S4 to S3?

[Jiraffe]

Has anyone made the move from an S4 to an S3? Have a 2013 S4 and am tempted to make the switch. Want to hear from someone who did and what their thoughts are!

[Thurston]

talk to saxon. the S3 is a sweet car and i think we will be seeing more people make that jump given the tuning prowess of the s3 and pretty much any turbo car I suppose.
but seriously i'd message saxon as he is pretty helpful w/ that kind of knowledge.

[LittleDozer]

Has anyone made the move from an S4 to an S3? Have a 2013 S4 and am tempted to make the switch. Want to hear from someone who did and what their thoughts are!

Only if you're willing to spend Stage 3 cash to make it faster than a Stage 2 S4. Go dual pulley on your S4 if you want more power. I have a buddy who is APR stage 2 S3 and I blow his doors off. He wishes he stayed with his B8 S4.

[JeriQo]

had an s3 as a loaner and disliked the interior. it felt like a downgrade

[yjypm]

If you want an s3 be sure to get the facelifted one in 2017 because the new one sounds significantly better. Currently the four cylinder in the s3 doesn't sound nearly as good as our car.

[zcspec]

Before even considering a switch, you would have to ask yourself: what's the purpose of the change? Looks, potential power, size, cost, flickability, etc??? I have a great deal of experience with both and can tell you, they truly are different beast with their own set of pos/cons.

What I find in the S4 is a very luxurious vehicle that's spacious, refined since it's a few generations old and very quick with a stage 2 tune. However, it's heavy and when pushed, you can truly feel the weight.

The S3 on the other hand is a smaller vehicle and do you feel the size difference, both from a bodily and vehicle weight standpoint. It's quick out of the box and with about $2-3K in upgrades, you've got a very low 11 second car which can trap the 1/4 in the mid 100-teens.

Either vehicle choice would be fabulous to have but it really breaks down to what YOUR needs are. For me, when I drive the S4, it makes me "feel" more of an adult whereas the S3 makes me "feel" like I'm a young college grad.

[LittleDozer]

Before even considering a switch, you would have to ask yourself: what's the purpose of the change? Looks, potential power, size, cost, flickability, etc??? I have a great deal of experience with both and can tell you, they truly are different beast with their own set of pos/cons.

What I find in the S4 is a very luxurious vehicle that's spacious, refined since it's a few generations old and very quick with a stage 2 tune. However, it's heavy and when pushed, you can truly feel the weight.

The S3 on the other hand is a smaller vehicle and do you feel the size difference, both from a bodily and vehicle weight standpoint. It's quick out of the box and with about $2-3K in upgrades, you've got a very low 11 second car which can trap the 1/4 in the mid 100-teens.

Either vehicle choice would be fabulous to have but it really breaks down to what YOUR needs are. For me, when I drive the S4, it makes me "feel" more of an adult whereas the S3 makes me "feel" like I'm a young college grad.

Woah, do you have any links to people running low 11s with Stage 2 S3s? Because I have not witnessed that.

[FWP!]

I'm 6'1" and the interior of the S3 felt pretty cramped, and also cheap. It basically has the interior out of a Q3, and that's not a good thing.

If you're tall, try sitting in the back seat of one.

[whiped]

Go drive one.

Before I bought my car I really liked the exteriors of the S3s, still do.

I drove one, hated the interior, really had to wind it out to extract power, meh.

Now after about a year in my S4 there is no way I would be happy in an S3.

Just my .02

[zcspec]

Woah, do you have any links to people running low 11s with Stage 2 S3s? Because I have not witnessed that.

Check out the s3 1/4mile thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...er-Mile-Thread

I'll make a statement correction and say that low 11's is a stretch for a stage 2, but the trap-speed is right on spot. 115-116

[BP11]

Only if you're willing to spend Stage 3 cash to make it faster than a Stage 2 S4. Go dual pulley on your S4 if you want more power. I have a buddy who is APR stage 2 S3 and I blow his doors off. He wishes he stayed with his B8 S4.

Woah woah woah there Matt....until we actually line up this is all heresay :)

[LittleDozer]

Woah woah woah there Matt....until we actually line up this is all heresay :)

Haha well considering I am at least 1 second quarter mile faster than Asa, it's an easy assumption.

And you did say you wish you had stayed in the S4 game longer ;)


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[BranCKY3]

I'm 6'1" and have plenty of room in my S3. The backseat gives plenty of leg room; however, my head is about an inch from the roof so it's not really ideal back there. The interior definitely isn't as nice as the S4 but it's simplicity was a great selling point for me (I'm coming from a 370z so I'm used to very simple interiors). I have only ever driven a stock B8 S4 but the S3 is faster... but from what I've seen here on the forums a few stage 3 S3s would give dual pulley S4s a run for their money.

Edit: originally I was looking for a used 13-14 S4 but just couldn't find any in my area. The S3 was not my initial choice but it checked all my boxes and then some.

[Sceanzo]

My brother has a 2015 S3.

Nice car. Stage 1 it's fun to drive. Good looks. Sound system much better. Interior is indeed kinda meh.

Either or are good cars IMO. I'm also 6'1 barefoot and fit just fine in it, but I'm all legs.

[LittleDozer]

My brother has a 2015 S3.

Nice car. Stage 1 it's fun to drive. Good looks. Sound system much better. Interior is indeed kinda meh.

Either or are good cars IMO. I'm also 6'1 barefoot and fit just fine in it, but I'm all legs.

Aren't the Bang and Olufsen sound systems identical?

[Sceanzo]

Aren't the Bang and Olufsen sound systems identical?

His is more wattage afaik.

His bass tones are much much better

[doughboy17]

Definitely, drive one. The power delivery is different but the turbo lag seems minimal. The interior is a significant downgrade. Many are saying how much faster the S3 is; actually, the S4 is within a few tenths of a second over the 1/4 mile ... and you don't need to wind out the S4 in traffic. Just my $.02 from test driving both.

[Sceanzo]

My stage 1 S4 walked my brothers stage 1 S3.

[whiped]

Definitely, drive one. The power delivery is different but the turbo lag seems minimal. The interior is a significant downgrade. Many are saying how much faster the S3 is; actually, the S4 is within a few tenths of a second over the 1/4 mile ... and you don't need to wind out the S4 in traffic. Just my $.02 from test driving both.

This.

I didn't have much turbo lag in the S3, but you do have to keep it at pretty high RPMs to stay in the powerband.

S4, you are always in the powerband.

Peoples claim to fame with the S3 is that stage 3 came out quickly and didn't suck.

The 2.0T is also in the A3, Golf R and GTI. Development on that kit was going on before the S3 came out.

It is also cheaper and has a bigger market share than the 3.0T so thus tuners are willing to put more time into it.

The 3.0T is now getting cheap enough that people are starting to mod it more finally pushing the platform.

[simbat]

What is to win by downgrading from S4 to S3 ? I've drove the S3 extensively and the Audi salesperson tried to talked me into buying one since he owned S3 himself. I don't like the interior of the S3 and I think the exterior would look better in a hatcheck version.As far as I know the S3 it's available only in DSG in the USA. I think a 6 MT S4 is more fun to drive and the S4 is overall a better car, that can do many things well. Also a manual S4 will hold much much better value in the long run especially if kept with low mileage. The 3.0 TFSI is better value, more refined, more sophisticated, better sounding and much more reliable than the 2.0 TFSI. Even the carbon residues are less with the 3.0 TFSI.

Only wait a couple of years when most of them are beat up, over-tuned and with high mileage - than good luck finding clean stock S4 with manual and low miles :-) . Actually good luck finding any AWD performance car with manual in a few years :-) I ordered mine in the way I like it and no need to molest it with any aftermarket parts. I'm an Audi fan and I want to keep my car long term and keep It all original in the way Audi designed it and the way it came from the factory. It's a great daily driver to me in a stock form . Only wish I have is it was an Avant . I think all S and RS Audis should be either wagons or hatchecks .

[RudyH]

It's a downgrade for sure in some respects, however just like any other smaller car, a blast to drive.

Besides the materials it was built with being not quite up to par, also cant ignore the fact it is NOT built in Germany but rather in Hungary, unless you are lucky to get one of the first A3's off the line...though I am not sure if any North American bound A3's were still built in Ingolstadt.

Another issue is it's highway cruising that seems to be a thread of personal concern. Now keep in mind I have a heavy foot, so I don't drive 60 mph (100 km/h)...and from what it sounds like the higher end you get a lot of 4-cylinder buzz that you don't get from a V6.

That said, the only reasons I personally have been considering one, and will likely look more towards a RS3.
Fuel economy, as most of my commute now is city and under 5 km ( 3 miles cause I am lazy and don't want to ride my bike sometimes). So personally, I shouldn't be complaining about my own laziness and the V6 sucking up extra gas.

[FWP!]

I'm 6'1" and have plenty of room in my S3. The backseat gives plenty of leg room; however, my head is about an inch from the roof so it's not really ideal back there. The interior definitely isn't as nice as the S4 but it's simplicity was a great selling point for me (I'm coming from a 370z so I'm used to very simple interiors). I have only ever driven a stock B8 S4 but the S3 is faster... but from what I've seen here on the forums a few stage 3 S3s would give dual pulley S4s a run for their money.

Edit: originally I was looking for a used 13-14 S4 but just couldn't find any in my area. The S3 was not my initial choice but it checked all my boxes and then some.

You must have either been slouching like a gangsta, or sitting in a different version of the S3 I sat in. I could not put my head all the way up while I was sitting in a normal position, it was running into the roof liner.

And those dorky front air vents and plastic-y looking dash just looked cheap.

[BranCKY3]

It's a different style, but I wouldn't say anything looks cheap. Also, I sit mostly upright and don't stretch my legs all the way out when driving, but I am mostly legs so maybe your torso is longer than mine.

[hotleadsingergu]

Aren't the Bang and Olufsen sound systems identical?

Not at all. I think the S3 has 2 more speakers and has quite a bit more wattage (S4 is like 1500, S3 is like 2200 or something insane). This is all going off of memory, but my ex had an S3 and I have the S4...it's a very noticeable difference when you're hitting high volume. Much better bass response.

I'm 6'1" and the interior of the S3 felt pretty cramped, and also cheap. It basically has the interior out of a Q3, and that's not a good thing.

If you're tall, try sitting in the back seat of one.

This. I'm 6'3" and couldn't get close to fitting in my ex's back seat with any amount of comfort, and the front seat was never spacious. It's an economy-size car, so you shouldn't expect much more.

[hotleadsingergu]

Aren't the Bang and Olufsen sound systems identical?

Only if you're willing to spend Stage 3 cash to make it faster than a Stage 2 S4. Go dual pulley on your S4 if you want more power. I have a buddy who is APR stage 2 S3 and I blow his doors off. He wishes he stayed with his B8 S4.

Ya...there's something wrong with his car, then. Stage 2 S3s are operating in the mid-11s, which is still a bit lower than pretty much any Stage 2 S4. Even dual-pulley Stage 2s are hitting like mid- to upper-11s.

[whiped]

Ya...there's something wrong with his car, then. Stage 2 S3s are operating in the mid-11s, which is still a bit lower than pretty much any Stage 2 S4. Even dual-pulley Stage 2s are hitting like mid- to upper-11s.

Can you post a link where Stage 2 S3's are running mid 11's?

Last I heard they were lucky to be getting high 11's.

Stage 2 S4s are pretty consistently in the mid 11's.

[nekky]

This.

I didn't have much turbo lag in the S3, but you do have to keep it at pretty high RPMs to stay in the powerband.

S4, you are always in the powerband.

Peoples claim to fame with the S3 is that stage 3 came out quickly and didn't suck.

The 2.0T is also in the A3, Golf R and GTI. Development on that kit was going on before the S3 came out.

It is also cheaper and has a bigger market share than the 3.0T so thus tuners are willing to put more time into it.

The 3.0T is now getting cheap enough that people are starting to mod it more finally pushing the platform.

This. Never before have I wanted more people to start buying these used, affordable (originally expensive) Audis so that the platform receives more attention. Pretty sure this will happen with the B8/B8.5 as they are finally what could be termed "reliable" in comparison to most models from Audi over the last couple decades.

[BP11]

Ya...there's something wrong with his car, then. Stage 2 S3s are operating in the mid-11s, which is still a bit lower than pretty much any Stage 2 S4. Even dual-pulley Stage 2s are hitting like mid- to upper-11s.

We never actually raced. The last time I was at the track I ran a 12.2@110 and the DA was 3000, this was before I put the intercooler on. Now since the intercooler I put 3-4 cars on an EPL stage 2 S4 from a dig. Most of the fastest Stage 2 S3's are hitting 11.9 or so. The Golf R, despite being basically the same car is a little lighter, and some of those guys are pulling off 11.6-11.7's.

[hotleadsingergu]

Aren't the Bang and Olufsen sound systems identical?

Can you post a link where Stage 2 S3's are running mid 11's?

Last I heard they were lucky to be getting high 11's.

Stage 2 S4s are pretty consistently in the mid 11's.

Must be wrong. The official S3 quarter-mile thread has a top slot of like 11.1 in a Stage 2, but looks like the rest are in the upper-11s.

[whiped]

Must be wrong. The official S3 quarter-mile thread has a top slot of like 11.1 in a Stage 2, but looks like the rest are in the upper-11s.

The S3 that ran 11.1 is pretty far from Stage 2....

2016 s3

Apr stg3+
Apr IC
Apr midpipe
Apr dsg tune
100 file
TTRS bbk
Oem 19" wheels and ecs spacers

[m3th0d79]

I actually recently went from an S3 to a S4, and honestly I didn't really want to make the switch. With that said I am happy with my S4.
Just some things I would note between that people have kinda hit on. Space in the back is limited, when I would drive with a couple of guys in the car head room was an issue for sure. Also the front seats compared to the S4 are a joke, little to no bolster support. I personally liked the minimalist interior, and feel that the S4 is kinda dated, but really that is personal preference. Also I think overall the B&O in the S4 is better, but I do miss the boom boom pow that the S3 had, that will probably be the next mod I do.
I also think the S4 is more fun to toss around so far, and real quattro is pretty awesome. On the S3 you are giving that up and mostly driving around a FWD car, with that said that car was on rails compared to how the S4 feels. That might have something to do with the tires that are on the car now. Also I must say one big difference that I have noticed is the DSG in the S4 seems way better so far, on the S3 there were times with quick downshifts where it couldn't keep up. I don't seem to have this problem with the S4. I was also stage 4 on the S3 and right now I am using CW pro personally I feel like at this point the S3 was faster. This is based on nothing other than my butt dyno so take it for what its worth.
Overall I would say they are both great cars both with pro's and con's. Anybody that is trying to tell you one is better than the other is just trying to force their opinion on you imho. Make your decision on what your end goal is, research and lots of test drives.
P.S. you can hear the supercharger way better than the turbo if you are into that kinda thing, and I am loving that whine!

[BUD-S4]

I currently have an S4 which has been at Audi getting a new trans installed. Meanwhile, I got them to give me an S3 loaner which I've now had for a month... Audi is taking its sweet time with my car.

Before purchasing the S4 I had put a down payment on an S3. Went to pick it up and saw my S4 that I currently own, drove that and never looked back.

Now, after having this S3 for a month I'll tell you that I absolutely HATE this car. With a passion. The transmission is so unbelievably touchy it drives me insane - in full discloser I'm not a fan of automatic transmissions. I just don't feel in control of the car. But the little two banger has to down shift for the smallest acceleration, so then you get a nice little kick but then the turbo spools up and kicks you again. It's the most unrefined and sloppy feeling. Again, full discloser, I hate small displacement being made up with turbos. Waiting for a turbo to kick-in in order to get some power in infuriating. Also, you can absolutely tell that its not a REAL quattro car. Front tires burnout often... It doesn't like to get traction until all four wheels are straight... God forbid you try and accelerate while making a hard right turn.

Interior is very underwhelming - this one doesn't have the upgraded seats. Steering wheel is nice - that's about it. I just feels too minimalistic... I will say that I love the size of the car - reminding me of my old B7 S4s. Exterior styling is also killer. But at the end of the day, the drivability of the car is awful. That's my $.02

[DBL R]

I currently have an S4 which has been at Audi getting a new trans installed. Meanwhile, I got them to give me an S3 loaner which I've now had for a month... Audi is taking its sweet time with my car.

Before purchasing the S4 I had put a down payment on an S3. Went to pick it up and saw my S4 that I currently own, drove that and never looked back.

Now, after having this S3 for a month I'll tell you that I absolutely HATE this car. With a passion. The transmission is so unbelievably touchy it drives me insane - in full discloser I'm not a fan of automatic transmissions. I just don't feel in control of the car. But the little two banger has to down shift for the smallest acceleration, so then you get a nice little kick but then the turbo spools up and kicks you again. It's the most unrefined and sloppy feeling. Again, full discloser, I hate small displacement being made up with turbos. Waiting for a turbo to kick-in in order to get some power in infuriating. Also, you can absolutely tell that its not a REAL quattro car. Front tires burnout often... It doesn't like to get traction until all four wheels are straight... God forbid you try and accelerate while making a hard right turn.

Interior is very underwhelming - this one doesn't have the upgraded seats. Steering wheel is nice - that's about it. I just feels too minimalistic... I will say that I love the size of the car - reminding me of my old B7 S4s. Exterior styling is also killer. But at the end of the day, the drivability of the car is awful. That's my $.02

+1 to difference in quattro. I had one as a loaner, every time I accelerated from a stop light (while stopped on the line) it would spin, and every sharp corner that was damp, it would spin....

[LINDW4LL]

B9 S4 > S3.

The potential reasons to upgrade to an S3 are tech, power potential, and weight savings. The B9 bests the S3 on the first two marks, and has a far nicer interior, a better full time rear-biased quattro system with torque vectoring, and although not quite as light as the S3, still saves weight over your B8.

[EvohuntinS3]

I have a 15' S4 now, came from a 15' S3.

Pretty much echoing all that's already been said. Both awesome cars, S3 felt lighter and more tossible but did not feel like true AWD.

The S4 is ,ore luxurious but comes at the cost of weight. I will say I just installed a AWE touring exhaust and a Roc Euro intake and it really does make the car much more exhilarating to drive even on stock power! The exhaust note from the 3.0T is insane.

That being said, the S3 was ridiculously quick

I would say you can't go wrong with either, but I don't think I'd be pleased leaving the seats, instant power, etc from the S4 and moving into a S3 at this point.


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[vwblackb5]

Why not wait for the 2018 RS3 instead, which IIRC will be available in NA Q2 '17. It's a 2.5L 5 cylinder / 400hp, with a Haldex system that has a slightly more aggressive tuning compared to haldex found on the 8V/MK7 MQB platform.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...dan-spied-news


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[Usa]

How many of you are thinking about jumping to the RS3? I am for one.

[DBL R]

How many of you are thinking about jumping to the RS3? I am for one.

Eventually an S6. Ultimately something RS avant...but until then, sedans will do....

[The Fat Kid]

How many of you are thinking about jumping to the RS3? I am for one.

Hopefully the sedan version of the RS3 performs better than the hatchback. Golf R > RS3 in Euro reviews.

The other thing: The biggest complaint about the S3 is the interior quality, so the RS3 better be a big step up if it is ~$55k.

[MrFunk]

Comparing te two it's a downgrade IMO
FWD Bias and not true Quattro
Turbo 4 cyl
Interior is a big downgrade. It feels cheaper.

Just go spend some time in one and decide for yourself.