A3 or S3?

Mi11ar

Mi11ar

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As the title suggests I have asked myself this question, I have an 99 plate A3 1.8T that I've been working on for just under a year now, I've had a complete nightmare with the Car as my first engine seized and then I came off the road in the wet and had to pay for a newer gear box, clutch and I got a cheep solid state flywheel, now the Cars back to working order I'm making plans for more power, I have already got a custom 2.5'' exhaust, 3'' down pipe and de-cat, S2000 Air Filter, universal FMIC, an as mentioned a solid state flywheel and uprated clutch, but that's it in regards to "performance" mods, my next plan is to get a Ko4 and everything else needed for the conversion but I've asked myself why not just buy a S3?

Is there any benefits to sticking with a A3 over an S3?

The only one I can think of is that the A3 will be lighter due to not having the heavy 4 wheel drive system.
 
Hi

Sounds like you've spent a fair bit on the A3 already buttttt I'd say if you have the funds at the right price an S3 will be superior. It's surely a better base to start from, has nicer seats, bodykit, better setup with regards to suspension etc, nicer alloys + 4wd if that's your thing. I doubt it'd feel that much faster due to the extra weight but it's always going to put the power down better in less than ideal conditions.

Due to money, I went with a cheap A3 myself and I'm getting it checked over this weekend. Lots of potential with both.

Unfortunately I've not driven or been in a S3 but have been passenger in a 240hp A3 that was pretty sorted and that was fun! This is just my opinion, hopefully someone with more knowledge and experience will come along soon :o.k:
 
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audi upgrades
For a nice road car, that's reasonably quick point to point, and that little bit more special, I'd have to say the S3 wins it hands down.

Your A3 sounds nice, but you're not in it to the point of no return just yet i'd say. being a 99 it'll need a turbo change to make it quick, and still be lacking all the other nice kit.
 
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I get a bonus from work end of this Month so I'm in two minds Ko4 conversion or Buy an S3 and sell the A3, I love the S3 body kit and the seats and everything else, the only thing keeping me towards the A3 is the fact it has a newer engine with about 65k miles and gearbox/clutch changes that I have recently had to shell out for.

Suppose I could keep the A3 turn it into a Track Car as I've always wanted one, and leave the S3 standard as a Daily maybe map it or something an do a few subtle mods.

I'll have to have a long hard think about this but thanks for the replies :)
 
My suggestion is you go and find an S3, and take it for a spin. The first thing you will notice is mass when you take a corner quick, but you can mash the pedal mid corner, and it won't wheels pin. It's taken me a while to get my suspension how I want it, Im nearly there though, but in the end, it will still not be as chuckable as a sorted A3, in the wet is a different story.
 
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jojo said:
It's taken me a while to get my suspension how I want it, Im nearly there though,.
Click to expand...

Judging by your avatar I'd say you've still got a fair way to go ! Lol
 
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S3 for me. next time yor in preston when im.notnworking. can.meet up and have a loom round mine if you like?
 
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Im not sure going from an a3 to an s3 is worth the hassle bud. Ultimately you have to decide for yourself. I say drive one and see how you feel.
 
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I've never even sat in one before so actually seeing one in person and atleast being a passenger may help my decision, I could make my A3 as quick as an S3 for allot less than it would cost to buy an S3.

An then there's all the work that's been put into the A3 I now know after all the **** ups and problems I've had I have a solid Car that hasn't got any major issues it's worrying to think I'd be passing over a perfect Car to someone else and potentially picking up another money pit for the sake of 4 wheel drive and some nice seats.

By the sounds of it the benefits of going out and getting an S3 don't seem great enough for me to go to the hassle of doing it and throwing away what's gone into the A3, unless ofcourse when I actually drive an S3 I fall in love with it and have to own one :p
 
Thing is. Its all about what you want from it. And only you really know. A well set up k04 a3 will fly. Plus it will be more of a sleeper.
I only went for an s3 over an LCR because of the 4wd. Nothing else, i hate wheel spinning. Daft reason i know but thats what it came down to. But like a good set up will spin less.i went in Prawns a3 at 360bhp (approx??) Gripped like mad. No spinning.

i was going to sell up at one point recently i wanted something for track (m3 scooby evo) but ive spent loads on my s3,turbo clutch wheels tyres (lots more) etc etc and i couldnt bare starting again. Modding and maintaining. Imagine selling yours now its sorted and getting something that needs it all again unknown to you when you bought it.
 
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Yea exactly one of the main reasons I've kept it after everything as I couldn't bare starting again.

I'm after about 280+bhp but I've got along way to go before that can happen, I just needed some reassurance before I continued as I didn't want to regret spending all this time and money on the Car only for me to have wasted the time and should have just gone and bought an S3 :)
 
Having re-read what I wrote earlier, I'd say go with what your heart feels.

If you're like me, and you get attached to a car, it doesn't matter how crappy or battered it is, if you love it, you'll make it what you want it to be.

If you see a car as a bit of fun but don't get attached, then move onto an S3, it's a lot more than just a ko4 over an A3
 
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I'm definitely attached yes having paid more than the value of the Car on two separate occasions to repair it when the engine went an then shortly after smashing up the gear box etc.
 
**** it, keep it then! and build something awesome.

For me, a quick A3 will always be more involving to drive than an S3. Just ask Daz :racer:

S3 is technically the better car, and ticks more boxes for more people, but since when was modifying cars logical?
 
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Thanks Prawn that's exactly what I needed to hear, I was expecting a land slide barrage of pro S3 comments that would lead me to change my ways and buy one, but this is definitely what I needed to hear, thanks for all the replies everyone, I'll continue on course :)
 
The thing is both can be quick. Both are nice to drive. In reality for the road are they even that different?
If your going to change it get something totally different.
scooby evo m3 or whatever.
I found my s3 to subtle,quiet and dull to be honest. Ive stripped it out lost all the s3 comforts and to be honest its completely made the car for me, i really love it now. Its loud,quick and feels completely different to how it did.
 
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Prawn said:
Having re-read what I wrote earlier, I'd say go with what your heart feels.

If you're like me, and you get attached to a car, it doesn't matter how crappy or battered it is, if you love it, you'll make it what you want it to be.

If you see a car as a bit of fun but don't get attached, then move onto an S3, it's a lot more than just a ko4 over an A3
Click to expand...

Spot on advice !! That's what these old cars are all about goo with your heart! I know I have.
 
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Thanks for the replies guys decided to keep the A3 thanks very much :)
 
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i owned a A3 about a year ago now i have a S3 and the S3 makes me smile more, lol
 
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