They are not wrong though. The S3 can be very economical and is easy to drive (much like a diesel) because of the mid range grunt it has, and without pumping out a bucket load of carcinogens. However, where it falls down is that there are an awful lot of expensive bits to go wrong. The cost of running it longer term will be considerably more than the 184 diesel. You could also argue that the S3 can attract some unwanted attention which isnt for everyone either.
for me Quattro is a must. After owning a couple it’s one of those cars that get me anywhere in any conditions especially with winter tyres. Last year with beast from the east in my a6 I could go anywhere any day like check in on my elderly folks and get supplies for them.
I like fast cars and if they did an a3 with the 3.0 v6(272 ps)diesel I had in the a6 I would have got it.
I would say both the s3 and my old a6 has plenty to go wrong. Diesels have dpf issues, egr issue, dmf/clutch and adblue issues and pain of topping it up every 6-7k.
S3 from what I’ve read on here can have Haldex, diff, coolant issues, cams etc. Between them just as expensive to fix if you have no warranty no matter if you go diesel or petrol. Diesel is roughly 4-5p more expensive as well which needs to be taking account of.
If you do mega miles then the diesels are great. If you do 4-5k petrol is the way to go. I wouldn’t have got the s3 if I was still doing 30-40k a year.
Need to remember it’s not about wanting a s3. If you are a serial car changer every 3 years then it can work out cheaper getting a s3 over other engines/models as depreciation is a lot lower and overall cost of ownership is lower including fuel.
S3 for me ticked all the boxes. Quick, reasonably economical when needed and Quattro. I agree it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I probably would have been just as happy with the tdi Quattro but after looking at both and cost the s3 marginally won. s3 is slightly better spec out the box so didn’t need as many options. BE on a3 comes with A-SS and S3 comes with b&o. S3 has full leather etc.
It also put a better grin on my face when I put my foot down with the dsg farts.
But everyone’s needs are different. It’s just easier to compare to the s3 not saying everyone should get one