Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Audi S3

[Autos_Editor]

Icy Goodness
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[Benhaze]

The S3 is one of the very few cars with a I4 engine I am considering for a next purchase and I really hope it can meet my expectations.

Talk to me. How are you feeling? Is everything all right”

The above comment saddens me deeply...

No fancy torque-vectoring rear differential like in the six-cylinder S4 sedan

That is a bit disappointing but several track reviews state that the S3 is still faster than the S4!

So the big question (for me) is: will the upcoming M235i X-Drive that will cost $5-8k more than this as equipped S3 be considerably a better car than the S3 and justify its premium?

[JohnnyMac]

I'm very interested in this review as there's a very high chance that my next ride will be a VW Golf R, which is basically the same as this S3 but in hatch form.  I test drove a A3 earlier this year and actually didn't like the interior.  It felt too minimal for my tastes and I much prefer the VW interiors we've sampled this summer.  With the Golf R being cheaper, with hatch back, and manual I think it's the better value.  All the reviews that I've read have indicated that the Golf R is a bit more performance oriented than the S3, which sways more to the comfort side of handling.  In any case it sounds like a very good car indeed and nothing really disappointed me in this review (sure the steering input isn't great but which audi/vw is, and it's more FWD biased so what can you expect).

[Snowman]

Wow...this thing is a rocket. Makes you wonder what Audi will do with the upcoming B9 in 2015/16 to reestablish the gap.

[Weels]

So the big question (for me) is: will the upcoming M235i X-Drive that will cost $5-8k more than this as equipped S3 be considerably a better car than the S3 and justify its premium?

Yes.  Although i'm more interested in the RWD M235
The S3's styling just leaves me cold.  It doesn't inspire the lust other Audi's do.  At this point, sitting here in my office chair & not having seen or driven either car,  i'd be willing to pay the premium for the BMW.

[SKYMTL]

Needs a Sportback version!!! 

[tazcubed]

I kinda like it. As others have said, I'd be curious about the Golf R comparatively as well as other manufacturers. The one thing that I'm not liking are the mid console mounted screens - they all look like an after-thought.

[quadzilla]

Tested here is the top-trim S3 Technik at $47,500 that brings goodies like fat bottom steering wheel, front fog lights, MMI navigation plus, Bang and Olufsen sound, proximity key, seven-inch display, blind spot warning, rear-view camera and front and rear park assist.

Is only the bottom fat?

Really like the looks of the car but the sparse interior (dash) leaves me cold.  I'll continue to wait for the Golf R as I prefer hatches.

[evil_twin]

Agree with others that I'd prefer the looks and hatch of the Golf R.

I like the concept of these small luxury 4-doors (A/S3, CLA) but I question whether I wouldn't just prefer to buy an A4 or C300 within the same budget.

I much prefer the A/S3 to the CLA, but if buying such a small sedan I'd really want to evaluate if I truly needed the 4 doors and not just get a RWD M235i instead.   That turbo 6 in the BMW is much more desirable to me than the turbo 4's in the S3 and CLA45 AMG.   I think it looks much better too.

[SKYMTL]

Needs a Sportback version!!! 

If there was a hatch version I would be forced to buy.

If there was a hatch version I would have waited before buying my Mazda 3 GT and just ponied up the extra money for the Audi.  Now, hatch + TDI would have been a match made in heaven. 

[quadzilla]

Now, hatch + TDI would have been a match made in heaven.

I thought we were getting this version.

[bluelines]

I think we are just getting the e-tron version of the hatch.

Now, hatch + TDI would have been a match made in heaven.

I thought we were getting this version.

[greengs]

Needs a Sportback version!!! 

If there was a hatch version I would be forced to buy.

If there was a hatch version I would have waited before buying my Mazda 3 GT and just ponied up the extra money for the Audi.  Now, hatch + TDI would have been a match made in heaven.

2016 A3 TDI hatch has been announced for USA.  I can't see it not coming to Canada too.

Needs a Sportback version!!! 

If there was a hatch version I would be forced to buy.

Golf R is the hatch version.  The only thing you miss out on is the badges and paying more for servicing vs it being sold as an Audi. 

On another note I think the reason styling leaves some people cold is because the A3 and S3 by association looks very similar to the new refreshed Jetta from many angles.

[doc hot rod]

This is pretty much the exact car I would like to purchase in the spring. I would prefer the engagement that a manual would provide but AWD trumps the transmission choice here in Calgary!

[evil_twin]

This is pretty much the exact car I would like to purchase in the spring. I would prefer the engagement that a manual would provide but AWD trumps the transmission choice here in Calgary!

Whoa!  Just read the part about Audi NOT offering a manual on the S3 in NA.   Definitely would not buy b/c of that.   Small sporty car = stick.   That's ridiculous.

Golf R for the win please.

[doc hot rod]

I am curious whether the Golf R will have variable dampers/magnetic ride control. I test drove the new GTI at a VW event and was pleasantly impressed with the ride but may become tiresome with some longer commutes (not to mention no AWD; but the Golf R would satisfy that).

[Oldsguy]

The interior does look somewhat bleak. I do not care for the dash design in the 3s. And being a "S" model probably means you can only get a black interior, which is another strike against it. Too bad, it seems like an appealing car otherwise.

[aquadorhj]

I am curious whether the Golf R will have variable dampers/magnetic ride control. I test drove the new GTI at a VW event and was pleasantly impressed with the ride but may become tiresome with some longer commutes (not to mention no AWD; but the Golf R would satisfy that).

if you are willing to sacrifice stick for AWD, then there's new Benz GLA ...  45 AMG. 

[micha]

I'm very interested in this review as there's a very high chance that my next ride will be a VW Golf R, which is basically the same as this S3 but in hatch form.  I test drove a A3 earlier this year and actually didn't like the interior.  It felt too minimal for my tastes and I much prefer the VW interiors we've sampled this summer.  With the Golf R being cheaper, with hatch back, and manual I think it's the better value.  All the reviews that I've read have indicated that the Golf R is a bit more performance oriented than the S3, which sways more to the comfort side of handling.  In any case it sounds like a very good car indeed and nothing really disappointed me in this review (sure the steering input isn't great but which audi/vw is, and it's more FWD biased so what can you expect).

Same here.. waiting for the R, which has been delayed to Q3 2015. It's a long wait... but there really is nothing else, if you want a ~300hp AWD MT Hatchback. No 135xi, A45AMG or S3 hatch available, leave alone with MT.

[doc hot rod]

At the price of the CLA 45 I would start leaning towards the S4 (with a stick). I am inclined to want the newer tech that comes in the S3 though; otherwise have to wait for the S4 redesign.