S3 Saloon or S5 Coupe - 30k-ish budget

[RichTT]

Afternoon all,

Doing my usual swithering between car choices to upgrade from the TT possibly later on this year. Whilst I would love to drop the cash on a sporty two seater I don't think that's going to be practical in the longer term. The TT is actually massively useful when it comes to general shopping duties and I think I would miss the option of the rear seats.

So, I've narrowed it down to either an S3 saloon, or an S5 coupe. S3's are coming in at just under the 30k mark and target spec S5's (black/black pack/sunroof) are coming in at just over 30k. In reality 4 doors isn't absolutely necessary as we have my partners Golf for when we need to transport anyone else, and really, as long as it isn't either of our parents then someone should be able to fit in the S5 no problem.

They both have quattro which is useful as we live down a road that doesn't often get cleared of snow. Acceleration is roughly the same for both, S5 obv more torques.

If I want fun in the twisties I'm going to use my bike so B road blasting is not a massively high priority.

Any real world plusses or minuses to either that I'm missing out on? Rough examples below of spec / price. Is the S5 worth the extra 4-5k?

S3 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...



S5 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

Edited by RichTT on Friday 16th July 09:59

[pb8g09]

Dropping that amount of cash, I'd definitely go for the S5 over the S3 for the engine alone. The S5 you linked is particularly awesome looking. With an S3, once I'd starting considering spending that level I'd always feel I'd short changed myself of the same shape RS3 for the 5 pot. But I guess that's just me.

Any reason you wouldn't consider a M4, M2 or Mustang? Is it purely for the 4wd?

[RichTT]

Aesthetics more than anything. I don't think I could look out my kitchen window and be happy seeing a beemer on the drive.

But that's just me. Mustang seems a little too mid-life-crisisy if I'm honest

[CG2020UK]

S3 is a great car for daily driving.

However for me it isn’t a patch on an S5.

[david-j8694]

The S3 does have a fair bit of presence in real life. One passed me a few days back and it is a stocky little thing. However, the interior of that S5 looks so much more upmarket. Combined with the better engine and more svelte coupe looks. S5 all day long for me.

[Cw4578]

I had an s3 saloon for about 14 months. It was a very good daily car with good economy, comfortable and could get the power down in any weather. However, i got bored with it after about 6 months as the rest of the car is basically an a3. It understeered into corners and had an annoying knocking from the rear suspension which apparently is normal for mag ride on the s3 saloon.
I think the v6 would have given it a bit more character so the s4/5 may be better.

[ZX10R NIN]

The S5 everytime it's just a better car overall., compared to the S3.

[RichTT]

PH certainly doesn't help with confirmation bias when picking a car!

Will see if I can get a test drive somewhere close and then start hunting for my unicorn I guess.

[Audis5b9]

I may be biased but the s5 is an easy choice here

[georgeyboy12345]

If it were me, I’d go for the S5, primarily because it’s less nickable, being a 2-door (depending on where you live, this is probably not as much a concern for you) and also it’s got a better engine. I’d find a nicer looking one than that black-on-black example though.

[georgeyboy12345]

This one is much smarter imo, but whatever floats your boat I guess

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106113...

[The Cardinal]

Speaking as a serial S3 and similar owner, I'd probably have an S5 if my needs allowed due to the styling, finish and engine. As things stand, the S3's compact size literally fits better into city living.

I would add that an 8V S3 is a great piece of kit and my experience is that it's very slightly quicker than the S5 on the open road. While not quite at S5 levels, the 8V S3's interior with Tech pack is superior to anything else in the segment and has since been downgraded in the 2020+ 8Y model.

A good choice to have...!

[ribenaS3]

Any reason you're not looking at s4's?

Been looking to change my Revo'd 8p S3 and settled on an S4, as expected lots of price variation based on spec and mileage but they are close to they S3 as shown.

My 'needs' were noise and virtual cockpit, also looked at an S5 sportback but S4 looks just edged it + they are generally higher priced.

Speed wise, from limited drives in S4/S5, my s3 feels quicker but that may just be the way the boost comes in, V6 burble more than makes up for it.

Either S4 or S5 are a lovely place to sit

Hopefully found a good one and cannot wait for collection

[PH User]

RichTT said:

Aesthetics more than anything. I don't think I could look out my kitchen window and be happy seeing a beemer on the drive.

Why whats the issue with a BMW?

[cerb4.5lee]

The S5 for me...purely because of the engine. I'd hate to look on my drive and see a car with only a 4 cylinder engine in it.

I came very close to buying an S5 with that engine in it a few years ago, and I've always liked them.

[Sticks.]

RichTT said:

Afternoon all,

Doing my usual swithering between car choices to upgrade from the TT possibly later on this year. Whilst I would love to drop the cash on a sporty two seater I don't think that's going to be practical in the longer term. The TT is actually massively useful when it comes to general shopping duties and I think I would miss the option of the rear seats.

I have a TT and if I needed something more practical I think I'd miss the versatility of a hatchback, as both of your suggestions have a boot. There are versions of both with a hatch. I think the size difference of the S5 would put me off, but the ordinariness and theft issues of the S3 would be its negatives. S3's luggage space looks more usable so I suspect I'd go for the 3d S3.

All that said, I've found both my TTs practical enough over 11 years combined use, for 2 people. I've managed to get a 55cm fridge in my old one, 9 sacks of manure (not at the same time) and here with a small garden table and chairs. (Boot liner and net a must).

[cerb4.5lee]

Sticks. said:

RichTT said:

Afternoon all,

Doing my usual swithering between car choices to upgrade from the TT possibly later on this year. Whilst I would love to drop the cash on a sporty two seater I don't think that's going to be practical in the longer term. The TT is actually massively useful when it comes to general shopping duties and I think I would miss the option of the rear seats.

I have a TT and if I needed something more practical I think I'd miss the versatility of a hatchback, as both of your suggestions have a boot. There are versions of both with a hatch. I think the size difference of the S5 would put me off, but the ordinariness and theft issues of the S3 would be its negatives. S3's luggage space looks more usable so I suspect I'd go for the 3d S3.

All that said, I've found both my TTs practical enough over 11 years combined use, for 2 people. I've managed to get a 55cm fridge in my old one, 9 sacks of manure (not at the same time) and here with a small garden table and chairs. (Boot liner and net a must).

I really liked how practical the TT I had was for something so relatively small and sporty. I love the versatility that a hatchback gives for sure.

[Volvolover]

£30k on a 4 year old A3?

No thanks

[Cw4578]

Probably also worth pointing out at that price point that the s5 would be the newer car design with updated interior. The s3 is based on a nearly 10 year old chassis and infotainment system.

[RichTT]

PH User said:

Why whats the issue with a BMW?

They just don't do it for me in the design. Nothing against them, just not for me.