Feedback from those with S3s now

[Conor_B]

the S3 is a utilitarian hatchback, quick car, practical and premium quality interior.
it is not a sports car, nor does it deliver any element of dynamic driving experience.

if you accept it's a daily driver, quick and comfy, then you'll be pleasantly surprised. if you expect sports "feel" then you'll be disappointed.

I don't expect that, which is why I asked, and used those examples because anyone coming from such a car will understand what I meant. I.e, is it fun/challenging to drive on a B road or track etc. That question if you've come from a derv will obviously be yes, but someone who is used to a 'sport' feel will give a more knowledgable answer.

Certainly don't expect to feel like i'm in a full on sports coupe, but don't want things to be too settled either.

 

[Ashmcblue]

I don't expect that, which is why I asked, and used those examples because anyone coming from such a car will understand what I meant. I.e, is it fun/challenging to drive on a B road or track etc. That question if you've come from a derv will obviously be yes, but someone who is used to a 'sport' feel will give a more knowledgable answer.

Certainly don't expect to feel like i'm in a full on sports coupe, but don't want things to be too settled either.

I certainly don't think things will be settled. Evo did a good track battle with the M135i and he said it was pretty pliable and fun on the limit.

Link is here: http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/trackdayvideos/291964/audi_s3_v_bmw_m135i_track_video.html

 

[danilotto]

Hi all,

At 1200 km my S3 begun suffering a noise that seems quite common on 2.0TFSI and 1.8TFSI engines. Please refer to this thread:

1.8TFSI und 2.0TFSI S3 - Sammelthread: Rasseln im Bereich Beifahrer von der Abgasanlage Seite 12 : Na da bin ich ja mal gespannt... Super das du sich so einsetzt...

I would like to know about your experience about this noise. There is also a thread on this forum. Here: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-8v-chassis/210625-problem.html

 

[Dakar]

Hi all,
At 1200 km my S3 begun suffering a noise that seems quite common on 2.0TFSI and 1.8TFSI engines. Please refer to this thread:

Post here for this issue:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3...ic-scraping-rattle-between-1500-3000-rpm.html

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

I don't expect that, which is why I asked, and used those examples because anyone coming from such a car will understand what I meant. I.e, is it fun/challenging to drive on a B road or track etc. That question if you've come from a derv will obviously be yes, but someone who is used to a 'sport' feel will give a more knowledgable answer.

Certainly don't expect to feel like i'm in a full on sports coupe, but don't want things to be too settled either.

my opinion is consequent and taking consideration of my other car being a 997 GT3 and my new 991 GT3 has been "delayed".

sorry that my answer doesn't match your hopes or expectations but i answered your question directly and with experience of your primary query.

 

[rams_s3]

my opinion is consequent and taking consideration of my other car being a 997 GT3 and my new 991 GT3 has been "delayed".

sorry that my answer doesn't match your hopes or expectations but i answered your question directly and with experience of your primary query.

Post some pics of your gt3...nice garage you have! An s3 and a porsche certainly beats my 205 gti and s3!

 

[warren_S5]

if you accept it's a daily driver, quick and comfy, then you'll be pleasantly surprised. if you expect sports "feel" then you'll be disappointed.

Wow; I've read a lot of posts over the last 'x' years and the above is one of the most refreshingly honest and realistic précis I've read to date; and on April fools day too!

 

[Pulp84]

Very optimistic, I ordered start of February and best guess I got was July at some stage. No special colours or anything either.

Has anyone came from a 'proper' sports car (Boxter/M3 etc etc) to a new S3? How do you find the S3 in terms of a driving experience?

Ordered first week of January and was given week 18 initially (build end of April with delivery late May). I'm now confirmed on week 16 and understand can not make any more amendments. Dealer saying 3-4 weeks to get it here - so should get it mid-May.

So for you to get an estimation of July some time sucks as you only ordered 4 weeks after me!!

 

[royalsteve68]

To update, took my S3 into the dealers this morning and they have agreed there looks to be lacquer fault. Even though its only occurred on 2 alloys currently they are going to strip down all 4 and re apply. Need to get it booked in and should be without my car for around a week or so

That's good but I'd be surprised if they do it themselves as they are diamond cut. I would have thought they would send it to a specialist

 

[royalsteve68]

my opinion is consequent and taking consideration of my other car being a 997 GT3 and my new 991 GT3 has been "delayed".

sorry that my answer doesn't match your hopes or expectations but i answered your question directly and with experience of your primary query.

I think he meant a normal sports car lol... Not a superior.... 911 gt3... Nice

 

[royalsteve68]

For me the s3 is the perfect daily driver. Not too big.. Not too small.. Seats 4 in comfort... Quick enough for 99% of journeys.. Lots of kit. Quality interior

Only minor downsides are its not cheap compared to other similar sized cars... On a track im sure is good and safe but a rear wheel drive car would more fun... Even a front wheel drive car would more fun

 

[djc82]

That's good but I'd be surprised if they do it themselves as they are diamond cut. I would have thought they would send it to a specialist

Yep your right mate, thats exactly what they are doing, I guess thats why they have said it will be at least 7 days without my car

 

[Conor_B]

my opinion is consequent and taking consideration of my other car being a 997 GT3 and my new 991 GT3 has been "delayed".

sorry that my answer doesn't match your hopes or expectations but i answered your question directly and with experience of your primary query.

I'm not sure how I was supposed to be aware of what you owned initially, but it makes your post very valid, so cheers.

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

I'm not sure how I was supposed to be aware of what you owned initially, but it makes your post very valid, so cheers.

no problems.

as i said, it's not a sports car but a very capable every day car. it's biggest weakness is a lack of any true dynamisism, but as an every day proposition, pretty unbeatable imo.

 

[Ashmcblue]

no problems.

as i said, it's not a sports car but a very capable every day car. it's biggest weakness is a lack of any true dynamisism, but as an every day proposition, pretty unbeatable imo.

Saying it lacks dynamism though Evo looked to be having a hoot with it on track. I think a lot of Audi cars lack that feel and they have got it right with quite a few cars since the original Quattro.


My A6 is about dynamic as the colour beige. Bring on the S3. It'll be like going from a sundial to a Casio in terms of dynamism!

 

[rams_s3]

no problems.

as i said, it's not a sports car but a very capable every day car. it's biggest weakness is a lack of any true dynamisism, but as an every day proposition, pretty unbeatable imo.

Come on... Let's have a look at the gt3!

 

[Cainie]

Ordered first week of January and was given week 18 initially (build end of April with delivery late May). I'm now confirmed on week 16 and understand can not make any more amendments. Dealer saying 3-4 weeks to get it here - so should get it mid-May.

So for you to get an estimation of July some time sucks as you only ordered 4 weeks after me!!

Thats odd, i ordered mine late feb, S3 Sportback, Audi Sound System, S Tronic, Black pack, Technology pack and I have already had confirmation that the car was built last week and its in Embden waiting to be put on a boat to england. Initially given April 14 delivery date. What is going on ha?

 

[0B1001001]

Thats odd, i ordered mine late feb, S3 Sportback, Audi Sound System, S Tronic, Black pack, Technology pack and I have already had confirmation that the car was built last week and its in Embden waiting to be put on a boat to england. Initially given April 14 delivery date. What is going on ha?

Mine was built on the 18th March and it's still at Emden, hopefully it'll hitch a lift today but still no ETA...

 

[Cainie]

Mine was built on the 18th March and it's still at Emden, hopefully it'll hitch a lift today but still no ETA...

How have your dealership been in producing updates? Mine has been ok, had to leave it about 6-7 weeks from when i first ordered before i heard something but i chase now twice weekly to get an update

 

[0B1001001]

How have your dealership been in producing updates? Mine has been ok, had to leave it about 6-7 weeks from when i first ordered before i heard something but i chase now twice weekly to get an update

Dealer OK but just call Audi customer services for accurate info!

 

[S3quatt]

Think I might have been past your house a couple of times.
Is there someone at the end of your road with a black R32 by any chance?

 

[Pulp84]

Thats odd, i ordered mine late feb, S3 Sportback, Audi Sound System, S Tronic, Black pack, Technology pack and I have already had confirmation that the car was built last week and its in Embden waiting to be put on a boat to england. Initially given April 14 delivery date. What is going on ha?

Dealer allocation, earliest build slot they could get. Had another dealer offer me week 8 build but no discount. I'm prepared to wait another eight weeks to save a couple of grand. You might have had an existing order amended which also happens.

 

[h5djr]

Dealer allocation, earliest build slot they could get. Had another dealer offer me week 8 build but no discount. I'm prepared to wait another eight weeks to save a couple of grand. You might have had an existing order amended which also happens.

Mine was similar. I ordered my A3 184 Sportback on 10 February and it was built on 18 March and is currently at Grimsby waiting to be delivered to my dealer. On the Vehicle Data page that they gave copy of, the original Order Acceptance Date is given as 11 December 2013. As I know they sold their 184 demonstrator a week before then, I assume they ordered a replacement and my order was allocated to that and they ordered another one. Good for me because it means I get my car much earlier.

 

[Pulp84]

Mine was similar. I ordered my A3 184 Sportback on 10 February and it was built on 18 March and is currently at Grimsby waiting to be delivered to my dealer. On the Vehicle Data page that they gave copy of, the original Order Acceptance Date is given as 11 December 2013. As I know they sold their 184 demonstrator a week before then, I assume they ordered a replacement and my order was allocated to that and they ordered another one. Good for me because it means I get my car much earlier.

Your lucky - my dealer tried doing the same with their replacement order for their S3 demonstrator (a fully loaded S3 saloon) which was build week 11. But when they amended the order for whatever reason it jumped to week 18. To be fair I would have thought it might have come forward a bit more than week 16 but oh well!

 

[Cainie]

Mine was similar. I ordered my A3 184 Sportback on 10 February and it was built on 18 March and is currently at Grimsby waiting to be delivered to my dealer. On the Vehicle Data page that they gave copy of, the original Order Acceptance Date is given as 11 December 2013. As I know they sold their 184 demonstrator a week before then, I assume they ordered a replacement and my order was allocated to that and they ordered another one. Good for me because it means I get my car much earlier.

Oh my dealer said he would try and get me an amended order originally but a week went past and he said no joy, it would have to be a full factory order so i was given an estimated arrival date of april 14th and a best case scenario of first week in april and a worst case scenario of last week in april. I knew it was going to be a wait but right now i just want to know an exact date so i can sort insurance out and other such things. I keep looking at pictures of the S3 sportback and i just cream myself. I think im going to have a heart attack at this point lol

 

[Soulboy]

I assume the delay with the GT3 is the engine issue?
Apparently they are replacing all the engines in existing 2014 GT3s?Recall Alert: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 - KickingTires

 

[CraigI]

Well that's me 4 months in in my SB.
Only just gone over 2,500 miles.
MPG 24.9.

Thoughts; love the look, the quality and especially the B&O. It's just about big enough to mobilise our baby and associated stuff.
In the dry it's very compliant cornering wise, keep on the power and take corners with ease.
In the wet it's fairly easy to get understeer as the front loses grip, but as a fast daily hatchback it definitely does the trick.
I very much enjoy the back road trip home from work, dynamic setting makes the steering a little more weighted and have a little more feel to it.

Is it the best hatchback on the market, no, but it's a good all-rounder.
It very much lacks in the character stakes and there already isn't much excitement about taking the car out, I'm equally happy to take the wife's Q5 as it's more luxurious.
Again, as a daily hatchback for the commute it's a good prospect.
I guess I'm getting exactly what I wanted and expected from it, so cannot complain.

Getting it given some Polished Bliss detailing treatment in the next couple of weeks, then it will go into the garage for most of the next 5/6 months and I'll use my other car.

 

[Itguy]

It very much lacks in the character stakes and there already isn't much excitement about taking the car out

Interesting. I'm starting to feel the same about mine - it's amazing how mundane they can make 300hp feel!

My only other Audi was a B7 A4 Avant 140tdi sline and I felt the same about that.

Great machines but where is the heart VAG??

 

[CraigI]

Interesting. I'm starting to feel the same about mine - it's amazing how mundane they can make 300hp feel!

My only other Audi was a B7 A4 Avant 140tdi sline and I felt the same about that.

Great machines but where is the heart VAG??

I doubt there are any cars in the VAG range that have what I would consider character. I'll try owning an R8 one day, which could be the exception to the rule, but I remain doubtful.
They are far too clinical and cold, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for a daily runner.
Were this my only car I'd likely be getting itchy feet and have it shifted on quickly, but it's not so I will keep it. It serves a purpose and can make the commute a blast every now and again.
The fact I have only done 2500 miles in 4 months and a week says it all I think. I'll be lucky to get to 6000 miles in my first year of ownership.

 

[warren_S5]

It's really interesting to read these 'post honeymoon' reviews.

When I drove the 8V it felt an incredibly grown up hot hatch, it had really moved the game forward from the 8P, but for some reason something didn't quite click with me. It's hugely competent, fantastically built, but it just didn't capture my heart. When I got back the salesman suggested (as I'd come in to test the S3 sport back but with the aspiration of ordering a saloon) that I try the S5. The S5 didn't really move the game on power wise as although it has about 40bhp more it's 200+kg's more. But the one area I really warmed to was the in car environment and the sense of occasion with the artificial but interesting car sound (with a touch of supercharger whine).

When I bought my first S3 in 2006 I bought it before I could test drive it as they hadn't been launched in the UK. When it arrived in the UK I was mortified that it didn't drive like the brochures had intimated. I had it mapped in the first week to compensate the lack of excitement, and then I ended up going to Stg2+ with 360bhp at which point the car felt engaging. When I say engaging I mean the power was exciting, but it was no sports car. The S5 isn't either, but I just love the engine potential.

I appreciate people will want to retain warranty, and there are some challenges in terms of companies offering mapping, but please believe me you can transform the car from something 'promising' to something 'quite exciting', its about being prepared to take a few risks, make some considered amendments (consider rear ARB and ALK's as it doesn't all have to be power mods to make it fun), but don't give up on the car as it's got bags of potential that often has to be untapped.

 

[PilotAudi]

Well... I must admit after 36 days and 2000 miles I'm loving it. Could be tempted with an RS3 but not sure that would add greatly to the enjoyment.

IMHO a highly competent daily driver, quick and economical. Not a super car and a bit small after my recent drives but way more fun than any of the other 3's,4's,5's,6's, 7's and TTs we've had over the years. I agree with Warren about the 8P S3 but wouldn't have another 5 rather bland and soul-less IMHO.

 

[warren_S5]

If you buy the cheap **** ones, I agree, but unlike some I won't rise to your bait ;-)

 

[PilotAudi]

If you buy the cheap **** ones, I agree, but unlike some I won't rise to your bait ;-)

My 5's weren't cheap.. Had an S5 V8 for a week and concluded that fun though it was 14mpg was not for me, so was persuaded to take a detour to the dark side with a cracking V6 Diesel 3.0 quattro Coupe .. loaded with pretty much every option as dealer friend had a cancelled order .. 32 months ownership and I have to say it was one of the 3 best Audis we've had. (A4 Cab and S3 being other 2). After the Diesel Coupe really wanted an S5 V6 Cabriolet but again had a loaner for 1000 miles and was VERY disappointed, less fun than my Diesel and less than 20mpg. Maybe I could have got more excited had the standard S5 V6 had more power but decided not to go down that route hence the return to petrol has been the S3 which is simply superb, despite having 'go faster' spoilers and drug dealer privacy windows. It is a bit noisy but as a more mature contributor I'm hoping my hearing will soon get used to the noise.. As for B&O its good, and better than 8P Bose but not as good as the B&O on A5 or Bose on A7 BE.. possible due to interior acoustics.

You will no doubt enjoy the S5 and looking forward to seeing pics.. at least you have the right colour, right music and spoilers and privacy But hey that's just my opinion .. ;-0

 

[warren_S5]

The dealer said to me the cabrio was woefully disappointing as an outright drivers car, and the V8 whilst sounding glorious just didn't push my buttons in the same way some A5OC advocates recommend. I drove the STASIS Challenge pack S5SB and the potential the 6 cylinder lump had became clearly apparent. The drive home in my S2+ S3 was bland. I don't think any Audi's are right from factory, they're build for mass market, but a few choice modifications can massage out the potential of most. I'm tempted by next RS3, but likelihood is I'll stick at 5 or go bigger (S6 or 7).

 

[Cainie]

The dealer said to me the cabrio was woefully disappointing as an outright drivers car, and the V8 whilst sounding glorious just didn't push my buttons in the same way some A5OC advocates recommend. I drove the STASIS Challenge pack S5SB and the potential the 6 cylinder lump had became clearly apparent. The drive home in my S2+ S3 was bland. I don't think any Audi's are right from factory, they're build for mass market, but a few choice modifications can massage out the potential of most. I'm tempted by next RS3, but likelihood is I'll stick at 5 or go bigger (S6 or 7).

I have to be honest this post and the other posts above this have me concerned. I know that the car is not going to be amazingly mind blowingly exciting because lets face it its made by Ze Germans and German cars generally have a very clinical feel to them. I have a VW Scirocco 2.0 Tsi DSG at the minute and its meant to be an unpractical 2 door 4 seater coupe but it still has a semi clinical feel to it, even if i do love it ha. But after reading these comments it sounds like you guys are having second thoughts about the S3 when im meant to be taking delivery of mine in a couple of weeks!

 

[titleist007]

Hi Guys,

I've had my S3 for a month now and I am really enjoying it. I think to expect it to challenge a 911 or Ferrari in terms of performance and drive is a little bit head in the clouds. The car is b**dy quick when pushed and in sport mode, and when in comfort mode, its a class daily driver with a great cabin that's a pleasure to be in. I actually love the fact that I can tootle about town but a quick throaty car is only a depressed right foot away.

Yes the steering is numb and best left in dynamic to firm it up a bit, and it never feels like your on the ragged edge! Is that good or bad? I'm not sure that's why I and many others on here bought the S3, so its probably a bit of both.

I have to be honest, If I wanted a world class 2 seater sports car, I would have bought one. But the S3 really really works for me as an individual, Its a quick car, it drives lovely, it feels special, the toys are great, it looks good, it sounds nice and it doesn't have that in your face show of wealth that other cars have, so I'm comfortable visiting clients in it.

For all those waiting for their S3's to turn up, don't get down about some of the feedback on here, its a great car and you'll love it, as long as your expectations aren't unreal!
Play hard, have fun and if you still aren't feeling it in 6 months time(I can understand previous posters) trade it in for something else. Its not a child or pet, its a car, if you don't like it, get something else!!!!

I will be keeping mine, cos it just does what I wanted it to do. I'll try and get some photos up and a proper technical review soon, now I've had it detailed.

 

[Ashmcblue]

Can anyone tell me if the S-Tronic blips on the down change? Someone asked me the other day and for the life of me I can't remember from the test drive.

Also I've just been told that my car has been built, can anyone tell me how long it takes for them to land in the UK??

 

[geefunk1978]

S-Tronic does blip as long as you're dropping it down at reasonably high revs. Probably take about 4wks from being built to pick up.

 

[Ashmcblue]

S-Tronic does blip as long as you're dropping it down at reasonably high revs. Probably take about 4wks from being built to pick up.

Thanks.

 

[Dan_G]

One annoying thing has reared its head.

Passenger side seat belt, hits the side of the seat (when there is no passenger) and rattles on uneven surfaces.

Annoying...