What to get S3 or 3.2 Quattro Sport

[Subotnik]

Hi Everyone

Only a few more months not before the lease on my RX8 expires and Iam considering an A3 for my next car.My partner used to have a 1.8T and that was a lovely car.

Comparing the specs for the S3 and the 3.2 V6 Quattro sport Iam trying to decide whether the S3 is worth the extra £3000.It's certainly quicker 0-60 5.7s against 6.7 and better fuel consumption too 31mpg ave against 27.0.However Top Gear website seems to think that the 3.2 with manual box is the better drive and the better sounding engine.

Before I get myself down to the dealer & start test driving I would welcome any advice from members.

Which is the best drive?
What real world fuel consumption figures are owners getting?
Any ex RX8 drivers care to compare handling?

Cheers in advance

Phil

[Boydie]

personally S3 for me everytime

depending on what spec you want it will depend on how much its going to cost you

are you into tuning? if so then the s3 would be much easier to tune than the 3.2

340bhp is already available for the new s3!

obviously in standard form the the 3.2 will sound much better but to be honest i would prefer the boost from the turbo, add a nice exhaust to the s3 and it will sound awesome!

in the real world always think lower for mpg - it just depends on your driving style

also the 3.2 will be nose heavy compared to the S3

and once more, the 3.2 will look like your average 8P a3 comapred to the mean stance of the S3!

[Teutonic_Tamer]

The 3.2 VR6 engine uses about 30% more fuel than the 2.0T FSI engine.

The S3 engine is far more tuneable.

The residuals will be much stronger on the S3.

The S3 will handle much better than the A3 3.2 Sport

Top Gear are giving BS, if they think that the 3.2 would handle better than the S3, the VR6 lump weighs much more than the 4pot turbo lump!

OK, the VR6 may sound slightly better - but sound doesn't mean faster, nor more economical, nor better handling. A Milltek on the S3 will soon alter the engine sound!

[Steve Audi]

Hi

3 months ago I bought a late 2005 A3 Quattro 3.2 5 Door with DSG auto set up (bright red).

This car is the absolute nuts (I'm sure the S3 is as well). Here are a couple of things that may be worth knowing.

The rather thirsty engine delivers great performance throughout the power range, no obvious flat spots. Cant help but slide it into sport mode where it wont change gear until it red lines, sounds amazing. At any time the flappy paddles can interject and save you some fuel. The DSG is a bit lazy compromise but I live in London and cant do the traffic jam clutch thing any more.


With the electronic stability wizzadry on, it compensates for all your mistakes but can make the car feel unsure when pushing it around corners. Best to turn it off, the handling is much better without it.

I get 29 mpg around town but as I am addicted to the engine noise that the sports mode provides I normally get 21mpg.

I got this car because I have a 4 year old son and this gives me all the practicallity I need and all the thrills to. Highly recommend it (apart from the fuel consumption).

Looking forward to when they bring an RS3 out.

Best
Steve