new toy (M3 to S3)
Discussion
As the title really I have swapped from M3 to S3
Having taken a reasonable amount of abuse for such a move from my mates. I must say I love the S3. Of course no amount of turbo-trickery and exhaust sound manipulation can replace the sound and urgency of the Ms V8, however, that is the only thing I miss.
The S3's speed (to 100 feels just as fast as the M3) the traction and grip is immense. This is my first Audi. I do not believe the cliche that all quick Audi's are dull in the steering, its just not true. I'm enjoying the S3 every bit of much as my former M if not more so.
The B&O stereo is superb, the interior is a higher league to the M3 (and new BMs for that matter). The crystal black paint only really works in the brightest of sunshine but nice none the less. The exhaust and turbo whine's, hisses and crackles are excellent (even if they are engineered in)
Its an expensive small car (I went a bit nuts with the options) and I know the Golf R could have been had cheaper but this little Audi really does it for me over anything else (Golf R, M235 even new M3)....loving the economy too (and the fact it doesn't need a service every week!)
Having taken a reasonable amount of abuse for such a move from my mates. I must say I love the S3. Of course no amount of turbo-trickery and exhaust sound manipulation can replace the sound and urgency of the Ms V8, however, that is the only thing I miss.
The S3's speed (to 100 feels just as fast as the M3) the traction and grip is immense. This is my first Audi. I do not believe the cliche that all quick Audi's are dull in the steering, its just not true. I'm enjoying the S3 every bit of much as my former M if not more so.
The B&O stereo is superb, the interior is a higher league to the M3 (and new BMs for that matter). The crystal black paint only really works in the brightest of sunshine but nice none the less. The exhaust and turbo whine's, hisses and crackles are excellent (even if they are engineered in)
Its an expensive small car (I went a bit nuts with the options) and I know the Golf R could have been had cheaper but this little Audi really does it for me over anything else (Golf R, M235 even new M3)....loving the economy too (and the fact it doesn't need a service every week!)
djc206 said:
I do wonder how many of those who go on about S's and RS's having dull steering have actually driven one. I think for most it's just regurgitating the opinions of journalists and for many it's because being driven wheels the steering is not as skittish as in other cars, especially fwd cars and that's mistaken for lack of feedback. I'm not going to pretend that Audi offer the most engaging cars but they're not as bad as many try to make out.
Lovely car by the way
Cheers, Lovely car by the way
Yes there are a lot of journalist quoters out there and indeed journalists spouting old stuff.
I loved the M3 but as a daily driver it just didn't make sense, yet I don't think it was special enough to be a weekend car only. I much prefer the S3 as an all rounder and intend to save for something truly special for a Sunday blast. That said I'm enjoying the S3 too much to bother about anything else at the moment!
[quote=EricE]
Alps sounds far nicer scenery to enjoy the car in!
No sadly not, the quilted super sports seats was one of the only options I didn't pick. The test car I was in had them and I did love them but I drew the line on cost in the end! My test car was also painted in French Blue which was immense but apparently a £4k custom paint job (it was still tempting though!)
Alps sounds far nicer scenery to enjoy the car in!
No sadly not, the quilted super sports seats was one of the only options I didn't pick. The test car I was in had them and I did love them but I drew the line on cost in the end! My test car was also painted in French Blue which was immense but apparently a £4k custom paint job (it was still tempting though!)
cerb4.5lee said:
This was pretty much exactly how I felt about my E92 M3 and I didn't like it as a daily and it isn't really special enough just as a weekender and I enjoyed driving my Mrs's TTS more because of its usability and more accessible performance so I totally get where you are coming from.
If I am honest neither me or the mrs liked the TTS much at first being used to BMW`s but after just over two years and 60k miles we cant say enough good things about it now, I am positive you wont miss the M3 much(if) at all because they are one of the most frustrating daily drivers I think you can buy and I wish you all the best with the S3.
Cheers! If I am honest neither me or the mrs liked the TTS much at first being used to BMW`s but after just over two years and 60k miles we cant say enough good things about it now, I am positive you wont miss the M3 much(if) at all because they are one of the most frustrating daily drivers I think you can buy and I wish you all the best with the S3.
You are so right, you have to own an M3 to really know them (as obvious as that sounds!) my mates think I'm nuts as all they've done is have the odd passenger ride in my M3 which always felt just immense to them. Like its a cut price supercar.
On a track I'm under no illusion I would miss the M3, however, contrary to what most manufacturers think I don't spend my Monday to Friday caning around the nurburgring. Mostly, disappointingly I'm sat on the A1 and doing at most 80mph in commuter traffic. Therefore I appreciate other stuff too (good interior, stereo etc). On the odd occasion I am on a country road or get a drive on a Sunday the S3 is equally as good as the M3 and I find just as enjoyable.
I would love a weekend special but they key word there is special (Ferrari, Aston etc) I don't think the M3 is that. I had my M3 for two years, it warmed to me, then I loved it, then I grew to resent it. It didn't give me enough enjoyment to warrant its costs.
The S3 feels even bit as fast on normal everyday roads and just as special but with a nicer interior and stereo! It just doesn't have the V8 noise, but then you can't have everything!
FTBM said:
Hi whp1983,
Did you go for the magnetic ride option? I've pretty much specced my car now but can't decide whether to add this option. My test drive was with the standard setup which seemed like a good compromise, especially for the pot holed roads around here.
Would be slightly peeved to order then realise I should have added the option. Likewise, don't want a white elephant option either!
Thanks
HiDid you go for the magnetic ride option? I've pretty much specced my car now but can't decide whether to add this option. My test drive was with the standard setup which seemed like a good compromise, especially for the pot holed roads around here.
Would be slightly peeved to order then realise I should have added the option. Likewise, don't want a white elephant option either!
Thanks
I didn't no, my test car had it and it didn't appear to add much (May have been the roads) without out it felt the same! Always difficult to tell on test drive maybe if you live with it it's excellent, however it was £995 I didn't think needed spending. The suspension seems superb as is.
Only other options I didn't add were the panoramic/slide sun roof job, was lovely to have the light through it but it seemed to make the cabin noisier, I picked manual gearbox (as I always do!) my M3 was manual as well. I didn't pick super sports seats although they were tempting. I didn't bother with full LED headlights either.
Other than that I picked pretty much everything else. My favourite option is the B&O stereo which is so good and the tech pack which has some great features with the nav and connectivity etc.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I like mine!
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