From RS5 to S3 one week assessment

[Zee Dgerman]

Hey guys,

I've driving my S3 for a week now, so I'm going to share with you my initial thoughts with the car for my first 1000kms.

When I first drove the S3 I was amazed at how solid and quick the car felt. That feeling is still there. It's really amazing how much of a difference comfort vs dynamic is. You feel like having a bit of fun? Stick it in dynamic everything is tight and fast. Now you wanna cruise around? Put in comfort and let the car drive you around.

While I don't think it should be compared to the RS5, I'm actually surprised how great the newer interior looks. They however have cheapened out on a few things. The back doors have the button indentations to lock the doors but they don't work, seems they just put the same handles as the front ones without the electronics. Also there are no electronic folding mirrors, heck I don't even think they fold manually... This car is fully loaded except for the advanced cruise control, so why no electric folding mirrors? I don't get it.

This engine... It's no normally aspirated V8 that's for sure, but is a lot of fun. Do I miss that high revving screaming beast? Yes. Is it for me a big deal? No. This engine is a masterpiece. I never thought I would like driving a 4 pot. The sound is of course half fake but who cares? Still puts a grin on my face every time I push it.

So to conclude I'm very happy with my decision. The RS5 was a garage queen, and it was getting expensive for me to keep two cars. I have the money, I just don't like wasting it. The crash of the RS5 ended up, in many ways, a blessing in disguise. This for me is right now the perfect Daily driver. If I need more space I might in the future upgrade it to a S4 avant, if of course Audi decides to bring it back here in North America.

I'll come back with more thoughts in a few weeks!

Cheerio






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[fhwang]

MY15 S3 has auto folding mirrors.

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[Zee Dgerman]

Must be a Canadian thing then...


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[phillyquattro]

Must be a Canadian thing then...

For MY2015 it was part of the convenience package. For MY2016 they removed that package and made it part of the prestige trim level only.

[markn1689]

You need to set the mirrors to fold in the MMI Car Settings menu under the Central Locking sub menu.

You also need the convenience package.

On paper, an out of the box s3 can go toe to toe with an Rs5.
Id imagine a chipped ECU + TCU s3 could REALLY smoke an rs5.

afterall the rs5 is anywhere from 4,009 to 4,420 lbs. and only pumps out 316 torque.

[Nightmare1708]

You need to set the mirrors to fold in the MMI Car Settings menu under the Central Locking sub menu.

You also need the convenience package.

On paper, an out of the box s3 can go toe to toe with an Rs5.
Id imagine a chipped ECU + TCU s3 could REALLY smoke an rs5.

afterall the rs5 is anywhere from 4,009 to 4,420 lbs. and only pumps out 316 torque.

At high altitude a stock S3 completely annihilates and RS5. Can't beat the sound of the RS5 though...

[Zee Dgerman]

You need to set the mirrors to fold in the MMI Car Settings menu under the Central Locking sub menu.

You also need the convenience package.

On paper, an out of the box s3 can go toe to toe with an Rs5.
Id imagine a chipped ECU + TCU s3 could REALLY smoke an rs5.

afterall the rs5 is anywhere from 4,009 to 4,420 lbs. and only pumps out 316 torque.

I checked, its not available. I also went to the audi canada website and it's not even in the options. I guess they have it set up differently for canada.

[Primolak]

I checked, its not available. I also went to the audi canada website and it's not even in the options. I guess they have it set up differently for canada.

That's a shame. I have it as well.


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[phillyquattro]

I checked, its not available. I also went to the audi canada website and it's not even in the options. I guess they have it set up differently for canada.

I suspect your car is a Premium Plus trim and not Prestige trim. Correct? If so, see my previous comment above for the answer.

[Zee Dgerman]

I suspect your car is a Premium Plus trim and not Prestige trim. Correct? If so, see my previous comment above for the answer.

There is no premium or prestige in canada. There is only progressiv trim (entry level) and technik (almost fully loaded). My car is a Technik model + special options: Black optic, sports seats, advanced handling (19 rims + mag ride), LED lights, and red calipers.
The only option my car doesn't have is the technology package, which is adaptive cruise control and audi pre-sense.

[phillyquattro]

There is no premium or prestige in canada. There is only progressiv trim (entry level) and technik (almost fully loaded). My car is a Technik model + special options: Black optic, sports seats, advanced handling (19 rims + mag ride), LED lights, and red calipers.
The only option my car doesn't have is the technology package, which is adaptive cruise control and audi pre-sense.

Ahh, that makes sense then. "Progressive" and "Technik" are way better names than "Premium Plus" and "Prestige".

[AllroadCorbin]

Does the size bother you? As in the cabin size? The S3 is significantly smaller inside that the A4/A5/Allroad. I loved the way to drove but I worry that the interior size might start to feel very small. Thoughts on that?

[markn1689]

a5 is so long and only has 2 doors. have fun making people duck and squirm to get back there.
a4 is getting too BIG
allroad is an a4.

[Zee Dgerman]

When I test drove the car it wasn't an issue for me. When I took delivery I got slightly anxious about the size, but i forgot all about it within a day. The size is perfect for a sports sedan.

It fits my guitar, a cute girl in the passenger seat, my nephews in the back on occasion and my skis inside. Size is good!

Does the size bother you? As in the cabin size? The S3 is significantly smaller inside that the A4/A5/Allroad. I loved the way to drove but I worry that the interior size might start to feel very small. Thoughts on that?

[AllroadCorbin]

When I test drove the car it wasn't an issue for me. When I took delivery I got slightly anxious about the size, but i forgot all about it within a day. The size is perfect for a sports sedan.

Thats good to know. I went to the dealer Friday with every intention of purchasing the Sepang Blue one in the showroom because of the crazy 5k off the 47k MSRP (before negotiating) they offered me. But when I took it for a spin with the sales rep I got cold feet because of how small it felt compared to my AR. The problem like most of the guys on here is that I get the itch for something new (a new mod or car itself) all the time. So I know if I don't get the S3 I'll end up getting wheels and coilovers for the AR lol. $$$$$

[phillyquattro]

Thats good to know. I went to the dealer Friday with every intention of purchasing the Sepang Blue one in the showroom because of the crazy 5k off the 47k MSRP (before negotiating) they offered me. But when I took it for a spin with the sales rep I got cold feet because of how small it felt compared to my AR. The problem like most of the guys on here is that I get the itch for something new (a new mod or car itself) all the time. So I know if I don't get the S3 I'll end up getting wheels and coilovers for the AR lol. $$$$$

I had the same concerns before purchasing mine as I came from a B8 A4 and the size difference is noticeable in many ways. That being said, I wanted a smaller car than the A4 as I felt it was just too big. The questions I repeatedly asked myself was "how often do I make use of the space available to me in this car (the A4)" and "how often do I have passengers in the rear and how much do I care about their long-term comfort". The answers were "pretty much never" and "rarely and only slightly". After a few times of going to the dealer and walking away with the same fears as you I finally pulled the trigger. It also helped that they finally ended up having models on the lot with Black Optics and Super Sport Seats so I could see those in person. Super happy with the decision.

I certainly can't fit as much stuff in the car as before but honestly that's not a problem for me. The only time I had the A4 filled was when I drove it solo across the country stuffed to the brim with all my stuff. The S3 will still fit a full set of mounted wheels/tires and that's about as big of a cargo load as I'll ever ask of it. Like Zee mentioned, it holds my lovely lady in the passenger seat, a couple friends in the back on occasion, and room enough for everyone's stuff in the trunk. Snowboards and other suitable cargo go on the roof rack without issue.

[sternalot]

Any updated thoughts? On the brink of making the same swap.

[Tripe46]

Any updated thoughts? On the brink of making the same swap.

I made a relatively similar swap. E90 M3 For my S3. My verdict is pretty close to the OP's. The only thing that I truly miss is the sound/power delivery delivery of that N/A V8. I'm sure that you, and the OP can attest to the fact that cars like the RS5/M3 are fantastic, but by the time you're having any real fun, you're either at a racetrack or breaking lots of traffic laws.

The S3 doesn't sound special, but that little 4 pot is good! The car is really fun to drive, the interior is nice (it does however remind me more of a top notch VW interior, more than an Audi interior).

More than anything else the S3 has got tons of "useable" power, which I think is why I am happier with it than I was with the M3. I never used the M3 to even half of its potential, but I still had to foot the expensive service bills, deal with horrible gas mileage, and dump in a $15qt of oil ever 1000 miles.

[RingNut]

All Audis have usable power. Because quattro.