automatic or manual!

Gav93_S3 · Feb 7, 2016

Right so I ordered my new s3 in December and it gets delivered in march, after speaking to quite a few people most of them have said I should have got the automatic and not the manual but I like going through the gears!!

What's people opinions?

SW14NY'S · Feb 7, 2016

Manual for me

only 'cause I'm too tight to go Auto

Scottyg · Feb 7, 2016

Not got S3 but got S-Tronic. Wouldn't go back to manual. Love the silky smooth S-Tronic box.

Simon L · Feb 7, 2016

Nothing like a good ol manual v s-tronic debate!! Plenty of pages left in this one..................... :whistle2:

S-tronic for me, best of both worlds...................never, ever going back to manuel !! lol

CraigI · Feb 7, 2016

Had both a manual and a s-tronic S3 8V.
S3 can give a bit of a lacklustre (perhaps numb) feeling when it comes to driving thrills and feedback.
The manual gearbox gives a little bit of that back and is more engaging, which, in my opinion, improves the S3.

Liquidfusion-S3 · Feb 7, 2016

Personal preference really, no one can decide for you except yourself.

I changed from a manual A4 to a S-tronic S3, best decision ever.

HawkeyeS3 · Feb 7, 2016

I'd go for S-Tronic - because you have the best of both worlds. Auto when you want it, and flappy paddles/manual for a bit of fun. It takes a while to really get to maximise the use of the paddles, but its well worth while and great fun to utilise them when you do.
Don't get me wrong I do like a good manual and there is a lot to be said for the manual box, but the DSG on the Audi is definitely one of the better boxes.

Jay_A · Feb 7, 2016

I've driven both in the S3 and went for s-tronic. Absolutely love it.

Kugaman1 · Feb 8, 2016

I owned an 8 speed m135i auto and a 9 speed Evoque auto..... Then bought a manual S3 - needed to get back to driving the car rather than just pointing it in a direction and putting my foot down.
Really like the s3 manual box, feels very smooth and quick.

However, my next Audi will probably be another auto..... 20 years of long distance running means my knees arent up to too much town driving with clutch pedals!

nicks260 · Feb 8, 2016

imo the only option is the stronic. you still have the option to use the car like a manual with the flappy paddles and the gear stick shifts up and down just no clutch...why don't you put a little sponge on the floor like a fake break....or not. seriously the s ironic is so smooth and you will not regret it guaranteed!

msdmjb · Feb 8, 2016

I have a manual, the gearbox does what I want it to do 100% of the time.
I tried the stronic, even on a 30min I noticed a few things that it doesn't do as well.............but there are also some advantages if you just like point and shoot.

pburv · Feb 8, 2016

Drove manual cars for over twenty years and bought my first S tronic a couple of years ago will never go back to manual again..Best thing for you to do is ask your dealer for an s tronic for you to have over a weekend or even longer..If you are buying new then I don't see why they can't accommodate your request..

naughts4187 · Feb 8, 2016

I MISS MY MANUAL!! Feels totally fake with S-tronic. I constantly find myself in M mode but it's just not satisfying. To be honest the gearbox is one of my main gripes with the S3, very laggy, constantly 1 second behind my actions. Yes the S-tronic is a great automatic gearbox but it's no replacement for a proper 6 speed. I'm 29 by the way, had a discussion with my old man last night who said when I get to his age I won't be 'ar**d about having a manual'.

pburv · Feb 8, 2016

naughts4187 said:
I MISS MY MANUAL!! Feels totally fake with S-tronic. I constantly find myself in M mode but it's just not satisfying. To be honest the gearbox is one of my main gripes with the S3, very laggy, constantly 1 second behind my actions. Yes the S-tronic is a great automatic gearbox but it's no replacement for a proper 6 speed. I'm 29 by the way, had a discussion with my old man last night who said when I get to his age I won't be 'ar**d about having a manual'.

LOL..****** ageist...He is right tho.. :friends:

Jassyo06 · Feb 8, 2016

Can't add anything really it's yeah or nae,l haven't driven a S3 manual so can't comment on them,S-tronic looks better on the centre consul though,fancy lit up expensive option though

chrisb72 · Feb 8, 2016

I have always loved the idea of a manual and that satisfied feeling on a spirited drive when you get a really good sequence of gear changes, but since buying my first S-tronic over 6 years ago I think I'll find it hard to go back. I've recently bought a 14 plate S3 with S-tronic and I love it if for nothing more than the way it makes the exhaust pop during certain gear changes. Its smooth and incredibly fast at changing gear, no manual change could be as quick hence the improved acceleration times. I would prefer it if you could hang on to revs longer in manual mode, but a remap would sort that.

You can never say never, but I'm never going back to a manual. Autos have come on along way over the years and will continue to do so in a world where manufacturers are coming up with ways of cars driving themselves.

jaypers777 · Feb 8, 2016

You need to borrow a manual for a day and an S tronic for a day. Big investment so opinions and guess work won't cut it.

0B1001001 · Feb 8, 2016

Drive them both, buy the one you like. Any decent Audi garage will give you both for a few hours/a day. For me it came down to:

I don't find using the clutch tiring (some do), so doesn't bother me driving a manual all day.
Radically, I enjoy changing gear using a clutch pedal.
There are a few scenarios where the S-Tronic is annoying and/or you have to learn to drive around. Clearly a manual doesn't have those problems.
Manual box is really nice - the only minor niggles with it that I've found are:
- Going from reverse to 1st, it sometimes goes back into reverse instead, which could lead to unintended results
- First few gear changes when car is cold need to be nice and slow

cuke2u · Feb 8, 2016

Ah but, on the S3, aren't the pops and bangs from the exhaust better with the stronic?

Ignition1 · Feb 8, 2016

There are days I'd love a manual just for total control of the gearbox, faster to react to your inputs etc. In an S3 it'll feel great. If I took it to a track then I'd want the manual just for fun.

But 90% of the time I'm happy with an S-Tronic. (I'm 28...but I'd like my left knee to work when I'm 60

).

The real question is...would you like Audi's clutch? I personally hated it...with a passion. The problem I find is the clutch pedal it too high, and the biting point is too high which puts un-needed pressure my non-double jointed ankle. Also why does the pedal need to have so much travel to reach the floor when the biting point is that high? Makes it feel weird I found.

I think a sportier clutch would do wonders for the manual option - one that's lower down with far less travel. Literally like a clutch on-off switch.

Simon L · Feb 8, 2016

Ignition1 said:
There are days I'd love a manual just for total control of the gearbox, faster to react to your inputs etc. In an S3 it'll feel great. If I took it to a track then I'd want the manual just for fun.

But 90% of the time I'm happy with an S-Tronic. (I'm 28...but I'd like my left knee to work when I'm 60 ).

The real question is...would you like Audi's clutch? I personally hated it...with a passion. The problem I find is the clutch pedal it too high, and the biting point is too high which puts un-needed pressure my non-double jointed ankle. Also why does the pedal need to have so much travel to reach the floor when the biting point is that high? Makes it feel weird I found.

I think a sportier clutch would do wonders for the manual option - one that's lower down with far less travel. Literally like a clutch on-off switch.

Reading this makes me even happier I specced s-tronic. I didn't bother test driving the S3 with a manual box as the DSG blew me away from the get go, but I've driven manuals with those high biting point clutches before and it gets old very very quickly.

It isn't without it's minor flaws, but unfortunately life isn't perfect. Some here seem to think it should be and waste a huge amount of oxygen whining about it

h5djr · Feb 8, 2016

I have been driving for 52 years and still drive in a 'spirited' way. I had cars with manual gearboxes for 40 years but when the s-tronic first became available on the A3 I tried one and liked it very much. I am now on my fifth A3 with an s-tronic and would never want to go back to a manual. I still drive around 15,000 miles a year and use the s-tronic in 'manual' mode 99% of the time. People often mention about the delay with the s-tronic but personally I've never experienced any. Perhaps it happens more in auto mode. S-tronic also works very well with the ACC. I always feel just as 'involved' when driving in manual mode but without having to keep playing with a clutch pedal. The s-tronic still brings a smile to my face when accelerating hard and I can change gear without having to ease off the power. One gear to the next in a split second with a simple click of a paddle.
But as I always say - Each to their own. Have a test drive in an s-tronic and see if you like it but remember it will be a new experience and you may well not feel 'at home' until you get fully used to it. Once you do it can be great fun.

Daveotto · Feb 8, 2016

CraigI said:
Had both a manual and a s-tronic S3 8V.
S3 can give a bit of a lacklustre (perhaps numb) feeling when it comes to driving thrills and feedback.
The manual gearbox gives a little bit of that back and is more engaging, which, in my opinion, improves the S3.

Exactly, worth the sacrifice of launch control and 0.3 off the 0-60 (its fast enough anyway) and not that bothered about getting it to fart...lol

Far better having something decent to do with your left hand

cuke2u · Feb 8, 2016

Quite, some it seems feel the stronic is a new religon that everyone has to join or they are missing out. Like all religons that concept is flawed..

Simon L · Feb 8, 2016

cuke2u said:
Quite, some it seems feel the stronic is a new religon that everyone has to join or they are missing out. Like all religons that concept is flawed..

I think that's just your interpretation.

All I see is opinions based on whether the owner has manual or s-tronic, which is what the OP asked for.

Ignition1 · Feb 8, 2016

I wouldn't mind a manual A3/S3 at all, but the clutch just ruins the car for me. Give me a sports clutch and I'll convert back to Manual-ism.

steeve · Feb 8, 2016

OMG, here we go again.
For goodness sake make your own mind up. Try both see what suits and bear in mind the cost difference, neither is better if its not what you really want.

Snake Pliskin · Feb 8, 2016

This subject really can divide opinion.

The question has been asked and the fuse lit

( one for @pburv lol )

Simon L · Feb 8, 2016

S32B · Feb 8, 2016

Ohhh not heard this one for a few days

Both good, both have their advantages, it's up to the individual. I have a manual and I'm happy with it as I feel more involved with the drive.

Personally I'd get an manual again, as I recently found out that the valves in the deep veins of my left leg aren't working as they should, so keeping that leg still for too long isn't good! The specialist said "Even if you just move your foot whilst sitting down resting, that's a big help".

thewrongspeed · Feb 8, 2016

Our 1.4COD S-line is our first auto (first Audi also). Having got over the novelty of the s-tronic box within a couple of months... yeah it's ok. Loved it on the test drive (enough to make the decision) but I'd go manual if I was to be buying again though to be honest

pburv · Feb 8, 2016

Snake Pliskin said:
This subject really can divide opinion.

The question has been asked and the fuse lit

( one for @pburv lol )

cuke2u · Feb 8, 2016

Simon L said:
I think that's just your interpretation.

All I see is opinions based on whether the owner has manual or s-tronic, which is what the OP asked for.

It was tongue in cheek humour

and you're correct upon the opinions but then I don't say that a manual is the best thing since sliced bread either...

Gazwould · Feb 8, 2016

Sure from new have what you warranty want .

But in 5 years + time there will be a few disgruntled wallet raped repaired S-Tronic owners.

OliS3 · Feb 8, 2016

I've owned manual and s-tronic S3s. I wou

Daveotto said:
Exactly, worth the sacrifice of launch control and 0.3 off the 0-60 (its fast enough anyway) and not that bothered about getting it to fart...lol

Far better having something decent to do with your left hand

If you did 0 - 60 in a manual S3 and matched the quoted time you'd only get 3 runs and you'd need a new clutch, the s-tronic can do launch starts one after another

Simon L · Feb 8, 2016

Gazwould said:
Sure from new have what you warranty want .

But in 5 years + time there will be a few disgruntled wallet raped repaired S-Tronic owners.

I hear you buddy and I cry myself to sleep most nights worrying how the lucky owner of my S3 will cope with bills long after I've moved on to my next........... :whistle2:

OliS3 · Feb 8, 2016

Gazwould said:
Sure from new have what you warranty want .

But in 5 years + time there will be a few disgruntled wallet raped repaired S-Tronic owners.

I've read quite a few posts where people have stated they love s-tronic but wouldn't touch it without warranty (says it all)

Bristle Hound · Feb 8, 2016

@Gav93_S3 - More on manuals v auto's in the FAQ's here -
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...-on-the-8v-chassis.198794/page-2#post-2286214

blodwen715 · Feb 8, 2016

My two penneth...
Only wanted a manual s3, never had an auto before.... however only offer of a test drive was in the an stronic. Still bought manual however if I get another it would stronic, not that I don't like the manual....

Daveotto · Feb 8, 2016

blodwen715 said:
My two penneth...
Only wanted a manual s3, never had an auto before.... however only offer of a test drive was in the an stronic. Still bought manual however if I get another it would stronic, not that I don't like the manual....

Originally wanted s-tonic, test drove one, already having a manual 2.0tdi A3 and after 30 minutes knew I wanted a manual.

automatic or manual!

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