[Audi A3/S3] Have audi got the new s3 all wrong?

[Dave]

Following on from this article Channel 4 review , it doesn't get a particularly great write up, and actually finishes off saying the R32 is better bet.

Are they pushing the boundaries of the 4 pot too hard by makeing 265 bhp? It only comes in manual (why not the superb DSG?) and is hard riding.

It's a real shame, as i had hoped that the new S3 would be a great car in Audi's line up. I think they have missed the mark.

[sitas3]

maybe the new S3 should have been the RS3 instead! Then there'll be a clear distinction between that and the R32.

[Mollox]

In answer to the question...I've been thinking 'probably' for a while. I'll reserve judgement til I've driven one but here's another way of looking at it - what if they have made a car that Tyresmokers don't like but that more people will buy? Not so wrong from Audi's point of view then...

I've been thinking (and occasionally saying it) for a while but I really think Audi have devalued the S brand in the last couple of years. Between the bloody S lines (sorry S line owners ) and the need to make room to accomodate a wider RS range, S models have been left in the wilderness. Consequently, the S range is less differentiated, less unique and less appealing to me.

No offence to B6 S4 owners but that's when I started to worry. Visually its just a B6 on bigger wheels with the right badges. I know its a good car underneath but where's that clenched fist/velvet glove styling?

I'm bound to say this but I think Audi got it so achingly right with my S3 - its got such a balance between stylish looks and wide-legged, muscly stance. Its all down to how you look at it or specific angles. Timeless. New S3? None of the above

I bet it drives better than the initial reviews though

[AZURES3]

I am still looking forward to mine and will love it I am sure. I never avoid films in the cinmea because some bearded tnuc has given it a bad review I base my judegment on my experience. Either way I am going to love my S3 when it arrives.

AZ

[Mollox]

Even if its no good?

[AZURES3]

[ QUOTE ]

Even if its no good?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well the A3 2.0TFSi Quattro Sline I drove was nice and the S3 can only be better than that so game on.

AZ

[DuncS3]

I dont rate that review to much after reading it. I've driven a 3.2 A3 with DSG and I wouldnt tick it on my options box, so no loss there for me - also that review could of been about the old S3, I've only ever read one good review of the S3, that was in a 1 page update on the facelift model in Evo where they said it was the best handling audi of the time, but it never did too well in group tests against other hatches.

I'm really keen to know if it handles well - that will be the key for me - just because the author of that review prefers the 3.2 lump thats his choice. Anyway, I dont know why I care so much as I'm not in the market for a 3 door car anymore and if I was I would get the new TT anyway.

Dunc

[david_d]

I've cancelled my order, they are simply better driving and looking cars to be had for 30k.

In my opinion Audi have been more than a bit lazy with

[banwelll]

I'd be very dubious of these early tests, lets just wait for an early EVO drive. And I happy bought (and still miss my old S3) after reading the earlier mentioned Evo facelift review.

[CarMad]

I think Audi are looking for the profits just a little too much but then what car makers or companies aren't.

IMO Audi and the other luxury brands are slipping back into the over charging ways. People are prepared to pay a premium of an S3 that has got maybe DSG and Quattro, or the flaired arches but this just seems to a way in extracting extra for very little real benefit.

Audi are dropping loads of things off the standard equipment list than they used to, even BMW has far better spec'ed models that Audi does, and thats not a good thing for Audi for me as a buyer when I'm waying up the options when I'm choosing my new motor.

[h5djr]

Audi make cars to make a profit. Thats the whole reason they exist. I'm sure they have done their research and know that they can sell enough of the new S3s to make it a viable version for them to make.

As far as options are concerned, in their home marked in German nearly all Audis are listed with a very basic spec and are priced accordingly and the buyer adds what they want to make it into the car they want to buy. In the UK we do not get that option. Audi UK decide to have all UK cars with lots of optional extras as standard and charge a much higher price. For example, climate control air-conditioning is standard across all but the lowest models in the A3 range but it is an optional extra on all German versions.

[s3ollie]

[ QUOTE ]

I'm bound to say this but I think Audi got it so achingly right with my S3 - its got such a balance between stylish looks and wide-legged, muscly stance. Its all down to how you look at it or specific angles. Timeless. New S3? None of the above

[/ QUOTE ]

Couldnt agree more, i think the new s3 looks plain compaired to the old one. a bit of a backward step from audi if youi ask me. audi have been known for its S and RS models as being sporty and meaner looking versions of the standard models and this IMO has let the side down in the looks department

hope for all that are in the market for a new s3 that the new engine makes up for the bland looks

[CarMad]

I know what happens in their home market, but I'm comparing like for like within the UK market. When doing this there cars are very poorly spec'ed compared with their main rivals.

As for making a profit, as I've aready stated thats why they are in business. But cars like the RS4 / S8 / RS6 are halo models that they sell in very low volumes but help to sell the rest of the range. Thats what the old S3 did for the A3 range, the new one is nothing more than a slightly pumped up S line. They have the ability to create a great car but are being a little to conservative / penny pinching in their approach of the new S3 IMO.

[ashleyadam]

[ QUOTE ]

I know what happens in their home market, but I'm comparing like for like within the UK market. When doing this there cars are very poorly spec'ed compared with their main rivals.

As for making a profit, as I've aready stated thats why they are in business. But cars like the RS4 / S8 / RS6 are halo models that they sell in very low volumes but help to sell the rest of the range. Thats what the old S3 did for the A3 range, the new one is nothing more than a slightly pumped up S line. They have the ability to create a great car but are being a little to conservative / penny pinching in their approach of the new S3 IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

The A3 was a great selling car prior to launch of S3, I'm sure Audi would not spoil a great car.

[h5djr]

S3s don't sell A3s. Most drivers of the A3 buy the A3 for what it is. Only a very small minority of A3 drivers would ever consider an S3. Perhaps more than a minority of people on this forum but we are only a very small minority of Audis overall customer base.

As ashleyadam said - The A3 was a great sellingt car prior to the launch of the S3.

If the A3 is poorly speced in this country what important items are missing. I'm quite happy with the spec on mine and it did not cost a fortune to get it to this spec. Years ago when I first bought VWs and Audis even a radio was extra!

[CarMad]

... People might see a great looking picture of an S3 and wish they had one. But they go and look and realise that they can't afford one but they do want an A3 ... sale done. People on this forum are well versed in every detail of spec, performace pitures and what car they want down to every detail. But many many buyers aren't. Its the halo models that often get them intially intersted first for them to subsequently go and have a look later.

As for the spec.. its the little things. Look at a BMW 3 or 1 series in M Sport or SE spec and Parking sensors, cruise, interior light pack, rain sensing lights and auto wipers and steering wheel controls are all included in the price.

To add them onto an Audi its anything up to £1100 just for the items above alone, that in my view is a major additional cost that can't be ignored. As I say value on an Audi seems to be slipping.

[sitas3]

before I got my first S3 in 2001, I test drove various Golfs and I wanted to test drive an A3 1.8 TQ (as at the time I couldn't stretch to the UK list of 27k for an S3). The dealership only had an S3 so I took that out and what a difference - the S3 felt a world apart (interior/exterior and performance/handling) from the Golfs at the time (V6 4 motion, 1.8T, V5). Now with the R32 and GTI I'm not sure there is such a difference. As Molly points out - worse still with the S-Line variant.

[Paul]

not seen anything to say "wow, got to have that" yet.

Im also not in the market for a new car at the minute, but part of me fancies a V6 again.

R32 comes to mind, id just have get used to those silly clioesque exhaust tails.

Maybe they will bring out the R36 thats been mentioned for years, or is it just another RS3 myth.

[david_d]

[ QUOTE ]

As ashleyadam said - The A3 was a great sellingt car prior to the launch of the S3.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly and that's one of it's biggest problems. How many people quit waiting for the new S3 and bought either a 2.0T or a 3.2 V6 A3? I suspect quite a few because up until january 06 no one knew if there was even going to be another S3. Given there's a 3.2 in the A3 range you can understand why all these people thought a 8P S3 was never going to happen.

I would hazard a guess that alot of the potential customers for the new S3 either have old S3s or new 8Ps already. I know I do, if the S3 was available when I bought my A3 I'd have got one.

Going from an old S3 to the new one doesn't seem so bad but going from an 8P A3 to and new S3 is not so appealing given the extra cost for what looks like the same car.

An S3 should be looking a hell of alot better than a 1.6 S-line, it just doesn't.

[graemep]

I really am trying to hold back on judging the new S3 until I have a test drive, although I am a bit disappointed that it is (ahem) only 265bhp - my current one is at that level.

It took a while for the look of the new A3 to grow on me, and the new S3 is no different.

Having driven an A3 with the 3.2 engine, my thought at the time was that a chipped 2.0T would be a better bet as it wouldn't feel as nose heavy - although I admit I am also a big fan of the rush you get when a turbo kicks in.

For practical reasons, I have moved on and the current S3 has become the second car in the family - too good to part with - so I don't think the mileage the car now does will convince us to swap it in for the new one.

Also £30k in the used market can go a long way.