DAC

Drove an R32 and really liked it - but looked at an Audi and it is much better quality interior and finish.

but saw a S3 - believe 2.0 litre 280bhp 4wd as against 3.2 V6 250 bhp

anyone got either and can offer opinions

thanks
David

richs2891

Yes got a MY08 S3 - take a look at MY Scooby,
Apart from the obvious of one been a turbo and one NA, the 3.2 is in the higher road tax bracket and has slightly higher fuel consumption. Not sure if thats a concern to you or not.
3.2 does sound better but does not handle quite as well due to heavier engine up front. Official figures for the S3 are 265 BHP but as you have found out most are around 280 standard from the factory - several rolling roads have proved this.
Have a look at Audi-Sport.net#
Both cars lovely cruisers and can do pretty well straight out of factory in the bends as well !

Richard

DAC

Hello mate - car looks lovely - cant afford a new one but nearly new

did you try a 2.ot 200 bhp model - is it the same engine but not as tuned ?

I think I got alot to research before I buy one.

thanks
David

richs2891

Cant seem to see a 2.0 t 200 BHP version on the Audi site, wonder if they dont make it anymore? - test drove a 350Z soft top, the only other car I fancied, but decided could not live with the two seats and fuel consumption / road tax.
Have fun doing the research !

Richard

deangtiuk

iTrader: (3)

The 2.0t is not the same as the S3, it is the same as the Golf GTI.
Did you drive the DSG R32 as those are better than the manual?

DAC

No drove a manual - but not opposed to DSG

just not going to pay ???? extra for it as not bothered
I presume with DSG you can use it as a bog std auto as well (I know a waste but just wondered)

thanks
David

RichB

Ive got an A4 manual 3.2 cab quattro and whilst its a lovely drive, very smooth the fuel consumption is pretty horrible. I filled it up the other day £64 and I'm doing about 300-350 a tank...
Heavier I guess... Lovely car though. £300 tax this yer and £400 next year I believe...

Bakerman

If it is just road use and not a toy surely a powerful VW/Audi diesel is the way to go.

CyprusScooby

S3 mate! Its faster!

Dream Weaver

I've been looking at the A/S3's but the £455 tax from 2010 really put me off, shame as I think they look excellent.

^Qwerty^

Had a A3 3.2 DSG for 3.5 years, sold in January.

In summary
=========
Very numb to drive, with no feedback to speak of in either steering or brakes. DSG is okay, but removes the ability to drive the car even further, and it does throw wobblers now and again. I'd go with a manual unless you do a lot of traffic jam work.
Build quality is high as you say, but then I'm only comparing it to the WRX I had before it, but it is an Audi.
My overall MPG was just over 26, which equates to doing 80-90 on the motorway. Put your foot down anymore and you'll soon be in the low double/high single figures area.

Plenty of them about to choose from.
The Xeon headlights are on dipped beam only, so I was a bit disapointed about that, so don't put them down on a "must have" list. I also had cruise control, centre arm rest, and a sun roof. I'd look for a car with all three of those, along with Bose if you can get it. If you find an S-Line, you get 18 inch alloys, instead of 17's on the sport. (i.e. get an S-Line)

Cracking car if it's right for you, limited tuning options, more so on the DSG, so if you can afford it, I'd get one of the latest S3's, as I've heard they are a world apart from the 3.2 in terms of drivability.

FYI: I've now got a A8 4.2 Petrol, and it returns better mpg at the same speed on the motorway as the A3 did, but is poor around town.

MattW

310 in 2010 I believe.

Mitchy260

I wouldn't buy either, its an old model now, been around since around 2002.

A4 has already been revamped. A3 will be next.

No point splashing out £25-30k on a car when it going to be superceeded in the next few months by a newer model.

Dream Weaver

I was looking at the 3.2 Quattro - Road tax - Parker's

£430 or £455 depending on MY.

MattW

Ah yes, the S3 sneaks into F though

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

I like my S3 it is quick enough and a nice drive, but not too raw like the Type R.

scoobberdoo

AFAIK, You don't get Xeon headlights on full beam on any car, due to the fact they are too slow to switch on and off when switching from dipped to full. Note how they take a few seconds to come on from start on dipped.

Dream Weaver

You can get bi-xenon HIDS though, which use an actuator to just move the bulb up and down so it imitates high beam by moving the light up and down, the switch over is instant as well.

Had these on my 205 until recently.

^Qwerty^

Which is what I meant.

Shark Man

How about a wildcard : An R32? Like the V6 A3, but more sporty dynamics

Depends if you want turbo on/off shove or v6 grunt. I'm currently looking for a 6pot-based hot hatch. Already ruled out the A3 v6 quatt for being too soft and uninvolving. The s3 was ruled out as I simply don't want another turbocharged car, plus I don't think they are worth the price premium.





For sakes of interest, my "wants" list is as follows (all second hand):

Alfa 147GTA (cheap, but FWD, and awful dealer/parts network).

BMW 130 (Ugly, too expensive, can't get anything other than grey, blue or silver, and not exactly overwhelemed by the driving dynamics - its still a heavy tank, so not really gaining much perforamnce/handling advantage over my current 3 series shed)

BMW Z4 Coupe (don't need rears seats; just a boot. Like hens teeth, again ones at the right price are the wrong colours. WTF is with the day-glow red leather option

VW R32 - The sensible option. But don't like the old shpe looks, and waiting for the new shape ones to come down by a few bob. As the residuals for these aren't that brilliant.

Final option; bin the idea and buy something with a big bhp diesel.

DAC

That car tax is going to be a killer

Love the R32 - but I can't get my head round the prices and the build quality is just not what I expected from a VW.

Oh what will I buy - money in the bank and cant decide - never being in this position of having such a wide choice.

loved Saabs for years but not liking the latest models.

onwards and upwards

thanks
David

Petem95

The current shape A3 has only been around since late 2003, so the model is only about 4.5 years old. The S3 in this shape has only been around since 2006 I think.

The A3 got the 'big grille' revamp in 2005, when the A4 also got a pretty significant overhaul (all-new A4 just been released).

AFAIK the all-new A3 isn't due due until 2010, but there is a minor face-lift coming this year which includes new-look headlights.