Anyone regret getting an A3 over an S3?

[ahfunaki]

In a perfect world I'd just get an S3 and call it a day, but unfortunately they cost a decent amount more and I'm just wondering if it's really worth it?

I'm a 2013 Jetta TDI owner currently, and if everything goes the way they are saying it's going to go due to this whole "dieselgate" thing I will hopefully be the owner of an Audi A3/S3 here shortly.

And I'm just looking for some input why it would really be worth the extra $5k+ to get a S3 Premium Plus ( Around $35,000 ) over an A3 Prestige ( Around $30,000 ). I'm looking at used of course.

So does anyone out there have an A3 and just wish they would have spent the extra money on an S3? Is there anything that really makes it a night and day difference other than the power of course? And I'm looking at tuning options for the A3 and it looks like the power difference can be made up pretty easily and inexpensively. I know the S3 has better brakes too, but I don't really plan on racing the car so that isn't a huge concern to me right now either.

Also how much lower in price do you think the pre-facelift cars are going to go for when the 2017's come out?

Just looking for opinions from real life owners of these cars and not what YouTube reviews think of them...

I appreciate any insight!

[sub-zero]

I'm in Northeast Ohio and was looking at the S-Line A3's at first because the normal A3 styling looked so plain.. Then I realized I could custom order a near base s3 to keep the cost down similar to an A3 sline and it was a no brainer and worth the extra cash.

A regular A3 non sline with coils and some nice wheels can actually look pretty good. You can save a decent amount of money if you go that route.

If you don't care for the new facelift definitely wait regardless because you will be able to save some money if you buy a 16 off the lot.

[A38V 1.8TFSI]

I think thats something that depends on your personal preferences. If you don't care alot about the performance aspect alot then go with A3. But if you do is always better to start with the sportier platform. Aftermarket support will be always better on the S3.

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[will13k7]

If faster, better looking, better stopping, and better handling are things you value more than money, it's an obvious choice.

[jpy1980]

Can you really get a new s3 for 35k? I haggled the crap out of mine and got 46k not including tax. Although mine is not base.

[VWVW]

You have to ask yourself if you want/need your car to be...

1) faster? If yes, go S3.
2) Looks better? If yes, go S3 or S-line.
3) Handle better? If yes, go S3 or S-line or aftermarket suspension
4) Cheaper to run? If so, go S-line. Based on my insurance rate and the gas consumption difference, the S-line is 300 cheaper to operate per year due to insurance and gas. So, it is often not just the initial cost difference.

[saxon]

You have to ask yourself if you want/need your car to be...

1) faster? If yes, go S3.
2) Looks better? If yes, go S3 or S-line.
3) Handle better? If yes, go S3 or S-line or aftermarket suspension
4) Cheaper to run? If so, go S-line. Based on my insurance rate and the gas consumption difference, the S-line is 300 cheaper to operate per year due to insurance and gas. So, it is often not just the initial cost difference.

$300 a year is not much of a difference, IMO if you buy a new a3 s-line you should have just bought an s3

[FLtrooper]

If faster, better looking, better stopping, and better handling are things you value more than money, it's an obvious choice.

You make a good point if you live your life on a race track.

For more then 5k less, An A3 Quattro with a stage 1 tune will keep up or out run a stock S3 and have a better MPG.

:)

[ahfunaki]

I'm in Northeast Ohio and was looking at the S-Line A3's at first because the normal A3 styling looked so plain.. Then I realized I could custom order a near base s3 to keep the cost down similar to an A3 sline and it was a no brainer and worth the extra cash.

A regular A3 non sline with coils and some nice wheels can actually look pretty good. You can save a decent amount of money if you go that route.

If you don't care for the new facelift definitely wait regardless because you will be able to save some money if you buy a 16 off the lot.

Well I'm looking to buy used, so the facelift isn't going to happen.

So since you were going to get a fully loaded A3 and bought a base S3 is there anything you think you might have missed since you didn't get the all of the options?

I think thats something that depends on your personal preferences. If you don't care alot about the performance aspect alot then go with A3. But if you do is always better to start with the sportier platform. Aftermarket support will be always better on the S3.

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I'd love to have the S3, I'm just torn if it's really worth the extra money.

If faster, better looking, better stopping, and better handling are things you value more than money, it's an obvious choice.

Well a Prestige A3 looks almost the same as a S3 so looks are about the same. I'm just trying to figure out if all of the performance things are worth the difference in price. I know its personal preference, but I'd just like to hear from an A3 owner why they wish they would have gone S3 or if they are happy with the A3.

Can you really get a new s3 for 35k? I haggled the crap out of mine and got 46k not including tax. Although mine is not base.

I wish! I'm talking about used ones. Used S3's start in the mid 30K range...

You have to ask yourself if you want/need your car to be...

1) faster? If yes, go S3.
2) Looks better? If yes, go S3 or S-line.
3) Handle better? If yes, go S3 or S-line or aftermarket suspension
4) Cheaper to run? If so, go S-line. Based on my insurance rate and the gas consumption difference, the S-line is 300 cheaper to operate per year due to insurance and gas. So, it is often not just the initial cost difference.

Awesome point about the insurance, I will immediately look into that.

But couldn't I just buy an A3 Prestige and throw a tune and intake on it for $1000 and basically have something as fast as an S3 with worse stopping power? Haha

Does anyone who responded have an A3?

[ahfunaki]

$300 a year is not much of a difference, IMO if you buy a new a3 s-line you should have just bought an s3

I'm looking at used. So it will either be a A3 Prestige or a S3 Premium Plus. It looks to be about a $5,000 difference in price between the two.

You make a good point if you live your life on a race track.

For more then 5k less, An A3 Quattro with a stage 1 tune will keep up or out run a stock S3 and have a better MPG.

:)

So you have a tuned A3?

[jpy1980]

Do what you love, love what you get. An a3 regardless is an upgrade from your Jetta, so either way you win! ;) be sure to post up pics when you do decide and get it.

If you are financing it, $5000 will be easier to manage than if you're paying cash, so maybe look into that?

Like I said, whatever you do end up getting will be awesome, so don't worry and just hurry! Haha

Also you have to think of the mods you'll do to the a3 in order to make it as fast, if you are going to mod.

[S3Danny]

In a perfect world I'd just get an S3 and call it a day, but unfortunately they cost a decent amount more and I'm just wondering if it's really worth it?

I'm a 2013 Jetta TDI owner currently, and if everything goes the way they are saying it's going to go due to this whole "dieselgate" thing I will hopefully be the owner of an Audi A3/S3 here shortly.

And I'm just looking for some input why it would really be worth the extra $5k+ to get a S3 Premium Plus ( Around $35,000 ) over an A3 Prestige ( Around $30,000 ). I'm looking at used of course.

So does anyone out there have an A3 and just wish they would have spent the extra money on an S3? Is there anything that really makes it a night and day difference other than the power of course? And I'm looking at tuning options for the A3 and it looks like the power difference can be made up pretty easily and inexpensively. I know the S3 has better brakes too, but I don't really plan on racing the car so that isn't a huge concern to me right now either.

Also how much lower in price do you think the pre-facelift cars are going to go for when the 2017's come out?

Just looking for opinions from real life owners of these cars and not what YouTube reviews think of them...

I appreciate any insight!

If you're already asking, then every time you see an S3 on the road you'll be feeling regret. Just go for what you really want the first time.

[will13k7]

You make a good point if you live your life on a race track.

I don't live my life on a race track and the stock s3 is too slow for me to enjoy. stock rs3 levels are just right for me.

[VWVW]

$300 a year is not much of a difference, IMO if you buy a new a3 s-line you should have just bought an s3

For a badge whore, sure...

If the only difference is 300 a year, then perhaps...however it is ~5k initial cost + 300/year....if you keep the car for 10 years...thats another 3000....so a total of 8000 difference.....not to mention other running cost will be higher for the S3 due to summer tires and bigger turbo.

If one cares about the added performance, it might be worth it, but the A3 2.0T quattro is plenty quick for a daily driver. The added performance of the S3 is a waste if one doesn't utilize it, so why waste $8000+.

Furthermore, the A3 2.0T quattro is over 100 lbs lighter than the S3, with equivalent aftermarket suspension, the A3 will be better in handling than the S3.

Also, if one prefers the car to be a bit quieter, the A3 will make more sense as the A3 is quite a bit quieter due to the lower rpm because of the gearing ratio difference (very noticeable in highway driving).


Conclusion: it really really depends on if you care about the added performance.

[VWVW]

If you're already asking, then every time you see an S3 on the road you'll be feeling regret. Just go for what you really want the first time.

S3Danny is definitely correct...if you can't make up your mind...go with the S3 just to be safe.

[FLtrooper]

So you have a tuned A3?

Nope?

:)

[Lusky]

Make a pros and con list and see what wins.

[TCHUN003]

I paid just over $41K with every option minus the navigation. Basically I was able to get $7k off the MSRP whereas I none of the VW stealerships were going $500 under MSRP on the Golf R. The only thing I don't like about my S3 is that it isn't a wagon.

Other than that, the reasons I went with an S3 over an A3 are:
-Pretty darn fun and capable right out of the box
-The forged internals which allows the S3 to safely handle more power than an A3
-The diamond stitch sport seats
-Magnetic ride suspension
-Having a brand new S car is something I've always wanted



If those things aren't important to you, I would definitely get an A3 because you can walk away spending a lot less $$$

[ahfunaki]

Do what you love, love what you get. An a3 regardless is an upgrade from your Jetta, so either way you win! ;) be sure to post up pics when you do decide and get it.

If you are financing it, $5000 will be easier to manage than if you're paying cash, so maybe look into that?

Like I said, whatever you do end up getting will be awesome, so don't worry and just hurry! Haha

Also you have to think of the mods you'll do to the a3 in order to make it as fast, if you are going to mod.

This is true about the Jetta, haha. I wish I could hurry! I'd already have one if it wasn't for "dieselgate"...

If you're already asking, then every time you see an S3 on the road you'll be feeling regret. Just go for what you really want the first time.

I honestly don't think I've ever even seen an S3 on the road, haha. But I get your point!

For a badge whore, sure...

If the only difference is 300 a year, then perhaps...however it is ~5k initial cost + 300/year....if you keep the car for 10 years...thats another 3000....so a total of 8000 difference.....not to mention other running cost will be higher for the S3 due to summer tires and bigger turbo.

If one cares about the added performance, it might be worth it, but the A3 2.0T quattro is plenty quick for a daily driver. The added performance of the S3 is a waste if one doesn't utilize it, so why waste $8000+.

Furthermore, the A3 2.0T quattro is over 100 lbs lighter than the S3, with equivalent aftermarket suspension, the A3 will be better in handling than the S3.

Also, if one prefers the car to be a bit quieter, the A3 will make more sense as the A3 is quite a bit quieter due to the lower rpm because of the gearing ratio difference (very noticeable in highway driving).


Conclusion: it really really depends on if you care about the added performance.

All very good points!

S3Danny is definitely correct...if you can't make up your mind...go with the S3 just to be safe.

I like your thinking, haha. I'm just trying to see if I could get away with buying the cheaper car and still be happy with it.

Make a pros and con list and see what wins.

I think everyone pretty much has done this for me which is awesome. Does anyone have a list of all the things that are upgraded on the S3 over the A3? Like what exactly is upgraded on the motor/brakes? Details on the actual upgraded parts?

I paid just over $41K with every option minus the navigation. Basically I was able to get $7k off the MSRP whereas I none of the VW stealerships were going $500 under MSRP on the Golf R. The only thing I don't like about my S3 is that it isn't a wagon.

Other than that, the reasons I went with an S3 over an A3 are:
-Pretty darn fun and capable right out of the box
-The forged internals which allows the S3 to safely handle more power than an A3
-The diamond stitch sport seats
-Magnetic ride suspension
-Having a brand new S car is something I've always wanted



If those things aren't important to you, I would definitely get an A3 because you can walk away spending a lot less $$$

They are all things I would like to have, I just don't know if I can justify the price difference. I guess it really just boils down to what kind of deal I can get.

I really hope the 2017 refresh brings the 2015 S3 prices down to the low $30k range then I'll be all over an S3!

Also I just checked my insurance and from a random A3 VIN and an S3 VIN I'm looking at $250 more a year for A3 and $400 more a year for S3. This really doesn't make a difference in my decision though. Also I'm probably going to shop around for new insurance too...

[A38V 1.8TFSI]

Initially I got the A3 s-line second hand because price was great, but know I realized I need more speed lol.
Iam big into sport cars and going fast, and had lots of mods in mind for the A3 . But once I figured that the same mods would make a monster out of a S3 I actually decided to cancel the order for the downpipe.

I don't do any kind of track days or drag racing and don't even plan to. But still I want the best, which I can afford actually.

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[mroberte]

Here is my 2cents,

I too was in the same space as you. I wanted an audi instead of a gti. I was unwilling to pay 42k+ for a base 2.0t. Found a same year with a few thousand miles for 30k. Have invested less than the cars sticker price and my car is faster and suspension wise better than a s3.

For which version of a3, I'd get the premium plus with sport suspensuon/seats only, the prestige is a waste imo. Few mods and you are faster than s3 status and still haven't even touch the base s3 price.

[Blaine]

If faster, better looking, better stopping, and better handling are things you value more than money, it's an obvious choice.

Patience is key. Keep the car you have now and SAVE!! Wait another 12 months or so and the used S3's with lower prices will be available in 2017. Save up for a down payment and mods. Why? The stronger engine in the S3 is worth the cost alone for the extra mod security. But hey.. who needs a motor to stay together anyway..

"The S3 motor is based on the standard A3's I4, but even the most innocuous of good-natured jokes about it simply being a "chipped" version of the same will have you ducking for cover from the nearest fuming Audi rep. Or reps. Ask us how we know. Instead, it receives various upgrades, including pistons with new bolts and rings, stronger connecting rods, a new aluminum-silicon alloy cylinder head, different injection valves and a different turbocharger."

To make the A3 motor as strong as the S3.... it would cost u much more than the price difference... and that doesn't add in the cosmetic parts nor the Turbo.

Buying used is always the smarter choice on these types of cars due to depreciation.

[TCHUN003]

Here is my 2cents,

I too was in the same space as you. I wanted an audi instead of a gti. I was unwilling to pay 42k+ for a base 2.0t. Found a same year with a few thousand miles for 30k. Have invested less than the cars sticker price and my car is faster and suspension wise better than a s3.

For which version of a3, I'd get the premium plus with sport suspensuon/seats only, the prestige is a waste imo. Few mods and you are faster than s3 status and still haven't even touch the base s3 price.

I thought A3's with tunes were slower than stock S3's. And A3's with upgraded turbos from stock S3's plus a tune, were still slower than S3's with an equivalent tune?....this is just from what I've been reading on different forums and seeing slips from quarter mile runs. Does the A3 have the same launch control as the s3 too? I was always curious about that.

I'm sure you can make the A3 as fast as the S3, pretty much the same engine without the bigger turbo and beefed up internals right?

[mroberte]

I have jb1, dp and exhaust. Went from stock 0-60 @ 5.9 to now 4.4 ish.

[TCHUN003]

Stock S3's do 4.4-4.7
Even a Stage 1 S3 without exhaust, downpipe, or intake can get into 3 seconds IIRC


These are numbers utilizing launch control though

[casualalfredo]

s3

i know 2 girls with a3s

they okay, not sporty enough for me

[Arrested_Decay]

If 5k is all it is, I would go s3 ALL DAY LONG.

However, i ended up with an a3 premium plus with Nav for under 28k brand new with 30 miles...so the s3 didn't make sense. Altough i would love to have an s3.

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[Z32drifter]

I went A3 over S3. I went back and forth quite a bit before making the decision. The engine internals are the only thing I saw as a real benefit. I have a 15 so things like the S line and sports seats weren't even options for me at the time. I knew the car would end up on coils so mag ride didn't matter to me. Wheels would end up changed over time. Realistically the S3 brakes are better but anyone tracking it is going to upgrade them. The sports package on the A3 gives you the same seats as the standard S3. You don't get the flat bottom wheel from the S but you do get paddle shifters. The S line really devalued the S3 for me. So unless you know the little details everyone has a S3, just some are slow front wheel drives. I've done a few things to mine and it's faster than a stock S3. I expect it will be faster than the more powerful facelift S3 as well.

[VWVW]

If 5k is all it is, I would go s3 ALL DAY LONG.

However, i ended up with an a3 premium plus with Nav for under 28k brand new with 30 miles...so the s3 didn't make sense. Altough i would love to have an s3.

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Did you get a 1.8TFSI FWD? If you got a 2.0TFSI AWD premium plus for that price, you had an exceptional deal. The difference between the A3 2.0T quattro and the S3 is much smaller than the difference between the A3 1.8T FWD and S3. Therefore, 5k difference could still be a lot, depending on whether one cares about the added performance.

I went A3 over S3. I went back and forth quite a bit before making the decision. The engine internals are the only thing I saw as a real benefit. I have a 15 so things like the S line and sports seats weren't even options for me at the time. I knew the car would end up on coils so mag ride didn't matter to me. Wheels would end up changed over time. Realistically the S3 brakes are better but anyone tracking it is going to upgrade them. The sports package on the A3 gives you the same seats as the standard S3. You don't get the flat bottom wheel from the S but you do get paddle shifters. The S line really devalued the S3 for me. So unless you know the little details everyone has a S3, just some are slow front wheel drives. I've done a few things to mine and it's faster than a stock S3. I expect it will be faster than the more powerful facelift S3 as well.

Whether one gets the flat bottom steering wheel depends on the location. US got shafted on that matter. In Canada, we get perforated leather flat bottom steering wheel on the S-line. This wheel is even better than the one on the S3 (smooth leather). I am very glad the FL S3 gets the perforated leather flat bottom steering wheel.

[VWVW]

Initially I got the A3 s-line second hand because price was great, but know I realized I need more speed lol.
Iam big into sport cars and going fast, and had lots of mods in mind for the A3 . But once I figured that the same mods would make a monster out of a S3 I actually decided to cancel the order for the downpipe.

I don't do any kind of track days or drag racing and don't even plan to. But still I want the best, which I can afford actually.

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The game never ends. Once you have the S3, you'd be drooling over the RS3 when it comes out.

[chris164935]

I paid just over $41K with every option minus the navigation. Basically I was able to get $7k off the MSRP whereas I none of the VW stealerships were going $500 under MSRP on the Golf R. The only thing I don't like about my S3 is that it isn't a wagon.

Other than that, the reasons I went with an S3 over an A3 are:
-Pretty darn fun and capable right out of the box
-The forged internals which allows the S3 to safely handle more power than an A3
-The diamond stitch sport seats
-Magnetic ride suspension
-Having a brand new S car is something I've always wanted



If those things aren't important to you, I would definitely get an A3 because you can walk away spending a lot less $$$

$41k is the final price you paid or the price of the car before tax, tag, title, etc.? If that is your out the door price, then you're definitely making me regret purchasing my A3 Sline, as I paid $39k out the door.

Also, can anyone provide some proof about the internals of the S3 motor being forged/stronger than the 2.0t motor in the A3? I've never seen or heard of Audi/VW do this before.

[A38V 1.8TFSI]

The game never ends. Once you have the S3, you'd be drooling over the RS3 when it comes out.

Lol very true, and I allways be drooling for 2016 Cayman, but I should have gone with the S3 since the beginning I could afford It then and today. I thought the s-line would be enough plus the low price seemed very attractive.

At the time I was looking at a 135i 3dr hatchback similar priced to S3s, but the car was very far and I was in a rush to get a new car.

Decisions decisions, soon money won't be an issue, lol (I wish)


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[VWVW]

Lol very true, and I allways be drooling for 2016 Cayman, but I should have gone with the S3 since the beginning I could afford It then and today. I thought the s-line would be enough plus the low price seemed very attractive.

At the time I was looking at a 135i 3dr hatchback similar priced to S3s, but the car was very far and I was in a rush to get a new car.

Decisions decisions, soon money won't be an issue, lol (I wish)


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If you can afford it, just go for the FL S3. I am toying with that idea as well, just for the peace of mind.

[Klum00]

But couldn't I just buy an A3 Prestige and throw a tune and intake on it for $1000 and basically have something as fast as an S3 with worse stopping power? Haha

Does anyone who responded have an A3?

This is exactly what I did. I've owned/own many fast cars, and absolutely love my stage 2, s-line A3. Sure the S3 stops better, but I have zero regret. I needed a CPO vehicle due to my lengthy commute, and I'm still averaging 29 mpg cruising at 85mph.

I think you'll be happy either way

[markn1689]

its night and day. for only 5k more the s3 is so worth it.

there are fools that have spent over 8k trying to get their a3 to be an s3.

get the real deal

[S3Danny]

$41k is the final price you paid or the price of the car before tax, tag, title, etc.? If that is your out the door price, then you're definitely making me regret purchasing my A3 Sline, as I paid $39k out the door.

Also, can anyone provide some proof about the internals of the S3 motor being forged/stronger than the 2.0t motor in the A3? I've never seen or heard of Audi/VW do this before.

S3 bottom end is forged, or at least the Pistons are. There's some official VW documentation in a brochure that shows this

[Arrested_Decay]

its night and day. for only 5k more the s3 is so worth it.

there are fools that have spent over 8k trying to get their a3 to be an s3.

get the real deal

Maybe if you are trying to make it a clone or something. But 8k into an a3, would blow the doors off an s3 both on the straights and in the corners.

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[A38V 1.8TFSI]

8k on an S3 will run 10s

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[Arrested_Decay]

8k on an S3 will run 10s

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Your missing the point. Obviously if you buy the better version of any car and put 8k into both it and lesser model, the better of the two will come out on top. However, putting 8k into an a3 to make it a stock s3, just doesn't make sense. At that point, the a3 is the better performing car.

Honestly the s3 is nice but it's not T-H-A-T much better in terms of performance over the a3. I see people talk about the s3 over the a3, as if they are comparing an rs5 to an a3.

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[A38V 1.8TFSI]

Your missing the point. Obviously if you buy the better version of any car and put 8k into both it and lesser model, the better of the two will come out on top. However, putting 8k into an a3 to make it a stock s3, just doesn't make sense. At that point, the a3 is the better performing car.

Honestly the s3 is nice but it's not T-H-A-T much better in terms of performance over the a3. I see people talk about the s3 over the a3, as if they are comparing an rs5 to an a3.

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There's also not that much difference in price, too. I think it's a matter of personal preference. S3s are marketed for enthusiasts who know why there's a higher price.

I did make a mistake myself I thought I could settle with an s-line, so hopefully I'll upgrade to an S3 as soon as I sell my A3 s-line. I the meanwhile I enjoy it for what it its, and do a couple on mods here and there, mostly stuff that can be transfered over.

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