Test Driving a S3 at weekend coming from a TTRS stage 1

[Chimp]

Hi All

I have had mk2 TT's since 2008 (TTS) and 2010 TTRS but now its 4 years old nearly with 38k miles on the clock I feel the lack of warranty etc it might be time to move on.

The S3 on paper looks good speed wise, 0-60 and having some poke but don't know if I will be impressed. It's not all about the out and out speed anymore as just cant use it, overtaking I do alot but where it's safe and legal so poke helps!

The technology on the TT is looking real old and would like some new toys!

I have a test drive in a manual sb on Sat (best they had) and another dealer with a SB S-tronic on Sunday. I am looking for the S-tronic to be honest as I missed it in the RS but had it in the TTS and loved it.

But I am not looking forward to the steering feel as many think it's a real issue but I hope it's not that bad.

Will let you know my thoughts after the drives!

PS I don't know why they don't have 19" wheels on the Hatch? I am considering the saloon now as it does have 19"''s I must be getting old!

 

[SilureMark]

I had a TTRS (AMD stage one tuned) that I traded for my new Cayman S last year. I am getting a new S3 SB as our second car, to replace the BMW 3 series touring we have. Having now test driven a three S3's I didn't feel hard done by power wise, even when compared to my Porsche. You can always remap the S3, which I almost certainly will do. The s tronic seems to suit the new S3. I had s tronic on my RS and TTS before that and loved it. I would also recommend AMD's remap for the auto box - really makes a different that and I will defo have that done to my new S3. I did try a manual S3 but quickly realised why I prefer the auto box, albeit it does rob you of that connection to the car. My Cayman is a manual, so that's where I can still have my fun with the fiddle stick. I think not having 19" wheels is a plus actually. Having to cough up a grand every time I need to change tyres is never good! Not so sure about the saloon - looks very dated to me and almost Passat like. IMO, if you want a fast, high quality compact four door saloon, buy a BMW.

 

[PilotAudi]

I did try a manual S3 but quickly realised why I prefer the auto box, albeit it does rob you of that connection to the car. .

Exactly why I am buying a manual (also a second, well third car in house)! I want to feel connected to the car, have done flappy paddles to death in Audi 5/6/7's in recent years. IMHO a hot hatch should have gears you can control with your left hand and left foot! (apologies to those not possessing one/both).

Totally disagree about ' if you want a fast, high quality compact four door saloon, buy a BMW'.. absolute rubbish IMHO..BMW produce a pile of second rate tat. The engines and handling (RWD) may be OK but A4/S4 are way better finished and with quattro decent handling, far better interiors etc.

 

[snowfree52]

did you see the new TT that is coming ?

and the new interior ?

 

[Itguy]

Wow, I'm loving that

 

[Chimp]

Yes I think performance might be good, and remap would be on the cards although TD 1 codes and warranty are a concern at this stage until the remapping firms crack it!

19"'s dont seem to be an issue with me for comfort, although £300 from Mich PSS's are a bit pricey but I tend to be quite good with tires and make them last quite well. They look soo much better and make the HB not look "just like a S-line" as I am paying more for it it should look a bit different!

I like the saloon's looks and the HB the SB is not really my thing at the moment although it would fit wakeboards/snowboards in eaiser

We shall see if the dealers with go for the same discount I can get from brokers and bid me just above what I owe on the RS. Hopefully they have an order in but it is at a stage of spec can be changed so I get it for March!

 

[Derbz]

Hi All

I have had mk2 TT's since 2008 (TTS) and 2010 TTRS but now its 4 years old nearly with 38k miles on the clock I feel the lack of warranty etc it might be time to move on.

The S3 on paper looks good speed wise, 0-60 and having some poke but don't know if I will be impressed. It's not all about the out and out speed anymore as just cant use it, overtaking I do alot but where it's safe and legal so poke helps!

The technology on the TT is looking real old and would like some new toys!

I have a test drive in a manual sb on Sat (best they had) and another dealer with a SB S-tronic on Sunday. I am looking for the S-tronic to be honest as I missed it in the RS but had it in the TTS and loved it.

But I am not looking forward to the steering feel as many think it's a real issue but I hope it's not that bad.

Will let you know my thoughts after the drives!

PS I don't know why they don't have 19" wheels on the Hatch? I am considering the saloon now as it does have 19"''s I must be getting old!

Personally i think the S3 will feel quite sluggish compared to a stage 1 TTRS baring in mind your TT will have over 100bhp/100+lbft of torque over the S3, i also think you would miss that lovely 5cylinder note from that engine.

Be interesting to hear the outcome.

I think the S3 is a cracking all round car but after my test drive and then jumping into a M135i and then back into my S4 it was the S3 that made me smile the least as far as driver appeal goes, and i have to admit it was the steering feel or lack of it that let the car down the most.

Still you cant expect it all and its certainly a nice car to spend time in and the saloon is a cracking looking motor.

 

[Chimp]

I think you might be right about the power and noise of the engine etc as I have the 2nd cats deleted aswell so at WOT it's amazing!

Dammit, maybe I'll wait for the RS3 ....LOL

 

[Derbz]

I think you might be right about the power and noise of the engine etc as I have the 2nd cats deleted aswell so at WOT it's amazing!

Dammit, maybe I'll wait for the RS3 ....LOL

Nice one i could imagine thats rather loud as well with the cats gone lol

Good choice join the queue

 

[Joetidman]

Personally i think the S3 will feel quite sluggish compared to a stage 1 TTRS baring in mind your TT will have over 100bhp/100+lbft of torque over the S3, i also think you would miss that lovely 5cylinder note from that engine.

Be interesting to hear the outcome.

I think the S3 is a cracking all round car but after my test drive and then jumping into a M135i and then back into my S4 it was the S3 that made me smile the least as far as driver appeal goes, and i have to admit it was the steering feel or lack of it that let the car down the most.

Still you cant expect it all and its certainly a nice car to spend time in and the saloon is a cracking looking motor.

Completely agree on the S3 front. M135i gets great reviews, shame it looks like a van that's driven into an ugly tree

 

[Derbz]

Completely agree on the S3 front. M135i gets great reviews, shame it looks like a van that's driven into an ugly tree

Yep your not wrong there mate, it really is a munter of a car to look at

 

[Chimp]

Well After two different S3 Sportbacks over the weekend, one manual and one s-tronic I can report my thoughts.

The car in the flesh does look quite classey and stealth and still a little too "s-line" for my liking especially as the manual had the same wheels as on the s-line. SB does look nice (although not my thing) and does give a nice presence on the road. The front bumper has some nice details and does allude to sportiness but I think the white car I tested with manual didn't compliment the silver "s" grill. The S-tronic was Estoril blue and this did allow the silver/crome to come alive and look nice. I still feel that the car needs 19" alloys and this is a real sticking point at the moment. Once salesman said he believed that the saloon has 19"'s as it has bigger wheel arches? Don't know if this the reason.

Estoril blue was nice, A little too dark/cloudy conditions yesterday (shame it didn't test drive it the other way around and test the white one Sunday as it was lovely and sunny Saturday and would have shown Estoril off better. I am still a little unsure of Estoril but the pictures in bright conditions do make up for the dull and flat low light days.... Wish Sepang or Daytona was available.

Performance was quite surprising. It was alot puncher and responsive than my TTS (prior to owning TTRS )was in either s-tronic or Manual. Very refined acceleration and smooth manual gear box was very easy and the clutch VERY light compared to my TTRS!! THe S-tronic made the car I felt. It made it feel more special, quicker and more responsive. The usual slight lag on pick say on a roundabout (I learnt years ago to use paddles to downshift to be in the right gear for quick gettaway with s-tronic) but it was way less laggy than TTS.

The strange situation I had was that as the engine note is somewhat muted and a 4 pot 2l it didn't "sound fast" and although the speed climbed VERY quick it didn't make my hairs on the back of my neck stand on end! THe gear change "POPS" on s-troinic did help alot even managed to get a little of this in the manual. In gear response was good, sport mode was usual hanging in lower gear and waisting petrol rater than having more torque and being able to floor it!

The saleman had put the individual settings on steering/car etc to comfort and the steering was too over assisted for my liking but once all was set to dynamic then the steering seemed alot better feel albeit the usual numbness on an Audi.

I spent alot of time in the showroom in an S-line Saloon and found it appealing alot! It's lower roof line makes it feel more sporty in seating position (maybe more TT like angle of windscreen and seat felt lower) and the elegant looks! I wondered what a coupe would look like! I am still uming and arring! THe HB has better discount and is available quicker!

All in all, If I didnt have a TTRS, Especially a Stage 1 remap I would say the car is fantastic and I would think it was a brilliant purchase, as I am in the position of looking from the RS then the "special" feel from the engine makes it very hard. There are advantaes of money savings on loans and running it etc but that is just nice but not necessary.... choices, choices! Wish the RS3 release date was announced I would be Signing the order form now, as it's not! Do I get an S3 and trade in when RS3 comes out?

 

[rams_s3]

Yeah get it bought!..strike a good deal with the salesman and you'll be able to sell it on when the RS comes out and maybe not lose too much. I got my sportback s3 with £6000 of extras for pretty much list price of a standard s3! The deals are out there!

 

[RAPS3]

Yeah get it bought!..strike a good deal with the salesman and you'll be able to sell it on when the RS comes out and maybe not lose too much. I got my sportback s3 with £6000 of extras for pretty much list price of a standard s3! The deals are out there!

So more than a 9% discount then ?

I'd be interested to hear more as I'm just about to press the order button and am currenlty looking at 9% off.

I'm just waiting on a test drive being organised (being let down by a dealer this weeked for one !) - I have organised a test drive this Friday and intending to place an order early next week - so any info would be appreciated

 

[PilotAudi]

£6k of extras is close to 18% off. Not sure I have seen that much on an S3 0% is often the case 3-6% is typical when pushed , 9% if you are very lucky ... but 18%?? Why would a dealer give that sort of a discount on an S3??? A7 maybe and a bit more but surely not an S3.

 

[RAPS3]

I also though similar - that discount is the most I have heard off, hencey question. Would love to hear more before I place an order

Good on him of he did get that much off - just share the info and spread the wealth

 

[PilotAudi]

We will see what he comes back with (maybe).. I could believe that (just) on a late 8P model but not an 8V.

 

[RAPS3]

I'm sure I got 12% off on my S3 sportback back in 2009. I hoped for similar on this one but it doesn't look possible.

I was told I was lucky if I achieved 9%

 

[PilotAudi]

We got 12% and an extra £750 on last 8p in 2010/11 and a loaner for 4 months due to delays.
Things are different now. 8V is keenly priced and in great demand.

 

[lee_fr200]

Cos it's a new model give it a few yrs and the demand won't be high

 

[h5djr]

I'm sure I got 12% off on my S3 sportback back in 2009. I hoped for similar on this one but it doesn't look possible.

I was told I was lucky if I achieved 9%

By all accounts the amount a dealer gets on the new 8V has been reduced compared with the 8P which could be one reason the 8V is cheaper here than in Germany. According to the current German price list a 2.0TDI Sportback Sport s-tronic quattro is the equivalent of £33,600 whereas the same car in the UK is £27,600 and there are more options as standard in the UK. To get to the spec I would order I would have to add a further £7,845 to the German price but £4,585 to a UK car.

 

[Pulp84]

5% off is the best I could do from a local dealer. Three other dealers admitted they couldn't touch 5% (Swindon, Bristol and Bath) so I am happy with that. It's actually more than 5% as the dealer found another £500 for my trade in. So about 6.5%.

Could have got 8% but it was miles away through a broker and with my trade-in it was just going to be hassle.

Think the RS3 is a while off yet as normally they leave it towards the end of a models life or just after a face lift. Not sure though but I think the current RS6 & RS7 are the only recent RS models launched during the first few years of a models life? So there could be hope!

 

[rams_s3]

I'm back to answer questions, lol.

I've just worked it out from my order form my extras were just over £5000 sorry I over estimated it earlier. Here is a picture of the final figure on my order form. We paid £32,764 for the car with all the extras. Maybe not as much as I first wrote but still impressive saving of around 10% ( I think)


I got them to reduce it by telling them how hull audi had done me the car I wanted ( s tronic, pan roof, bril black, privacy) for 350 a month with £6000 deposit and if they would match it then I'd take the car they had in the showroom, they couldn't match but got to £360 so after a bit more haggling prised the gap insurance out of them and a deal was done.much better than waiting 15 weeks!

 

[RAPS3]

Good result rams - especially not having to wait.

I'm wanting a colour form the exclusive range and have been informed I'll need to add around 4-6 weeks onto the 'normal' delivery time.

I'd rather wait and get what I've specced though.

 

[rams_s3]

I sacrificed my s-tronic but love manual and I've gained all the other things for effectively nothing.

 

[JohnM100]

I'm wanting a colour form the exclusive range and have been informed I'll need to add around 4-6 weeks onto the 'normal' delivery time.

I got this line from the dealer as well but in reality there wasn't any noticeable additional delay. I think this is just a standard CYA phrase.
Dealer allocations & order book are likely to have a greater impact on delivery dates than colour choice.

What colour are you going for?

John.

 

[RAPS3]

I'm struggling to decide to be honest John -

Options I'm weighing up are:-

Riviera blue - I love this colour - but the missus reckons she wont be able to live with it day to day- ok for a weekend toy - but not to leave in Tesco car park or do the school run in. I've not ruled it out completely. A technically she'll use it more than me (as I have a company car) then she may win the battle on this one - I think its a marmite colour

Sepang Blue - again really like this - just not seen in outside a showroom in normal light - and only seen photos - also at a £2k option I wanted something that is a little 'different' and with it being a standard (no additional cost) colour on the RS models - then its likely to be a more popular choice.

Nogaro Blue - I think this is my favourite - I loved the "old style" nogaro on the old 8L S3's - this newer version has much more depth and maybe even a hint of matallic - again though I'm judging this from photos and not seen this in the metal.

To be honest there two things hiolding me from placing the order - one is I have a test drive organised for the S3 and the RSQ3 this Friday and the other is colour choice.

I am stuck on what to choose !!

I could go any way - but opinions are welcome

 

[PilotAudi]

I'm back to answer questions, lol.

I've just worked it out from my order form my extras were just over £5000 sorry I over estimated it earlier. Here is a picture of the final figure on my order form. We paid £32,764 for the car with all the extras. Maybe not as much as I first wrote but still impressive saving of around 10% ( I think)


I got them to reduce it by telling them how hull audi had done me the car I wanted ( s tronic, pan roof, bril black, privacy) for 350 a month with £6000 deposit and if they would match it then I'd take the car they had in the showroom, they couldn't match but got to £360 so after a bit more haggling prised the gap insurance out of them and a deal was done.much better than waiting 15 weeks!

What spec have you got then?

 

[rams_s3]

Phantom, b+o, pan roof, tech pack(the £1700), comfort pack, the better seats. Think that's it

 

[rams_s3]

And Audi phone box which is the worst £350 anyone could spend as far as I can see!

 

[PilotAudi]

Phantom, b+o, pan roof, tech pack(the £1700), comfort pack, the better seats. Think that's it

Interesting I have a manual S3 SB on order. with £6139 of 'extras' my discount is c£3300 on c £36,600 . B&O HH,Pan, Pearl, Tec, 5yr, roof rails, comfort + FPS, foldy mirrors, ILP, privacy and TPMS.