Discussion
My wife has one, a 5-door jobbie since late 2017 (new). She wanted something with performance, manual and 4wd. There were very few candidates.... that was coming from a v8 S5 when our daughter was on her way, so practicality got in the way of a nice engine.
Ours is bone stock, but the E888 is "detuned" to 230hp (or thereabouts), so there's plenty of scope for suspension, power, yada yada if fun is what you want. I think it's a great little car (I drive it a fair bit).
I'm sure there are more fun cars, certainly, and cheaper too I suspect, but few that can tick the boxes we wanted.
Ours is bone stock, but the E888 is "detuned" to 230hp (or thereabouts), so there's plenty of scope for suspension, power, yada yada if fun is what you want. I think it's a great little car (I drive it a fair bit).
I'm sure there are more fun cars, certainly, and cheaper too I suspect, but few that can tick the boxes we wanted.
I had an S1 for a while until it was stolen and used in various armed robberies! Great little car that felt bigger than it was, was fairly quick, and a very nice place to be. Mine was fully specced up as it was an ex Audi demo car. It was very comfortable to drive, achieved 40mpg fairly easily on a run, but was a weapon on twisty roads. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
I have an X3 M40i (what a machine)
I bought a 3dr JCW LCi2 last year as a second car for the wife and a weekend toy for me.
I had it (wait for it) one week. I sold it back to the dealer for what I paid for it and went on to order a JCW Cab. Cracking engine and gearbox (auto) but a very claustrophobic interior.
The cab never materialised due to mad delays (the crazy world we live in) so to cut a long story short, I now have an A1 Sportback S Tronic on the drive (2018 1.4T) Son is fast approaching 17 so thought it best to get something that he and my wife can both drive.
The JCW is a missile. But not as much fun as you might expect. It’s a very very capable car and not far off the pace of the BMW, but it’s not as chuckable as say an R56 Cooper S. In fact the new Cooper S is more torquey and eager from the get go - despite running out of puff way sooner than the JCW. The ride was also bone shattering on the 18s.
The Audi is very solid, and I actually find a well specced Gen 1 prettier than the Gen 2. I’m not going to try and compare my 1.4 to a JCW, other than to say it has that hire car chuckability I missed in the JCW - you know, the sort of car you can just throw around bends and thrash the pants off and not care so much. It’s not intense, but it does raise a smile. Like when you were 17 and trying to eek every last horse out of your engine. I can imagine an S1 is a hoot.
Not sure if any of that helps.
I bought a 3dr JCW LCi2 last year as a second car for the wife and a weekend toy for me.
I had it (wait for it) one week. I sold it back to the dealer for what I paid for it and went on to order a JCW Cab. Cracking engine and gearbox (auto) but a very claustrophobic interior.
The cab never materialised due to mad delays (the crazy world we live in) so to cut a long story short, I now have an A1 Sportback S Tronic on the drive (2018 1.4T) Son is fast approaching 17 so thought it best to get something that he and my wife can both drive.
The JCW is a missile. But not as much fun as you might expect. It’s a very very capable car and not far off the pace of the BMW, but it’s not as chuckable as say an R56 Cooper S. In fact the new Cooper S is more torquey and eager from the get go - despite running out of puff way sooner than the JCW. The ride was also bone shattering on the 18s.
The Audi is very solid, and I actually find a well specced Gen 1 prettier than the Gen 2. I’m not going to try and compare my 1.4 to a JCW, other than to say it has that hire car chuckability I missed in the JCW - you know, the sort of car you can just throw around bends and thrash the pants off and not care so much. It’s not intense, but it does raise a smile. Like when you were 17 and trying to eek every last horse out of your engine. I can imagine an S1 is a hoot.
Not sure if any of that helps.
Big fan here... Owned my S1 for coming up to 3.5 years now, done circa 20,000 miles in it. Such a great little package if you are into your hot hatches. I love mine for blasting down the back roads and it really holds it's own during unpleasant weather with the quattro system. Perfect car to park, due to size and economy is not bad, however depending whether you are doing long or short journeys.
If you can, try to find one with some decent spec, as personally, I think they feel more special. As Dr G mentioned, lots of basic spec cars around. I got mine used from my local Audi dealer who I knew well and got very lucky with the extras and paint it had.
The full leather super sport seats are great and a panoramic roof (3-door only I think) let's in lots of light. They can come with Bose sound system, which sounds very punchy and lots of other handy extras like heated seats, cruise control, hill hold and lots of different tech and comfort packs. Mine is standard apart from H&R springs, as they sit way too high standard and some spacers for a better stance. Mine is in Sprint Blue Pearlescent, which is an Audi exclusive colour, however looks similar to Sepang blue. The interior is well put together and it feels very planted and solid.
There is a feel of old school turbo about it, which is why I love it. Lot's of the younger generation love modifying these, stage 1 tune get over 300hp. I would say the manual box is not the best, however there are some simple tweaks to make it better, along with the steering. They usually come standard with Bridgestone's, which I feel are terrible. Michelin Pilot Super Sport I think are the best replacement, however they are not that cheap, as there are limited performance tyres in these sizes.. Servicing is pretty inexpensive through Audi, make sure you get the all important haldex serviced. Plenty of Independents out there covering the VAG stuff.
You will hear lots of horror stories over the clutch going on these, however my experience has been different. I suspect constant launches will reduce them dramatically and some mechanical sympathy keeps them going longer.
My only dislikes are the tiny boot due to the quattro system, but you don't buy it for practicality. Sometimes doing a massive shop at the supermarket means back seats need to come down, which is fine. You can seat a few adults in the back, if driver is not too tall, but not for really long journeys. Much better for younger children in the back.
I just happened to get a 3-door, however understand people wanting a 5-door version, as it is a faff getting in and out of a 3-door. Also many will want the competition versions, which come with additional spoilers/decals etc. I would buy on condition, good spec and decent service history. I would avoid anything too modified.
G
If you can, try to find one with some decent spec, as personally, I think they feel more special. As Dr G mentioned, lots of basic spec cars around. I got mine used from my local Audi dealer who I knew well and got very lucky with the extras and paint it had.
The full leather super sport seats are great and a panoramic roof (3-door only I think) let's in lots of light. They can come with Bose sound system, which sounds very punchy and lots of other handy extras like heated seats, cruise control, hill hold and lots of different tech and comfort packs. Mine is standard apart from H&R springs, as they sit way too high standard and some spacers for a better stance. Mine is in Sprint Blue Pearlescent, which is an Audi exclusive colour, however looks similar to Sepang blue. The interior is well put together and it feels very planted and solid.
There is a feel of old school turbo about it, which is why I love it. Lot's of the younger generation love modifying these, stage 1 tune get over 300hp. I would say the manual box is not the best, however there are some simple tweaks to make it better, along with the steering. They usually come standard with Bridgestone's, which I feel are terrible. Michelin Pilot Super Sport I think are the best replacement, however they are not that cheap, as there are limited performance tyres in these sizes.. Servicing is pretty inexpensive through Audi, make sure you get the all important haldex serviced. Plenty of Independents out there covering the VAG stuff.
You will hear lots of horror stories over the clutch going on these, however my experience has been different. I suspect constant launches will reduce them dramatically and some mechanical sympathy keeps them going longer.
My only dislikes are the tiny boot due to the quattro system, but you don't buy it for practicality. Sometimes doing a massive shop at the supermarket means back seats need to come down, which is fine. You can seat a few adults in the back, if driver is not too tall, but not for really long journeys. Much better for younger children in the back.
I just happened to get a 3-door, however understand people wanting a 5-door version, as it is a faff getting in and out of a 3-door. Also many will want the competition versions, which come with additional spoilers/decals etc. I would buy on condition, good spec and decent service history. I would avoid anything too modified.
G
Picked up my S1 today.
After getting carried away with 911s and similar toys, it feels good to be driving something a lot more reasonable. Not the last word in steering feel, playfullness or chassis development of course, but a lot of car for 20-ish k.
Good spec too. Rubbish pictures, but here it is for now.
(Second image is oriented properly when you click on it - assuming, of course that you care?).
After getting carried away with 911s and similar toys, it feels good to be driving something a lot more reasonable. Not the last word in steering feel, playfullness or chassis development of course, but a lot of car for 20-ish k.
Good spec too. Rubbish pictures, but here it is for now.
(Second image is oriented properly when you click on it - assuming, of course that you care?).
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