PaulAr Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Day 2 of S3 ownership and its starting to sink in just how brilliant these cars are. Ive read some of the indifferent reviews in the motoring press, what cars have these people been driving ??? Grab it be the scruff of the neck and its much more of a fun `hooligan` that my previous (and also excellent) MK5 Gti was. Potter around in a docile manner and it still makes you feel like your in a special car. Even made my mate a bit green after he drove it and his daily drive is a 340bhp M3 ragtop. Just need to decide between retro fit DVD Nav and REVO next......or divorce Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Glad you're enjoying it mate. They really are good. Wait till they open up! Any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thought you were referring to the method of Audi ordering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 God no. Once mine passed 10k miles, it really did seem to get quicker still! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAr Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Car only has 4K miles, and it does feel a little `tight`, as if its not quite breathing as it could. Filled with Shell Vmax yesterday so should be adapting nice. Returned 32mpg this morning going to work versus 34mpg I was getting from the REVOd Golf so hopefully might see something similar once its loosened up which would be cool. Will follow with some pics. The biggest pain is figuring out how to get my private plate across from the car Ive sold (which its still on)to the S3. The DVLA dont make this process very easy. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I don't think you'll see 34mpg much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAr Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Thought as much, but 32mpg is pretty good considering. The WRX and EVO boys wont see that in a lifetime. Got 31mpg from London to Newcastle on Monday and the horses werent spared if you know what I mean, although I did do some stints at 50-60mph due to sheer weight of traffic. Three figures was observed on quite a few occasions too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Yes I've set my speed alarm (2) to 90kph as it very easily reaches that from setting off at the lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ92 Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Hi'Paul glad you found an S3. I have been following your search with interest.Who says persistance does'nt pay.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS3 Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Just need to decide between retro fit DVD Nav and REVO next......or divorce [/ QUOTE ] I did both without the divorce!! And my misses loves driving the S3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAr Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Hi'Paul glad you found an S3. I have been following your search with interest.Who says persistance does'nt pay.. [/ QUOTE ] Cheers matey, was a real pain selling the Golf private and then sticking to my guns on what spec/colour combo I wanted from a used S3. But like you said persistance has paid off (so far anyway) and I saved about £3000 versus px/ing the Golf against an AUDI dealer forecourt car., and paying 25K for a car that was nearly 31K when new 5 months ago Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutkins Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Hi Paul, Congrats Nice to hear your thoughts as I'm looking at maybe making the same switch as you. I'd really like the new BMW 135i coupe, due to the rear wheel drive and engine, but I just can't bring myself to go through with it due to the looks - such a shame. The 3 series coupe is nice but I can't afford one of those - so a used S3 is the next option until there are some 3 series bargains around. I love the look of the S3 and think the interior is wonderful, but a bit worried it won't be much of a change from the Golf. So if you wouldn't mind going into a bit more detail of how different they feel I'd appreciate it Everyone says the steering on the S3 is numb compared to the Golf - what do you reckon? Is the handling any different? Or just the same but a bit more grip? I don't suppose you can the back to step out under power? Imagine it will just ultimately scrabble and understeer like a front wheel drive car? Anyone elses opinions welcome of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 I tested a GTI, R32 and the S3 - and I really can't see how someone can say the steering in the S3 is numb. It was better than both VW units. The steering wheel also feels much nicer to hold too. I don't think you can compare the GTI and S3 for interior - they're quite different and I think the S3 is a nicer place to be, but then I'd say that as I bought one! If I had the choice again out of those 3 cars, the S3 would win again for me. The grip on the S3 is much better than the FWD GTI, it holds corners better and you can really plant it into one and fly through it. You can also get the back end out quite nicely if you want to. Just ask AZ! Plant it hard into a corner, then lift off! The ESP version on the S3 allows for much more fun than I could get out of the Golf. Not sure if there's much difference in the coding, but it sure allowed me to play more. It is very much each to their own. The GTI is a cracking car to start with, so it's not going to be oceans apart. I feel you will tell the difference - I'd be surprised if you didn't. Everyone who's driven mine didn't want to hand the keys back. Not a feeling I had with my last car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutkins Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Cheers Sparky Sorry when I said 'not much different' I meant the feeling of the car overall, not the interior. I think the S3 interior is about as good as it gets, very nice place to be indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAr Posted March 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Hi Paul, Congrats Nice to hear your thoughts as I'm looking at maybe making the same switch as you. I'd really like the new BMW 135i coupe, due to the rear wheel drive and engine, but I just can't bring myself to go through with it due to the looks - such a shame. The 3 series coupe is nice but I can't afford one of those - so a used S3 is the next option until there are some 3 series bargains around. I love the look of the S3 and think the interior is wonderful, but a bit worried it won't be much of a change from the Golf. So if you wouldn't mind going into a bit more detail of how different they feel I'd appreciate it Everyone says the steering on the S3 is numb compared to the Golf - what do you reckon? Is the handling any different? Or just the same but a bit more grip? I don't suppose you can the back to step out under power? Imagine it will just ultimately scrabble and understeer like a front wheel drive car? Anyone elses opinions welcome of course [/ QUOTE ] Nutkins, I honestly thought my MK5 Golf was as good as hot hatches get, and although brilliant, IMO the S3 raises the bar again, everything is just that bit better. Apart from the fantastic looks, interior, image, build, materials, current exclusivity, etc, its just so planted. Moving from the Golf to the S3 it almost makes the Golf feel a little bit `floaty` at the front end dare I say, as the 4wd reigns in all that power with amazing competence....no torque steer or wayward front end action in the wet. The main criticism Ive observed so far has been that the S3 is `ruthlessly efficient`, `sterile`, `numb` etc. Utter bollocks if you ask me. Its a very safe powerful useable hatch that doesnt present any drama or tail out action, which is exactly what most enthusiasts want, who have average driving skills and use their cars daily. Motoring hacks spend a of time tearing around B roads and thrashing the nuts of these cars on track to achieve what they think is a reasoned evaluation and seeing how the car behaves `on its limit`. However 99% of S3 owners will never do this in their cars FACT, so whats the relevance if this type of test and their conclusion? Ive had a string of Corrados, Golfs in all guises, VR6, G60s, Turbos and this tops the lot on all levels. Again, Im not a motoring journalist, Im an average bloke who like fast road cars and doesnt want swetty palms every time I open the taps a bit so the S3 is perfect. My only real criticism of the Golf is that it rolled a little more than I like and I would have sacrificed some of the excellent ride comfort for something a bit firmer, and this is where the balance is just right in the S3 for my taste. The S3 is also very tunaeble, 300bhp with a £500 remap if thats your thing (I will probably go this route) which gives options for the future. Ive never even though about a 1 series coupe or hatch for that matter, driving with a paper bag on your head isnt a good look. I guess you would have to drive one to see whether its you thing, the guys on the forum here should be able to give you some detail on the `on limit` characteristics of the S3 chassis but for how often I will ever find it, its not a big issue for me. Good luck. Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Some are seeing 320bhp. Jon saw 310 from his when he had it. It just has ticked all the boxes for me. I tried a lot of cars before settling on the S3. The light-floaty feeling you describe about the GTI Paul is well put. I couldn't think of the word, yet the car feels light when driving gently - it's really quite effortless motoring. As some review once said, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAr Posted March 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Im a total advocate of the hot hatch even as a kid, and now Ive got a small family, it does everything. And, the S3 has to be the holy grail of the hot hatch world, 265bhp, 4wd with epic quality and image, it has no real peers, and that was the case with the Mk1 S3 also IMO (even though I never bought one). Whats the remap of choice for the S3 boys? Ive only ever had experience with REVO which has always been excellent but very pricey. I also found that it didnt hit the mpg as bad as I thoughton the Golf, how does the S3 respond? I could get the 5 hr trial but theres no going back after that, there is no point in the trial unless you have the pennies in your pocket, I ran my Golf for about 20 mins on the trial software before I turned around and went back for the full programme and was releived of nearly £600!! Trying to enjoy the std car for a bit and wouldnt mind the retro fit DVD Nav too. Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutkins Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 I had Revo on my Golf an I'm not a fan - I felt the torque all come on in one big lump and was like an on / off switch. The dyno graphs on their webstie back this up. I think the Superchips / Bluefin graphs look much more like stock but just more of it, and would give them a go next time out. The guys over on AS.net seem to think GAIC is the best for the S3. There's a 'Hammer' map that puts out 330 bhp (on paper and least). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAr Posted March 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 I quite liked the `old school` aggresive power delivery from the REVO map but it was as you say, all or nothing. That said, Im actually enjoying having power beyond 5000rpm again in the S3, something that you didnt have a lot of in a REVOd Golf. I reckon REVO would suited to 4wd better though, as you dont have the wheelspin woes when the the boost comes in a big thump. Great in high gears when you still get that shove in the back. Gave a few EVOs and WRXs something to thing about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Over on AS.net a couple of people are having a problem with the GIAC map. When mine arrives, which should hopefully be next week, Im having the oettinger map on it - http://www.oettinger.com./ - A very tried and tested tuning company with the VW/Audi brands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 The oettinger map promises upto 350bhp, but why does it only say that the 0-62 drops from 5.7 to 5.3 - despite the torque and bhp going up quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 If you look again, thats not just a map, thats turbo, exhaust etc. The one Im having is the lesser one - 305ps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Here you go http://www.oettinger.com/index2_e.htm And not http://www.oettinger.com/index2_e.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Sorry, 5.7 to 5.5 then Just thought it would have shaved off more than that. Still a nicer looking map than REVO though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Sorry that link didnt work properly, but there are two different maps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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