new car

[gordon]

Am thinking of getting a new car cause of all this trouble wi my s3 (timing belt).Was think about going for alfa gtv 3.0 coupe or civic type r or even pushing the boat out for a focus rs wat you's think? a third idea would be to get a sound set of 18's and chip the s3. [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[bjacks]

I'm sure an Alfa will be more problematic and expensive to run than an S3, Focus RS is not exactly great in the interior department and is not that special (and bloody expensive), so I guess the best bet would be the Civic - which in itself is a bit of a odd looking car and has an engine that couldn't be more different than the S3's.
Mini Cooper S with the 270BHP conversion would be nice [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Leon type R or R32 would be top of my list if I wanted to replace with something of similar size.

Cheers

Ben

[ChelseaMick]

You don't want to trade off your S3 against a RS Focus! IMHO

Believe me I know...


I admit the RS looks the part but so does the S3.



The RS is very noisy inside the cab when travelling. Too much road noise. It's not as quick as the S3 allthough it has reasonable performance. You get a lot more car for the money in the S3.
Build quality is another issue. Allthough the RS is probably the best all round package Ford have produced in a performance car, it's still not complete. The finishing touches of an Audi are far superior to Fords. Things like climate control, seats, interior panels, stereo, etc....
My S3 is over 4 years old now and over 61,000 miles on the clock and still there are hardly any rattles or squeaks inside the cab. I can't imagine the RS to be like that in a few years time.

That's my 2penneth worth

[Cobstar]

I don't think our S3 is going anywhere 'cos it's a great car and a fantastic all round package. But if you're looking for an alternative then the Seat Leon Cupra R sounds a good one. Have to say that Audi main agents and customer service levels leave a lot to be desired and at the moment there's nothing Audi sell that would persuade us to buy a new Audi from them again.

We bought a Seat Ibiza TDI Sport a couple of months ago and the customer service to date has been excellent. As we told the Garage and SEAT UK - far better than from Audi over selling and servicing the S3 over the last year and for a car worth half what we paid for the S3.

[chris22]

I agree with Mick.
I test drove the RS and was'nt impressed but I think there is a 4x4 focus coming out soon.
But at the end of the day I don't think Ford can compete with the german cars on build quality.
Also my mate has got a Type R and I was'nt impressed with that either.
I was thinking what I could go for next after the S3 and the only car I can come up with is the M3. The prices are starting to come down now.
Bass. [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[gordon]

Mick, loved the photo of the s3 and rs next to each other. My mate keeps going on about the rs on how good it is. Your pretty lucky to own both of them. Just wondering wat wheels are on the s3.

cheers gordo

[ChelseaMick]

Gordo
Got your PM cheers.
The wheels on the S3 are 18" Sportecs which were brought from AMD.
In all fairness the RS does handle pretty well actually but you can't compare that aspect with the S3. Two different cars to drive. The RS is quite a handfull for throwing about compared with the S3. The S3 is relatively easy to push to it's limits where the RS demands more concentration and corrective steering.

If I hadn't have owned the S3 and gone straight to the RS I guess I would have been happy with it, but in all fairness I am comparing a moddified S3 to a standard RS. At the end of the day I'm in the fortunate position of owning both cars but when push comes to shove I know what one is going up for sale 1st [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Any more questions please ask...

[ChelseaMick]

I agree with Mick.
but I think there is a 4x4 focus coming out soon.

Not for another year at least.

But at the end of the day I don't think Ford can compete with the german cars on build quality.

100% aggree [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

I was thinking what I could go for next after the S3 and the only car I can come up with is the M3. The prices are starting to come down now.

That's what I keep thinking. Obvious to me now it's not the RS Focus.
Couldn't see myself in a M3. Nice as they are, they just don't appeal to me. Too many about.
This topic is often dicussed as to what car you can get for the money to replace the S3.... [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
Still never come up with a concrete answer [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[chris22]

How about a boxster?
Bass. [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[chris22]

I have had a good think about it and the S3 is staying.
Personally I would keep your S3 and spend some money on it.
Bass. [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[ChelseaMick]

How about a boxster?
Bass. [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

Nope!
Need 4 seats (comfortable ones [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img])

Gonna keep the S3 until Audi let us know what they're doing regarding the new S3 or RS3....

Mind you 4x4 Focus might be tempting... [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[chris22]

Wise choice my friend
Bass. [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[R88PER]

Mick you must spend all weekend keeping those two clean. Especially this time of year.

Or is it a family affair?

I've got one question for you . Which one would get the space in the garage?

[ChelseaMick]

Mick you must spend all weekend keeping those two clean. Especially this time of year.
Or is it a family affair?

Tell me about it!
When I ask her to clean her RS, I get....Oh I've got so much housework to do, and promtly dissapears [img]images/graemlins/boots.gif[/img]

I've got one question for you . Which one would get the space in the garage?

It would be the RS [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]
My reason being, it's only 5 months old and under 5000 miles and obviously the bodywork is in tip top condition. Where as the S3 is showing the signs of 4 years of motoring now [img]images/graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

[VST]

This topic is often dicussed as to what car you can get for the money to replace the S3....
Still never come up with a concrete answer

Mick,

I had the exact same problem,what to replace the S3 with,liked the power of the M3,but even over here they're pretty common and I'm not particularly keen on RWD as it never stops raining!
So I fitted the MTM big turbo kit..........problem solved [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] M3 power with quattro transmission.

Might be time to give Kim a call? LOL