Life with an S3

[Habitual]

Hey Guys,

It's likely I'll be upgrading to an S3 in the next 12-18 months and I'm already shopping etc.

I wanted to know what it's like to live with. So I have a few questions that I feel could be useful to me and other potential buyers:

• What's the REAL MPG on average?
• How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?
• How's the ride to live with?
• How's the volume to live with?
• What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)
• Are there any common faults you're afraid you might experience?

Cheers guys!

Tom.

 

[S3Alex]

Hey Guys,

It's likely I'll be upgrading to an S3 in the next 12-18 months and I'm already shopping etc.

I wanted to know what it's like to live with. So I have a few questions that I feel could be useful to me and other potential buyers:

• What's the REAL MPG on average?
• How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?
• How's the ride to live with?
• How's the volume to live with?
• What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)
• Are there any common faults you're afraid you might experience?

Cheers guys!

Tom.

Hi Tom,

Real MPG.....even now,28-30mpg.

I drive about 200 miles per week

Not too loud!

No problems since buying it from new.

Common faults...coil packs and plugs.

 

[DJ-S3]

26mpg
80miles a week
ride is comfy, nothing like the sport cars I've been in before
volume is fine.
no problems since ownership. Nearly 2years now.
what Alex said.

 

[RedDejavu]

• What's the REAL MPG on average?

If you asking this you want a different car

• How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?

200 miles once/twice a week or see above

• How's the ride to live with?

Very stiff but not spine crashing but more like banging head with a football

• How's the volume to live with?

Very quite would say dont expect glorious sound coming out from a 2L engine. Even with aftermarket fitted it sounds dull.

• What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)

Not many apart form aftermarket parts that couldnt cope with the car.

• Are there any common faults you're afraid you might experience?

Camfollwer needs checking on regular basis as it can cause massive destruction if not looked after.

 

[Habitual]

Excellent stuff so far, cheers guys!

MPG is much better than expected TBH. I had a 200bph NA Renault Clio that was getting worse! I can easily live with that.

When I was a moderator on a Clio forum I always used to say "If you asking this you want a different car" when people asked the MPG, so I get that RedDejavu. But, the reason I asked for MPG is because it's never what it says on the tin. Basically, my Clio was supposed to be 40mpg. The best I ever saw was 33, realistic was 25 and spirited driving was 15-20. On the track days I went to, I usually got 5-9mpg.


Track Day MPG by Tom Cash, on Flickr

I'm not looking to save my pennies. I'm just making sure I don't make a silly mistake. With the speed the S3 has to offer, I was expecting a real MPG of 10-15mpg - so all is good.

Thanks again guys and keep 'em coming.

 

[_MickS3]

Hey Tom,

I've just recently purchased an S3 so was in the boat as you! I just decided to go for it.

Having it for a month now i'd say Real MPG was 28-30 as Alex said.

I drive about 220 miles/week for work and refuel once every 7/8 days

Ride is fine for me, quite comfortable! volume isn't an issue at all

haven't had anything go wrong in the month haha touch wood though!

 

[S.]

no issues here too. had to replace old type diverter valve to the newer one after remap. eventually PVC needs replacing but both parts are cheap.
worth checking cam follower every now and then as mentioned (i replace mine every 10 000km's just to be safe).

i'm seeing 20-24mpg driving arround the town and rush hours. even when going for a blast i get the same figures. but then again we do have crappy fuel here. on the long runs it easily goes 30-32mpg with the same crappy fuel. and that's all from stage2+ s3...

 

[RedDejavu]

Excellent stuff so far, cheers guys!

MPG is much better than expected TBH. I had a 200bph NA Renault Clio that was getting worse! I can easily live with that.

When I was a moderator on a Clio forum I always used to say "If you asking this you want a different car" when people asked the MPG, so I get that RedDejavu. But, the reason I asked for MPG is because it's never what it says on the tin. Basically, my Clio was supposed to be 40mpg. The best I ever saw was 33, realistic was 25 and spirited driving was 15-20. On the track days I went to, I usually got 5-9mpg.


Track Day MPG by Tom Cash, on Flickr

I'm not looking to save my pennies. I'm just making sure I don't make a silly mistake. With the speed the S3 has to offer, I was expecting a real MPG of 10-15mpg - so all is good.

Thanks again guys and keep 'em coming.

No mate 15mpgs is something that you wont see very often unless you trash the s*** out of it all the time, everywhere. But in real world conditions lowest I get is probably around 18 and 22-24 normal town driving, motorway gets it up to 27-29 or 30-31 once eco driving.

 

[Habitual]

I'm so surprised by the MPG! I really appreciate all this quality input, thanks folks!

 

[MartayMcFly]

I was getting around 22-25, with mainly city driving. On a run you can add 10 to that, on a back road you can see teens. Didn't fill up very often, but also only put about 5k miles on in around 18 months. It had stage 1 remap, so 'spirited driving' drank more than stock, obviously.

Standard ride and noise are absolutely fine, and I filled up every time the light came on

As for faults... I had the fuel pump go and a Fiesta crashed into it, other than that it was fine.

 

[XFi]

I've owned mine for just under two months now and covered 1500 miles. I fill up roughly every two weeks and get 300 miles from full to the red, the DIS says I'm averaging 27 mpg at the moment. So far I've had to replace a front tyre due to pot holes, rear wheel bearing, and a rear coil spring has snapped too now... I've replaced the cam follower and diverter valve just because it was cheap and easy. The ride is very stiff with a sturdy feel to it.

 

[autolatry]

Hey Tom,

I've just recently purchased an S3 so was in the boat as you! I just decided to go for it.

Having it for a month now i'd say Real MPG was 28-30 as Alex said.

I drive about 220 miles/week for work and refuel once every 7/8 days

Ride is fine for me, quite comfortable! volume isn't an issue at all

haven't had anything go wrong in the month haha touch wood though!

you S3 owners make me sick! Ha ha.

 

[Silky-S3]

40,000 miles., S2+, 12MPG

 

[BEII NJA]

as people have said hit around 24-28 mpg around london. Just started getting better on motorway averaging over 32 mpg.

Get about 300 miles on a full tank - not driving economically at all and spending half the time in london rush hr.

Ride is fine.

Not noticed much of a difference in volume from my previous a3.

Just needed wheel alignment so far.

 

[big harty]

23 to 35 mpg. Great fun car. Reliable quick and refined.

 

[K.A]

Hi TOM C am in the same boat as you mate. i am also looking to buy an 8P S3 start of next year hopefully and i had the same question but reading through this thread i feel much better. THANKS EVERYONE

 

[pluves1]

Hey Guys,

It's likely I'll be upgrading to an S3 in the next 12-18 months and I'm already shopping etc.

I wanted to know what it's like to live with. So I have a few questions that I feel could be useful to me and other potential buyers:

• What's the REAL MPG on average?
• How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?
• How's the ride to live with?
• How's the volume to live with?
• What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)
• Are there any common faults you're afraid you might experience?

Cheers guys!

Tom.

For me real mpg on a 90 mile per day commute was aprox 30 mpg although I do have a heavy right foot. I'd be lucky to get 400 miles out of the 60 litre tank. I was having to refuel at least twice a week - hence the switch to diesel. The ride was okay to live with and more refined than the MKV Golf GTi that this replaced. I think the car is loud compared to my BMW but, the good thing is most of that is the exhaust noise - brings smile to my face every time I go for a spin. We had a power hesitation issue and cylinder head was replaced. No problems since.

 

[S3 syc]

Jeez im actually worried somethings wrong with mine now im getting approx 18-24 around town and can only justget 28-32 on the motorway im only running stage2 so nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[CJ92]

Hi Tom,

Had my S3 since November and have averaged 30+ which has surprised me alot!
Never saw much more than 22mpg in my 130i.

Mix of driving covering 100-150miles a week.
Tank up on momentum every 10days or so.

Ride is good much more damped than in the 130i on rflt's.

Has a nice sound especially under hard accelleration or when dropping through the gears.

No real problems so far.

Would i buy another one---------------------------------------------------------








Without a doubt..

 

[Ben S3 8P3]

What's the REAL MPG on average?
24-26 average

How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?
Varies, but seems like I put 20 quid in ALL the time

How's the ride to live with?

On smooth roads, lovely... On pot holes and rough roads, IT COULD NOT BE WORSE

How's the volume to live with?

Of the exhaust? Its too quiet!

What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)
Seems to need regular wheel alignment, a few rattles

 

[Boydie]

• What's the REAL MPG on average?

About 300-340 miles to tank even at stage 2+ with 360bhp

• How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?

as above

• How's the ride to live with?

All my car have been a stiff ride but its typical audi, ride will be stiff and its an S3 after all. You wouldn't want a wallowy unstable car.

• How's the volume to live with?

as in road or engine noise? Sounds class but if you're concerned about it being too loud is it really the car for you?

• What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)

clutch slip (replaced)
steering rack (replaced)
inlet manifold flap motor (replaced)

• Are there any common faults you're afraid you might experience?

As above

it has been my daily the last 3.5 years and 60k. It has been revo stage 2+ for over a year with 350-360bhp. Considering the age, miles and tuning, very little has gone wrong with it.

 

[Josh williams]

I'm stage 2+ and I have just refueld after covering 329 miles, 70% motorway 30% town driving with 30miles left in the tank.

With the fuel it's the best combo of power/economy I have found out of the cars I have.

I only drive mine at the wweekend and it is the perfect all rounder be shooting round to the shops or driving 500 miles across the country

i love it, good look!

 

[batch]

I'm a little worried now! I get 240-270 miles on a tank, standard car commuting and pleasure driving with an admittedly heavy right boot... Yikes.

 

[Boydie]

I would be concerned if I was getting only 240 miles lol admittedly I drive quite sensibly even with 350bhp but I do have the odd blast. My driving at the minute is usually just to work and back, 16mile round trip then to the gym so probably 20miles a day between town and motorway driving.

 

[Habitual]

Thanks guys, this has become a quality thread. Loving the input so much I now have a viewing for a 5 door S3 (S tronic) at the weekend... I'm not sure I can wait 12 months before I buy one.

As for the exhaust comment about it being too loud... I love a good loud exhaust. I have a feeling I may need a louder one that standard from what I've seen on YouTube...

Thanks again peeps.

 

[Boydie]

Standard exhaust is not loud at all even with the vacuum valve taken out.

 

[Josh williams]

One thing i would say go s tronic! I got manual but wish i went s tronic!

I may even remove all the good bits off mine sell it get a s tronic and re fit!

 

[NobberUK]

• What's the REAL MPG on average? - 23-28

• How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel? - 80 Miles per week about once every 3 weeks
• How's the ride to live with - Perfectly fine for me, even on 52k mile old shocks and Eibach springs.
• How's the volume to live with? - Again fine for me, even with the full TBE non-res Miltek. My 5 year old Labrador isn't so keen!!
• What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?) - Steering rack went, no other issues.
• Are there any common faults you're afraid you might experience? - Nothing really here that bothers me.

You won't be disappointed mate, it's a great daily.

 

[Habitual]

Cheers fellas! I'll most likely be going s-tronic.

 

[Forbzeeee]

What's the REAL MPG on average?
25-32mpg - I live in a very hilly area and am running revo stage 1


How much do you drive in miles per week and how often do you re-fuel?
300-500 miles per week. I refuel every 250 miles but have never run my fuel so low that the petrol light comes on.


How's the ride to live with?
Loves smooth roads but hates potholes


How's the volume to live with?
Quiet. I'd like it to be a tad louder but I love the blips when changing gear.


What problems have you had since ownership? (did any of them re-occur?)
Condensation in one headlight which was replaced under warranty. New PCV again replaced under warranty at 49k. Alignment is done every 6 months. My armrest lock broke last week but still works but the lock feels like the spring has gone.

No other faults to report.