It's a car and just a car but a very very decent one, seriously fast.
Only thing is mine seems to get regular greasy nose shaped smudges on the drivers window ;-)
It's a daily driver, but is so anodyne it's really uninspiring.
It's rails and 4wd help, but I think it's a total disappointment dynamically.
Went to the dealer and this was it(haldexpump broken)!If you can wheelspin or the ESP light comes on in dry, grippy conditions, in a straight line, then you have a problem with your Haldex. Probably the pump.
Try your car in a wet grass field. You can soon tell if you have front wheel drive, or 4 wheel drive.
If you are accelerating out of a bend hard with bad loose grip (bad asphalt) - and the DSG downshifts, then yes, it is possible that the ESP will come on because it is trying to keep you going around the corner, rather than into the ditch.
edit:
See:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/202294-wheel-spining-my-s3.html
5 dislikes in 1000 miles:
1. The woeful interior storage space, lack of bins, small door pockets, tiny glovebox without shelf etc.
2. The ride quality of the suspension - secondary ride isn't as good as it could be, in certain situations it's "bouncy", "fidgety" and "unsettled" depending on road surface. But not "harsh" or "crashy" like the 8P S-line suspension. I think this can be cured with better rebound/compression settings on the dampers.
3. Standard Sports Seats aren't that supportive laterally
4. The steering wheel rake angle tilts the top of the wheel too far towards the front of the car. Very difficult to get a decent reach and height adjustment to suit all positions of the wheel.
5. Ridiculous amount of soot that collects on the tailpipes !
Why would you order the S3 if you think its so fundamentally flawed? I just find that odd. Not that I am a race driver like you appear to be - but I know on my tests I drove the S3 fairly indeed hard and was very happy with the way it handled and turned as a road car. Perhaps I have less experience of other faster road cars as a comparison but I cannot see there is a fundamental flaw and hence don't understand why you would order such a flawed car?
- A sticky breake pedal...sometimes, when I release it, it does not return immediately in zero position.
Does anyone else find that they get a reflection of the silver rim of the front left passenger air vent visible in the passenger side wing mirror?
It's such a big problem for me that if audi launch the rs3 with black air vents then I may have to upgrade
Er, sorryI didn't until you said that, then I noticed it this morning, so, um, thanks.![]()
Jimmydougle
I've found throttle response is improved (if not in dynamic mode) by flicking the S-tronic into 'S' mode
The star button on the steering wheel is set by default to cycle through the drive select modes. You can program it to do other stuff if preferred
If you cycle through the dash display modes one of them gives you a permanent clock display plus a separate cyclable read out of other parameters
Totally agree with you on the overall awesomeness of the car![]()
100 mile review
Hey, I did about 100 miles in the first 2 days. It's on 110 now after today's commute. This is just a quick list from what I've found so far.
Pros:
Acceleration is fantastic
ACC is simply brilliant, a must have option - However, it needs to respond quicker when the car in front turns off the road you're on.
MMI setup was so easy, just connected my phone via bluetooth and the MMI cable and that was it. You'll get used to it within 30 minutes
Exhaust gear change sound is very head turning
Looks the part and makes my friends jealous (lol)
Seating position is low to the road making it feel quicker at slower speeds
Cons:
This waste gate rattle thing which everyone is going on about, it's quite loud in my car
You have to be quite heavy footed to get a real sense of decent acceleration
The throttle response time could be better - I've floored it and then had to release quickly when there was lots of noise but no movement. Then when I had no foot on the accelerator after lifting off the car lurched forwards quickly. I'm probably not used to it, but it completely threw me.
The Audi sound system bass isn't too great, I'm going to fit my own subwoofer to enjoy all the Mozart that requires listening to...
There should be a button on the steering wheel for changing the drive select.
No clock on the dash screen, keep having to look at my watch when driving.
I'm being very picky with my cons, I love this car and would recommend anyone reading this forum on the edge of making the decision to get one to go down to a dealer and place an order. You will not regret it. I'll do another review at 1000 miles.
Do you all know that if you're in D and then flick a paddle to go into M, then you can go straight back to D by just holding the right + paddle for 3 secs... or of course just leave it to time out and automatically switch back to D a little later, which can be annoying as there is a bit of a time lag. I have shown this to a number of people with audi and vw double clutch boxes and none of new you could do this. It certainly wasn't in the manual for both my TTs... get my S3 next week, so will report back on what I think. I'm trying to ignore some of the moans and groans I am reading here - makes me wonder if people bothered to properly test drive an S3 before buying! I always try to drive at least a couple of different cars before deciding...
i must be the only person to be utterly underwhelmed by my S3.
I won't go into what I dislike, as the list will be long and I don't want to rain on anyones parade,
I'm intrigued and we're all adults.. please share with us what you dislike. Always good to hear peoples (constructive) feedback
I'm intrigued and we're all adults.. please share with us what you dislike. Always good to hear peoples (constructive) feedback
Okay:
Haldex system is poor for a drivers car. Needs to be more rear biased.
A FWD car with a good diff corners and drives much better.
RWD car so far superior it is incredible.
You need to step up to Torsen based Audis then.
The Haldex system can never be made to be RWD biased. It's technically impossible as a clutch based system. And S car were never really designed to be re-engineered sports cars. That's that the RS models are for.
Audi HAVE designed the S range to be just what you described. An understated fast version of the standard car. The Halo models in each range are now RSes.
I have, had a 2013 S5 before the S3.
It had a different set of issues, but the S3 would be far better out of the box for that AWD set up.
No you aren't.
Ive just had a day in the S3 after 4 weeks driving the SLK and just found the whole experience uninspiring and very disappointing.
I won't go into what I dislike, as the list will be long and I don't want to rain on anyones parade, but I really am considering changing it. Just need to see if I can find something I like (there is a very interesting RS Megane coming out soon) and see how good Audi (quick selling) residuals are.
Here's what I do like, just so it's not all negative; B&O when played loud is exceptional, look of the car, feel of the interior.
If anyone fancies a 2014 S3 5 door s-tronic in Misano, with only 3000 miles on the clock, PM me.
but I find myself preferring to use the wives car or the SLK
I have, had a 2013 S5 before the S3.
It had a different set of issues, but the S3 would be far better out of the box for that AWD set up.
Had a weekend in the new RS4 and to be honest it didn't do anything for me, with the exception of a great engine, but suspension set-up shocking on UK roads and far too heavy.
I think I'll eventually move on from Audi (sooner or later) and, with the exception of a R8 related itch I have to scratch one day, won't be back.
No you aren't.
Ive just had a day in the S3 after 4 weeks driving the SLK and just found the whole experience uninspiring and very disappointing.
I won't go into what I dislike, as the list will be long and I don't want to rain on anyones parade, but I really am considering changing it. Just need to see if I can find something I like (there is a very interesting RS Megane coming out soon) and see how good Audi (quick selling) residuals are.
Here's what I do like, just so it's not all negative; B&O when played loud is exceptional, look of the car, feel of the interior.
If anyone fancies a 2014 S3 5 door s-tronic in Misano, with only 3000 miles on the clock, PM me.
I think for me Pulp's last line sums up my current feeling for my S3. I am slightly underwhelmed by it after the first month. That's not to say it's not a good car - far from it. However whilst I respect it, right now I just can't love it.
I've had a couple of 8P S3 Sportbacks and, if I'm honest, I actually found the 8P steering to be slightly better than the 8V. It just feels too disconnected (and in dynamic mode artificially heavy with no feel whatsoever). The suspension is a huge improvement, firm but not jolting over pot holes like the 8P. It does feel 'floaty' however I don't find this unnecessarily unnerving. To me it feels fairly planted but unfortunately the steering feel (or lack of) just makes the car feel disconnected.
Does it help that I've gone for S-tronic as opposed to manual - which my previous 8Ps were ? I think this removes a certain amount of enjoyment. However I was happy to sacrifice this for the convenience around town. However I have found the gearbox to be jerky when moving from standstill, almost if the handbrake doesn't want to release in hill hold mode. It is especially awful when engaging reverse. It has been in the garage to be recalibrated - unfortunately its not a great deal better and I have been told its within tolerance.
Once moving the S-tronic is as smooth as silk and I have no complaints with the power. Its a very quick and efficient motor. However right now it just doesn't have that last little bit of driver enjoyment - its almost too efficient, too effortless in what it does. Unless you're at licence losing speeds it just doesn't seem to connect.
So why buy one? For me it had to be a compromise car. Its my only car and its my daily runner. For absolute fun I could have gone with a Renault Megane RS or similar. But I couldn't live with the freefall depreciation or interior quality. I considered an M135i, similar power but perhaps more involvement? However I live in the sticks and RWD isn't an option. Nor could I live with the dumpy looks.
Inside the S3 is fantastic - a real step up from the 8P. Everything falls to hand perfectly and, for the money, it feels like a premium product. And you spend a lot of time sitting in your car. Yes, there is a lack of oddments space but the car has a boot and my missus has a lap! My only disappointment is the B&O stereo. Its good but £750 good? No. I had an A4 for short time and the B&O was superior in the A4. If I had to choose again I would probably just go for the ***. Even if it did mean losing the speaker lights which, with the interior light pack, make the S3 a pretty special place to sit at night.
I also love the upshift theatrics from the exhaust and the noise it makes on throttle - however synthesised. It sounds so much better than my previous S3s. And it is slightly more fuel efficient too when driven in the same manner. Maybe only 3-4 mpg but a bonus nonetheless.
However I find myself raving about the interior more than the dynamics. Which on reflection, one month in, isn't where I suspected to be. As I've mentioned it had to be a daily runner and family transport, as well as for my own pleasure. And in that respect I have to say it touches most bases 85% of the time. And that should be enough. It is a good car and the best compromise for where I'm at. But right now I just don't get that desire to jump in it and drive it hard solely for pleasure. I hope that 'pang' comes.
This is just perpetuating myth. I have owned two Torsen/mech. Audis (including my current S4 with sport dif) and one S3 sportback (8P). The Haldex and Torsens are set up to function nearly the same on the road with both having slight advantages and disadvantages. The Haldex can and does regularly send more than 50 percent of power rearwards, anyone who says otherwise does not understand how the system responds, particulary with differing axle speeds. It can also theoretically be set up with rear bias, if the engineers design a fixed degree of slip into the front axle. As it stands, the Gen 4 and 5 Haldex are rear biased in nearly every acceleration scenario, and also in many dynamic cornering scenarios with lots of weight transfer. The myths surrounding Haldex are endless, and even most magazine reviewers get things wrong because they don't understand what the system can and can't do.You need to step up to Torsen based Audis then.
The Haldex system can never be made to be RWD biased. It's technically impossible as a clutch based system. And S car were never really designed to be re-engineered sports cars. That's that the RS models are for.
Audi HAVE designed the S range to be just what you described. An understated fast version of the standard car. The Halo models in each range are now RSes.
I think for me Pulp's last line sums up my current feeling for my S3. I am slightly underwhelmed by it after the first month. That's not to say it's not a good car - far from it. However whilst I respect it, right now I just can't love it.
I've had a couple of 8P S3 Sportbacks and, if I'm honest, I actually found the 8P steering to be slightly better than the 8V. It just feels too disconnected (and in dynamic mode artificially heavy with no feel whatsoever). The suspension is a huge improvement, firm but not jolting over pot holes like the 8P. It does feel 'floaty' however I don't find this unnecessarily unnerving. To me it feels fairly planted but unfortunately the steering feel (or lack of) just makes the car feel disconnected.
Does it help that I've gone for S-tronic as opposed to manual - which my previous 8Ps were ? I think this removes a certain amount of enjoyment. However I was happy to sacrifice this for the convenience around town. However I have found the gearbox to be jerky when moving from standstill, almost if the handbrake doesn't want to release in hill hold mode. It is especially awful when engaging reverse. It has been in the garage to be recalibrated - unfortunately its not a great deal better and I have been told its within tolerance.
Once moving the S-tronic is as smooth as silk and I have no complaints with the power. Its a very quick and efficient motor. However right now it just doesn't have that last little bit of driver enjoyment - its almost too efficient, too effortless in what it does. Unless you're at licence losing speeds it just doesn't seem to connect.
So why buy one? For me it had to be a compromise car. Its my only car and its my daily runner. For absolute fun I could have gone with a Renault Megane RS or similar. But I couldn't live with the freefall depreciation or interior quality. I considered an M135i, similar power but perhaps more involvement? However I live in the sticks and RWD isn't an option. Nor could I live with the dumpy looks.
Inside the S3 is fantastic - a real step up from the 8P. Everything falls to hand perfectly and, for the money, it feels like a premium product. And you spend a lot of time sitting in your car. Yes, there is a lack of oddments space but the car has a boot and my missus has a lap! My only disappointment is the B&O stereo. Its good but £750 good? No. I had an A4 for short time and the B&O was superior in the A4. If I had to choose again I would probably just go for the ***. Even if it did mean losing the speaker lights which, with the interior light pack, make the S3 a pretty special place to sit at night.
I also love the upshift theatrics from the exhaust and the noise it makes on throttle - however synthesised. It sounds so much better than my previous S3s. And it is slightly more fuel efficient too when driven in the same manner. Maybe only 3-4 mpg but a bonus nonetheless.
However I find myself raving about the interior more than the dynamics. Which on reflection, one month in, isn't where I suspected to be. As I've mentioned it had to be a daily runner and family transport, as well as for my own pleasure. And in that respect I have to say it touches most bases 85% of the time. And that should be enough. It is a good car and the best compromise for where I'm at. But right now I just don't get that desire to jump in it and drive it hard solely for pleasure. I hope that 'pang' comes.