Newbie to this forum with questions (long)

RedRobin · April 11, 2007

I think the black Monzas look better on this grey car than on any other colour. Especially with the red brake calipers, matching the red grill line. I don't think that black Monzas look good on red .

With the 230 bhp of the Ed30 I expect you'll find it more exciting than a stock R32, though without the V6 music.

OliFH · April 12, 2007

looks mean & nasty! best colour too...

RedRobin · April 12, 2007

.....Agreed .

Black carbonfibre eyelids?

robe · April 12, 2007

that looks fantastic. love the black wheels..

JonnyGTi · April 12, 2007

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Yes, it's an Edition 30 DSG - import, (doesn't bother me that much TBH), and it has a fairly top-end spec.

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Could you elaborate on this please James ?

like....who did you order it through, how much did you pay etc..

Cheers

Jonny

petsy · April 12, 2007

http://www.bramleyweb.co.uk/make/volkswagen.htm

JonnyGTi · April 12, 2007

Cheers petsy !

Phew, what a spec

ekin_88 · April 12, 2007

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Well, after all my questions, and deliberation, thought you'd like to know that I went ahead and paid my deposit on this (hopefully collecting next week):

Yes, it's an Edition 30 DSG - import, (doesn't bother me that much TBH), and it has a fairly top-end spec.

So...the RS4 goes next week (sniff!), but I'm looking forward to sharing my fun and tribulations on this Forum as a new GTi owner.

Briefly considered the R32, but decided to go with my gut instinct, especially since the prospect of an R36 may affect residuals on that.

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions.

James

P.S. Can anyone with black wheels confirm how difficult/easy they are to keep clean??

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Cool, Really Nice looking motor, Jealous

ashleywater · April 12, 2007

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Further to my previous posting, the latest....

I was severely underwhelmed - which really surpised me, as I really wanted to like the car!

I thought the looks were fairly understated (well, except for the fact that the demo car was bright yellow!), to the point of blandness. But then, I was looking for something more stealthy than the RS4. However, what I was not prepared for was the 'cheap and nasty' feel to the (admittedly bog-standard basic spec) car. the plastics, IMHO, actually looked lower-rent than the GTi. And the 'sports' steering wheel, which on the surface looks similar to the one in my RS4, is much thinner, and cheaper feeling. The car started with the (diesely?) clatter that I heard on the Golf, although was then more subdued. There was a raspy exhaust note, but to my mind not a totally pleasant one. I found the power delivery somewhat strange. When the power comes on tap, it's almost like kick-down in an auto. Not very linear at all. And the steering was as dead as any Audi I've driven (except for the RS4). It's certainly a quick car, but feels like a bit of an after-thought. A bit like 'take A3, add lairy engine, add 'sports' accoutrements, add 'racy' wheels, but don't bother to really sort the chassis (too expensive to re-engineer). Yes, I know it's the same chassis as the Golf, bt it just somehow felt less involving....as I say, this is all IMHO, and apologies if I've offended anyone!!

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Jut a couple of comments:

Plastics would seem inferior to an RS4 as I think it is the best "screwed together" quality cabin I have ever sat in, but to view them as "low rent" compared to a GTI is just "utter tosh"

If you can find anyone else with that opinion in the motoring community I would be more than "very surprised"

As for sorting the chasis out, just have a look underneath the front end,and see the all alloy set up to reduce unsprung weight, and the repositioned clutch assembly,repositioned at the rear end of the gearbox to aid weight distribution,throw in some real quality "stoppers" something which the ED30 is really short on, and you have probably one of the quickest all round lunchboxes on the road at the moment as well as being the "stealthiest" ( Discounting Tango & Banana shades)motors about..

I really dont recognise your comments as to the handling abilities either,much better than an R32,yes not quite as much feel & feedback as a gti, but gets the power down everywhere, and is a real point and shoot car, with none of the associated nose end weight of the R32.

There has been a lot of debate over the power delivery on this car,I cant fault it, not as "linear" as a 200 ps gti agreed, but what turbo 4 pot is?

But compared to the better half's ED30 would take the S3 power plant everytime, chuck in the Haldex and no competition for performance.

I am and always will be a Golf enthusiast,unlike you I wanted to dislike the S3, stick with my MKV R32 and wait for the R36 or RSI, but I was so taken with the S3 I went out and bought one.

The power plant seems to improve with mileage, really loosened up now, and is an absolute gem to drive..........

All that being said your choice of GTI colour and black monzas, has to be the best looking combo I have seen, bar the Candy white ED30, which is the only colour that those shite BBS CH wheels actually look half decent with......

I have a Daytona Grey RS4 on order with tech pack due for delivery in June, seriously considering sticking with the S3 as it really just gets better to live with,which I think is the sign of a really good motor, had quite a few in my time that blew me away initially,(EVO & Lotus drivers will know exactly what I mean) but in a short time. were a complete PITA to live with, something that the GTI wont be, just need an LSD or Quattro for some "meaningful" power delivery, so the S3 fits the bill, while being an extremely discreet "shopping trolley" when required.........

All that being said still on the prayer mat every night doing the please just give us a fecking RSI Golf Wolfsburg! FFS!!

JamesW · April 13, 2007

Thanks, all, for the nice comments. Yes, I think it' a nice combo (grey, black wheels) too! Looking forward to getting it soon!

James

JamesW · April 13, 2007

Hi Fagash,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I guess that everyone has their own viewpoints on cars, and in the case of the S3 we obviously differ. My impression of the interior build of the S3 was admittedly based on a very basic-spec car (standard seats, no extras at all). And, I still maintain that it did feel cheap and cheerful, not compared to most other manufacturers' products, but compared to other Audis. When you consider that, like most German manufacturers, the base model in the range (e.g. A4 1.9tdi @ £20k-ish) shares its' interior plastics and quality with the top of the range model (e.g. RS4 @ £55k-ish), there's a big onus on the fit and finish to be first-rate. Since a base model A3 works out at not much less than a base-model A4, there's no reason why the interior should not be as high quality, which i felt it was not. Incidentally, the fit and finish on my RS4 was nowhere near as good as on my 2004 model S4, and it is my impression that some cost-cutting at Audi (as in the whole VW group) may be taking place. Note that I'm still not saying that it's exactly bad, just not as good as it once was, or should be given the price premium.

Regarding the chassis/driving experience, I take your points on board, particularly with regard to the chassis, where I stand corrected. However, I still maintain that it was not an involving drive, and (as Rob E on here can no doubt sympathise with) I am used to turbo power delivery, but just felt the S3 was a little too 'computer-game'-ish in its' driving experience. Very smooth, quick, but little involvement. But, as i said, that's just my humble opinion. Others disagree, and I don't know the rest of the 'motoring community'!!

I think if you drive a loosened-up RS4, you will not want to keep the S3, trust me....! You could have bought mine, and saved a few quid....

Regards,