mapped a3 vs standard s3

[Nutty]

I think as I can't decide I may just sit on my hands for a while. I often go through phases of driving attitudes, one day I want to scare myself silly and the next potter about like my mother. I'm not sure I will get what I really want from an s3, but that said I need to drive a couple more, although undoubtedly it would be awesome to own one.
I'm going out in a friends mapped Octavia, meant to be about 200bhp so will see how that feels as a small comparison for mapping mine.

 

[Matt82]

Interesting, esp considering S4 is much heavier at the front end.. wonder why same is not true/audi did s3 differently..

haldex i recon? my s4 has a 60/40 rear toruqe bias. still dull to drive

 

[brasiliangringo]

haldex i recon? my s4 has a 60/40 rear toruqe bias. still dull to drive

Thats exactly it, Haldex like i discovered b4 has a 95% front bias with a FWD traverse engine set up in the S3, unlike the longitudinal mounted S4 v6 which lends itself more naturally to RWD . I also drive an s4. I wouldn't call it dull, infact I find the traction remarkable but if dull is to mean ''safe'' Vs the fun you can have in a rear drive car 1st/2nd gear in the wet - then sure, i agree!

 

[Matt82]

its a lovely car and i do feel bad when i slate it from time to time. 340 ish bhp from mine, it does a good impression of a 4dr estate rocket, but the general fool proof, point and shoot driving nature bores me to tears. Mr Bean, in a coma, could just in one of these S4/S3s and extract nine tenths of the performance because therye so dumbed down you can barely call it driving.

the S3, even more so, with its HORRIFICALLY safe fwd lay out, youd have to have had a lobotomy, be a computer programer or just a total spastic to crash the thing. the lack of driver involvement is just the icing on the cake, hence my S4 is going up for sale soon

 

[JD09]

I think as I can't decide I may just sit on my hands for a while. I often go through phases of driving attitudes, one day I want to scare myself silly and the next potter about like my mother. I'm not sure I will get what I really want from an s3, but that said I need to drive a couple more, although undoubtedly it would be awesome to own one.
I'm going out in a friends mapped Octavia, meant to be about 200bhp so will see how that feels as a small comparison for mapping mine.

You see the S3 does this for me. I had my 5 years of fun in a tin can Clio, zooming around roundabouts then running out of puff up the straights. It fell apart and caused me more aggro than fun.

I now have Recaro armchairs for the M6 motorway run to Birmingham every Friday/Sunday return, 225bhp for getting there more quickly and playing on the motorway (if I ever get out of cruise control, 6th and 70mph - 35mpg!!) and a decent haldex/4x4 system for the snow.

Best of all worlds for me (except the three neighbours asking for lifts throughout the snow).

 

[brasiliangringo]

its a lovely car and i do feel bad when i slate it from time to time. 340 ish bhp from mine, it does a good impression of a 4dr estate rocket, but the general fool proof, point and shoot driving nature bores me to tears. Mr Bean, in a coma, could just in one of these S4/S3s and extract nine tenths of the performance because therye so dumbed down you can barely call it driving.

the S3, even more so, with its HORRIFICALLY safe fwd lay out, youd have to have had a lobotomy, be a computer programer or just a total spastic to crash the thing. the lack of driver involvement is just the icing on the cake, hence my S4 is going up for sale soon

I get your point, it was the what i thought after having spent a week in one, that id get bored after a while because you just cant play around in it - unshakable..

So what are you thinking of next ?

 

[Matt82]

thats a really good question. a lot of people have suggested an M3, but unfortunately i dont own a white baseball cap.

i bought the S4 because i wanted comfortable, i wanted interesting (something different) and i wanted fun. it does the first two nicely. its quiet, comfortable, doesnt drink as badly as i was expecting, goes like billy bunter in a rush to get to the sweet shop but introduce corners and its miles too civilised.

the car is so utterly competant, you do just point and shoot it. no involvement required whatsoever. i can drive that car 100% successfully with inch thick composite soled protective boots, its that easy. in my old gti, you have to be wearing just the right ballet-esq shoes to get the most out of it and that car is a real buzz to drive.

the S4 was supposed to be the answer to all my car questions, but now i just dont know

 

[finesse]

thats a really good question. a lot of people have suggested an M3, but unfortunately i dont own a white baseball cap.

i bought the S4 because i wanted comfortable, i wanted interesting (something different) and i wanted fun. it does the first two nicely. its quiet, comfortable, doesnt drink as badly as i was expecting, goes like billy bunter in a rush to get to the sweet shop but introduce corners and its miles too civilised.

the car is so utterly competant, you do just point and shoot it. no involvement required whatsoever. i can drive that car 100% successfully with inch thick composite soled protective boots, its that easy. in my old gti, you have to be wearing just the right ballet-esq shoes to get the most out of it and that car is a real buzz to drive.

the S4 was supposed to be the answer to all my car questions, but now i just dont know

Can't have your cake

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1243605.htm

 

[Matt82]

you sir are clearly a bit potty, ive been having naughty thoughts about Cerberas too for a while, since the start of the new year

only downside... technical support

on the S4, i bought that in Oct last year. i carried out a cambelt/stat/water pump change. being a VAG person i can get access to all sorts relating to VW/Audi etc.

i therefore had all the ELSAWIN details and just did the job myself. i can get parts at discount with VAG, i know who the manufacturer's are for most of the parts too if the dealers are too dear

on a cerbera, where would you even get a cambelt or the rollers?! you wouldnt get workshop manuals so you wouldnt know torque wrench stuff either

so that scares the life out of me

 

[mk1chopper]

There should be a warning not safe for work with the link for the TVR its car porn! Theres plenty of TVR specialists out there and owners to help, you just need to find out if theres any local. And why do you need a baseball cap to drive an M3, I think the RS4 is the new car that most a**e holes driving an inch from your bumper drive these days. And the boy racers top car is a skyline these days I thought?

 

[finesse]

you sir are clearly a bit potty, ive been having naughty thoughts about Cerberas too for a while, since the start of the new year

only downside... technical support

on the S4, i bought that in Oct last year. i carried out a cambelt/stat/water pump change. being a VAG person i can get access to all sorts relating to VW/Audi etc.

i therefore had all the ELSAWIN details and just did the job myself. i can get parts at discount with VAG, i know who the manufacturer's are for most of the parts too if the dealers are too dear

on a cerbera, where would you even get a cambelt or the rollers?! you wouldnt get workshop manuals so you wouldnt know torque wrench stuff either

so that scares the life out of me

 

[JD09]

The only way you are going to get what you want Matt is by going RWD.

Z3/4M or coupe?

 

[finesse]

I wouldnt get a tqs unless you plan to get it hybrided, you could probally do that for the price of an s3. £5.5k for a tqs, ( mine!) then 2k for the hybrid and other engine parts ie fuel pumps fuel injectors. And itll be faster than a mapped s3 aswell.

swings and roundabouts

 

[finesse]

The only way you are going to get what you want Matt is by going RWD.

Z3/4M or coupe?

TRAITOR

 

[brasiliangringo]

thats a really good question. a lot of people have suggested an M3, but unfortunately i dont own a white baseball cap.

Ive been in an E36, E46 and had the pleasure of seeing the original 20,000km E30 with ''one careful owner from new'' sitting in the BMW Museum in Munich.. All I can say is don't be put off by the minority who give them a slightly unsavory image - they are incredible cars, both inside and out and to drive. However, the power delivery on the E36 and E46 is very linear straight through the revs Vs a turob'd car which tends to go warp factor when the boost comes in and you lack that savage on boost acceleration which you wont get.. Go and try one. BMW offered me a 24 hour test drive or for the w/e (cant remember was years ago) provided I sorted out my own valid insurance* for the period.

*Norwich union do short term insurance as have used it myself for anything from 24hrs to max 1 month (think)

 

[Matt82]

ive driven both the e36 and e46 (e46 smg), the e36 did feel more "raw" but still theyre so "rude boy"

lovely cars though. id like a nice one but i would end up putting a lot of miles on it which sort of defies the whole keeping it until it becomes a classic. my old golf is about to click over 220k miles now, id do the same to the BMW

e30 BMW with and M50 2.5 24v lump would be good

 

[1an]

ive driven both the e36 and e46 (e46 smg), the e36 did feel more "raw" but still theyre so "rude boy"

lovely cars though. id like a nice one but i would end up putting a lot of miles on it which sort of defies the whole keeping it until it becomes a classic. my old golf is about to click over 220k miles now, id do the same to the BMW

e30 BMW with and M50 2.5 24v lump would be good

my dad has an e30 with an m52 in it with 220bhp and my s3 is all over the back of him and leaves him in the corners and he has a full bilstein b8 setup and h&r roll bars, ive driven it and would still rather the s3

 

[brasiliangringo]

my dad has an e30 with an m52 in it with 220bhp and my s3 is all over the back of him and leaves him in the corners and he has a full bilstein b8 setup and h&r roll bars, ive driven it and would still rather the s3

Perhaps you're just a much better driver then ...

 

[Matt82]

completely different cars.

s3 = you could drive it in your sleep, in a coma
e30 = a proper car you'd actually have to put effort in to drive

 

[Mattjbradbury]

Don't base any opinion of the S3 from that car you drove. I test drove that car also (As i was looking for an S3 recently) and it was ****** aweful. When i drove it it was well down on power, steering was well off centre and it handled really skittishly. That car's been really battered by the previous owner. I looked at it well over a month ago so it shows its crap as it's still there unsold. Drive another one and see what you think...

I bought another S3 in the end and its miles better than that one - its really not a good example to set your opinion on....

 

[1an]

completely different cars.

s3 = you could drive it in your sleep, in a coma
e30 = a proper car you'd actually have to put effort in to drive

yeah i know that and also having owned an m50 e30 id rather have an s3 any day of the week such a better car in many ways.

 

[brasiliangringo]

yeah i know that and also having owned an m50 e30 id rather have an s3 any day of the week such a better car in many ways.

All depends what you want ofc, but purely as a driving machine, the E30 has more potential and surely more can be learned from driving it??

 

[Matt82]

exactly. different cars for different needs. one will be more involving, and from my experience, the same applies with the A3 and S3 scenario, but obviously to a lesser extent.

 

[mk1chopper]

I had an E30 318is (poor mans M3) lovely car and great fun but I dont think i'd compare the E30 3 series with an S3. What about replacing your A3 with a corrado VR6 storm, great sound track, drivers car, great looking and not bad spec, plus you'd probably have some cash left over to spend on the corrado.

 

[brasiliangringo]

I had an E30 318is (poor mans M3) lovely car and great fun but I dont think i'd compare the E30 3 series with an S3. What about replacing your A3 with a corrado VR6 storm, great sound track, drivers car, great looking and not bad spec, plus you'd probably have some cash left over to spend on the corrado.

Don't think an E30 318 is a basis for comparison imo, the M3 E30 was so reworked even the 325 didn't bare much resemblance but arguable could be like saying A3T and S3..

I used to have a corrado - superb cars, really loved it and still do but they are getting on a bit these days with the youngest being on a 96' n but there again younger than an E30 M3 - although I wouldn't want to drive an E30 everyday as I would miss the creature comforts and interior updates on newer cars.

I think this thread has slightly lost its focus to the OP anyway haha..

Anyone got any great 70s fancy dress ideas that can be done on the cheap - need some inspiration for a party on Satuday?!

 

[Gops]

I'd have the S(pecial) 3 I think you could get one for cheaper than 8k though. Personally i think the S3 looks better, has more of a muscular stance and its wider than an a4. Better turbo, better seats etc. I dont own one, but ive been in S3 Rav's and i love it... espeically that wistle.. ooo gets me all the time! Or.. be productive, save up and buy a helicopter!

 

[JD09]

Interesting that you want a more involving car and state E30s as a possibility. Would run a mile personally. Amazing what different driving manors and opinions brings up

 

[JD09]

Anyone got any great 70s fancy dress ideas that can be done on the cheap - need some inspiration for a party on Satuday?!

I bought some flared jeans and a frilly open orange shirt for a party a while ago, all came from charity shops. I actually had to change half way through. I want kids when I'm older, you see.

 

[brasiliangringo]

I bought some flared jeans and a frilly open orange shirt for a party a while ago, all came from charity shops. I actually had to change half way through. I want kids when I'm older, you see.

Haha fair enough, sounds cost effective (for the outfit) and cheaper than a vasectomy if you don't want kids..

 

[JD09]

I'll drum up a photo if poss later on. I was 21 and in that student long hair phase, so don't laugh.

 

[mk1chopper]

Don't think an E30 318 is a basis for comparison imo, the M3 E30 was so reworked even the 325 didn't bare much resemblance but arguable could be like saying A3T and S3..

I used to have a corrado - superb cars, really loved it and still do but they are getting on a bit these days with the youngest being on a 96' n but there again younger than an E30 M3 - although I wouldn't want to drive an E30 everyday as I would miss the creature comforts and interior updates on newer cars.

I think this thread has slightly lost its focus to the OP anyway haha..

Anyone got any great 70s fancy dress ideas that can be done on the cheap - need some inspiration for a party on Satuday?!

Wasnt comparing the 318is with the S3, was comparing the E30 and backing up my postion with ownership. The E30 M3 was a completely different car due to the bespoke suspension and chassie and the fantastic inlet manifold that BMW used. The reason the E30 318is is called a poormans M3 is due to that fact it was a 4 pot 16v unit (like the the M3) and had the same sport suspension, sports interior and brake setup found on the E30 325i sports. A lot of people would say the 318is handled better out the box than the 325i sport due to the lighter engine up front.

Who wanted an S3 again?

 

[JS1500]

MG Midget (the thinking man's Mini) for 'argh-i'm-about-to-die' type fun / S3 for comfort and covering large distances.

Job's a good 'un.

Remember people: S3, M3, RS4 etc - all fast versions of family cars. If you want sportscar, buy sportscar 'cos if you try to turn an S3 in to a sportscar you'll spend a lot of money and end up with a very fast family hatchback.

 

[1animal1]

is this still going on