RE: Audi unveils its new S3
Discussion
The spec's from the Audi read like something out of a 'sniff petrol' "Article" but the car looks far too boring, i would say the 'old-new' A3 needs a dramatic redesign.
350PS
450NM
2.0T
4WD
This thing on the other hand, is amazing, radical design.
Don't hold judgement to you see one in the metal! They where great at goodwood, with a fantastic interior that seams much more spacious/nicer place to be than Audi's.
the-photographer said:
blackchrome917 said:
I'd put my money on a new Mercedes A class - "Engineered by AMG". The BMW 1 is too ugly and the Audi too much like the previous one.
Yes its coming soon, the new A-class AMG350PS
450NM
2.0T
4WD
Don't hold judgement to you see one in the metal! They where great at goodwood, with a fantastic interior that seams much more spacious/nicer place to be than Audi's.
RichTBiscuit said:
hyperblue said:
Why all the 'boring' comments above? Nothing boring about a 300bhp hatchback!
If anyone can make 300bhp boring - Audi can ;-)Then there's the styling, for once I can agree with the we've seen it all before. Brand Audi appear not to want to upset their loyal customers... And I can see why. So many people say 'I want an Audi, they are lovely.' Most aren't bothered about about the actual driving experience... At least BMW put it there so you can exploit it if you are so minded. If only BMW did Audi's chassis work. Audi can do it when they want to, RS4, R8 and lately the new RS4 estate.
One thing Audi have got right is running costs, ultimately that kept me out of an M3 but it won't always be the case.
and the old car was 40k list with a couple of options and a lot more with everything ticked HighwayStar said:
As the owner of the current TTS which basically has S3 running gear RichTBiscuit is right. I have all the power, speed and tech I need but, there's not payoff. The sum of parts don't = fun, involvement, feedback etc. it's effective but just comes up short of genuine excitement. The trouble is it's all there but Audi can't seem to/don't want to creat any real magic.
Then there's the styling, for once I can agree with the we've seen it all before. Brand Audi appear not to want to upset their loyal customers... And I can see why. So many people say 'I want an Audi, they are lovely.' Most aren't bothered about about the actual driving experience... At least BMW put it there so you can exploit it if you are so minded. If only BMW did Audi's chassis work. Audi can do it when they want to, RS4, R8 and lately the new RS4 estate.
One thing Audi have got right is running costs, ultimately that kept me out of an M3 but it won't always be the case.
A very honest post, and precisely how I felt as a loyal Audi owner for many years. Porsche and BMW have opened my eyes to the fact that enjoyment in a vehicle is so much more than a nice interior and the ability to hammer the throttle off the lights.Then there's the styling, for once I can agree with the we've seen it all before. Brand Audi appear not to want to upset their loyal customers... And I can see why. So many people say 'I want an Audi, they are lovely.' Most aren't bothered about about the actual driving experience... At least BMW put it there so you can exploit it if you are so minded. If only BMW did Audi's chassis work. Audi can do it when they want to, RS4, R8 and lately the new RS4 estate.
One thing Audi have got right is running costs, ultimately that kept me out of an M3 but it won't always be the case.
I was thinking of getting into either a M135 or S3 when it's time to change the 520d (now that is boring) is the Audi really that bad? Seems bloody quick and the AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
Wills2 said:
I was thinking of getting into either a M135 or S3 when it's time to change the 520d (now that is boring) is the Audi really that bad? Seems bloody quick and the AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
it should be a good car, the old one was fun very easy to get the back out onPerhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
i suspect it will be fortunes thou
king hilarious!Dave Hedgehog said:
Wills2 said:
I was thinking of getting into either a M135 or S3 when it's time to change the 520d (now that is boring) is the Audi really that bad? Seems bloody quick and the AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
it should be a good car, the old one was fun very easy to get the back out onPerhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
i suspect it will be fortunes thou
Wills2 said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
Wills2 said:
I was thinking of getting into either a M135 or S3 when it's time to change the 520d (now that is boring) is the Audi really that bad? Seems bloody quick and the AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
it should be a good car, the old one was fun very easy to get the back out onPerhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
i suspect it will be fortunes thou
and the current car had a big price drop about 12 months ago
40-45k for the new one seams likely
i really want to drive one thou
Dave Hedgehog said:
Wills2 said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
Wills2 said:
I was thinking of getting into either a M135 or S3 when it's time to change the 520d (now that is boring) is the Audi really that bad? Seems bloody quick and the AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
it should be a good car, the old one was fun very easy to get the back out onPerhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
i suspect it will be fortunes thou
and the current car had a big price drop about 12 months ago
40-45k for the new one seams likely
i really want to drive one thou
Some interesting opinions from people who probably haven't actually driven a recent S3, never mind the new one. AWD car, 300bhp, great interior, whats not to like (ok maybe price). As an owner of a black 8p S3 sportback I feel qualified to say that it is a great car. The interior is excellent, loads of toys, comfortable, can chew up big miles easily, or if you prefer be hooned around in on maximum attack. I have added some extra horses to mine giving it about the same (305bhp) as the new model. It is a hooligan of a car with that much power and has awd so it can actually use the power.
I did look at focus rs as an alternative which by comparison was cheap inside and looked like it had driven through halfords and picked up several addenda en route. You can blend in driving an s3 as it does look like every other a3 out there. That is fine by me, I like my sleeper.
I did look at focus rs as an alternative which by comparison was cheap inside and looked like it had driven through halfords and picked up several addenda en route. You can blend in driving an s3 as it does look like every other a3 out there. That is fine by me, I like my sleeper.
Wills2 said:
I was thinking of getting into either a M135 or S3 when it's time to change the 520d (now that is boring) is the Audi really that bad? Seems bloody quick and the AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
Perhaps a 335i or S4 would be a better bet?
I had an allroad for 2 years and that was brilliant apart from the understeer.
There! Right THERE. You just said it, apart from the understeer. Saying that not surprised in an all road but understeer comes as standard. As I said in my previous post my TTS is basically the outgoing S3 underneath. 272hp/260lb and Quattro. So there's plenty to work with but there's no real fun or involvement when the road gets interesting. A few are saying how can AWD and 300hp not be fun... It is if you just love speed. If you enjoy being part of the experience then the S3, going on current form, won't be for you. We maybe in for a surprise, weight up front is down and the engine is lighter but I don't see Audi going the extra mile. Put it this way my TTS is quality, well built and very fast, speed wise it would destroy my previous 205 1.9, Clio 16v or 306 GTi-6 but all of them handled in a way the TTS could never approach. On a twisty country road I suspect I wouldn't keep up with a well peddled GTi-6.
AWD is handy when you drive in all weathers... If I was a typical Audi driver it's the thing I'd be crowing about but let's face it, everyone drives in all weathers. None AWD cars haven't even falling off the road all our wet summer. It's an easy argument for us AWD boys to wheel out. At the end of the day you drive to the prevailing conditions. Personally I don't drive faster than other in the rain simply because I have Quattro. I put my toe down when I feel it's safe. When it's not I don't.
True Highway, but I had to fit winter tyres to my 911 otherwise it wasn't enjoyable to drive in the winter, (I'm not a PH driving god) and I loved the traction from the allroad during the winter even on all season tyres it didn't get stuck in bad snow.
I've run e46/e92 m3's on summer tyres and it's just no fun in the winter with 420hp and no traction or grip, winter is coming and the 520d will be useless to the point I'm going to put winters tyres on it (BTW it understeers like you wouldn't believe)
I've run e46/e92 m3's on summer tyres and it's just no fun in the winter with 420hp and no traction or grip, winter is coming and the 520d will be useless to the point I'm going to put winters tyres on it (BTW it understeers like you wouldn't believe)
What a surprise! And I'm not being sarcastic. How refreshing to hear other people say that a nice interior and a shed load of power is not enough to create a car that is either fun or good value for money.
We all know the price of this car with essential options is going to start with a '4'. How much fun can you have with 40 grand? Leaving aside comparisons with used cars have a think how many non-motoring-related things/activities you can do with that kind of money. All of a sudden that awesome home cinema, super lightweight carbon pushbike or 6 month career break to travel the world are now within reach.
IMHO anyone who stretches themselves to buy this car new is a complete and utter total dipstick.
And before someone tells me 'quality costs', think about how much VW Group charge for their cars and then consider that the group's net profit in 2011 was $21.2bn (that's $21,200,000,000).
We all know the price of this car with essential options is going to start with a '4'. How much fun can you have with 40 grand? Leaving aside comparisons with used cars have a think how many non-motoring-related things/activities you can do with that kind of money. All of a sudden that awesome home cinema, super lightweight carbon pushbike or 6 month career break to travel the world are now within reach.
IMHO anyone who stretches themselves to buy this car new is a complete and utter total dipstick.
And before someone tells me 'quality costs', think about how much VW Group charge for their cars and then consider that the group's net profit in 2011 was $21.2bn (that's $21,200,000,000).
Wills2 said:
True Highway, but I had to fit winter tyres to my 911 otherwise it wasn't enjoyable to drive in the winter, (I'm not a PH driving god) and I loved the traction from the allroad during the winter even on all season tyres it didn't get stuck in bad snow.
I've run e46/e92 m3's on summer tyres and it's just no fun in the winter with 420hp and no traction or grip, winter is coming and the 520d will be useless to the point I'm going to put winters tyres on it (BTW it understeers like you wouldn't believe)
Even with Quattro, from talking to the guys on the TT forum, they still fit winter tyres. I live in Colchester and generally we don't get much snow to speak of and the few occasions it's been bad it's a 50min walk, so not the end of the world for me to leave it at home. Re the winter tyres and Quattro. You still need to be able to stop and winter tyres are better if you get properly hit with snow where you live. BMW are bringing over their 3 series X drives, AWD my friend! Maybe you should have a word, find out what, when and how much! I've run e46/e92 m3's on summer tyres and it's just no fun in the winter with 420hp and no traction or grip, winter is coming and the 520d will be useless to the point I'm going to put winters tyres on it (BTW it understeers like you wouldn't believe)
SonicHedgeHog said:
What a surprise! And I'm not being sarcastic. How refreshing to hear other people say that a nice interior and a shed load of power is not enough to create a car that is either fun or good value for money.
We all know the price of this car with essential options is going to start with a '4'. How much fun can you have with 40 grand? Leaving aside comparisons with used cars have a think how many non-motoring-related things/activities you can do with that kind of money. All of a sudden that awesome home cinema, super lightweight carbon pushbike or 6 month career break to travel the world are now within reach.
IMHO anyone who stretches themselves to buy this car new is a complete and utter total dipstick.
And before someone tells me 'quality costs', think about how much VW Group charge for their cars and then consider that the group's net profit in 2011 was $21.2bn (that's $21,200,000,000).
Agreed, whatever you buy you need to weigh it up but at the end of the day most of us are probably driving more car than we need and more what we want. Anything way cheaper would do the job and sometimes I wish I wasn't into cars as I'd have saved myself a shed load of money. But hey, you only live once.We all know the price of this car with essential options is going to start with a '4'. How much fun can you have with 40 grand? Leaving aside comparisons with used cars have a think how many non-motoring-related things/activities you can do with that kind of money. All of a sudden that awesome home cinema, super lightweight carbon pushbike or 6 month career break to travel the world are now within reach.
IMHO anyone who stretches themselves to buy this car new is a complete and utter total dipstick.
And before someone tells me 'quality costs', think about how much VW Group charge for their cars and then consider that the group's net profit in 2011 was $21.2bn (that's $21,200,000,000).
The S3 will be the perfect car for a great many people, those who love Audi's, the build, the feel good factor and a squirt of power now and again, a small fix to make them feel alive. They are never going to really get what their petrol head tells them about his favourite driving road and how it feels when it all really comes together and they nail that tricky combination of corners they rarely get right. For those guys and gals, something like the S3 is fine. The enthusiast will regret the purchase or will have aleady gone another way.
The S3 won't be a bad car but in all likelihood won't be a great one.
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