stiscooby

Currently got a Honda Civic Type R, had it for three and a half years but now fancy a change.

I had a Type R Scoob before the honda and although I wouldn't mind another one, I don't seem to have the "urge" if you like to get another one, well not like I did when I was getting one for the first time anyway.

So...... have been looking at some other cars to consider, one of which is the Audi S3 (3.2 V6 I believe), just wondered if anyone has one/had one and wouldn't mind sharing their opinions on what there like, performance, running costs etc.

I'm finding it hard to decide on something different from a Scoob, not that I wouldn't like another (it would have to be a JDM STI) but at the same time wouldn't mind something different once again.

Budget is about 14K.

scoobberdoo

Current generation S3 is a 2 litre Turbo with 261bhp (old one was 1.8 litre 210-225bhp) There is a 3.2 V6 quattro 240 odd bhp I think, but that is not designated as a S3. Current S3 appears to be getting some good write ups though.

With £14k you will not be looking at a current S3 me thinks as they were about £25k new!!

Never owned one so can't offer any more info.

matchmaker

Best with a 1.8T rather than a 3.2 V6. The 1.8 has a lot more tuning potential and is a less greedy on fuel.

Doesn't sound as good, though

The 3.2 is also an A3, rather than an S3, methinks.

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

I have an S3 on order, should be here next month.
still keeping the Scoob tho,
The S3 is very nice to drive, smooth and enough power when you want it.

stilover

What colour / Spec have you gone for?

An S3 is still in the back of my mind. I'm waiting to see:

A) What the new STI is like in the flesh / power
B) Ditto Evo X
C) Still hoping for a Focus RS.

By that time Audi might have boosted the power too. Still hoping for Audi to make an RS3 too.

If I go for an S3. It would be either Sprint Blue or Black. RS4 Bucket seats, Flat bottomed steering wheel, and Sat Nav. Plus 1 or 2 other extra's. Priced one up months ago. Just over £30k.

An MTM Chip would be put on straight afterwards. 310BHP.

As an every day drive the Audi would be far better than the STI or Evo. Just not as quick when pushing on.

Matteeboy

Stilover - You'd be suprised. A mate has just got a new one (also very specced up) and it's very quick indeed.
Evo got 0-60 in 5.6s for it.
Chip it and I'm sure you'd see at least low 5s.

I really like the new one - wasn't keen as keen on the old one after a test drive.
I think you'd struggle to find a more subtle performance car.

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

I have gone for the Spirit Blue with leather seats with black and cream colour. the next stereo up but not the Bose because its rubbish. Flat bottom steering wheel,auto lights and wipers, and more i cant think of at the mo lol

Matteeboy

Beware the flat bottomed steering wheel.
It looks cool but it's easy to "miss" it when tanking along the twisties - Flat bottom + smooth finish = danger.

stilover

I take it you've never owned a car with Auto Lights and wipers?

If you had, you'd know not to order them. Drive under a bridge and your lights come on. Makes you look like a right pillock.
Slight drizzel? Wipers think its a down pour.
Down pour? Wipers think its a drizzel.

OK, Audi might be better than Renault when it come to this, but I'd never order Auto anything from experience.

MattW

I've got the auto lights and wipers, they seem fine (wipers) however the lights do come on when under a bridge for any length of time. Short bridges they don't come on.

Flat bottomed steering wheel is fine. The rack is pretty quick so when pressing on you never need to cross arms (so to speak). Pic of that in my profile.

And as Ive said before, I agree Matteeboy, it is a very quick car.

MattW

Oh and the Bose is great. Nice and loud and no distortion!!

turboman786

I had a 1999V reg one (210bhp)....it was a mint car with 80k and FASH...

I reaserached them a fair bit, and bought mine without actually driving one, based on the positive reviews I read...

I must say, it was an utterly unremarkable ownership experience....The carwas luke warm performance wise, average handling wise (they lack a 'proper ' permanant 4wd system), the interior was well put togther but ultimately dull and clinical.....and it looked very subtle...too subtle.....no wow factor at all

I got rid of it after about 2 months and bought a BMW 330ci convertible sport, which was a zillion times better.

I do like Audis, but found the s3 soo underwhelming in every respect. Having said that cars a re relative to what you are used to, and I had an M3 before it, so everything flet pretty poor in comparison!

richs2891

had one for 24 hours on demo and just ordered a new one for delivery 1st week in Jan, as after something a bit more discrete - OK no jokes about joining the pipe and slipper group please.
Says it all, sold my Subaru to the Audi saleman !

Richard

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

I have the auto lights and wipers on my current A3 and they are fine.
as for the Bose, It might go loud but so does the std Symphony but without the sloppy bass and lack of mid (In my professional Audio opinion ) Not worth the extra over the non Bose.
Mine was ment to arrive in early March but now moved to build week 45 so it will be here mid Nov now.

stiscooby

hmmm........ maybe I should stop messing about and just go find myself a nice JDM STI and be done with it

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

much the same price I wont get rid of my Sti Type R

ScoobyDoo555

Flogged my Scoob for an S4 - slightly different beast though.
Looked at an S3, but it's too small for my needs. Looked nice though.

Certainly put the whole Subaru experience into perspective, but I do miss the noise.....

Oh well, RS4 with a Miltek should sort that. Not long now

Dan

oh, and mine's got the Bose, but in my professional opinion ( ), it wasn't that bad. Granted, mine came with it. As an option (don't know how much it is), might not be as good a deal. But I've heard worse. Much worse.
Again, all IMHO

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

The Bose in the RS4 is ok my friend has one. but I have heard 3 A3 and S3's with the Bose and it isnt worth the £500 or so price over the standard, Even my wife said it was really bad (even after trying to get a good sound) The std does sound fine (not great but ok)

pippyrips

I'm no audio pro but the Bose in my RS4 is far better than most car ICE set-ups.

ScoobyDoo555

Have to admit - I've not heard it in a smaller car (ie the A/S3).

PJ - not long now until you pick yours up then Sleepless nights yet? (apart from work )

Dan

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

No not long, Im more Excited about getting my MD321H fitted and mapped at the moment roll on the 12th,
But then it will be for the S3, My Wife is getting very excited about it now and keeps looking at the S3 brochure

ScoobyDoo555

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I drove a remapped old shape S3 and was amazed how quick it was.

Was looking at them but for the money I had they were leggy and optionally ruined with big wheels and blacked out windows, the old ones are getting into dubious ownership.

An unmolested Nogaro blue S3 still looks good.

The new one is lovely but what a massive outlay, sorry but I would be looking for a 911 at 30k !