2017 S3 or S4? Details inside

[nfectgotan]

So here is a little bit of backround:
I currently own a 2015 S3. The car is ridiculously fast and I love it. I am 6'1'' so the size of the car is fine but more space wouldn't hurt just like the same amount of space also wouldn't hurt. It is very nimble and the tire wear seems pretty top notch, I am a year and a half in and seems like the tires will still have good tread by time I turn the car in. The next car I wan't I believe I will finance instead of lease, not really sure yet but either way I really don't care about the finance of it. The sound is fun, but would like a bit more throat but again it won't hurt to keep what I have and it also wouldn't hurt to upgrade.

So here is the dilemma, I chose the S3 because 0-60 and 0-whatever performed much better than the S4. Why would I pay 7-10k more for better sound but far less performance, especially where it mattered. I talked with some techs, and parts department people at Audi and the talk around their department is that one of the techs whom is a fairly good driver prefers the S3 because of the balance of the car.

What I am beginning to like about the S4 is, I get the sound and I also get the improved performance with the turbos not to mention from what I read it may be a bit faster than the S3 now, 4.2 0-60 range according to Car and Driver. The car is larger than the S3 and obviously would weigh more.

I could also just get an S3 and buy the neuspeed power module which would push the S3 into the high 3 second range 0-60 and overall I would still have increased performance over the S4 while saving roughly 7-10k again. So what are some peoples opinion? What should I do, or what would you do?

Pros/Cons list would be nice if people have time.

Thanks Guys

[BirdmanQ5]

I would say it depends entirely on what you're looking for in a car.

I went from a Stage 1 + bolt-ons S4 to a new S3, I find the S3 has a ton of value. Apples to apples I would argue the (B8/B8.5) S4 is slightly better in almost every way but dollar for dollar I would choose the S3.

If you like how the S3 feels and drives, tune it or get an RS3. But if you're looking for something a bit more executive, more spacious, but aren't in dire need of a significant power boost then go S4, or wait for an S4 tuning solution then you've solved all your problems. Personally, I had to make a decision when my S4 was totalled but it was either move up or move lateral - I postponed the Porsche and went with the S3 as I was blown away after driving it, plus wanted something a bit more budget friendly.

Just my 0.02!

[djvienna]

Don't forget that the S4 is a based on a new chassis, the turbo charged engine included. The S3, while very fast, is a couple of years older now.

S3 shares components with other VAG cars and the tuning community knows the car and engine a bit better. 4cyl would be easier to work on vs a shoe-horned in V6 twin turbo. (Of course if the RS3 sedan comes to North America then that might change things a bit even though it would be super expensive)

Since my wife won't let me buy anything more than an A to B people mover such as a Honda civic or Toyota Corolla, I will live vicariously through you :) Either choice would be a great car.

I finally have a 2007 Audi A3 from an Audi dealer which was agreed to because it was cheaper than a new one...(or civic or corolla)

Good luck!

[ryan_sn]

It's all about personal preference, the S4 has a nicer interior, more room, is faster, and has the better AWD system. But the S3 is going to be cheaper and almost as fast. If you've got the budget for the S4 you might be able to get the RS3 when it comes out next year, and that will trump both cars by a lot.

[UFO007]

I just traded a 2014 S4 for a 2017 S3 and I can tell you that the S3 is slower than the supercharged S4. Sure, using launch control the S3 is faster to 60 but in every day driving the turbo lag on the S3 is pretty bad and the pickup from stationary in the S4 is impressive, from a roll the seat-of-the-pants-ometer suggests the S4 would walk the 3. I'm sure the new S4 won't have quite the same turbo lag but it's difficult to say as none of us have driven it yet. My S4 was also a whole lot nicer than the S3, I don't even have power seats for crying out loud. I do prefer the handling of the 3, I thought the FWD bias of the AWD would be an issue but I haven't noticed it yet (to be honest, I only bought the car yesterday though and I only have about 30 miles of spirited driving under my belt).

If money isn't an issue and the S4 isn't too big for you then I'd go S4 every day of the week.

[ryan_sn]

I just traded a 2014 S4 for a 2017 S3 and I can tell you that the S3 is slower than the supercharged S4. Sure, using launch control the S3 is faster to 60 but in every day driving the turbo lag on the S3 is pretty bad and the pickup from stationary in the S4 is impressive, from a roll the seat-of-the-pants-ometer suggests the S4 would walk the 3. I'm sure the new S4 won't have quite the same turbo lag but it's difficult to say as none of us have driven it yet. My S4 was also a whole lot nicer than the S3, I don't even have power seats for crying out loud. I do prefer the handling of the 3, I thought the FWD bias of the AWD would be an issue but I haven't noticed it yet (to be honest, I only bought the car yesterday though and I only have about 30 miles of spirited driving under my belt).

If money isn't an issue and the S4 isn't too big for you then I'd go S4 every day of the week.

The lag from a stop is pretty bad yeah, but from talking with a tech it has to do with the programming/nature of the DCT in the S3. I actually did a quick run The new B9 S4 is actually just as fast as the S3 to 200kph, but the extra hp and tq will certainly make the car feel quicker. Is it worth the extra $12,000 for the nicer interior, better AWD, and bigger cabin? It depends.

[ahcow]

I haven't driven the B9 yet but I read that it is much lighter than the B8, which was one of the downside of the B8. I do ask you, what's the purpose of the car for you? Comfortable commute? Track car? or pure straight line speed?

I had the B8 S4 for 5.5 years and it never cross my mind that I needed more speed. =\ I got the S3 mainly because I don't need the space (back seat does not get used and I am not that big of a guy) and my S4's DSG was acting up and B9 was too far away.

I do want to comment on the "balance" part. The S3 is light and can drive like a go cart in certain conditions. However, as a FWD based car, I feel that at the higher speed, it might not corner as well. The S4 has a much better AWD system and with sport diff (I assume it is available on the B9), I think it will handle just as well, if not better, at high speed cornering, given that it has lost some weight too. If I was buying my car now, it will be a really tough choice between the S4, S3 and RS3 (if and when it comes). It kind of depends what you want the car for.

[casualalfredo]

It's all about personal preference, the S4 has a nicer interior, more room, is faster, and has the better AWD system. But the S3 is going to be cheaper and almost as fast. If you've got the budget for the S4 you might be able to get the RS3 when it comes out next year, and that will trump both cars by a lot.

This



With that said, we need pricing on RS3 already. 😅

Btw this is a great discussion. 👍

[Pilfer]

I had a 2013 S4 with Bilstein coilovers, eurocode sways and drive train stabilizer, I currently have a mk7 Golf R. Not an S3 but it's the same underneath, almost exactly I believe as an S3. I can tell you I like the Golf far more than my S4 and had an S3 been available in 2013 when I picked up my S4 I might have gone with as it looks better IMO.

Also, OEM S4 exhaust is weak, they sound great with an AWE exhaust but so does the S3...

[hammbone50]

Went through this personally about 2 months ago. I went for the S3. Came out of an e92 M3. Never owned an Audi before but test drove both the S3 and the S4 which the sales guy says many people don't cross shop the two. In any case the S3 felt better to me. Liked the smaller size. The ONLY reason I was selling the M3 is we had twins and needed a secondary four door car incase wife's SUV was in shop or I had to take one kid when she had the other. M3 was stick and wife couldn't drive it. Anyone with kids will tell you space matters, but I got to be honest the S3 still won me over. It won't be used as a kid hauler by any means but the rear facing seats fit fine and it felt like a better drivers car to me. Now that I have owned the S3 for a week I do really like it, however I still miss the M3 and the S3 (and S4 for that matter) just aren't on the same level. Taking that out of the picture I don't have any complaints or regrets as of yet. Its a personal preference but performance wise they are pretty close, dollar wise not so much .... so pick what matters most to you and I think you will be happy with whatever one you go with.

[Vanimal]

Went through this personally about 2 months ago. I went for the S3. Came out of an e92 M3. Never owned an Audi before but test drove both the S3 and the S4 which the sales guy says many people don't cross shop the two. In any case the S3 felt better to me. Liked the smaller size. The ONLY reason I was selling the M3 is we had twins and needed a secondary four door car incase wife's SUV was in shop or I had to take one kid when she had the other. M3 was stick and wife couldn't drive it. Anyone with kids will tell you space matters, but I got to be honest the S3 still won me over. It won't be used as a kid hauler by any means but the rear facing seats fit fine and it felt like a better drivers car to me. Now that I have owned the S3 for a week I do really like it, however I still miss the M3 and the S3 (and S4 for that matter) just aren't on the same level. Taking that out of the picture I don't have any complaints or regrets as of yet. Its a personal preference but performance wise they are pretty close, dollar wise not so much .... so pick what matters most to you and I think you will be happy with whatever one you go with.

I'm currently in a B8 2010 S5. I was debating on switching eventually to a B8.5 S4 CPO or a CPO S3 . 4 doors are practical, or at least I'm starting to head that way. Although I get by with my 2 door coupe with my 1 kid who is 10. There will always be give and take with any performance type car you choose.

Now... I was "debating" on getting a e90 M3 the 4 door, love the look of that thing first off in 4 door flavor. But I'm used to the practicality of the AWD I've had in my S5, tears right through snow, so that honestly worries me with the M3 which would be a DD. I also considered a C63 which would be a great around town car with all that torque. But again RWD with that kind of HP & torque doesn't seem smart if I need to use the car every day, even in snow.

So I keep resorting back to either moving to a S4 or S3. Was your E92 a DD, even in bad weather?


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[Wr3ks_S3]

It's all preference.

I sat in a 16' S4 and 16' S3. I decided on the S3 as the size was perfect for me, I'm typically the only one in the car other than my wife (no kids). The sound of the car leaves something to be desired though. Other than that I'm extremely happy with the S3 sharper lines and the MPGs when your not heavy footed helps out. I'm getting 29mpg avg.

Im already thinking of my next car which could be any of these 3. RS3, TTRS or M2....

[casualalfredo]

It's all preference.

I sat in a 16' S4 and 16' S3. I decided on the S3 as the size was perfect for me, I'm typically the only one in the car other than my wife (no kids). The sound of the car leaves something to be desired though. Other than that I'm extremely happy with the S3 sharper lines and the MPGs when your not heavy footed helps out. I'm getting 29mpg avg.

Im already thinking of my next car which could be any of these 3. RS3, TTRS or M2....

Everything verbatim, just change wife to gf and 15'. lol

[Zed 2.0]

The old S4 dropped off my list due to the DSG mechatronic issues that Audi never seemed to sort out (I actually had one that was bought back based on this). With the new one using a ZF automatic, it is a more appealing car.

RS3 vs. S4 will still be a tough choice.

[13allroad]

The old S4 dropped off my list due to the DSG mechatronic issues that Audi never seemed to sort out (I actually had one that was bought back based on this). With the new one using a ZF automatic, it is a more appealing car.

RS3 vs. S4 will still be a tough choice.

Same debate here, although I keep and fond eye on the allroads 2017. S4's should be at the dealerships in Jan and maybe pricing for the RS3 in feb/march? Who knows on the pricing.

Just waiting on the 3.0tdi issue before I get more serious.


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