Audi A3/S3

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Discussion

NorthernBoy

Original Poster:

12,642 posts

257 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
I am looking to get one of these for the wife. The 3.2 litre A3 looks to be very nice, and perhapps even faster than the S3. has anyone tried both, or can anyone comment on their ownership of either?

I know a Cupra R is perhaps better value, but as an overall package (including looks, interior, and so on), the Audi is more what we want.

Any input appreciated, ta.

catso

14,787 posts

267 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
I've got the 3.2 with DSG (pic in profile) and I like it, its fast enough and handles well, strong brakes, got lots of grip on any surface, no wheelspin just gets on with the job meaning it's very quick on sh1tty country lanes etc. plus the DSG is great with super quick manual gearshifts, full auto for city use and 'launch control' for quick starts. Fuel consumption reasonable for a 3.2 - av about 23 - 25mpg, over 30 on a long run but only about 15-16 if driving 'briskly'.

Not driven the S3 but I understand that the performance is similar (less power but also less weight) although I suppose being a turbo it is easier to modify.

Anyway I've been more than pleased with it for the last 12 months.

Northernboy

Original Poster:

12,642 posts

257 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
Thanks. They do look nice. I'll have to see if I can get us a test drive.

This might be difficult at my local dealership (Docklands Audi). I turned up a few years back to buy an S4, and they simply could not be bothered to sell me one. Today, I turned up again with every intention of buying an S4 if I liked one, and, again, the salesman simply had no interest in trying to sell me anything. He seemed to want no more than to give me a brochure and go back to his coffee. I think that I might write to Audi UK, it was so bad.

toppstuff

13,698 posts

247 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
Audi dealers are invariably the worst you will find in my experience.

Tried 6 different dealers over the past couple of years when considering changing either mine or the Missus's car.

In each of the 6 experiences, the dealers have been smug, uninterested, and totally uncommercial. In a couple of cases, they have even been a bit surly.

Imagine what they will be like if you have a problem with the car?

Unless you really, really want an Audi and only Audi offer a car with the combination of features you want, I 'd choose another brand personally.

But each to their own, maybe someone out there knows a good Audi dealer ! If one exists, Audi should have them stuffed and mounted over the corporate fireplace as an example to the rest of them, because they are precious and rare, they really are !

Balmoral Green

40,888 posts

248 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
On a few occassions I have been given an Audi S4 Avant as a courtesy car when the Turbo R has been in for work. The 3.2 V6 twin turbo drivetrain in an S3 must be bloody impressive!

MimiB

365 posts

232 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
I have a 3.2 supermachine aka the S3. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend it! It's a great car. An absolute hoon around the roads and it does country lanes as well.

I tried the A3, but the particular ones I looked at didn't have as good spec. So I ended up with the S3 on looks

clubsport

7,258 posts

258 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
MimiB said:
I have a 3.2 supermachine aka the S3. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend it! It's a great car. An absolute hoon around the roads and it does country lanes as well.

I tried the A3, but the particular ones I looked at didn't have as good spec. So I ended up with the S3 on looks


Did you buy the car with the 3.2 engine conversion or did you convert it from the standard 1.8 Turbo yourself?

toppstuff

13,698 posts

247 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
MimiB said:
I have a 3.2 supermachine aka the S3. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend it! It's a great car. An absolute hoon around the roads and it does country lanes as well.

I tried the A3, but the particular ones I looked at didn't have as good spec. So I ended up with the S3 on looks


S3 4 pot or 3.2 6 pot ?. I'm confused.

NorthernBoy

Original Poster:

12,642 posts

257 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
MimiB said:
I have a 3.2 supermachine aka the S3.


OK, I accept that I might not have the facts here, buut have you not just made that car up? I really did not think that there existed such a car as an Audo S3 with a 3.2 litre engine.

What gives, what do you actually have?

Or are you not sure, or am I being very foolish?

julianhj

8,741 posts

262 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
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A good mate of mine (Marctwo on here) has an S3, loves it, but has a string of woes relating to Main Stealer ineptitude and their general lacklustre performance. Strangely enough his local stealer is Docklands, though he bought from Wimbledon.

julianhj

8,741 posts

262 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
NorthernBoy said:

MimiB said:
I have a 3.2 supermachine aka the S3.



OK, I accept that I might not have the facts here, buut have you not just made that car up? I really did not think that there existed such a car as an Audo S3 with a 3.2 litre engine.

What gives, what do you actually have?

Or are you not sure, or am I being very foolish?


I suspect Mimi may have made a slight typing error

agent006

12,035 posts

264 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
NorthernBoy said:
I really did not think that there existed such a car as an Audo S3 with a 3.2 litre engine.


S3 is a 1.8 turbo. The new S3 hasn't (wont?) been released yet.

Balmoral Green

40,888 posts

248 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
It is real, it does exist, there is a guy around the corner from me who has one too.

It is the fourwheel drive, 3.2 litre V6 with twin turbos in the little A3 3 door hatch bodyshell.

There must be the full spec on the Audi website, look it up.

julianhj

8,741 posts

262 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
Balmoral Green said:
It is real, it does exist, there is a guy around the corner from me who has one too.

It is the fourwheel drive, 3.2 litre V6 with twin turbos in the little A3 3 door hatch bodyshell.

There must be the full spec on the Audi website, look it up.


Really? Cool! Is that the latest shape? That must be a total monster

Balmoral Green

40,888 posts

248 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
agent006 said:
The new S3 hasn't (wont?) been released yet.
Try telling that to catso, who actually has one, and my neighbour. I have seen a few others kicking about too. It is on the Audi website.

NorthernBoy

Original Poster:

12,642 posts

257 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
Balmoral Green said:
It is real, it does exist, there is a guy around the corner from me who has one too.

It is the fourwheel drive, 3.2 litre V6 with twin turbos in the little A3 3 door hatch bodyshell.

There must be the full spec on the Audi website, look it up.


Can't find it, and I am not surprised that the disinterested salesman did not tell me about it. Sounds like the sort of thing that woudl do just great (except that I do not like buying brand new).

I had the old model of S4, and thought it was brilliant. Might still get the new one, if the dealer here can get off their arse and get me a drive. If the new S3 has 300bhp+ (which I'd hope, as the normally aspirated 3.2 A3 has 250bhp), then that might be the perfect car for Mrs NB.

Balmoral Green

40,888 posts

248 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
www.audi.co.uk/newcars/range.jsp?section=/models/a3/a3

Scroll down, its on the left in the middle of the model range list.

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 9th April 21:46

shadowninja

76,351 posts

282 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
I had a A3 1.8SE. The driver enjoyment was zero. And I thought it was built in Blackpool on a Friday afternoon My Mondeo was a better buy.

Nice overhead handle return though.

NorthernBoy

Original Poster:

12,642 posts

257 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
Balmoral Green said:
<a href="http://www.audi.co.uk/newcars/range.jsp?section=/models/a3/a3">www.audi.co.uk/newcars/range.jsp?section=/models/a3/a3</a>

Scroll down, its on the left in the middle of the model range list.

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 9th April 21:46


But that's surely the normally aspirated A3 that I mentioned earlier, not the supposed S3, unless I am being directed to a different site?

_VTEC_

2,428 posts

245 months

Saturday 9th April 2005
quotequote all
There's a 3.2 S line but it says nothing about being blown or it actually being an 'S3'.