Audi S3 - Tell me about them.

[marcosgt]

I've read a LOT of posts saying the Audi S3 a boring car, but it seems to tick a lot of boxes for my next car, so if you've had one (probably looking at a 09/10 one) tell me what you liked/disliked about.

What was it like to own, too. Was it practical (or is the boot horribly cramped because of the 4WD?), economical. reliable?

I've had a look in the VAG sub-forum, but I couldn't find much real-life experience in the posts I read.

Thanks.

M

[Ved]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=112...

[Dave Hedgehog]

which version?

I have not driven the latest one but put 5k miles on a 2011 version, there well built, very nice inside, economy is OK for what it is, lots of space (in sportback version), will drive sideways everywhere with ease, engine is a bit soulless (its a 4 pot), superb traction in the wet and snow, brakes go all over the place over 7/10ths not a car to drive 100% in imo, i wouldn't buy one as its a bit dull, R32 golf is much more fun


oh and there gutless below 4k

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Monday 6th January 14:46

[dalzo]

Family member has one, very nice every day driver

Nice place to sit and if you can get a good spec one go for it
Fast aswell but does like a drink if you drive with a lead foot
Boot is small but he has the 3 door version
Has quite a nice exhaust note for a 4pot imo

Not the most track focused and to like an Audi is borderline blasphemy on here but for an every day car they are hard to beat

[jcelee]

I sold Audis for a brief period in 2007 and it was one of the few Audi cars I liked. They are practical, beautifully finnished and real world very very quick certainly remotely within the speed limits.

[marcosgt]

jcelee said:

I sold Audis for a brief period in 2007 and it was one of the few Audi cars I liked. They are practical, beautifully finnished and real world very very quick certainly remotely within the speed limits.

Thanks for the replies.

I had a brief drive in one today and liked it.

Pokey enough, nice sounding engine for a VAG 4 cylinder, but quiet and easy to live with when not pressing on.

Gearchange seemed ok (if not RX8 excellent). Ride was comfortable, firm but certainly not bumpy.

I drove a 3 door and there was sufficient space for me to sit behind the driver's seat set for me (I'm only 5' 9" though, be different if you're 6'3" ) and the hatch is big enough for my needs (not much intrusion - if any - due to 4WD).

I can't think of anything I didn't like really (except the one I drove had a few too many miles for my taste).

Cheers.

M.

[scherzkeks]

Top build quality, rapid, pretty balanced handling, grippy, spacious (in SB form) and a great mile muncher. For truly enjoyable track use, upgraded brake pads and wider (235) sticky rubber are all that is needed.

Would recommend a post- (or mid) 2008 facelift car with Haldex 4, as it is a much improved system vs. Gen 2. Also, like the S4, these cars often dyno higher than the factory spec. -- usually around 285-290hp.

[aka_kerrly]

Dave Hedgehog said:

oh and there gutless below 4k

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Monday 6th January 14:46

ODD, a standard S3 has a relatively flat torque curve with 250FT-Lbs plus from around 2500rpm.

Neither the Ed30 Golf, Golf R or the TTS that I get to play in are flat below 4000, you can feel the power ramp up considerably from 2000rpm onwards.

Thats not to say that I would much rather the new VAG cars to have a more progressive throttle but I feel that is more a floor in DBW.

[Dave Hedgehog]

aka_kerrly said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

oh and there gutless below 4k

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Monday 6th January 14:46

ODD, a standard S3 has a relatively flat torque curve with 250FT-Lbs plus from around 2500rpm.

Neither the Ed30 Golf, Golf R or the TTS that I get to play in are flat below 4000, you can feel the power ramp up considerably from 2000rpm onwards.

the one i had was very flat below 4k (and then went bang, very old school turbo like), the R golf (dealer demo) i drove at the time was positively sprightly in in the low rev range in comparison, the S3 only had 1k miles on it when i got it so i would be surprised if there was something wrong with it

[scherzkeks]

Dave Hedgehog said:

the one i had was very flat below 4k (and then went bang, very old school turbo like), the R golf (dealer demo) i drove at the time was positively sprightly in in the low rev range in comparison, the S3 only had 1k miles on it when i got it so i would be surprised if there was something wrong with it

For what it is worth, Audi did change the calibration when the facelift model came out, so those are usually more progressive than older versions.