Hi guys,
Just thought I'd record some initial thoughts.
I picked my new S3 up from Links Audi Macclesfield on Saturday (21-04-07)morning 10:00am on the dot.
It was a great experience at Links Audi, a dealership that has been renowned for years in the North West for excellent customer service and a friendly, family atmosphere. I've been using them for 8+ years now.
They made it special by having the car covered, and once all paper work was sorted, we unveiled it.
See Gallery: http://audi-sport.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=558&ppuser=150
The car was gleaming. Even though I had specified to Links:- just remove the plastic protective coverings, remove residual glue, jet wash and leave to dry. No sponges, no hydro blades etc etc. Hence, no swirls or fine scratches in my new paint! They had done as I asked.
So we where shown around the car. When I opened the door and saw the bucket seats, we (me and the missus) knew we'd made a good choice, they look awesome. We then sat in the car whilst the salesman explained some of the different features of the car compared to my S3 8L.
I was well impressed by the updated DIS functions. Oil temp being a good one, digital speedo and lap timer for on a track.
Eventually it was time to go. And nervously we headed off out of Macclesfield, up towards Whalley Bridge on to Buxton and then up over the Cat & Fiddle road back to Macclesfield. These are twisty A-roads with long straights.
What a superb car this is. Even though I was keeping the revs to a self-inflicted maximum of 4000 rpm, you can feel the potential of this car. It wants to go faster. But even in high gears like 4th and 5th, at 50-60 mph, the grunt that the car has is amazing. Comparing it to the demonstrator that I drove in January, this car is much smoother, no lag, and picks up from around 2200-2400 rpm.
The whole feel of the car is aimed at the driver. Seating position, pedals, Flat Bottomed MFSW, braking, handling and balance, its all just spot on. You just want to push-on more and more. They've also done a great job on the speed-dependant steering - it really weights up smoothly. Also, the small, Flat Bottomed steering wheel is a must IMO, its the perfect size, really sporty.
In comparison to the S3 8L, its similar, but they've moved it on a bit more. I loved my S3 8L, loved it (despite its little niggles and problems), and during the week or so before collection of the S3 8P, I was more sad at seeing the S3 8L go than I was looking forward to the S3 8P. But this new car has just moved the game on in all areas. Its also very refined when you are taking it easy, it rides the ruts and bumps better, its smooth on the motorway too. All the ******** in the mags about it being twitchy on the motorway is just that, ********. Its fine.
But the best thing of all is the engine. It sounds great for a 4-pot, its got a good exhaust note, and I just can't fault it at the moment. No lag at this stage anyway. I can't wait till its run-in.
Cons?
Well I do think the standard of plastics in the A3/S3 8P range is not a patch on those used in the A3/S3 8L. The plastic on the dash, seat bases, door panels, are a lot cheaper looking. The S3 8L also had touches like: fabric in the door pockets to cushion things in a luxury type of way and stop them sliding around, not in this car. Just cheaper looking plastic. But the aluminium bits look decent, and the air vent rings. Switches are of the same excellent Audi quality.
Leather. There is no way this Silk Nappa leather is of the same quality as that used on the S3 8L Recaros. Nor is the leather black as stated, its grey/ charcoal. But I'll live with it. The leather on the bucket seats, especially were your **** hits, is much corser, and doesn't have the quality feel that the S3 8L had. Sorry, thats what I think.
Boot. Is it me or is it smaller? I don't think its as wide.
BOSE. Its good, just as good as the S3 8L sounds superb and I am happy with it. If I had to say one thing, I do think the bass does not shift as much air, so you don't feel it your ****/back - but you did in the 8L. I think the sub-woofer must be smaller in the 8P (if it has one).
Wheels. They are growing on me, but I can perfectly understand why others are fitting spacers. It doesn't look too bad at the front, but the rear wheels look too far in.
Any regrets?
Wish I'd ordered the Auto Light pack, or whatever its called, because it has the added feature of Coming Home lighting function - useful in dark streets etc.
Also wish I'd gone for bluetooth phone prep, as my TomTom 910 Hands Free function is crap.
Thats all I can think of at the moment.
AL
Just thought I'd record some initial thoughts.
I picked my new S3 up from Links Audi Macclesfield on Saturday (21-04-07)morning 10:00am on the dot.
It was a great experience at Links Audi, a dealership that has been renowned for years in the North West for excellent customer service and a friendly, family atmosphere. I've been using them for 8+ years now.
They made it special by having the car covered, and once all paper work was sorted, we unveiled it.
See Gallery: http://audi-sport.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=558&ppuser=150
The car was gleaming. Even though I had specified to Links:- just remove the plastic protective coverings, remove residual glue, jet wash and leave to dry. No sponges, no hydro blades etc etc. Hence, no swirls or fine scratches in my new paint! They had done as I asked.
So we where shown around the car. When I opened the door and saw the bucket seats, we (me and the missus) knew we'd made a good choice, they look awesome. We then sat in the car whilst the salesman explained some of the different features of the car compared to my S3 8L.
I was well impressed by the updated DIS functions. Oil temp being a good one, digital speedo and lap timer for on a track.
Eventually it was time to go. And nervously we headed off out of Macclesfield, up towards Whalley Bridge on to Buxton and then up over the Cat & Fiddle road back to Macclesfield. These are twisty A-roads with long straights.
What a superb car this is. Even though I was keeping the revs to a self-inflicted maximum of 4000 rpm, you can feel the potential of this car. It wants to go faster. But even in high gears like 4th and 5th, at 50-60 mph, the grunt that the car has is amazing. Comparing it to the demonstrator that I drove in January, this car is much smoother, no lag, and picks up from around 2200-2400 rpm.
The whole feel of the car is aimed at the driver. Seating position, pedals, Flat Bottomed MFSW, braking, handling and balance, its all just spot on. You just want to push-on more and more. They've also done a great job on the speed-dependant steering - it really weights up smoothly. Also, the small, Flat Bottomed steering wheel is a must IMO, its the perfect size, really sporty.
In comparison to the S3 8L, its similar, but they've moved it on a bit more. I loved my S3 8L, loved it (despite its little niggles and problems), and during the week or so before collection of the S3 8P, I was more sad at seeing the S3 8L go than I was looking forward to the S3 8P. But this new car has just moved the game on in all areas. Its also very refined when you are taking it easy, it rides the ruts and bumps better, its smooth on the motorway too. All the ******** in the mags about it being twitchy on the motorway is just that, ********. Its fine.
But the best thing of all is the engine. It sounds great for a 4-pot, its got a good exhaust note, and I just can't fault it at the moment. No lag at this stage anyway. I can't wait till its run-in.
Cons?
Well I do think the standard of plastics in the A3/S3 8P range is not a patch on those used in the A3/S3 8L. The plastic on the dash, seat bases, door panels, are a lot cheaper looking. The S3 8L also had touches like: fabric in the door pockets to cushion things in a luxury type of way and stop them sliding around, not in this car. Just cheaper looking plastic. But the aluminium bits look decent, and the air vent rings. Switches are of the same excellent Audi quality.
Leather. There is no way this Silk Nappa leather is of the same quality as that used on the S3 8L Recaros. Nor is the leather black as stated, its grey/ charcoal. But I'll live with it. The leather on the bucket seats, especially were your **** hits, is much corser, and doesn't have the quality feel that the S3 8L had. Sorry, thats what I think.
Boot. Is it me or is it smaller? I don't think its as wide.
BOSE. Its good, just as good as the S3 8L sounds superb and I am happy with it. If I had to say one thing, I do think the bass does not shift as much air, so you don't feel it your ****/back - but you did in the 8L. I think the sub-woofer must be smaller in the 8P (if it has one).
Wheels. They are growing on me, but I can perfectly understand why others are fitting spacers. It doesn't look too bad at the front, but the rear wheels look too far in.
Any regrets?
Wish I'd ordered the Auto Light pack, or whatever its called, because it has the added feature of Coming Home lighting function - useful in dark streets etc.
Also wish I'd gone for bluetooth phone prep, as my TomTom 910 Hands Free function is crap.
Thats all I can think of at the moment.
AL