As the title says it's been five weeks since I parted with my much cosseted Sepang S3 Sportsback.
I'd had my S3 for three years and generally thoroughly enjoyed my period of ownership. It's only warranty visit was for paint flaking off the rear bumper after a few months.
Like some others I had never been impressed with the handling and ride of the S3, after having had performance cars for very many years I never felt Audi had endowed the car with the handling ability they do on other models. Even the Golf R is much better. Sorry but this is only my opinion. I knew it shortcomings when I bought it and 99% of the time found it a delight to own and a delight to drive.
I've changed it for a new Ford Focus MK3 RS. How that been? If your not open minded and not really interested, now is the time to start reading another post. After all it is an Audi forum. I was asked to pop in here now and then. After all I've been a member for quite a few years!
There's no doubt that overall quality and attention to detail is not close to Audi's very fine standards. But Ford have very much made this a drivers car. The handling is a revelation, the level of lateral grip is just outstanding, apparently easily reaching 1G of lateral force. Suspension is set for handling and grip and not comfort, takes a few trips to get used to this but body roll is almost non-existent. There are adaptive dampers fitted and in 'Sport' mode it will remove your fillings on anything other than a race track. Brakes are also stunning, the driving position is quite high and not as comfortable as an S3 but the Recaro standard seats, which are a mix of cloth and leather are so comfortable. I don't miss the awful position of the S3 accelerator pedal at all, that was becoming more of an issue for me as time went on, on occasions causing cramp in my lower leg.
Performance? Difficult to say as I'm running in but on my long test drive it was obviously quicker than an S3 but not as much as you'd think looking at the numbers.
Cars I looked at and drove were ...... Golf R, AMG 45, Honda Civic Type R, second hand low mileage M2, I did consider waiting for a new RS3.and the Focus RS. I didn't consider another S3.
I'll keep an eye on the forum, who knows I might get yet another Audi in the future.
I'd had my S3 for three years and generally thoroughly enjoyed my period of ownership. It's only warranty visit was for paint flaking off the rear bumper after a few months.
Like some others I had never been impressed with the handling and ride of the S3, after having had performance cars for very many years I never felt Audi had endowed the car with the handling ability they do on other models. Even the Golf R is much better. Sorry but this is only my opinion. I knew it shortcomings when I bought it and 99% of the time found it a delight to own and a delight to drive.
I've changed it for a new Ford Focus MK3 RS. How that been? If your not open minded and not really interested, now is the time to start reading another post. After all it is an Audi forum. I was asked to pop in here now and then. After all I've been a member for quite a few years!
There's no doubt that overall quality and attention to detail is not close to Audi's very fine standards. But Ford have very much made this a drivers car. The handling is a revelation, the level of lateral grip is just outstanding, apparently easily reaching 1G of lateral force. Suspension is set for handling and grip and not comfort, takes a few trips to get used to this but body roll is almost non-existent. There are adaptive dampers fitted and in 'Sport' mode it will remove your fillings on anything other than a race track. Brakes are also stunning, the driving position is quite high and not as comfortable as an S3 but the Recaro standard seats, which are a mix of cloth and leather are so comfortable. I don't miss the awful position of the S3 accelerator pedal at all, that was becoming more of an issue for me as time went on, on occasions causing cramp in my lower leg.
Performance? Difficult to say as I'm running in but on my long test drive it was obviously quicker than an S3 but not as much as you'd think looking at the numbers.
Cars I looked at and drove were ...... Golf R, AMG 45, Honda Civic Type R, second hand low mileage M2, I did consider waiting for a new RS3.and the Focus RS. I didn't consider another S3.
I'll keep an eye on the forum, who knows I might get yet another Audi in the future.
Hehe, cant wait for the 
of the new car. 
