Discussion
fid said:
...Try 1 HB as l recall that might be the correct plate before she was likely warned that she might get stalked/robbed etc...
Nope, it was definitely M1 HBS...I copied and pasted it straight from 'her' page.
I was suspicious ever since her, erm...first post. She didn't post very often though so I wasn't too fussed...but so many people replied to her thread about leaving uni that it was just taking the piss out of a lot of people!
Would you care to start another thread about it rather than clogging up this one with your musings please Sherlock.
I've got a 225bhp S3 and my business partner has a 3.2 A3 (without DSG) so I've driven both back to back quiet extensively. Infact it tends to be that we each use which ever is not blocked in.
As far as performance is concerned the 3.2 has more instant low down pulling away power that just builds up progressively, the S3 pulls away like a normal 1.8 then when the turbos spool up it lights up and takes off. I'd say that from 0-3000 revs the 3.2 feels the quicker car after that the S3 feels quicker its all about the delivery and again oddly the S3 has actually got better manageable power as its not fighting for traction so much low down, the 3.2 is actually fairly difficult to work hard from standstill. As for handleing yes they're both obviously "quatrro" and that makes a huge difference to the likes of the golf/cupra/skoda thingies untill you've tried both its actually hard to believe but the biggest thing is that both the S3 and 3.2 have much much less torque steer than the other AVW group cars. Between the 2 of them the S3 feel more "hard" the suspension is set up harder and the car has less body roll when driven hard, the 3.2 although it could never be described as "wallowie" is noticeible "softer" than the S3. As for what to have its horses for courses the 3.2 is lovely powerfull top of the range A3 that drives like a dream and does look a bit of a Q car (
sorry mungo) the only thing that gives it away is the badge or the S line body kit if fitted. The S3 is very very similar in terms of outright power and performance but different in the experience you get from it, plus it looks that bit more "sporty" for instance mine is black with electric blue alcantara and black leather recarro seats and trim (I know it sounds bad and I thought the same untill I saw it) my partners 3.2 is silver with beige comfy "old mans" leather trim, he has 17" wheels, I have 18, he has no side valances I do etc etc. Now none of that make either car "better" or "worse" its just down to what you want. I suppose the bottom line is on the odd occassions when we've left work at the same time and had a bit of a play on the obviously private roads that are between work and home neither one of us can shake the other. Which is a bit different to when he's in his Chimeara and I'm in the Griff when I kick his arse which is obviously why the bar steward had to order a Tuscan II convertible 
Oh yes i forgot his 3.2 sounds nicer
As far as performance is concerned the 3.2 has more instant low down pulling away power that just builds up progressively, the S3 pulls away like a normal 1.8 then when the turbos spool up it lights up and takes off. I'd say that from 0-3000 revs the 3.2 feels the quicker car after that the S3 feels quicker its all about the delivery and again oddly the S3 has actually got better manageable power as its not fighting for traction so much low down, the 3.2 is actually fairly difficult to work hard from standstill. As for handleing yes they're both obviously "quatrro" and that makes a huge difference to the likes of the golf/cupra/skoda thingies untill you've tried both its actually hard to believe but the biggest thing is that both the S3 and 3.2 have much much less torque steer than the other AVW group cars. Between the 2 of them the S3 feel more "hard" the suspension is set up harder and the car has less body roll when driven hard, the 3.2 although it could never be described as "wallowie" is noticeible "softer" than the S3. As for what to have its horses for courses the 3.2 is lovely powerfull top of the range A3 that drives like a dream and does look a bit of a Q car (
sorry mungo) the only thing that gives it away is the badge or the S line body kit if fitted. The S3 is very very similar in terms of outright power and performance but different in the experience you get from it, plus it looks that bit more "sporty" for instance mine is black with electric blue alcantara and black leather recarro seats and trim (I know it sounds bad and I thought the same untill I saw it) my partners 3.2 is silver with beige comfy "old mans" leather trim, he has 17" wheels, I have 18, he has no side valances I do etc etc. Now none of that make either car "better" or "worse" its just down to what you want. I suppose the bottom line is on the odd occassions when we've left work at the same time and had a bit of a play on the obviously private roads that are between work and home neither one of us can shake the other. Which is a bit different to when he's in his Chimeara and I'm in the Griff when I kick his arse which is obviously why the bar steward had to order a Tuscan II convertible Oh yes i forgot his 3.2 sounds nicer
agent006 said:Sorry, boss, just making a point about somebody that had posted on this thread.
funkihamsta said:
...Try 1 HB as l recall that might be the correct plate before she was likely warned that she might get stalked/robbed etc...
Nope, it was definitely M1 HBS...I copied and pasted it straight from 'her' page.
I was suspicious ever since her, erm...first post. She didn't post very often though so I wasn't too fussed...but so many people replied to her thread about leaving uni that it was just taking the piss out of a lot of people!
Would you care to start another thread about it rather than clogging up this one with your musings please Sherlock.
Out of the two I'd go for the 3.2 A3, rather than an older S3; better acceleration, smoother engine from the 6-pot vs. 4, DSG mpg. isn't far off the S3's. But if it was my money, I'd rather a 2nd hand BMW 330d. Much more torque, and the other performance stats aren't far off either of the Audis'...insurance, fuel, and road tax costs are much lower, though
Ribol said:
Despite all my vacillating over which car to get (as was so kindly poinnted out by mr Ribol)
Sorry matey, I was just offering up a reason why the salesman may have showed little interest in attending to you - clearly his loss.
Any doubts about your standing in the car buying community were cast aside a while back by your £20k used Audi purchase, a good choice over the F550/996 you were also considering, it must have been a hard one to call.
Yes, as, unlike really rich people like you, I still find it hard to hand over many tens of thousands of pounds on a car without being sure.
Despite what you might think, being capable of putting down x amount of pounds on a car is a long way from knowing it is the sensible thing to do.
As I am sure you understand, no matter what you earn, there is always the juggling act between saving for your pension, and enjoying yourself today.
NorthernBoy elswhere Sunday said:
We do not pay a bonus of 100,000 pounds to people who just "play with other people's money". Well, not unless we are sending them a signal that we'd really quite like them to go home now, and never come back. Then, an insulting 100k would of course be about right.
Sadly I am not rich, but then I don't pretend to be something I am not either.
I think you are being far too modest here, anyone who could be insulted by a £100k bonus should have no real problems buying a car. Mind you, those people would have no problems making decisions either, that is how they make their money.
mungo said:Well no, the performance stats aren't far off each other, if you look at them!
I'd rather a 2nd hand BMW 330d. Much more torque, and the other performance stats aren't far off either of the Audis'
Different sort of car anyway
I know they're different types of cars, just giving ideas. The most ignorant quote ever award goes too:
"Plotloss Tuesday
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I dont think they will do an S3 personally, they'll stick with the S line 3.2
Thing is about S3 its not segmentally different enough. You could make a 1.8T quattro identical to an S3 in all but wheels and seats for £400.
I think they will stick with 3.2 as the top of the line and bring out a hard hitting £30K+ RS3 (which I didnt think they would release originally)"
Plotloss... get you head out of your arse!
The differences between an A3 1.8T Quattro and an S3 are still huge! the block is stronger for a start, twin intercoolers, bigger turbo, wider body, different front and rear bumpers, on and on... can't be bothered listing them all.
I own and have done over 35,000 miles in a 210BHP S3, love the car to bits, except the dealers are very very shit, Audi's attitude to out of warranty good will gestures is the worst out of any car manufacturer I have heard about. reliability is pretty bad, I've had major suspension problems, Air Mass Meter problems and I nearly forgot i'm in the middle of spending over £4,000 on a new short engine because the piston rings failed and took the piston and block with it.
to summarise... plotloss, shut up unless you know what your talking about! The car is great but get a warranty from Audi, then you might have more luck owning one.
PS. Audi have confirmed there are no plans for an S3 and the RS badge will only ever be used on the 4 and 6, although they do seem to change there mind quite a bit.
"Plotloss Tuesday
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I dont think they will do an S3 personally, they'll stick with the S line 3.2
Thing is about S3 its not segmentally different enough. You could make a 1.8T quattro identical to an S3 in all but wheels and seats for £400.
I think they will stick with 3.2 as the top of the line and bring out a hard hitting £30K+ RS3 (which I didnt think they would release originally)"
Plotloss... get you head out of your arse!
The differences between an A3 1.8T Quattro and an S3 are still huge! the block is stronger for a start, twin intercoolers, bigger turbo, wider body, different front and rear bumpers, on and on... can't be bothered listing them all.
I own and have done over 35,000 miles in a 210BHP S3, love the car to bits, except the dealers are very very shit, Audi's attitude to out of warranty good will gestures is the worst out of any car manufacturer I have heard about. reliability is pretty bad, I've had major suspension problems, Air Mass Meter problems and I nearly forgot i'm in the middle of spending over £4,000 on a new short engine because the piston rings failed and took the piston and block with it.
to summarise... plotloss, shut up unless you know what your talking about! The car is great but get a warranty from Audi, then you might have more luck owning one.
PS. Audi have confirmed there are no plans for an S3 and the RS badge will only ever be used on the 4 and 6, although they do seem to change there mind quite a bit.
Plotloss has been a member of this board for 42 months, and in his 22806 posts has come across as someone who generally gives an opinion when he has some knowledge on the subject. (Talks a lot of bollox too, mind).
I think it was a little unfair to dump that much vitriol onto him over a throwaway post.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 15th April 11:02
I think it was a little unfair to dump that much vitriol onto him over a throwaway post.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 15th April 11:02
mungo said:
[quote=Plotloss]
The 210 and 225 version has a different stronger bottom end and twin intercoolers too... oh yeah, bigger turbo too
>> Edited by mungo on Tuesday 12th April 17:55
thought the turbo was the same size just a re map ?? 210 vs 225 and both had twin intercoolers ?? could be wrong ?/
I had a s3 before the RS4 and loved it !! Chip was needed asap tho and also said above the standard brakes are poo!
mungo said:
A LCR outbrakes a Lamborghini Murcilago from 100mph to standstill
Consistently? Several times in a row without fade or overheating?
The thing about brake upgrades is not just to increase retardation, but also to cope with overheating.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 15th April 13:00
yep guys, toys thrown as far as possible out of pram... do apologise for offending was just trying to point out that there are serious differences that cost a lot more than £400 between the A3 1.8TQ and the S3.
I didn't realise because I was new to the forum my opinion didn't count, yes I've been having a few toys out of pram issues but hey if you'd just been having to be without your car for a long time and getting very pissed off about it you would too, thought the fact the engine in my S3 failed at 60,000 miles was a bit below par... and was meant to come across as my main point not the fact I thought plotloss's comment was just plain wrong.
And I guess I was also trying to answer the original question, I've had some of the worst experiences with Audi and my S3 that I know of, but I still love it to bits and would recommend anyone to get one as long as they get a warranty with it and don't mind dealing with the dealers.
I'll take my toys and post some more carefull comments for a few years then :-)
I didn't realise because I was new to the forum my opinion didn't count, yes I've been having a few toys out of pram issues but hey if you'd just been having to be without your car for a long time and getting very pissed off about it you would too, thought the fact the engine in my S3 failed at 60,000 miles was a bit below par... and was meant to come across as my main point not the fact I thought plotloss's comment was just plain wrong.
And I guess I was also trying to answer the original question, I've had some of the worst experiences with Audi and my S3 that I know of, but I still love it to bits and would recommend anyone to get one as long as they get a warranty with it and don't mind dealing with the dealers.
I'll take my toys and post some more carefull comments for a few years then :-)
Ribol said:
Mind you, those people would have no problems making decisions either, that is how they make their money.
Actually, that's the interesting thing I've noticed recently. I spend all day making quick decisions in a stressful sitiation, but, at home, in nearly everything, I just can't act the same.
It even happpens in restaurants, deciding between two choices of main course.
I think it's a common personality trait. Some people will be perfectly happy with something which does ok, others get stuck trying to have the best of all possible worlds, and are forever haunted by the idea that their choice was not the optimal one. I seem to be stuck in the second track at the moment.
As you can probably tell by the time of my postings, though, I've buggered off stateside again, hence the switch of emphasis to a car for the wife. I get yellow cabs for the moment.
Or maybe the tube, which might be a bit quicker.
But then the cabs are more comfortable...
>> Edited by NorthernBoy on Saturday 16th April 05:54
I saw an A3 3.2 yesterday. We were stuck in respective lanes of a two-lane traffic jam so I had a chance to have a good look, and I see what Matt is getting at now. You really could put an S3 badge on it.
So I guess what Matt is saying is that with a future RS3 at the top and the A3 3.2 below, there isn't enough separation between the two to squeeze an S3 in between.
I wonder why Audi didn't just call the A3 3.2 S-line the S3 and be done with it. It seems to be an S3 in all but name.
So I guess what Matt is saying is that with a future RS3 at the top and the A3 3.2 below, there isn't enough separation between the two to squeeze an S3 in between.
I wonder why Audi didn't just call the A3 3.2 S-line the S3 and be done with it. It seems to be an S3 in all but name.
I had both the 210 and 225 version, and put 60k+ on each of them over 2 years - That's 4 years of hassle free, fun motoring. Chipped the 210 to 260ish with an Abt chip and it never hicupped - Only problem I had was self infilcted when I took a hump back bridge a little too quick (in the 225) and bent the front ARB links and put a hole in the sump. Now waiting for the rumoured RS3
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