Thinking about a Change.........S3 to ?

Leegaryhall

Leegaryhall

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Hi all,
So been in my new 8v S3 for 13 months now and whilst it does everything that I ask of it and is a dream to drive, I now have the urge for a change as I'm sure there is something else out there that will offer me more for the same monthly payments.

I think the main reasons are the looks, whilst it is a stunning looking 3 door hatch back...it's still just a hatch back and I am crying out for something that looks sporty and I sit lower to ground.

I really wanted a new TTS but I think they are way over priced for what they are.
I took out a standard 2ltr TT 230 bhp with Stronic and Quattro and I think that had enough power, didn't really seem much difference to my S3, but again are the TT's just too much for what they are?

I have now been looking at 430d M sport BMW. They look the part and have so much kit compared to the Audi plus they are more luxurious inside.
Walked into the BMW dealer to enquire and pretty much straight away the guy offered me a brand new factory order 430d m Sport with M sport plus pack for around 37k...a whooping £6500 grand off list price!! They also put in dealer contribution deposit of around £1k, so if I put down £10k deposit I can get a PCP for 4 years on 12000 miles per annum for around the £350 a month mark... Not bad for a 45k car

Now I know it's diesel, but my good does that thing shift once you get moving. Think it is 5.3sec 0-60 and has 560nm of torque. It genuinely felt quicker than my S3 plus the potential of over 50mpg.

Will I regret moving away from Audi and particular a turbo charged petrol engine and into a diesel?
Anyone have any thoughts or experiences similar to mine?
Opinions appreciated.
 
Oh forgot to mention, both BMW and Audi only offered me £24000 for my 13 month old Stronic S3, even though list price was £36k and its done 13000 miles.....what a rip off!?
 
I'd take the BMW in a heartbeart over the S3, much better looking car (to my eye) and just as good quality. The M235i would also be on my shortlist, but I don't know how much of a factor interior space is for you.
 
Looks are very subjective of course but I really don't like the look of the 4 series. We had a 2011 330d E92 and trading that in for a 430d was never even on the radar, I think it looks fat and bloated, especially around the rear.

I don't particularly like the interior either. The standard Dakota leather is cheap and nasty and the standard sound system is truly appalling. I'm much happier with our S3, glad to go back to petrol, and it feels quite a bit quicker than our Beemer did (I realise the latest version has a little more power and torque).

Despite all this I did like ours, I just like our S3 more. Oh, and we never even got close to 50mpg! Our S3 is averaging a smidgen under 30mpg, our 330d was managing only about 8mpg better on the same journeys.

But it's what you think that matters, it would be a dull world if we all drove the same cars.
 
I'd hang onto the S3 for a little while longer.
 
As been mentioned before is there a reason BMW are knocking so much off brand new cars? Depreciation?
 
depreciation....? What you mean like being offered 60% of the RRP on the S3 which is "supposedly" one of the best cars for holding o to its value, after just 1 year? Shouldn't that be what's its worth after 3 years?

anyone on here trading in their S3 and what trade in did you get?

If I do go through with it then my S3 might be up for sale in the for sale section if anyone is Interested?..but certainly not at £24000 !!!
 
I too am looking to change my S3 for something else, but more because I don't trust it after it broke down on me, the tales of turbo rattle etc - not good enough on what is supposed to be a quality build car. With my family grown up though I'm looking more at A3/S3 size cars, so AMG A class, M135i BMW, Lexus etc. of them all I think the Beemer will win, purely because having had them before, I'm happy with the level of customer service, quality etc. do like the diesel Beemers as well, cracking engines, so if I wanted that size car a 430d would def be on my try list.

The only Audi I'd be tempted by now would be an RS4, always loved them and RS3 is a big disappointment IMO, it's not got the presence, looks or oomph over an S3 to make it a contender.
 
Leegaryhall said:
Oh forgot to mention, both BMW and Audi only offered me £24000 for my 13 month old Stronic S3, even though list price was £36k and its done 13000 miles.....what a rip off!?
Click to expand...

Holy cow that's a big hit - thought trade in price would be more like a 15% hit it's not like your car is a basic spec and last of the Estorils too. BMW 135i was the only other car on my shortlist but went with Audi as I'd had one before and needed at least front wheel drive as we have a sharp incline getting into my estate that I'd worry about being marooned when we have snow so an X drive would have been needed. Also my pet hate over the BM's is the orange dash board illumination - such a little point I know but it looks so Peugeot which was ok in the 80's. Anything out there in the Merc stable ?
 
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I'd be tempted by the facelift A45, but I had a play in the RS3.. Wow the sound
 
Leegaryhall said:
Oh forgot to mention, both BMW and Audi only offered me £24000 for my 13 month old Stronic S3, even though list price was £36k and its done 13000 miles.....what a rip off!?
Click to expand...

sounds reasonable to be honest - what were you expecting?
 
From a financial point of view, pretty sure you couldn't have timed it worse as your S3 has probably gone through its worst depreciation point. So far as a change, no idea. I think you will struggle to improve without an increase in budget.
 
If I were you I'd be checking out an S4, proper Audi S car ask BH.

Worth a look see.
 
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I've recently ordered an S4, to replace my 12 month old S3. You can't order a B8.5 S4 any more.

I test drove a 330D M-Sport saloon when making my decision, thread here:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/another-aberdeen-s3-sportback-on-the-way.215814/

I've re-read it, and my thoughts are still consistent. I liked the BMW for it's interior feel of luxury, it felt more solid than the S3. Engine was strong and really good for a diesel, but I wasn't sure of the 8 speed auto and you can't disguise it's a diesel in terms of noise and feel.

It's a bit confusing what I have been offered for my S3, as there's been the usual fiddling about with dealer discounts, audi discounts, whether it increased my trade in or dropped the price of my S4 etc. but there first offer I had was @ 27K.

One of the reasons I didn't consider the BMW more seriously was the depreciation/finance. Although they were prepared to drop about 7K off the model I was ordering, the GFV was low and APR not that great either. I could have pushed further but there was distinct lack of effort from the sales guy, so he lost a potential sale.

The 430D will be a lovely car, and it'll be new, and different so, if you're like me, you'll make the man maths work .. when you first get it you'll be pleased, best car ever, I'm keeping this one etc. .. wait 12 months though! Will you be able to change it again if it drops like a stone?

I feel the S3 is a nice car, lacks a bit of sparkle and I'm beginning to think I'll never own another car that powered by a 2.0 four pot turbo. So that would rule out the A/C45 AMG, It'll go like a rocket but sound awful.

I'd consider trying to get a car with more character, RS3 (purely because of the engine), RS5/S5? Boxster/Cayman/Evora?

You do sound very like me, never quite happy with what's on the drive and always looking for the next thing (new or used) ...?
 
I'm moving from BMW back to Audi and the S3 won out over a 430d or 330d - reasons why...?

BMW
+ great performance from a smooth torquey diesel
+ amazing 8AT transmission
+ comfortable cruiser
+ lots of storage space and huge boot
+ love the looks especially of the 4 series
+ HUGE discount offered on pre-facelift 3 series
+ very low APR's
- I want AWD and the xDrive versions have slightly higher ride height, so not as planted as the S3
- Interior nice but the fit and finish is not a patch on the Audi, too many suspect joins
- depreciates far quicker than the Audi
- 4 series discounts not so high
- read from BMW forums that economy figures for 3.0d far more aspirational than even the S3
- I do less miles now and more shorter distances so i wouldn't be getting the best from that engine
- nice looking but M sport versions not distinctive enough, am keen to go under the radar but these a bit too common/anonymous

Audi
+ great performance
+ s-tronic almost as good as the 8AT (in my opinion)
+ reasonable fuel economy potential for such a potent car
- higher APR
- perhaps a theft target

If you read forums you'll hear all about problems and you'd think every car was unreliable and full of flaws. By the way these are all MY OPINIONS and based on my experience so please don't rudely tell me i'm wrong.
 
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If you're looking at hatchbacks the only competitor for me when I was looking for a change was the A45 AMG (BMW 135i looks terrible IMO), after being in for for 30-45min test drive the choice between was too easy.

The AMG engine was fantastic and I liked the noise albeit a bit loud. BUT, the interior was horrible tacky carbon plastics everywhere, 15000 buttons to control the radio and settings I thought were a bit overkill. The biggest thing of all though was how uncomfortable the seats were, I like bolstered seats as much as the next guy but give me a bit of padding on the seat! After the test drive I got out of the car and my leg was actually hurting..

Only my opinion though.
 
Oliver Fish said:
If you're looking at hatchbacks the only competitor for me when I was looking for a change was the A45 AMG (BMW 135i looks terrible IMO), after being in for for 30-45min test drive the choice between was too easy.

The AMG engine was fantastic and I liked the noise albeit a bit loud. BUT, the interior was horrible tacky carbon plastics everywhere, 15000 buttons to control the radio and settings I thought were a bit overkill. The biggest thing of all though was how uncomfortable the seats were, I like bolstered seats as much as the next guy but give me a bit of padding on the seat! After the test drive I got out of the car and my leg was actually hurting..

Only my opinion though.
Click to expand...

On the A45 AMG have they solved the damping issue that's present on the standard versions of the car? Every imperfection in the road surface went jarring through my shoulders.
 
They hadn't when I drove it last month, I did feel myself drive over a few dog hairs!
 
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steeve said:
If I were you I'd be checking out an S4, proper Audi S car ask BH.

Worth a look see.
Click to expand...


Yep, totally agree ..........or how about an S5?

Best looking car in Audi's lineup for my money. Definitely on my radar for next time ;)
 
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Simon L said:
Yep, totally agree ..........or how about an S5?

Best looking car in Audi's lineup for my money. Definitely on my radar for next time ;)
Click to expand...


You have superb taste sir :sunglasses:
 
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Some cracking lease deals on the c350 hybrid at the moment with lots of kit standard
 
I went in to VW and Audi to look at both the TT, TTS and the Golf R..... 14 months old, 57k euro new and they all offered me 32k.... that means I am loosing almost 1,800 euro per month :(
 
I know it's only a turn of phrase but when people (usually those who think a car is purely a tool to get from A to B) go on about how much money you have "lost" during the lifetime of owning a car it gets me a bit frustrated. There is a cost associated with being able to enjoy driving a vehicle day in day out and - strangely enough - it tends to generally be higher to do so in a better car. Don't get me wrong i'd like to pay £40k for a car and hand it back 3 years later and get £40k back but that's not how it works. You pay £30/day to rent a Peugot 308.
 
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New and newish cars is a mugs game as far as money is concerned.

In the main, the finance company never loses money ;)

Just like the casino never loses ;)

I ran a 10 year old car and got great enjoyment out of it for £250 per year :D

But if you're prepared to spend your own money on a depreciating asset, and are aware of doing so in return for what you want, then obviously that's your choice !

But no amount of man maths can disguise the true nature of a depreciating car.
 
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audi upgrades
Thanks for all the feedback.
I am fully aware the buying a new car is a mugs game, but when it comes to financing new or nearly new...new is always cheaper due to the finance rates.
If I could afford to get a £25 load then I would certainly my look at slightly older cars as the interest rate is rock bottom from the banks, but With PVP its a different storey.

What I don't like is that all the motoring press bang on about the S3 holding nearly 60% of its value after 3 years and I am at that stage after 1 year..,that's almost Vauxhall depreciation!!

BMW are offering 4.9% APR so actually they are cheaper than Audi who offer around 6-6.5%

I dont see the point in getting an S4 or S5 as they are too dated inside. I had a 2008 A4 diesel 6 years ago and they all look the same from behind the wheel! Been there...done that.

I think the sensible option is to wait anther 18 months ( when my S3 will be worth about 20 quid!) and then see what's out there.

Still want the TTS but put off by its price and the fact that it will have the same engine with the metallic rattle...one of the reasons i fancied a BMW 3ltr 6 cylinder (albeit a diesel)
 
Apologies for all the typo spelling mistakes...****** iPad and predictive text lol
 
Yes, some very attractive rates from the banks at the moment. This would be the way to go if you found something you wanted.

How about a nice C63 AMG ;)
 
Now that would be nice...but my 50 mile round trip commute might prove to be a bit costly!
 
New TTS is brilliant.
If you can do without rear seats.
Most fun Audi I've ever driven and I've driven most.

Far better cornering and seemingly less understeer (which I'd agree with in comparison to the S3 and RS3) than the other Haldex efforts. Steering is spot on as is the seating position.
The freshness of the interior makes the new S3/RS3 look dated.

I'd have one if I didn't need better rear space.
 
TheFiftheElement said:
I've recently ordered an S4, to replace my 12 month old S3. You can't order a B8.5 S4 any more.

I test drove a 330D M-Sport saloon when making my decision, thread here:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/another-aberdeen-s3-sportback-on-the-way.215814/

I've re-read it, and my thoughts are still consistent. I liked the BMW for it's interior feel of luxury, it felt more solid than the S3. Engine was strong and really good for a diesel, but I wasn't sure of the 8 speed auto and you can't disguise it's a diesel in terms of noise and feel.

It's a bit confusing what I have been offered for my S3, as there's been the usual fiddling about with dealer discounts, audi discounts, whether it increased my trade in or dropped the price of my S4 etc. but there first offer I had was @ 27K.

One of the reasons I didn't consider the BMW more seriously was the depreciation/finance. Although they were prepared to drop about 7K off the model I was ordering, the GFV was low and APR not that great either. I could have pushed further but there was distinct lack of effort from the sales guy, so he lost a potential sale.

The 430D will be a lovely car, and it'll be new, and different so, if you're like me, you'll make the man maths work .. when you first get it you'll be pleased, best car ever, I'm keeping this one etc. .. wait 12 months though! Will you be able to change it again if it drops like a stone?

I feel the S3 is a nice car, lacks a bit of sparkle and I'm beginning to think I'll never own another car that powered by a 2.0 four pot turbo. So that would rule out the A/C45 AMG, It'll go like a rocket but sound awful.

I'd consider trying to get a car with more character, RS3 (purely because of the engine), RS5/S5? Boxster/Cayman/Evora?

You do sound very like me, never quite happy with what's on the drive and always looking for the next thing (new or used) ...?
Click to expand...

Nice write up and response, yep think we are one and the same...never happy with what we have, maybe I should have kept hold of my TT TDI, got 15k trade in 13 months ago and would probably still get 12k now for it.
 
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CraigI said:
New TTS is brilliant.
If you can do without rear seats.
Most fun Audi I've ever driven and I've driven most.

Far better cornering and seemingly less understeer (which I'd agree with in comparison to the S3 and RS3) than the other Haldex efforts. Steering is spot on as is the seating position.
The freshness of the interior makes the new S3/RS3 look dated.

I'd have one if I didn't need better rear space.
Click to expand...
What about the engine...will it still have that ****** metallic rustle sound?
 
veeeight said:
New and newish cars is a mugs game as far as money is concerned.

I ran a 10 year old car and got great enjoyment out of it for £250 per year :D

But no amount of man maths can disguise the true nature of a depreciating car.
Click to expand...

If it wasn't for the 'mugs' buying new cars then there would be no second hand cars which means the second hand market would be very expensive. No £250 per year running costs then. The way of the modern world :grimacing:
 
The manual TTS is better value for money than the 230 TT S-Line S-Tronic,l specced them the same the other night,the TTS was £45K,S-Line almost £43k..........way too much for a S-Line.

l think the new C-class is a nice looking car,Focus RS.........should be Awesome,personally l wouldnt touch a BMW with a Barge Poll or the AMG 45. Horrid looking thing.
Keep the car through/past this winter,numb the "ITCH"............"We all get it"...lol see whats out there next spring.

l really like the TTS and really l am a "Closet RS3 Freek".........lol.Want one the same spec/Sepang as my S3

"and it is only a car",in comparison to everything else we have,family,house... and lastly "Er lndoors"...lol........ thats more important than something that sits on 4 wheels
 
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jassyo06 said:
The manual TTS is better value for money than the 230 TT S-Line S-Tronic,l specced them the same the other night,the TTS was £45K,S-Line almost £43k..........way too much for a S-Line.

l think the new C-class is a nice looking car,Focus RS.........should be Awesome,personally l wouldnt touch a BMW with a Barge Poll or the AMG 45. Horrid looking thing.
Keep the car through/past this winter,numb the "ITCH"............"We all get it"...lol see whats out there next spring.

l really like the TTS and really l am a "Closet RS3 Freek".........lol.Want one the same spec/Sepang as my S3

"and it is only a car",in comparison to everything else we have,family,house... and lastly "Er lndoors"...lol........ thats more important than something that sits on 4 wheels
Click to expand...

Yeah, nice touch mate. Agree with most of what you say there, particularly the last paragraph ;)

Focus RS..............errr, maybe not so much!! Lol :)

Having said that my sister drove down from Heathrow in a rental 15 plate Focus a week ago and I've gotta say their interiors are a shitload better than they used to be!!
 
Schuey said:
If it wasn't for the 'mugs' buying new cars then there would be no second hand cars which means the second hand market would be very expensive. No £250 per year running costs then. The way of the modern world :grimacing:
Click to expand...


Indeed. However, someone else stumped up for the massive depreciation loss on that occasion, I wasn't the mug on that occasion ;)

(I am now, on my current PCP!)
 
Just to add my two pence......

I have ran a BMW 320d F30 (current model) for the last two and a half years. I have hated most of my time with it. I have made many a comment on how crap it is on this forum many times too.

At the end of 15,000 miles mine was looking very tired. So much for the great interior quality. The plastics and rubbers are low quality. I had two gear boxes during ownership, endless issues with the Bluetooth and a few other "quality" problems. It wasn't that fast (for 177bhp odd), didn't handle that well and drank diesel. Very disappointing. Audi is streets ahead as a ownership package IMO after owning both brands over the years.

BUT.......regardless of all that - if you have a major accident in a 3 Series I can say hand on heart you will probably live to tell the tale. For that reason and that reason alone I have totally re-evaluated my relationship with the 3 Series and will probably get another one when the face lift is out. Total irrational but it's hard to describe why I feel like this. The picture below explains it maybe.

ce696427b860b84aa7e5133f663cdf8d.jpg


Drive safe peeps....
 
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