Discussion
Hmmm, looking at getting rid of a very dull Astra TDI.
I have the budget for a Sportback 8P RS3 which I'm very tempted to do. However, there's a Evo in my garage that is quick enough as my 'fun' car. The Audi will be a daily drive with baby seat needed so I'm thinking the S3 will be enough? I can always have it chipped for a bit more performance.
I guess the S3 would be a more comfortable car to drive as well?
Am I going to miss out on a more focused RS3 or would the S3 suffice?
Thoughts?
Cheers.
I have the budget for a Sportback 8P RS3 which I'm very tempted to do. However, there's a Evo in my garage that is quick enough as my 'fun' car. The Audi will be a daily drive with baby seat needed so I'm thinking the S3 will be enough? I can always have it chipped for a bit more performance.
I guess the S3 would be a more comfortable car to drive as well?
Am I going to miss out on a more focused RS3 or would the S3 suffice?
Thoughts?
Cheers.
EricE said:
8V S3 is not an option? That's what I would choose over those two.
Possibly. Looking at some of the prices around I could indeed get an 8V S3 over a P RS3. Dr G, I assume you were on about an 8V S3 as well?You have both thrown a spanner in the works, but that's good!
More thinking and reading up to be done.
Thanks.
The 8V S3 moved the game on quite a bit in the driving dynamics/handling department. It's very similar to the excellent but admittedly a bit overhyped Golf R.
The only advantage of the old RS3 is the engine which is nice but in my view it's not worth sacrificing a good chassis and updated interior for the additional power and sound.
Some relevant links:
Old RS3
https://youtu.be/2xwecTp91-o?t=653
New S3
https://youtu.be/Wjo0o-M35GQ?t=276
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/blog/audi-s3-r...
The only advantage of the old RS3 is the engine which is nice but in my view it's not worth sacrificing a good chassis and updated interior for the additional power and sound.
Some relevant links:
Old RS3
https://youtu.be/2xwecTp91-o?t=653
New S3
https://youtu.be/Wjo0o-M35GQ?t=276
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/blog/audi-s3-r...
Edited by EricE on Wednesday 2nd September 08:17
^^^^^^^Thanks for that Eric^^^^^^^
Hmmpfff...things have become very expensive now. My original budget of around 25 grand has just been blown out of the water having just specked up a new S3 with a few extra goodies. The 'boss' and I are discussing budgets just now!
(She went nuts when I suggested an RS6
- we viewed one when we went to the Audi dealership a few weeks back - wow)
Hmmpfff...things have become very expensive now. My original budget of around 25 grand has just been blown out of the water having just specked up a new S3 with a few extra goodies. The 'boss' and I are discussing budgets just now!
(She went nuts when I suggested an RS6
- we viewed one when we went to the Audi dealership a few weeks back - wow)EricE said:
The 8V S3 moved the game on quite a bit in the driving dynamics/handling department. It's very similar to the excellent but admittedly a bit overhyped Golf R.
The only advantage of the old RS3 is the engine which is nice but in my view it's not worth sacrificing a good chassis and updated interior for the additional power and sound.
Some relevant links:
Old RS3
https://youtu.be/2xwecTp91-o?t=653
New S3
https://youtu.be/Wjo0o-M35GQ?t=276
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/blog/audi-s3-r...
Mmmm, some 8V owners say the 8P handled a bit better. The Mk6 R and 8V S3 are practically the same car, you'll get slightly better handling in the R and less comfort. Interior is no match between the two.The only advantage of the old RS3 is the engine which is nice but in my view it's not worth sacrificing a good chassis and updated interior for the additional power and sound.
Some relevant links:
Old RS3
https://youtu.be/2xwecTp91-o?t=653
New S3
https://youtu.be/Wjo0o-M35GQ?t=276
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/blog/audi-s3-r...
Edited by EricE on Wednesday 2nd September 08:17
If you're buying outright then on that budget an 8P S3 Sportback manual would be plentiful if you're happy with the interior.
Remember to get your up to 10% discount if you're getting new.
Failing all the above get a cheap Golf R deal, I assume theres still plenty of offers available circa 9k for 2 years or less if you're lucky. Comes well specced as standard too!
Speaking as someone with a 8V S3 and had an 8P V6 the step up is amazing, but I haven't experienced much so my expectations aren't the same as someone coming from something like a Porshe, etc.
If I was you and could stretch, 8V RS3 but with a few options you're hitting 40k+.
Here's the new RS3 vs the Golf 7 R (which is really close to the S3). I think the 8V S3/Golf 7R are the "sweet spot" at the moment. Neither of them are sports cars built for the track but that's not the point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jWVTKYcP0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jWVTKYcP0
Edited by EricE on Wednesday 2nd September 20:55
Beastmode,
Interesting comments. We looked at the Golf R, oddly enough the finance deals look crap according to their web site. I'd be looking to put down over 15 grand deposit, ok with Audi but VW will only let me max out at 9k! Price wise the R and S3 are pretty close.
We looked at a friends R but felt the boot was too small. We think (TBC) the Audi has a larger boot albeit not by much. She wants baby buggies and golf bags to fit no problem.
I've discounted the latest RS, as said in my first post, I have an Lancer Evo 6 that will blow any of these cars away That's my fun car (no baby seats allowed in that!).
This new car will be a daily drive with baby seat et all. Comfort is reasonably important over track day abilities. The Evo can go to the track.
Thanks again though.
I think Eric is right, it does seem the sweet spot and it's the 8V S3 I think we will plumb for. Test drive booked via the Audi web site, waiting to hear back soon!
Interesting comments. We looked at the Golf R, oddly enough the finance deals look crap according to their web site. I'd be looking to put down over 15 grand deposit, ok with Audi but VW will only let me max out at 9k! Price wise the R and S3 are pretty close.
We looked at a friends R but felt the boot was too small. We think (TBC) the Audi has a larger boot albeit not by much. She wants baby buggies and golf bags to fit no problem.
I've discounted the latest RS, as said in my first post, I have an Lancer Evo 6 that will blow any of these cars away
That's my fun car (no baby seats allowed in that!).This new car will be a daily drive with baby seat et all. Comfort is reasonably important over track day abilities. The Evo can go to the track.
Thanks again though.
I think Eric is right, it does seem the sweet spot and it's the 8V S3 I think we will plumb for. Test drive booked via the Audi web site, waiting to hear back soon!
8V S3 all day long </biased>
As for boot space, our family car when one of my kids was a baby was an RX8. That took buggy, golf clubs and other things....trust me when I say that you can pretty much make the things that matter fit in any vehicle.
I test drove the new RS3 at the weekend and I have to say that getting back into my S3 I didn't feel 'short changed'. In fact, it made me like my S3 even more. The real world performance is hardly any different. Yes, I found the combination of buttons to press for the RS3 launch control and that is bloody addictive, but really how often are you going to do that in order to justify the extra money? Even my wife (who accepts that cars are my vice - don't drink, don't smoke etc. - so is happy for me to spend money on that vice) said that I'd be mad to pay the extra money for the RS over the S. In her words, "It just seems like more money for not much more car"...and she's right.
I have the saloon and I personally think it looks great - the boot is a lot more capacious than you think, but the opening is what will cause you an issue or two compared to the hatch versions....but then that's your compromise.
Don't go crazy with the options. You really don't need to go nuts. I have the manual and having driven the DSG version now, I really don't mind. The manual feels better when you let your hair down and have fun. I have the privacy glass and the comfort pack and...erm...another option that I cannot remember now. The only thing I wish I had done was upgrade the stereo from standard...but to be honest that's me starting to nit pick.
Remember to set the Drive Select to 'Dynamic' at some point during your test drive...it does make a difference to the car.
My next change should hopefully be towards the 991/F-Type S class of cars but I really have to say that if I had to stick to my S3, I wouldn't mind one tiny bit. I really like it. A lot.
P~
As for boot space, our family car when one of my kids was a baby was an RX8. That took buggy, golf clubs and other things....trust me when I say that you can pretty much make the things that matter fit in any vehicle.
I test drove the new RS3 at the weekend and I have to say that getting back into my S3 I didn't feel 'short changed'. In fact, it made me like my S3 even more. The real world performance is hardly any different. Yes, I found the combination of buttons to press for the RS3 launch control and that is bloody addictive, but really how often are you going to do that in order to justify the extra money? Even my wife (who accepts that cars are my vice - don't drink, don't smoke etc. - so is happy for me to spend money on that vice) said that I'd be mad to pay the extra money for the RS over the S. In her words, "It just seems like more money for not much more car"...and she's right.
I have the saloon and I personally think it looks great - the boot is a lot more capacious than you think, but the opening is what will cause you an issue or two compared to the hatch versions....but then that's your compromise.
Don't go crazy with the options. You really don't need to go nuts. I have the manual and having driven the DSG version now, I really don't mind. The manual feels better when you let your hair down and have fun. I have the privacy glass and the comfort pack and...erm...another option that I cannot remember now. The only thing I wish I had done was upgrade the stereo from standard...but to be honest that's me starting to nit pick.
Remember to set the Drive Select to 'Dynamic' at some point during your test drive...it does make a difference to the car.
My next change should hopefully be towards the 991/F-Type S class of cars but I really have to say that if I had to stick to my S3, I wouldn't mind one tiny bit. I really like it. A lot.
P~
PhantomPH said:
8V S3 all day long </biased>
I test drove the new RS3 at the weekend and I have to say that getting back into my S3 I didn't feel 'short changed'. In fact, it made me like my S3 even more. The real world performance is hardly any different. Yes, I found the combination of buttons to press for the RS3 launch control and that is bloody addictive, but really how often are you going to do that in order to justify the extra money? Even my wife (who accepts that cars are my vice - don't drink, don't smoke etc. - so is happy for me to spend money on that vice) said that I'd be mad to pay the extra money for the RS over the S. In her words, "It just seems like more money for not much more car"...and she's right.
P~
^Can completely understand that.^I test drove the new RS3 at the weekend and I have to say that getting back into my S3 I didn't feel 'short changed'. In fact, it made me like my S3 even more. The real world performance is hardly any different. Yes, I found the combination of buttons to press for the RS3 launch control and that is bloody addictive, but really how often are you going to do that in order to justify the extra money? Even my wife (who accepts that cars are my vice - don't drink, don't smoke etc. - so is happy for me to spend money on that vice) said that I'd be mad to pay the extra money for the RS over the S. In her words, "It just seems like more money for not much more car"...and she's right.
P~
Test drive done. Car ordered
December delivery. Didn't go nuts with options, few styling bits and LED lights which I thought looked nice and and S Tronic thingy gear box. The standard stereo will do us, happy with that and I did make a point of running between Dynamic and Eco. I like both modes, however due to finishing late from work the TD was done approaching rush hour traffic, but the chap did manage to find a relatively quiet back road
.So far, happy. Proof will be living with it. She's still gutted she didn't get A Golf R but I'm sure she will come round to it in time.
Thanks to all for your comments and thoughts
That was quick!
I hope you got a 10% discount (I did!) some lucky people attained 14%!
You really should get the Audi sound system, it's basically Bose. I rarely listen to any music and even I don't regret it!
Have you not seen the 300+ page R thread!?!? The dealer and website won't give good deals but when you go through the broker and end up back at the dealer then they do. When I got my 8V the Golf R deal was hilarious, and the service so bad!
Gratz anyway, it's a pleasant place to be and has plenty of power :-)
I hope you got a 10% discount (I did!) some lucky people attained 14%!
You really should get the Audi sound system, it's basically Bose. I rarely listen to any music and even I don't regret it!
Have you not seen the 300+ page R thread!?!? The dealer and website won't give good deals but when you go through the broker and end up back at the dealer then they do. When I got my 8V the Golf R deal was hilarious, and the service so bad!
Gratz anyway, it's a pleasant place to be and has plenty of power :-)
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