Audi S3 8P Facelift or Focus RS MK2

[George3g]

Hi all,

Currently in the market for a hot hatchback and the Audi S3 8P Facelift and Focus RS MK2 are the current contenders. On the terms of running costs, both cars are pretty similar so that isn't a factor that's going to make the difference for me.

I know the S3 has the advantage of being 4WD and will also depreciate at a far lesser rate than the Focus, but the Focus seems to have more "wow" appeal.

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks

[BUG4LIFE]

S3 is more safe, RS is more mental...I'd have the RS, in Kermit green

[homerjay]

s3....rs....s3....rs....s3...

sorry, cant decide

[stuckmojo]

S3

[FamilyDub]

The RS for more fun and more importantly, the extra character it has over the S3...

When I drove an 8P S3, I thought the S3 was very surefooted and stonkingly fast, but a too clinical and really rather dull.

I'd take an R32 over an S3, but a white RS over both of them.

Edited by FamilyDub on Wednesday 27th July 12:45

[jamie g]

RS in Blue please, looks great and a proper Hot hatch!
Audis are far to reserved for me.

[Torquey]

I'd test drive both and then decide.

Without driving them, I'd opt for the RS. Looks a lot more fun than the Audi.

[rossw46]

Whilst I think the RS is an awesome car,it would have to be the Audi for me because of the quattro.

[Donatello]

I'd go RS too. The 2.5l 5-pot turbo wins for me. Also, the RS is the top of the Focus ladder.. the S3 has a bigger brother now in the RS3. I would always be wishing I had the best one myself.

[frosted]

I actually drove the RS for a day and while both are not bad choices the s3 all day long for me personally

[N88]

What makes you think the S3 is going to depreciate slower? I would have thought the RS does pretty well when it comes to depn.

[S3K04]

I suggest test driving both but I would go for S3

Its is

Fast
Holds value very well
Very "tuneable"
Excellent place to be & comfortable
4 wheel drive

I don't think you will find a better allrounder

[Crusoe]

Depend on the type of driving and the distances you cover, RS will be more fun on back roads but 10mpg worse and not such a nice place to sit if you do a lot of slow commuting.

[Lefty]

I wouldn't have either - the s3 too smug and the rs too chav.

PH: stereotypes matter.

Seriously, I'd take the r32 over the audi but an Impreza over any of them.

[Chris71]

The S3 is a nicer place to be (in a rather Germanic kind of a way), but the Focus is undoubtedly more involving and arguably has more sense of occasion.

I'd go for the RS personally. There will be other small fast Audis, but the Focus RS has a bit more identity (even if that identity is a touch Halfords) and a more inspiring drive. Plus if you own one now you'll get to experience it before it depreciates to within reach of the big stereo brigade.

[Arun_D]

Do miss THAT engine in my RS, which I had the Mountune upgrade kit added to (same kit as factory fitted to the RS500). It just had bags of character and really made the whole car. In Performance Blue it looked gorgeous to me, I think the S3 is perhaps a little too understated.

[jamie g]

Please stop mentioning cars that are not in the title, you know where that will go.

The RS seems to hold it's value very well, well enough to have for 6 months and then choose again

[RedLeicester]

Lefty said:

I wouldn't have either - the s3 too smug and the rs too chav.

I see.

Lefty said:

an Impreza over any of them.

[anonymous-user]

I'd go Focus RS myself. I test drove the current S3 and whilst it was a nice car it just felt a bit dull imo.

[nickythesaint]

RS does not seem to be depreciating that much, has gone into that Fast Ford Cult club already i think.

The ford is a bit leery, it has Asbo appeal for sure. I havne't driven either so i can only go on what I have read but the RS does appear to be something very special. To be able to create that kind of power and pace with a FWD chassis is pretty awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZL8uPemi3k