RE: Audi S3 saloon: PH Carpool

RE: Audi S3 saloon: PH Carpool

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Discussion

ensignia

919 posts

234 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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The best looking Audi since the RS4 (B7).

Wish I had gone for one of these instead of the Golf R, now...

mnx42

215 posts

162 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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Agreed, one of the best looking Audi's for many a long time IMO.

wab172uk

2,005 posts

226 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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I bought a S3 Saloon last month, in Sepang Blue. Manual with Super Sports Seats, B&O speakers, and a few other choice options.

As said before, it feels like a mini B7 RS4. The Saloon body shape suits the S3 more then the 3 door or sportback.

I test drove a DSG car before ordering, and I'm so please I chose the manual. DSG is great for quick fire changes, but most of the time I was bored. I must be old fashioned in wanting to enjoy changing gears myself.

The 2.0 TFSI engine is a real gem, although not very tuneful. But across country, this is one damn quick car. I'd say on everyday back roads it is faster than my old R8 V8.

I just wished Audi would have made the new RS3 in Saloon form and given it a manual gearbox. Now that would be some car, and I'd be straight down the dealers to order one.

muffmcdiver

3 posts

120 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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Nice looking car in probably the best colour and wheel choice.

B&o sound is amazing so you may have missed out although I think the manual shift is a good choice no matter what, damned if you do damned if you don't as my first ever tiptronic/auto is lacking foot involvement somewhat!

Always BMW/Alpina fan myself after early days of learning to drive in MK"1"-5 escorts XR2 and XR3i until new SQ5!

Have to report B&O media system is amazing so is pano roof so are 21" wheels, most other options are excessive such as key less entry, lane assist is terrible although looks pace and fuel consumption combined are pleasing although B road driving pleasure is nowhere near M or Alpina although the family love it unconditionally.

Still suspect though the M235i would be the better driver for that class but looking at previous ownership it appears you have yet to be corrupted!

Enjoy you lovely tool in the meantime as whatever opinions people may have Audi do make a awsome car regardless.

Alfa159Ti

827 posts

156 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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Lovely car OP - colour really suits it. Looks mean, but understated.

I generally find Audi styling dull as ditchwater, but have seen a few of these S3s in and around Spinningfields of late - both saloons and convertibles - and think they look very nice indeed. There is something just so 'right' about the lines and they look really well proportioned.

I bet a saloon like yours is an ideal daily. Practical, refined and frugal when driven normally, whilst blisteringly quick when the conditions allow, yet still subtle enough that it won't put clients' noses out of joint.

Nice choice my friend.

Also I am with you with the tall other half. My girlfriend's legs are so long that when I get in her Passat CC after she's been at the wheel I cannot reach the pedals or wheels. She got given a Fiat 500 as a courtesy car last year and watching her drive off in it was hilarious. Reminded me of that Simpsons scene where the super tall guy is driving the VW Beetle with his knees up to his head!


NelsonM3

1,680 posts

170 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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This was on my shopping list and I took an S-tronic one out for the day last year. Very capable, practical car and looks superb but like all S models for me it just lacked that little spark that made me yearn to own it. It's such a shame Audi do not offer Accessory performance enhancements the same way BMW do (M Performance parts).

I think as a family weapon it's one of the best out out there and it's definitely one of the best cars Audi make. Just a shame it doesn't have a little more noise and drama.

S4mb0x

36 posts

121 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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Great write up, nice to hear good things about an Audi from an owner instead of the usual Audi-bashing.

I had the first-gen 8L and always loved it. Hopefully when the 8V comes down in price I might be in the reach of owning one.

The only concern I have with modern Audis is the steering. Apparently very light and feeling-less? I had an A4 TDi courtesy once and didn't like the fact I could steer such a lump with just one finger.

I hope you have many happy miles in it!

(Also, for those saying about the lacklustre sound, I'm sure Miltek have a cure as always for the back, if not for the front!)

JeffreyLebowski

452 posts

206 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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article said:
In hindsight, I'm beginning to think I should have gone for the DSG box as I'm hearing such good things about it in the current S3. Ironically, I've had DSG-style boxes in a few cars (the GTIs and the Merc) and not really loved them, so made the switch back to manual.
Don't really understand this - you've had DSG before and not got on with them, but now wish you'd chosen it for your current car? In my experience you like auto or you don't, the car it's attached to is irrelevant (in an everyday type car, caterham vs. rolls comparisons exempted!) so you probably did the right thing making your own choice rather than following the herd.
Lovely looking car all the same.

muffmcdiver

3 posts

120 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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Thinking about it, why do Audi not simply make the 4wd switchable to rear and then create a perfect drivers car?

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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muffmcdiver said:
Thinking about it, why do Audi not simply make the 4wd switchable to rear and then create a perfect drivers car?
Moving drive to the rear would not make it drive like a RWD car. At least not like a remotely good RWD car.

scherzkeks

4,460 posts

133 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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muffmcdiver said:
Thinking about it, why do Audi not simply make the 4wd switchable to rear and then create a perfect drivers car?
Because they don't do RWD. If you mean simply adding more bias to the rear, it really wouldn't make a great difference, unless the bias was substantially in favor of the rear. AWD is prone to understeer in any configuration where the split is near even.

In terms of it being an highly agile "driver's" car for handling junkies, they'd need to fix weight distribution first and foremost, but this is a problem on more or less every hatch, even the ones that advert. themselves as full-fledged rally reps.

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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scherzkeks said:
Because they don't do RWD. If you mean simply adding more bias to the rear, it really wouldn't make a great difference, unless the bias was substantially in favor of the rear. AWD is prone to understeer in any configuration where the split is near even.

In terms of it being an highly agile "driver's" car for handling junkies, they'd need to fix weight distribution first and foremost, but this is a problem on more or less every hatch, even the ones that advert. themselves as full-fledged rally reps.
Have you had chance to drive an Evo IX or X yet? Whilst obviously nothing can break the laws of physics, they seem to have a damn good try. Evo-esque handling, combined with the RS3 lump, DSG etc. would make one hell of a car.

In the article PhantomPH said:
Also, the standard Audi stereo is pathetic (see below)."
I agree that most of the standard systems in German cars suck these days but I would be shocked if retrofitting upgrades wasn't possible. wink

Gompo

4,396 posts

257 months

Friday 1st May 2015
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Just seen a very similar looking car on the A1 around Newark today.

I do like quirky small saloons but I have to say from my view (behind and slightly elevated) that it just looked a bit bland, and like it should have been about 75mm lower, the rear end really appeared jacked up. May have been a trick from the angle I was looking at it from but I was a bit disappointed.

iloveboost

1,531 posts

161 months

Saturday 2nd May 2015
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Happyjap said:
Even The Monkey falls from a tree!
It would be funny if dealers used good sayings like that:
Customer:Hi my new S3 just broke down, and it's brand new so obviously I'm a bit angry.
Audi:When you are angry at others, you are angry at yourself.
Customer:I had to wait an hour for the recovery truck, and I've already paid £100 just to ride ten minutes in it. Driver was even listening to Radio 4...who listens to Radio 4?!
Audi:Even the monkey falls from a tree.
Customer:What?
Audi:The light will always follow the darkness.
Customer:Look mate, you can shove your monkey where the light doesn't shine.
biggrin

Edited by iloveboost on Saturday 2nd May 12:31

slayaz

54 posts

188 months

Friday 8th May 2015
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I am pretty interested in one of these. I currently have a BMW 320d M Sport which goes back later in the year.

I test drove the S4 Avant which I loved but unfortunately is just out side of my budget.

My question is this, is it big enough for a family car? I have a 10 year old and a 14yr old but don't often do long journeys and we are all quite small!

Before the BMW we managed with a focus ST (mk2), so i'm guessing it is bigger than that.

Any help would be appreciated.

AwIktir

1 posts

106 months

Saturday 9th May 2015
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Hello, i am just about to buy exactly a smilar car as urs, in color and in rims, only waiting for the dealer to try my luck with a discount.
I really need to ask you about the 19 inch and the magnetic ride....is it worth the 2700 US$ they charge here for it? Or should i downgrade to 18 and get some additional goodies for the same price.
Engine wise, am already familiar with it as am having a seat leon cupra fitted with a revo technik stage 1, my new car will definitely get the same treatment once the warranty is off, trust me the ride is completely different as the car gets some testosterone

PhantomPH

4,043 posts

224 months

Thursday 14th May 2015
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The ride on my car (magnetic ride, 19" alloys) is fantastic and the differences in Drive Select modes (efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic) is certainly noticeable when you play with the switch. Road noise from the 19's is 'there', but not to the extent I care about it as ultimately they look great on the car and really set off the styling.

The truth is I've not driven one without magnetic ride (only one with 18's instead of 19's), so I would not know if there was much of a difference to warrant the cost, but you have to ask yourself this regarding the wheels - if you go for 18's, will you always walk up to the car thinking, "I wish I'd gone for the 19" alloys...'?

Regarding the question about size for a family car - it genuinely is a personal preference. I'd always say yes...but then a previous family car was an RX8...and when I was a kid, our family car was a [classic] Mini and we certainly managed! Will it carry the weekly shopping for a family of 4 and still have room for extras at Christmas? Yes. Will it carry a new wardrobe back from the furniture store? No.

slayaz

54 posts

188 months

Friday 15th May 2015
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PhantomPH said:
Regarding the question about size for a family car - it genuinely is a personal preference. I'd always say yes...but then a previous family car was an RX8...and when I was a kid, our family car was a [classic] Mini and we certainly managed! Will it carry the weekly shopping for a family of 4 and still have room for extras at Christmas? Yes. Will it carry a new wardrobe back from the furniture store? No.
That's perfect! Exactly what I needed to know! Thanks

PrancingPanda

10 posts

106 months

Saturday 16th May 2015
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Great write up! From a fellow S3 Saloon owner (Sepang Blue).

To rub it in, yes, you should have gone for the s-tronic and also the b&o upgrade... biggrin


slayaz

54 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd July 2015
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PrancingPanda said:
Great write up! From a fellow S3 Saloon owner (Sepang Blue).

To rub it in, yes, you should have gone for the s-tronic and also the b&o upgrade... biggrin
Done!

Just ordering a defang blue version with the B&O upgrade and the wife wanted the panoramic sunroof!

I can't wait....