Audi S3 Sportback S-Tronic
Discussion
I recently drove this car so I wrote up a review for a friends blog. Check it out and let me know what you think. I hope this doesn't break any rules mods.
http://fuelednotion.tumblr.com/
http://fuelednotion.tumblr.com/
Edited by NR123 on Sunday 9th September 18:09
.
NR123 said:
Sorry about that, I've sorted the link now. Thanks for the comments guys.
You're not wrong Otter, one man walked by and asked if I was diabetic haha. The drinks were all for the wedding when they ran short.
You're not wrong Otter, one man walked by and asked if I was diabetic haha. The drinks were all for the wedding when they ran short.
good little review
always makes me think what £30-40k could buy when I see new car prices though - ouch!
I must add, I love the anthracite alloy wheel look from letting the wheels get dirty too
Edited by sodslaw on Sunday 9th September 20:52
A comprehensive review, but a little bit of a shock given that Readers' Cars reviews tend to be wholly positive! 
I've yet to read a mainstream press review that isn't positive about the 8P S3 (including with the S-Tronic 'box), although a lot say that it's a grower. I'm biased as I'm a long-term S3 Sportback S-Tronic owner, but I'd urge people to have a look at my Garage notes on ownership.
I used to quite dislike VAG cars and Audi in particular, but I've yet to find a better package of: compact size, practical, family-friendly, easy for wife to drive, desirable and pretty damn quick. A Golf R is close, but is perversely more expensive spec-for-spec.
Most of the downsides in the above review are correct, but I'd argue that they tend to fade into the background as you get to know the car and the DSG 'box learns your style. Some of the other noteworthy features probably reflect the demograhic that the S3 sells to, which is probably those who want a compact, relaxed, high-quality car as much as they want a spine-tingling experience.
I'm at the point where I'd quite like to replace mine as I've never really liked the colour. I can't justify a brand new 8P S3 now that they're about to be replaced (8V 3-dr is already here in basic specs), but the 8V S3 Sportback with S-Tronic probably won't be on sale for 18-24 months I'd imagine. An M135i looks very attractive on paper, but doesn't have things like roof rails or quite the same mini estate shape that I find so useful. I'm also quite used to AWD now; it's the sort of thing you only notice when you drive a car without it.
I've yet to read a mainstream press review that isn't positive about the 8P S3 (including with the S-Tronic 'box), although a lot say that it's a grower. I'm biased as I'm a long-term S3 Sportback S-Tronic owner, but I'd urge people to have a look at my Garage notes on ownership.
I used to quite dislike VAG cars and Audi in particular, but I've yet to find a better package of: compact size, practical, family-friendly, easy for wife to drive, desirable and pretty damn quick. A Golf R is close, but is perversely more expensive spec-for-spec.
Most of the downsides in the above review are correct, but I'd argue that they tend to fade into the background as you get to know the car and the DSG 'box learns your style. Some of the other noteworthy features probably reflect the demograhic that the S3 sells to, which is probably those who want a compact, relaxed, high-quality car as much as they want a spine-tingling experience.
I'm at the point where I'd quite like to replace mine as I've never really liked the colour. I can't justify a brand new 8P S3 now that they're about to be replaced (8V 3-dr is already here in basic specs), but the 8V S3 Sportback with S-Tronic probably won't be on sale for 18-24 months I'd imagine. An M135i looks very attractive on paper, but doesn't have things like roof rails or quite the same mini estate shape that I find so useful. I'm also quite used to AWD now; it's the sort of thing you only notice when you drive a car without it.
Edited by Basil Hume on Monday 10th September 21:25
Basil Hume said:
A comprehensive review, but a little bit of a shock given that Readers' Cars reviews tend to be wholly positive!
I've yet to read a mainstream press review that isn't positive about the 8P S3 (including with the S-Tronic 'box), although a lot say that it's a grower. I'm biased as I'm a long-term S3 Sportback S-Tronic owner, but I'd urge people to have a look at my Garage notes on ownership.
I used to quite dislike VAG cars and Audi in particular, but I've yet to find a better package of: compact size, practical, family-friendly, easy for wife to drive, desirable and pretty damn quick. A Golf R is close, but is perversely more expensive spec-for-spec.
Most of the downsides in the above review are correct, but I'd argue that they tend to fade into the background as you get to know the car and the DSG 'box learns your style. Some of the other noteworthy features probably reflect the demograhic that the S3 sells to, which is probably those who want a compact, relaxed, high-quality car as much as they want a spine-tingling experience.
I'm at the point where I'd quite like to replace mine as I've never really liked the colour. I can't justify a brand new 8P S3 now that they're about to be replaced (8V 3-dr is already here in basic specs), but the 8V S3 Sportback with S-Tronic probably won't be on sale for 18-24 months I'd imagine. An M135i looks very attractive on paper, but doesn't have things like roof rails or quite the same mini estate shape that I find so useful. I'm also quite used to AWD now; it's the sort of thing you only notice when you drive a car without it.
Thanks for replying, I agree that certain aspects of the car can grow on you. You are correct that for the demographic the car is almost perfect, but not for petrol heads as such. If you're wanting a new car, why not look at the new four door 135i? Not the best looker but the performance is definitely there. I've yet to read a mainstream press review that isn't positive about the 8P S3 (including with the S-Tronic 'box), although a lot say that it's a grower. I'm biased as I'm a long-term S3 Sportback S-Tronic owner, but I'd urge people to have a look at my Garage notes on ownership.
I used to quite dislike VAG cars and Audi in particular, but I've yet to find a better package of: compact size, practical, family-friendly, easy for wife to drive, desirable and pretty damn quick. A Golf R is close, but is perversely more expensive spec-for-spec.
Most of the downsides in the above review are correct, but I'd argue that they tend to fade into the background as you get to know the car and the DSG 'box learns your style. Some of the other noteworthy features probably reflect the demograhic that the S3 sells to, which is probably those who want a compact, relaxed, high-quality car as much as they want a spine-tingling experience.
I'm at the point where I'd quite like to replace mine as I've never really liked the colour. I can't justify a brand new 8P S3 now that they're about to be replaced (8V 3-dr is already here in basic specs), but the 8V S3 Sportback with S-Tronic probably won't be on sale for 18-24 months I'd imagine. An M135i looks very attractive on paper, but doesn't have things like roof rails or quite the same mini estate shape that I find so useful. I'm also quite used to AWD now; it's the sort of thing you only notice when you drive a car without it.
Edited by Basil Hume on Monday 10th September 21:25
Hmm - I'm having an existential crisis now; I'm not sure if I still count as a petrolhead or not!! I have Clios V6, Williams, 172, 197 and couple of big-bhp Fiat Coupe 20V Turbos to my name...but I know what you mean. I'd argue that the S3 is takes the Golf GTi proposition and turns the dial up a bit.
I'm quite close to asking for a test drive on an M135i with 7-speed auto (as mentioned above), although I'm waiting to see what the 8V S3 and Merc A-Class AMG have to offer - they should be unveiled at the end of the month.
I have Clios V6, Williams, 172, 197 and couple of big-bhp Fiat Coupe 20V Turbos to my name...but I know what you mean. I'd argue that the S3 is takes the Golf GTi proposition and turns the dial up a bit. I'm quite close to asking for a test drive on an M135i with 7-speed auto (as mentioned above), although I'm waiting to see what the 8V S3 and Merc A-Class AMG have to offer - they should be unveiled at the end of the month.
Basil Hume said:
Hmm - I'm having an existential crisis now; I'm not sure if I still count as a petrolhead or not!! I have Clios V6, Williams, 172, 197 and couple of big-bhp Fiat Coupe 20V Turbos to my name...but I know what you mean. I'd argue that the S3 is takes the Golf GTi proposition and turns the dial up a bit.
I'm quite close to asking for a test drive on an M135i with 7-speed auto (as mentioned above), although I'm waiting to see what the 8V S3 and Merc A-Class AMG have to offer - they should be unveiled at the end of the month.
That new A Class AMG looks soooo good. I have Clios V6, Williams, 172, 197 and couple of big-bhp Fiat Coupe 20V Turbos to my name...but I know what you mean. I'd argue that the S3 is takes the Golf GTi proposition and turns the dial up a bit. I'm quite close to asking for a test drive on an M135i with 7-speed auto (as mentioned above), although I'm waiting to see what the 8V S3 and Merc A-Class AMG have to offer - they should be unveiled at the end of the month.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff