How did you end up at an S3?

[geefunk1978]

So I'm just interested to know what cars people have had before they ended up at an S3?
I'll start it off!

Mini 998cc (85D)
Nova 1.3SR (85D)
Nova 1.4SR (91J)
Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 (89F)
Renault Clio 1.8 16V (95N)
Peugeot 306 GTi-6 (97P)
Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000 (97R)
Peugeot 306 GTi-6 (97P)
Renaultsport Clio 182 (04)
Renaultsport Clio 182 (05)
Audi S3 8L (51)
Renaultsport Megane 225 (05)
Subaru Impreza STi Type UK (53)
Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup (53)
Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000 (99T)
Peugeot 206 GTi 280 (04)
Renaultsport Megane R26 230 (57) - given to wife
BMW 116D M Sport (11)
Audi S3 8P (08) - given to wife!
BMW M3 e46 (55)
Audi A4 Avant TDi 170 (08) - given to wife and got the S3 back!
BMX X5 3.0D (57) - the family bus
Audi S3 8V (63) - coming next week!

Crikey I've had a lot of cars, but got to say the S3 is the best of the lot....

 

[misthills]

Lol - Slightly less impressive journey:-

Datsun 120Y
Subaru Forester GT (1999)
Subaru Forester XT (2003)
Audi S3 8V - Feb 2014

I'm keeping the XT - I'm still in love with the ugly beast even after 10 years!

 

[cuke2u]

Why only S3's?

 

[RobH_S3]

Well I had a Leon Cupra stage 2+ 360hp manual and fwd, crappy interior but I didn't really buy it for the interior.

Also had a Corsa, years free insurance promted that one.

 

[geefunk1978]

Because until the RS3 comes along they are the highest performance model of A3.

 

[cuke2u]

So why not have this question within the main S3 thread and perhaps have that thread as a stickie?

 

[Itguy]

Crikey, this is going to be a memory test..

Renault 5 1.1 TL, C reg
Fiat Cinquentento SX, M reg (first car with alloys)
Fiat Seicento Sporting with Arbarth kit in yellow (first new car), S reg
Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8i M reg (company car)
Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i SXi S reg (company car)
BMW 318i SE W reg (company car)
Ford Mondeo 1.8d M reg (company car)
Peugeot 406 SRi P reg (company car)
BMW 523i SE R reg
Ford KA Luxury 51 plate
VW Golf GT-TDI 130 03 plate (company car)
Westfield SE
Westfield SEIW
Audi a4 avant 140tdi sline 06 plate (company car)
Volvo 850 T5 N reg
Lotus Elise s1, W reg
Volvo V70 T5 X reg
Honda S2000 , 02 plate
Range Rover Vogue TD6 55 plate
Porsche 996 911 turbo 02 plate
Lotus Exige S, 55 plate
BMW 330d SE Touring X plate
BMW Z4 3.0i, 53 plate
MINI clubman cooper d 11 plate

I'm pretty sure that's the lot. It doesn't list my wife's car history, which highlights include a 106gti and a civic type r too!

 

[geefunk1978]

Crikey, this is going to be a memory test..

Renault 5 1.1 TL, C reg
Fiat Cinquentento SX, M reg (first car with alloys)
Fiat Seicento Sporting with Arbarth kit in yellow (first new car), S reg
Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8i M reg (company car)
Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i SXi S reg (company car)
BMW 318i SE W reg (company car)
Ford Mondeo 1.8d M reg (company car)
Peugeot 406 SRi P reg (company car)
BMW 523i SE R reg
Ford KA Luxury 51 plate
VW Golf GT-TDI 130 03 plate (company car)
Westfield SE
Westfield SEIW
Audi a4 avant 140tdi sline 06 plate (company car)
Volvo 850 T5 N reg
Lotus Elise s1, W reg
Volvo V70 T5 X reg
Honda S2000 , 02 plate
Range Rover Vogue TD6 55 plate
Porsche 996 911 turbo 02 plate
Lotus Exige S, 55 plate
BMW 330d SE Touring X plate
BMW Z4 3.0i, 53 plate
MINI clubman cooper d 11 plate

Quite an eclectic mix!
What happened to the 911 Turbo then?!

 

[geefunk1978]

So why not have this question within the main S3 thread and perhaps have that thread as a stickie?

because I've got no idea how to do that!!!

 

[Itguy]

Quite an eclectic mix!
What happened to the 911 Turbo then?!

had it for 3 months and got bored. I was under the impression that more HP = more fun but it really doesn't.

It was fast, really fast, but mostly unusable on UK roads and I really didn't appreciate all of the **** gestures I was getting too - worse than any other car I've owned.

I think having had some really involving sports cars before it (Westfields, lotus etc) had set my expectation for it to be a real drivers machine but it was soulless, Germanic and uninvolving. I suspect the 997 is better but haven't had a chance to test one yet.

My top three fav cars out of my list are the 850 T5, the S1 Elise and my old 330d touring. All of them amazing cars in their own right, as I'm sure anyone who's owned any of them would agree!

 

[geefunk1978]

Think you're defo right about the 911 Turbo, they are hideously fast but too fast for UK roads. Everyone who loves cars should own a 911 at some point in their life though.
I've promised myself I will have one before I'm 40, so I've got 5 years! I want a 997 Carrera 2/4S though so that's coming after this new S3. They're fast enough and more fun than a Turbo!

 

[Battlekrapz]

Fiat Punto
Audi A3 3d 8p 2.0 TDI 136bhp
Nissan 370z 3.7 328bhp
Audi A3 5d 8p 2.0 TDI remapped to 190bhp / 410 nm
Audi S3 8v

 

[S3Alex]

Leaving aside my relatively short list of cars over many years(I tend to buy and keep them for a while),the interesting ones were:

Ford Sierra Cosworth running around 440bhp with a (mostly)GpA engine.

Ford Escort Cosworth.....this was the most fun of all...around 1300kgs,370bhp,ALS,water injection,short ratio 'box,torque sensing diffs,and a past life as a GpN tarmac and gravel rally car.

Now.....the S3.

It's comfortable enough, very well made,and at 500bhp,it's almost fast enough.

 

[Itguy]

Think you're defo right about the 911 Turbo, they are hideously fast but too fast for UK roads. Everyone who loves cars should own a 911 at some point in their life though.
I've promised myself I will have one before I'm 40, so I've got 5 years! I want a 997 Carrera 2/4S though so that's coming after this new S3. They're fast enough and more fun than a Turbo!

Nice choice - the 997 C2S / C4S are a nice compromise I think and you don't have to wait for the turbo to come on, plus with no turbo in the way you get a great flat six noise too.

Getting ever cheaper also - near 20k now aren't they?

 

[pat15312]

In a driving career spanning since July 2007:


Early short term lease cars
Mk5 VW Golf 1.6 FSI - 6 months
Vauxhall Corsa "C" 1.2 for about 3 days before writing it off...
Mk5 Golf 1.6 FSI - 6 months
Mk2 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi - 6 months
New Fiat Bravo - 6 months
Mk 3 Fiat Punto 1.4 - 6 months


Purchased cars
Mk 3 VW Scirocco 1.4 TSI - 1 year
Bought new from factory, every option ticked. First car I'd ever modded and go it from stock 160bhp to 230bhp. It was used for development by a few companies and was the fastest car with a 1.4 TSI ever at the time sold (early 2010)

Mk2 Seat Leon Cupra 2.0 TFSI - 18 months
Bought as ex-demo. Again modded from stock 240bhp to 340bhp. Was bought really only because it was the cheapest way of getting that particular VAG engine.
Original VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI


Back to lease cars for a while...
Original VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI
VW CC 2.0 TDI
VW CC 2.0 TDI
VW CC 2.0 TDI


Recent sportier lease cars
Toyota GT86 - 6 weeks
Peugeot RCX 1.6 HDI - I've been driving this for the last 3 weeks, got it until next Thursday when the S3 arrives.


As a point of interest, I had a dislike of the GT86 from the moment I got in it. This developed into an extreme hatred when it came to handing (throwing) the keys back. Might be great if your a motoring journalist but UK A and B roads aren't nearly wide enough to enjoy the overly tail happy GT86. You spend most of the time looking at the interior and wondering just how much of the original tooling used to manufacture the Mk IV Supra interior and switchgear Toyota have adapted to save production costs.

 

[geefunk1978]

Nice choice - the 997 C2S / C4S are a nice compromise I think and you don't have to wait for the turbo to come on, plus with no turbo in the way you get a great flat six noise too.

Getting ever cheaper also - near 20k now aren't they?

I'll be looking at about £25-30k I reckon in a couple of years, should get a very nice car for that much money. Can't beat the sound of a flat 6 at full chat!

 

[S3Alex]

I'll be looking at about £25-30k I reckon in a couple of years, should get a very nice car for that much money. Can't beat the sound of a flat 6 at full chat!

I do love the thrashy sound of the engine,but the C4S isn't a seriously quick car....a Turbo would definitely interest me,or a GT3 maybe.

 

[Itguy]

It depends if you're after a sports car or a super car really. The 997TT is very much the latter, the C4S the former.

Porsche ownership is a bit snobby too so you might have to try to rise above all that stuff. Have a read of 911uk forums and you'll see what I mean. "Oh, you don't have carbon brakes, I see" etc..

 

[geefunk1978]

I do love the thrashy sound of the engine,but the C4S isn't a seriously quick car....a Turbo would definitely interest me,or a GT3 maybe.

A GT3 would be no good as an everyday car whereas a Carrera is the perfect everyday sports car. I've got a little girl but the back seats would be ok for a few years yet!
This thread appears to have turned into a 911 thread!!
Can't believe I'm even thinking about my next car when I've not even picked my new S3 up yet! No ****** wonder I've owned so many cars!!!

 

[Itguy]

It's good to have a plan.

How did you find the e46 m3? Was it t SMG or manual?

Its a car that I've test driven a few times in manual and SMG and always leave with a smile on my face then consider the (very expensive) prospects of ownership and chicken out.

 

[geefunk1978]

It's good to have a plan.

How did you find the e46 m3? Was it t SMG or manual?

Its a car that I've test driven a few times in manual and SMG and always leave with a smile on my face then consider the (very expensive) prospects of ownership and chicken out.

It was a 55 plate SMG, one of the last of the e46. I loved it, and hated it!

Loved it because of the noise, handling, looks, rev hungry engine, did I say noise.

Hated it because of build quality (shocking for a near £50k car), no low down torque you had to thrash it to get any power, breaking down; spent most of the 5 months I had it at the garage because it had a habit of eating throttle sensors which threw it straight into limp mode. The highlight of which was after a week's holiday in Tunisia, my wife and I both had major 'deli belly' we managed to get 3 miles from Doncaster Airport before it died, it took us 8hrs to get back to Mansfield (about 30 miles away) and cost me £100. That was the final straw so was traded in for an A4 Avant diesel!

It's a different kettle of fish to an S3, but I think an S3 is an all round better car. With a stage 1 remap it is probably as quick and the all year round ability is a winner. I mean an 8P anyways.

 

[S3Alex]

A GT3 would be no good as an everyday car whereas a Carrera is the perfect everyday sports car. I've got a little girl but the back seats would be ok for a few years yet!
This thread appears to have turned into a 911 thread!!
Can't believe I'm even thinking about my next car when I've not even picked my new S3 up yet! No ****** wonder I've owned so many cars!!!

I think I'd certainly try to make a GT3 an everyday car!.....having used the Escort and my current car as everyday drivers,I guess I'm OK working around a car's little foibles,but I do see your point.

I think that having an eye for the next car,or the upgrades to the new one is fine though.
I'm still working on next year's round of parts and upgrades.

Porsche ownership is a bit snobby too so you might have to try to rise above all that stuff. Have a read of 911uk forums and you'll see what I mean. "Oh, you don't have carbon brakes, I see" etc..

I don't think that's confined to Porsche ownership,as it seems to crop up wherever something like ceramics or carbon parts are an option,or can be fitted as an afterthought to a particular car.

You even find Audi owners at it!

 

[geefunk1978]

I think I'd certainly try to make a GT3 an everyday car!.....having used the Escort and my current car as everyday drivers,I guess I'm OK working around a car's little foibles,but I do see your point.

I think that having an eye for the next car,or the upgrades to the new one is fine though.
I'm still working on next year's round of parts and upgrades.

To be honest if a stage 1 map takes the 8V to 350-360BHP it will probably keep me entertained for a long time...

 

[S3Alex]

To be honest if a stage 1 map takes the 8V to 350-360BHP it will probably keep me entertained for a long time...

It's possible it would do that,but would probably involve much of what it takes to get an 8P to that sort of level,given that the capacity is the same,and all that Audi have done is to do the equivalent of a Stg2 remap on it.

The trouble is,it simply leaves you wanting more!

 

[RobH_S3]

It's possible it would do that,but would probably involve much of what it takes to get an 8P to that sort of level,given that the capacity is the same,and all that Audi have done is to do the equivalent of a Stg2 remap on it.

The trouble is,it simply leaves you wanting more!

Alex you know the new S3 has got a completely different turbo to the previous 8P IHI I believe, and ABT have already got a stage 1 map out giving 370hp.

From what ive herd stage 2+ will be over 400hp for the new S3.

 

[S3Alex]

Alex you know the new S3 has got a completely different turbo to the previous 8P IHI I believe, and ABT have already got a stage 1 map out giving 370hp.

From what ive herd stage 2+ will be over 400hp for the new S3.

Totally overlooked that small fact!

Oh well,in that case a very good result,and what many will have been looking for.....it should be interesting to see if the new turbo can be pushed as far as 440bhp/440lbs,or even close that,as that's the cut off for engine internals in most people's views,and would save a lot of us the cost of a BT kit.

 

[Johnnyb]

Alex you know the new S3 has got a completely different turbo to the previous 8P IHI I believe, and ABT have already got a stage 1 map out giving 370hp.

From what ive herd stage 2+ will be over 400hp for the new S3.

This is true!

I'm gonna do a little write up on the ABT software later on the S3 tuning thread as they have e-mailed me some information on it after purchasing their DR alloys..

Looks very interesting, and no hardware required to reach 370bhp!!

 

[Itguy]

Lets hope so as the new turbo is integrated into the exhaust manifold so it's going to be expensive to move upwards

 

[Itguy]

no hardware required to reach 370bhp!!

Hell fire, that's amazing. Quite a significant warranty buffer there from Audi. Makes you wonder what the RS3 will be using...

 

[RobH_S3]

Well the turbos running 1.2bar standard and peak power is around 5.5k revs so looks like theres plenty of head room their. Internals have supposedly been strengthened aswell to what extent ive no idea.

Until a tuner has a real good look inside no one knows about what the engine can take. Theres hardly anything the same as the old S3 8P though, that much I do know.

 

[S3Alex]

Well the turbos running 1.2bar standard and peak power is around 5.5k revs so looks like theres plenty of head room their. Internals have supposedly been strengthened aswell to what extent ive no idea.

Until a tuner has a real good look inside no one knows about what the engine can take. Theres hardly anything the same as the old S3 8P though, that much I do know.

It really comes down to what the turbo can flow,and not having seen the compressor map,I wouldn't hazard a guess,but in any case,it's clearly a good step in the right direction,but like all new engines,will take a while for not only the tuning expertise,but also the parts to develop.

The current 2.5L RS engine is only now getting much beyond 500bhp,whereas that's been a given for the (previous)2.0 for some time,and one mate of mine has recorded 740bhp from the 2.0TFSi.

As before.....bring it on,and let the tuning begin.

 

[PilotAudi]

Why S3 now there's a question.

Have had many interesting cars over many years 30+ including sportscars, luxury saloons, coupes, petrol diesel etc.

Now trying to downsize and spend less time working so S3SB it is, to add to a Diesel VW 'hack' and aged Classic car seems to make sense.

 

[Itguy]

S3 now for me because I've got bored of diesels for a daily driver and want a slightly bigger car.

Didn't even know the new A3 was out, let alone the new S3 until we just popped in to the Audi garage on the off chance they had an 8P S3 to look at. Saw and drove their Misano S3 SB demo and that was it. Order placed.

 

[S3Alex]

S3 now for me because I've got bored of diesels for a daily driver and want a slightly bigger car.

Didn't even know the new A3 was out, let alone the new S3 until we just popped in to the Audi garage on the off chance they had an 8P S3 to look at. Saw and drove their Misano S3 SB demo and that was it. Order placed.

Similar to my reasons when I bought mine.

I'd had a couple of fast cars(one very quick),and then a selection of diesels,before downsizing from an A4 3.0TDi Avant to the S3.....I'd had a 3.2 and a 2.0TDi before that,and didn't need an estate any more,hence the S3,which has been more fun than most of the cars I've owned,if only because it needed a lot to make it what it could be.

 

[Danner3342]

Here's my little list what i can remember :-

Ford Escort 1.3 GL MK11 - 1980 V
Ford Escort 1.3 L MK111 - 1985 C
Peugeot 309 1.9 GTI - 1989 F
Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1988 E
Vauxhall Vetra 2.5 SRI 1997 P (worst car ever had)
Subaru Impreza WRX 1991 K
Mitsubishi EVO VI 1999 T
Renault Clio 172 CUP 2003 53
Seat Leon 1.9 TDI 150 2005 55
Audi A3 8P Sportback 2.0 TDI 170 Quattro 2007 56
Ford Focus ST 3 2009 59
Audi S3 Sportback 8P 2011 11

On Order due March 2014
Audi S3 Sportback 8V 2014 14

 

[NotquiteWelsh]

My List:

Mini Traveller - 1964
Morris 1300 Traveller - 1968
Austin 1300 Estate - 1974
VW Derby S - 1979
VW Golf Mk1 GTI - 1982
Vauxhall Astra Mk1 GTE - 1984
VW Golf Mk2 GTI - 1985
Peugeot 309 GTI - 1987
Peugeot 309 GTI - 1989
Peugeot 309 GTI - 1992
Peugeot 306 XSi - 1996
Peugeot 306 XSi - 2000
VW Golf Mk5 GT - 2007
Audi S3 8P - 2008
Audi S3 SB 8V - 2013

Looks like a lot of Vag and Pug

 

[snakehips]

My List:

Mini Traveller - 1964
Morris 1300 Traveller - 1968
Austin 1300 Estate - 1974
VW Derby S - 1979
VW Golf Mk1 GTI - 1982
Vauxhall Astra Mk1 GTE - 1984
VW Golf Mk2 GTI - 1985
Peugeot 309 GTI - 1987
Peugeot 309 GTI - 1989
Peugeot 309 GTI - 1992
Peugeot 306 XSi - 1996
Peugeot 306 XSi - 2000
VW Golf Mk5 GT - 2007
Audi S3 8P - 2008
Audi S3 SB 8V - 2013

Looks like a lot of Vag and Pug

I've always liked a lot of Vag...

 

[thedooker]

1992 Vauxhall Nova 1.2 Merit (5dr with a 4 speed box and a choke)
1997 Renault Clio 1.2 (worst car ever)
2001 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 club (5dr)
2004 Ford Focus ST170 (fully loaded with all options ticked)
2006 Ford Focus ST3 (ended up modded to 300bhp)
2009(59) Ford Focus RS
2009(09) Porsche Cayman S sport (no 402 of 800)
2012 Focus ST3 (needed a cheaper alternative to get my house)

I miss the first st loads, awesome car. The cayman was my peak though.

 

[snakehips]

I've always liked a lot of Vag...

By which I mean my history of GTi's, honest!

 

[CraigI]

Won't bore you with all 30+ cars.......highlights are:

Volkswagen Golf Driver (first car)
Fiat Bravo HGT
Ford Probe V6
Vauxhall Vectra GSi
Renaultsport Megane 225
Renaultsport Clio V6 Phase I
Renaultsport Clio 172
Vauxhall Astra VXR Phase I
Ford Focus ST3 Phase I
Daihatsu Copen
Renaultsport Clio 197 Cup
Honda S2000
Renaultsport Clio V6 Phase I (another one)
Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup
Audi S5 Coupe Black Edition 2013 (current daily runner)

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG 2006 (Current garage queen)
Audi S3 Sportback 2013 (collecting on Wednesday and replacing my S5)