S3 saloon review

3.0 V6 24v TFSI - 329 bhp
pmj
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S3 saloon review

Post by pmj » Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:27 pm

I have just read a review on the S3 saloon ( my son is looking to buy one) and they are saying that this is quicker than the S4 by 0.3 seconds to 62 Now this is playing havoc in our house as I am now being ridiculed by my son for having a slow car. Non Bon looks like we might be a two S3 family. :?

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by Ian_C » Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:31 pm

Yeah but Audis 0-60 times have always been hilariously conservative. The S3 to me felt very quick in first and second, but if my life depended on it I'd prefer to be in an S4 than S3!
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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by S4 CKR » Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:04 pm

I would agree with Ian_C.

Had the S3 for half a day's test drive. It was quick, but IMHO the S4 feels stronger. I also found the turbo lag frustrating. The 2 litre sounds bland compared to the V6, and I have a 2009 OEM exhaust!

Add MRC's stage 2 to the S4 = no contest :)

The S3's strong point = better fuel economy when you drive it hard

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by pmj » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:20 pm

Thanks. Just needed a put down for my son. Mind you the car we had on Saturday was certainly we spec'd and I wish the put the flat bottom steering wheel in the S4 a standard like the S3

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by S4 CKR » Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:56 am

I do Iike flat bottom steering wheels. A retro fit on the s4 would cost around £1500 (I think).

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by jaygemson » Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:27 am

On paper he's got a point. The S3 saloon being based on the new MQB platform is significantly lighter and has a similar power output to the S4 as standard. However, the S4 has some tricks up its sleeve.

The Torsen setup is far superior to the Haldex arrangement on the S3, particularly if you have the sports differential, which makes the S4 a livelier steer. Secondly, whilst the 2.0TSi is a fantastic engine, it's close to it's tuning potential now. Stage 2 on the S3 will see you up to 340PS with increased turbo lag, whereas stage 2 on the 3.0TFSi sees you up to 480PS+ with zero lag and a more linear power delivery.

With the correct spec and a remap there's no contest.

:s4addict: :thumb:

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by Nickyboy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 10:43 am

I have owned both S3 and S4 and driven many many B8s (S4, S5, RS 4, RS 5) as an owner and at Milbrook proving ground with and without the diff. I got taken round the track by one of the instructors in an S5 SB without the diff and it was brilliant and made me question the diff at all as he was driving at 8/10 ths (apparently) and it just ate the track up no problem. Granted he knew what was doing but I was really blown away.

Anyway, both stock I prefer the S3 mainly becuase it feels more modern (partly due to the spec of my S3 and partly because the B8 is 7 years old), it is cheaper to buy and run, quicker in a straight line, the B&O has more bass punch due to the sub and is more suitable for my family of 3 (only the boot feels smaller to me).

Sound wise, well I believe both the S3 and S4 have the sound pumped in so it's not even real although both do sound good.

The S3 does run out of puff at higher speeds but if you value your licence this isn't much of a problem to be honest although I'd happily tune it to get more power.

Turbo lag is annoying and the feel of the 3.0T is nicer. In terms of mapped well I cannot comment but I know ABT can tune the S3 to 370bhp so there is tuning potential there.

All things considered the S3, for me, is the better package and bodes well for the RS 3 and also the B9 as these will both move things on again.
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by Nickyboy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:01 am

And the main thing I found and said after driving it was that the S3 was fun to drive.

Video here of it against the M135i which is apparently a great car. His comments sort of echo mine in terms of the fun factor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjo0o-M35GQ
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by HYFR » Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:16 am

If the do an RS 3 saloon with 5pot and a proper widebody and a sensible price, then we have a winner right there.

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by Nickyboy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:37 am

HYFR wrote:If the do an RS 3 saloon with 5pot and a proper widebody and a sensible price, then we have a winner right there.
This is what I'm hoping for. It will really be a complete package IMO. Whilst I love the S3 I really crave another RS and this could tick all the boxes.
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by doodlebug » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:22 pm

Sensible price? It'll be 50k spec'd.

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by Nickyboy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:48 pm

doodlebug wrote:Sensible price? It'll be 50k spec'd.
Probably, I'm hoping for 45k though. 40k plus 5k of options. Maybe . . . . .
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by doodlebug » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:52 pm

45 might get you a billy basic car.

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by Nickyboy » Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:31 pm

doodlebug wrote:45 might get you a billy basic car.
Although unlikely it would be nice if they could give them away like they did the RS 4. Perhaps I should have got one of them with the big discounts. They did the same huge discounts on the C63 as well.

I think the last RS 3 didn't really have discounts. The one I looked at which was a cancelled order they wanted £740 pcm and 5k in or something stupid. Wasn't even that well specced.
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

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Re: S3 saloon review

Post by doodlebug » Tue Apr 08, 2014 3:23 pm

Yep, not many discounts to be had last time.

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