mapped a3 vs standard s3

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Nutty

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Greetings
I am in somewhat of a pickle.
I can't work out what to do, I am bored of my standard a3 18t. Now I have been looking at getting an s3. I took one out the other day on a test. The tires we pants so the handling was awful but that aside the extra power was noticeable but not significantly impressive. Considering that with px i would be paying an extra £4500 for a car 6 months older and 15k more miles, I'm not sure I can justify this. So I'm thinking of mapping my car.

finally the question.
How would an otherwise standard 1.8t compare to a standard s3, if I got it mapped?

unbiased opinions on handling are also happily received as the under steer on the s3 was insane (how much are the pants tires to blame? Quite a lot I hope)
Thanks
Nutty
 
i personally would map the A3. I have read nothing but the same problems with S3s and as you say they aint no power house. Unless your into Quick traffic light launches, BIG power from modding or S3 "status" i wouldnt bother. Being in this a3/s3 forum has turned me agaist buying an s3. i always wanted one but really i would not buy 1 now. Ok, S3s have a few more toys on them, But the FWD in the corners in my experience are fun as hell! I have driven a couple of S3s and did like em. but for the extra costs i would stick with the a3 and be different.

sits back and waits to get roasted by the S3 boys, but thats my honest opinion.
 
Dani if your not mapped have you pitched your car against a mapped a3? I would expect the s3 to be a little quicker but not massively given the losses through 4x4. I'm looking for some magnanimous advice please chaps/ettes
 
well that depends on what I'm spending on tbh. Not really an answer, I know, but I wouldn't want to spend much more than 1k on modding which I think is what your getting at?
 
Well it depends if you can afford it really. If you can then go for an S3. Fair enough you test drove one but if you drove one everyday then you'll see why it's called an S3.

S3 kicks *** :rockwoot:
 
I can, but I suppose this is really the question. Is it worth 4.5k? A lot of money in most books.
 
What A3 have you currently got?, age...quattro etc?
 
audi upgrades
I'd keep it mate, its low miles and one of the best colours.

If I were you I'd do the following...

Stage 1 map - will see you at about 220bhp which will be a huge improvement
Anti roll bars, srings and shocks - will TRANSFORM the handling on the car. Yes it will be FWD still but I cant get mine to understeer now I've done my suspension mods.

The extra power and handling will make it lovely to drive mate, save yourself the cash of the S3 and you'll have a sorted A3 for a lot less :)

The 'Quattro' lot will be jumping all over this I'm sure when they see it but to be honest...there are plenty of better hot hatches out here without 4wd ;)

T
 
the only fly in that ointment is that I have a ramp to get into work and I couldn't lower it with out rubbing on the concrete. Arb would def be on the list with discs and pads and a phase 1.
But I can get an impreza for the s3 money. My life is so hard! And a house would be nice too.. hmmm a lottery win is in order
 
You dont have to lower it silly amounts, mines -40mm and when its running on its 18's its got good ground clearance...but then 18's cost money!.
 
Well realistically I think I have 10mm with 1 passenger
to spare so there isn't really any room to lower :-( unless I park and walk
 
As long as your current springs and shocks are in good order then the ARB's alone will be fine. You'll be able to keep stock ride height then so happy days...saves you a few quid at the same time too :)

I lowered mine because it didnt look right on 18's on the standard suspension. Lowering it got the stance spot on for me :)
 
guys any takers on the a3 compared to s3 0-60 etc wise I know its not the be all and end all but it is surely a good indicator.
 
keep the a3.... and if i had the choice between another scooby or an S3, i would take the S3.. scoobys just a money pit! at least with an S3 you can drive it for 2 weeks without something going wrong. Scooby will be at least a week! lol
 
Be honest with yourself - if you're after loads of power, get an imprezza or an Evo.

I love my S3 for the comfort and once modded, it's an awesome car. Not the best, not the most powerfull, but a great compromise that does many things well and some things better than other cars that I mentioned. I like the S3 for the subtle difference to the A3, leather seats and the extra possibility in power/handling. I sold my old A31.8TS to get the S3, so was in the same boat and know the thoughts that are going through your mind.

If you do end up getting a S3, budget for a decent suspension set-up, brakes and a good map. Standard S3's are not what they were meant to be from factory...
 
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i owned an A3 1.8T for 6 years, then moved to the S3...... i loved the A3 BUT would never go back - The S3 is so much more equipped, it sticks in any weather and is great when mapped, yes you will get less to the gallon and yes it will cost you more to service but i havent looked back - that said ive just got the misus to buy one (A3) and we're currently modding it ready for a head to head...will report back :)

as above, if you want power, get yours mapped or buy a scoobs or similar.....if you want comfort and power then the S3 is the perfect car....there isnt another package like it
 
keep your A3, it sounds like a nice car. The only thing you're really missing is the electric recaros, which are amazing, but worth 4.5k extra?
 
quattro, piano black trim, bigger brakes (still too small :) ) , diff bumpers, wide arches, wider wheel base, nicer sounding standard exhaust, twin coolers, Xenons...... na not much :)

get it bought, you wont look back, promise ;)
 
If you have the k03s turbo then youll be able to get 220bhp with around 270lb, prawn had 290lb but that was mega high boost! The a3 should end up being faster than the s3, s3 having 175bhp to weight and the a3 having 180bhp to weight, plus the s3 having transmission losses. But obviously youll only be able to get the power down in dry conditions. to get the a3 to 220bhp. youll need fmic £250 downpipe £450 dv and panel filter if you havnt already got one. £150 then a custonm or stage two remap £500. Then some bigger brakes and the arbs your on about. Depends what you want the car for fun or comfort.

The s3 is still miles better though lol its not all just about speed. Id try and find a sorted s3, as youll be looking at near 2k to get it handling right and the remap.!
 
Or you could always buy an S4 B5, these are as quick as an impreza out the box, then a remap will take you to 310-320 bhp! can go much higher too if your willing to spend? i loved mine and wish i still had it!
 
Nutty said:
I can, but I suppose this is really the question. Is it worth 4.5k? A lot of money in most books.
Click to expand...

Is it worth £4.5k over an A3 is debatable... have you read the thread on S3 values? I'm not going to tell you to go out and buy an S3 personally, it's your money, but hey, if you like something, go buy it. The £4.5k you pay extra you will probably get a good percentage back come selling time, depending on how long you plan to keep it. All cars lose money of course, and the higher the value of car, in general, the more you stand to lose, unless it's some sort of classic of course.

Remapped A3 is a match for a standard S3, some say it's probably slightly quicker, I've not had the experience to confirm... remapped S3 is even quicker still I would have thought.

Choose wisely. :)
 
This subject has come up a few times on the forum, and you get the usual responses from both the A3 and S3 owners. Ultimately, the S3 is the top of the range, best equipped and quickest version of the A3.

Why did I choose the S3? A3s are ten a penny, the S3 feels and looks a bit more special and is a much more rare sight on the roads around me.

And a remapped A3 might well be quicker than an S3, but a simple remap of the S3 will sort that out. And if you want a proper quick car, why are you driving an A3 or considering an S3? £7/8k will get you a much quicker car. Whether that car would be "better" is subjective though.
 
Nutty said:
guys any takers on the a3 compared to s3 0-60 etc wise I know its not the be all and end all but it is surely a good indicator.
Click to expand...

Nutty they are very close from what I have read
 
1animal1 said:
as above, if you want power, get yours mapped or buy a scoobs or similar.....if you want comfort and power then the S3 is the perfect car....there isnt another package like it
Click to expand...


Lets say 8K is the budget...do you get an S3 or something which is REALLY power and comfort...

1567944-1.jpg


Keep your S3....I'll have 150mph, 4 up whilst watching Come Dine With Me any day of the week :)

S3's are nice...but for the comfort and power.......no 3 door hatch package is going to cut it :)
 
Just think the money you spend modding the A3 will b lost as it will not increase its value, in fact apart from very rare cases standard ones are worth more.

If you buy an S3 fair enough its £4.5k more but it will be worth a lot more when its time so sell it and get another car, so u will have saved money in the long run :)
 
A3Tom said:
Lets say 8K is the budget...do you get an S3 or something which is REALLY power and comfort...

1567944-1.jpg


Keep your S3....I'll have 150mph, 4 up whilst watching Come Dine With Me any day of the week :)

S3's are nice...but for the comfort and power.......no 3 door hatch package is going to cut it :)
Click to expand...

we're talking about cars not bus's Tom ;)
 
I'd happily have one of those buses over an S3..... went out in one the other week....biblical :D

Plus the noise....mmmm....V8's are full of win :D
 
audi upgrades
5.0 V8 and 400bhp? Yes please! If I could afford to run it, Id have one in a shot!
 
I think everyone should own an 'M' at some point if they consider themselves a bit of a tasty driver or petrol head :)
 
or suicidal could be added to the list Tom
 
voorhees said:
or suicidal could be added to the list Tom
Click to expand...

:gaehn: Give it a rest with the BMW bashing mate. The E39 M5 is one of the greatest saloon cars ever made, phenomenal power and awesome dynamics combined with comfort and useabilty is something that Audi have never managed in any of their road cars, bar the R8 and possibly RS4 B7.
 
voorhees said:
or suicidal could be added to the list Tom
Click to expand...


Only as suicidal as the driver makes is Jase, same as any car really :)

I suppose 400bhp is a lot of power but its also a lot of car between you and whatever you drive into ;)
 
400bhp... RWD..... hello fun!

i love driving my bosses e60 M5. now thats a real toy! 500 odd bhp i think.... was also the missis wedding car ;)
 
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the only bimmer id have is the M3, although the one thing stopping me buying one is running it, therefore if i had the money to waste on servicing that type of car - id go RS4/RS6 any day of the week

beemers all look the same inside, the alloys split :) and quite frankly i would be annoyed at the rear wheel drive once the fun element had gone, frustration would kick in when i want the power for a particular period resulting in spin spin spin
 
Nutty said:
the only fly in that ointment is that I have a ramp to get into work and I couldn't lower it with out rubbing on the concrete. Arb would def be on the list with discs and pads and a phase 1.
But I can get an impreza for the s3 money. My life is so hard! And a house would be nice too.. hmmm a lottery win is in order
Click to expand...

You sound like I did many years ago. Wanting so much at the same time, not sure what to do for the best and confused about which car you want or to keep your own.

I made so many mistakes over the last 10 years with cars it's been unreal, looking back I've been a very silly boy! You sound like you have a nice car, lovely colour by the way. My only input would be to do what you feel is right. If it's something I've learned through all my mistakes it's to make an informed decision and not one from the top of your head, rash decisions will always result in mistakes. In my opinion anyway! :)

So...dilema....

Keep your lovely car, modify it and then the car is better! So all in all not anywhere near 4.5K spent but you've still got a quick car which handles pretty good.

Sell your car in P/X for an older S3 with more mileage, you'll need deep pockets as things like cambelt will be due in a short while. Keeping the S3 tip top is not a cheap option, as most will probably tell you.

I'm on my third S3, and while I do love it, I'm always looking at other cars, call it habit, call it obsession, but a 2hr stint on PH (piston heads) during each day is nothing from the norm. The thing is, there really is nothing at £6/7K that I'd buy which would be better and as comfortable as the S3 is when you are in it, or looks as nice, but it doesn't stop me from looking at PH everday. Your car isn't much different to an S3,on the inside Recaro seats being the only "real" noticeable difference in my mind, outside, body panels and bumpers....not a totally different car though is it????

So I guess your question is whether to keep your car or pay an extra 4.5k for a car which is basically the same with the major difference being 4WD? I know what I'd do in your position, keep yours, save the money, book the car in for some engine/suspension work, go on a nice holiday and when you get back have fun driving it!

G
 
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