Why the negativity

[Ash B]

pre-facelift and facelift are both great looking cars
I wasnt fussed on the new facelift till i saw one today when i went up my local audi and its a really nice looking car stands out.
But both cars and great and both stand out on the road
So every one be happy lol =)

 

[Teejay]

Well, I have a pre-pre-facelift 8P (with double front grille).
Alright it's not an S3, but the same idea applies.

I wish my car had the single grille, but in a choice between pre-facelift and facelift (both in standard form) I'm afraid it would be a Pre-facelift.

If I was looking for a new car now, I'd order the newest one (to get the latest engines) but would then fit the mirrors off the Skoda Octavia (same shape as pre-facelift A3 but with indicators), would have the non-xenon headlights and retrofit HIDs and would fit aftermarket alloys. Then I'd have the best of both worlds!

 

[newbiecrg]

The facelift car will be better to drive than mine but I don't like some of the new esthetic "improvements". I really dislike the front headlights, Like the new bonnet and bumber, dislike the mirrors...

As a whole I prefer mine I think it looks better... But nothing wrong with the facelift! Great car! Would not change mine for that one just to have the latest model though... If I was buying today... Would get the facelift as I don't see any other car in the market better than that witthin that spec. (3 door hatchback)

Pedro

 

[NHN]

I actually prefer the look of the 8L S3 over the pre-facelift 8P S3 I own - so its not "jealous I don't have a new one syndrome" with me (although I do acknowledge that this syndrome exists - I just think the facelift is the least attractive of the lot. It has good points (bonnet crease, rear lights) but these are outweighed by bad points (wheels, fog surrounds, front lights).

I have to agree, the 8L S3 was far different to anyother 8L A3 range car they brought out in terms of styling & overall look to me anyway, but with the 8P S3 I just find it looking to close to an SLine A3 in areas, they could have made it alot more distinctive for the S car in the A3 range like the 8L version was, if wasnt for the performance which is of course very good I wouldnt put the styling/looks of the 8P S3 much above the SLine, its just not distinctively different from the top of range A3, but of course as a previous S3 owner for 7 years I would still have the 8P S3 as times change & my kinda car TBH, but this is like now 3 actual versions of the 8P now, surely they wont do a 4th before new a3 range altogether, was only 2 for 8L

I do also find audi can be a bit slack in updating the cars with new technology, I mean a damn mazda 6 my mate was repairing had every conceivable tech & that was I hate to say it nice model for 16k, an s3 is like 30k+ for a good spec new car, I know mazda & audi comparison not good, but if mazda can do all that & for nearly 50% less then makes you wonder sometimes what we're really getting for our money

 

[Con S3]

Yep of course I would - As it's the car that ticks all my boxes for now, but i'd still have an opinion about some of the parts of the car.
I'd still think the mirrors we're huge for starters......

If you do a search to some of my posts when I was first ordering my car, I was un-sure about elements of the new car, I was dissapointed with the seats, lack of flared arches, some of the plastics seemed cheaper, etc, etc compared to my old 8L S3.

We all have opinions, but sadly there isn't really an alternative to an S3, so even if there is something you don't like you will still buy it!

I think I speak for most of the owners of the older version here, so without wanting to rock the boat, it seems some of the people waiting for there new car are actually more defensive than the owners of old cars...
.. most if not all of the older S3 owners have paid compliments about the new one - even started changing some parts to the newer version. Owners of the new one seem to be smacking us with a stick for been green eyed monsters... I honestly don't think that's the case. Take peoples opinions with a pinch of salt - we don't hate the new S3, we just don't feel every change is a step forward.

I think that's fair enough isn't it???

Well said mate!! I totally agree!!

 

[NHN]

ye fair enuff from where I'm standing aswell, personally I would buy a pre-facelft saving myself 10k now & make the changes anyway myself at a considerable cheaper cheaper price & still have alot of change, lol, best of both worlds, but ye the 8P S3 is disapointing in terms of looks, nothing like the 8L differences from A3 to S3, thought whole point of the S cars was the distinct differences seen in past cars, but seems bland on this version, only real difference I can see is the front end to a degree but as said wider arches & a more wider stance on road would be nicer, but still its a nice car that IMHO alot other manufactuers dont come close to, I mean Audi interiors for me cant be beaten at moment, Merc, BMW all them are so unappealing to me & even the Golf is very bland & boring, but everytime I get in my car I think it is just nice, not amazing spectacular but just pleasing on the eye, no??? anyone else???

 

[RichC]

I can imagine there are people in both boats. For me i genuinely do not like the changes to the facelift, so much so i cancelled my order and went for a pre-facelift. I would like to think that because of this people wont say im "bitter" about not having the latest and greatest. However, i can believe that some will be trying to convince themselves that they dislike it. At the end of the day its each to their own, for those that like the facelife they will probably order one, and those that dont will be more than happy to have "last years model".

 

[Staz]

I think audi have tried to move the game slightly so that the S model is just a more powerful and better handling car with a few visual changes. Then the RS is the one they add some flair too. Literally.

What I wonder is, do Audi look at all their figures and realise that the new shape isn't selling like the pre-facelift and then do research to find out why? Then eventually the designers get a clip around the ear! You would like to think they do but do they ever actually come to the same conclusions as we do?

Subaru made an ugly car that noone wanted, they changed it and sold loads, and now this model is back to being funny looking again! They haven't learned from their mistakes.

Mitsibushi on the other hand have now released what soon became the most eagerly awaited car of the '00s because it was ****** good looking! We didn't know what would be under the bonnet. We didn't know it was going to be an auto. It didn't matter, it was just gorgeous.

Audi have consistantly made good looking cars. Not stunning perhaps but good looking across the range. There's not a single model I don't like the look of, just maybe one or 2 bits I would change. And the proof of the pudding is in the sheer number of them you see on the road now compared to 10, or even 5 years ago! Part of that was because the TT made it a cooler brand, but most of it was down to the looks of their cars.

The facelift is a big step in the wrong direction IMHO.

 

[Metalex]

What I wonder is, do Audi look at all their figures and realise that the new shape isn't selling like the pre-facelift and then do research to find out why? Then eventually the designers get a clip around the ear! You would like to think they do but do they ever actually come to the same conclusions as we do?

Is the facelift not selling as well? Do you have these figures? If it isn't, is the sales drop down to its looks, or other factors such as the apparent economic downturn?

 

[Matt]

Give it a few months when the new one becomes common place and I think most people will grow to like it generally

 

[PaulMc]

Well, I was looking for a 2nd hand pre-facelift S3 in white, but with the spec I wanted could not find the right car. Obviously during this searching period was looking at pics of the facelift A3, but it really didn't do too much for me and thought the Pre-facelift was nicer to look at.
So, I end up being offered a new car with big discount and my spec. I get the facelift delivered in 4/5 weeks. It's looks are growing on me the more I see the S3 and I think it will start, if not already, to make the pre-facelift look dated quite quickly... This happened when Audi went to the new grill style, on the BMW E46 when the E90 was available in numbers.

P.S The new S3 has an emissions of 199g/km IIRC.

 

[Spin140]

Agreed a bit like how noone liked the Mk5 golf in comparison to the 4 but you no longer hear that argument.

Facelift or prefacelift still a great car and IMO the only premium hot hatch to have.

 

[NHN]

maybe cause the cars are seriously overpriced in showrooms anyway, way to high.

 

[Staz]

Is the facelift not selling as well? Do you have these figures? If it isn't, is the sales drop down to its looks, or other factors such as the apparent economic downturn?

Well there a 2 or 3 people on this thread alone who have decided against buying one. And others who have said they wouldn't if they were in the position to. And given that this forum is a TINY percentage of S3 sales in the world I'm pretty sure that eventuallly it'll come to light that sales are down.

The economic state has nothing to do with it as they work on percentages compared with other car sales.

I'm not suggesting that there will be a massive drop in sales of course, but there will be a dip. Most people don't buy cars because of what they look like. If that were true noone would have ever bought the Fiat Multipla!

 

[Metalex]

Well there a 2 or 3 people on this thread alone who have decided against buying one. And others who have said they wouldn't if they were in the position to. And given that this forum is a TINY percentage of S3 sales in the world I'm pretty sure that eventuallly it'll come to light that sales are down.

The economic state has nothing to do with it as they work on percentages compared with other car sales.

I'm not suggesting that there will be a massive drop in sales of course, but there will be a dip. Most people don't buy cars because of what they look like. If that were true noone would have ever bought the Fiat Multipla!

Ah I see, you are simply making assumptions based on what you read on an Audi enthusiast forum. I thought you had some sales figures to hand.

 

[Staz]

Ah I see, you are simply making assumptions based on what you read on an Audi enthusiast forum. I thought you had some sales figures to hand.

Yes my friend. It's called an educated guess. You're welcome to counter my arguement if you see fit of course mate :thumbsup:

 

[Metalex]

Yes my friend. It's called an educated guess. You're welcome to counter my arguement if you see fit of course mate :thumbsup:

Well my educated guess would be that improvements to emissions and fuel consumption would help to improve sales in the A3 range as a whole, as clearly higher fuel prices and tax hikes are going to hit people. Audi, along with BMW seem to be two leading car manufacturers in this area recently, and that will benefit their sales figures.

 

[mac1403]

Well there a 2 or 3 people on this thread alone who have decided against buying one. And others who have said they wouldn't if they were in the position to. And given that this forum is a TINY percentage of S3 sales in the world I'm pretty sure that eventuallly it'll come to light that sales are down.

The economic state has nothing to do with it as they work on percentages compared with other car sales.

I'm not suggesting that there will be a massive drop in sales of course, but there will be a dip. Most people don't buy cars because of what they look like. If that were true noone would have ever bought the Fiat Multipla!

I totally disagree with this. I am the first to admit that the pre facelift is a better looking car INITIALLY. But then again not everyone has the luxury of already owning an S3 to comapre the changes to, a lot of people will be purchasing their first one. If Audi were going to have a dip in sales then I think it would be evident in the time you have to wait for delivery. A lot of people are being told Jan/Feb next year. To me that points to a large demand. Regardless of how you or other people feel, the facelift will be liked just because it is what it is. Comparing it to a Fiat Multipla is just rediculous as they never changed a nice looking car into that monstrocity....it was always a monstrocity.

I will be the first to admit I don't like change either. I had a B5 A4 for 6 years as I hated the B6 version and thought it had lost all the personality the B5 had. This didn't make the B6 not sell and Audi certainly didn't notice a dip in sales regardless of mine and a mass of others who didn't like it.

I think everyone needs to accept the model has changed, wait a year and ask all the questions then. Whatever the reasons for people liking the car they own,or are going to own, lets not disagree on the fact that Audi do and always will make fantastic cars.

 

[Staz]

I certainly am not comparing an S3 to the multipla! And to think that I am means that you have not understood my post.

But anyway I agree sales will pick up across the board with Audi. New engines and a facelift mean there are people who will go out straight away and get one as they want the newest thing on the road. Whenever Ford release a new Focus I always find it amazing how quickly we see lots on the street.

There are too many factors for us to be able to simply say more or less sales really. The new shape golf has been anounced and already the rumours of the R model are spreading like wildfire. That has a direct impact on A3/S3 sales. VAG cars are the nearest rivals to other VAG cars. Just look at how many people buy A3s after having owned a Golf for example. Also 5 doors is now available on the S3, that will of course affect sales massively. We already have one member who has traded in his PFL for a FL SB.

What I am saying is the negative response to the FL will affect sales. Again, there are people on here who have decided against getting one. So there straight away Audi have lost that money. FACT! And that is directly caused by the looks on the new S3. FACT! The question is, can Audi decipher all of those different factor and suss out that they have lost sales. And in which can do they then address the issue?

 

[mac1403]

I understand your arguement. But, I think we are all swayed with the reaction of others. I for one will admit I have my resrevations regarding the facelift. These are reservations I wouldn't have if I was not on here. Before anyone says you should make your own mind up and not be affected by others......unfortunately we are all human and like 20 people in one day telling you ur nose is BIG, even if its not you may well believe it is LOL.

All i am trying to say (badly) is that maybe the forum is not the best place to get a true reflection of an updated car. If we weren't so opinionated none of us would be on here. Anyway, I am off to cancel my facelift S3.....quite fancy the multipla

 

[jamiekip]

Anyway, I am off to cancel my facelift S3.....quite fancy the multipla

Baaahhhaaahha - dare ya!
I think you're right though mate - a forum will always have some interesting views and ultimately, it doesn't matter what any of us think, it's only you spending your hard earned!

 

[Staz]

I understand your arguement. But, I think we are all swayed with the reaction of others. I for one will admit I have my resrevations regarding the facelift. These are reservations I wouldn't have if I was not on here. Before anyone says you should make your own mind up and not be affected by others......unfortunately we are all human and like 20 people in one day telling you ur nose is BIG, even if its not you may well believe it is LOL.

All i am trying to say (badly) is that maybe the forum is not the best place to get a true reflection of an updated car. If we weren't so opinionated none of us would be on here. Anyway, I am off to cancel my facelift S3.....quite fancy the multipla

You're very right, we 'should not be affected by what other people think' but we are. And part of this forum is about bouncing ideas off of each other. Sometimes you just can't make up your own mind!

I for one would be a bit upset right now if I had ordered a facelift. With people picking holes in it all over you can either: leave the forum and pretend it never happened/ignore the comments because it doesn't matter what others think, you like it/or hope that people will learn to love it!

It's a difficult car to talk about because as we have said the car is essentially the same, it's just a few changes here and there.

Don't get me wrong though people. I don't want people to stop buying S3s just to prove a point to Audi. I know all too well how much cars can grow on you over time. Also I love Audi as a brand, I like the direction they have been going in, and I wouldn't really want people saying to me "I like your car but that new one, hmm *sucks in air through teeth*!".

Those wheels will never look better than my ones though

 

[RichC]

Its a really difficult one because we are all looking at it from different angles. Ive got to say ultimately i dont think it will effect sales purely because now if someone wants a new one they will have to have the facelift, they wont have the choice and if i was buying right now i would rather have the facelift S3 than anything else in the super-hatch or equivilent market. It just happens i would rather have the pre-facelift more and had the choice.

 

[JamS3]

Agreed a bit like how noone liked the Mk5 golf in comparison to the 4 but you no longer hear that argument.

Facelift or prefacelift still a great car and IMO the only premium hot hatch to have.

Exactly, people don't seem to like change.

As I have mentioned before when the S3 changed from the 8L shape to the 8P everyone slagged it off saying it was nowhere near as good as the previous one.

Over time where has this arguement gone???

Its all but dissapeared as will this debate as people will get used to the new one.

Let's not forget one thing folks......everyone commenting on here I don't think anyone has seen a facelift in the flesh. One or two max may have and I'm sure they will introduce themselves but it will look different to it does in the pics.

The new front bumper on the A3 looks well aggressive let alone the new S3, the front valance really sticks out and curls up!

 

[.:R2theT]

Well there a 2 or 3 people on this thread alone who have decided against buying one. And others who have said they wouldn't if they were in the position to. And given that this forum is a TINY percentage of S3 sales in the world I'm pretty sure that eventuallly it'll come to light that sales are down.

The economic state has nothing to do with it as they work on percentages compared with other car sales.

I'm not suggesting that there will be a massive drop in sales of course, but there will be a dip. Most people don't buy cars because of what they look like. If that were true noone would have ever bought the Fiat Multipla!

Just to chime in again. I think these statements are flat out incorrect.

If sales are down it will be due to rising prices/gas prices/people's economic situations. This is the only reason why sales of these Audis will be down.

This is an enthusiast site. 99% of most people can't tell the difference between an A3 and an A4, let alone the difference in headlight/taillight/mirrors from year to year on a particular model. We are car geeks!

And I do think most people do buy cars because of what they look like. That or because of what they can afford. Maybe it is different in Europe but that sure seems how it is over here in the U.S.

Most people won't know the differences between a 2008 A3 and a 2009 A3.

 

[Staz]

Just to chime in again. I think these statements are flat out incorrect.

If sales are down it will be due to rising prices/gas prices/people's economic situations. This is the only reason why sales of these Audis will be down.

This is an enthusiast site. 99% of most people can't tell the difference between an A3 and an A4, let alone the difference in headlight/taillight/mirrors from year to year on a particular model. We are car geeks!

And I do think most people do buy cars because of what they look like. That or because of what they can afford. Maybe it is different in Europe but that sure seems how it is over here in the U.S.

Most people won't know the differences between a 2008 A3 and a 2009 A3.

Have you read my other post, I explain what I mean a bit better.

I know most people don't know the differences between models, I have kinda already made that point, although it may not have come across that way. When I said people don't buy cars because of what they look like that's actually what I meant. Of course people buy them for what they look like partly. Oh nevermind.

Anyway, yes you're right we are car geeks, and for any other model in the range perhaps you might be right, but this is the S3 we're talking about. People tend to notice it more. And definately the people who intend to pay £27k for one!

I have 3 mates who are very into cars. They have been for longer than I have. But they didn't even know what an internet forum was until I told them, and even now they don't use one. Plus I have another 10-15 army mates into cars who use the internet everyday but never go on forums. We're not the only car geeks out there and you'll find that there are a huge number of younger car enthusiasts (ie potential buyers) who know more about S3s than half of this forum!

 

[L60N]

I love Audi as a brand,

 

[Staz]

Lol no chance. The only car models I have are a Lamborghini Miura and an R34 Skyline. And I've had them for years!