£15k budget... A3 or S3 ??

[z1mma]

Hi

i currently own a A4 2.0Tdi S line (140), i love my audi but just don't love diesel, always have been abit of a petrol head..

i have a 15k budget and ive been looking at a decent S3 sportback to replace my a4..

i have 2 options i can either buy a A3 2.0t fsi sline quatrro (3dr) and keep my diesel as a family car or sell my diesel and buy a s3 sportback, which ever car i decide to buy i plan to modify, a3 i can modify straight away (stage 1,2 etc) where as with the s3 i will prolly be able to only remap it for the time being.

how good is a A3 tuned compared to a s3?


any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Azeem

 

[essIII]

Hi

where as with the s3 i will prolly be able to only remap it for the time being.

A stage 1 remapped s3 will be pushing over 300 hp and with the s3 brakes, suspension and looks will surely be all round much a better car than a stage 2'd 2.0tfsi. That's my 2p's worth.

 

[Ads]

I've got a stage 1 remapped A3 2.0TFSI which I would say is running at about 230-240bhp. It's FWD and in rolling acceleration there is hardly anything in it with a stock S3. But from standstill the S3 and its quattro will have me though, and then if you stage 1 it it's bye bye.

If I was choosing again I'd go for the S3 all day long. You start with 260bhp as standard and a £500 remap is going to have you pushing 300 or there abouts. To get that from a 2.0T (which is 200bhp stock) you're going to have to spend significantly more.

It is argued that the 2.0T with its smaller turbo is more usable than the S3's (due to less lag), which is true to some degree, but I'd still opt for the S3 due to tuning potential, looks and the simple fact that it is an S3.

 

[MartayMcFly]

S3 is literally a different league, there's little point in comparison. It all depends on if you can properly afford to run an S3, otherwise there's no arguement. Or, if you're not after just performance, get the A3 and mod til your heart is content (which might be never, if you spend too much time on here).

 

[Gweev]

As far as i remember the S3 SB only started in 08, so for £15k you'll be looking at a higher mileage 08/57 car. The 3dr's go back to 2006. For the A3 you'll prob be looking at an 09 or 59.

Potential performance gains aside, if you're spending your entire budget on the car, you need to consider can you afford to maintain the older higher mileage S3?

 

[z1mma]

As far as i remember the S3 SB only started in 08, so for £15k you'll be looking at a higher mileage 08/57 car. The 3dr's go back to 2006. For the A3 you'll prob be looking at an 09 or 59.

Potential performance gains aside, if you're spending your entire budget on the car, you need to consider can you afford to maintain the older higher mileage S3?

thats what i thought, hopefully i can hagle a decent low mile 08/58 plate to 15k .. Chances? slim :s

 

[BBlackburn]

S3 SB are starting from £17k upwards on auto trader have you seen any that have taken your fancy?
Could always go for a 3 door s3 and mod like you say rs3 grille springs to mind and stage 2+ perfect!

 

[MartayMcFly]

S3 SB are starting from £17k upwards on auto trader have you seen any that have taken your fancy?
Could always go for a 3 door s3 and mod like you say rs3 grille springs to mind and stage 2+ perfect!

Would have to be an 8P3 (58 on) for RS3 grille, unless you fancy a bit of trimming and plastic welding to get an RS4 or RS6 grill into an S3 surround. If you are planning to go down the modding route, spend some time looking into what's possible, and what everything will actually entail before basing a decision on it.

 

[BBlackburn]

Would have to be an 8P3 (58 on) for RS3 grille, unless you fancy a bit of trimming and plastic welding to get an RS4 or RS6 grill into an S3 surround. If you are planning to go down the modding route, spend some time looking into what's possible, and what everything will actually entail before basing a decision on it.

My apologies I did mean rs6.

 

[MartayMcFly]

If you're after Stage 2+ and an RS6 grille, buy brough's car. Think he's after more like £17k, but you'll be saving the cost of getting a car up to that level. It's basically where I want my car to end up, and I'm barely half way after a year (and ££££ spent) with the car.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/sale-wanted-audi-cars/154038-sale-audi-s3-8p2.html

 

[brough74]

Save a bit more and buy my S3 in the classifieds lol

 

[MartayMcFly]

Save a bit more and buy my S3 in the classifieds lol

Speak of the devil... already posted the link.

 

[z1mma]

If you're after Stage 2+ and an RS6 grille, buy brough's car. Think he's after more like £17k, but you'll be saving the cost of getting a car up to that level. It's basically where I want my car to end up, and I'm barely half way after a year (and ££££ spent) with the car.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/sale-wanted-audi-cars/154038-sale-audi-s3-8p2.html

Hmmm tempting, but its a 3dr , missus will not let me replace my a4 for a 3dr but i can get away with a s3 sportback as its more of a "family" car with 5 doors