S3Rob Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 The printed version of the S3 First Drive came out today in Autocar. They go into greater detail than the internet version. First things first: They gave it 3.5 out of 5. I'm sure those of you who are interested will read the article, but here are some quotes from it. "punching through the gears is now a rapid and exhilarating affair" "S3 is actually quite a raw car" "S3 has noticably more lag at low revs (than a 2.0TFSI)......but then punches forward with real gusto". They also say that the steering is slightly vague but weights up nicely at speed. Brakes are apparently amazing and very resistant to fade. All in all, much more positive than any previous articles. Discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 You beat me to it, I am much more positive now especially as this is Autocar. They say the brakes are better than the RS4 in terms of fade and feel etc !! Unless I read that bit wrong. I cant wait now AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Are the brakes the same as the R32 ones (ie the original RS4 4-pot with 345mm discs)but with an S3 logo on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_d Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Do they have any new pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 S3Rob i take it you have an S3 on order. How you think this was a possitive report is beyond me. Your quotes are odd words from a larger slightly negative review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] S3Rob i take it you have an S3 on order. How you think this was a possitive report is beyond me. Your quotes are odd words from a larger slightly negative review. [/ QUOTE ] I have one on order and can read between the lines but dont see this as a negative review at all. AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 "Where the TFSI engine is the epitome of the modern, well mannered turbo, the S3 has noticeably more lag at low revs" "Audi says it has modelled the sound for enthusiasts, but the reality is lots of course engine noise regardless of throttle position" "On the downside, despite revisions to the power steering system, theres still a light and slightly vague feel around the straight ahead. It weights up nicely at speed, and is always accurate, but the incisiveness of a Golf GTI is missing, and thats a real shame." "Neither does the chassis ultimately entertain as much as the Golf" "theres a feeling that your extra money isn't delivering enough tangible benefit over the regular crop of £20k turbo hatches." For the price the S3 should not be compared to the GTI let alone outshone by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Rob Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] S3Rob i take it you have an S3 on order. How you think this was a possitive report is beyond me. Your quotes are odd words from a larger slightly negative review. [/ QUOTE ] Billy, it was just a quick summarisation of the review. I was also careful to put the negative quotes like slightly vague steering and turbo lag to balance my positive bias towards this car. I don't see how the article was generally negative at all. I think you have read it wrong. On the front cover it says "Much more than a baby RS4". The summary says "an intriguing blend of prestige and performance". I don't see that as negative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Rob Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] "Where the TFSI engine is the epitome of the modern, well mannered turbo, the S3 has noticeably more lag at low revs" "Audi says it has modelled the sound for enthusiasts, but the reality is lots of course engine noise regardless of throttle position" "On the downside, despite revisions to the power steering system, theres still a light and slightly vague feel around the straight ahead. It weights up nicely at speed, and is always accurate, but the incisiveness of a Golf GTI is missing, and thats a real shame." "Neither does the chassis ultimately entertain as much as the Golf" "theres a feeling that your extra money isn't delivering enough tangible benefit over the regular crop of £20k turbo hatches." For the price the S3 should not be compared to the GTI let alone outshone by it. [/ QUOTE ] We'll have posted the whole article by the time this is finished. I see your last sentance was not in quotation marks as this was not said or implied at all. Anyway, I'm buying the car and I'm happy with this review so that's great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I wouldnt worry about the comments on Audi steering been to light, this seems to be the norm with every Audi and its never bothered me Im guessing the increased amount of lag is due to the bigger turbo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Glad you are happy as thats all that matters. I hope the car is great, and you enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I see your last sentance was not in quotation marks as this was not said or implied at all. Anyway, I'm buying the car and I'm happy with this review so that's great. [/ QUOTE ] Me too cant wait now and maybe a December delivery too as the 1st in the queue. AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketRocket Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I'm starting to feel kind of an old dinosaur with my 8L A3 But I still love my baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I was confused when on the front they say "much more than a baby RS4" and then only give it 3.5/5, surely that's contradictory? Anyway, don't care what Autocar say, I'll be taking one out on test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhibbin Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Just read the review and also thought it was overall slightly negative. Two things struck me when reading it: 1) Brakes sound totally sorted ... this is the biggest failing of the GTi IMO 2) Will be interesting to see if it rides well on UK roads. Always a worry with Audi IMO that it will just be too harsh to live with. Will still go for test drive assuming my nice Audi dealer gets one some time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lankyandy Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 havnt audi been doing testing over here and we will get revised settings anyway?i thought that was the case with new releases from now on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 They have been doing some work. But the settings aren't specific to the UK I don't think. Generally if you can make the settings work in the UK then they will work pretty well everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] They have been doing some work. But the settings aren't specific to the UK I don't think. Generally if you can make the settings work in the UK then they will work pretty well everywhere. [/ QUOTE ] Apart from the USA AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lankyandy Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 oh i stand corrected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 *and Beirut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] oh i stand corrected. [/ QUOTE ] AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] They have been doing some work. But the settings aren't specific to the UK I don't think. Generally if you can make the settings work in the UK then they will work pretty well everywhere. [/ QUOTE ] Apart from the USA AZ [/ QUOTE ] They will work in the US but they might change them so the car looks like a 4x4 and wallows in the corners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] They will work in the US but they might change them so the car looks like a 4x4 and wallows in the corners. [/ QUOTE ] Where as in the UK they wallow in the corners but still manage a hard and crashy ride!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] They will work in the US but they might change them so the car looks like a 4x4 and wallows in the corners. [/ QUOTE ] Where as in the UK they wallow in the corners but still manage a hard and crashy ride!!! [/ QUOTE ] AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabster Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I was in Audi today I know the service guy at Birmingham Audi as I had two S3's between 2000 and 2003 he told me the sales guys are generally disapointed with the new S3, they have also not had much interest on pre orders. The old S3 was such a different car to the A3 1.8T this looks like a normal A3 with different badges on it. Gutted so wanted the new S3 to be a world beater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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