Well a bit more since I took delivery of my S3 saloon. I have had several Audis in the past from A4 company diesels through an S3 Sportback (8P) and an RS4 saloon (B7). Each of them were good in their own way the A4s were great on a motorway cruise. The S3 sportback was good for family motoring (it replaced a Subaru Forester Turbo!) it was quick and with decent mpg. The RS4 was too fast and capable (in reality!) and I found myself driving faster than I meant to......too often.
I spent a lot of internet time deciding on my choice of car and as I wanted something to keep for the longer term. My short list came down to 2 cars. The VW Golf R which is so highly praised in the motoring press and the S3 Sportback which I had enjoyed so much before and stupidly changed for the RS4.
I test drove both and felt the Golf R was great but wasn't significantly better as a drivers car than the S3 although I think that the seats which are more grippy and the manual gear box make it feel a bit more driver orientated. I also felt the Golf GTi is a better looking car than the Golf R which looks quite anonymous. Indeed we have a mk5 GTi as our other car and that feels like a better drivers car although being down on power than the Golf R or S3.
In every other respect, looks, comfort, kit (it must have leather and a high quality stereo) the S3 was a winner over the Golf R and when I compared prices there was no difference once each was specced to what I wanted.
The final factor was in choosing the saloon, which initially I had not considered as I wanted practicality and the ability to transport 20 water polo balls, 2 sets of caps, 12 water bottles, first aid kit, snacks, backpack and stuff for passengers. It turned out the saloon was better than the sportback! Also I think the saloon looks
nicer and especially with the black edition pack and in black.
Life with my car has been trouble free unless you count a squeak from the driver seat belt post. It also has a squeak from the dash in cold weather until I've driven a mile or so. Otherwise it is nearly as quick as my RS4 was across a windy Scottish back road in any weather. It is as spacious as a B7 A4 so will carry 4 adults in comfort. It is very easy to drive quickly and smoothly thanks to the 7 speed DSG and the drive control settings. The B&O stereo is excellent (for a car). The fuel consumption is surprisingly good and roughly the same as our GTi on most days and even better on along motorway trip.
I have not modified it in any way unless you count a metal driver foot rest pedal. I considered removing the S3 badges and getting black Audi rings but both my sons told me not to be so stupid! I have also considered a wee stage 1 boost but I will leave it for a while and see if it is needed as it feels like I have enough bhp at present. I did look at an RS3 saloon while at the dealer but I didn't like the look as much as the S3 black edition. It also sounded a bit shouty for me although it was properly fast.
So was it all bliss and delight? Pretty much although another 20 litres of boot space would make it perfect and a heated windscreen for the many many months of winter would be genuinely useful. I think you can get one on the Golf?
Anyhow I am very happy with my S3 saloon thank you!
I spent a lot of internet time deciding on my choice of car and as I wanted something to keep for the longer term. My short list came down to 2 cars. The VW Golf R which is so highly praised in the motoring press and the S3 Sportback which I had enjoyed so much before and stupidly changed for the RS4.
I test drove both and felt the Golf R was great but wasn't significantly better as a drivers car than the S3 although I think that the seats which are more grippy and the manual gear box make it feel a bit more driver orientated. I also felt the Golf GTi is a better looking car than the Golf R which looks quite anonymous. Indeed we have a mk5 GTi as our other car and that feels like a better drivers car although being down on power than the Golf R or S3.
In every other respect, looks, comfort, kit (it must have leather and a high quality stereo) the S3 was a winner over the Golf R and when I compared prices there was no difference once each was specced to what I wanted.
The final factor was in choosing the saloon, which initially I had not considered as I wanted practicality and the ability to transport 20 water polo balls, 2 sets of caps, 12 water bottles, first aid kit, snacks, backpack and stuff for passengers. It turned out the saloon was better than the sportback! Also I think the saloon looks
nicer and especially with the black edition pack and in black.
Life with my car has been trouble free unless you count a squeak from the driver seat belt post. It also has a squeak from the dash in cold weather until I've driven a mile or so. Otherwise it is nearly as quick as my RS4 was across a windy Scottish back road in any weather. It is as spacious as a B7 A4 so will carry 4 adults in comfort. It is very easy to drive quickly and smoothly thanks to the 7 speed DSG and the drive control settings. The B&O stereo is excellent (for a car). The fuel consumption is surprisingly good and roughly the same as our GTi on most days and even better on along motorway trip.
I have not modified it in any way unless you count a metal driver foot rest pedal. I considered removing the S3 badges and getting black Audi rings but both my sons told me not to be so stupid! I have also considered a wee stage 1 boost but I will leave it for a while and see if it is needed as it feels like I have enough bhp at present. I did look at an RS3 saloon while at the dealer but I didn't like the look as much as the S3 black edition. It also sounded a bit shouty for me although it was properly fast.
So was it all bliss and delight? Pretty much although another 20 litres of boot space would make it perfect and a heated windscreen for the many many months of winter would be genuinely useful. I think you can get one on the Golf?
Anyhow I am very happy with my S3 saloon thank you!
S3 is certainly very capable, but an RS!
