Today's my last day with my S3 as tomorrow I collect my new Floret Silver TTS s-tronic.
I have covered 37,000 miles over just under two years - am I sad to see it go? Well, quick summary first:
Good - 100% reliable, low running costs, straight line performance, grip, interior, build quality, subtle looks
Not so good - driving position, adjustment in steering column, rattling window frames, pop-up sat nav screen, Audi sound system, Drive Select, retained value
To describe my ownership experience, I'd say it's not been a car I have really jelled with. The driving position has never been something I could live with; I can't sit low enough and have the steering wheel close to me. I know other people have found this with the S3. The SS seats I have are comfortable, but I always feel like I am sitting on a bar stool. All of that spoils the driving experience for me. The sat nav screen I rarely have on show, as I just find it too distracting and the Audi sound system has been a big disappointment. I should have gone with B&O. Performance wise, not a lot can get past you if you have a mind to put your foot down. Even my mates RS5 can only keep up with me, he can't get past. there's also the looks - I like the fact that the S3 is quite subtle, but there's been many a time when I glance back at my S3 and think to myself that Audi could have done a little more to make the car look, err, sporty? I suppose it is a compact hatchback, so there's only so much you can do with that. The final word on my S3 is I supposed 'disappointing'. When I first test drove the new TTS I was very surprised how much better it was than my S3 - in almost very department, but particularly the interior, driving position, handling and above all, looks. So, I have just set everything back to Factory Settings, dug out the spare keys and it's adios, but not adios amigos I'm afraid. It's not been emotional, but the TTS now awaits and I don't think I will sleep tonight!
Thank you to all of you who've 'spoken' to on this forum. Cheers. Mark.
I have covered 37,000 miles over just under two years - am I sad to see it go? Well, quick summary first:
Good - 100% reliable, low running costs, straight line performance, grip, interior, build quality, subtle looks
Not so good - driving position, adjustment in steering column, rattling window frames, pop-up sat nav screen, Audi sound system, Drive Select, retained value
To describe my ownership experience, I'd say it's not been a car I have really jelled with. The driving position has never been something I could live with; I can't sit low enough and have the steering wheel close to me. I know other people have found this with the S3. The SS seats I have are comfortable, but I always feel like I am sitting on a bar stool. All of that spoils the driving experience for me. The sat nav screen I rarely have on show, as I just find it too distracting and the Audi sound system has been a big disappointment. I should have gone with B&O. Performance wise, not a lot can get past you if you have a mind to put your foot down. Even my mates RS5 can only keep up with me, he can't get past. there's also the looks - I like the fact that the S3 is quite subtle, but there's been many a time when I glance back at my S3 and think to myself that Audi could have done a little more to make the car look, err, sporty? I suppose it is a compact hatchback, so there's only so much you can do with that. The final word on my S3 is I supposed 'disappointing'. When I first test drove the new TTS I was very surprised how much better it was than my S3 - in almost very department, but particularly the interior, driving position, handling and above all, looks. So, I have just set everything back to Factory Settings, dug out the spare keys and it's adios, but not adios amigos I'm afraid. It's not been emotional, but the TTS now awaits and I don't think I will sleep tonight!
Thank you to all of you who've 'spoken' to on this forum. Cheers. Mark.
