More Problems for S3 and TT-S Experience

By way of update... as expected the payments for the TT-S are coming in waaaaaay higher - mostly it seems because of the negative equity on the current car. Speaking of which, it is STILL in the garage going through a process of elimination. Although intermittent, the garage have seen it a few times - but no error has appeared in the logs. Apparently new spark plugs made it worse/more evident???
 
You are fast catching up with me in the S3 faults/issues stakes!

You have my full sympathy. :(
 
My S3 is in the garage for next few days, trying to figure what is going on with clutch / surging / revs not rising in sync with engine speed / potential turbo issue?? Intermittent, so they are going to plug it in and probably thrash it to bits to see what's up..Master tech doesn't think it's clutch as if it was then would be having more problems than what he noticed..

I hope yours gets sorted soon but I can see how you don't want the 8V anymore..I have just a small issue in comparison but that along with a few niggles I am losing confidence in it..:( Still love it though but not sure I am in love with it. haha

Meanwhile they have also given me a new TT , S-Line as courtesy. Unfortunately I don't get a shot in it today as the wife dropped the S3 in to garage.. We have a 2.0tdi quattro TT (which I am driving today :( ) but she is over the moon she getting a shot in the new one as we will be upgrading to one next year all going well. :)

All the best.
 
WetFishDB said:
By way of update... as expected the payments for the TT-S are coming in waaaaaay higher - mostly it seems because of the negative equity on the current car. Speaking of which, it is STILL in the garage going through a process of elimination. Although intermittent, the garage have seen it a few times - but no error has appeared in the logs. Apparently new spark plugs made it worse/more evident???
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Yep, rolling over negative equity into a new lease...lol sky rockets the monthly lease payment. I would advise to either have them give you more money for the car or pay off the negative equity in cash if possible. Otherwise, there isn't any significant incentives from Audi for that TTS the dealer can use to work with you. And they rather sell it to a sucker willing to buy it at mark up because it's so "hot".... sort of like the frenzy earlier this year trying to buy or lease a Golf R, lol.
 
scope213 said:
Yep, rolling over negative equity into a new lease...lol sky rockets the monthly lease payment. I would advise to either have them give you more money for the car or pay off the negative equity in cash if possible. Otherwise, there isn't any significant incentives from Audi for that TTS the dealer can use to work with you. And they rather sell it to a sucker willing to buy it at mark up because it's so "hot".... sort of like the frenzy earlier this year trying to buy or lease a Golf R, lol.
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As I understood it they were willing to do it at 'cost price', although we never got into the details as even then it was just too much.

I'm still desperate to change my vehicle as its a dud, but they can't even get me into the same car without it costing more. In the end I think it's going to be a slow and painful death, with time I will be able to walk away... whether to another Audi or a different brand, who knows. My loyalty has definitely been shaken.
 
As a car to own, I would stick to the S3 and style wise the S3 looks better.

You are joking aren't you? Style wise the S3 looks better than a TT..
All opinions welcome but a standard hatchback better looking than a 2dr sports coupe..I'm sorry but no..just no!
 
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Well my S3 has been fine until going in for a service, now been back twice (was in for 3 weeks) and just got another warning light.

Audi UK "we can't impose on dealer" etc etc, thing is, it's pretty evident they've messed something up and I'm sick of bog standard courtesy cars.

Tbh, after 10 years I think I'm done with the Audi brand.
 
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A3_Rider said:
Well my S3 has been fine until going in for a service, now been back twice (was in for 3 weeks) and just got another warning light.

Audi UK "we can't impose on dealer" etc etc, thing is, it's pretty evident they've messed something up and I'm sick of bog standard courtesy cars.

Tbh, after 10 years I think I'm done with the Audi brand.
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Sorry to hear that but yeah l do agree being given a nice courtesy car can take the edge off the stress factor of your own car being taken into get repaired
 
Well I have the courtesy TT S-line today, the wife didn't particularly like it. Probably because she was wheel spinning everywhere yesterday as it's not quattro variant.

I have to say I like how it drives in comparison to the S3, suspension is really much better and steering feel and turn in (on the same roads I drive as S3) is far superior! It's only 230ps so I really miss S3 for the power and also I actually prefer the S3 interior. Not overly a fan on the virtual cockpit but I guess that will grow on me over time. I am going to try and arrange a TTS test drive soon and see how that goes, something tells me it will be good.
Hopefully get the S3 back tonight so will be interesting to see/feel the differences back to back. :)

OP, hope everything works out for you and you get something sorted soon with a new car!! :)
 
The turn in on the S3 is pretty disappointing, having owned several front wheel drive cars previously, that just carried the front end into the bend without fuss or drama.

There is definitely much room for improvement in front end grip of the S3. Best car in recent times for steering turn in is the E46 M3. Really really good.
 
AndyB-S3 said:
Well I have the courtesy TT S-line today, the wife didn't particularly like it. Probably because she was wheel spinning everywhere yesterday as it's not quattro variant.

I have to say I like how it drives in comparison to the S3, suspension is really much better and steering feel and turn in (on the same roads I drive as S3) is far superior! It's only 230ps so I really miss S3 for the power and also I actually prefer the S3 interior. Not overly a fan on the virtual cockpit but I guess that will grow on me over time. I am going to try and arrange a TTS test drive soon and see how that goes, something tells me it will be good.
Hopefully get the S3 back tonight so will be interesting to see/feel the differences back to back. :)

OP, hope everything works out for you and you get something sorted soon with a new car!! :)
Click to expand...

Interesting. I'm now in a TT S-Line courtesy car, but the quattro variant. Feels every bit as fast (but not as much torque). I agree that the suspension and steering feel is miles better than the S3. You can properly throw it into a corner and it just goes around it effortlessly. I like the concept of the virtual cockpit, but there are a few things in the execution that I find very annoying (but I can be a little OCD). The TTS that I had prior to this courtesy car was fantastic. An utter joy in every way. For me, other than space in the rear/boot the TTS was easily miles better than the S3 in every other department.

Fingers crossed about the car. Looking at the timing of my OP, it looks like its been a whole month since I actually had my own car now :/
 
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Baring in mind the TT'S starts from £40,000 bangers the S3 £33,0000, that's a huge difference in price,so l expect there to be a big difference in how it drives plus add in the factor the TTS is a new model
Not sticking up for the S3 to me it's a unfair comparison.
The TTS specced properly is a £46,000 car
That's a lot
Plus factor for the TTS is its rarity Glasgow Audi don't even have a demonstrator in Stock,yeah it's my favourite Audi at the moment,it's also the newest Audi,but value for money certainly not
 
jassyo06 said:
Baring in mind the TT'S starts from £40,000 bangers the S3 £33,0000, that's a huge difference in price,so l expect there to be a big difference in how it drives plus add in the factor the TTS is a new model
Not sticking up for the S3 to me it's a unfair comparison.
The TTS specced properly is a £46,000 car
That's a lot
Plus factor for the TTS is its rarity Glasgow Audi don't even have a demonstrator in Stock,yeah it's my favourite Audi at the moment,it's also the newest Audi,but value for money certainly not
Click to expand...

I'm not blown away with the new TTS, think the last mini makeover makes the front light cluster a bit too angular.......lost some of the sexy curves! It's also a pretty short car, bit sort of chopped off looking from the side.

........still a hairdressers car too...........................no self respecting man should be seen near one :whistle2:
 
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^^^ Take cover Si ! ;o)
 
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Simon L said:
I'm not blown away with the new TTS, think the last mini makeover makes the front light cluster a bit too angular.......lost some of the sexy curves! It's also a pretty short car, bit sort of chopped off looking from the side.

........still a hairdressers car too...........................no self respecting man should be seen near one :whistle2:
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Hi mate,l saw TT s-line in Daytona at my local sainsbury petrol station,geezer driving it,it did look really nice classy loved the Led tail lights,l had a rcz always got slagged off for having it,didn't bother me,but l think the TTS far too expensive for the options l would have on it....done the derv TT sline it was in mythos looked very wide indeed,but the interior was very spartan, and your post is sure to get a few quotes lol
 
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jassyo06 said:
Hi mate,l saw TT s-line in Daytona at my local sainsbury petrol station,geezer driving it,it did look really nice classy loved the Led tail lights,l had a rcz always got slagged off for having it,didn't bother me,but l think the TTS far too expensive for the options l would have on it....done the derv TT sline it was in mythos looked very wide indeed,but the interior was very spartan, and your post is sure to get a few quotes lol
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Saw the exact same model and colour near me a couple of weeks back mate, yeah there's things I like, afterall it's still an Audi so there's a limit to how messed up it can be!

...........but, I've never really been a fan of the shape overall and as you say not cheap. I'd take an RS3 over it any day ;)
 
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jassyo06 said:
Baring in mind the TT'S starts from £40,000 bangers the S3 £33,0000, that's a huge difference in price,so l expect there to be a big difference in how it drives plus add in the factor the TTS is a new model
Not sticking up for the S3 to me it's a unfair comparison.
The TTS specced properly is a £46,000 car
That's a lot
Plus factor for the TTS is its rarity Glasgow Audi don't even have a demonstrator in Stock,yeah it's my favourite Audi at the moment,it's also the newest Audi,but value for money certainly not
Click to expand...

The TTS is clearly a lot more, but actually speccing up my S3 Sportback comparably and the difference isn't as big as you'd think. For example LED headlights are standard on the TTS, but £1k option on the S3 etc. For me, the difference in price is well worth it (and I would get one were I not carrying a crap load of negative equity on the existing car). I do however still agree that it is a very VERY expensive car.

Simon L said:
I'm not blown away with the new TTS, think the last mini makeover makes the front light cluster a bit too angular.......lost some of the sexy curves! It's also a pretty short car, bit sort of chopped off looking from the side.

........still a hairdressers car too...........................no self respecting man should be seen near one :whistle2:
Click to expand...

I agree completely about the front light cluster, the ones that come with the Xenon headlights are the original curved ones (I think) and they look much more fitting for the car. That said, other than that I really like the look, and comparing the TTS to the S3 (I own the latter), if the TTS is a hairdressers car then I'm all for picking up a pair of scissors (and lord knows what that makes the S3?)
 
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WetFishDB said:
The TTS is clearly a lot more, but actually speccing up my S3 Sportback comparably and the difference isn't as big as you'd think. For example LED headlights are standard on the TTS, but £1k option on the S3 etc. For me, the difference in price is well worth it (and I would get one were I not carrying a **** load of negative equity on the existing car). I do however still agree that it is a very VERY expensive car.



I agree completely about the front light cluster, the ones that come with the Xenon headlights are the original curved ones (I think) and they look much more fitting for the car. That said, other than that I really like the look, and comparing the TTS to the S3 (I own the latter), if the TTS is a hairdressers car then I'm all for picking up a pair of scissors (and lord knows what that makes the S3?)
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Well wet fish...it would clearly make Si a chauffeur as he's got the S3 saloon lol me having the Sportsback it would make me a Male model...coz it looks better with me in it lol
 
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jassyo06 said:
Well wet fish...it would clearly make Si a chauffeur as he's got the S3 saloon lol me having the Sportsback it would make me a Male model...coz it looks better with me in it lol
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tumblr_l4dxn83YdE1qa9armo1_r2_500.jpg
 
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Right, Audi finally called me. The solution to my power issues appears to have been something to do with 'coils'. Whatever they are they've replaced all of them and all of the spark plugs and haven't been able to replicate the problem. Apparently the car feels 'tighter' too???- so fingers crossed that's the end of my S3 problems whilst I wait out the remaining years of the PCP deal :/
 
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WetFishDB said:
Right, Audi finally called me. The solution to my power issues appears to have been something to do with 'coils'. Whatever they are they've replaced all of them and all of the spark plugs and haven't been able to replicate the problem. Apparently the car feels 'tighter' too???- so fingers crossed that's the end of my S3 problems whilst I wait out the remaining years of the PCP deal :/
Click to expand...

Ignition coils are sometimes referred to as spark coils, and are designed to provide the voltage that's needed to get an internal combustion engine going.

Your car battery will have a relatively low voltage, whilst the spark plugs require a large voltage in order to spark properly. The ignition coil is designed to increase the voltage from 12 volts up to the level required for ignition (about 400 volts).
 
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Good news mate!! Hopefully that's some trouble free motoring from now on!!

I got my car back today, they couldn't replicate my problem so will just have to monitor and see if it happens again. Tbh I am glad back in the S3. As much as i liked the handling of the tt I much prefer my comfy S3 and that power..awesome. ;')..

All the best. :)
 
AndyB-S3 said:
Good news mate!! Hopefully that's some trouble free motoring from now on!!

I got my car back today, they couldn't replicate my problem so will just have to monitor and see if it happens again. Tbh I am glad back in the S3. As much as i liked the handling of the tt I much prefer my comfy S3 and that power..awesome. ;')..

All the best. :)
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Thanks man. Am going to seriously consider throwing the CCA at them, with a view to walking away after paying half rather than waiting a further 2 years in a car I don't want any more. Maybe give one of the other German brands a go. Or I might calm down after a month or two of trouble free motoring (pretty please).
 
The TTS has a newer Haldex system with the same engine. So lol people comparing between the S3 and the TTS making it seem like it's day and night....IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEADS! Sheesh.
 
scope213 said:
The TTS has a newer Haldex system with the same engine. So lol people comparing between the S3 and the TTS making it seem like it's day and night....IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEADS! Sheesh.
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Eh? Its definitely lighter, definitely has different exhaust, definitely more HP. Those things aren't just in my head, they are independently verifiable facts. I also suspect different suspension set up, but can't find a source for that. The cars therefore feel - entirely predictably like an entirely different car (which it quite obviously is). From the few thousand miles I've done in the TT and TTS compared to the tens of thousands in the S3, I can comfortably say that the TTS feels much much better to drive. It's not just the S3 in drag, if that's what your suggesting.
 
WetFishDB said:
Eh? Its definitely lighter, definitely has different exhaust, definitely more HP. Those things aren't just in my head, they are independently verifiable facts. I also suspect different suspension set up, but can't find a source for that. The cars therefore feel - entirely predictably like an entirely different car (which it quite obviously is). From the few thousand miles I've done in the TT and TTS compared to the tens of thousands in the S3, I can comfortably say that the TTS feels much much better to drive. It's not just the S3 in drag, if that's what your suggesting.
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A much more impractical car however, I'm sure you'll agree.
 
l really do like the TTS.....indeed...l keep on saying to my son about it, he doesnt rate it at all,as they sell very few of them,no wonder??? its the least value for money S model designation car Audi sell at the moment...
That aside there is something that keeps me wanting one,in Sepang with Red leather SS seats,Matrix leds...lol 20"'s with a 12% discount..lol
but in Manual form
 
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WetFishDB said:
So... more problems for my S3 it seems. For background, I have had the stuttering gear changes (gearbox full reset), coolant leaks (new pump I think), engine management light problems (multiple sensor replacements), massive wheel spin (resulting in a new differentia)l so far...

And now I have intermittent power loss between 2,800 RPM and 3,400 RPM. It's happened in a variety of gears in both manual and automatic. It occurs when in-gear, but doesn't happen all the time. Apparently the camshaft sensors are reporting a fault (fourth time). Also the passenger side headlight won't auto level correctly and is steaming up (despite having been checked for a known warranty based issue that causes the steaming up).

So back into the garage it goes. It pretty much has spent the last 6 months either being in the garage, or with some defect waiting to go back into the garage. I've decided I don't want the S3 any more. Just too many damned problems. I don't want to be spending the next 3 years in and out of the garage. I'm 18 months into a 4 year PCP, so will have to see what the dealer suggests once I get the car back again... fingers crossed.


However... the courtesy car I have is an Audi TT-S, new shape, and OMG...

It is FANTASTIC. Like a million miles from the S3. The gearbox is smooth as butter, and in S mode it is both sporty but doesn't just sit in gear to the red-line like my S3 did when cruising along at 40. This one comes with magnetic dampers (not sure if standard) and is feels noticeably more supple than the S3. And the engine note. Wow! The note is much deeper, and the farts on upshifts are magnificent. It properly bellows. The dash is also very clever, although I'm not sure they've got it completely right yet - some of it seems quite unintuitive and can't seem to get a display that just has the two dials etc. I even managed to get the kids in the back without as much drama as I was worried about.

All in all, I would love one if I could afford the incremental cost above the S3. If there is anyone reading this in two minds about the two - for me, there is simply no comparison. TT-S wins easily.
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Sorry to hear of the problems with your S3. Must say, mine's been faultless, 29,000 miles covered - famous last words!

Couldn't agree more regarding 8v S3 vs new TTS - it's so much better to drive than the S3. Also, IMO, it is also better than the new RS3. I test drove them back-to-back. As to practicality? Err, I don't agree with some of the comments made above. The boot on the TTS is bigger than my S3 and with the rear seats folded, there's nearly the same amount of luggage space. OK, you don't get two useable rear seats, but if you don't need them and I don't, then it is just as practical as a 3 door S3. I used to get a mountain of fishing gear into my TTRS and the new TTS has more space than that. I'm ordering a new TTS next March to replace my S3.
 
scope213 said:
The TTS has a newer Haldex system with the same engine. So lol people comparing between the S3 and the TTS making it seem like it's day and night....IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEADS! Sheesh.
Click to expand...

It is far better, you should try it.
Best Audi (when it comes to driving) I have had the pleasure of having a crack in.
Practicality is its only issue, no use if you need to have a car seat in the back.
Other than that it's perfect.
 
No doubt. But I think people exaggerate a bit too much. This is what happens when your current car is in the shop and you step into a brand new highly anticipated car. It probably drives better, etc., but not by much. I think if you compare it to another two seater like the Cayman then you'll notice the real difference. :D
 
4K said:
A much more impractical car however, I'm sure you'll agree.
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Definitely. Although not as impractical as I thought. Fits smaller kids in the back and the boot is reasonably spacious. I could just about compromise (if I had the money) ;)
 
SilureMark said:
Sorry to hear of the problems with your S3. Must say, mine's been faultless, 29,000 miles covered - famous last words!

Couldn't agree more regarding 8v S3 vs new TTS - it's so much better to drive than the S3. Also, IMO, it is also better than the new RS3. I test drove them back-to-back. As to practicality? Err, I don't agree with some of the comments made above. The boot on the TTS is bigger than my S3 and with the rear seats folded, there's nearly the same amount of luggage space. OK, you don't get two useable rear seats, but if you don't need them and I don't, then it is just as practical as a 3 door S3. I used to get a mountain of fishing gear into my TTRS and the new TTS has more space than that. I'm ordering a new TTS next March to replace my S3.
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I'm jealous. Very.
 
CraigI said:
It is far better, you should try it.
Best Audi (when it comes to driving) I have had the pleasure of having a crack in.
Practicality is its only issue, no use if you need to have a car seat in the back.
Other than that it's perfect.
Click to expand...

Car seats don't work, but once they are in booster seats you are good to go
 
It's the same engine with the same output lol. Are you comparing US spec with European?
 
audi upgrades
Well in the U.S. it's the same engine and output as the S3.
 
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