Well, four weeks and approaching 1300 miles into S3 SB ownership, a few of my thoughts:
Having come from two SEAT Leon Cupra’s, I was looking for something discrete, understated and not too ‘in your face’ as a replacement. My Daytona Grey S3 fits the bill perfectly, and unless you happen to be an Audi officianado, most people just see it as a ‘nice’ A3, which is how I like it. That said, within the past week two strangers have complimented me on the car!
Positive:
* Performance – I’ve not really totally opened it up yet, but from where I have explored it, it’s certainly a car to be reckoned with
* Economy – I’m getting around 32mpg average on the daily commute, with a couple of longer journeys thrown in, which I’m fairly staggered at after the 26mpg Cupras!
* Interior – It’s a nice place to be, and the Mono.pur, black inlays, privacy glass and lighting pack all add to this
* Driveability – Doesn’t need to be ‘driven’ in the same way as the Cupra’s. Far more refined, less thrashy and almost drives itself – which is what comes from greater power and torque band.
* Handling – no complaints here – it goes where it’s pointed. Much more fun than then Cupra’s, doesn’t need to be worked as hard, and surpisingly similar to OH’s A1 in this regard.
* The low road tax band. (The DVLA refund of 8 months from the Cupra will pay for the S3 for a year)!
Negative
* I’m still messing about with the seating position trying to find a combination of every variant that won’t irritate an old sporting injury – symptoms similar to sciatica
* A couple of times I’ve found the gearbox a bit notchy at low speeds
* Ten days ago or so I started to notice a slight ‘clunk’ from the drivers door area. This only occurred on certain lumps and bumps and was not triggered by generally uneven or rutted road surfaces. I took everything out of the door pockets, but it still persisted. Having rung the dealer (and still waiting for my call to be returned – that’s actually a first) it’s disappeared over the weekend! The trouble is that I can’t be certain if it was from the window or lock mechanism (window could be open or closed – noise still present). I will get this checked.
* Lastly – and it’s only a minor irritation, the lack of cabin storage/stowage pockets and hidey-holes!
Undecided
* I went for the 10 spoke titanium matt wheels (F38). I don’t particularly like the standard 5 spoke star and wanted something different, and although the F38 doesn’t seem particularly common, (at least around here) I’m not 100% certain it’s the right wheel for the car.
Other than the above I love it, but can understand some of the comments earlier in this thread. I do get enjoyment from driving it, in fact a great deal of enjoyment, but at the end of the day it’s a functional, performing 21st century car. For grin factor, it’s my MG, my weekend toy, that really brings a smile to my face
/sorry to interrupt the current 'conversation'