3.2 vs s3

Ah that's where were different hehe My daily comute doesn't include a drag strip!!

Where is the fun in driving in a stright line anyway.
 
Regardless of whether you are in the 3,2 or S3 camp, if you want a new or fairly new A3 based hot hatch then it has to be an S3.
AUDI dont make a 3.2 anymore, so there is no choice.

The S3 is much more expensive than a 3.2, but comparisons are often made against much newer cars, and the the S3 is now the 8p platform flagship whether we like it or not.

Moving from a 3.2 to and S3 is a big leap financially and IMO you do get a bit of a diminishing return type scenario. Those who cant swallow the extra outlay should really look somewhere else than the 8p platform.
I like hot hatches so for me it was obvious, I wanted the daddy of the VAG hot hatch range, and that was the S3 IMO.

So is a new S3 worth 20K more than a used 3.2?
Is an M3 worth 20K more than a 335i?
The reality is, if you want that little bit more, then you sometimes have to dig deep.

Cheers
Paul
 
Lolzz. its fun winding each other up. But on a serious note, mines making about 250-260 bhp, and its about 90kg lighter then a THREE door 3.2, so im pretty sure it would be faster, if not massively.Can say that with confidence as I can beat a mk5 R32 no probs.


How many people were in the R32 when the traffic lights turned to amber? :)
 
Yeah I agree Paul but when I make the step up I want it to be a bigger step up as the 3.2 is so close to an S3 (standard!).

Might get a Cayman Paul :)
 
I agree Paul, I've been considering a new car come the end of the summer and the S3 was on the cards but my 3.2 is well spec'd and I just cant justify the extra spend on the S3 as for me it doesnt provide the cost/benefit - but like you say, sometimes you just have to dig deep for that little bit extra....
 
How many people were in the R32 when the traffic lights turned to amber? :)

obviously I don't go around racing R32s everyday, but do come across the odd chancer, like the MTM stg 2 S3 on way back from Glasgow meet, who raped me of course.
But anyway therewas just the driver both times, one from lights, other time rolling start with 3 horn blast. Had about 1.5- 2.5 car lengths on em.

If you do that maths its not that surprising.
 
Wish i could get in a Cayman or a 911 ! i would be there tomorrow.
 
Yeah 911 would be the one for me.

For an everyday hack I don't think you can beat having 4x4 though especially in the UK
 
Yeah I agree Paul but when I make the step up I want it to be a bigger step up as the 3.2 is so close to an S3 (standard!).

Might get a Cayman Paul :)

I agree Paul, I've been considering a new car come the end of the summer and the S3 was on the cards but my 3.2 is well spec'd and I just cant justify the extra spend on the S3 as for me it doesnt provide the cost/benefit - but like you say, sometimes you just have to dig deep for that little bit extra....
It was similar for me when I went from a REVO MK5 Gti to a stock S3, the difference wasnt radical and yet the change cost me 13K!!

Unfortunatley that little bit extra does cost a LOT more. And I reckon that goes for all performance cars and all marques.


Im sure similar debates are being had on forums everywhere.

SRI v VXR.......innit

cheers
Paul
 
obviously I don't go around racing R32s everyday, but do come across the odd chancer, like the MTM stg 2 S3 on way back from Glasgow meet, who raped me of course.
But anyway therewas just the driver both times, one from lights, other time rolling start with 3 horn blast. Had about 1.5- 2.5 car lengths on em.

If you do that maths its not that surprising.

I guess the math you're talking is a simplistic view of power to weight ratio... there are many other factors/variables to consider other than power/weight when measuring/comparing this type scenario (street sprint?). However, all else being equal then yes, in theory 260bhp in the lighter car should beat 250bhp in a slightly heavier car.
 
Its not all about speed. your looking at a ban at anything over 100mph these days and a Fiat 500 will do that. I find on the odd occasion i come up against something that wants a race it always comes down to who is prepared to risk their licence the most...
If we are just talking acceleration then my £5k bike will blow any S3 away anyway.
 
Do we have any fugures weight wise? I'm not so sure the s3 engine setup will be much lighter..... Turbo setup and all associates gubbins...

A3 3.2 Q 1,535kg
S3 1,455kg
TTRS 1,450kg

I'll hazard a guess that all that weight is in the engine and front suspension of the 3.2 and trust me that amount of weight makes a huge difference....
 
I think Paddy was trying to get to the fact that If we were having a my ***** bigger than yours there is always someone with a bigger one....
 
Just ask yourself each day, are you happy to drive it? Does it make you smile and want to get in it? lol, as Paddy said its not all about straight line! even though thats good and on a track each animal is different, its what it gives YOU thats important! We are all very different and crave different things!

Sure lots wouldnt say no to a ferrari/Aston etc but in the real world and having to live with it as a day to day drive.......enough said! lol
 
Yup ..point is Paul that chasing the fastest car will always make you discontent because someone will always be a lot quicker.

Now i can do this for you at a mere £120k...

010610ducatiNCR2.jpg


Think how many caymans you could buy for that :)
 
I think Paddy was trying to get to the fact that If we were having a my ***** bigger than yours there is always someone with a bigger one....

My mate is hung like an Afgan Yak.
He has 1.0l P Reg micra.:o.k:
 
A3 3.2 Q 1,535kg
S3 1,455kg
TTRS 1,450kg

I'll hazard a guess that all that weight is in the engine and front suspension of the 3.2 and trust me that amount of weight makes a huge difference....

Jamie, is this on repeat lol?????
 
The one issue I have with the 3.2 is that due to the power delivery being so linear, you tend to lose that sense of speed? Is this an engine mated to DSG specific thing or is this the case with the S3 or 8P A3's in general?

And yeah, if the difference in the weightings you've posted Jamie are positioned at the front of the respective cars then handling will be compromised. The 3.2 has the battery positioned in the boot but not sure how much counterance that gives to the front end load - batteries are ****** heavy!! :p
 
The one issue I have with the 3.2 is that due to the power delivery being so linear, you tend to lose that sense of speed?

When I first drove the S4 4.2 V8 I got out thinking WTF??? Felt docile, slow and lazy. Obviously it's not, but acceleration has to be savage in NA cars to feel properly quick. Over-engineering is the big issue. My 160bhp 1.9l converted Mk1 Golf GTi felt like it was doing mach 3 at 120mph because it was a sardine tin with an overpowered cammy engine.

That's what I love about the Revo maps, they're urgent.
 
Yeah, whilst I cant compare it to the 8P S3 I can compare it to the 8L S3 which I owned prior to the 3.2. It felt rapid and go-kart like in comparison but in real world terms there would likely be nothing in it.

I'm looking to get back into the whhoooosh kick turbo action next I think but that may involve turning to the dark side in more ways than one... but thats for another thread probably on a different forum! :p
 
lol is that why the thread 'Views' jumped from 500 to 1200 in the space of 5 mins? :)
 

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