Drove to Lincolnshire and back today, so 4+ hours in the car and spent a lot of time thinking what a well-rounded car the Sportback S3 is. IF you understand what it is. If you're wanting it to be a track ripping, super focused hot-hatch with sharp as a pin reflexes, then you'll likely be missing the point. BUT if you think of it as an extremely quick and capable all-rounder that can turn itself to any situation with aplomb then you're starting to 'get it'.
When I got home (early start, early back) I felt relaxed - fresh as a ruddy daisy. The S3 chewed up hundreds of motorway miles, quickly and calmly. I won't incriminate myself any more than that - I drove to the conditions with full awareness of what was happening around me (and with heightened look-outs for Deer
@X3man - glad to hear you're ok buddy, not liking that post
) and with ample+ braking distance to the car in front. Careful, but spirited driving and it reminded me what a great understated mile-muncher the car is. I even got over 30 mpg, lol. The cabin is a very comfortable and nice place to be - and the B&O sound system was enjoyed
After the journey the car was proper 'filth' - so I gave it the quick winter once over. Pre-wash with BH Auto (snow) Foam, then shampoo'ed with Auto-Glym Polar Wash - applied with a snow foam lance, then just one rinse bucket to dunk my wash pad into. Good winter process this, for a quick wash, just cover the car in thick snow foam suds, and then run around it with your wash pad/mitt, rinsing the mitt frequently. The Polar Wash wasn't as good at 'cleaning' as BH Auto Wash IMO, and the foam hangs around on the drive for a bit (behind the car in this photo), but a good winter wash solution. Finished off with Turtle Wax Rinse and Dry (wet coat product, the blue one - spray on, rinse off, then dry with a towel - VERY hydrophobic and glossy). Didn't do the interior and didn't top with a quick detailer. I really couldn't be @rsed today. But I did dress the tyres. Always dress the tyres. Spent an hour and a half on it (including getting all the kit out and packing away again). Not a 'detail'.
View attachment 194813
The reason for my road trip? Well, the kids are a bit older now, and life was starting to feel a bit too ordered, so we need to introduce a bit of chaos to the household and mess up our routine a bit. So this little chap will be joining our family on the 27th December (not a Christmas present, just coincides with the time of year, lots of thought has gone into this decision!). Introducing Rocco (expecting a 'like' from
@MattSedg , lol) ...
View attachment 194812