Audi S3

[walsh]

Had a test drive yesterday, and got approval to go ahead from the boss.

Question is, is there anything else specifically I should drive before hand. I work in sales (In IT...), and so black audi's are the standard. I know alot of people pull the top gear "it has no soul" cliche out regarding these cars, but to be honest, everything felt right when I sat in it, and I was totally won over the second I put my foot down.. Probably something to do with my current smoker being a 120 cdti Astra.

So my question is, in line with a new/ 1 year old s3, what else should I test as a comparison.

Cheers.

Walsh.

Ps- I know speaking of image (the imagine) is a bit of a Ph Taboo, But it will need to hold its own in customer car parks. For example, a yellow Cupra R or focus rs simply wouldnt fly..

[Jayho]

Volvo C30r or s60r should look out of place in customer car parks.

Maybe a BMW 1 series?

[CampDavid]

This is a company rep chariot, therefor, are you not going to get absolutley f'd in the A on company car tax? In which case, I'd probably look at something, anything else.

[Dave Hedgehog]

try the R Golf, its not as batty up the top end but has way more low down grunt which makes it easier to live with in the real world imo, newer tech as well

and theirs a few unregged RS3 floating around the 40k mark, lower BIK than the S3

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Friday 29th June 09:31

[walsh]

Tax is manageable, Not cheep, but its do-able. It's worth the increase for the smile factor.

[Gruber]

The new BMW M135i (or whatever they're calling it) hatch might be worth a look. The performance stats look good on paper! You might struggle to find a demonstrator though.

[Tuvra]

• New Focus ST
• Mercedes C Class Coupe (pick of the engines)
• BMW 3 Series Coupe (pick of the engines)

[CampDavid]

Gruber said:

The new BMW M135i (or whatever they're calling it) hatch might be worth a look. The performance stats look good on paper! You might struggle to find a demonstrator though.

Or just the 135i

I've looked at the whole lease thing (I'm a company director, obviously, hence I post on here) and I just can't really get the maths to work on anything interesting.

As a side note, I've seen some amazing contract hire deals on E90 M3s. Maybe worth a google (If you're going big on the tax you may a well go very big)

[DoubleSix]

Had an S3 before my BMW 130i, the BMW has proved a far more engaging steer so I'd certainly try a big engine 1 series derivitive first.

[Tuvra]

CampDavid said:

Or just the 135i

I've looked at the whole lease thing (I'm a company director, obviously, hence I post on here) and I just can't really get the maths to work on anything interesting.

As a side note, I've seen some amazing contract hire deals on E90 M3s. Maybe worth a google (If you're going big on the tax you may a well go very big)

Is the Audi S5 Deal still doing the rounds? Latest 3.0 S5 Black Edition, £299+VAT (6x23) Bargain!

[CampDavid]

Tuvra said:

CampDavid said:

Or just the 135i

I've looked at the whole lease thing (I'm a company director, obviously, hence I post on here) and I just can't really get the maths to work on anything interesting.

As a side note, I've seen some amazing contract hire deals on E90 M3s. Maybe worth a google (If you're going big on the tax you may a well go very big)

Is the Audi S5 Deal still doing the rounds? Latest 3.0 S5 Black Edition, £299+VAT (6x23) Bargain!

Either of those would p[unch ahead of an S3, that said, I don't get the S3 at all myself (too heavy to be a hot hatch, not a cruiser and not a "proper" drivers car + £35000 when you've added a small amount of spec)

[rb5er]

doogz said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

try the R Golf, its not as batty up the top end but has way more low down grunt which makes it easier to live with in the real world imo, newer tech as well

Isn't it the exact same engine, with the exact same gearbox and 4WD system on it?

It makes the same peak power, at the same engine speed, same with the torque.

This is what I thought too. How has it got much more low end grunt and less top end when it is exactly the same?

[walsh]

Where abouts can I find the lease info for the S5 at that price... Probably no good for me (miles PA), but a coleague would almost certainly be interested if that price is correct..

[Tuvra]

walsh said:

Where abouts can I find the lease info for the S5 at that price... Probably no good for me (miles PA), but a coleague would almost certainly be interested if that price is correct..

Freedom Contracts

[CampDavid]

Tuvra said:

walsh said:

Where abouts can I find the lease info for the S5 at that price... Probably no good for me (miles PA), but a coleague would almost certainly be interested if that price is correct..

Freedom Contracts

http://www.freedomcontracts.com/audi-a5-coupe-lease/

Nutty cheap.

[Dave Hedgehog]

rb5er said:

doogz said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

try the R Golf, its not as batty up the top end but has way more low down grunt which makes it easier to live with in the real world imo, newer tech as well

Isn't it the exact same engine, with the exact same gearbox and 4WD system on it?

It makes the same peak power, at the same engine speed, same with the torque.

This is what I thought too. How has it got much more low end grunt and less top end when it is exactly the same?

and yet they drive very differently

go figure