[Audi A3/S3] A3 3.2 Quattro

[Carls]

How good is this car? How does it compare handling wise to an S3? The 3.2 would just take a S3 225 in a straight line due to the increased torque and no turbo lag but Im not sure how it compares overall. Ive heard people saying its a bit of a cruiser. With an S line pack it looks awesome.

What do you think of it?

[Scotty]

It's not a sporty car. The balance, handling, etc are all of a speedy cruiser. Audi have never sold it as a sports model although it is so accomplished many treat it as the new S3.

[StephV6]

I took the 3.2 over the S3 but because it fitted what I wanted (quick yet discreet even with body kit, V6 growl and throttle feel)

The S3 is not a great handling car and nor is the 3.2 (maybe even worth due to weight) but both are really good cars

The 3.2 is quicker than a standard S3 and about the same as a chipped S3

but what you should ask yourself is: do I want FI or NA?

Second question : old or new shape?

[Scotty]

Strange. I found the 3.2 slightly faster than a TT/S3 but definately slower than a chipped one. It's quite hard to compare though due to the massive difference between turbo and n/a power deliveries.

[BeakerBuddy]

It's a lovely car and despite some initial indifference I would now only consider changing it if my budget stretched to a 330ci or M3 (taking model changes out of the equation). Having said that, whilst it is very fast as soon as you start to throw it around the twisties you realise that it's not meant for throwing around the twisties.

[MikeeB]

The 3.2 is my 4th Audi. My first was a 80 Coupe GTi (my first car as well), my second was a ur Quattro (MB Model) and my 3rd was an A4 1.8T Sport, 4th - current 3.2 Sline DSG.

The Coupe was a solid reliable first car, which got me hooked on the brand.

The Quattro was probably the best car I've ever had.

The T Sport was nice, but nothing special

and the 3.2.......

It is trying it's best to knock the Quattro off the top spot, but I don't know if it will ever make it. It lacks that special something that made the Quattro what it was. I also remember the Q giving more feedback and having a more planted feeling on the road - and the exhaust note was to die for

Still, the 3.2 is a blood good car. The DSG box is superb once you get used to it's little querks - or stick it in manual. The look is good, and I'm glad I haven't got one of those new style grills, because I just hate that look to the point of a sales looser !!!!

My last two cars were also turbo charged, so having instant throttle response is a godsend, driving around (even in manual mode) means you can stay in 6th gear for 95% of the time.

The brakes are something else, although they could do with a bit more feedback for my tastes. But don't get me wrong, I'd rather have brakes that work, unlike ones which give you feedback, but fade away to nothing because they are not up to the job (last car was a Scooby btw)

Car is set up just how I like it - nice and hard

Interior is good quality - sline trim in black looks the nads IMO.

Can't really say much else - I'm well happy with the car, I just hanker for an S4 now

[StephV6]

[ QUOTE ]

Strange. I found the 3.2 slightly faster than a TT/S3 but definately slower than a chipped one. It's quite hard to compare though due to the massive difference between turbo and n/a power deliveries.

[/ QUOTE ]

well it feels slower than a chipped S3 but the reality shows it is not. I've had drags (rolling start) with a few chipped S3 and it's about the same as long as the S3 hasn't got more than 265bhp. Over that number and the S3 pulls away but for more than 265 realistic bhp you would need more than a chip I think.

however the 3.2 loses to the chipped S3 in the slow corners. so you can say that on overall a chipped S3 is slighty quicker

anyway like you say NA and FI are difficult to compare when so close together. the NA has more torque at very low and very high revs, whereas the FI has more mid range power when the turbo is spinning.

[Simonl]

The 3.2 is the only car i've grown to love. As opposed to all my others that I have slowly gone off over time.

I chose manual and glad i did. Although DSG sounded amazing, Auto isn't for me and having a manual gives you more of a driving experience IMO.

Handling could and should be better, but build quality, exhaust note and awesome acceleration more than make up for it.

Can't comment on an S3 as i've never driven one. My mates 225 TT is quick and in the real world, probably not much between that and a 3.2.

I've always lusted after an S3 but when it came to parting with my cash, at the time, i couldn't justify 18,000+ notes on old shape A3.

[Carls]

Cheers guys interesting opinions. How hard does the 3.2 hit the wallet petrol wise? Im buying a new car next month. Currently got a A31.8T which Ill find hard to part with but its getting on a bit. The cars im looking at are a approved 225 TT, A3 3.2Q S line or a new A3 2.OTQ S line.

Is the 2.0T with 200BHP just as quick as a 225TT?

How does the 3.2 compare petrol wise to a 225 TT?

Also a higher mileage 330Ci could come into play but think it might be seen as more of a old mans car ;-)

[Simonl]

Coming from a 1.8T-It will hit your wallet, but it depends on how often you drive it and hgow hard you drive it.

I only do about 500-700 miles a month, so i don't feel the pinch.

If i were you i'd take them all out in one day.

BTW... bear in mind that the TT is to be replaced next year.

[StephV6]

I averaged 24.2 mpg in a year with the 3.2

[Simonl]

about the same for me

[fouringer]

DIS is showing 26.4 over 10k miles - mainly on Optimax (which should give better mpg than cooking u/l)

[CarMad]

I have only done 4500 miles in my Sportback some motorway some not. Getting an average of about 32mpg on the DIS.

It feels as quick as a 225 especially lower down the rev range and has a much sharper throttle response, maybe not as good as a 3.2 though.

[Simonl]

[ QUOTE ]

DIS is showing 26.4 over 10k miles - mainly on Optimax (which should give better mpg than cooking u/l)

[/ QUOTE ]

and MUCH better performance IMO

[wes25]

I had exactly the same problem. The TT is a great car and there is a new sport S line version out with 240 bhp as they bring the model to the end. Such a tough decision but I decided to stay away as they are coming to an end, a few years ago, I might have done differently.

Then it was between an S3 and a 3.2 S Line A3. That was a tougher decision, much tougher. I was looking for an S3 with really low mileage and there are some out there. The idea would have been to chip it and put a discreet dump valve( is there such a thing?) on it. What finally swung it for me was the test drive in the 3.2, fully loaded with all the kit. I'm a big fan of V6 engines as its as much about the sound as the performance. The test drive put a huge tick in both boxes and I tried to keep my excitement down so as not to give anything away to the dealer! Haggled when we got back to the dealership and am now picking it up on Saturday.

HOWEVER, at the end of the day, its down to you. Put it this way, its a nice decision to make and you won't be dissapointed with any so its down to personal choice. Good luck, let me know what you went for.

[Simonl]

Nice one mate... have you gone for manual or DSG.

I like you test drove one after driving a 330ci and had a grin from ear to ear. It's wierd that a test drive goes like that, but once i'd climbed out i just had to have one!

It's an awesome car mate, and as it wears in, it just keeps getting quicker. The thing i love about it is the fact that the engine just feels way too big for a car of that size!

It's understated, fast and feckin classy' that's all my boxes ticked. The only downside on mine is the handling. Quattro is awesome, off the lights, you can take even the big boys by surprise. But round bends it's a little wooly, but i suppose an S Line would be better in that respect.

Good luck and nice choice dude, welcome to TSN.

[wes25]

Went for manual in Misano red S line. I agree that the engine is mental for a car that size and thats what i love about it. They've shoehorned the beast into that engine bay and theres no room for anything else. Part of me thinks thats a shame as a supercharger would have been great but I know that the power of that car wil keep me going for a long time. My mate has an S2000 and he can't wait to race me and his car is ridiculously fast so not sure I'll be up there but we'll see.

Obvious question but whats the fuel consumption like on yours?

[Simonl]

You'll have him off the lights, no question.

I think manual is best too, much more of a driving experience.

Fuel consuption is a bit of a sod, i came from a 1.8T which are very good. But on a motorway run you can get 30+ mpg if you behave.

Round town i can't help but boot it everywhere so i do feel the pinch. But you get used to it pretty quick and to be honest it does depend entirely on how you drive it.

One thing i would say though. You wait till you stick Shell Optimax in it. It's like it's been chipped. I was running regular fuel until my Dealer told me to try Optimax (It's the fuel Audi recommend for their performance cars) Regular is like driving around with the handbrake on!

Anyhow after 1 year i'm averaging 24.7mpg... which i can live with.

[Moff S3]

If its wet you will leave an S2000 in your spray, but in the dry it may be different depending on the driver. The S2000 is a hard car to launch and you really need to rev to 5k rpm before launching, get it wrong and it dumps quite badly. I have raced and beat S3's at Santa Pod. On my last visit I got a 14.1 sec which is quite respectable for an S2000.

It would be a drivers race really. Can't remember what the 3.2's 0-60 is but I would have thought that it was low 6 sec and the S2000 is 5.6 sec (Autocar) so feck all in it.

[wes25]

Yeah, not exactly expecting good MPG but 30 on the motorways will be good as i do a lot of motorway mileage for work. On weekends, the 'drive it, like you stole it' will probably come into play. I wanna race an S3 as I was quite close to getting one and can't wait for a Renault Clio 182 as they sound like a challenge. Better not snow on the weekend!