No apologies for terrible SPAG - it is what it is!
Whilst having been active on other forums (namely motorbikes) I have never really posted on here but have found it a very useful source of information.
I bought my facelift S3 new in 2017 and as the PCP came to the end and being in positive equity (driven by the shortage of new cars due to Covid) I decided to move on to an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio which I have had for the last month or so.
Spec on the S3 was:
- Daytona Grey
- Super Sports Seats
- Tech pack
- Folding mirrors (how is this a paid option!)
All must have options. In hindsight (and if I was not being frugal) I would have also gone for the adjustable dampers and 19s (whick look better IMO), auto dimming mirrors (an oversight when I spec'd the car- the amount of times I was blinded by 4x4s!) and maybe a pan roof (although in reality it is a v. expensive sunroof).
5 Things I loved
1) The straight line speed and launch control is bonkers - if you aren't launching the car you are missing out. It is truly unbelievable how quick it is from a standing start. Especially at this price bracket
2) The fit and finish - class leading interior and ergonomics IMO. Although I think Merc have now caught up/overtaken in the A class also against the new A3
3) Looks - very subjective of course but I think the facelift will age well especially with the sharp / aggressive lines.
4) Virtual cockpit - very trick and one of the biggest USPs of the car. Rarely used for maps (I will come onto that) but for vehicle information / switching radio stations was much better than a conventional instrument cluster. I also think far more safer than having to look a the centre screen
5) Space - in comparison to other hatch backs I think the A3 platform has the edge over the merc and the bmw. Plenty of cabin space for 4 adults (+1 smaller / kid) on a long journey and all their luggage. The BMW had terrible boot space and the merc cabin felt tighter when I test drove them.
*Special mention for quattro but this is more an Audi thing - car was really great in the snow / terrantial rainfall
5 Things I hated (really disliked)
1) Handling - I know this isn't the focal point of the car but I really didn't enjoy the car at all in the twistys. I think this is a massive shame consider the Golf R is the same platform yet Audi has seemingly nanny'd the set up to the point the steering is numb, the car understeers way to much vs its performance and the suspension lacks compliance.
2) No carplay functionality with virtual cockpit - I am a big user of apple carplay and not being able to use waze in the virtual cockpit was a huge dissapointment and in the end detracted from my experience with the car. The compass was a bit of a pisstake. A mirror of the centre console screen would have been sufficient
3) Bose sound system - really was quite disappointing and I think there are better sound systems in the Merc and BMW with far more adjustability. I never enjoyed the music in the car - it always seemed distant
4) Extended leather in the interior. The dash looks cheap with the plastic trim. Really it should be covered in leather. An option to do this should be offered.
5) Brakes / Accelerator pedal feel - I lumped these together as these were really minor gripes. The accelerator pedal really isn't very progressive and has quite a big initial dead spot. I know this can be solved with coding but i really CBA. The brakes were just about up to the task, but given the speed of the car really needed a bit more stopping power. Fade with the factory pads was pretty poor so I quickly changed them out.
Overall
This is a bit of brain dump from me and really I just wanted to summarise how I felt about the car having owned it for 4 years. Honestly, if someone asks me what is the best car to buy I would tell them to go pick up a facelift S3 / RS3 as bang for your buck I dont think there is a better car available on the used market. It should satifsy all your daily needs whilst also being a high quality and refined product. But in terms of driving enjoyment it is a bit of a one trick pony, that being its straight line speed. Decent for motorway driving but falls very short when you start taking corners quickly. I think this is what drove me to the Quadrifoglio as my next car. A bit of an overcompensation of the audi's shortcomings which I knew before I bought the car - but certainly not to the extent that came apparent during ownership.
Would be interested in hearing everyones opinions. Also those who have moved onto other vehicles.
Whilst having been active on other forums (namely motorbikes) I have never really posted on here but have found it a very useful source of information.
I bought my facelift S3 new in 2017 and as the PCP came to the end and being in positive equity (driven by the shortage of new cars due to Covid) I decided to move on to an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio which I have had for the last month or so.
Spec on the S3 was:
- Daytona Grey
- Super Sports Seats
- Tech pack
- Folding mirrors (how is this a paid option!)
All must have options. In hindsight (and if I was not being frugal) I would have also gone for the adjustable dampers and 19s (whick look better IMO), auto dimming mirrors (an oversight when I spec'd the car- the amount of times I was blinded by 4x4s!) and maybe a pan roof (although in reality it is a v. expensive sunroof).
5 Things I loved
1) The straight line speed and launch control is bonkers - if you aren't launching the car you are missing out. It is truly unbelievable how quick it is from a standing start. Especially at this price bracket
2) The fit and finish - class leading interior and ergonomics IMO. Although I think Merc have now caught up/overtaken in the A class also against the new A3
3) Looks - very subjective of course but I think the facelift will age well especially with the sharp / aggressive lines.
4) Virtual cockpit - very trick and one of the biggest USPs of the car. Rarely used for maps (I will come onto that) but for vehicle information / switching radio stations was much better than a conventional instrument cluster. I also think far more safer than having to look a the centre screen
5) Space - in comparison to other hatch backs I think the A3 platform has the edge over the merc and the bmw. Plenty of cabin space for 4 adults (+1 smaller / kid) on a long journey and all their luggage. The BMW had terrible boot space and the merc cabin felt tighter when I test drove them.
*Special mention for quattro but this is more an Audi thing - car was really great in the snow / terrantial rainfall
5 Things I hated (really disliked)
1) Handling - I know this isn't the focal point of the car but I really didn't enjoy the car at all in the twistys. I think this is a massive shame consider the Golf R is the same platform yet Audi has seemingly nanny'd the set up to the point the steering is numb, the car understeers way to much vs its performance and the suspension lacks compliance.
2) No carplay functionality with virtual cockpit - I am a big user of apple carplay and not being able to use waze in the virtual cockpit was a huge dissapointment and in the end detracted from my experience with the car. The compass was a bit of a pisstake. A mirror of the centre console screen would have been sufficient
3) Bose sound system - really was quite disappointing and I think there are better sound systems in the Merc and BMW with far more adjustability. I never enjoyed the music in the car - it always seemed distant
4) Extended leather in the interior. The dash looks cheap with the plastic trim. Really it should be covered in leather. An option to do this should be offered.
5) Brakes / Accelerator pedal feel - I lumped these together as these were really minor gripes. The accelerator pedal really isn't very progressive and has quite a big initial dead spot. I know this can be solved with coding but i really CBA. The brakes were just about up to the task, but given the speed of the car really needed a bit more stopping power. Fade with the factory pads was pretty poor so I quickly changed them out.
Overall
This is a bit of brain dump from me and really I just wanted to summarise how I felt about the car having owned it for 4 years. Honestly, if someone asks me what is the best car to buy I would tell them to go pick up a facelift S3 / RS3 as bang for your buck I dont think there is a better car available on the used market. It should satifsy all your daily needs whilst also being a high quality and refined product. But in terms of driving enjoyment it is a bit of a one trick pony, that being its straight line speed. Decent for motorway driving but falls very short when you start taking corners quickly. I think this is what drove me to the Quadrifoglio as my next car. A bit of an overcompensation of the audi's shortcomings which I knew before I bought the car - but certainly not to the extent that came apparent during ownership.
Would be interested in hearing everyones opinions. Also those who have moved onto other vehicles.
