[Audi A3/S3] My New S3 Experience....

[S3ENVY]

So I managed to nip out of work early on Friday and made my way over to my local Audi Dealership.

Just before arriving I was greeted by the nose of a Phantom Black S3 sticking out from one of the sideroads trying to merge with the traffic in my direction. Naturally I flashed him to pull out and being the stealers car driven by a salesman and me driving my S3, he gave a little smile and stuck his foot down.

Anticipating this, I put mine down at the same time and kept up with him the couple of hundred yards to the car-park.

On first impressions of the car I am hoping to fall in love with and buy......"That 'S3' badge looks happier on the arse of my car than it does on there."

Anyhow, parked up next to the new S3 I struck up conversation with the salesman and had a wander around the car.

On first impressions in the flesh the front-end looks substantially more aggressive than in the photos, it's mean without being offensive.

I do like the side profile however I was a little torn on the ride height, (as long as it handles well then that doesn't really matter though!)

The side skirts are a little cluttered for my liking but do look solid and meaty.

The rear I am not a fan of. There is a seam on the right-hand side of the grey insert which I presume allows a section to be removed for access to the tow loop, at first glance I thought this 56' plate car had taken a knock and split the bumper!

I jumped in and got a feel for the seating position, (dealer had no mats on the floor and there was a box of sticky Krispy Kremes on the seat!)

The interior had the usual well built Audi feel to it, nice layout and the little S3 logo details are a nice touch.

It had the standard seats which I must say I didn't like. Not because they weren't comfy, as they felt great! Just because they are a little wider than the Recaros in my S3 and I'm a slight build so slip around alot, even on perforated leather. Also they didn't have the quality feel that the Recaros do. The 8L seats make you feel special sitting in them, they welcome you into the cockpit and while the new seats are nice they're most definitely not Recaros.

The rest of the layout I can't complain about except that for me, the flat bottom wheel is a must! I hate that corporate steering wheel!!!

Anyway, I booked a testdrive for the following day and was very excited to see how it would drive as afterall, this is where the all reviews say it shines!

On arrival the salesman (a very nice guy called Simon) gave the car a few beans up the ramp to where I was standing and I must say it sounded quite nice and raspy.

"This is going to be great" I thought to myself as he handed me the keys, I jumped in and started her up. I was instantly touched my the 'S3' logo on the Satnav and did smile which Simon picked up on.

I went through the gears stationary to get a feel for the box and they felt awesome! Nice and tight, not too notchy with very little play and very quick short throws. Very similar in style to the RS 4 box.

As I put the handbrake down and lifted the clucth in 1st, I immediately noticed that it was a little bit lighter than that of my 8L, not too light however, well balanced and easy to adapt to.

The steering however....OH MY GOD how power assisted is this!!! Great if your a girl, (I'm a'gonna get burned for that one! ), but I'm not and I almost punched Simon in the crotch because my hand slipped, not expecting it to be so light! Once again however, easy to adapt to and weights down nicely at speed.

Through town it cruised nicely and was a pleasure to drive. Simon and I were having some banter and he laughed as every now and then I would stop talking mid sentence to listen to the engine note. The best way I can describe this....."We're back in the 80's!"

Great raspy note and when coming on boost the turbo whistles just the right amount that makes you want to pin the throttle even more just to release it at 6,000rpm to hear that little "blow-off". It's not chavvy in the slightest and from outside the car you probably wouldn't even hear it, however there is no disputing it's a turbo and the release of pressure is controlled and finely tuned.

More the sound of a Japanese "Wssshhhee" than the chavtastic R5 Turbo style "TTTTSSSSSCCCCCHHHHHH".

The gearbox is a pleasure to use in motion just as it was while stationary. Short precise and a very quality feel. Not at all like the box in my S3 which is okay, but as everyone knows they are way too notchy so you never know if yours is nice and tight or on it's way out!

We made our way onto the dual-carriageway and I started to grin.

I made sure I was at the very front of the queue of traffic waiting for the lights to go green.....I was silent and Simon was silent.....

They turned.

I got it rolling and then booted it preparing myself for my face to be ripped off!!!...

...It wasn't.

It was quick, don't get me wrong, very quick.

I dispute however that it is almost a second quicker to 60 than my S3.

I'd have to say that there would be very little in it and what there would being only due to the longer gears in the 8P.

Anyway, that aside the engine is great. Very torquey and when it's on boost it goes very quickly. There is a little bit of lag and don't let anyone tell you otherwise, it's probably roughly the same as the old S3 so not to intrusive.

The handling I found was spot on, a greater bias towards the rear than the 8L made the car feel equally balanced through bends at speed and was a pleasure to drive.

My S3 can feel a little "twitchy" at times and there was none of this with the 8P, composed and surefooted constantly. If really pushed I am undecided as to whether the front or rear would give first, but there would be a fight for either.

On the way back to the dealers I was trying to decide whether I want one or not and I am still undecided now.

I had a quick chat with Simon and have an appointment with him tomorrow to talk turkey.

My spec comes in at 32K and it is a hell of a lot of money either way you look at it and I'm just not sure if this car warrants it.

With flared arches I would probably take it now, but I just feel a little robbed.

I want to see a little more for my money, I want to see the effort that has been put in, not just with engine developments but with unique panels.

It's the sensible choice of car for me, luxury with good performance, but it just doesn't make me feel special enough though.

When I bought my car a couple of years ago, within seconds I knew I wanted it. It felt quirky like it had a personality and you could bond with it. The seats sucked you in, the dark ambience of the cabin made you feel like you're looked after, I fell in love instantly. I'm not sure if this was because I had come from a Subaru before and it was a big leap in quality or not, I just don't know.

I just don't have that "feeling" with the new one, I may grow to love it but it's not enough for me to spend a small fortune on.

The only reason for me to buy a new car is that mine is getting on a little and if I could I would buy a new 8L in a second, but I can't.

This is the replacement and it is by all means an upgrade. It's just not been upgraded enough for my liking.

These are obviously just my opinions of a 1 hour test-drive and do not let them affect your own by any means.

I'll leave you with this though......

All I've been thinking about since I drove the new S3 is the RS 4 that I sat in at the showroom.

[MattW]

I'm from the Subaru fold and know what you mean about the leap in quality. 32k is a top spec, mine comes in at 29k but then I'm not having the Nav.

[AZURES3]

Believe it or not with the TV option for the Sat/Nav and Bucket seats it comes in at £35K !!

AZ

[S3ENVY]

I asked my dealer what would happen with the TV option when the analogue signal is turned off this year and he didn't know.

I assumed it would be a digital reciever but apparently not so that's a bit of a 'f'-up then isn't it!

[kenny_boon]

the spec i was looking at worked in about £28.5, but then i was picking bare minimum