I'd love to see what would happen to that ego when you get done by "just an A3" that cost a fraction of the cost to build than your obviously vastly superior S3
Fraction of the cost to build? I don't see how. Suspension mods aren't vastly different in price, if at all. Same engine, BIGGER turbo out of the box, MORE traction through corners and acceleration... Add to that the suspension that is lower and stiffer on the S3 in stock form... Add to that the better seats, the exterior improvements, and a host of other things I can't think of right now, and I really don't see what you mean. Only place I see you really paying a sizable amount in repair over an A3 is the Haldex system. But if it's maintained well it'll last the life of the car I think. Mine certainly hasn't given me trouble and it has had a haldex plug in it for the last 20,000km. Still no clicking, no ********, no side effects.
Besides, pump 350hp through a FWD A3 and the cost of tires needed alone surpasses the haldex cost altogether. I've seen 300+hp FWD cars. They EAT tires, and they require GOOD tires. I think that would offset plenty of the costs that come with driving an S3.
The way I see it - 3 grand will buy you an A3, with money left over for suspension mods and a k280/k300 hybrid turbo (and it will be a seriously fun car then!)
or
3 grand will buy you an S3... Then you could spend another 1-2 grand (or more) getting the indeed bigger turbo to k300 power levels and sorting the handling out. And at the end of the day, the 3 grand A3 will (conditions allowing!) still be quicker in a straight line, lighter, nimbler and more "exciting to drive", even though you've ploughed a lot more into the S3.
Yes, the A3 will chew tires. Yes, the S3 will have better seats (until you rip them out for buckets) and be a nicer car to walk up to... But in my case, where it's just a weekend car purely aimed at the highest thrill to £££ ratio, none of this matters.
And S3 having more traction through corners?... I'm yet to see evidence of this, changing the direction of an additional few 100kg's won't come without it's down-falls!
But then there is that one day, when you look out of the window and see an A3 sat there instead of what could have been an S3, you see it's not just how it drives, it's also the feeling of contentment you get when you know it's the best model in the range you can get.
Dude, I think you have an ego issue
I do see you point though, the S3 IS a nicer more "special" car, fact... But when you're behind the wheel, smashing it down a B-road or round a track, if your mind is on the styling tweaks and shiny badge on the back, you're doing it wrong!