AUDI S3 TEMPTATION? DO I GO FOR THE 330CI SPORT
Discussion
Hi all please help if you have had experience of these two cars, I'd appreciate your opinions.
I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership.
So Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership.
So Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
Back in 2004 I had the same two cars in mind.
Test drove the 330ci sport which is a lovely drive especially in auto the engine is so smooth and linear in it's delivery.
I then drove the Audi S3 (225bhp) which isn't as polished, but the turbo delivery is adictive in its own way. The interior and sound system especially with Bose is fantastic and in the british weather the way the S3 performs in fantastic.
As you can guess despite loving the delivery of the 330ci, I loved the look and package of the S3. It is a far more practical car and the traction does come into it's own in the wet.
I often look at S3's and they still look aggressive and fantastic like the first RS4's where as 330ci's are plentiful and a tad common and so don't look as special - all IMO.
I'm sure which ever you pick you won't be dissapointed.
To add another twist I have been tempered by a E46 330 Touring but which looks aa better package than the 330ci due to the limited numbers.
Test drove the 330ci sport which is a lovely drive especially in auto the engine is so smooth and linear in it's delivery.
I then drove the Audi S3 (225bhp) which isn't as polished, but the turbo delivery is adictive in its own way. The interior and sound system especially with Bose is fantastic and in the british weather the way the S3 performs in fantastic.
As you can guess despite loving the delivery of the 330ci, I loved the look and package of the S3. It is a far more practical car and the traction does come into it's own in the wet.
I often look at S3's and they still look aggressive and fantastic like the first RS4's where as 330ci's are plentiful and a tad common and so don't look as special - all IMO.
I'm sure which ever you pick you won't be dissapointed.
To add another twist I have been tempered by a E46 330 Touring but which looks aa better package than the 330ci due to the limited numbers.
Fox- said:
bga said:
S3 is more fun to drive
More fun? With its dull FWD dynamics only minorly saved by that Haldex thingy?It depends how you get your kicks, as with many cars in the hot hatch style an S3 is great point to point but useless if you get enjoyment from wagging the rear end.
I remember going from the CSL into the S4 and being stunned at the performance in the wet.
It was crap!!
Well to be fair it wasn't actually crap but there was no feedback so you couldn't just go in and feel what was going on and when it was going to let go.
In the M3 you can feel exactly what the car is doing, so even in the wet you can always adjust the throttle to keep the car in control, where as in the S4 you couldn't feel anything, so it was a case of taking a corner you know progressively faster and faster until you reached its limits.
Problem with that is it meant the real fun only came from roads you know well and have been down 100 times before, where as in the M3 you could rag its arse off on roads you have never been down before and keep it under control.
Even with roads I know well I could always keep a higher speed up in the M3, the Audis understeer well before the BMWs let go at the back, and in the dry that gap only increases.
It was crap!!
Well to be fair it wasn't actually crap but there was no feedback so you couldn't just go in and feel what was going on and when it was going to let go.
In the M3 you can feel exactly what the car is doing, so even in the wet you can always adjust the throttle to keep the car in control, where as in the S4 you couldn't feel anything, so it was a case of taking a corner you know progressively faster and faster until you reached its limits.
Problem with that is it meant the real fun only came from roads you know well and have been down 100 times before, where as in the M3 you could rag its arse off on roads you have never been down before and keep it under control.
Even with roads I know well I could always keep a higher speed up in the M3, the Audis understeer well before the BMWs let go at the back, and in the dry that gap only increases.
gizlaroc said:
bga said:
S3 is more fun to drive and better looking than the 330CI Sport IMO.
That is ridiculous. The S3 is one of the dullest 'hot hatches' you can buy.
Compared to a 330CI I would take an S3 every time. Go up to the M3 and it's a different story - I would take one of them over any S3/S4/S5
I wasn't, I was thinking of my old remapped 320d vs the S3, I had the 225bhp S3 for 2 days and that was the only car I had been lusting over for the 12 months up to that, to say it was a disappointment was a massive understatement.
I was then comparing the M3 to the S4 as someone once again mentioned how much better the Audi are in 'wet' weather, which is b
ks.
I was then comparing the M3 to the S4 as someone once again mentioned how much better the Audi are in 'wet' weather, which is b
ks. bga said:
gizlaroc said:
bga said:
S3 is more fun to drive and better looking than the 330CI Sport IMO.
That is ridiculous. The S3 is one of the dullest 'hot hatches' you can buy.
Compared to a 330CI I would take an S3 every time. Go up to the M3 and it's a different story - I would take one of them over any S3/S4/S5
The only time I have had a close call in a car was in the S4, I had only had it for 3 days and it felt so planted and everything I had heard gave me a false sense of security, I went into a corner I know well pretty quick, and it was wet, and the front end not only didn't want to come round but it started to slide as well, something I had never experienced before, I went up onto the grass and luckily managed to slow enough to bring the nose round before hitting the fence.
It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
gizlaroc said:
The only time I have had a close call in a car was in the S4, I had only had it for 3 days and it felt so planted and everything I had heard gave me a false sense of security, I went into a corner I know well pretty quick, and it was wet, and the front end not only didn't want to come round but it started to slide as well, something I had never experienced before, I went up onto the grass and luckily managed to slow enough to bring the nose round before hitting the fence.
It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
I don't think many normal cars will have problems on the motorway in the wet.It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
jamoor said:
gizlaroc said:
The only time I have had a close call in a car was in the S4, I had only had it for 3 days and it felt so planted and everything I had heard gave me a false sense of security, I went into a corner I know well pretty quick, and it was wet, and the front end not only didn't want to come round but it started to slide as well, something I had never experienced before, I went up onto the grass and luckily managed to slow enough to bring the nose round before hitting the fence.
It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
I don't think many normal cars will have problems on the motorway in the wet.It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
gizlaroc said:
jamoor said:
gizlaroc said:
The only time I have had a close call in a car was in the S4, I had only had it for 3 days and it felt so planted and everything I had heard gave me a false sense of security, I went into a corner I know well pretty quick, and it was wet, and the front end not only didn't want to come round but it started to slide as well, something I had never experienced before, I went up onto the grass and luckily managed to slow enough to bring the nose round before hitting the fence.
It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
I don't think many normal cars will have problems on the motorway in the wet.It certainly taught me a lesson about AWD cars and where they do and don't help you.
I drive an A6 Quattro everyday and on the mortorway in the wet it is great, in the snow getting initial traction it is great, but for everything else it is the same as any other car, FWD, RWD or AWD, you have to take it easy and drive as the conditions dictate.
I see so many plonkers in 4x4's driving right on my arse when it is icy or snowy on the roads and I'm sure they think because they have a 4x4 they will be able to stop quicker!!
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