Facelift 17 plate S3 8V test drive

Rahmon_22

Rahmon_22

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Hi Guys!

I am relatively new to the Audi-Sport forum so forgive me for posting something which might already have been covered elsewhere!

Basically, I am booked in with the local Audi dealership to test drive a 17 plate 8V S3 this weekend and I'm wondering if there is anything current FL owners would advise I should look out for/be aware of/ask questions on?

I previously owned an 8P S3 but it was manual and I am keen to switch to the DSG S-tronic this time round, which is the main reason for the test drive!

Any advice prior to the test drive would be much appreciated!

Rahmon
 
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Best advice I can give is, 'enjoy it' :)

I've got a 17 plate S3 and I can't think of anything specific to look out for. It should be the new 7 speed box which I think is better than the older one. It will hang on to the gears too long in sport mode but that is normal so don't be worried. D works great for pootling around and switch to manual for a bit of fun. I love my S3 and I love the auto box and am missing them both dearly while it's having a holiday at the Audi dealers (my fault not its).
 
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Put it into dynamic, then pull the gear stick back so that it's in sports mode....then floor it (making sure that the road conditions are safe/clear) :)

Don't buy black! I think if I'd had a white S3 I'd still have it now!!!

Price wise, use this site to get a price on a new one and then compare it to the one you are looking at, depending on how you are buying it a new one may work out cheaper! https://www.coast2coastcars.co.uk/car-quote/
 
Check the tyres, disks and pads carefully. if its only a year old it should be ok, but some cars have been driven pretty hard....

7 speed is a good changed from the 6 speed DSG. As above, driving around in S all the time will mean your revving the nuts off it and looking like wally in town. So use D and then S only when you want to go fast. It will still rev around to 5k and then hold that gear too, so you still might want to shift up using the paddles after you've finished accelerating.

Try launch control too.... its quicker than the quoted 4.6 secs....
 
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If your buying through a main dealer then the car should be in good order but will have a comprehensive warranty anyway so I wouldn't worry about that side of things.
What I would do is do your research on options and what cars are available. It's too easy to fall in love with the first car you see and regret it not having the right options as the list is extensive!
Above all else enjoy it and don't believe everything the salesman tells you!
 
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Make sure it's in dynamic, don't use S or D at all, use the paddles and drive it like a manual, that's where the fun is.
Just pull the appropriate paddle when you would normally move your left leg in and out and twiddle the stick. :racer:

Put it in S briefly then back to manual which puts it in true dynamic and gives you the pops and farts on the downshifts.
 
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Make sure it's a saloon yer buying with a few nice options as a basic S3 is a bit of a dull place to sit in
 
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jassyo06 said:
Make sure it's a saloon yer buying with a few nice options as a basic S3 is a bit of a dull place to sit in
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Ohhh now you've started it! :p
 
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Cheers for all the responses, much appreciated!

I was initially looking at an earlier 8v model, around 2014/15 but decided on the FL as it should hold it’s value a lot better if I decide to sell in a few years time.... the pops and bangs on the overrun is also a nice incentive!!

Anyway, the car I’m test driving isn’t one I’ve eyed up, it’s purely to get a feel for the s-tronic gearbox - which seems to get a lot of praise on the forum! Although i think it’s a sportback black edition, which is what i would be after anyway so should give me a good idea.

Also been told that it’s a good idea to wait closer to August/September to buy as the 68 plates will be coming out and a lot of dealers will be pushed to meet quarterly sales targets etc.. could mean a having bit of extra leeway when trying to haggle on the price!


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Rahmon_22 said:
Cheers for all the responses, much appreciated!

I was initially looking at an earlier 8v model, around 2014/15 but decided on the FL as it should hold it’s value a lot better if I decide to sell in a few years time.... the pops and bangs on the overrun is also a nice incentive!!

Anyway, the car I’m test driving isn’t one I’ve eyed up, it’s purely to get a feel for the s-tronic gearbox - which seems to get a lot of praise on the forum! Although i think it’s a sportback black edition, which is what i would be after anyway so should give me a good idea.

Also been told that it’s a good idea to wait closer to August/September to buy as the 68 plates will be coming out and a lot of dealers will be pushed to meet quarterly sales targets etc.. could mean a having bit of extra leeway when trying to haggle on the price!


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The best time to buy a car is when your ready to, but in my experience May and November are the quietest months for the motor trade and the best months to buy a car
 
That and the end of a month when they need to hit targets. I used to sell cars for my sins and my old boss would always get twitchy around the end of the month when he hadn't hit his targets. If he had you'd have no chance of a deal though. :)
 
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I will be very surprised after your test drive if you opt to remain a manual guy. I was a die hard manual guy and hated slush box auto transmissions. That changed after using a DSG auto box. They are brilliant for today's stop and go motoring and wonderful in manual mode with matching double clutching revs on down shifts. The DSG takes a bit of getting used to but I would never take a manual over it. Just my opinion.
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
I will be very surprised after your test drive if you opt to remain a manual guy. I was a die hard manual guy and hated slush box auto transmissions. That changed after using a DSG auto box. They are brilliant for today's stop and go motoring and wonderful in manual mode with matching double clutching revs on down shifts. The DSG takes a bit of getting used to but I would never take a manual over it. Just my opinion.
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I bought my last S3 with that exact mindset, die hard manual guy! I think you’re right though.. im already 80% sold on the DSG without having given it a run out yet, so we will see tmr!


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Rahmon_22 said:
I bought my last S3 with that exact mindset, die hard manual guy! I think you’re right though.. im already 80% sold on the DSG without having given it a run out yet, so we will see tmr!


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S Tronic is brilliant, use the paddles and almost treat it as a semi auto, it will take a few miles to get used to but once you learn the characteristics of it the changes up or down are instantaneous.
 
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RS3 S. said:
Check for tyre where & a pano roof is a nice option.
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As mentioned above the car I’m test driving tmr isn’t one i plan on buying, it’s more just to get a feel for the S-tronic. Although i am looking to spec the car with the pano roof as well as the VC and the super sport seats - really sets the car off IMO


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Rahmon_22 said:
Definitely not buying a manual.....


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That comment sats it all :salute: The 7-speed S-Tronic is just brilliant. I have only experienced it to misbehave once in the time I have had the car (10.000 miles) and I think that was more like a miscalculation from the ecu than a mechanical error. It changed from 1st to neutral instead of 2nd.
 
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Rahmon_22 said:
As mentioned above the car I’m test driving tmr isn’t one i plan on buying, it’s more just to get a feel for the S-tronic. Although i am looking to spec the car with the pano roof as well as the VC and the super sport seats - really sets the car off IMO


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So with these options on your list, your going to have order a car from the factory?
 
jassyo06 said:
So with these options on your list, your going to have order a car from the factory?
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Yeah mate i think so.. i’m in no rush to buy but i’d be waiting a long time to find a 2017 model with the same spec


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