Facelift Regretting purchasing my S3

[Son of the liberty]

So after waiting months for the S3 and many many hassles with dealers making promises they couldn't deliver on and then the car having an issue on day one I finally have the S3 and have had it for about 6 weeks now.

In that time I have done around 500 miles and the truth of the matter is that I simply don't really like it.

I wish I'd either kept my A4 or changed to a different brand.

I've been looking and my car has dropped so much in value and it's simply not worth trading it in as it's only worth £30k (brand new S3 black edition, ara blue with tech pack)

At the moment I just feel I am stuck with it for the next 3-4yrs

Mike

 

[pburv]

So after waiting months for the S3 and many many hassles with dealers making promises they couldn't deliver on and then the car having an issue on day one I finally have the S3 and have had it for about 6 weeks now.

In that time I have done around 500 miles and the truth of the matter is that I simply don't really like it.

I wish I'd either kept my A4 or changed to a different brand.

I've been looking and my car has dropped so much in value and it's simply not worth trading it in as it's only worth £30k (brand new S3 black edition, ara blue with tech pack)

At the moment I just feel I am stuck with it for the next 3-4yrs

Mike

Sorry to hear that mate. What's the issue?

 

[-Ju-]

I have that feeling most times I change car to be honest.
It does take a while to gel with it and get used to it after the honeymoon period of it being new ends. In that time you remember what you gave up and can have regrets.
I gave up a stunning panther black S3 for my SQ5 a year ago, I still miss it but if I went back to one I'd miss the SQ5 just as much.
Give it time and try remember the reasons you went for it in the first place

 

[Peto]

my car has dropped so much in value and it's simply not worth trading it in as it's only worth £30k (brand new S3 black edition, ara blue with tech pack)

Hah pretty much I been saying in mine thread.. Of course the value goes down about 5k? straight you drive away from garage...
So A4 /S4 series are better?
What particularly you don't like on A3/S3 series?

 

[eribaMotters]

I agree with Ju. Sounds a bit like rose coloured glasses and you are in mourning for your old model. When I last moved on, from a Yeti to the A3, I was not sure if I had done the correct thing. The car is not the same, never will be and lacks the Skoda's character. The seat comfort is also poor in comparison but getting better. BUT in all other ways it is a step forward. Interior is a dream, handles a treat, goes well for engine size, sips fuel for a petrol engine and looks very nice. I really like it know but will remember the good points of previous cars long after I've forgotten the little things that I did not like about them.

Colin

 

[Jcbmally]

So after waiting months for the S3 and many many hassles with dealers making promises they couldn't deliver on and then the car having an issue on day one I finally have the S3 and have had it for about 6 weeks now.

In that time I have done around 500 miles and the truth of the matter is that I simply don't really like it.

I wish I'd either kept my A4 or changed to a different brand.

I've been looking and my car has dropped so much in value and it's simply not worth trading it in as it's only worth £30k (brand new S3 black edition, ara blue with tech pack)

At the moment I just feel I am stuck with it for the next 3-4yrs

Mike

Don't forget that once you get more miles on her it will loosen up. I've had a couple and they are a good fun car but circumstance changed so I moved on. Do I miss my S3 ?? well I miss the white 2018 one I had (pre GPF) but not the Daytona one.
If you really want to move on I would speak to a few dealers and see what they can do, being just after Christmas/new year they will be desperate for sales. Cost you nothing to ask.

 

[Damo S]

I think when you swap cars there is a tendency to focus on only the things you liked about the old car, and the things you don't like about the new car which gives a negative opinion. Give it time.

 

[The_Ironist]

Don't forget that once you get more miles on her it will loosen up. I've had a couple and they are a good fun car but circumstance changed so I moved on. Do I miss my S3 ?? well I miss the white 2018 one I had (pre GPF) but not the Daytona one.
If you really want to move on I would speak to a few dealers and see what they can do, being just after Christmas/new year they will be desperate for sales. Cost you nothing to ask.

Why one but not the other?

OP, what made you choose the S3?

What don’t you like about it?

500 miles isn’t very much and it will be running in a bit but tbh I knew I loved my S3 from day one and that hasn’t changed...I loved my A3 too while I had it and yes was sad to see it go but sitting in my S3 definitely helped.

Maybe you just need some time to put the initial issues and the pain of dealing with an Audi dealer behind you.

 

[Jcbmally]

Why one but not the other?

Pre GPF is slightly quicker mid range, slightly better on fuel, sounds better, interior quality a little better. The post GPF exhaust tips stayed cleaner though. I've had both S3's but my first one went back due to gearbox issues, when I got the new one I could tell the difference in quality.

 

[The_Ironist]

Pre GPF is slightly quicker mid range, slightly better on fuel, sounds better, interior quality a little better. The post GPF exhaust tips stayed cleaner though. I've had both S3's but my first one went back due to gearbox issues, when I got the new one I could tell the difference in quality.

Ah fair enough, wasn’t keen on the GPF either so went second hand pre.

 

[Jcbmally]

Ah fair enough, wasn’t keen on the GPF either so went second hand pre.

IMO you made the right choice mate.

 

[pburv]

After 4 years and 23k miles I still like my car. Audi tried to get me into a new one in October but they could not match or better the deal I had on my current S3. To be honest the current face lift model does nothing for me apart from virtual cockpit. Certainly not enough to justify over £400 a month for 48 months. I am planning on spending on a tune for my car just to keep my interest in it for a couple of years and then will see how the new model fairs with deals ect. As for @Son of the liberty All I can say is stick with it as you will lose so much of your 'hard earned' getting rid it really isn't worth changing. Don't forget you still have a great looking and spec'd car.

 

[SaraS3]

I was the same, bought the S3 at the end of June and part exd it for something else in November. I had driven less than 2,000 miles in that time. It only had 2,300 miles on when I swapped it and that included delivery miles from Scotland. I just found it boring and hated the bland interior. It seemed really old fashioned to me inside. It just sat on the drive. We have a car each and we would just use my partner's car. I couldn't be bothered driving it. I didn't see the point of insuring and taxing something I didn't want to drive so I changed it.

 

[The_Ironist]

I was the same, bought the S3 at the end of June and part exd it for something else in November. I had driven less than 2,000 miles in that time. It only had 2,300 miles on when I swapped it and that included delivery miles from Scotland. I just found it boring and hated the bland interior. It seemed really old fashioned to me inside. It just sat on the drive. We have a car each and we would just use my partner's car. I couldn't be bothered driving it. I didn't see the point of insuring and taxing something I didn't want to drive so I changed it.

So you went to a Mercedes estate and preferred that...?

 

[SaraS3]

Yes, absolutely. Others have sold s3's and gone to c43. I've had them before. They don't drive like the old estate cars and the v6 sounds a lot better too.

 

[Ron240]

You need to change your username to SaraC43 now.
We have spoke before about this and I totally get the C43 which is a much nicer place to sit than any S3, but the fact that you bought an estate would suggest the S3 was never going to be right for you in the first place?

 

[Jassyo06]

Hi That's a shame...but yer not alone..l purchased a new £40k 2015 S3 a few years ago and hated it within a couple of months....couldnt wait to get shot of it..as most of the long term members on here will testify too, 30 months later l sold it privately lesson learnt.... l then purchased the best car l have ever owned exactly the way l wanted it with a better interior than any Mercedes A/C class cough cough....Ye...gotta tick the "interior" option boxes though...@SaraS3 You get what you pay for in a Audi lol

Ps....A opf S3...I would never have one....Audi have ****** up all their engines...sound....BMW on the other hand seemed to gone to to bit more trouble...

 

[Goner]

Never once regretted changing cars and when I did I certainly didn’t focus on the one I’d just got rid of, it was all about the new one.

How much do you regret it? That’s the million dollar question? It sounds a lot, so if it was me i’d see past the lost money on getting shut and get something you really like, you need to be 110% sure though as if you change again and don’t like that.. we’ll then it’s getting daft.

If you don’t like it, life’s too short.. get rid and make yourself happy.

Keeping a car I don’t like for 3 to 4 years as you allude to would rack me off every single day so it would be gone.

 

[Mr Freeze]

I have no issues at all with mine oh apart from the gpf filter

 

[George_P]

Had my S3 now for almost a year. Lovely car, however would I get one again, considering it's my second one 15 years later, probably yes. Give her a chance

 

[Son of the liberty]

Thanks for replying guys, It's appreciated and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I just don't think it's as nice to drive as the A4 and the interior isn't as nice a place to be in.

I'm definitely not going to lose £5k on it though so I guess it'll be with me for the next 4 years or so.

My wife loves it and her car will be getting replaced in 2yrs so I've already planted the seed that when the time comes she has the S3 and I get her replacement.

 

[mve7]

Thanks for replying guys, It's appreciated and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I just don't think it's as nice to drive as the A4 and the interior isn't as nice a place to be in.

I'm definitely not going to lose £5k on it though so I guess it'll be with me for the next 4 years or so.

My wife loves it and her car will be getting replaced in 2yrs so I've already planted the seed that when the time comes she has the S3 and I get her replacement.

So why you buy the car if you don't like the interior?
I love the interior! why? Because I hate all the new big tv screens in cars... and especially the touchscreens... . Okay it's pretty sober. But the quality is perfectly much better than other brands.
I got an OPF one but just ordered a catless downpipe with OPF delete to get rid of that vacuum cleaner sound

 

[wab172uk]

So after waiting months for the S3 and many many hassles with dealers making promises they couldn't deliver on and then the car having an issue on day one I finally have the S3 and have had it for about 6 weeks now.

In that time I have done around 500 miles and the truth of the matter is that I simply don't really like it.

I wish I'd either kept my A4 or changed to a different brand.

I've been looking and my car has dropped so much in value and it's simply not worth trading it in as it's only worth £30k (brand new S3 black edition, ara blue with tech pack)

At the moment I just feel I am stuck with it for the next 3-4yrs

Mike

It's a shame you're not feeling the love for your S3.

I bought mine in 2015, and just sold it. Yes, it's not the most fun car to drive. But for me, it's probably been the best all rounder car I've owned. Second best was my old Subaru STI PPP.

I think the combination of a stylish body (saloon) great interior, AWD, and 300 bhp. SS Seats lift the cabin, and without them I don't think I'd have like the car so much. It's a car that you can jump in, and drive quickly no matter what the weather.

Mine was the manual, so for me, the interaction with the gearbox made the car feel more alive.

The car has been that good, and suited what I needed it to do, that I've struggled to replace it. It's the longest I've owned a car, and if it hadn't been for the engine issue (which knocked my confidence in it) then I might well have held onto it for another year or so. I kind of regret selling it.

We all bond with cars differently. It's just an expensive experience if we buy something then don't like it.

 

[Ron240]

I'm definitely not going to lose £5k on it so soon though, so I guess it'll be with me for the next 4 years or so.

Fixed that for you.

 

[Goner]

Thanks for replying guys, It's appreciated and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I just don't think it's as nice to drive as the A4 and the interior isn't as nice a place to be in.

I'm definitely not going to lose £5k on it though so I guess it'll be with me for the next 4 years or so.

My wife loves it and her car will be getting replaced in 2yrs so I've already planted the seed that when the time comes she has the S3 and I get her replacement.

Get watering that seed.

 

[Goner]

It's a shame you're not feeling the love for your S3.

I bought mine in 2015, and just sold it. Yes, it's not the most fun car to drive. But for me, it's probably been the best all rounder car I've owned. Second best was my old Subaru STI PPP.

I think the combination of a stylish body (saloon) great interior, AWD, and 300 bhp. SS Seats lift the cabin, and without them I don't think I'd have like the car so much. It's a car that you can jump in, and drive quickly no matter what the weather.

Mine was the manual, so for me, the interaction with the gearbox made the car feel more alive.

The car has been that good, and suited what I needed it to do, that I've struggled to replace it. It's the longest I've owned a car, and if it hadn't been for the engine issue (which knocked my confidence in it) then I might well have held onto it for another year or so. I kind of regret selling it.

We all bond with cars differently. It's just an expensive experience if we buy something then don't like it.

Have you picked the new beast up yet?

 

[wab172uk]

Have you picked the new beast up yet?

Yeah. Picked it up Friday. Very happy with it.

 

[Goner]

Yeah. Picked it up Friday. Very happy with it.

View attachment 195963

Nice one, the picture isn't working?

Stick a few up.

 

[Goner]

Yeah. Picked it up Friday. Very happy with it.

View attachment 195963

Nice colour..

Shell garage on Leeds Road, Huddersfield... filling up with the expensive stuff as well i assume!

 

[wab172uk]

Nice colour..

Shell garage on Leeds Road, Huddersfield... filling up with the expensive stuff as well i assume!

Yeah, Leeds Road. Only run my cars on V-Power.

 

[JonW]

I keep thinking like I'm not happy with my car but after a while my mind changes, very fickle of me.

Had an A5 as a courtesy car the other day, 40TSFI S line, was properly meh, was very happy to get back in my S3 Saloon. Over Christmas I went up to the west Highlands and put just short of 1600miles on it, was lovely, had a bit of fun pushing the odd ST around, which was pretty tame and effortless, and when just having a bimble its comfy and the MPG is fine...I now like the car again hehe.

Have got an itch for an A4 Avant SLine, really like the look of the new one, but then I'll be all "meh" again when I don't have the power that I do now, ill just be able to pop my bike in the boot rather than have all the gubbins on the roof.

Depreciation out of showroom is always going to put a dampener on things.

 

[MikeParkin]

I’ve had my PFL S3 from now for over 4 years now and I still love it can’t fault it really.

 

[msdmjb]

I had my PFL S3 for 5years and not once took it out for a blat, I did however respect it for what it was - fast efficient all weather method to get from A to B). Very nice interior, reliable, cheap to run, subtle but performant. Tbh it was always bought with my head rather than my heart.
In the 5 weeks I have owned my current car I have taken it out for more blats than I ever did in the S3..........might have something to do with having a 5.2l V10 that revs to 9k revs.......recommended

 

[allanmb]

Thanks for replying guys, It's appreciated and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I just don't think it's as nice to drive as the A4 and the interior isn't as nice a place to be in.

I'm definitely not going to lose £5k on it though so I guess it'll be with me for the next 4 years or so.

My wife loves it and her car will be getting replaced in 2yrs so I've already planted the seed that when the time comes she has the S3 and I get her replacement.

What A4 did you have previously? I had a 3.2 Quattro A4 and a 2.0 TDI Qauttro BE. I find my S3 smaller but much better handling than the A4 and my interior is much nicer. The only thing I don't like about the S3 is the attention it seems to get on the road from boy racers

 

[Damo S]

I think peoples expectations are perhaps a bit high. Its a small car so will not feel as smooth as an A4, A5. Its not designed to be a track car, but is instead designed to be a safe but fairly fast drive, so it wont ever feel like a 911. The interior was never designed to be super flashy just functional. Overall it is designed to be an all rounder so it does nothing particularly well (accept mpg). It is on balance superior to anything else I have ever owned before. Some of my older cars did some things better (e.g. 3.2 quattro - exhaust note and road holding at speed, celica GT4 turbo - handling and drifting ability / on power oversteer, focus - fuel economy, 2.3 audi - exhaust note).

The S3 is a bit of a compromise but still a very nice car, but it is the wrong car for you if ...
you want something really exciting to drive
you want something that sounds amazing
you want a flashy interior
you want a luxurious feel
you want something really fast (although this can be fixed by tuning it)

 

[The_Ironist]

I think peoples expectations are perhaps a bit high. Its a small car so will not feel as smooth as an A4, A5. Its not designed to be a track car, but is instead designed to be a safe but fairly fast drive, so it wont ever feel like a 911. The interior was never designed to be super flashy just functional. Overall it is designed to be an all rounder so it does nothing particularly well (accept mpg). It is on balance superior to anything else I have ever owned before. Some of my older cars did some things better (e.g. 3.2 quattro - exhaust note and road holding at speed, celica GT4 turbo - handling and drifting ability / on power oversteer, focus - fuel economy, 2.3 audi - exhaust note).

The S3 is a bit of a compromise but still a very nice car, but it is the wrong car for you if ...
you want something really exciting to drive
you want something that sounds amazing
you want a flashy interior
you want a luxurious feel
you want something really fast (although this can be fixed by tuning it)

I guess it depends what you’re comparing it against. Against the majority of cheaper cars, the same price or even a bit more expensive and coming from an A3 I think the S3 does tick all of those boxes.

I would disagree that it’s not the right car if looking for those things at this kind of price.

Good, safe and fast drive
Really nice sound especially with flaps disabled, good but not too much.
Interior is minimalist, well put together and functional. Yes it may lack some of the gimmicky/jazzy/luxury features of some higher end cars.
Feels pretty luxurious vs the majority of other cars.
Very fast compared to the majority of other cars.

You would have to spend significantly more to take another step up in all areas or lose significantly in some of those areas to make small gain in others.

 

[mve7]

I guess it depends what you’re comparing it against. Against the majority of cheaper cars, the same price or even a bit more expensive and coming from an A3 I think the S3 does tick all of those boxes.

I would disagree that it’s not the right car if looking for those things at this kind of price.

Good, safe and fast drive
Really nice sound especially with flaps disabled, good but not too much.
Interior is minimalist, well put together and functional. Yes it may lack some of the gimmicky/jazzy/luxury features of some higher end cars.
Feels pretty luxurious vs the majority of other cars.
Very fast compared to the majority of other cars.

You would have to spend significantly more to take another step up in all areas or lose significantly in some of those areas to make small gain in others.

You are right for this price category I think its the best car to buy... Its fast and really sticks to the ground when driving fast in corners. And I really love the interior its a nice combination between screen and buttons and the quality is much better than the competitors.

 

[John Pilkington]

What A4 did you have previously? I had a 3.2 Quattro A4 and a 2.0 TDI Qauttro BE. I find my S3 smaller but much better handling than the A4 and my interior is much nicer. The only thing I don't like about the S3 is the attention it seems to get on the road from boy racers

My sentiments entirely.am 56 now driving facelift s3 every corsa on the road wants to race you.the look on their faces when you let them fly by

 

[Grahame53]

Sorry you feel that way @Son of the liberty it is awful if you get buyers remorse on any product but a car is such a high price item I truly feel sorry you are in that position.
I have just bought a factory order S3 saloon and the opposite feeling to you where every time I get in it it makes me feel really happy. Boy racers don’t even bother me I just feel at peace with the car in the knowledge if I wanted to play their game the S3 would not be disgraced.
It would’ve a strange world if we all liked the same thing, one mans pleasure is another mans poison, I think that is the expression. I hope you find peace with your car in due course and start to enjoy it for the great car I believe it to be.

 

[Chris4410]

Thanks for replying guys, It's appreciated and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I just don't think it's as nice to drive as the A4 and the interior isn't as nice a place to be in.

I'm definitely not going to lose £5k on it though so I guess it'll be with me for the next 4 years or so.

My wife loves it and her car will be getting replaced in 2yrs so I've already planted the seed that when the time comes she has the S3 and I get her replacement.

Surely you spent a reasonable amount of time in the car before you bought it, so knew what the interior offered.

You can't expect an A3 to have the same quality of interior as the A4, much like a 3 series BMW interior is much better than a 1 series. They are a different class of car.

To be honest I though my S3 saloon (PFL) was the best all round daily car I have ever driven, I am currently driving a GTI TCR and in terms of all round ability it is very close but it doesn't have the same interior quality as the S3, but I wouldn't expect it to as its a cheaper car.