Feedback on the loaner S3.
First things first, I have it until tomorrow....but would happily take it back today, as analysis is completed quicker then expected !!!!
Seating Position
I feel like I sit 'in' the A4 and more 'on' the S3. I noticed this jumping in and out of them at various dealers but I was never 100% sure as I always had to sort out the seat position first.
Test Route
I had about a 1 hour drive back over well known roads between here and the dealer. From Eastbourne up Beachy head, Bell toute lighthouse, Burling gap, Alfriston then back to Hastings.
This is a well trodden route of mine and as some of you know bits of it have been used in magazines and top gear features etc....
Ride Quality / Suspension
On the run down the straight to Burling gap the suspension got very out of shape with an astonishing amount of bounce. I was forced to very quickly hit the dynamic button to firm it up and dial out the bounce (It has Magnetic Ride adaption).
I do know that this is a particularly bouncy road as I have used it before for testing the suspension on the Subaru. But I have never experienced bounce such as the S3 produced, quite shocking.
Interior
Yes there are touches of 'more' modern than the A4, if your into the latest craze of
ipads sticking out of the dash. But the touch and feel in the A4 is softer. The round A3/S3 heater vents look like they are made from old milk crates.
Performance
Power delivery was OK but it didn't blow me away (I'm too used to 330BHP in a 1200Kg car, which is the same as 400BHP in a 1400Kg car). It felt like it was trying too hard when compared to the V6 in the S4. It doesn't have the luxury element of the A4/S4 when you change mood/mode. Yes, it does soften up but it's certainly in a lower price bracket/market area.
It suffers the modern issue of having most of the turbo effect mapped out and linear, trying to make it feel like a normally aspirated engine.
Part throttle never gives full boost, despite I expect, the small, super efficient turbo, being quite capable to do so.
I like to have about 80% boost for 40-50% throttle deflection. This gives a much better torque response and makes progress swift without having to drive it's socks off.
The S3 seems to be mapped to give 100% boost only beyond 80% pedal effort (this wasn't measured via VCDS or Torque Pro, just my own interpretation of throttle angle).
Gearbox (S-Tronic)
S-Tronic may be fine for the gentleman who is used to an Auto that wants a bit more flexibility but it's not for the 'Manual' man.
Too many options and too many modes.
In anything other then Dynamic you can cruise along, but when you decide to do something more exiting, which only road conditions can predict, it's either in the wrong gear/out of the torque zone or will have a mad kickdown moment. This kickdown takes longer to engage gears then doing it on the paddles, and sounds like granddad slipping the clutch as it take up drive.
In Dynamic mode in town you have to flick the gearbox back into 'D' instead of the default 'S', otherwise it revs far too high even on light throttle. It's constantly chomping at the bit in what I would call ' just about to pull an overtake mode'.
When you do have that sudden urge to change your driving style you have to consult with the dash options to remind yourself what mode you last set it to, and toggle through to the mode you want. In these situations you haven't' necessarily got the time to start button pressing and staring at screens.
You can perform an immediate override with the paddles but then you are never quite sure how long the override will remain in place. Sometimes it seems to drop back into Auto mode too soon, other times you stare at the dash suddenly realising you are still in manual and need to shift it up yourself.
Driving on the paddles 100% of the time is better, but then you have to ask why have a Auto. The Exhaust farts are a nice touch, but the launch control can be achieved better with a stick and a clutch pedal (yes I tried it).
It's a lot easier to waggle the stick in your left hand, use your left leg and stick it in whatever ever gear suites.
Size
Too small for my current requirements. On paper it didn't look a lot smaller then the A4/A5 but on the drive it looks the same as the Scoob. Checking the numbers again it's only 10cm longer than a Classic Scoob and that's all in the wheelbase. My boys are getting bigger and their holiday clothing requirements no longer fit in a small holdall, so the boot needs to fit 2 large suitcases plus extra's etc.....
Price
RRP is £2000 more then the current offer I have on the A5.
Currently have a 10.8% discount on the table for an S3 and an 18.7% discount for an A5 sport back. I think I know we're I'm heading next and will try and grab one of the last 230ps Manual Quattros before the world runs out of options for a 200-300BHP Manual biassed driver.
Oh !!!! and I will just have to get my weekend power fix from elsewhere
