S4 or S3 ???

[AdamS4]

What are the pro's and con's of the 2 ??

S3's seem to more readerly available which is why i'm asking.

[GrahamS4]

One's a nippy hatchback and the other is a fast saloon

The S3 has to be a bit lighter and will map to the BHP the S4 starts at. With a lot less torque.

Put it the is way. I think the S3 is a good car. However you may have seen our spotted section? I don't even bother with entering S3 spotted posts, I'd never remember them all to get back to the PC and post them.

[s4yogi]

I went through this when buying mine and the S3 is a great car but not that different to a golf or seat curpra R except 4 wheel drive, So went for the S4 alot rarer and much better engine and power. Plus i like the saloon shape better that hatches.

just my 2p worth

[ajsl]

The S4 is also more stealthy

[JDB]

The S4 is much more exclusive and faster with a better engine and two turbos. The scope for tuning also allows over 300 BHP with a relatively cheap remap (from MRC I would advise)

[mattsimis]

I went through this when buying mine and the S3 is a great car but not that different to a golf or seat curpra R except 4 wheel drive, So went for the S4 alot rarer and much better engine and power. Plus i like the saloon shape better that hatches.

Agree with the above. S3 is nice and all, but its not really that special or unique in its own right, unless you specifically want a hot hatch.

[nickb834]

I prefer the saloon looks, but equally its a 4 door - so much easier to pass off as a family car to the wife.

It's easier to get into the back, doubt there's that much difference in rear leg room but the boot will be bigger.

Plus it's a V6 so it doesn't sound like all the other 4 pot motors on the market.

Down side is, you'll get less mpg, insurance will be a bit more, but the cars can be cheaper to buy in the first place (had two S4's now for less than 6000, and got a nice noggy one for 5k)

I think personally you'll get more life from an S4 - the engines bottom end is virtually bomb proof, the transmission the same, diff's too - just need to keep an eye on the oil.

I suspect DIY Servicing to be cheaper and easier on the S3, less plugs / coilpacks for a starters - less quantity of oil consumed, less to take off to get at stuff.

depends what you want, trade off performance to save money and get an S3, get an S4 and spend not much more on servicing, fair bit more on petrol.

Ultimately though, my old remapped S4 could take on my mates 996 carrera (3.4 engine) and pull ahead nicely - not massively, but nicely. Bet you can't do that in a remapped S3 as the torque will be nowhere near 500nm.

Does that help you make a choice?

[belgianS4]

Yep been on that road 5 years ago didn't know exactly what to buy.

Wanted to buy a new S3 but it was an awfull big amount of euro's for such a small car.

Did the test drive and was amazed and disappointed - amazed because it handled pretty well for such a small car - disappointed in not having the kick I wanted from a turbo engine.

The S4 was not easy to find after a search here in belgium of 3 or 4 months one came up in a well known belgian magazine made appointment and the car was what I wanted.

Stealthy looks and being a saloon where pro's for me.

Grtz,

Hendrick

[CliveH]

Surprisingly, S3s are currently really holding their values so that a similar mileage and age S3 will be around the same money as an S4, which means you get an awful more for your money with an S4.

[imolas4uk]

s4 allday everyday,will whip an s3 in standard form and a better drive not as stiff,cruise the motorway well get out after 300 miles and you wont feel tired,i love mine !!

[dazzer]

A sense of inevitability about the answers seeing as you posed the question on the S4 forum. I can't see the same question posed on the S3 forum.

I suspect it's because you really want an S4 - you know it makes sense

[shineydave]

it'd be rude not to

[p.binks]

I actually purchased an S3 rather than an S4 a few years back as coming from an S2 the S4 was like driving a soft wallowy arm chair where the S3 was small nimble quick and more fun in my opinion,I now drive anRS4 and this is in another dimension,by the way both S4 & S3 were standard,and as per usual once uprated the S3 was much better but never tried a modified S4,but both will reward depending on what your after from your motor.
Just my 2p for what its worth

[ZeroK66]

I went back and forth on this subject for ages before finally settling on wanting a saloon. The S4 is just so much quicker and effortlessly so. Just a simple chip and you have a GREAT sounding beast that is relatively economical, stealthy and respectable. The S3 I think is more economical and costs less to maintain + you dont have the worry of turbos going pop - even if they do its cheap to replace.

if you are a modder & fancy throwing a lot of money at a car then the S4 is the better option. 7-9k on an S3 give you 340HP + lag. £500 on an S4 with just a remap give you that + bags of torque. 3-4k 400HP, 5-6k 450HP and so on and so forth.

BEST thing to do is:

Buy an S4 with K04's already fitted - it will be more reliable + all the expensive work is done

If you want to buy an S4 and mod wtih larger turbos dont muck about, just buy an RS4.