Audi S3 - does it get any better?

[marctwo]

I just have to say that I love my car. I am really struggling to think of anything else that delivers such a complete package.

• Well buit - 6 years old and still feels solid and smells new!

• Comfortable - leather and alcantara recaros, nice.

• Understated - doesn't shout but has presence.

• Good looking - well proportioned and enough to make it different to A3s but without looking bling.

• Practical - Ikea trips no problem.

• Easy to drive - MrsTwo has no issues.

• Safe - I think 10 airbags should be enough combined with stability control and four wheel drive.

• Fast(ish) - remapped to 270bhp / 280lbft 0-60 in about 6s.

• Economical - DIS reads 33.7mpg (long term) and managed over 400 miles on my last tank.

• Reliable - the only time in 4 years of ownership it has let me down was a flat battery.

I challange anyone to think of another car around the same price that delivers a better all round package.

[marctwo]

Fidgits said:

MPG sucks somewhat, even when taking it easy - which i wouldnt mind if it was hugely fast, but I expected more from the 225bhp tbh..

What mpg are you getting? I agree that the standard 225 is not as quick as you might expect. Time for a remap I think.

Fidgits said:

Dont get me wrong - its a great car - very competent - but yes, you can get much better cars

So what are they then??

[marctwo]

A 911 is a very nice car indeed but it costs twice as much and I would like to see you get 5 adults plus luggage into one.

I expect lots of people will reply with Leon Cupra R and Octavia vRS but neither one of these feels anything like a special as the S3 and they don't have the Haldex 4wd.

[marctwo]

Fidgits said:

There is no way on earth I could get 5 adults and luggage into an S3 - I could certainly get more into an M3

I guess I have small friends then!

Fidgits said:

I'm not knocking its a good car - i own one after all - its just not 'all that'

Don't get me wrong, this is not a 'my car is the best in the world' thread but I am genuinely impressed by it. Yes, there are better cars but they tend to be better in some areas and worse in others. The S3 just seems to be pretty good at everything.

If I had to fault it I would say that the ride was a little harsh, the engine sounds rubbish and it's expensive to service but everything else more than makes up for this.

[marctwo]

Pooh said:

Nice enough car but not as good as an Alfa GTV V6(according to a top gear magazine group test)

Isn't that a 2+2?

[marctwo]

UpTheIron said:

Do you both find the DIS accurate? Over the course of a tankful, if I reset the average first, I'll record around 32-34 Mpg, but a quick calculation at the pumps shows I normally get around 27-30mpg.

That's a mix of fast motorway and fast town driving, doing around 650 miles a week.

No gripes about the economy, but a bigger fuel tank would help!

Yesterday I filled up with the DIS showing 15 miles to go and the trip showing 405 miles. Let's say I had another 5 miles left, that's 31mpg so the DIS probably over-reads by a couple of mpg but it's not bad.

UpTheIron said:

I keep wondering what to replace it with, but not come up with anything yet...

I've narrowed it down to a B6 S4 (V8), although petrol prices have me a little worried so am also considering a 3.0tdi A4 (remapped of course). Probably should look at an M3 or 335d but can't quite bring myself to consider a BMW.

[marctwo]

Pooh said:

marctwo said:

Pooh said:

Nice enough car but not as good as an Alfa GTV V6(according to a top gear magazine group test)

Isn't that a 2+2?

Yes it is, so in terms of space they are not really comparable, I was wondering what reaction I would get, the thing about the TG test is true though.

I believe you, and I looked at the GTV before buying the S3 as I really like the look of them and that V6 sounds but I wouldn't go to Ikea with one, not sure about reliability and have no idea what mpg to expect.

[marctwo]

LeoSayer said:

'All round' for me generally means compromised and your priorities dictate what you're willing to accept.

It sound like you've found the perfect car for your needs marc, but I would not be willing to accept the rear legroom, boot space, rough sounding engine and manual gearbox found in an S3. So I bought an A6 Avant V6 Auto instead.

The only compromise is on fuel consumption.

I can't argue with any of that, I guess it's just 'right' for my needs.

[marctwo]

The RS2 is an amazing machine and I was very temped to get one myself but they do look rather dated inside now and the fuel consumption is rather horrific.

[marctwo]

Fort Jefferson said:

Fidgits said:

- the 4WD really does make the boot small,

Has the FWD A3 got a bigger boot then?

It is deeper rather than longer or wider.

[marctwo]

ge0rge said:

Is it hard to get the s3 to handle like a dream without spending 000's on suspension? Can the geometry be fettled and setup properly on std springs / shocks ?

Id love to get about 300 ish brake from the s3, have many achieved this and is the drive train / gb capable of taking this?

Best thing is to head over to www.audi-sport.net. Lots of very knowlegeable people on there including a chap called Glen (Ess_Three) who spend a considerable amount of time and money getting his S3 to handle properly.

300bhp+ is definately possible but will cost £££. I think the standard internals are ok to around 350bhp.

[marctwo]

Welshbeef said:

Given the very high purchase price of the S3 you may as well buy a Leon Cupra R, effectively the same car.

No Haldex on the Cupra and nowhere near as nice inside. But, as you point out, you pay for these differences. Just depends if you think it's worth the extra I guess.

[marctwo]