RE: Audi S3 S tronic

[amir_j]

nickfrog said:

mitch78 said:

Or they just want a hatchback, not something bigger, like a 3-series.

1-series 3-door 130i M-SPORT is less than £27K list...

Driven it too and makes the S3 feels like a "pipe and sleepers" car. Honnestly. The steering alone makes it a no contest.

But the 1 series hatchback is so ugly, id take an s3 despite the one being the better drivers car, lovely coupe though.

[baz1985]

Surely at £30kish a lightly used S5 for a few £k more.

[youngsyr]

baz1985 said:

Surely at £30kish a lightly used S5 for a few £k more.

I'd rather a second hand S4 and a few grand change, but it's horses for courses.

[wolfrace999]

nickpan said:

dazsmith69 said:

stupidly priced, go and buy a mint EVO OR Subaru, alot more performance and handling for your money, if you want an Audi badge on the front fair enough (pay for the name and common as muck now), for me theyre very overpriced for what u get (unless your talking RS4 models and up)

You clearly haven't sat in an S3 or if you have, you were asleep.

Why do we always compare German cars to rice cars? If i want to go fast, I'll pay 3k for a supercharged VR6..10% of the audi! It's not all about engines and speed...its about the car itself.

I would pay 30k for German build quality. No cars feel as solid in my opinion.

if u want speed u'd buy a nova and put a cav c20let init but ure necer gona match the quality of a audi its not all down to how fast it is, at least this won't shake its self to peices at 100 plus

[youngsyr]

wolfrace999 said:

nickpan said:

dazsmith69 said:

stupidly priced, go and buy a mint EVO OR Subaru, alot more performance and handling for your money, if you want an Audi badge on the front fair enough (pay for the name and common as muck now), for me theyre very overpriced for what u get (unless your talking RS4 models and up)

You clearly haven't sat in an S3 or if you have, you were asleep.

Why do we always compare German cars to rice cars? If i want to go fast, I'll pay 3k for a supercharged VR6..10% of the audi! It's not all about engines and speed...its about the car itself.

I would pay 30k for German build quality. No cars feel as solid in my opinion.

if u want speed u'd buy a nova and put a cav c20let init but ure necer gona match the quality of a audi its not all down to how fast it is, at least this won't shake its self to peices at 100 plus

I agree about the solid feeling, but I'm not so sure about the build quality. As I said above, my (old shape) S3 had quite a few niggles, as does the only other audi amongst my friends' cars.

Some of the problems are annoyingly simple and are clearly down to bad design/poor materials, like the seat levers on the Recaros constantly braking, which makes it even more annoying on a car you're paying a massive premium on.

Edited by youngsyr on Thursday 2nd October 10:05

[RacingTeatray]

One problem with the "lightly-used S5" option is that it's got a socking great V8 engine and a commensurate thirst. Now don't get me wrong - I love a V8-engined car but I've got one at the moment and it doesn't half love a drink. And in these straightened times, something a little more economical is perhaps a good idea (much as it pains me to admit that). Plus an S5 seats only 4 and is generally a bit less practical.

I say this because I am looking to get a new car come January and both S5 and S3 are on the list of replacements, along with the 135i Coupe, the Brera S and a C55 AMG. Basically I am looking to chop in both my 500E and 156 GTA for one fast, smallish and practical car with a budget of around GBP30k. I used to have one of the original S3s (a 225) back in the day and loved it (other than the anodyne engine note and bone-rattling ride) but always wished it had 5 doors. So to me an S3 Sportback seems very appealing, especially since the new S3's had good write-ups. Not sure I'm old enough for an S-Tronic but then, living in London, there are times when a manual car is a curse so maybe....

As for all the Japanese Evo-thingies - not to be funny but those hold all the appeal of week-old haddock. I'm sure they are pant-wettingly good to drive through the Welsh mountains, but then I'm man enough to admit that I'm hardly Carlos Sainz in the driving stakes and my average driving (sadly) does not include many tricksome B-roads. So forgive me if I concentrate on the fact that they look like they were styled by a 14yr old Pimp-My-Ride fan, are fairly nasty inside as a general rule and make most car-illerate onlookers (unfairly perhaps) think (and comment) that you are a hooligan who spends most of his time comparing "ICE" in a surburban McDonalds' carpark.

[vz-r_dave]

Vagabond said:

dazsmith69 said:

stupidly priced, go and buy a mint EVO OR Subaru, alot more performance and handling for your money, if you want an Audi badge on the front fair enough (pay for the name and common as muck now), for me theyre very overpriced for what u get (unless your talking RS4 models and up)

We're not all chavs who want a Subaru or Evo or any other Japanese tin box with lots of ugly spoilers glued to it, some people appreciate class and quality.

Do you have one of those enormous HiFi's like those from the 80's in your lounge? with lots of bright lights and speakers as tall as the ceiling? You may like the Japanese bad image, poor quality interior, resale value drop through the floor type cars, but a lot of people would rather buy something slower but nicer.

If it is exclusively about speed, buy a £5000 RX7 and tune it to have 10000BHP, then you can go as fast as you like and still have a classless car.

Edited by Vagabond on Wednesday 1st October 10:03

So your saying that the RX7 is classless pff I dont often lower myself to this level but your a moron.

Every RX7 produced has had bags of class,

Typical situation of driving down the road, who notices the likes of an Audi A3 (general public wont know the difference between the S3) The RX7 on the other hand is in a completely different league.

FAN BOY alert.

p.s im not talking about the tacky modified RX7's here.

Perhaps the likes of the Type R or S varients.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Thursday 2nd October 12:42

[youngsyr]

Let's not let this degenerate into a slanging match, chaps.

Some people prefer Audis and the like, other prefer Evos and the like.

They're two completely different cars designed to appeal to two completely different sets of drivers. They both have their merits and their weak points.

[adycav]

nickfrog said:

mitch78 said:

Or they just want a hatchback, not something bigger, like a 3-series.

1-series 3-door 130i M-SPORT is less than £27K list...

Driven it too and makes the S3 feels like a "pipe and sleepers" car. Honnestly. The steering alone makes it a no contest.

I recently bought a 130i and tried the S3 amongst others before doing so. I did prefer the BMW (hence buying it) but the gap was closer than I expected. Certainly the S3 hammers it in the mid-range. Great sounding (for a 4-pot), and better brakes too. Simply superb interior. But the BMW feels more 'organic'/'alive', if that makes sense. Less clinical is probably a better way of putting it.

But if you need a bit of extra room, and prefer the looks of the S3 (which plenty do), It's a good all-rounder.

[youngsyr]

adycav said:

nickfrog said:

mitch78 said:

Or they just want a hatchback, not something bigger, like a 3-series.

1-series 3-door 130i M-SPORT is less than £27K list...

Driven it too and makes the S3 feels like a "pipe and sleepers" car. Honnestly. The steering alone makes it a no contest.

I recently bought a 130i and tried the S3 amongst others before doing so. I did prefer the BMW (hence buying it) but the gap was closer than I expected. Certainly the S3 hammers it in the mid-range. Great sounding (for a 4-pot), and better brakes too. Simply superb interior. But the BMW feels more 'organic'/'alive', if that makes sense. Less clinical is probably a better way of putting it.

But if you need a bit of extra room, and prefer the looks of the S3 (which plenty do), It's a good all-rounder.

Is the new S3 truly 4WD, or does it still use the Haldex system of "FWD until loss of traction"?

[RacingTeatray]

vz-r_dave said:

Vagabond said:

dazsmith69 said:

stupidly priced, go and buy a mint EVO OR Subaru, alot more performance and handling for your money, if you want an Audi badge on the front fair enough (pay for the name and common as muck now), for me theyre very overpriced for what u get (unless your talking RS4 models and up)

We're not all chavs who want a Subaru or Evo or any other Japanese tin box with lots of ugly spoilers glued to it, some people appreciate class and quality.

Do you have one of those enormous HiFi's like those from the 80's in your lounge? with lots of bright lights and speakers as tall as the ceiling? You may like the Japanese bad image, poor quality interior, resale value drop through the floor type cars, but a lot of people would rather buy something slower but nicer.

If it is exclusively about speed, buy a £5000 RX7 and tune it to have 10000BHP, then you can go as fast as you like and still have a classless car.

Edited by Vagabond on Wednesday 1st October 10:03

So your saying that the RX7 is classless pff I dont often lower myself to this level but your a moron.

Every RX7 produced has had bags of class,

Typical situation of driving down the road, who notices the likes of an Audi A3 (general public wont know the difference between the S3) The RX7 on the other hand is in a completely different league.

FAN BOY alert.

p.s im not talking about the tacky modified RX7's here.

Perhaps the likes of the Type R or S varients.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Thursday 2nd October 12:42

I'd wager that someone who buys an A3/S3 does not do so in order to be noticed on the highstreet. Unless it's painted some lurid shade. An RX-7 is a very appealing car but its styling makes it (like any out and out sportscar) a lot more "look at me - I'm driving a fast car".

I have a BMW Z1 for the days upon which I don't mind being stared at by nearly every other road-user. At other times, the anonymity of something handy but stealthy is much appreciated.

[vz-r_dave]

RacingTeatray said:

vz-r_dave said:

Vagabond said:

dazsmith69 said:

stupidly priced, go and buy a mint EVO OR Subaru, alot more performance and handling for your money, if you want an Audi badge on the front fair enough (pay for the name and common as muck now), for me theyre very overpriced for what u get (unless your talking RS4 models and up)

We're not all chavs who want a Subaru or Evo or any other Japanese tin box with lots of ugly spoilers glued to it, some people appreciate class and quality.

Do you have one of those enormous HiFi's like those from the 80's in your lounge? with lots of bright lights and speakers as tall as the ceiling? You may like the Japanese bad image, poor quality interior, resale value drop through the floor type cars, but a lot of people would rather buy something slower but nicer.

If it is exclusively about speed, buy a £5000 RX7 and tune it to have 10000BHP, then you can go as fast as you like and still have a classless car.

Edited by Vagabond on Wednesday 1st October 10:03

So your saying that the RX7 is classless pff I dont often lower myself to this level but your a moron.

Every RX7 produced has had bags of class,

Typical situation of driving down the road, who notices the likes of an Audi A3 (general public wont know the difference between the S3) The RX7 on the other hand is in a completely different league.

FAN BOY alert.

p.s im not talking about the tacky modified RX7's here.

Perhaps the likes of the Type R or S varients.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Thursday 2nd October 12:42

I'd wager that someone who buys an A3/S3 does not do so in order to be noticed on the highstreet. Unless it's painted some lurid shade. An RX-7 is a very appealing car but its styling makes it (like any out and out sportscar) a lot more "look at me - I'm driving a fast car".

I have a BMW Z1 for the days upon which I don't mind being stared at by nearly every other road-user. At other times, the anonymity of something handy but stealthy is much appreciated.

I wasnt comparing the Audi S3 to the RX7 for that reason, in fact I wasnt comparing the two. I was mearly stating that the RX7 has class. Something that Vegabond doesnt seem to understand.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Thursday 2nd October 14:14

[RacingTeatray]

vz-r_dave said:

I wasnt comparing the Audi S3 to the RX7 for that reason, in fact I wasnt comparing the two. I was mearly stating that the RX7 has class. Something that Vegabond doesnt seem to understand.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Thursday 2nd October 14:14

If very tidy and visually unmolested, then yes I agree. It was always a very good-looking car but there are some real modified horrors stalking the nation's highways and byways. It does seem to attract the "it's cool to have an exhaust tailpipe wider than your thigh and a spoiler that would make an Escort Cosworth blush" brigade

[ge0rge]

dazsmith69 said:

stupidly priced, go and buy a mint EVO OR Subaru, alot more performance and handling for your money, if you want an Audi badge on the front fair enough (pay for the name and common as muck now), for me theyre very overpriced for what u get (unless your talking RS4 models and up)

Such a shame and so true. I used to be an avid audi fan, but as theyve got it together and stopped being 2nd or third to bmw theyve obv become more popular with to55ers like reps.. IMO Audi drivers are the new bmw drivers in terms of being up your ass most of the time on the roads/having chips on their shoulders, tis nice to see them disspapear rapidly when i hoof it, puts a smile on my face anyday ! (i drive an evo)

Edited by ge0rge on Thursday 2nd October 17:31

[nickfrog]

youngsyr said:

Is the new S3 truly 4WD, or does it still use the Haldex system of "FWD until loss of traction"?

It still is a fake 4WD as it has no central diff, unlike proper Quattro Torsen type on other Audis.
You get the worst of both worlds, heavy weight/added maintenance with hardly any of the benefits.
When added rear traction eventually appears, the front has understeered so much that you end up with a strange and brutal 4 wheel drift, unlike the more progressive slide generated by a 3 diff Torsen.
Obviously, in a straight line things are better but surely, a performance car should work in the twisties too.

Edited by nickfrog on Friday 3rd October 09:11

[youngsyr]

nickfrog said:

youngsyr said:

Is the new S3 truly 4WD, or does it still use the Haldex system of "FWD until loss of traction"?

It still is a fake 4WD as it has no central diff, unlike proper Quattro Torsen type on other Audis.
You get the worst of both worlds, heavy weight/added maintenance with hardly any of the benefits.
When added rear traction eventually appears, the front has understeered so much that you end up with a strange and brutal 4 wheel drift, unlike the more progressive slide generated by a 3 diff Torsen.
Obviously, in a straight line things are better but surely, a performance car should work in the twisties too.

Edited by nickfrog on Friday 3rd October 09:11

That was one of the reasons I moved on from my old shape S3, the handling just wasn't what you'd expect from a 4WD 260 bhp hatchback.

[nickfrog]

Same here mate and I was really hoping the latest one would show significant improvements... Having been spoiled with a Boxster in the meantime, it's very hard to go back to agricultural handling and worse of all very poor cornering grip.

[mitch78]

lol

[RacingTeatray]

Poor cornering grip? Audi S3? On remoulds perhaps!

[nickfrog]

RacingTeatray said:

Poor cornering grip? Audi S3? On remoulds perhaps!

Why do you think it understeers so early?

Same corner, same road conditions, take a 1-series and a S3, turn in and you will find that the S3 simply loses front grip at a lower speed than the 1-series for instance, hence my remark of poor cornering grip for such an expensive car.

There is no secret, high COG and heavy weight result in lower cornering grip (I did not say traction).