shao_khan Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 Decision making; I test drove Audi S3, Audi A3 2ltfsiQ, VW GOlf GTi, VW G Ed30, VW G R32, Honda Civic Type R, Mini Cooper s, Mini Cooper S GP, Megane R27, Vauxhall VXR vectra. Didnt bother with Seat Cupra as I hate my local dealership and wouldnt even grace them with a visit so I might have missed out. Anyway reasons behind choice. Vectra - Better car than most mags would have you belive, manic to the poitn of scarey but depreciation is similarly scarey and even with my discount I just couldnt stomache this no matter how good the car - VXR Gone. Civic R - Looks, I just hate it, the car drives very well, handles better than outgoign model, but I couldnt live withthe look - CTR gone Megane - I loved the drive and performance, Renault certainly know how to make a fun car to drive, but it felt cheap compared to some, and TBH felt like something expensive was goign to go wrong, I know its not a good basis for a choice, but Megane Gone. VW - GTI and GTI 30 - great cars, handle well, ED30 I find the extra power just makes it that extra fun, almost what it should have been from scratch. Main issue was not a cheap car, but I just cant like the MKv interrior trim, it feels cheap. I did find in damp conditions when pushed the fwd does hamper performance. VW - R32 - heavy lump in the front I felt affected handling and what i thought was fairly soft suspension set up, it didnt feel as focused as my mkiv to me. VW - both discounted because they felt cheaper inside and R32 just didnt have the 'fun' turbo charged engine that the GTi has. Mini COoper S - I love the new turbo engine, for me its a 100% improvement over the old car, I just never liked that supercharged engine (in fact had Lupo GTI and Clio 172 in pref to Mini twice). Handling is excellent, and in general pretty faultless, for me though - just too small and thats reason for exclusion. Mini Cooper S GP - Fixed all the faults i had with the old engine, fantastic drive and feel, needs to be experienced to be believed, top piece of kit. Size and practicality main factor for exclusion. Aud S3 - intial feeling was good quality trim esp compared to civic, megane, vxr and golfs, certainly comparable to Mini. Performance was good and ride is firm, perhaps a little too firm in some situations. Stock equipment isnt too bad - leather, xenon plus, 4wd. For me the Audi felt like a better all round proposition and 12 weeks later we have: http://www.woofdoggy.com/audi_S3.htm Initial reactions are that I made the right choice, suspension as many mags mention is firm, but I brought it to be a sporty car, not a softy cruiser, granted it has been ramaped and has exhaust in the pipeline, but performance has been suprising, last night on the motorway I was following Shark in his mapped MK4 and I was suprised with a nearly new engine that I could match pace even remaining in 6th and changing down enabled rapid progress. The stock sports seats are great for the slightly wider owner, and specced with Bose & phone gives it everything I am likely to need. Full report when Ive been driving it a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 be interesting to see the performance figures of the remapped S3 Chris and not just the 0-60 as the stock S3 is a really good performer. As I said last night, maybe I'd consider one if they appeared in sportback format. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted May 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 I hope to get some dyno figures when the exhaust is done. Once I've ran it in I'll join you at the next pod meet to see how it compares. Having listened to yours last night - I'll swap seats for a trip up the lanes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 After Santa Pod the 310 BHP retune is on the cards for July. What a beast it will be and as you said Santa Pod will be a good proving ground post chip AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I hope to get some dyno figures when the exhaust is done. Once I've ran it in I'll join you at the next pod meet to see how it compares. Having listened to yours last night - I'll swap seats for a trip up the lanes [/ QUOTE ] you're on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] After Santa Pod the 310 BHP retune is on the cards for July. What a beast it will be and as you said Santa Pod will be a good proving ground post chip AZ [/ QUOTE ] right if you're playing that game then I'm having a remap also! Although fat use that will be if i'm spinning the rears with 360bhp! you may want to consider what Chris does to his exhaust too whilst having a remap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] After Santa Pod the 310 BHP retune is on the cards for July. What a beast it will be and as you said Santa Pod will be a good proving ground post chip AZ [/ QUOTE ] right if you're playing that game then I'm having a remap also! Although fat use that will be if i'm spinning the rears with 360bhp! you may want to consider what Chris does to his exhaust too whilst having a remap. [/ QUOTE ] Dont worry I did wait for you once I got a car length ahead I dont think there is much to be gained from the exhaust change to be honest more the re tune but I will watch and learn. Rumour has it that a 350 BHP tune will be available from July AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted May 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 Well I'm also waiting for confirmation that I can have one of these as well: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sufu Posted June 1, 2007 Report Share Posted June 1, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Well I'm also waiting for confirmation that I can have one of these as well: [/ QUOTE ] That's pron! any details? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Rob Posted June 1, 2007 Report Share Posted June 1, 2007 It's the 300bhp 2.0 tfsi out of the TT Clubsport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted June 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 yep and a few folks I have spoken to have suggested its the S3 lump with a differnt map, exhaust and induction kit. I want the induction bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted June 2, 2007 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 After seeing AZ at the proving grounds can certainly say you have made the right choice IMHO over the others. Chip sounds like a very good idea with that car. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted June 2, 2007 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] After Santa Pod the 310 BHP retune is on the cards for July. What a beast it will be and as you said Santa Pod will be a good proving ground post chip AZ [/ QUOTE ] right if you're playing that game then I'm having a remap also! Although fat use that will be if i'm spinning the rears with 360bhp! you may want to consider what Chris does to his exhaust too whilst having a remap. [/ QUOTE ] Si you heard anything from Omen regarding his map? Been holding out for this but its taking time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] After Santa Pod the 310 BHP retune is on the cards for July. What a beast it will be and as you said Santa Pod will be a good proving ground post chip AZ [/ QUOTE ] right if you're playing that game then I'm having a remap also! Although fat use that will be if i'm spinning the rears with 360bhp! you may want to consider what Chris does to his exhaust too whilst having a remap. [/ QUOTE ] Si you heard anything from Omen regarding his map? Been holding out for this but its taking time! [/ QUOTE ] I PM'd him Friday on another forum and am awaiting further info - will be speaking to him during the week as I'm away for a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 just got one of these last week myself and I amazed how smooth the power delivery is. remap soon though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted June 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 If you are near MK on Weds Jon youre welcome for a spin to see what you think of the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 [ QUOTE ] If you are near MK on Weds Jon youre welcome for a spin to see what you think of the difference. [/ QUOTE ] You remapped already mate ? AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 My god a remapped S3 must be an animal - What are the figure like SK, and how is the driving experience. There must be very few cars(not supercars) able to keep pace with a re-mapped S3?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted June 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 DOne over 1000 miles now and its begining to show its capability, will try to do a propper review in a week or so. Remapped performance though is good fun - had a play today, driving around Redditch and a new CTR wanted a play and TBH i thought they'd be quicker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] After Santa Pod the 310 BHP retune is on the cards for July. What a beast it will be and as you said Santa Pod will be a good proving ground post chip AZ [/ QUOTE ] right if you're playing that game then I'm having a remap also! Although fat use that will be if i'm spinning the rears with 360bhp! you may want to consider what Chris does to his exhaust too whilst having a remap. [/ QUOTE ] Si you heard anything from Omen regarding his map? Been holding out for this but its taking time! [/ QUOTE ] I PM'd him Friday on another forum and am awaiting further info - will be speaking to him during the week as I'm away for a few days. [/ QUOTE ] Let me know boss. Id be up for this too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 There was an S3 a few cars ahead of me at some lights yesterday and it did seem to take off quickly. Got me thinking...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 [ QUOTE ] There was an S3 a few cars ahead of me at some lights yesterday and it did seem to take off quickly. Got me thinking...... [/ QUOTE ] No in central London were you? There was a black S3 taking off from lights rather quickly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Nah it was in Guildford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Rob Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Guilty as charged! By the Friary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Nah just onto the A3 on the corkscrew bend, or at least before it. Did you not see the TSN sticker in my window? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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