Feedback from those with S3s now

[Cainie]

S-Tronic does blip as long as you're dropping it down at reasonably high revs. Probably take about 4wks from being built to pick up.

Well i have had confirmation this morning that my car has been put on the ship and is comming over to the UK finally! Anyone have any idea it will take now? My dealership isnt giving much information on timescales at the min

 

[0B1001001]

Well i have had confirmation this morning that my car has been put on the ship and is comming over to the UK finally! Anyone have any idea it will take now? My dealership isnt giving much information on timescales at the min

Mine too - had a call earlier today.

I'm hoping, in a ludicrously optimistic way, that I can get it next week

 

[Lawzie]

Long time since I have been on this Forum - I guess I have been enjoying driving my S3 Sportback so much haha! Thought I would post an update so far... I am 4.5k miles in.

My spec was:
S-Tronic • Comfort pack with cruise and rear parking • Glacier White • Sun Roof • B&O • Black inlays

PERFORMANCE
It's pretty epic. It's my first fast car (coming from 2 previous diesels). I'd agree with a few people on here that its misleading just how fast you are going. It doesn't push you back in the seat much more than a 170BHP Diesel (Diesel had 280 torque) but the fact it revs a lot higher makes the fun go on for longer. Its really fast. I can't imagine needing any more performance. 3rd gear is a long gear - its great! Launch control is a great party piece. It seems that it actually pumps some more power in between gear changes when you use launch control has anyone else noticed that??? In short... not many cars will keep up with you!

S-TRONIC
Absolutely faultless. Highly recommend it. It helps the car makes some GREAT noises and is quick and smooth plus I find it rely engaging. As you get used to it you can force some great noises from it as you learn what revs to change up on.

INTERIOR
I would highly highly recommend the black inlays, it gives the car such a premium feel inside. It looks so much better in the flesh than in pictures I have seen - I was a little nervous about this option but as soon as I saw it I was happy!

The interior is definitely of a class you would expect in a much more expensive car. There are barely any cheap materials - I just wish I had gone for Mono - Pur to give it yet more class inside. Standard seats are lovely but I wish I had gone for super sport seats, they just look better.

FUEL CONSUMPTION
I have no idea how some people are getting 30+MPG from this car. I am getting about 22-23mpg. This is mainly on b roads in surrey and a fair bit in traffic. I set out to see just how much MPG I could get by sticking it in eco mode and driving like an OAP but even still getting it to 30MPG was almost impossible. Maybe it's just how I drive. I get around 220 - 250 miles per full tank. 350 miles if used solely on the motorway.

CABIN NOIES
A Few niggles...
• Passenger door seals seem to make a slight crackling noise and there is a bit of a 'click' from that side when going over bumps.
• There was a really annoying clicking noise coming from the headlining when I first got the car. I figured out where the click was coming from the just simply whacked the headlining in that place HARD a few times and it fixed it - strange!

SUN ROOF
Personally I just love the way it looks, it finishes the car off really nicely. It great for letting in some extra engine noise too!

OPTIONS
I am happy with all of my options but given the chance to order again I would have added:
• Mono Pur
• Super Sprts Seats or Parade Red interior
• Tinted windows - I had these fitted locally after I got the car but wish I had ordered from the factory purely down to cost. Again this really does have an impact on the way the car looks - definitely looks better with tints in my opinion!

I am in the lucky position of ordering another S3 but this time a saloon! I run a small company and this one is for my partner but we are going to car swap every 6 months so it's also one I will be using too. I will give you all an update and comparison between the two after we have that delivered (looking to order next week).

HELP
Are there any options you guys would HIGHLY recommend going for - ones you could not live without which I have not got on my current S3 Sportback? It would be greatly appreciated if you can share that with me so I can think about adding them to the saloon order - although our budget is limited to £37,868 P11D value so some options like tech pack and LED lights kinda kill the budget!

Hope this report helps you guys and hope to hear back with some option suggestions...

 

[cemerson]

HELP
Are there any options you guys would HIGHLY recommend going for - ones you could not live without which I have not got on my current S3 Sportback? It would be greatly appreciated if you can share that with me so I can think about adding them to the saloon order - although our budget is limited to £37,868 P11D value so some options like tech pack and LED lights kinda kill the budget!

Hope this report helps you guys and hope to hear back with some option suggestions...

ACC, Hold Assist. Easily! Interior light pack if that sort of thing matters to you.

 

[Ashmcblue]

Long time since I have been on this Forum - I guess I have been enjoying driving my S3 Sportback so much haha! Thought I would post an update so far... I am 4.5k miles in.

My spec was:
S-Tronic • Comfort pack with cruise and rear parking • Glacier White • Sun Roof • B&O • Black inlays

PERFORMANCE
It's pretty epic. It's my first fast car (coming from 2 previous diesels). I'd agree with a few people on here that its misleading just how fast you are going. It doesn't push you back in the seat much more than a 170BHP Diesel (Diesel had 280 torque) but the fact it revs a lot higher makes the fun go on for longer. Its really fast. I can't imagine needing any more performance. 3rd gear is a long gear - its great! Launch control is a great party piece. It seems that it actually pumps some more power in between gear changes when you use launch control has anyone else noticed that??? In short... not many cars will keep up with you!

S-TRONIC
Absolutely faultless. Highly recommend it. It helps the car makes some GREAT noises and is quick and smooth plus I find it rely engaging. As you get used to it you can force some great noises from it as you learn what revs to change up on.

INTERIOR
I would highly highly recommend the black inlays, it gives the car such a premium feel inside. It looks so much better in the flesh than in pictures I have seen - I was a little nervous about this option but as soon as I saw it I was happy!

The interior is definitely of a class you would expect in a much more expensive car. There are barely any cheap materials - I just wish I had gone for Mono - Pur to give it yet more class inside. Standard seats are lovely but I wish I had gone for super sport seats, they just look better.

FUEL CONSUMPTION
I have no idea how some people are getting 30+MPG from this car. I am getting about 22-23mpg. This is mainly on b roads in surrey and a fair bit in traffic. I set out to see just how much MPG I could get by sticking it in eco mode and driving like an OAP but even still getting it to 30MPG was almost impossible. Maybe it's just how I drive. I get around 220 - 250 miles per full tank. 350 miles if used solely on the motorway.

CABIN NOIES
A Few niggles...
• Passenger door seals seem to make a slight crackling noise and there is a bit of a 'click' from that side when going over bumps.
• There was a really annoying clicking noise coming from the headlining when I first got the car. I figured out where the click was coming from the just simply whacked the headlining in that place HARD a few times and it fixed it - strange!

SUN ROOF
Personally I just love the way it looks, it finishes the car off really nicely. It great for letting in some extra engine noise too!

OPTIONS
I am happy with all of my options but given the chance to order again I would have added:
• Mono Pur
• Super Sprts Seats or Parade Red interior
• Tinted windows - I had these fitted locally after I got the car but wish I had ordered from the factory purely down to cost. Again this really does have an impact on the way the car looks - definitely looks better with tints in my opinion!

I am in the lucky position of ordering another S3 but this time a saloon! I run a small company and this one is for my partner but we are going to car swap every 6 months so it's also one I will be using too. I will give you all an update and comparison between the two after we have that delivered (looking to order next week).

HELP
Are there any options you guys would HIGHLY recommend going for - ones you could not live without which I have not got on my current S3 Sportback? It would be greatly appreciated if you can share that with me so I can think about adding them to the saloon order - although our budget is limited to £37,868 P11D value so some options like tech pack and LED lights kinda kill the budget!

Hope this report helps you guys and hope to hear back with some option suggestions...

Can you post a pic of the black inlays, I ticked this and I don't know what to expect.

 

[d8ean]

Can you post a pic of the black inlays, I ticked this and I don't know what to expect.

breaks it up a little inside if you have the SSS and white stiching with nano pur.
i like them on mine.

 

[Cainie]

Mine too - had a call earlier today.

I'm hoping, in a ludicrously optimistic way, that I can get it next week

Well i think this week (with it being good friday this friday) i think i can safely say the car wont be here this week but i am hoping for next week delivery. Does anyone remember what their waiting times were when they had confirmation the car had been shipped to the uk?

 

[Ashmcblue]

Well i think this week (with it being good friday this friday) i think i can safely say the car wont be here this week but i am hoping for next week delivery. Does anyone remember what their waiting times were when they had confirmation the car had been shipped to the uk?

I've just had an email that my car will probably be here next week however since I am in the business of importing I know that Good Friday and the bank holiday Monday will slow things down, so I'm being optimistic with mine but I hope next week...but I know it will be the week after next most likely.

 

[Cainie]

I've just had an email that my car will probably be here next week however since I am in the business of importing I know that Good Friday and the bank holiday Monday will slow things down, so I'm being optimistic with mine but I hope next week...but I know it will be the week after next most likely.

Its just our luck isn't it that its Easter weekend this week. I was hoping i would have had the car by now as i am off work from this Thursday to next Tuesday so i would have had five days off with the car but we cant always have what we want can we.

 

[Ashmcblue]

Its just our luck isn't it that its Easter weekend this week. I was hoping i would have had the car by now as i am off work from this Thursday to next Tuesday so i would have had five days off with the car but we cant always have what we want can we.

I'm gonna go buy some cake AND eat it just to give society what for.

 

[Ecosphere]

Long time since ............

HELP
Are there any options you guys would HIGHLY recommend going for - ones you could not live without which I have not got on my current S3 Sportback? It would be greatly appreciated if you can share that with me so I can think about adding them to the saloon order - although our budget is limited to £37,868 P11D value so some options like tech pack and LED lights kinda kill the budget!

Hope this report helps you guys and hope to hear back with some option suggestions...

Not got but didn't realise available and would have preferred FREE body coloured mirrors

 

[RYuill]

Right, it's about time I put some thoughts down on here!
Had the S3 for 4 weeks now, it's only done 550 miles but I've driven it 'properly' from day 1. I ordered it not long after the order books opened, so no one really had any experience or advice to give so I'm hoping this will help others now! I could only go off journo impressions, but they don't ever talk about what are good options so I had to make my own mind up!
From the first moment I saw it in the metal I knew I'd chosen the right colour for me, the lines and creases on the car really stand out in glacier white, it's a fantastic shape and looks very purposeful with the black styling pack. I'm still not mad keen on the 10 spoke titanium wheels, I think they look ok, but I definitely wish I'd stuck with the standard S3 wheels and saved myself £395. So the outside is really good, it get's serious looks when you're just driving about, a bit understated but when people see the 4 pipes hanging out the back they know it's something a bit serious (or hear the bangs, but I'll come to that later). I had a guy in a V10 R8 give me the nod about 4 days in to ownership, I don't think he could believe how hard he had to try to keep up off a set of lights!
The interior is top notch, we all know that already but I can't stress how much it is a nice place to be. The super sports seats are very comfortable, I had the recaro buckets in my last S3 and although they were great seats, they were a bit too hard for daily use I thought. The B&O upgrade is epic, I've been in some seriously expensive cars and this sound system is up there with the best of them. If you like music I would highly recommend this option. Talking of options I wish I'd gone for the advanced key, maybe because I'm lazy but I had it on a Megane a few years ago and it's so easy just to keep the key in your pocket and get in and go.
Right now onto performance. Many of you will know I had it on a dyno after 2 weeks. It only had 300ish miles on but that doesn't make much difference to dyno readings. I was quite surprised it only made 280bhp but 396Nm torque. So up on standard torque, but down on bhp. The car definitely felt as quick if not quicker than my stage 1 8P S3 (310bhp dyno certified). It doesn't pin you in your seat particularly but it is effortlessly quick. A quick look at the speedo off the mark and you won't believe the speed you're doing in no time whatsoever.
It's now running 325bhp and 460Nm torque but this is only a development at the mo. To say its rapid is an understatement. The S Tronic gearbox is very good, again I must be getting lazy in my old age! As an engineer I embrace technology, I know there's always going to be an argument between manual and auto but having had manuals for years I am happy with the 2 sided nature of the S Tronic. Cruising about in auto around town, but a press of a button and you've got full control. I cannot describe the bangs on upshifts. They actually make people jump if you're in an area where it echoes. That alone was worth the money!!
Of all the modes I mainly use efficiency for commuting then dynamic when I'm giving it the beans. Yes the steering feel could be better, but it doesn't detract from the driving experience. Around a back road I know locally, it is one of the best cars I have driven, it is effortlessly rapid and handles really well. I know people have been moaning about understeer, but I haven't found that so far. I've had plenty of 4 wheel drive cars so know how to drive them. I have been driving it pretty hard, I've had it 4 wheel drifting a couple of times around roundabouts. The only thing I would and probably will upgrade handling wise is tyres (never liked Conti's, Michelin Pilots are 10x better) and the brakes (I am part owner of a company that does brake upgrades).
So to summarise, it's a very quick, capable, stealthy hot hatch with premium build quality. For the price I can't think of a better all round car.
Hope I've not bored you all 😉

Got any pics of your car, I am currently waiting on delivery of my new toy also in glacier white with black styling package. Can't really find any pics online of this combo. Thanks

 

[geefunk1978]

Got any pics of your car, I am currently waiting on delivery of my new toy also in glacier white with black styling package. Can't really find any pics online of this combo. Thanks

There you go!

 

[rams_s3]

Wanna swap for a black sportback??? Ha

 

[ColMariner]

Great review and pics geefunk, makes my wait seem even longer now

 

[geefunk1978]

Wanna swap for a black sportback??? Ha

What's your spec?! When I look at the photos it really does look epic. Who needs practicality lol

 

[pat15312]

Every time I see a side profile shot of the 3 door, I know I made the right choice, regardless of practicality. It's about as good as a hatchback can look!

 

[Ashmcblue]

Every time I see a side profile shot of the 3 door, I know I made the right choice, regardless of practicality. It's about as good as a hatchback can look!

I followed a 3 door in Headingley (leeds) tonight. Same exterior as mine and it looked really nice. I'm picking mine up next week hopefully.

 

[illingworth22]

I followed a 3 door in Headingley (leeds) tonight. Same exterior as mine and it looked really nice. I'm picking mine up next week hopefully.

What colour?

 

[Ashmcblue]

What colour?

Blick.

 

[rams_s3]

What's your spec?! When I look at the photos it really does look epic. Who needs practicality lol

Lol....phantom, hi tech, pan roof, bang and olufsen, phone box, comfort pack. £38,000 worth. Joking I need 5 doors like you do aswel I believe!

 

[rams_s3]

I saw an Estoril blue in leeds, and I was in my black one as our daughter is in L.G.I

 

[Ashmcblue]

I've been told mine is waiting for transport to Audi now and I think I've just sold my A6. Audi took the **** on that one offering me virtually nothing for a 61 car with 45k miles.

Anyway onwards and upwards. I will be doing my best Phillip Glennister impression on the sly in the car once I've got it.

Who is he to call wine tasters pretentious when he's drinking an elderflower gin and tonic anyway!

 

[Soulboy]

FUEL CONSUMPTION
I have no idea how some people are getting 30+MPG from this car. I am getting about 22-23mpg. This is mainly on b roads in surrey and a fair bit in traffic. I set out to see just how much MPG I could get by sticking it in eco mode and driving like an OAP but even still getting it to 30MPG was almost impossible. Maybe it's just how I drive. I get around 220 - 250 miles per full tank. 350 miles if used solely on the motorway...

22-23 mpg seems exceedingly low!?!? I constantly get between 30-35mpg on daily drives.
And diving like an OAP in eco - you should be getting closer to 40mpg.

What fuel are you using? It just didn't sound right to me.

 

[Itguy]

I've noticed that the quantity of short trips driven through the engine warmup phase seems to be the biggest effect on mpg on my s3. The car is incredibly economical when it is up to working temp, but really thirsty when getting there.

General driving style also plays a part too, if you use 100% throttle at every opportunity to get up to speed and then cruise at 10-30mph above the speed limit everywhere it's thirsty too.

Mine also seems to be getting significantly better now the weather is warming up and also as my engine is getting some miles on.

Oh, and Vpower only of course.

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

monmentum 99 here and stuck on an overall average of 19.8mpg

 

[geefunk1978]

monmentum 99 here and stuck on an overall average of 19.8mpg

Damn beating my average of 21.3, I must try harder.

 

[RYuill]

Thanks for that. looks really nice. Glad i have chosen this now

Tell me about those pipes sticking out the back Whats the sound like? and do you still get the burps on th up shift?

Cheers

 

[Cainie]

MY BABY CAME! Picked it up yesterday after such a long wait and finally its here. I love it. Will post some feedback when i have bedded it in. Oh and the pipes are totes amazeballs

 

[RobH_S3]

Anyone fancy York raceway this weekend, going on the Monday. Get a few S3's down the quarter mile and see what's what.

 

[CraigI]

22-23 mpg seems exceedingly low!?!? I constantly get between 30-35mpg on daily drives.
And diving like an OAP in eco - you should be getting closer to 40mpg.

What fuel are you using? It just didn't sound right to me.

About right I think, if you drive it properly.
Mine is garaged now, but has hit 24.9mpg over 2,500 miles.
The S3 isn't economical if you don't need it to be or wish it to be.

Now using a 5.4l V8 and it gets me 22mpg on a lazy commute, 15-18mpg if I open the taps, then under 10 if I really put the foot down!

 

[geefunk1978]

Thanks for that. looks really nice. Glad i have chosen this now

Tell me about those pipes sticking out the back Whats the sound like? and do you still get the burps on th up shift?

Cheers

Those pipes hanging out the back belong to a full turbo back Milltek system. It sounds like a beast and adds 20bhp. You don't get burps on upshifts, you get full on bangs.

 

[danilotto]

Hi, a quick question from other S3 owners:

is the difference between the "normal" and "dynamic" setting of the engine sound remarkable?

Because on my car I do not hear any difference...

 

[Flibble]

Got mine today, all I can say is...

 

[rams_s3]

Those pipes hanging out the back belong to a full turbo back Milltek system. It sounds like a beast and adds 20bhp. You don't get burps on upshifts, you get full on bangs.

20bhp on top of the remap? 70bhp in total?

 

[geefunk1978]

Yep about that. Mine is dyno'd at 350bhp but it only made 280 standard on Shark's dyno.

 

[CraigI]

500 posts and I'm out of here.
Not got much more to say about the car.

It's okay, but I have, for the first time ever with any car, persuaded my wife to use it so I can drive hers. She likes to drive the S3 but it's her first experience of a powerful car. I'm happier in the comfort of the wife's Q5.
It's all become a bit meh and that's okay as I have the SLK 55 to give me a bit of character/excitement when I need or want that.
Still intend to keep for 4 years as planned, as it does the job as a fast family hatchback well, it's just not the best at keeping interest or excitement levels up.

Enjoy your cars folks.
Might come back when it's time to sell. At this rate at 4 years old it will have only done around 25k miles, so could be a good used buy for someone.

 

[Ashmcblue]

500 posts and I'm out of here.
Not got much more to say about the car.

It's okay, but I have, for the first time ever with any car, persuaded my wife to use it so I can drive hers. She likes to drive the S3 but it's her first experience of a powerful car. I'm happier in the comfort of the wife's Q5.
It's all become a bit meh and that's okay as I have the SLK 55 to give me a bit of character/excitement when I need or want that.
Still intend to keep for 4 years as planned, as it does the job as a fast family hatchback well, it's just not the best at keeping interest or excitement levels up.

Enjoy your cars folks.
Might come back when it's time to sell. At this rate at 4 years old it will have only done around 25k miles, so could be a good used buy for someone.

A few pics of the SLK 55 would be a nice farewell I think!

 

[warren_S5]

Shame to feel so 'non-plused' about a £30k+ purchase. Doesn't make sense selling it this soon, but if you don't mind me asking did you not test drive it before you bought it (given how new they are I guess it probably wasn't available).

Ironically I felt the same way about my 8P when I got it, but it grew on me over the 3 years I owned it (but required some well chosen modifications which added nearly another 100bhp). I then went on to buy another which I've owned for a further 2.5 years. I did wonder what the 8V would be like as the 8P wasn't right out of the box. The 8V is a much better out of the box proposition than the 8P, but it's still lacking a bit of excitement which is why I looked to get my thrills somewhere else. The interior has come on leaps and bounds, as has the ride and handling. The engine was good, but not game changing as it's sill some way down on what I was used to. I really needed the RS3 8V next, but as I didn't want to wait the S5 3.0V6T stepped in to fill the gap.

I suggest once you live with it a bit you might learn to appreciate it's all round competence as they are astonishingly consistent performers in any conditions or weather? Maybe a bit of tweaking might just sharpen it up enough to make it the car an asset to your garage as for not much money you may enjoy it a whole lot more????

 

[Pulp84]

500 posts and I'm out of here.
Not got much more to say about the car.

It's okay, but I have, for the first time ever with any car, persuaded my wife to use it so I can drive hers. She likes to drive the S3 but it's her first experience of a powerful car. I'm happier in the comfort of the wife's Q5.
It's all become a bit meh and that's okay as I have the SLK 55 to give me a bit of character/excitement when I need or want that.
Still intend to keep for 4 years as planned, as it does the job as a fast family hatchback well, it's just not the best at keeping interest or excitement levels up.

Enjoy your cars folks.
Might come back when it's time to sell. At this rate at 4 years old it will have only done around 25k miles, so could be a good used buy for someone.

Shame you are off but totally understand your feelings on your S3.

I have an A1 1.4 (185 P.S) Black Edition that have had for two years now and feel the same. Mrs Pulp wanted an A1 and after being wowed by the quality, S-Tronic, MMI and looks decided to get one. Went for the most powerful engine at the time.

Few months in was quite disappointed really. After having in recent years a 1 Series, Golf GTI (mk 5), MINI Cooper S & JCW just felt it very lacking in the handling department and ride quality. I had test driven extensively a version on 17" wheels which was good, but found the 18" wheels ruined the ride. The more I lived with it I found the torque steer also made the car unpleasant to drive / have fun in and with the iffy handling quite nervous on the road.

So 2 years in decided to get the S3 but in truth was thinking of changing it within 6 months of getting it but knew had to stick with it due to depreciation etc. I thought I might be stuck with the A1 until it was three years old but some great advice off ASN gave me the confidence to get a deal done. Can't be too harsh on the A1 though as it held its value very well. Purchased it for £21,750 and get a trade in of £15,750 for it after 2 years. Never had a car hold its value so well come trade in.

Hoping my S3 meets expectations