wall

Hello from Italy, where as some of you know I've moved to recently.
After selling the beloved STI and arriving here, I had to face the following:
1 - STIs are not sold here
2 - they stopped selling EVO VIs
3 - no more MY00s available, and anyway, it's now an old car and would not fancy buying it new when the new model is here
4 - no MY01s available until at least November, possibly later, and still no word on how they go

So.....I've purchased an Audi S3. My finds...
1 - a bit expensive for a hatch
2 - amazing build quality and interior compared to the STI
3 - looks menacing but much less visible then the STI
4 - slightly slower in the initial takeoff, but similar accelleration to the STI over 60km/h
5 - similar levels of grip, a little less communicative and "chuckable"
All up, a satisfied customer. Maybe a MY01/02 STI will tempt me back.

wall

Mellow Yellow !

iTrader: (1)

Sounds cooool........post us some pics when you can..happy motoring.
Mellow.

Jonathan

The S3 in std form above 60kph is no match for an STI. Wake up.

Ive come from an STI to an S3 and now a P1. Ive been on track with Impreza's. The S3 will match the pace and be slightly quicker than a Euro model, but not an STI.

PS forgot to mention my S3 had an MTM conversion with 265bhp. Love the S3 myself, but build quality problems led to three visits for warranty problems in 3 months. Fifth scooby now and one broken alarm bracket is all ive suffered. I found the S3 in std form VERY slow compared to a Euro Scooby.

Jonathan

Colin Berry

My last car was a 1.8 A3. The following were replaced under warranty

Steering rack
steering column
both front seats
front wheel bearings
Electric window switches
roof lining
electric mirrors (twice)
carpets

Hmmm - Build quality????

Aero

I was speaking with an AUDI engineer who enthused that the S3 was by far the best (road)car AUDI had produced. Especially over the TT. (Which would apparently make a lovely car if it could be driven the other way, and not just on corners.)

Blackscooby

Used to own an Audi Quattro Turbo (early 80's thing) which in its day was fantastic. The build quality was somewhat dubious, but it sounded and went very well.

It could no way match a Impreza Turbo, UK or otherwise.

Sold it to buy something cheaper to run.....hahaaaaa. The Scooby does less MPG than the Quattro did !!!

Was a fantastic old beasty which could make you grin from ear to ear.



Mark.

Craig H

Wall,
Performance wise I think you must have had a poor STi. No way will a std S3 keep up - don't think Jonathons would've either though.

But...

Great cars still. I know it's a subtle difference, but the quality of the wifes Lupo leaves a little to be desired too. Perceived quality is superb - actual - don't think it's as good as my Sti. Has more rattles from 8k as my Scoob does at 30.

mprocureur

Hi guys,

Look at this engine tuning by OETTINGER on the S3, 286BHP on the rolling road, come on P1 owners, try to catch this S3 ;-)))

Mike.

elondan

P1 would kill this S3, 4.7 Vs. 5.5 0-60,
and this is without mentioning the much better chssis.

wall

sorry to some of the posters, but my sti was clocked at the drag strip @ 4.9 sec 0-100 km/h (with breathing mods), and was definitely faster than the S3 to 50-60km/h. But over 60-70km/h there is not much in it, really. Also, although somewhat less communicative and chuckable, it does have amazing grip, and I actually remember an EVO test of 4wd cars where the S3 was lapping a wet track about the same time as STI Vs and RBs.
Don't know about quality problems (only done 3000km so far) but the shut lines, paint quality, solidity and interior materials are amazing compared to my STI5. Not that I ever had any problems with the Sti, it just feels higher quality.
I'm looking for a new exaust however....I need noise!! (there is none).

Wall

elondan

Good luck with your new S3, but comparing it with an STI is too much,
even against a standard U.K Scoob it lost on the overall and in Autocar with an extra person on a wet road was much faster (5.6 Vs. 6.4) and all the way to the top speed, an STI4 did 4.6 in Autocar,
so like I said I wish you all the luck but given the chance I would take an STI over any Audi, I would even the standard Scoob over the S3!!!