Test drove S3 yesterday-SOLD!

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TerryCTR

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I have been resisting looking at one of these since they came out and kept telling myself that the stop gap Focus ST3 will be enough.

Arranged a test Friday night and the dealer came back swiftly Saturday as they had a dsg available.

Considering the pouring rain and greasy roads I thought the level of grip far exceeded my Mk1 TT Quattro and of course the dsg box lives up to the hype. I was considering the golf R after reading all the rave reviews but I was instantly sold on this and now have the ST for sale.

Needles to say I heard every creak and rattle on the st on the way home :(

I thought the sepang blue in the showroom was stunning and my other half wants me to go for that but I don't think I can choose this over Panther black - decisions decisions!
 
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The haldex system is a big improvement over the 8P, it grips much better and gives more control/predictable, which I like.

The problem I'm having with SB is it is anoying to clean and keep clean. Though when it is clean, it's nice!
 
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I'm swaying back to Panther black after seeing the one on the trailer that broke down on here. Hope that's not an omen! I'm also finding it hard to choose full Nappa leather or go for the Alcantara combo as it does look good and I guess removes the need for heated seats
 
Years ago I had a black Vectra GSi .. ****** nightmare to keep clean, so personally I'd avoid black if I were you!

As for heated seats, go for them anyway .. I only have mine on the lowest setting, but my wife absolutely loves the full 3-light monty!
 
I've mainly had black cars mate and I know it can be a pain keeping clean but when it's all polished up I don't think much can beat it. I've kept the heated seats and Nappa leather. Now all I need to do is sell the ST
 
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I've just picked up my Glacier White S3. Complete opposite to what you're thinking but its ****** gorgeous and white cars are actually pretty easy to maintain. It was that or Sepang, but I had a metallic blue Lexus a while back and it was a pig to keep nice.
 
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jaypers777 said:
I've just picked up my Glacier White S3. Complete opposite to what you're thinking but its ****** gorgeous and white cars are actually pretty easy to maintain. It was that or Sepang, but I had a metallic blue Lexus a while back and it was a pig to keep nice.
Click to expand...


I love Glacier White. Had a black car for many years. Enjoy the change to
Glacier White. I am glad I chose it. :thumbs up:
 
jaypers777 said:
I've just picked up my Glacier White S3. Complete opposite to what you're thinking but its ****** gorgeous and white cars are actually pretty easy to maintain. It was that or Sepang, but I had a metallic blue Lexus a while back and it was a pig to keep nice.
Click to expand...

I do like the white, especially in the previous mark when fitted with the pana roof but my mk2 TT was ibis white and I think I want to stick with black now
 
Guys your not helping me decide here :think:

It's a dream at this point anyway until I can punt the ST
 
When I order my S3 in 18 months time I will 100% be going for the Daytona grey with black Nappa and the silver stitch.

I looked at one the other day and the colour just blows your mind.

Just my opinion obviously. I would personally stay away from white, looks lovely on the road but owning a white car everyday is just not my idea of fun, it's so not discreet. I currently have a black A3 the misses drives, and I have a grey 911, the 911 is always a lot easier to keep clean and just looks so stealth.
 
I've kind of migrated from black to grey over the years. On my fifth A3, and the progression has been:

8P1: Ebony Black
8P2: Phantom Black
8P3: Lava Grey
8V: Daytona Grey
8V: Daytona Grey

I always thought I'd have black but after seven years of black cars I decided I needed something a bit different. Black can look amazing but only when it's perfectly clean and it doesn't stay that way for long. I also think it's been done to death and looks a little boring now (hence why everyone seems to be switching to the other extreme - white). Personally I think Daytona is the best colour for the 8V, which is why I've had it for the second time :)
 
I quite like Daytona Grey myself and the sportback S3 really suits it.

However, possible through a touch of badge snobbery I feel I need to choose one of the S3 specific colours.

Once I manage to sell my car and I am in a position to buy the S3 I will go and have another look at the colours in the flesh before making a final call on it.
 
TerryCTR said:
I quite like Daytona Grey myself and the sportback S3 really suits it.

However, possible through a touch of badge snobbery I feel I need to choose one of the S3 specific colours.

Once I manage to sell my car and I am in a position to buy the S3 I will go and have another look at the colours in the flesh before making a final call on it.
Click to expand...

Panther black all the way. If you know how to maintain a black car, which it sounds like you do after having a few, it's a really special colour. I don't understand people on here who say certain colours are a pig to keep clean, all cars get dirty, it's how you wash and protect which stops swirling and looking tip top.
 
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I think it's more about what colour shows the dirt more than others, ie like colours like whites and silvers show the dirt less than darker colours like blacks and blues.

Colour will be a personal choice, go with your heart, otherwise you will have regrets afterwards, don't worry about the "having to always clean" it business, it takes around an hour out of your weekend if you keep on top of it from the start.
 
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Long I think you hit the nail on the head. I know deep down if I was cruising along and a panther black sportback passes me I would be thinking I made the wrong choice.

I've had so many black cars that I think I need to keep that trend going for the S3
 
Panther Black FTW!!!

Even when dirty it looks great! lol..



And when clean... hubba hubba..

 
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IMO - Panther black one of the nicest colours Audi do.

I'd have had that colour in a heart beat but find blacks a pain to keep looking good :(
 
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I went for Panther black and while I like it, it hasn't blown me away. It's rained constantly since I picked the car up in November and it has been dirty the majority of the time, but the colour doesn't look special in real life, it just looks black. I'm hoping it will come to life in the summer, but I'm thinking I should have ticked B&O instead.
 
I think this photo has sold me on PB being the right choice

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1419243071235978


I had also specced Bose and keyless entry but I'm beginning to think keyless has to go after the thread about it aiding thieves
 
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Panther Black every time, superb.....................................................:hubbahubba:
 
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Can someone describe the difference between Panthere Black and Phantom Black ?...
 
The difference is Panther Black is better... :nyah:
 
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One is crystal effect and the other is pearl effect.
 
TerryCTR said:
I'm swaying back to Panther black after seeing the one on the trailer that broke down on here. Hope that's not an omen! I'm also finding it hard to choose full Nappa leather or go for the Alcantara combo as it does look good and I guess removes the need for heated seats
Click to expand...

Heated seats are standard on the S3
 
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lucas-suisse said:
Can someone describe the difference between Panthere Black and Phantom Black ?...
Click to expand...

Phantom black is a normal metallic black, it's a nice paint but just as you'd expect. Panther black is "crystal effect" that is pretty meaningless as a phrase, but what it means is that as light hits it, it shows other colours. Panther black can look almost purple in certain conditions, not in your face at all, but a subtle colour change as the light hits the paint. It's very cool, but in the real world it just looks black. Having said that, I filled the car with petrol today and under the forecourt lights it looked really good.

Search YouTube for "Audi Panther Black" and you'll get the drift.
 
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It's not an S3 or R but our Black GTD in my opinion is the best colour and my neighbours son has a new S3 in black and its stunning. Silver grill does look cheap though.

58f00546c70fb560d3737a3794264253.jpg
 
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The looks of the R put me off slightly and I'm not a fan of the standard seats at all so I dismissed one without even testing but I have to say your GTD looks really smart
 
TerryCTR said:
The looks of the R put me off slightly and I'm not a fan of the standard seats at all so I dismissed one without even testing but I have to say your GTD looks really smart
Click to expand...

Agree I was going to wait for an R but the std alloys and interior look rubbish. I like the chrome and tartan, the R gets naff grey trim on the seats and the aluminium on the steering wheel for example is replaced by shiny black plastic. It's a pity but apart from the quad exhausts I prefer the look of the GTD in every way.

As I say my neighbours sons S3 is lovely but I would have to dechrome that front grill. And the dash is too Low rent A1 for me.
 
NickyF said:
Phantom black is a normal metallic black, it's a nice paint but just as you'd expect. Panther black is "crystal effect" that is pretty meaningless as a phrase, but what it means is that as light hits it, it shows other colours. Panther black can look almost purple in certain conditions, not in your face at all, but a subtle colour change as the light hits the paint. It's very cool, but in the real world it just looks black. Having said that, I filled the car with petrol today and under the forecourt lights it looked really good.

Search YouTube for "Audi Panther Black" and you'll get the drift.
Click to expand...

Thanks !
 
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