push the TT up and make room for a R4 or 5 based on the VW roadster blue thingy. Since the TT-RS is the current answer for the 3 door RS3, on the new model, a 3 door RS is entirely realistic. Fingers crossed the S and RS will be out hot on the heels of the new model. If not, I'll get a TT-RS, but the baby and luggage will have to go in a trailer.

Wow, I can talk some mince.

Go buy the S3 now, you will not be disappointed.
 
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I really dont think they will put that lardy old cast iron 5 pot in a new generation car. The RS5 lump ( detuned) would be a lot better. the only reason the 5 pot sort of works is the huge amount of front end lightning they have to do to cars they fit it too and thats never going to be cost effective..
 
Thanks for all the replies...very much appreciated.

Reading all of them...I think I've been swayed! I'll have a word with myself and put an order in for one this week I reckon.
I've thought about picking one up second hand with a few thousand miles on it but (and I apologise for the snobbery here!) I just cannot bring myself to buy something that in my mind...someone has already had the enjoyment out of. I like to own it from new and be the first person to drive it, knowing it's been looked after since day one...strange I know!

Off topic a bit but...is the interior light pack a worthwhile option? What exactly does it consist of...I can't find a photo of it anywhere...


Thanks again for the responses!
 
a light pack is audi's way of making you pay £95 on top of your £30k+ to get the things your £30k+ car should have as standard like red lights on the Door shuts when the doors are open, footwell lights, illuminated door handles, map lights etc
DSC_0009d.jpg

This is my old 3.2 showing the red glow in the foot wells, you can just see the 2 red LEDS in the roof light as well as the 2 separate map lights.
Absolutely criminal that this is not std kit....dont get me started :)
 
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I agree with the majority above and say buy one now and then chop it in when the new one is out... tried and tested.


bad pics but this is interior light pack in my car:

footwell:
0c6050af.jpg


Map lights and ambient dome lights:
5c525362.jpg


Door handles ambient lights:
43f96164.jpg


Puddle lights and door warning lights:
d70481e1.jpg
 
N8 said:
Your interior is so nice now paddy, that one looks really dated :laugh:
Click to expand...

Yea i know...its the shape of the ESP button that changed :)..........Sooooooooo much better now :whistle2:
 
paddy said:
a light pack is audi's way of making you pay £95 on top of your £30k+ to get the things your £30k+ car should have as standard like red lights on the Door shuts when the doors are open, footwell lights, illuminated door handles, map lights etc
DSC_0009d.jpg

This is my old 3.2 showing the red glow in the foot wells, you can just see the 2 red LEDS in the roof light as well as the 2 separate map lights.
Absolutely criminal that this is not std kit....dont get me started :)
Click to expand...
Paddy! I didn't have you pegged as a tart, but you've got the same tax disc holder as me lol :wub:
 
quattro 1981 said:
Paddy! I didn't have you pegged as a tart, but you've got the same tax disc holder as me lol :wub:
Click to expand...

Sorry but its gone with the old 3.2 :)...the idea of having to unscrew 6 Csk Allan screws to change the tax disc was just too much for me :)
 
Actually pad, don't hate me! But mine is slightly different... It says quattro instead of Audi...... I know that's gonna make you groan mucker - sorry:blush: I think with mine, you just turn it anti clockwise...? Are you joking bout the screws? I can never tell with you, your sense of humour is like the sahara sometimes.......:laugh:
 
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