Discussion
Had an A4 and a friend had a 328. A4 dull as dish water (non sport suspension!) but extremely quiet, comfortable with an excellent quality interior (and exterior but that doesnt make difference when you are driving it).
My friend with the 328 had to admit that in those respects the Audi was much better than his. However, get to the twisty bits and the BMW is much better - then again how many times to you get the chance to do that.
The Audi is an excellent blend of comfort and performance for the average driver - note I say average driver. Take someone that doesnt care too much for cars and drop them in an S3 and they will think it is wonderful (which it is). Put them in something like a 330 or 328 with sports suspension and the difference is there....
On limit handling for the S3 is dull, but upto there it is excellent. While the BMW is likely to be excellent in both areas.....
Depends as to what you want - loved my Audi A4 2.4 - just so dull... Never went wrong though.
Cheers,
Paul
My friend with the 328 had to admit that in those respects the Audi was much better than his. However, get to the twisty bits and the BMW is much better - then again how many times to you get the chance to do that.
The Audi is an excellent blend of comfort and performance for the average driver - note I say average driver. Take someone that doesnt care too much for cars and drop them in an S3 and they will think it is wonderful (which it is). Put them in something like a 330 or 328 with sports suspension and the difference is there....
On limit handling for the S3 is dull, but upto there it is excellent. While the BMW is likely to be excellent in both areas.....
Depends as to what you want - loved my Audi A4 2.4 - just so dull... Never went wrong though.
Cheers,
Paul
You're trying to compare apples with pears here... The A3 (or S3) is only a tuned Golf....... do the comparison S4 to a BMW and you'll buy the S4 everytime! BMW is a tired, poor roadholding, rustbucket whereas the S4 is a real sportscar which can hold it own with real cars.
The S3 is fast and very nimble on corners where the BMW is twitching ist backend like a young minx in a disco. The finish on the BMW is better than the S3 which internally is a bit boring admittedly. but the S3 can be tuned by Abt or others and you have then a very hot hatch!!!
(I drive an S4 still (waiting for the kag) and still am astounded what I leave in my wake (flat FIATs, Porsches, Muckycedes, BMWs etc)....
The S3 is fast and very nimble on corners where the BMW is twitching ist backend like a young minx in a disco. The finish on the BMW is better than the S3 which internally is a bit boring admittedly. but the S3 can be tuned by Abt or others and you have then a very hot hatch!!!
(I drive an S4 still (waiting for the kag) and still am astounded what I leave in my wake (flat FIATs, Porsches, Muckycedes, BMWs etc)....
JMGS4,
Yeah, but a quick check of your profile says "AUDI S4 (412HP)". Mmm, not suprised that you can leave most cars behind...
Not many BMWs can keep up with that amount of power (un-modified of course). Not really a fair comparison.
But, as a comment was made above - an S3 is closer by comparison to a 325i compact (of which the S3 is the better car). While an S4 and M3 are closer competitors - with the M3 much more expensive. These manufacturers like to position their cars to not directly compete....
Cheers,
Paul
Yeah, but a quick check of your profile says "AUDI S4 (412HP)". Mmm, not suprised that you can leave most cars behind...
Not many BMWs can keep up with that amount of power (un-modified of course). Not really a fair comparison.
But, as a comment was made above - an S3 is closer by comparison to a 325i compact (of which the S3 is the better car). While an S4 and M3 are closer competitors - with the M3 much more expensive. These manufacturers like to position their cars to not directly compete....
Cheers,
Paul
quote:
It depends. Are you the sort of chap who is a good, quick and considerate driver, or do you not give a toss about anyone but yourself, know that the road belongs to solely to you (whichever lane you feel like occupying) and think that saying 'beemer' is quite cool actually?
Nice one bruce, sums it up perfectly
quote:
It depends. Are you the sort of chap who is a good, quick and considerate driver, or do you not give a toss about anyone but yourself, know that the road belongs to solely to you (whichever lane you feel like occupying) and think that saying 'beemer' is quite cool actually?
I guess you won't be buying a 'beemer', Bruce ? ;-)
Personally, I think it's a shame that some cars develop an image which has nothing to do with the merits of car - I should know having driven MX-5s for the past 3 years. But then image isn't everything......
--
Kev Hamilton
pbrettle,
Yes, mine's that large but the normal S4 will Pee on any 3 BMW except the new hotted M3 (built to challenge the S4) but they'll never corner like a quattro! (Mine will P on any BMW fullstop! Yes, even the new B5 from Nöthelle with the 4 litre hyped motor. so wasnt comparing mine to lower beings!!!) The comparison S3 to a chopped BMW3 is perhaps allowable, but the roadholding of the short Bmw is vastly poorer as well!!!!
Yes, mine's that large but the normal S4 will Pee on any 3 BMW except the new hotted M3 (built to challenge the S4) but they'll never corner like a quattro! (Mine will P on any BMW fullstop! Yes, even the new B5 from Nöthelle with the 4 litre hyped motor. so wasnt comparing mine to lower beings!!!) The comparison S3 to a chopped BMW3 is perhaps allowable, but the roadholding of the short Bmw is vastly poorer as well!!!!
I have a 330 BM and it is no slower than an S4 up to about 130mph.
I discovered this when I had an S4 driving agressively / right up the backside of my car on a dual carriageway.(who says BMW drivers are bad??) You know he just came out of a side road and then drove right up the rump of my car in a get out of my way fashion.
I was doing 80ish and in traffic, as it cleared and I sped up he remained glued to my bumper at high speed (I was overtaking traffic). In the end I pulled in to a gap and pulled out behind him and he was unable to pull away at all.
He did all of the handsigns, which I took as his apology for behaving in such a manner.
Moral - BMW 330i best car to buy if you can afford it, ignore the stereo type - and enjoy the 230bhp six pot and the best handling saloon car in the class.
If you can only spend £20-£22K then the S3 is a reasonable hot hatch, but the one I drove felt flat compared to a TT.
Ben
Edited by bennno on Monday 19th November 15:41
I discovered this when I had an S4 driving agressively / right up the backside of my car on a dual carriageway.(who says BMW drivers are bad??) You know he just came out of a side road and then drove right up the rump of my car in a get out of my way fashion.
I was doing 80ish and in traffic, as it cleared and I sped up he remained glued to my bumper at high speed (I was overtaking traffic). In the end I pulled in to a gap and pulled out behind him and he was unable to pull away at all.
He did all of the handsigns, which I took as his apology for behaving in such a manner.
Moral - BMW 330i best car to buy if you can afford it, ignore the stereo type - and enjoy the 230bhp six pot and the best handling saloon car in the class.
If you can only spend £20-£22K then the S3 is a reasonable hot hatch, but the one I drove felt flat compared to a TT.
Ben
Edited by bennno on Monday 19th November 15:41
DODGY COMMENT 1
'Are you the sort of chap who is a good, quick and considerate driver, or do you not give a toss about anyone but yourself, know that the road belongs to solely to you (whichever lane you feel like occupying) and think that saying 'beemer' is quite cool actually?
----- so when I get from my old Cerbera, or my 996 in to the company BM I suddenly drive differently?? This sounds like the rubbish that Ford / Volvo drivers tell themselves to comfort themselves as they drive around in their sheds.
DODGY COMMENT 2
do the comparison S4 to a BMW and you'll buy the S4 everytime! BMW is a tired, poor roadholding, rustbucket whereas the S4 is a real sportscar which can hold it own with real cars
- BMW IS A CURRENT MODEL, S4 JUST BEEN CANNED
- BMW IS UNIVERSALLY ADMIRED FOR ITS HANDLING, AUDI IS CREDITED FOR GOOD GRIP BUT WOODEN HANDLING
- I HAVE NEVER SEEN A RUSTY E46 BMW, LET ALONE A E36 PREVIOUS MODEL
- S4 IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE SALOON NOT A SPORTS CAR.
BEN
'Are you the sort of chap who is a good, quick and considerate driver, or do you not give a toss about anyone but yourself, know that the road belongs to solely to you (whichever lane you feel like occupying) and think that saying 'beemer' is quite cool actually?
----- so when I get from my old Cerbera, or my 996 in to the company BM I suddenly drive differently?? This sounds like the rubbish that Ford / Volvo drivers tell themselves to comfort themselves as they drive around in their sheds.
DODGY COMMENT 2
do the comparison S4 to a BMW and you'll buy the S4 everytime! BMW is a tired, poor roadholding, rustbucket whereas the S4 is a real sportscar which can hold it own with real cars
- BMW IS A CURRENT MODEL, S4 JUST BEEN CANNED
- BMW IS UNIVERSALLY ADMIRED FOR ITS HANDLING, AUDI IS CREDITED FOR GOOD GRIP BUT WOODEN HANDLING
- I HAVE NEVER SEEN A RUSTY E46 BMW, LET ALONE A E36 PREVIOUS MODEL
- S4 IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE SALOON NOT A SPORTS CAR.
BEN
I currently drive an A3 TSport and have seriously considered an S3 as my next car.
I have driven several S3s and the overriding impression I get is that it flatters to deceive - yes it can go, especially when chipped which costs around 500 quid and gives around 260 bhp along with masses of torque...
BUT
It's a boring car to drive.
Really boring.
If it's a car to drive fast you want but aren't bothered about feedback (from the steering or the chassis) or driver involvement then it will suit your needs. The 4wd gives amazing grip, especially in the wet. The ESP cuts in a little to eagerly, though when they lose grip, like all 4wd cars they lose it in spectacular fashion.
If you want a rewarding drive then look elsewhere. The car is set up to go fast with as little driver effort as possible - every muppet can drive it fast without overreaching themselves.
The 1.8T engine suffers from a bit of lag too, especially when chipped.
And don't rely on the build quality being that great either, many S3 owners have complaints over build quality and the attitude of Audi towards them.
I got the A3 because I had to get a 'sensible' car as it is on a company scheme and at the time it offered the best compromise. But I have just placed an order for my next car and the S3 was near the bottom of the list.
I have driven several S3s and the overriding impression I get is that it flatters to deceive - yes it can go, especially when chipped which costs around 500 quid and gives around 260 bhp along with masses of torque...
BUT
It's a boring car to drive.
Really boring.
If it's a car to drive fast you want but aren't bothered about feedback (from the steering or the chassis) or driver involvement then it will suit your needs. The 4wd gives amazing grip, especially in the wet. The ESP cuts in a little to eagerly, though when they lose grip, like all 4wd cars they lose it in spectacular fashion.
If you want a rewarding drive then look elsewhere. The car is set up to go fast with as little driver effort as possible - every muppet can drive it fast without overreaching themselves.
The 1.8T engine suffers from a bit of lag too, especially when chipped.
And don't rely on the build quality being that great either, many S3 owners have complaints over build quality and the attitude of Audi towards them.
I got the A3 because I had to get a 'sensible' car as it is on a company scheme and at the time it offered the best compromise. But I have just placed an order for my next car and the S3 was near the bottom of the list.
Bennno,
In an excellent piece of product complication the S3 uses the same 1.8T engine in the Passat, Golf, Leon, Torledo, Octavia, A3, A4, A6 and TT models. However, rather than having a 180 or 225, it is 210 (I think) and slightly different.
Why have so many variants on the same engine - 150, 180, 210, 225??? I can see a cost saving there. Any yes, I have had reports that the S3 engine feels so much different to that of the TT... But it gets much better as the miles roll on...
Cheers,
Paul
In an excellent piece of product complication the S3 uses the same 1.8T engine in the Passat, Golf, Leon, Torledo, Octavia, A3, A4, A6 and TT models. However, rather than having a 180 or 225, it is 210 (I think) and slightly different.
Why have so many variants on the same engine - 150, 180, 210, 225??? I can see a cost saving there. Any yes, I have had reports that the S3 engine feels so much different to that of the TT... But it gets much better as the miles roll on...
Cheers,
Paul
Yep, I have had a Golf 1.8T in the past so know the engine well.
Perhaps I was expecting too much, but the S3 did not seem all that fast or all that involving. Like the looks though, although the interior now feels dated compared to the Golf.
When you think a (admittedly slightly better equipped)S3 is over £1,000 more than a 325i or 3K more than a Scooby.... it is in a ultra competitive market.... particuarly next year with high C02.
Ben
Indeed it does, and apparantly there is a factory recall on them as they appear to be permanently switched on! 
And while we are on the subject of recalls it apears that all MG's/Porches/Mercedes and Mazda's have been recalled as it was noticed during the summer that all the hood mechanisms were broken and drivers had to go around with the roof up
And while we are on the subject of recalls it apears that all MG's/Porches/Mercedes and Mazda's have been recalled as it was noticed during the summer that all the hood mechanisms were broken and drivers had to go around with the roof up
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