Do I get a TT-RS or stick with my S3?

naughts4187

naughts4187

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Morning folks.
So last night I've been really thinking long and hard about the S3. I've been in one technically since March and I still find myself wanting a properly involving car. I really do like my S3, it's got all the tech in, great pan roof, love the colour & interior however it's just not turning me on! :racer: The bloomin awful suspension, vague steering and 4 cyl I just can't get used to. Plus on a £41k car I want it to make me smile!

I came from a manual 3.2 TT and I'm hankering for another.
I've found an immaculate TTRS Plus with bucket seats and it's a proper manual. I also used to work for the dealer a long time ago which is helpful.

View the car here >> http://www.lawtonbrook.co.uk/current-stock/for-sale/show/AUDI-TTRS-DE13WBO

In order to get the S3 to where I want I'm going to have to spend £2.5k on suspension & exhaust. Of which I won't really see much more than 50% back when the time comes to take the mods off.

My S3 has done a whopping 435 miles since July so I'm wondering if I should stick out 6 months to get as much value out of it, or would I be better chopping it in now?

I'm in 2 minds on this. Help needed please!
 
Maybe have a stage 1 map put on it and keep it 6 months and look to change early spring ?

I do like the TTRS and those seats look very inviting !
 
naughts4187 said:
Morning folks.
So last night I've been really thinking long and hard about the S3. I've been in one technically since March and I still find myself wanting a properly involving car. I really do like my S3, it's got all the tech in, great pan roof, love the colour & interior however it's just not turning me on! :racer: The bloomin awful suspension, vague steering and 4 cyl I just can't get used to. Plus on a £41k car I want it to make me smile!

I came from a manual 3.2 TT and I'm hankering for another.
I've found an immaculate TTRS Plus with bucket seats and it's a proper manual. I also used to work for the dealer a long time ago which is helpful.

View the car here >> http://www.lawtonbrook.co.uk/current-stock/for-sale/show/AUDI-TTRS-DE13WBO

In order to get the S3 to where I want I'm going to have to spend £2.5k on suspension & exhaust. Of which I won't really see much more than 50% back when the time comes to take the mods off.

My S3 has done a whopping 435 miles since July so I'm wondering if I should stick out 6 months to get as much value out of it, or would I be better chopping it in now?

I'm in 2 minds on this. Help needed please!
Click to expand...


I absolutely get where you're coming from. It's taken me an engine map, a gearbox map, wheels, tyres, springs (since removed) coilovers, intake and exhaust to finally get something that I think is good to drive. Total cost over £7.5K, and how much of that will I see again? Not much I'm thinking....

However, the hit I would have taken on chopping it in after a couple of months would have been sore, and Mrs Steph would likely have gone "Bobbit" if I'd suggested changing. I chose to go the mods route and keep the car for 2 or 3 years, but it might have been different if there was something I was specifically wanting that was available at the right money.

I guess it depends on how much you want the TTRS, and how patient your other half is.....:yes::yes::yes:
 
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That's a extremely fine looking TT-RS mate,them seats are truly epic as is the whole car,it looks brand new, but not too keen on the white paint personally speaking of course coming from 2 white car's in a row before sepang,the spec looks top notch,a test drive beckons mate

As for modifying car's learned my lesson some time ago just test drive the car and if gives you the thrills you seek go for it
 
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Steph67 said:
I absolutely get where you're coming from. It's taken me an engine map, a gearbox map, wheels, tyres, springs (since removed) coilovers, intake and exhaust to finally get something that I think is good to drive. Total cost over £7.5K, and how much of that will I see again? Not much I'm thinking....

However, the hit I would have taken on chopping it in after a couple of months would have been sore, and Mrs Steph would likely have gone "Bobbit" if I'd suggested changing. I chose to go the mods route and keep the car for 2 or 3 years, but it might have been different if there was something I was specifically wanting that was available at the right money.

I guess it depends on how much you want the TTRS, and how patient your other half is.....:yes::yes::yes:
Click to expand...

Bang on @Steph67 ... I'm sure if I went for it with the S3 I'd be really happy but I'm a Yorkshireman and I always think how much return I'll get on the mods. I think I'll go and pacify my thoughts with a visit today on the TT, I've got a Mustang coming in October for a demo weekend too so I think i'll definitely know my true answer after that happens. Cars hey! Take over your life.
 
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jassyo06 said:
That's a extremely fine looking TT-RS mate,them seats are truly epic as is the whole car,it looks brand new, but not too keen on the white paint personally speaking of course coming from 2 white car's in a row before sepang,the spec looks top notch,a test drive beckons mate

As for modifying car's learned my lesson some time ago just test drive the car and if gives you the thrills you seek go for it
Click to expand...
Yeah the ibis white isn't really my thing. If it was Suzuka grey then I would be all over it in a flash. Still going for a peek however.
 
naughts4187 said:
Yeah the ibis white isn't really my thing. If it was Suzuka grey then I would be all over it in a flash. Still going for a peek however.
Click to expand...
No harm in looking/driving how would the finance go with a exchange like this, no doubt that it would cost more a month??
 
If you don't find the S3 exciting enough, don't get another Haldex car, they are held back by the AWD system (and steering), neither of which the previous TTRS will remedy.
 
jassyo06 said:
No harm in looking/driving how would the finance go with a exchange like this, no doubt that it would cost more a month??
Click to expand...

No finance to settle. Just got to make sure depreciation isn't going to make it an expensive 3 months!
 
a few tweeks on the s3 can make all the difference

The ttrs is old news now , would be like buying the old rs3

We could always meet up as im in the midlands and you could try my modded s3 for comparison
 
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No surprises - my answer - TT RS.

Once I had made my mind up and convinced myself that modifying the S3 wasn't the answer, I'm afraid the new car (to me anyway) frenzy took over and I got shot of my S3 a.s.a.p. I think it's so hard to keep a car you basically haven't taken to. You say that the things you don't like are the bloomin awful suspension, vague steering and 4 cyl

For the 4 cyl, I was initially quite impressed with the noise of the S3, loved the upshifts burps and thought it had a nice baaarrrp as you wound on the revs. However a few passenger rides in my bro's Cayman and mates Evora Sports Racer put paid to any notion that the S3 sounds good. It only comes alive when you're really on it, and that's not very often, and even then it's still a harsh 4 pot blare. My JCW was more fun, more of the time and I liked the pops and bangs on the overrun. I have yet to hear a good aftermarket exhaust for the S3 that doesn't just make it sound louder (not nicer). No matter how much you spend, you cannot make it sound as good at the 5 pot RS :blush:

Making the S3 faster also wasn't the answer, it's quick enough as it, I wouldn't want more speed when I hit a bend/bump, the chassis/handling isn't up to it. Aftermarket coilovers? Maybe but then am I going to have to sort the brakes, and will this make it uncomfortable around town. I had bilsteins on my TT and it scraped over every sleeping policeman and was pretty 'jiggy' unless you were on a smooth road. Maybe mag ride would have helped the S3 but I didn't spec it.

There is pretty much sod all you can do with the vague steering. I cannot see how spending 2.5K is going to make the S3 the car you want :blink:and cannot see how a few tweaks will make the S3 a different car.

You pretty much always take a bucket finance wise changing cars, just accept it and move on :shame:

To balance things out, I think the S3 is a nice car. Interior/exterior is spot on really, it's effortlessly quick, cheap to run/insure and is very practical. I re-iterate though, IMO, it's a basic hatch with a powerful engine. It's not a sports car, or particularly engaging. I have no doubt that it's absolutely spot on for some people. I need a car that has character, at speed and when pottering around, has the ability to rise to a good thrash, but will cruise effortlessly and entertain at town speeds, while sounding like you are driving something special. That's not an S3 for me, but a TT RS ? I think so, yes.

Get it bought and watch the smile re-appear :yes:
 
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Even Modding the S3 to 400+BHP wouldn't make it anymore exciting to Drive, as its the 4Cylinder Engine that doesn't give it a Buzz to Drive!
Dont get me wrong, S3's are nice Cars inside & out & are very Quick & Economical for what they are, but there just not exciting to Drive!

The existing TTRS maybe technically Older, but still holds its own on Styling & the Interior still looks Fantastic! Obviously, its the 5Cylinder Engine that's the star of the show & is certainly worth going for in my opinion!

..........TTRS all the way!
 
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Hurry up Audi, Release an RS3 Saloon............that would be the ideal way to go!
 
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Those reasons are why I have a Cayman GTS on order. The S3 is just not involving.
 
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Thought you'd been quiet recently, Silky !

I absolutely agree. The S3 is just not an involving car for me, extremely dull, and very frustrating when driving it on the limit.

I'm looking elsewhere, and the RS3 is not the answer either.
 
For me it wouldn't be the (old) TT-RS, I'd have to wait to the new one.. or in my case jump ship and go to Porsche. I think we have fairly similar views, and while the exhaust does make a massive difference to the overall excitement of the S3 for me it was still a normal family car.

It's all about what you want from a car, the S3 is a great all rounder but it's no dedicated sports car
 
It makes me smile every day.. until I look at my bank statement that is!
IMG_0367_zps4iy1fdfv.jpg
 
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I'm not a big Fan of the Modern Porsches, as they've become too mass Production & Water-Cooled, but I have to say that the GTS version of the New Cayman looks pretty nice!

You can hardly Compare this Car to say an RS3, as the Cayman is a 2-seater Sports Car, but against the current TTRS, I guess it would be a tough choice for some!

On a personal level, I'd still prefer the TTRS, mainly because its got that great 5Cylinder Engine with an awesome sound............since Porsches stopped being Air-cooled, they've lost that distinctive great noise they once had!
 
Lovely looking car there @alijnclarke :happy: ... and @AudiBoy1976 I'm not sure I agree 100% with you, the flat 6 with a PSE or Carnewal exhaust still has a really nice tone/howl to it whether water cooled or not.

I prefer it to the 5 cylinder tbh, although I'm hoping we can both agree, either of them is vastly preferable to any 4 pot turbo :whistle2:
 
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Have to say, the sound is absolutely immense. I've got the PSE, and it's actually louder than the R8 & a quite a few other sports cars (had a chart but can't for the life of me find it!). It's a totally different experience to the S/RS3, but they're aimed at different crowds. Just got to decide where you sit.
 
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veeeight said:
Thought you'd been quiet recently, Silky !

I absolutely agree. The S3 is just not an involving car for me, extremely dull, and very frustrating when driving it on the limit.

I'm looking elsewhere, and the RS3 is not the answer either.
Click to expand...

Yer, I'm moving on as I've had the S3 for nearly 2 years now, and its just not doing it for me even though its pushing 360bhp (with the MTM Cantronic box (that I'll be selling!)). The Cayman GTS is just in a totally different ball park, you have more fun driving out of the drive in it than I ever did in the S3!

Also this forum has gone downhill massively over the last 12 months within all the infighting etc, so don't bother coming on anymore.
 
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alijnclarke said:
Have to say, the sound is absolutely immense. I've got the PSE, and it's actually louder than the R8 & a quite a few other sports cars (had a chart but can't for the life of me find it!). It's a totally different experience to the S/RS3, but they're aimed at different crowds. Just got to decide where you sit.
Click to expand...

Yep its totally epic. Evo say the GTS is one of the best sounding cars at any price point! Cant wait for my GTS with the PSE.
 
Silky-S3 said:
Yer, I'm moving on as I've had the S3 for nearly 2 years now, and its just not doing it for me even though its pushing 360bhp (with the MTM Cantronic box (that I'll be selling!)). The Cayman GTS is just in a totally different ball park, you have more fun driving out of the drive in it than I ever did in the S3!
Click to expand...

I don't want to always go hammering my opinion home, but that pretty much sums up my S3 experience, and making the S3 quicker in a straight line, for me, isn't the answer. The opportunity to give it full beans on the road these days is few and far between. It's already a very quick and accomplished overtaking machine, with no real need to drop cogs to get past some dawdler doing 50.

I take my car to work 2 days a week (it's only about 2 miles, I walk the other days) as I pick my daughter up from various after school activities, and that commute, or potter around town may as well have been in a 1.6 petrol. No noise, no effort, no sign of being in a 'sports' car. In fact the wee 1.6 might have been more fun. At least in the girls car :happy: I can take the roof down, laugh as it chunters and grumbles when it's cold, and the carnewal exhaust is well judged, so not too loud but with enough hint of flat 6 howl to make me smile.

I think the S3 is a very good car, but you need to go into ownership knowing what it is. It's a very accomplished machine, quiet, fuss free, as has been said before, it's an A3 with a potent engine which, for some, is exactly what they're looking for.

I made the mistake of thinking (looking back at my original review) that it was almost 2 cars in one, the quiet effortless commuter but with a dark side when you stuck everything in dynamic. Sure it's quick, the S-tronic burp is fun, and on a smooth road you can make very swift progress, but it never grabbed me as a long term ownership proposition. It's maybe too accomplished.

If I find myself in the position of needing another hatch/saloon, I think I might go back to Subaru :huh: it will never win on paper, it's not quicker on track or on road, but it would be much more interesting to drive and I think would give me a smile to have one on the driveway. I do like an alternative option :blush:
 
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TheFiftheElement said:
I don't want to always go hammering my opinion home, but that pretty much sums up my S3 experience, and making the S3 quicker in a straight line, for me, isn't the answer. The opportunity to give it full beans on the road these days is few and far between. It's already a very quick and accomplished overtaking machine, with no real need to drop cogs to get past some dawdler doing 50.

I take my car to work 2 days a week (it's only about 2 miles, I walk the other days) as I pick my daughter up from various after school activities, and that commute, or potter around town may as well have been in a 1.6 petrol. No noise, no effort, no sign of being in a 'sports' car. In fact the wee 1.6 might have been more fun. At least in the girls car :happy: I can take the roof down, laugh as it chunters and grumbles when it's cold, and the carnewal exhaust is well judged, so not too loud but with enough hint of flat 6 howl to make me smile.

I think the S3 is a very good car, but you need to go into ownership knowing what it is. It's a very accomplished machine, quiet, fuss free, as has been said before, it's an A3 with a potent engine which, for some, is exactly what they're looking for.

I made the mistake of thinking (looking back at my original review) that it was almost 2 cars in one, the quiet effortless commuter but with a dark side when you stuck everything in dynamic. Sure it's quick, the S-tronic burp is fun, and on a smooth road you can make very swift progress, but it never grabbed me as a long term ownership proposition. It's maybe too accomplished.

If I find myself in the position of needing another hatch/saloon, I think I might go back to Subaru :huh: it will never win on paper, it's not quicker on track or on road, but it would be much more interesting to drive and I think would give me a smile to have one on the driveway. I do like an alternative option :blush:
Click to expand...

My mates got a 56 plate wrx sti with PPP - it's as quick as my S3... It feels so much quicker than mine, but it isn't - it's near on identical... it's got this raw power feeling, something primeval almost...and the noise...
 
sjbarneS3 said:
My mates got a 56 plate wrx sti with PPP - it's as quick as my S3... It feels so much quicker than mine, but it isn't - it's near on identical... it's got this raw power feeling, something primeval almost...and the noise...
Click to expand...

.......but with looks only a mother could love!!

No car is perfect unfortunately ;)
 
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I sold my TT RS back in Feb due to needing more practicality, I collect my new RS3 on tuesday.

However, If I didn't need more space then I would still have the TT RS. Mine was mapped with a forge front mount and secondary cats removed. It was a manual too. I loved it! The character of that 5 pot engine and the sound of it will tug at your heart strings like no 4 pot can!

06096f2307cc33120decebc1e3c35f2e.jpg
 
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billyali86 said:
I sold my TT RS back in Feb due to needing more practicality, I collect my new RS3 on tuesday.

However, If I didn't need more space then I would still have the TT RS. Mine was mapped with a forge front mount and secondary cats removed. It was a manual too. I loved it! The character of that 5 pot engine and the sound of it will tug at your heart strings like no 4 pot can!

06096f2307cc33120decebc1e3c35f2e.jpg
Click to expand...
Nice looking TTS
 
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