RE: Audi S1 | Spotted

Author
Discussion

P.J.

52 posts

209 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Bought one for my other half as ticked all the boxes as what she was after. Small 4x4 nippy and looks Good. 40mpg achievable. But was really impressed driving across Wales in the pouring rain. Don't think much could have left it. Ok. The steering feel could be better but turn in is still sharp. I was happy to give up on the limit handling to going fast with no drama. Realised my driving criteria have changed as I have got older so sold my Porsche a few months later and got TT RS.

cerb4.5lee

30,590 posts

180 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Brian Fallon said:
What is the point of offering such a small car in only 5 door guise? This should be a 3 door car.
You can get this S1 as a 3 door and like you I also prefer 3 doors to 5.

cerb4.5lee

30,590 posts

180 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Chestrockwell said:
Manufacturers stopped producing 3 doors as well as nobody seems to buy them,
I specifically wanted a 3 door with my Cooper S but I do see loads of 5 door Minis now. I do wonder if Mini will scrap their 3 door hatch at some stage in the future like the other manufacturers though.

Dolf Stoppard

1,323 posts

122 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
Chestrockwell said:
Manufacturers stopped producing 3 doors as well as nobody seems to buy them,
I specifically wanted a 3 door with my Cooper S but I do see loads of 5 door Minis now. I do wonder if Mini will scrap their 3 door hatch at some stage in the future like the other manufacturers though.
Can't see it happening as the MINI is probably the exception where the the three door is more popular than the five.

cuprabob

14,621 posts

214 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
Chestrockwell said:
Manufacturers stopped producing 3 doors as well as nobody seems to buy them,
I specifically wanted a 3 door with my Cooper S but I do see loads of 5 door Minis now. I do wonder if Mini will scrap their 3 door hatch at some stage in the future like the other manufacturers though.
Didn't Mini try the compromise solution of having 2 doors on one side and 1 door on the other side, similar to the Hyundai Veloster?

I prefer the look of the 3 door, but it would seen that most people prefer the practicality of the 5 door.

I like the S1 but it's just a bit too pricey, imo.

Shappers24

816 posts

86 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Shame to hear the negative feedback about this, the S1 was top of my test drive list for replacement of my ageing mini in the new year.

Downward

3,593 posts

103 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Maldini35 said:
I ran one for x3 months and quite enjoyed it.
As a serial Clio RS owner it’s not in the same league for engagement but there is fun to be had if you grab it by the scruff of the neck.
Like all Audi’s it’s best avoiding the track and keeping it on the road though.
It was impressive in the wet.
For me the most disappointing aspect was the interior. It was very cheap and nasty, considerably worse than a Fiesta ST of the same vintage.
Is it worth 4 to 5k over a Clio RS though ?
I’ve seen from a main dealer a 2 year old RS for £11k

Krikkit

26,527 posts

181 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Gorbyrev said:
Krikkit said:
When you could have a Fiesta ST or 208GTI plus a wodge of change, or something like a Megane RS if you wanted something a bit bigger I don't know why you'd buy one of these... Other than making your neighbours twitch the curtains of course.
More comfortable, better all weather ability, better for long journeys, more stable at speed, better at pootling (we all have to do it) without the Quattro styling pack it is a better Q car and the not insignificant matter of more power (compared to smaller machines).
From what other posters have said it's not comfortable. Haldex clutched cars are hardly the last word in winter capability either. Why not buy an Impreza if that's a factor?

The Mégane 250/265 without cup chassis is actually quite comfortable.

Q car point is a good one, it does hide its status well.

s m

23,223 posts

203 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Shappers24 said:
Shame to hear the negative feedback about this, the S1 was top of my test drive list for replacement of my ageing mini in the new year.
Depends on how much stock you place on the reviews in here

Looking at the mags, they seem to give it a decent score



Maybe worth trying it yourself as everyone has their own preferences

No car gets reviewed well by everyone

martin12345

603 posts

89 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
s m said:
Depends on how much stock you place on the reviews in here

Looking at the mags, they seem to give it a decent score



Maybe worth trying it yourself as everyone has their own preferences

No car gets reviewed well by everyone
Have a read of the SSS in "Shed of the Week" - hardly a back word spoken. Had one of those as well, excellent car, just not as good as the Fiesta ST which replaced it (rather than an S1)

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

154 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Gorbyrev said:
Krikkit said:
When you could have a Fiesta ST or 208GTI plus a wodge of change, or something like a Megane RS if you wanted something a bit bigger I don't know why you'd buy one of these... Other than making your neighbours twitch the curtains of course.
More comfortable, better all weather ability, better for long journeys, more stable at speed, better at pootling (we all have to do it) without the Quattro styling pack it is a better Q car and the not insignificant matter of more power (compared to smaller machines).
From what other posters have said it's not comfortable. Haldex clutched cars are hardly the last word in winter capability either. Why not buy an Impreza if that's a factor?

The Mégane 250/265 without cup chassis is actually quite comfortable.

Q car point is a good one, it does hide its status well.
Fair points. I haven't driven one on 18" rims but on 17" wheels and tyres the ride is way better than an Fiesta ST, better than a GT86 too. There is a compliance to the damping. It also has a unique suspension set up at the rear as it ditches the torsion bar of the A1 and has fully independent rear suspension (got to put that diff somewhere. It has two modes. It is firmer in dynamic mode but the E mode is a great balance of comfort and control. The Impreza comparison is a good one. It is alot like an Impreza. My reason for prefering the S1 is size (we were looking for a small car) and it can on a long journey, or if driving like a nun, nudge 40mpg. Turbo Scoobs are a fair bit thirstier. I take your point about the Haldex but in this application it works extremely well.

Edited by Gorbyrev on Sunday 8th September 21:49

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

154 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
The Crack Fox said:
One word review; Dull.
Honestly Mr Crack Fox. In a world of econoboxes and SUVs... One man's fish... Makes my lads squeal with delight.


jbforce10

509 posts

175 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
" the S1 sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds... numbers that remain impressive for such a small car even today"

Longer, taller and only an inch narrower than a 1989 Integrale 16v... is it really that impressive for such a small car?

s m

23,223 posts

203 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
martin12345 said:
Have a read of the SSS in "Shed of the Week" - hardly a back word spoken. Had one of those as well, excellent car, just not as good as the Fiesta ST which replaced it (rather than an S1)
Yep, even on that one there were a few dissenters saying it was overhyped
Decent at shed money and similar to S1 got awarded 4.5 stars by EVO

Not everyone will like every car though

FaNtheMaN26

95 posts

59 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
jbforce10 said:
" the S1 sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds... numbers that remain impressive for such a small car even today"

Longer, taller and only an inch narrower than a 1989 Integrale 16v... is it really that impressive for such a small car?
Oh come on pal, this was never sold as a integrale beater, but it's a city car with 4wd and over 220bhp and 0-60 under 6 seconds. These numbers would get people squealing not long back, but cos things have moved on so much it's getting slated! I am pleased audi bothered, shame they've not with the new one as and we all bemoan the lack of 'pocket rockets'

Not to mention a remap on this would make it a weapon

Edited by FaNtheMaN26 on Sunday 8th September 23:20

Chestrockwell

2,627 posts

157 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Chestrockwell said:
Manufacturers stopped producing 3 doors as well as nobody seems to buy them,
I specifically wanted a 3 door with my Cooper S but I do see loads of 5 door Minis now. I do wonder if Mini will scrap their 3 door hatch at some stage in the future like the other manufacturers though.
Didn't Mini try the compromise solution of having 2 doors on one side and 1 door on the other side, similar to the Hyundai Veloster?

I prefer the look of the 3 door, but it would seen that most people prefer the practicality of the 5 door.

I like the S1 but it's just a bit too pricey, imo.
The issue with the 5 door Mini is that the door handles are half the size of the rear door. Very lazy from Mini not designing a smaller door handle or integrating it into the rear door like the MK2 Seat Leon’s.


Chestrockwell

2,627 posts

157 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
FaNtheMaN26 said:
jbforce10 said:
" the S1 sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds... numbers that remain impressive for such a small car even today"

Longer, taller and only an inch narrower than a 1989 Integrale 16v... is it really that impressive for such a small car?
Oh come on pal, this was never sold as a integrale beater, but it's a city car with 4wd and over 220bhp and 0-60 under 6 seconds. These numbers would get people squealing not long back, but cos things have moved on so much it's getting slated! I am pleased audi bothered, shame they've not with the new one as and we all bemoan the lack of 'pocket rockets'

Not to mention a remap on this would make it a weapon

Edited by FaNtheMaN26 on Sunday 8th September 23:20
I think the S1 would be an exciting prospect if you’re downsizing from a 3/5 series or a car that size.

If you’re coming from a Renaultsport Clio or a Fiesta ST it may be a boring car to drive when comparing.

I drove my friends Golf GTI MK7.5 with the same engine as this for a few months and loved the engine, very very powerful and torquey, it was almost diesel like. It must feel like a rocket in the S1. It felt like it had a lot more than 230bhp.

Also, remember, from 2000 to 2006, the most powerful 3 series you could buy that wasn’t an M3 would have been a 330ci, same HP as this with less torque!

rockandrollmark

1,181 posts

223 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
FaNtheMaN26 said:
Oh come on pal, this was never sold as a integrale beater, but it's a city car with 4wd and over 220bhp and 0-60 under 6 seconds. These numbers would get people squealing not long back, but cos things have moved on so much it's getting slated! I am pleased audi bothered, shame they've not with the new one as and we all bemoan the lack of 'pocket rockets'

Not to mention a remap on this would make it a weapon

Edited by FaNtheMaN26 on Sunday 8th September 23:20
I agree with the sentiment, but can we please stop with the “it’s a weapon” when referencing the performance credentials of a car. In what way is it a weapon? Who are you looking to attack it? It’s a stupid metaphor.

Back on topic though, i’m a bit disheartened by the general sentiment in responses to this Spotted. I’ve always had a soft spot for little cars with slightly too much power, and was putting the S1 on the shortlist for the next car, based on a number of favourable reviews and comparison with the A1 Quattro. An RS Clio was on the cards too, but I figured the S1 would be a bit more grown up. Judging by people’s comments on the interior though, Audi didn’t do a very good job there either. Shame.

Mike1990

964 posts

131 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
There’s something quite appealing with that S1, the similar looks to a warm S-Line variant helps. Q-car.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

186 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
Article said:
With its peppy four-pot and two-axle drive, the S1 became a surprise enthusiasts’ favourite
I wish I could write like that.

Oh wait, no I don't.