[Audi A3/S3] Another Test drive

[praxis]

I test drove the new S3 yesterday on a very wet and windy day, having also tried the BMW 130i, Audi 3.2Q and Golf R32 previously. I have to say that I agree that the S3 from the outside does not look very special but then neither, in my opinion, does the 130i and in fact a laot of the other Audis are fairly understated. In fact one of the major reasons I did not buy the 130i was its design. The R32 has more presence but is a bit glitzy for my taste and I think potentially more of a target for vandals and thieves. All in all I like the subtlety of the S3 but if you want something that overtly demonstrates you have spent £30k then this is not for you. The demonstrator I tried had quite a lot from the options list: sat nav, sun roof, two tone leather and the two piece 20 spoke alloys, which did look quite nice on the car, amongst others (like the much discussed light and rain sensor pack). I was not that keen on the silver mirros but i suppose Audi thought something wa needed to differentiate the S3 from the pack, I persopnally did not like the Dolphin Grey of the demonstrator.

I was intially unimpressed by the standard seats, those in the 130i are much nicer and the seating position in the BMW is lower. I also recall thinking the R32 seats were better, but it may have been a matter of adjustment. I did try the Recaros in the R32 as well and they were difficult to get in and out of (showing my age!), a little too tight a fit and made entry to the rear very difficult. So, I started by thinking the S3 seats were less supportive, however, by adjusting the S3 seats to a lower position and raking them back a little improves them no end and I have to say that electric lumbar support (at least for me) is an essential option. I felt the S3 seats equalled the R32 standard seats but the 130i seats were better than both.

I have read a number of the reviews so far and perhaps I am just used to rather uncivilised cars, but the S3 immediately seemed very civilised. It is quiet, the engine note is noticeable when worked hard (but was never noisy, certainly not as much as the Cooper S and I recall the 130i being quite noisy too) but I was not aware of any turbo whistle or dump valve whoosh, although because it was raining heavily I did have the windows up. The clutch is very light and although some have said it bites hard and severely, I found it much gentler than on our Cooper S and easy to get used to. The short throw gearchange is a delight, very light and very positive.

I was left feeling somewhat ambivalent about the steering. At low speeds it is almost ridiculously light. At higher speed the feel improves. I am used to and prefer a lot of steering feedback and the S3 is lacking in this department. But the steering was always very accurate, the car doing what you wanted it to do, and very precise. I think it would just take some getting used to. It is certainly much better than some other modern cars and the lighter front end makes for crisper steering than the R32 especially and much much better than the A3 3.2Q which I thought was vague and imprecise in comparison. The 130i felt like a bit of a go cart and was fun but hard on the backside, not helped by the run flat tyres. The Cooper s which i drive regularly also has more of the go cart feel.....the S3 is not at all like this.

The ride was firm but very comfortable. the BMW was by far the worst for this, very harsh and bumpy, the R32 being quite civilised and, at least to me, the 3.2Q was more "pipe and slippers". The S3 by comparison felt very taut but very comfortable. I agree that on some backroads it had a tendency to "bounce". but this was quite softly and was quickly damped and without any of the harshness of the BMW. The S3 gave the impression of being relaxing and easy to drive, but it also had the performance to satisfy the more driver oriented user when required. The brakes were very progressive and powerful with none of the "grab" I found in the 3.2Q.

Despite a lot of water on the roads the car felt very planted and stable and hard acceleration out of bends and some fairly vigorous braking into them did not disturb it in the slightest. I was unaware if the Haldex was redistributing drive or not....it was all very smooth and I suppose quite uneventful, which may be what people mean by uninvolving. Notwithstanding that the car got on with the job and where conditions permitted enabled very rapid progress to be made.

The interior is a delight. Apart from the 3.2Q, which is very similar, the other two just cannot compete. The other reason I rejected the 130i was the dismal design of the interior (OK so I know some do like it......but i don't!) and the much cheaper finishes throughout. In fact having convinced myself the 130i was the one to buy I rejected it because it seemed to be of poorer quality than the others and I just could not reconcile myself with the design of it. This may just be perception, but it was my perception. The VW is much better in comparison, but definitely not as good as the Audis. The interiors really are very nice and a special place to be.

So the options again then: BMW 130i: I liked the way the dealer dealt with me and the very light touch they have. I liked the way the car drove. In my opinion it was let down by both the interior and exterior design and the quality (the brake castings were already rusting on a car which had done no more than 1000 miles). The R32: I only got try it with DSG and despite not being an auto fan did quite like it. It was fast, very competent and stood out on the road. The exterior design is OK in my view if a bit showy, the interior is again OK but not exciting. The deakler was an arrogant so and so and I was put off by the promise of a one year wait 9this was about three months ago) and the "would you like to put your name to go on the WAITING LIST for £500?" Waiting list mind, not a deposit to order an actual car. The A3 3.2Q was a nice car but uninvolving and I thought wallowed under tight cornering. It felt heavy and ponderous in comparison although very planted on the road. The S3 is very subtle, very light and very easy to drive. In traffic it is well behaved and I thought relaxing, but push it harder and it really goes. It felt safe and solid but much much lighter and more nimble than the 3.2Q.

Should you try one? If you are in the market for a compact, very competent, fast, premium car then yes. Will you like it? Its not for me to say, if you do you may buy one, if not there are others out there to choose from. I think you would be missing out by not at least giving it a try, especially if you are in the 130i/R32 market.

So, did I buy one. Answer: yes. I gave the dealer a deposit and now have 12 weeks plus or minus to wait. Is it worth it? It depends on what you want. I like the idea of a car that looks quite understated but which has very good performance, it is all about the driving pleasure I will get out of it and not about showing others that I have something that will go faster. I have had more overt cars and I have suffered a number of incidents of vandalism and unwanted attention which I hope the S3 might not attract.

Is it good value? Well, is life in general good value? I think if you try to justify everything this way you would not buy anything. You can probably get equal or better performance much more cheaply but I understand that not too many S3s will be imported into the UK so i think they will be quite spoecial in their own way. I did feel like I was on the rack being gently tortured when going through the options list and Audi do not make it less painful by providing ready made "packs", at least not for the S3. But I work hard and can't, as they say, "take it with me".... so......

So, my spec is Phantom Black metallic, std leather seats, glass sunroof (extravagant I know but the interior did feel more claustrophobic in black with the sun blind shut and I do like my fresh air!), acoustic parking (parking can be difficult in our road), elecrically folding door mirrors (essential in our road!!), flat tyre indicator (I don't have to get out to look), interior light pack, boot mat, front centre armrest, non smoking pack, first aid kit, 3 spoke multifunction flat bottom steering wheel (pure indulgence), electric lumbar support (not getting any younger and needed for good support in the std seats), light and rain sensor pack (it rained a lot during the demo and these worked very well), BOSE, GSM with bluetooth and finally the iPOD console.

I would appreciate any views on the bluetooth GSM, whether to go for the Audi or an aftermarket version. I also specced Tracker but wonder just how difficult these cars are to steal. Is Tracker worth it? I have not yet confirmed GA insurance but is this worth it? Your comments would be much appreciated.

By the way I did get a small discount.....the dealer offered the BOSE for free, so not much but better than nothing!!

[praxis]

Sorry, GA above should read GAP insurance (its been a long day decorating and moving furniture!), seems like a good idea but is it really good value?

[S3Rob]

Thanks for the review Murray. Much more descriptive than my effort.

Good to see another who's ordered Phantom Black. We all know it's THE colour for the new S3.

Nice spec btw and well done on the discount.

[praxis]

Most of the colours IMHO are not that impressive. I would have liked a nice metallic dark grey, the dolphin grey just does not have that depth for me, but that is not available for the S3. I might have been tempted by white but the wife put her foot down and probably rightly so!! The sporint blue was a bit too showy for me and I did consider Moro Blue but it is so dark you may just as well be pure and go for the black.

I see you are in Surrey too....so there will be at least two S3's on the road there.

[spook]

Cracking review, murray, it's almost to the word what I would have written about my test drive last Friday had I been bothered to do so! (I did make a token effort, see my previous thread).

Your spec is spookily identical to the one I will probably choose, with the justification for each option also being the same, right down to the Old Fart thing with the lumbar support!

Concerning the Audi GSM phone prep, I had this in my former A3 3.2 S-Line, and it is well worth the money - it works brilliantly. I can't see how an aftermarket system can better it, particularly if you specced the phone mount in the front centre armrest out of sight. So far as Tracker is concerned, you mentioned that you have had more overt cars - I had an old shape S3 in Ebony Black for 6.5 years without any problems. With this in mind, I suspect that the stealth looks of the new S3 means that the standard security will be all that you need. GAP insurance is a very good idea, in case some idiot drives a truck into you just as you drive your new S3 off the forecourt.....

I'm thinking of ordering soon. How did you talk the dealer into giving a discount? I've had a go already, but the tight so-and-so's aren't biting! Please tell!!!

[praxis]

OK, OK no need to go overboard on the old fart thing!! Its not quite my second childhood yet. Thanks for your advice on the phone prep, I am investigating the bluetooth version which I understand does not nee a cradle, otherwise the armrest type will be the one.

On second thoughts Tracker may not be required. I think GAP is probably a good idea as my current trusty GT4 was run into by what could only be a lorry (or a tank!) whilst parked in our road.....needless to say they left no details, not a write off but a lot of damage and no one saw or heard anything.

I did not need to persuade the dealer to give a discount, I simply asked if there was anything he could do. The chap I dealt with was very pleasant and not at all pushy and I would recommend them. I did go to another Audi dealer earlier this year and found them arrogant, unhelpful and disinterested. Not sure of your location but PM me for details if you wish.

[spook]

[ QUOTE ]

Thanks for your advice on the phone prep, I am investigating the bluetooth version which I understand does not nee a cradle, otherwise the armrest type will be the one.

[/ QUOTE ]The armrest type IS the Bluetooth version.

You get the cradle mount (either in the armrest or on the dash) whether you want it or not, and you can only plug certain phones into it anyway (via an adapter). All the mount does is recharge your phone and link it to the shark-fin antenna on the roof - not essential, as your phone will work from your pocket via the Bluetooth link.

[praxis]

Thanks for the clarification, the phone options can be confusing.

[spook]

murray, PM sent.

[AZURES3]

Excellent colour choice and totally agree about Dolphine Grey. A nice Gunmetal Grey and I would have ordered it. Even the special order colour Daytona Grey is not 100% and its £1500.

Good review.

AZ

[chiller]

Post deleted by chiller.......Like a man in surgical footwear I stand corrected.....

[praxis]

I have read that is the case with all A4 saloons and Avants, including SE, S line and S4 models, but not as far as I know on the S3. As I said not much, but better than nothing which I would have got if I had not asked.

[prt57]

Hi murray, please could you give a bit more info on the difference between the sun blind open and closed. I have specced a sunroof for my S3 but have been having my doubts. I chose it as I was worried the cabin might be a bit gloomy and my existing Golf GTi has got one. In the summer it is nice to roll it back for a bit of open air motoring.

What does the extra boot mat look like as the standard grey one looks that it might stain easily.

Is the flat tyre indicator any good as it is quite a cheap option?

Super review by the way, it is 2 weeks since I drove one and I am itching to get behind the wheel again!

Cheers, prt

[praxis]

I was suprised that the glass sunroof is quite small, especially compared with the Cooper S which has a large panoramic glass roof. I was also suprised that the sunblind is solid and of the same finish as the headlining, so with it slid across the entire headlining is (in this case) black, or presumably grey if you have chosen that option. What sold the sunroof to me was that with the blind closed the cabin was quite gloomy, but bear in mind it was a very gloomy and wet day! In between a couple of showers I did try it with the sunroof opoen and I was quite impressed that the noise (at about 50mph) was not too bad. The Coopers S sunroof is very noisy beyond that speed. The mini has a perforated blind which provides privacy and shielding from bright sun but which does not shut out all the light. The S3 sunroof shuts out all the light with the blind fully closed.

I did not see the boot mat but we do go the dump quite a bit and anything tha offers protection is a good thing, although I could probably have made something.

I also did not see the tyre pressure monitor and probably should have done. I was persuaded because we lost pressure on one of the Mini tyres a few days ago on a busy A3. It was no fun getting out in the wet on the side of a busy road to see which tyre had the problem.

Like you i would like another drive and may go back and see the dealer again to get one. I will ask more about the pressure monitor as i will be reviewing my options again as I have not yet got a confirmed build date.

Incidenatlly in the review i did not mention the turbocharger. I have driven a number of turbo cars before and this one is very civilised. the pwer delivery is very smooth without the savagery of, say, the Lancia Integrale. It does not work as low down the rev range as the Celica GT4. I noticed under hard acceleration that the car took off and there was then an additional surge a second or so later. I have read somewhere that one reviewer thought it was a bit of a hooligan of a car, I would say not. It is very business like: it gets on with it with no fuss and leaves you to concentrate on the road.