RE: Audi S3 saloon: Review
Discussion
Hi All,
I have ordered an s3 saloon s-tronic sepang blue. I thought I would share my experience across the bmw m135i, 235i and the golf r. I discounted the merc amg on the basis of cost.
1) m135i - 5 door- in terms of looks including the recent facelift it is not pretty enough. The proportions do not seen quite right and it looks unfinished in places. The engine is the star, incredible noise, power delivery and surprising high revving nature. It is actually quite a small car even in 5 door format. The driving dynamics are exciting , the noise is explicit when you want and quiet enough for a gentle cruise. Tax band is high and fuel consumption is heavy. The handling is classic rear wheel drive bmw but requires a lot of traction control intervention on anything but an even dry road. On the test drive I experienced quite an unnerving but controllable slide which briefly saw me grace the other side of a wet leafy, country road. I left the test drive with my mind made up that I wanted to buy one. I managed a 5k discount from 35k and a manageable monthly payment quite of around £390.
2) Then I saw the m235i - it is a much more refined piece of kit. It is much more appealing to the eye. I wanted it. It boiled down to negotiations and price. The same level of discounts are simply not available on the 2 series. I left frustrated and confused on how bmw could price it over a £70 a month more expensive.
3) S3 saloon - the car looks better in the flesh than in pictures. It is distinctive and rare enough to be a little different. In my opinion it is the best looking saloon Audi make. It makes the current a4 look old and fat (a bit like Jonny vegas). Yes it is understated but I like the sleek look and secret performance.
Firstly let's deal with the engine. I have heard and read a lot of people gassing about over charging, lag and there's no replacement for displacement. There is..... Yes the engine lacks the wasp like sounds of the bmw and high revving drama but the power delivery is extremely impressive, the torque delivery is excellent and less peaky than the bmw. You get a few pops on the up and down change on the s-tronic gear box. The noise is nice, not too loud but just about right for someone who does not want to appear like a boy racer while negotiating the town centre or arriving at a business meeting. It has presence without vulgarity. Launch control - back to being a boy racer for a moment. This is the only way to get the actual 0-60 time and you will get it time and time again. Without launch control the time is akin to the manual (5.2). The gearbox is fantastic, for the gran tourismo generation there may be a millisecond pause before a downshift but it is definitely quicker than the manual and extremely good on the cruise. The steering - here we go - the purists will be out burning their bras and explaining how Audi is the devil to a drivers driver. I actually think our development as a driver has actually fallen behind the evolution of engineering progress. I would describe Audis steering at times as being akin to a steering wheel for a playstation. It does what you ask of it. It is linear the inputs you provide are mimicked through the wheels. It does provide feedback just in a different way than a traditional, conventional non electric steering rack. You just have to learn to read it better. The interior is just right - no further explanation required. Audi have their interiors nailed.
4) golf r - what a car - an s3 hatch but one that feels like it has been tinkered with by someone who does a track day twice a week. A bit noisier, a bit shoutier. It is common - the finance deals have seen the Burberry hat wearing crew snap up 5k miles a year finance deals at 200 odd a month. It isn't as refined, the interior is confusing, is it 80's inspired or a modern day take on vws of old ? It is the drivers car to have , offering 4 wd security and a bit more tail happy rear, but I don't think it is the car to live with as a long termer. It does not have the dual personality of the s3 saloon, nor the space and sorry I have to mention the badge. It's like Cheryl Cole vs Cheryl Isle of fernandos - one is a bit classier. You decide.
I have ordered an s3 saloon s-tronic sepang blue. I thought I would share my experience across the bmw m135i, 235i and the golf r. I discounted the merc amg on the basis of cost.
1) m135i - 5 door- in terms of looks including the recent facelift it is not pretty enough. The proportions do not seen quite right and it looks unfinished in places. The engine is the star, incredible noise, power delivery and surprising high revving nature. It is actually quite a small car even in 5 door format. The driving dynamics are exciting , the noise is explicit when you want and quiet enough for a gentle cruise. Tax band is high and fuel consumption is heavy. The handling is classic rear wheel drive bmw but requires a lot of traction control intervention on anything but an even dry road. On the test drive I experienced quite an unnerving but controllable slide which briefly saw me grace the other side of a wet leafy, country road. I left the test drive with my mind made up that I wanted to buy one. I managed a 5k discount from 35k and a manageable monthly payment quite of around £390.
2) Then I saw the m235i - it is a much more refined piece of kit. It is much more appealing to the eye. I wanted it. It boiled down to negotiations and price. The same level of discounts are simply not available on the 2 series. I left frustrated and confused on how bmw could price it over a £70 a month more expensive.
3) S3 saloon - the car looks better in the flesh than in pictures. It is distinctive and rare enough to be a little different. In my opinion it is the best looking saloon Audi make. It makes the current a4 look old and fat (a bit like Jonny vegas). Yes it is understated but I like the sleek look and secret performance.
Firstly let's deal with the engine. I have heard and read a lot of people gassing about over charging, lag and there's no replacement for displacement. There is..... Yes the engine lacks the wasp like sounds of the bmw and high revving drama but the power delivery is extremely impressive, the torque delivery is excellent and less peaky than the bmw. You get a few pops on the up and down change on the s-tronic gear box. The noise is nice, not too loud but just about right for someone who does not want to appear like a boy racer while negotiating the town centre or arriving at a business meeting. It has presence without vulgarity. Launch control - back to being a boy racer for a moment. This is the only way to get the actual 0-60 time and you will get it time and time again. Without launch control the time is akin to the manual (5.2). The gearbox is fantastic, for the gran tourismo generation there may be a millisecond pause before a downshift but it is definitely quicker than the manual and extremely good on the cruise. The steering - here we go - the purists will be out burning their bras and explaining how Audi is the devil to a drivers driver. I actually think our development as a driver has actually fallen behind the evolution of engineering progress. I would describe Audis steering at times as being akin to a steering wheel for a playstation. It does what you ask of it. It is linear the inputs you provide are mimicked through the wheels. It does provide feedback just in a different way than a traditional, conventional non electric steering rack. You just have to learn to read it better. The interior is just right - no further explanation required. Audi have their interiors nailed.
4) golf r - what a car - an s3 hatch but one that feels like it has been tinkered with by someone who does a track day twice a week. A bit noisier, a bit shoutier. It is common - the finance deals have seen the Burberry hat wearing crew snap up 5k miles a year finance deals at 200 odd a month. It isn't as refined, the interior is confusing, is it 80's inspired or a modern day take on vws of old ? It is the drivers car to have , offering 4 wd security and a bit more tail happy rear, but I don't think it is the car to live with as a long termer. It does not have the dual personality of the s3 saloon, nor the space and sorry I have to mention the badge. It's like Cheryl Cole vs Cheryl Isle of fernandos - one is a bit classier. You decide.
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