Audi S3 - does it get any better?
Discussion
agent006 said:
Ecurie Ecosse said:
is IMHO slightly better than the S3
IMHO the RS2 is far far better than the S3.
had a chipped old style S3 and loved it, only criticsms would be the numb steering and oversteery handling of older Audi S cars. Test drove the new S3 and it handles/steers much better but £32k with right options is startig to take the p*** for a 2.0 4 pot.
Also the old looked muuch better vs the A3 than the new one does - it lacks flared arches and wheels look too small
Still wonder where my old mineral grey S3 went on its S3 YUM plate
Also the old looked muuch better vs the A3 than the new one does - it lacks flared arches and wheels look too small
Still wonder where my old mineral grey S3 went on its S3 YUM plate
Adam B said:
had a chipped old style S3 and loved it, only criticsms would be the numb steering and oversteery handling of older Audi S cars. Test drove the new S3 and it handles/steers much better but £32k with right options is startig to take the p*** for a 2.0 4 pot.
Also the old looked muuch better vs the A3 than the new one does - it lacks flared arches and wheels look too small
Still wonder where my old mineral grey S3 went on its S3 YUM plate
understeer is easily addressed my a different haldex controller distributes more power more of the time to the rear.Also the old looked muuch better vs the A3 than the new one does - it lacks flared arches and wheels look too small
Still wonder where my old mineral grey S3 went on its S3 YUM plate
Adam B said:
The Walrus said:
Hi Adam,
They will set you back approx £500-700 depending on car off the top of my head plus fitting, awesome GTI are one company I know of that sell them plus others.
shame Audi do not fit this as std like the new ScoobyThey will set you back approx £500-700 depending on car off the top of my head plus fitting, awesome GTI are one company I know of that sell them plus others.
Edited by The Walrus on Thursday 24th January 12:12
Interesting topic and has cleared up a few things for me regarding the S3, I currently drive a evo vi gsr, it was mapped - poorly and unbeknown to me, suffered from det, last dec the thing threw a conrod through the block and have therefore had to get a new engine. Cue evo 8 mr 320 engine. Its been properly setup and absolutely flys now. It handles like a dream but the major factor for me is the fact i rarely get over 18mpg and when going on a blast to cheddar at the weekend was getting about 8 mpg 
.
Is it hard to get the s3 to handle like a dream without spending 000's on suspension? Can the geometry be fettled and setup properly on std springs / shocks ?
Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?
. Is it hard to get the s3 to handle like a dream without spending 000's on suspension? Can the geometry be fettled and setup properly on std springs / shocks ?
Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?
ge0rge said:
Is it hard to get the s3 to handle like a dream without spending 000's on suspension? Can the geometry be fettled and setup properly on std springs / shocks ?
Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?
Best thing is to head over to www.audi-sport.net. Lots of very knowlegeable people on there including a chap called Glen (Ess_Three) who spend a considerable amount of time and money getting his S3 to handle properly.Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?
300bhp+ is definately possible but will cost £££. I think the standard internals are ok to around 350bhp.
ge0rge said:
Interesting topic and has cleared up a few things for me regarding the S3, I currently drive a evo vi gsr, it was mapped - poorly and unbeknown to me, suffered from det, last dec the thing threw a conrod through the block and have therefore had to get a new engine. Cue evo 8 mr 320 engine. Its been properly setup and absolutely flys now. It handles like a dream but the major factor for me is the fact i rarely get over 18mpg and when going on a blast to cheddar at the weekend was getting about 8 mpg .
Is it hard to get the s3 to handle like a dream without spending 000's on suspension? Can the geometry be fettled and setup properly on std springs / shocks ?
Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?
You can get adjustable control arms for the S3 which allow you to move the camber about to your liking front and rear, ECS tuning are one of the companies that make them combined with an uprated suspension package and and re-map plus someone who knows how to set it up you can turn it into something that is a lot more fun to drive.. Is it hard to get the s3 to handle like a dream without spending 000's on suspension? Can the geometry be fettled and setup properly on std springs / shocks ?
Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?
Welshbeef said:
Leon Cupra R, effectively the same car.
Oh dear here we go again, that is almost as ridiculous as saying the VW Phaeton & the Bentley Continental GT are the same car, in other words a complete and absolute load of old bollox normally spouted by owners of Cupras & Phaetons.mel said:
Welshbeef said:
Leon Cupra R, effectively the same car.
Oh dear here we go again, that is almost as ridiculous as saying the VW Phaeton & the Bentley Continental GT are the same car, in other words a complete and absolute load of old bollox normally spouted by owners of Cupras & Phaetons.However Facts:-
Engine = identical
Chassis = identical
Wireing loom = identical
Switchgear = mostly identical
Seats = different
Exterior footprint = identical
Exterior looks = different (but they are a hatchback at the end of the day so ball park similar)
Badge Cudos = Well Audi certainly have that one won as it is perceived as a prestige brand
When coming to buy either of these cars used the buyer must be aware of both cars and one will be significantly more than the other with much less kit the reason whjy to buy one over the other is then purely looks preference & the ability to justify why the other costs £5k more or is the same with 100k more miles on it xxxxxx
Welshbeef said:
Given the very high purchase price of the S3 you may as well buy a Leon Cupra R, effectively the same car.
No Haldex on the Cupra and nowhere near as nice inside. But, as you point out, you pay for these differences. Just depends if you think it's worth the extra I guess.
IMHO it's a bit pointless bringing up different cars as a 'better' choice. The OP has a nice car that he likes. Good for him. 
All the alternatives suggested here are equally fine depending on circumstances, requirements and whatever floats your boat.
Someone buying a recent S3 is unlikely to consider a Corrado VR6 as the newest is 12 years old and most are now nails. Fully agree it's a superb car but very hard to find a nice one these days.
The S3 does tick a lot of boxes as an allrounder. I dont own one or aspire to own one. Its just a perfectly decent car.
All the alternatives suggested here are equally fine depending on circumstances, requirements and whatever floats your boat.
Someone buying a recent S3 is unlikely to consider a Corrado VR6 as the newest is 12 years old and most are now nails. Fully agree it's a superb car but very hard to find a nice one these days.
The S3 does tick a lot of boxes as an allrounder. I dont own one or aspire to own one. Its just a perfectly decent car.
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