[nukezero]

I've never been a fan of Audi's. Okay, maybe only in Transporter movie. Audi's are just audi's.

But I gotta say, Audi might have done a great job with this one. They're able to crank out a lot of power out of this 2.0 liter, and amazingly get it to run to 60 in 4.4 seconds. Gas mileage is awesome, and not to mention, it is cheaper msrp than the 340i bmw.

I'm not sure how BMW can compete with this with their current line-up (in terms of price/performance/mpg) but I do like the way the S3 looks. In addition, they have the completely digitized/computerized tachometer/dash.

[mkoesel]

The S3 isn't new for MY2017; it's been there for the taking for years now. Although, there may have been an LCI this year - seems to ring a bell. Edit: This year is indeed the LCI (with some minor enhancements) - thread title updated accordingly.

The thing is, there's an RS3 sedan coming just around the corner, and if they give it the 400hp motor from new TT RS, well, even if the premium over the S3 is $15k, I know which one I would choose.

[F80Dreamer]

Nice little car, I just find the exterior of this Audi (and most Audi sedans) to be extremely boring...

[pikkagtr]

Save $10k and get the golf R
Same car basically

[nukezero]

you're right. Nothing major other than a LCI in 2017 and digitized gauge. My bad. I thought the S3 was special. Now RS3... that could be fun.

[Never_Enough]

Not enough car for the $ IMO. I like the look of the Audi, but they really should make the S cars stand out (Exterior wise) a lot more IMO.

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by nukezero

I've never been a fan of Audi's. Okay, maybe only in Transporter movie. Audi's are just audi's.

But I gotta say, Audi might have done a great job with this one. They're able to crank out a lot of power out of this 2.0 liter, and amazingly get it to run to 60 in 4.4 seconds. Gas mileage is awesome, and not to mention, it is cheaper msrp than the 340i bmw.

I'm not sure how BMW can compete with this with their current line-up (in terms of price/performance/mpg) but I do like the way the S3 looks. In addition, they have the completely digitized/computerized tachometer/dash.

M235i has pretty much the same numbers... and I'm sure the M240i will be even better.

[zer0cool]

Audis are very low key, which is good for those who like that.

Earlier this month I was driving home and saw an Audi on front of me to the right lane, just a few cars ahead, so I couldn't see the entire rare (maybe half of it). Thought it was the new A4 or something, cause I recognize the lamps on many Audis but didn't recognize this one. Then I got close, and it's a S8... It's easier to tell from the front (that it's an 8 instead of a 4)... but from rare and side, especially not immediately right next to the car, hard to tell.

Maybe many S8 owners want that low-keyness.

[fecurtis]

The interior looks like something they just copied directly from a Jetta. Very cheap looking and a constant reminder that you're in a "cheaper" Audi.

People who drive S3's also drive like assholes. One guy with one tried to race me in traffic...yup, in traffic. He'd just floor it to close what little gap there was between him and the car in front of us and slam on his brakes, he kept doing that trying to get me to do the same.

There was another guy in one who tried racing me on a straight stretch of road. That didn't go so well for him.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Looked at this car closely before I bought my M235i. It's Haldex AWD, not true quattro which means it's a FWD car with power to the rear wheels as needed. That gives it FWD handling and driving dynamics. Test drove both the same day and you could definitely feel the difference.

Also, a car in this price range without simple conveniences like memory seats (not available at all) is just stupid. In a true quattro with a little more luxury feel and equipment to the interior and it would be a killer car. In it's current configuration, it's more of a miss. As above, it's a dressed up Golf R and it's awesome as a Golf R, not so much as an Audi S.

[buddalun]

I test drove a 2016 S3 not too long ago.

The 0-60 time is in large part due to a good launch with AWD. The car is not that fast otherwise. A M235i felt much faster to me.

Wife liked the Audi though.

[VRG_135]

Originally Posted by nukezero

I've never been a fan of Audi's. Okay, maybe only in Transporter movie. Audi's are just audi's.

But I gotta say, Audi might have done a great job with this one. They're able to crank out a lot of power out of this 2.0 liter, and amazingly get it to run to 60 in 4.4 seconds. Gas mileage is awesome, and not to mention, it is cheaper msrp than the 340i bmw.

I'm not sure how BMW can compete with this with their current line-up (in terms of price/performance/mpg) but I do like the way the S3 looks. In addition, they have the completely digitized/computerized tachometer/dash.

TopSpeed got a slower time on a lighter (hatchback) vehicle. Seems like it would have similar power/weight ratio compared to my 135. But how much can you upgrade the Audi powertrain?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

As above, it's a dressed up Golf R and it's awesome as a Golf R, not so much as an Audi S.

Agree that the Golf R has a much, much better value story.

But as a hatchback rather than a sedan, the Golf R isn't necessarily a perfect substitute. Now, if there were a Jetta R, that might actually be a pretty nice, cheap go-fast sedan. Well, if there were a proper Jetta built on MQB, that is (like an Octavia). Sadly, the notion that the Jetta is any sort of drivers car has been essentially decimated now.

[FType22]

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer analog gauge clusters like in the e92, feels much more raw that way. I remember watching a Top Gear where the digital speedo couldn't keep up with the acceleration of a Porsche. I'm sure it's improved these days, but analog just says "racecar" to me, even with Lambos having electronic clusters.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by DJP86

I remember watching a Top Gear where the digital speedo couldn't keep up with the acceleration of a Porsche.

Chances of this happening?

[FType22]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Chances of this happening?

Not saying the Audi will do this, just a comment of how a digital speedo isn't perfect. Plus it brings me back to the days of Honda Preludes with a digital dash.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by nukezero

you're right. Nothing major other than a LCI in 2017 and digitized gauge. My bad. I thought the S3 was special. Now RS3... that could be fun.

Actually, it gets a small HP/TQ bump, the 7-speed DSG (which explains the faster 0-60 times), and the Haldex has allegedly been re-tuned for more rear wheel bias. It's a worthy upgrade over the 2016.

Still, not like the RS3 will be.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by buddalun

I test drove a 2016 S3 not too long ago.

The 0-60 time is in large part due to a good launch with AWD. The car is not that fast otherwise. A M235i felt much faster to me.

Wife liked the Audi though.

It is a quick car off the line, even compared to the M235i xDrive, which is considerably heavier. The BMW I6s (especially the B58) will catch it after about 1/4 mile though for sure. An S3 with even a Stage 1 tune is a surprisingly quick car.

Except for the silly round vents, I think the interior is better as well.

[ShocknAwe]

RS3 or nothing.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

Save $10k and get the golf R
Same car basically

More like $5K optioned equally. Personally, I'm too old to be seen in a hatchback, so no thanks. Maybe when I was in my 20s and 30s. ;-)

[orangeglim]

I drove a 2016 S3 last week, before I drove the M235i. It sounds great on city streets but the exhaust didn't quiet down at all on the highway. I couldn't stand the thought of making any sort of highway cruise listening to it drone on and on the entire way. And, Audi/VW as a company is untrustworthy in my mind in light of recent events surrounding their emission testing issues. I wouldn't buy one based on that alone.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

RS3 or nothing.

August 2017...