We've been through all this before.
I mistakenly thought that a nice interior would make up for the handling and steering flaws, I now realise the error of my ways.
S3 OR RS3
- Thread starter Benash20
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We've been through all this before.
I mistakenly thought that a nice interior would make up for the handling and steering flaws, I now realise the error of my ways.
The 5-cyl engine is a double edge sword.
As lovely as it sounds (and it does), it also hangs out the front further than the 4-cyl, is heavier, and unfortunately does nothing for the balance of the car, and in the damp, does lend itself to pushing wide.
The other thing that will defo upset the VW cart, is if the R400 gets produced
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Bang on the button mate
I don't think the RS3 looks as good as it should have but it's still light years ahead of the competition and will likely sell well regardless of a few numpties moaning about its track pedigree.
Plus it still has Audi's world leading interior which for me won over the missus and is the ace up the sleeve
AudiBoy1976
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The Rumble/Sound/Torque that the 5Cyl has , Over-rules any form of a small Trade-Off in the Handling Department in my mind!
I have Driven the TTRS & older RS3 in the past & as much in Reviews they were Slated on their Handling, the 5Cyl Engine made them still give me a 'Buzz' when Driving!
The biggest Shock for me, was Road Testing an RSQ3 310bhp recently & finding it a Fantastic Drive! Even being higher up, it did'nt feel much(if any) Slower round corners than my S3 Saloon & the Noise in Dynamic Mode made it an awesome Experience! To be honest, it felt Quicker in a Straight Line too!
To me, the S3 & the AMG A45 are great Cars in their own right, but the 4Cyl Engines really let them down, as they give no Thrill/Buzz of Driving...........they sound pretty Pathetic to be honest!
I have Driven the TTRS & older RS3 in the past & as much in Reviews they were Slated on their Handling, the 5Cyl Engine made them still give me a 'Buzz' when Driving!
The biggest Shock for me, was Road Testing an RSQ3 310bhp recently & finding it a Fantastic Drive! Even being higher up, it did'nt feel much(if any) Slower round corners than my S3 Saloon & the Noise in Dynamic Mode made it an awesome Experience! To be honest, it felt Quicker in a Straight Line too!
To me, the S3 & the AMG A45 are great Cars in their own right, but the 4Cyl Engines really let them down, as they give no Thrill/Buzz of Driving...........they sound pretty Pathetic to be honest!
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I've driven the golf R and the RS3 around the same roads I drive my S3 everyday. The RS3 put a massive smile on my face (mainly because of handing and acceleration but the noise helps!) and I'm never going to drive it on a track where I might see the benefit of the R.
I'd like the idea of an M4 but don't like the idea of killing myself in wet weather or being stuck in the snow.
Form your own views everyone based on your own experience.
I'd like the idea of an M4 but don't like the idea of killing myself in wet weather or being stuck in the snow.
Form your own views everyone based on your own experience.
S3 or RS3 ?
If you have the patience to wait, whats looks like 12 months now, for a new build RS3 then great. But I wonder during the 12 months'ish wait whether you will change your mind ...
Personally I don't think Audi are doing themselves any favours with the 12 month waits
@Disco Dal placed an order for a RS3 in April and still doesn't have a build week! Crazy!
PS I still think the RS3 is a great car, if a tad expensive IMO
If you have the patience to wait, whats looks like 12 months now, for a new build RS3 then great. But I wonder during the 12 months'ish wait whether you will change your mind ...
Personally I don't think Audi are doing themselves any favours with the 12 month waits
@Disco Dal placed an order for a RS3 in April and still doesn't have a build week! Crazy!
PS I still think the RS3 is a great car, if a tad expensive IMO
I seem to remember I waited 10 months and changed my mind 3 times and colours twice !
I have
AMG A45
Hope it is given a full test drive. Most disappointing car I have yet driven (present model) and very expensive compared to the build, material quality etc. but obviously just my honest opinion, which I won't hit you over the head with for the next 19 pages.
^ Ah, this will be the facelift version, with the mechanical LSD in the front axle, which should address all the shortcomings of Haldex cars.
If it drives as well as it should (and all the indications are that it will) - then it will be a winner.
As I've said numerous times, people buy cars for different reasons. If your reason is a comfy interior with a comfy ride, then so be it. Some are prepared to put up with flaws in handling and steering in exchange for a nice interior, I'm not, and am frustrated as to why Audi didn't make the S3 the car it could have been. So called "lesser" cars (eg Fiesta ST) just provide that much more of a drivers experience. Maybe thats the Audi proposition for the S3, and they are happy with that.
However - it's not great marketing that the most powerful hatch on the market (currently) can be usurped by a Golf R and Type-R. That said, Audi will have no problems selling the RS3 to Audi fans. Maybe Audi aren't interested in gaining market share
If it drives as well as it should (and all the indications are that it will) - then it will be a winner.
As I've said numerous times, people buy cars for different reasons. If your reason is a comfy interior with a comfy ride, then so be it. Some are prepared to put up with flaws in handling and steering in exchange for a nice interior, I'm not, and am frustrated as to why Audi didn't make the S3 the car it could have been. So called "lesser" cars (eg Fiesta ST) just provide that much more of a drivers experience. Maybe thats the Audi proposition for the S3, and they are happy with that.
However - it's not great marketing that the most powerful hatch on the market (currently) can be usurped by a Golf R and Type-R. That said, Audi will have no problems selling the RS3 to Audi fans. Maybe Audi aren't interested in gaining market share
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lol you are spot on there. The A45 AMG looks horrendous inside, and the next gen will probably be the same. Fixed Korean looking sat nav anyone?
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^ Ah, this will be the facelift version, with the mechanical LSD in the front axle, which should address all the shortcomings of Haldex cars.
If it drives as well as it should (and all the indications are that it will) - then it will be a winner.
As I've said numerous times, people buy cars for different reasons. If your reason is a comfy interior with a comfy ride, then so be it. Some are prepared to put up with flaws in handling and steering in exchange for a nice interior, I'm not, and am frustrated as to why Audi didn't make the S3 the car it could have been. So called "lesser" cars (eg Fiesta ST) just provide that much more of a drivers experience. Maybe thats the Audi proposition for the S3, and they are happy with that.
However - it's not great marketing that the most powerful hatch on the market (currently) can be usurped by a Golf R and Type-R. That said, Audi will have no problems selling the RS3 to Audi fans. Maybe Audi aren't interested in gaining market share
Veeeight, I genuinely hope you do like the AMG. There can't be anything worse than spending all that hard earned money on a car that just frustrates you every time you drive it.
For what's it worth Mercedes are really growing on me and at the moment would probably be my second choice, infinitely better than the current crop of Beemers and as for Seat, Megane, Golf......well just count me out.
Am I an Audi fanboy? At the moment absolutely! Without wishing to sound smug I knew exactly what I wanted out of the S3 and it's honestly exceeded my expectations on every single level. Put it this way, the competition has to seriously go some before I would even consider anything else. I do think Audi have cornered the market to a degree because I think a lot of drivers out there want the same things as me. A comfortable cruiser (and my god it really is comfortable) with superb straight line performance.
Will I go for a blast round some country roads to see what it can really do? One day maybe, but I don't know. Something about the car just doesn't make me want to drive like that. Maybe I'm getting old................
Those Merc's do go though, if the brand new 350 CDi I came across the other day is anything to go by. Couldn't believe it, the first real challenge I've had came from a guy well into his 60's out with his missus!! Just itching for a burn up at the lights. I had the family in tow and only been in the car for a mile or so so oil temp wasn't really up but I gave it a bit off the line without pushing. This poxy Merc went off like a bleedin exocet and I'm not entirely convinced I'd have put him to bed if I'd wellied it
I'd love to think that the C63 AMG would be on my shortlist, that is a wonderful car !
Thanks for your thoughts, a good read.
Thanks for your thoughts, a good read.
... but oh lordy, would you love it in the wet (& at the fuel pumps!) @veeeight
Bit like trying to go fast in the new M3/M4 in the wet too ...
You only live once
Besides, real men drive RWD
And that's why the A45 is more of a serious consideration for me
Besides, real men drive RWD
And that's why the A45 is more of a serious consideration for me
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Those Merc's do go though, if the brand new 350 CDi I came across the other day is anything to go by. Couldn't believe it, the first real challenge I've had came from a guy well into his 60's out with his missus!! Just itching for a burn up at the lights. I had the family in tow and only been in the car for a mile or so so oil temp wasn't really up but I gave it a bit off the line without pushing. This poxy Merc went off like a bleedin exocet and I'm not entirely convinced I'd have put him to bed if I'd wellied it
That's the beauty of a big diesel.
Even some yrs back I remember being caught out by some big BMW diesel when I had a 400bhp Cosworth....the things have so much instant torque.
My last diesel was an A4 3.0Tdi Avant,and that was no slouch either....just not very "interesting"....
The 330d that I had a few weeks ago felt exactly like that. Instant torque, no turbolag, instant delivery. Couldn't imagine how the 335d performs. However, these cars are trash in any kind of weather but summer, so for the UK they are mostly pointless.
My Jag3.0D XF-S was remapped, and had a performance exhaust. It developed 333BHP and had just over 500 lb/ft of torque. 30-50 and 50-70 acceleration was just absolutely barmy especially in Sport mode; would leave 330d standing. It was a flipping disaster in the wet; drifting around roundabouts was all too common and when the snow fell - I'd book myself into a hotel!!! It wasn't going anywhere, even with winter tyres on and snow mode selected!
Yet to drive a diesel that I considered exciting.
Only diesel car in recent memory I have driven I actually really enjoyed and loved as an all round package was the A3 184 quattro s-tronic. Great car that.
Only diesel car in recent memory I have driven I actually really enjoyed and loved as an all round package was the A3 184 quattro s-tronic. Great car that.
Blackwhite
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You really are not missing much.....I never drove a diesel.
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Those facelifted A6s have changed the engines slightly. More power and more economical. The 3 litre oil burners really move. For such a big car, that light chassis gives it a nice sporty appeal. And they've stuck with the classy screen flipping out and have gone a half hearted way with the virtual cockpit where the DIS is now a 7 in screen in between the dials and can display sat nav etc. It looks really well o have to say.
You only live once
Besides, real men drive RWD
And that's why the A45 is more of a serious consideration for me
Real men drive mid engined RWD!
Blackwhite
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Real women drive:
Anything they want to!
Anything they want to!
