An S3 will also spin out 4 wheels at times of poor traction and too much throttle.

The thing to do is go and get a Test Drive in a RS3,

& then see if a used S3 is near enough to what you want for half the money.

Best drive whatever you fancy and decide yourself.

Opinions on vehicles from those that have not driven them is about as much use as the opinions of

those that have driven them.

It is your own opinions and needs that matters really.

george

You know, George, occasionally you say something that I can both a- read, and b- agree with

An S3 will also spin out 4 wheels at times of poor traction and too much throttle.

The thing to do is go and get a Test Drive in a RS3,

& then see if a used S3 is near enough to what you want for half the money.

Best drive whatever you fancy and decide yourself.

Opinions on vehicles from those that have not driven them is about as much use as the opinions of

those that have driven them.

It is your own opinions and needs that matters really.

george

Seen an RS3 gunning it along the expressway in Glasgow OMG the sound was unreal!!

I've had a go with a few S3's in my mapped octy and they weren't pulling away actually the opposite a mapped S3 is a different story.

going to an S3 long term i know that i would love the pace but the space would kill me.

I'd still stick with an Octy.

If you know for sure that they were S3's and you are keeping up with 265bhp, you have a pretty nippy Octy..

Once you are all going so fast, you can only go round corners at much of a muchness in speed when the national speed limit is 60mph.

Were you all going round corners?

I take Atenonolol & Beta Blockers & the RS3 was just too much for me.

Must of been the Base Beat giving me palpitations & not the G Forces at 56mph.

george

Not quite sure where you've got your figures from, Jonno, but the standard S3 is 260bhp and 260 lbs/ft of torque...

Mapped is 320bhp & 320 lbs/ft

Octy would be 250/300 ish with a remap

On a decent reliable RR there is no way a standard KO4 engine with just a remap will produce 320 bhp without changing exhaust, pumps and intakes etc. On just a map the KO4 engine will see typically 285 ish with a good bit more torque.

Edited 21 September, 201213 yr by Micky 32

Great thread guys (thanks for all the input) im thinking the S3 wont be a practical as the VRS but in sportsback form its more than practical enough for a 26 yo with no kids to fit in it. They seem to be in high regard by those who have driven them and most (not all) admit they would own one if they didn't have the Octavia for other reasons (family and boot space etc..)

I'm thinking I should look around for a quality S3 in Blue obviously as its the best color ;-) at the right price and millage and enjoy it when I can.The used price even for low millage ones are coming down and details on new s3 has just been relieved so that should drop prices more :-), anyone have any warranty advice for 3 yo cars?

I have 4 month in the dessert to think about it and will look around when I get back and look at DSG TSI VRS too..

From the performance POV I do find it hard to believe the S3 is heavier than the Octavia though, I'm not disbelieving the stats posts on here but in reality it just felt lighter and more nimble which could be blamed on the Octavia massive boot as cars with an arse often feel heavy.

As with the VRS the S3 doesn't have to be driven hard all the time and I hope I can live with the 30 if I'm lucky mpg!!! Which isn't bad considering the performance. One persons mentioned coking on this engine, how bag an issue was it??

As far as remapping the VRS petrol goes I'm sure they remap beautifully and are similar to standard S3s performance but 250+ BHP through the front wheels only doesn't appeal to me tbh, that's a lot of work for 2 pieces of rubber and I know the diesel is bad enough on our greasy roads.

Great thread guys (thanks for all the input) im thinking the S3 wont be a practical as the VRS but in sportsback form its more than practical enough for a 26 yo with no kids to fit in it. They seem to be in high regard by those who have driven them and most (not all) admit they would own one if they didn't have the Octavia for other reasons (family and boot space etc..)

I'm thinking I should look around for a quality S3 in Blue obviously as its the best color ;-) at the right price and millage and enjoy it when I can.The used price even for low millage ones are coming down and details on new s3 has just been relieved so that should drop prices more :-), anyone have any warranty advice for 3 yo cars?

I have 4 month in the dessert to think about it and will look around when I get back and look at DSG TSI VRS too..

From the performance POV I do find it hard to believe the S3 is heavier than the Octavia though, I'm not disbelieving the stats posts on here but in reality it just felt lighter and more nimble which could be blamed on the Octavia massive boot as cars with an arse often feel heavy.

As with the VRS the S3 doesn't have to be driven hard all the time and I hope I can live with the 30 if I'm lucky mpg!!! Which isn't bad considering the performance. One persons mentioned coking on this engine, how bag an issue was it??

As far as remapping the VRS petrol goes I'm sure they remap beautifully and are similar to standard S3s performance but 250+ BHP through the front wheels only doesn't appeal to me tbh, that's a lot of work for 2 pieces of rubber and I know the diesel is bad enough on our greasy roads.

It's true that a remapped vRS with ~250bhp will struggle for traction but it's still perfectly driveable, you just need to know how to make best use of it. Having said that my next car will be 4wd and have a V6 engine I think.

An S3 is a good choice. The only thing that puts me off is the new one will be out soon so you'd not be driving the current model plus it's 6+ years old now so a bit dated.

People here are quoting Kerb/unladen Weights that they have googled.

**Well you do not drive a car at its Kerb Weight.

& You can not go very far, to work etc Strapped down to a Rolling Road or Dyno.

Go put your own car on a Weigh Bridge with 2 or 3 or 4 of you sitting in it and a full tank of fuel.

*Thats more like the important weight when going talking about how much Power to weight you achieve.

or think of the weight and distribution of weight & the traction you get with 2 bloaters in the back seat of your Front Wheel driver and suspension not set up for a loaded car,

just for yourself having a blast in the corners*

I weigh 110 kg, & if i have 2 100kg passengers, where is 100 kg quoted difference in a Manufacturers figures having an effect.

Take the 2 vehicles to a 'Hill Climb'.

Remove the spare wheel & tool kit and anything else, run half a tank of fuel,

weight them. Thats the type of weight & the BHP that matters.

** If the Power to Weight are both identical & the drivers ability is much the same,

then it might come down to 'traction' which will probably effect handling, then there will be gearing/rev range,

then there will be braking..........

Think of a 10 stone person driving in comparison to a 23 stone person and where is the Importance of a 'Quoted Kerb/unladen weight & 100kg difference goes out the window ?

Damn just had 2 bacon rolls, and the guy in the Octy just had a coffee.

george

Power and torque figures alone are pointless when comparing two cars (arguably peak figures are pointless anyway) hence why power to weight is used to give a better indication. Of course there will be other factors affecting the overall weight of two separate cars but it's a baseline comparison.

Lot of sense spoken on here and in reality on uk roads comparing cars of this performance is intersting but hypothetical at best, by the time you take into account road conditions, how many doughnuts or Georges case bacon roles have been eaten :-), bags or bodies in the boot etc..., traffic and everything else we would all be doing ludicrous speeds anyway, as Jonno and others have said real world driving and personally driving enjoy enjoyment is the important thing and I personallly got more enjoyment and felt safer due to the quattro in the S3.

Interestingly though I looked at A4 3.0 TDI DSG Quattro used prices and there are several high spec low millage dealer approved 3 year old examples appearing for the same price as an S3, never driven one though but 240 bhp, lots of torque and remapable up to 270bhp and god knows how much torque!!!! That would be a very progressive car but a bit boring I'd imagine...

On a decent reliable RR there is no way a standard KO4 engine with just a remap will produce 320 bhp without changing exhaust, pumps and intakes etc. On just a map the KO4 engine will see typically 285 ish with a good bit more torque.

Sorry, are you saying that an Audi S3 with 260bhp from the factory will only gain twenty-five horsepower from a remap?

That would be a very progressive car but a bit boring I'd imagine...

It is, after all, only a diesel.

I cant tell if your being serious or an element of sarcasm Babs :-)

Fully serious! Diesels can be quick, but I'd never describe them as fun!

Fully serious! Diesels can be quick, but I'd never describe them as fun!

I'd rather drive (though not necessarily own) a 1984 green cloverleaf 'sud than a 535d for that reason alone

Interestingly though I looked at A4 3.0 TDI DSG Quattro used prices and there are several high spec low millage dealer approved 3 year old examples appearing for the same price as an S3, never driven one though but 240 bhp, lots of torque and remapable up to 270bhp and god knows how much torque!!!! That would be a very progressive car but a bit boring I'd imagine...

Was the 3.0 tdi not a normal auto?? Didnt think it came with DSG. Even the new ones are 7 speed tiptronic. Doesnt really matter as this engine would be superb with quattro drive. Read about the allroad bi-turbo A6 in autocar and it averaged 40mpg as part of a long term test. Thats incredibly good for a car with 309bhp. It would never feel as nimble as an S3 though.

Was the 3.0 tdi not a normal auto?? Didnt think it came with DSG. Even the new ones are 7 speed tiptronic. Doesnt really matter as this engine would be superb with quattro drive. Read about the allroad bi-turbo A6 in autocar and it averaged 40mpg as part of a long term test. Thats incredibly good for a car with 309bhp. It would never feel as nimble as an S3 though.

The 3.0 tdi in the B8 A4 has a DSG box and seems to be quite a popular choice.

A lad in my office has a '07 3.0 tdi A4 cab quattro - nice car but not a sport car by any stretch of the imagination. Torque is good and its pretty quick off the line, paddles behind the wheels but its a slush box auto. Problem is that when driven properly it will only make low thirties mpg which is no better than my vrs.

The 3.0 tdi in the B8 A4 has a DSG box and seems to be quite a popular choice.

Never new that. Im surprised they got the DSG to handle the torque of the 3.0tdi motor. The new torque converter autos are so efficient now it doesnt really make much difference anyway. Read an iteresting article about the new range rover where its auto only uses the torque converter to pull away from standstill and then locks up almost straight away. Very clever. Giver you the smooth take off and creep of an auto but the fuel economy of DSG. Bet its not cheap though.

Sorry, are you saying that an Audi S3 with 260bhp from the factory will only gain twenty-five horsepower from a remap?

Yep and a good bit more torque.

It's very hard to improve the power of a non turbo engine with a remap as you can't get much more air into them. It's only turbo engines that get significant gains.

The s3 is turboed! its engine is also well know to produce 300+ bhp when re mapped and uprated fuel pump fitted add a exhaust,intercooler and with a altered map 360+bhp

Edited 25 September, 201213 yr by MR G

It's very hard to improve the power of a non turbo engine with a remap as you can't get much more air into them. It's only turbo engines that get significant gains.

Someone beat me too it but yea what car are you talking about?

Audi offered an ecu upgrade to 300bhp when you bought the car. Mate at work was offered this but didnt bother, doh, what a tube. He then traded in the car after 2 months as he reckoned it was hurting his back. Lost 6 grand on it but bought an A4 s-line instead. Bet Audi love him.

S3 will be a good choice, having owned 2 & 4WD Octavias 4Wd is IMO always better, not for traffic light grand prix but for general handling on twistie roads, it gives the average driver & thats us more confidence to throw the car into bends knowing it will go where asked with less drama. In the wet its just safer. Even our Scout with a remap & decent tyres can give a few percieved quicker 2WD cars a run for their money in the twisties. We did a run this year through the Alps & I had to take the Scout, A driver of a fezza 308 & another in a Z4M both commented how hard they were working to keep up in the mountains.

As with all things drive the cars & get a feel for them & decide what best suits you & more importantly dont spend what you cant afford or afford to run.

Its certaily the better drive and imagine it would be great fun on my 150 mile weekend friday afternoon commute. The main question thats worrying me is the MPG - its great buying a car like that but I do 14000 miles a year and pointless if 12 months later its costing too much to run and you cant afford to run it. Audi State 33.6 MPG whish is optemistic, think most are getting 28mpg!, before somone mentions the usual "you shouldnt be buying a car like that if your worried about MPG" I think thats a bit of silly attitude as pump prices aint comming down and unless your very rich most people will ask that question in all henesty. Thats my sensilbe head talking, in reality I'd happly go and buy one now and enjoy it for what it is..