Dilemma

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loky26

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Hi all,

In abit of a dilemma. I'm in the market for a nearly new car and have been looking at the S3 and a BMW 325 Coupe. (Have mostly bought BMW)

Now I know asking for an unbias feedback, will be difficult on this forum but any feedback or if anyone has driven the two it would be nice to know your opinion.

The dilemma is which one, my heart is set on the S3 but my concern is that my head is saying go for the Beemer. I just don't want to get that feeling after buying the S3, "Should have gone for the beember". I think they both look awesome but for the price I'm paying the S3 wins top on the Spec such as:

Sat nav, bucket seats, ipod connection, GSM prep, privacy glass.

Obviously the beemer won't have that kind of spec but still I get the feeling of holding back on the S3 and going for the beemer. I suppose just need the reassurance of S3 owners that it won't be a purchase I won't regret. Just get the impression that you get more for your money on the Beemer when it comes to desirability.

Thanks.
 
Big Mouthy Wanker

Need I say more? :p

Seriously though, before reading your post, I was going to say that you will get a lot more spec in the S3 than the 325 plus IMO, the 325 looks boring compared to the S3

Tuning potential is much greater in the S3 - 340bhp is very achievable with stage 1 mods.

Depending on your preference, Quattro vs RWD?

Also, BMW's are every where, why not change?
 
Hi,

I did think that regarding the remaps but like mentioned in other posts it's the warranty concerns. Bit of a grey area from the impression I get depending on the Dealership.

340 bhp...................hmm interesting. Will be test driving an S3 this week. Will let you know
 
audi upgrades
Would have thought an S3 was better in terms of residuals as well. So many BMW coupe on the road.
 
even tho the new beemer is a stunning car and its got a great motor in it, they are just getting way to common now! everywhere u look there is a 3 series. is there any colour you are looking for?!
 
If you were contemplating the 335i and the S3 i would say you have a tough choice but against the 325i i would choose the S3 everytime!
 
Lee551247 said:
If you were contemplating the 335i and the S3 i would say you have a tough choice but against the 325i i would choose the S3 everytime!
Click to expand...

Agreed :thumbsup:

I almost chopped the S3 for the 335i within 1 month of ownership! My cousin sneakily purchased the BM and let me loose with it one afternoon. I was willing to stomach the loss but.... I stuck with the S3 cos I knew it was the sensible option (and I didnt want the ear ache from my dad about wasting money)
 
Looking for a blue one, think my heart is set on the S3 even though I do like the look of the beemer. You are right there is alot of them out there but that would reinforce the fact that they're good cars.

The fact that it's easy to remap the car to 310 bhp is swaying me to it. Looks like sneaky S3 web surfing at work will be done today :)
 
I would say this largely depends on the type of car you're after.

I've driven both - I have an S3 and my brother has just sold his 325i M-Sport (e92).

I will say from the outset, and having quite extensive experience with both brands that if you bought the S3 you certainly wouldn't be thinking 'Should have bought the 325'. It is more likely that if you bought the 325 you'd be wishing you'd bought the S3.

The 325 is not a slow car, and it handles well, though in comparison to the Audi I would say it feels a lot lazier and heavier.

As someone else previously mentioned it is likely that the S3 will have much better residuals than the BMW as it appears the E92 is fast becoming the rep car of choice. They're too common for my liking and that's why I steered away from the 3 series coupe when I was choosing my next car.

It's hard to be unbias, as obviously I have the S3 - but I was car shopping last month before I took the plunge and the 3 series coupe was on my shopping list. The minute I drove the S3 I was sold and there's not a chance I would have a 325 over it.

Tom
 
I was looking at the S3 and 335 Coupe and ended up going for the S3.

There was next to nothing in it performance wise but I felt the more agile handling and better standard equipment swayed it for me. I also like the fact that the S3 is a less common site on the road.

The 325 is a nice car but I would recommend an S3 every time. If it was a 335 I think it's more a matter of personal taste.
 
So one of the arguments is "the S3 is a less common sight than the BMW 3 series coupe"? Sorry but no fair, they do about 7 different models and they all look similar in the way an A3 looks just like an S3.

There are loads of A3's about as are E92s :sex:
 
Can't believe you are actually asking that question on here, unlikely you will get an unbiased opinion.

325 Coupe V S3 = S3 every time due to better performance as standard.
Mildly used 335 coupe V New S3 = 335 due to better performance, balance, handling, road prescence, a real stealth car with massive tuning potential and probably better economy, but it would have to be the right colour.

Having said this if you fancy a change you are unlikely to be disappointed with the S3, superb interior, nice urgent power delivery and nice LED lights, if after public reaction or perception IMO and from personal experience the BMW will turn more heads, drive them both extensively but I'd wager you will choose the S3 if driven back to back with a 325.

my 335d coupe and S3..

335Coupe1.jpg

S3SB30032009.jpg
 
Cheers guys. Seems to me that people who drove both vehicles recommended the S3. That feedback is helpful for a beemer fanboy....................well looking to be an ex beemer fanboy.

Thanks for the input gents.
 
s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3s3

have driven both! have driven bmw 320, 320cd, 320d and 325s and nothing comes close!! plus if your looking to tune the s3 wins 100fold!:s3addict:
 
The 335 doesn't compete with the S3 though, in reality the 335 competes with the S4 (which I'm just about to order :D). The 325, it could be argued, competes with an A4 Sline, the 1 series is more A3 size.
 
Really this dilema is a bit of an odd one as the two cars arent really in the same catagory. The S3s direct BMW competitor is the BMW 130i they are similar size, price and power. The BMW 325 M Sport coupe should be compared more with the Audi A5 S-Line 2.0tfsi again similar size power and price.

The 335i isnt a competitor for the S3 at all its a level above and targeting the same demographic as the S4.
 
I'm guessing the Guy has approx £30k to spend hence the 2 cars of choice, if I had the same budget I would take a lightly used 335 coupe over the new S3, I think like all of us when moving to a new brand we just need a little convincing, if I were a betting man I'd say he will buy an S3 :)
 
Now not too much BMW loving, or the thread may be locked. :whistle2: Remember, this is an Audi forum, and you must toe the line, repeat after me, Audis are better than everything, 100 times*















*except BMWs :laugh:
 
Tough one! Prefer the look of the BMW if its the Coupe and I would say the opposite you dont see many BMW Coupes about... its the saloons that are everywhere.

A3/S3 aren't exactly rare.

2nd hand 335i or 335d would be very tempting.
 
Spin140 said:
I'm guessing the Guy has approx £30k to spend hence the 2 cars of choice
Click to expand...

That is the point though the two cars have different prices and each manufacturer has something to compete in both catagories. One is a hot hatch and the other is a coupe.
 
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