I guess that depends on whether you measure "fastest" using numbers (bhp and lb/ft) or how quickly it will actually go when you drive it.
Ford Focus RS - S3 rival???
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I guess that depends on whether you measure "fastest" using numbers (bhp and lb/ft) or how quickly it will actually go when you drive it.
But then again 265bhp standard re-mapped with Bluefin... it is bound to eat a std 223bhp ST - if the owner wasnt fortunate enough to be blessed with Code red or Dreamscience. So Its no much wonder.
It's a valid argument - that the ST does pack some punch once remapped. The power has been taken down a lot standard ... and for an extra few hundred quid - the dreamscience makes all the difference.
OK its not 4wd like the audi - but compared to even my Diesel A3 170 - which was Exceptionally tail happy.... I would choose the Focus again and again...
It might not be the nicest looking car - but after the lemon of a car I had from Audi... I'd never have another A3 again!!
I guess it lays down to the fact of everyone's individual taste...
The thought between focus ST owners is why bother upgrading to an RS.... IF it is indeed going to even happen.... a couple of hundred pounds buys you what the RS is forecasted to be 280bhp.... In general every day drive!!! What is the point???
This was before my Bluefin - but fair point. Standard 265bhp v 223bhp. However (see my comments at the very start of the thread) standard Golf GTis with 197bhp were "eating" the STs too - because they handle better due to lower power/load going through the steering wheels.
The new RS should be 4WD and fettled by Cosworth (+300BHP). I'd buy one of them for sure. It's just a shame Ford seem to be skint!
Its not due to them having lower power its simply that they have a better chassis, the ed30 doesnt handle worse than the std gti just because it has more power.
From what i have heard ford have made some serious changes to the rs so it should handle better.
I was very impressed by the way the Mondeo handled for a barge. And the new Focus was pretty stiff too, mind you, it was barely worn in.
A few weeks ago I was on the way back from a caneo trip in wales with 3 big lads and myself + all our camping gear in the car, when we had an encounter with an Orange ST in Bracknell (possibly chipped, it had stickers (for his forum I think) and very dark tints). It was just him in his car and basically, he got served! 
Also, as for handling, I can't say too much on here, but around a roundabout the S3 showed the ST up :thumbsup: (ESP off)
To be fair, if his car was stock, he wouldn't stand a chance against Hammer Time!
Also, as for handling, I can't say too much on here, but around a roundabout the S3 showed the ST up :thumbsup: (ESP off)
To be fair, if his car was stock, he wouldn't stand a chance against Hammer Time!
I guess depends on if you mean a 1/4 mile drag or round a track,
At the end of the day, I couldn't really give a toss, I drive a diesle so everything is faster but its fun watching everyone else get hot and bothered that some jumped up ford may beat their Audi
haha, nice Alex
I forgot to mention. On the way back up from Luton a few weeks ago a red Renault Megane trophy sport F1 le mans 24 R26 with chequered flag on bumper came hooning past. (lol)
I had 4 in the car including me, but thought what the hey....basically he got served
Infact, he got served multiple times, everytime I pulled over far in front and letting off he came past time and again
Eventually he came to his junction and gave me a few flashes of the headlights as he pulled off
I forgot to mention. On the way back up from Luton a few weeks ago a red Renault Megane trophy sport F1 le mans 24 R26 with chequered flag on bumper came hooning past. (lol)
I had 4 in the car including me, but thought what the hey....basically he got served
Infact, he got served multiple times, everytime I pulled over far in front and letting off he came past time and again
Eventually he came to his junction and gave me a few flashes of the headlights as he pulled off
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I know, a lot of 20 yr old jumped up Fords will beat most Audis on here. There are plenty of 5-600 bhp Sierra Cosworths knocking about and their handling isn't all that bad either.
?!!!
Fair comparisson there
haha, nice Alex
I forgot to mention. On the way back up from Luton a few weeks ago a red Renault Megane trophy sport F1 le mans 24 R26 with chequered flag on bumper came hooning past. (lol)
I had 4 in the car including me, but thought what the hey....basically he got served
Infact, he got served multiple times, everytime I pulled over far in front and letting off he came past time and again
Eventually he came to his junction and gave me a few flashes of the headlights as he pulled off
PaulAr
S3 (8P)
I not sure the new RS will be a rival for the S3 at all ?
Its too different, it will be cheaper and FWD for a start.
Im sure it will be a good car and whether it is quicker on the road/track/drag strip remains to be seen. To say so is pure speculation and if is was, I still wouldnt be enough to attract me.
For the price of an S3 you can buy a faster more exiting car in an EVO/Sti but thats not the only reason you buy an S3.
I cant imagine many S3 owers trading in their S3 for one, its more likey to tempt Golf, R26, VXR, Type R drivers to spend a bit more money than S3 drivers to look to save money on the next car change.
Its an uber Focus not a cheaper S3 alternative.
cheers
Paul
Its too different, it will be cheaper and FWD for a start.
Im sure it will be a good car and whether it is quicker on the road/track/drag strip remains to be seen. To say so is pure speculation and if is was, I still wouldnt be enough to attract me.
For the price of an S3 you can buy a faster more exiting car in an EVO/Sti but thats not the only reason you buy an S3.
I cant imagine many S3 owers trading in their S3 for one, its more likey to tempt Golf, R26, VXR, Type R drivers to spend a bit more money than S3 drivers to look to save money on the next car change.
Its an uber Focus not a cheaper S3 alternative.
cheers
Paul
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I guess depends on if you mean a 1/4 mile drag or round a track,
At the end of the day, I couldn't really give a toss, I drive a diesle so everything is faster but its fun watching everyone else get hot and bothered that some jumped up ford may beat their Audi
Anyone hot or bothered out there ?
PaulAr
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Sorry, but you are very wrong.
I had a track day recently in my standard S3 against an ST, remapped with Dreamscience, and an R32 (interstingly enough). The S3 was similar on the straights to both cars, bascically ST > S3 > R32, but for lap times is was certainly S3 > R32 > ST, with a HUGE difference between the S3 and the other cars. For those who are intersted the track was Llandlow and I was several seconds a lap quicker, which on a small track is a lot of time...
Anyway, comparing an RS to the S3, both great cars imho. I am sure the RS will be a cracker, but it's not my type of car, I wanted something with a better quality interior, which is why I paid (over the odds imho) for the S3.
Maybe not hot and bothered but you clearly feel you have a point to prove, which I find quite amusing to be honest
Why's it amusing? I took it as just another point of view, isnt that what this place is about?
Man lets stick to the thread for once?
^^^^^Thats it , WE have already got a fantastic car in the S3 , it's a all weather everyday car , be it on track , on the M/Way , or on a B-roads.
The only thing that can be said is it's not the most involing drive out there , the S3 is the " bigger picture " if i wanted out and out handling/fun i would have bought a Exige or something.
The S3 is not a shabby handling car , if it can lap a track 1 second faster than a R26 with it's sorted chassis/LSD/Brembo 4 pots in the hands of a decent drivers it must be pretty good.
Yes it's got 30bhp more than the Megane , but it's also got 200KG more weight.
p
The only thing that can be said is it's not the most involing drive out there , the S3 is the " bigger picture " if i wanted out and out handling/fun i would have bought a Exige or something.
The S3 is not a shabby handling car , if it can lap a track 1 second faster than a R26 with it's sorted chassis/LSD/Brembo 4 pots in the hands of a decent drivers it must be pretty good.
Yes it's got 30bhp more than the Megane , but it's also got 200KG more weight.
p
Absolutely, and to be honest that's probably one of the few ways of sorting it out
The reason I find it amusing is that people will find any excuse to theorise why a car not yet released will be worse/better than a car they own, a view that will clearly be one sided.
From comments such as "200bhp in a FWD car is the max tyres can handle" through to "My S3 trounced a xxx on a track day" are pretty worthless unless you have some fixed variables (same drivers, same weather conditions etc)
for what its worth, I would choose an S3 over any ford but again I guess that's not the point
Oh and my A3 diesel annihilated a Gallardo the other day.......
PNH80
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I haven't read all the posts in this thread...mainly because i can guess what the general content will be... Ford Vs. Audi and the usual value for money bitching...
But all i'll say is that had this been a proper RS car in the mould of the true RS cars of the past, with full time 4WD etc and a real rallying pedigree i'd be quite interested to have a drive. I'd imagine it'd be terrific.
However, seeing as it's full time FWD only i have no real interest. I don't care how fast it is in a straight line on dry tarmac.
I think people should be comparing this as a direct competitor to the Astra VXR....Not an S3. Different kettle of fish in my opinion.
Oh and i admit to being a bit of a badge snob. I like my german engineered cars, the general feel of prestige so again i'm not really interested.
Like i say... Shame it's not going to continue the RS rally pedigree. Could have been a real Impreza/Evo killer.
Paul.
But all i'll say is that had this been a proper RS car in the mould of the true RS cars of the past, with full time 4WD etc and a real rallying pedigree i'd be quite interested to have a drive. I'd imagine it'd be terrific.
However, seeing as it's full time FWD only i have no real interest. I don't care how fast it is in a straight line on dry tarmac.
I think people should be comparing this as a direct competitor to the Astra VXR....Not an S3. Different kettle of fish in my opinion.
Oh and i admit to being a bit of a badge snob. I like my german engineered cars, the general feel of prestige so again i'm not really interested.
Like i say... Shame it's not going to continue the RS rally pedigree. Could have been a real Impreza/Evo killer.
Paul.
True, I was merely responding to a comment saying that a modded ST would eat an S3. But I accept your point, I was actually overtaken by a Mercedes A140 around the 'ring, which I assume was down to my lack of talent rather than poor handling characteristics of the car.
As others have said, I think we are all happy with our choices in the S3, as I am sure members of an ST forum are happy with their choices. It all comes down to personal preference and what you want in a car.
Anyway, I look forward to the RS coming out as I LOVE performance cars, especially hot hatches, and am interested to see what it'll be like!
Isnt that the topic of the thread? Or would it be more acceptable if we all sat quietly for you and refused to comment? Clearly any topic about the A3/S3 vs anything else in here is going to be slightly one sided, this is afterall an Audi Forum, weve been here bofre but you refuse to accept this simple fact. If I owned a Ford and didnt really rate Audi, I sure as **** wouldnt be wasting my time in here. *Groan*
Its not worthless, its peoples experiences; they took the time to write here, and I for one dont think its worthless.
Im not sure, its your opinion, your welcome to air it. BTW, tell us what IS the point if you know???
Should I laugh or call you a ****??
Nice rant, having a bad day?
what? what do I refuse to accept?
Call me what you like, I really coudn't give a toss
Nah, im having a good day, sun is shining, thinking about having a BBQ later
I'll concede that we dont share the same opinion on anything at all.
I'll concede that we dont share the same opinion on anything at all.
consilio
Up the owls!
Anyway, I look forward to the RS coming out as I LOVE performance cars, especially hot hatches, and am interested to see what it'll be like!
I guess we should all welcome new hot hatches or in fact any form of perofrmance cars coming out - the world would be a very dull place without
Nah, im having a good day, sun is shining, thinking about having a BBQ later
I'll concede that we dont share the same opinion on anything at all.
Oh I'm sure there are somethings...........
Why should we ? Because you say so ? I'll not be welcoming the release of "every performance car coming out" because I try to be discerning about these things.
LoL, you read my mind!
PNH80
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This is the thing isn't it... How much extra research have ford actually put into this car? If they'd developed a new 4WD linkage, slip dif etc i'd be very impressed. If however it's just another wildly overpowered front wheel drive car i can't say i'm exactly counting down the days til it's release!
