Audi S3
11-03-2007, 09:44 AM
#21
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well, compared to golf gti , the main benefit for me is the S3 is not front wheel drive and its more powerful, I think these two things are significant differences.
The point of any prunked (!?) up version is usually to be more focussed in one area (usually performance) than the next version down in the lineup.
Whats the point of a supercharged s2k? I mean a regular one is far cheaper and probably more reliable.
I guess it would be more logical to say why not the Golf R32, its got 4wd and very similar power to the S3, but is a few grand cheaper. The reviews Ive read reckon the R32 understeers more and is not as lively, so I reckon it will not be to my taste. But if I like the S3, I'll probably go and test an R32. But if I dont like the S3 I reckon I'll really hate the R32.
But as most people on here would know , bare statistics rarely tell the whole story, theres a whole load of subjectiveness that differentiates two apparently similar cars on paper.
Anyway, I test one out tomorrow, so I'll report back on what I find, I'm not expecting much, so at least I cant be disappointed with it.
The point of any prunked (!?) up version is usually to be more focussed in one area (usually performance) than the next version down in the lineup.
Whats the point of a supercharged s2k? I mean a regular one is far cheaper and probably more reliable.
I guess it would be more logical to say why not the Golf R32, its got 4wd and very similar power to the S3, but is a few grand cheaper. The reviews Ive read reckon the R32 understeers more and is not as lively, so I reckon it will not be to my taste. But if I like the S3, I'll probably go and test an R32. But if I dont like the S3 I reckon I'll really hate the R32.
But as most people on here would know , bare statistics rarely tell the whole story, theres a whole load of subjectiveness that differentiates two apparently similar cars on paper.
Anyway, I test one out tomorrow, so I'll report back on what I find, I'm not expecting much, so at least I cant be disappointed with it.
11-03-2007, 10:19 AM
#22
Exactly; the extra weight & friction dents the performance and the handling of the 4x4s, so the GTi is closer than it would appear.
Add to that the more poshed Audi is usually heavier than the Golf version, exacerbates the disadvantage.
It's why the C2 is a more interesting Porsche to drive than the Carrera4.
With the supercharged S2000, the slight weight disadvantage & its forward placement is more than offset by the output advantage, so its not quite the same thing. And there isn't an overweight Acura version.
I'm sure the S3 is great for storming down rainwashed motorways whithout tiring/straining the driver, but I get the impression that's not what you're after.
Add to that the more poshed Audi is usually heavier than the Golf version, exacerbates the disadvantage.
It's why the C2 is a more interesting Porsche to drive than the Carrera4.
With the supercharged S2000, the slight weight disadvantage & its forward placement is more than offset by the output advantage, so its not quite the same thing. And there isn't an overweight Acura version.
I'm sure the S3 is great for storming down rainwashed motorways whithout tiring/straining the driver, but I get the impression that's not what you're after.
11-04-2007, 01:35 AM
#24
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Regarding the Golf....
No experience of driving one, but whenever I see one being pushed, they appear to have a LOT of understeer
I suppose as Nick says, great for straights, or, as I say, great for urban heroics
But a tad limited for more demanding conditions
This is at odds with some reports, which praise the new Gti (more than the R32)
No experience of driving one, but whenever I see one being pushed, they appear to have a LOT of understeer
I suppose as Nick says, great for straights, or, as I say, great for urban heroics
But a tad limited for more demanding conditions
This is at odds with some reports, which praise the new Gti (more than the R32)
11-04-2007, 03:24 AM
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Just got back from the test drive, overall I'm quite impressed, its a vast improvement on the old one thats for certain.
good bits
-----------
Its accelerates very well, very strong all the way to the red line.
Not much turbo lag, only very slight
Handles well, tends to understeer but the limits are very high, so I dont think you'd see much understeer on the road, track might be a different matter.
Good brakes, better than my s2k.
Nice interior, good quality.
bad bits
----------
Slightly wooly throttle response, not sure if this is because of the turbo or the fly by wire, probably a bit of both. Tends to take a fraction of a second to respond, particularly on lifting off throttle.
Overall, I came out very impressed, this could well be the next car for me.
good bits
-----------
Its accelerates very well, very strong all the way to the red line.
Not much turbo lag, only very slight
Handles well, tends to understeer but the limits are very high, so I dont think you'd see much understeer on the road, track might be a different matter.
Good brakes, better than my s2k.
Nice interior, good quality.
bad bits
----------
Slightly wooly throttle response, not sure if this is because of the turbo or the fly by wire, probably a bit of both. Tends to take a fraction of a second to respond, particularly on lifting off throttle.
Overall, I came out very impressed, this could well be the next car for me.
11-29-2007, 08:38 AM
#26
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Well, the s2000 goes tomorrow to be traded in against a new S3 in silver, a boring colour in my opinion but I couldnt be bothered to wait 12 weeks for a factory order and this one was is stock.
The audi dealer let me borrow the s3 for a few hours on my own last weekend, Its very fast for its power/weight, feels faster than I thought it would, probably because its turbo'd.
handles well enough, very high limits, but if you exceed them you get understeer, which is fairly easily killed by stamping on the throttle, you can feel the haldex diff transferring power to the back. Not as agile as an s2000 though.
The current S3 feels totally different to the old S3, the old was slow, dull, lifeless. New one is quick, pretty exciting, enough feel.
S2000 has been the best car I have ever owned all things considered, and I've had some pretty interesting cars over the years:-
Lotus ELise
TVR Cerbera
Caterham 7
Fiat coupe 20v turbo
and a few not so interesting
The s3 will have a lot to live up, I'll see how it goes.
The audi dealer let me borrow the s3 for a few hours on my own last weekend, Its very fast for its power/weight, feels faster than I thought it would, probably because its turbo'd.
handles well enough, very high limits, but if you exceed them you get understeer, which is fairly easily killed by stamping on the throttle, you can feel the haldex diff transferring power to the back. Not as agile as an s2000 though.
The current S3 feels totally different to the old S3, the old was slow, dull, lifeless. New one is quick, pretty exciting, enough feel.
S2000 has been the best car I have ever owned all things considered, and I've had some pretty interesting cars over the years:-
Lotus ELise
TVR Cerbera
Caterham 7
Fiat coupe 20v turbo
and a few not so interesting
The s3 will have a lot to live up, I'll see how it goes.
11-29-2007, 08:41 AM
#27
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Originally Posted by Johns999,Nov 29 2007, 05:38 PM
handles well enough, very high limits, but if you exceed them you get understeer, which is fairly easily killed by stamping on the throttle
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