Messi_alli
Registered User
So you may wonder why? I recently paid down a pretty highly specd S3 SB. Other posts by me will explain that I originally wanted a sedan and its not available here etc and blah and I was even indecisive about going from a JCW to the S3. Long story short, I test drove the S3 sportback and loved it and then I later found out that we get the 280hp version here which was a kina bummer. I still have not gotten a build date from my dealer and I am told by other dealers that I can request my deposit back. Anyhoooo.. the local merc dealer is selling a pretty low spec A45amg and by low spec I mean the following: no amg suspension, exhaust. No dual zone AC, no pano roof, no upgraded leather dash. It did have HK sound system and AMG seats and steering wheel and the black 19 inch wheels. Here are my reviews and I cam comparing it to the S3 SB. Please not these are my personal reviews and are meant to help anyone who is in the same dilemma as I am.
Exterior - The a45amg was in cirrus white and had basic black night package bits on the front bumper and side skirt. The a45amg is a more aggressive and better looking IMHO. The leds daytime lights are barely visible in the day from certain angles. To me the S3 that I am ordering with full LED headlights are wayyy nicer other than that, the front of the Merc is nicer. I also prefer the back of the Merc as well.
Interior- The Merch I drove had the basic dash and the faux carbon fiber finish with the upgraded AMG alcantara steering and fancy shiftknob. The merc feels more sports car driver oriented and the red seatbelts and red designs do make the car feel more sporty. The materials though appear to be a lot cheaper feeling an looking. The seats are very well bolstered and remind me of the recaros of old Evo's I the past. The SS seats in the audi are softer an less bolstered. The MMI in the merc is terrible. Its interface is almost Atari like and pales in appearance and graphics to the S3. It feels very econo box. I would give the s3 a clear winner here. It does not feel as sporty as the A45 but definitely more premium.
Exhaust - Bear in mind the model I drove did not have the amg exhaust. There is almost zero engine noise. Its all exhaust and the farts on upshifts are super loud and you only get them in sports mode or manual mode. I honeslty was disappointed. I really honestly do find the fake intake sound in the s3 and the exhaust sounds in the S3 are far more refined and more premium sounding.
The transmission - Listen, if you didn't know this was a DCT, you would think its a regular auto. The car shifts faster when you leave in manual mode. The DCT in the S3 shifts much faster and feels better geared in 1, 2, 3, 4. The Amg comes alive in 4-5-6. I didn't reach 7 but for some reason the first couple gears felt really long that I think that hurt the acceleration. The stronic feels so much more responsive in manual mode.
Suspension - this car did not have the optional amg suspension. The sports suspension is firm but it s not bone jarring as the journalists seem to have described it as. The non amg is liveable for daily driving.
Engine/performance- Ok so bear in mind that this was a limited test drive. I have owned and driven modified Evos with bigger stock frame turbos etc plus I own a MINI JCW so I have a pretty good appreciation for different typs of power delivery. I found the a45amg to feel less responsive especially when not not under heavy of full throttle. To me that makes for a very anemic drive when you don't feel like beating on it. IN other words this is a car that need to be driven on the boil at all times. Again, this car shines from 4th gear and at full throttle. Car does not feel like a 355bhp car at partial throttle in 1,2,3 gears. In fact it feel s very underpowered. This is where the S3 shines. There is more useable power for every day use on the streets.
Conclusion
Did it feel more special to drive the a45amg. yes it id. Maybe its because I knew it was an amg car and it looked so much more menacing. Is it a better car than the S3. that you would have to experience for yourself. I feel a bit torn as well. Interested to see I anyone had similar experiences.
Exterior - The a45amg was in cirrus white and had basic black night package bits on the front bumper and side skirt. The a45amg is a more aggressive and better looking IMHO. The leds daytime lights are barely visible in the day from certain angles. To me the S3 that I am ordering with full LED headlights are wayyy nicer other than that, the front of the Merc is nicer. I also prefer the back of the Merc as well.
Interior- The Merch I drove had the basic dash and the faux carbon fiber finish with the upgraded AMG alcantara steering and fancy shiftknob. The merc feels more sports car driver oriented and the red seatbelts and red designs do make the car feel more sporty. The materials though appear to be a lot cheaper feeling an looking. The seats are very well bolstered and remind me of the recaros of old Evo's I the past. The SS seats in the audi are softer an less bolstered. The MMI in the merc is terrible. Its interface is almost Atari like and pales in appearance and graphics to the S3. It feels very econo box. I would give the s3 a clear winner here. It does not feel as sporty as the A45 but definitely more premium.
Exhaust - Bear in mind the model I drove did not have the amg exhaust. There is almost zero engine noise. Its all exhaust and the farts on upshifts are super loud and you only get them in sports mode or manual mode. I honeslty was disappointed. I really honestly do find the fake intake sound in the s3 and the exhaust sounds in the S3 are far more refined and more premium sounding.
The transmission - Listen, if you didn't know this was a DCT, you would think its a regular auto. The car shifts faster when you leave in manual mode. The DCT in the S3 shifts much faster and feels better geared in 1, 2, 3, 4. The Amg comes alive in 4-5-6. I didn't reach 7 but for some reason the first couple gears felt really long that I think that hurt the acceleration. The stronic feels so much more responsive in manual mode.
Suspension - this car did not have the optional amg suspension. The sports suspension is firm but it s not bone jarring as the journalists seem to have described it as. The non amg is liveable for daily driving.
Engine/performance- Ok so bear in mind that this was a limited test drive. I have owned and driven modified Evos with bigger stock frame turbos etc plus I own a MINI JCW so I have a pretty good appreciation for different typs of power delivery. I found the a45amg to feel less responsive especially when not not under heavy of full throttle. To me that makes for a very anemic drive when you don't feel like beating on it. IN other words this is a car that need to be driven on the boil at all times. Again, this car shines from 4th gear and at full throttle. Car does not feel like a 355bhp car at partial throttle in 1,2,3 gears. In fact it feel s very underpowered. This is where the S3 shines. There is more useable power for every day use on the streets.
Conclusion
Did it feel more special to drive the a45amg. yes it id. Maybe its because I knew it was an amg car and it looked so much more menacing. Is it a better car than the S3. that you would have to experience for yourself. I feel a bit torn as well. Interested to see I anyone had similar experiences.