Opinions on the Audi S3 please
Discussion
Hi, am in the process of selling my Merc AMG. Prior to that i had a 997 S cab, and have had other 911's and M3's and LOTS oand LOTS of other cars. Currently got a 7 yr old landcruiser which i love. I've had so many cars over the last few years, my wife will divorce me if i dont keep the next one for at least a couple of years...
so... after some careful consideration... i'm looking for something that;s between new and 3yrs old, reasonably quick, handles really well, has 4 half-decent seats, is not too big, not too manic.. etc etc, but above all, must be FUN... but something that isn't an M3, or a mental Jap saloon. Have thought of the following: Megane F230, VW R32, or Audi S3.
Any thoughts on some or all of above??
thanks in advance,
Nick
so... after some careful consideration... i'm looking for something that;s between new and 3yrs old, reasonably quick, handles really well, has 4 half-decent seats, is not too big, not too manic.. etc etc, but above all, must be FUN... but something that isn't an M3, or a mental Jap saloon. Have thought of the following: Megane F230, VW R32, or Audi S3.
Any thoughts on some or all of above??
thanks in advance,
Nick
between new and 3yrs old - only if you are talking about the new (8P model)
reasonably quick - remapped, yes.
handles really well - debatable but certainly has a LOT of grip
has 4 half-decent seats - bit cramped in the back but usable
is not too big - check
not too manic - check
must be FUN - oh. I have heard the 8P is much better in this department.
Don't get me wrong, I love my S3 (8L) and there's not much it can't do but if I wanted something FUN I would get an Elise.
reasonably quick - remapped, yes.
handles really well - debatable but certainly has a LOT of grip
has 4 half-decent seats - bit cramped in the back but usable
is not too big - check
not too manic - check
must be FUN - oh. I have heard the 8P is much better in this department.
Don't get me wrong, I love my S3 (8L) and there's not much it can't do but if I wanted something FUN I would get an Elise.
Hi Nick,
Oh that sounds familiar! Check out my user profile, I have the same car buying habits (problem)
I had the previous S3 and currently own the Mark IV Golf R32. My personal preference is the Golf, I found the S3's suspension was way too hard for the shredded tarmac we have to put up with. Plus the sound of the golf's engine and oodles of torque on offer were more fun than the 1.8T engine, IMHO.
In terms of build quality the S3 was more special inside, but given my R32 has 5 doors it edges the S3 on practicality.
Either way, both decent cars so I'm sure you'd have fun. Now if only I could keep a car for 3 years.. the R32 is on it's way this week to make room for the new toy
Oh that sounds familiar! Check out my user profile, I have the same car buying habits (problem)
I had the previous S3 and currently own the Mark IV Golf R32. My personal preference is the Golf, I found the S3's suspension was way too hard for the shredded tarmac we have to put up with. Plus the sound of the golf's engine and oodles of torque on offer were more fun than the 1.8T engine, IMHO.
In terms of build quality the S3 was more special inside, but given my R32 has 5 doors it edges the S3 on practicality.
Either way, both decent cars so I'm sure you'd have fun. Now if only I could keep a car for 3 years.. the R32 is on it's way this week to make room for the new toy
drgav2005 said:
I had the previous S3 and currently own the Mark IV Golf R32. My personal preference is the Golf, I found the S3's suspension was way too hard for the shredded tarmac we have to put up with. Plus the sound of the golf's engine and oodles of torque on offer were more fun than the 1.8T engine, IMHO.
In terms of build quality the S3 was more special inside, but given my R32 has 5 doors it edges the S3 on practicality.
Either way, both decent cars so I'm sure you'd have fun. Now if only I could keep a car for 3 years.. the R32 is on it's way this week to make room for the new toy
Sounds good.
I have a Mk IV R32 & have test driven a 8P S3 - two very different cars in terms of build, style and noise!
2 things put me off the S3 - no DSG/S-Tronic option and some irritating turbo lag. It couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding below 2800 rpm. The Mk V R32 is more civilised (softer more refined ride) than the Mk IV but has lost a bit of personality in the process.
I would seriously consider test driving both to see which suits you best.
Sorry, never had any dealings or road "fun" with a Megane...
Edited by brisel on Friday 16th March 21:22
I think the M3's are hard to fault. The first really fast car i bot was a 18mth M3 saloon, regd in 1995. I had it for 3yrs. Dark metalic blue, black lthr. absolutely loved it. having our first child meant that the saloon with 4 doors and a boot was great. Never had a problem with it. straight line speed was awesome. traction in the wet was not great, but that applies to nearly all cars.
I then had a 2003 model, convertable, met blue with grey lthr. Only kept it 6mths, and went into a 997 S cab. I think i was overly fussy.. the car was brilliant, but the sport button annoyed me a bit. with it off, it was too tame/slow... but with it on, it felt a bit manic, and was fine when u were blasting around the lanes,,but then when u came to avillage, it was a bit rough. Prior to thati had a 993 (via a CLK!), and so the need for revs on the M3 in comparison meant it never really felt that relaxing to drive, at the times that i wanted to just pootle about. I'm probably being a bit harsh, because they are fantastic cars, and you won't fail to love it. Inside is really nice too, feels like your in a 40k car. Nice leather, good satnav etc etc. Like all cars with low profile tyres, you've got to be v careful about kerbing them etc, but in my view the only real downside to the M3 is that they get stolen so much. ..but then life's too short to worry about that, and not a reason for not getting what u want.
hope that helps,
Nick
I then had a 2003 model, convertable, met blue with grey lthr. Only kept it 6mths, and went into a 997 S cab. I think i was overly fussy.. the car was brilliant, but the sport button annoyed me a bit. with it off, it was too tame/slow... but with it on, it felt a bit manic, and was fine when u were blasting around the lanes,,but then when u came to avillage, it was a bit rough. Prior to thati had a 993 (via a CLK!), and so the need for revs on the M3 in comparison meant it never really felt that relaxing to drive, at the times that i wanted to just pootle about. I'm probably being a bit harsh, because they are fantastic cars, and you won't fail to love it. Inside is really nice too, feels like your in a 40k car. Nice leather, good satnav etc etc. Like all cars with low profile tyres, you've got to be v careful about kerbing them etc, but in my view the only real downside to the M3 is that they get stolen so much. ..but then life's too short to worry about that, and not a reason for not getting what u want.
hope that helps,
Nick
Hi Nick,
Many thanks for the detailed feedback!
Must admit, I often question my sanity jumping from car to car (average length of ownership is only about 12 months
), and the current R32 is great everyday transport. However, I really enjoyed both my 330d saloons when I had them and only changed to jump to my dream car (996 C4). My wife currently drives a 5 series and I'm looking forward to getting back to the marque. The M3 should provide a big enough grin on my face and offset the fact that for most of the day I'll be driving a transit!
Hope the search for the new car is successful!
Many thanks for the detailed feedback!
Must admit, I often question my sanity jumping from car to car (average length of ownership is only about 12 months
), and the current R32 is great everyday transport. However, I really enjoyed both my 330d saloons when I had them and only changed to jump to my dream car (996 C4). My wife currently drives a 5 series and I'm looking forward to getting back to the marque. The M3 should provide a big enough grin on my face and offset the fact that for most of the day I'll be driving a transit! Hope the search for the new car is successful!
Nick - you're right - it's awesome!!! I love it!
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not yet. am actaully enjoying chugging around in my 8yr old toyota landcruiser! off on holiday over Easter, and will look in earnest when i'm back. I rang up about the renault megane 230 F1, which gets v good reviews... but the dealers cant get u one to test drive. ..so hard to see how u can order one on that basis! the more i think aoubt the alternatives (mental jap saloon, or other hot hatches), the more i think the S3 will tick all the boxes: its fast enough, good grip/handling, not too small, practical, good mpg (31?), decent looks, but relatively discrete, and nice place to be inside. Having said that... i've never driven one, so i might be completely wrong! THe only other alternative... i started to think aobut 2 seaters, (given the toyota is there if i need 4seats).. and the nissan 350Z a year or two old looks like fantastic value. But... i've had cars before that u have to "put on" rather than get in... and i do like a bit of space. ...i really must be getting old 
Hi Nick,
Decisions, decisions
Sounds like the S3 could tick the boxes, although the Megane could be an interesting curve ball... just not quite sure how the interior and build quality of French cars stands up to German opposition...
The 350Z is a great car - took one for a test drive when it first came out and it wasn't too much slower than my 996 C4 at the time. One of my best pals had one for 3 years and only gave it up when she had a baby... She was close to keeping it and making her husband hold onto the sunroof
Enjoy the hols and keep us informed on the next motor!
Decisions, decisions
Sounds like the S3 could tick the boxes, although the Megane could be an interesting curve ball... just not quite sure how the interior and build quality of French cars stands up to German opposition...
The 350Z is a great car - took one for a test drive when it first came out and it wasn't too much slower than my 996 C4 at the time. One of my best pals had one for 3 years and only gave it up when she had a baby... She was close to keeping it and making her husband hold onto the sunroof
Enjoy the hols and keep us informed on the next motor!
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