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New S3 Test Drive (LCR Comparison)
- Thread starter Ben CTR
- Start date
yes, i think theres about 4p left on my credit card. The baliffs are coming round at 5pm for the rest
Yes the R32's a very good car, but the interior is some way off the S3. Also for £800 I can get the S3 to 310bhp. How much would it cost to get the R32 from 250bhp to 310bhp with its n/a configuration. At least a map is 'invisible'.
Also, and this is a personal issue, I hate VW dealers. Almost every one I've ever met tries to make you feel like your buying into something very special, and you should be priviledged. I've spent a fair bit of cash with VW over the years and their service got so bad I switched to SEAT. Its a shame when service becomes so affecting that you no longer want their product and have to source an alternative.
Don't get me wrong, if money was no object I would choose an S3 every time, but from a 'bang for your buck' perspective it would not be such a straight forward decision. Mind you the point you make about a remap is very true. A 300+ bhp S3 would be phenomenal.
It's not a decision I'm going to have to make anytime soon seeing as I've practically just bankrupted myself buying an LCR! I look forward to hearing more about your mighty S3 when you take delivery!
I think if you look at the group of cars Warren tested (as previous thread)
M3 CS
S4
etc etc
He tested some cars with a big bang for the bucks, but he has Mrs Warren driving the car in winter to consider hence cars like the M3 CS are maybe not the best choice.....
M3 CS
S4
etc etc
He tested some cars with a big bang for the bucks, but he has Mrs Warren driving the car in winter to consider hence cars like the M3 CS are maybe not the best choice.....
Don't get me wrong, if money was no object I would choose an S3 every time, but from a 'bang for your buck' perspective it would not be such a straight forward decision. Mind you the point you make about a remap is very true. A 300+ bhp S3 would be phenomenal.
It's not a decision I'm going to have to make anytime soon seeing as I've practically just bankrupted myself buying an LCR! I look forward to hearing more about your mighty S3 when you take delivery!
ironically i'll probably be moaning that all the new Leon Cupra's are whipping my @r$e as they have been mapped to the same bhp and don't suffer 4wd transmission loss! I think the new Cupra will be a killer fast car in the dry.
the M3 CS is an astonishing car for the seasoned driver, and the CSL is even better again. However, as per Rudd's comments the missus just wouldn't feel safe in a RWD car with 340+bhp, and the SMG gearbox is so sharp on the M3's. Even though you can adjust them they are still a mix of sharp to extremely sharp. One of our contractors at work has a 54 plate M3 CSL, and its a driving tool. He uses an Alfa 159 during the week and brings out the CSL on high days and holidays or if the weathers good. He says he couldn't live with it every day. The CS is a better balance, but at the time we were looking I found 2 at BM dealers and one was £36k and the other £38k (both low mileage too which suited). The beauty of the S3 is that although it wont appeal to everyone, it suits our needs as we're not driving professionals so the safety net of 4wd with 300bhp is quite appealing. Also it means that on the 219 wet / damp days a year the UK gets I can tiptoe less than I do in the LCR as it can be a bit sketchy in the wet.
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Rickman
Guest
The S3 appears to tick all the right boxes,
Fast, good image?, secure 4wd i just don't think it has got that 'X' factor that warrents paying 30k for somthing thats going to have a lot in common with a number of much cheaper cars in the Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat family.
There again it's a niche model and if you fit the niche you're not going to mind the price.
A prodrive STI might be a better car? - but the Audi will not be purchased for performance alone, people will buy it because it is an Audi. If all you want is a German car, and many people do it might well be the car for you
Fast, good image?, secure 4wd i just don't think it has got that 'X' factor that warrents paying 30k for somthing thats going to have a lot in common with a number of much cheaper cars in the Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat family.
There again it's a niche model and if you fit the niche you're not going to mind the price.
A prodrive STI might be a better car? - but the Audi will not be purchased for performance alone, people will buy it because it is an Audi. If all you want is a German car, and many people do it might well be the car for you
You've hit the nail on the head, its good, but it doesn't really stir your soul for the money.
I must have tested 15+ cars in the £28-£38k bracket and TBH very few had the 'X' factor. The Evo 9 FQ320 did have the X factor in respect of its drive, but behind the wheel it felt woefully cheap. The Merc E and C 55 AMG's (2nd hand obviously) has massive acceleration with the 5.5 Supercharged V8, but no driver engagement. The M3CS was out of budget and about to be superceded. The M3 E90 335Ci is just out of reach again, and I'm not big on its looks. The Cayman S is out of reach. So many of them could tick some BUT not all of the boxes which is pretty disappointing.
It makes parting with the LCR that much harder as its just an amazing car for the money. I'll always hold a soft spot for it, and it proves how well it holds its own with cars £10-15k above its weight.
Rickman
Guest
A very valid point made about the LCR being amazing value for money.
Bought mine in May 03 4000 miles for £15'500 according to parkers i could still get £9'500 for it if i sold it private even though it has got 50K on the clock (in percentage terms i don't think many cars could match this)
A few years ago i bought an Astra Coupe nearly new (list 18.5k) bought it for 13.5 k and only got 7.5k when i swapped it 18months later.
How much are you going to lose on the AUDI when it's nearly 4 years old and has done 50K?
Bought mine in May 03 4000 miles for £15'500 according to parkers i could still get £9'500 for it if i sold it private even though it has got 50K on the clock (in percentage terms i don't think many cars could match this)
A few years ago i bought an Astra Coupe nearly new (list 18.5k) bought it for 13.5 k and only got 7.5k when i swapped it 18months later.
How much are you going to lose on the AUDI when it's nearly 4 years old and has done 50K?
It will go back after 3 years, and Audi have guesstimated that all things being equal (no fuel crisis or huge taxes on performance cars etc...) that it should still be worth something around the very high teens with 36k on the clock.
Personally, if it does I'd be well chuffed, but TBH I'd be suprised.
THere are 53 plate old style S3's still going on AutoTrader for £16995k (here)
TBH I can't afford to buy a car that depreciates like a stone, so residuals were pretty key
I think it's fair to say the S3 will be a much better second hand purchase than it will a new purchase! I don't mind spending money on cars, but I think spending £30k on a hatchback is verging on insanity.
Obviously I've not driven or even seen the S3 in the flesh and I don't doubt it's a good car, but like others have said some of the used cars you can buy for £30k would be vastly more awesome and fun, you can buy Ferrari's for under £30k these days! (yes I know that's not a practical car, but you know what I mean)
It's a bit crazy I think that if I sold both my Elise and my Mondeo ST I still wouldn't have enough money to by a new S3. That is just silly silly silly!
Obviously I've not driven or even seen the S3 in the flesh and I don't doubt it's a good car, but like others have said some of the used cars you can buy for £30k would be vastly more awesome and fun, you can buy Ferrari's for under £30k these days! (yes I know that's not a practical car, but you know what I mean)
It's a bit crazy I think that if I sold both my Elise and my Mondeo ST I still wouldn't have enough money to by a new S3. That is just silly silly silly!
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The only other hatchback I could find at £30k is a Alfa Brera, which although stunningly beautiful is not a good drive. Its so heavy that the car feels lazy. Its much more of a looker in the flesh though.
Insanity....maybe, but remember you can get a basic one for £26,995. Supposedly they have been toying with the idea of an RS3, but it is rumoured that with the 2.5 V6 twin turbo engine they would use it would come in at around £39k. Now that is insanity.
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