[antjos1]

Sorry folks, just seen a lovely audi s3 five door jan 2015 for sale at the local audi dealership.had my motor in for a service and popped next door to audi just to have a browse its up for 32k.it has 7k miles on the clock.
Now the question is it better than my f30 328i msport.
thanks for any replies

[snipnoob86]

A friend of mine has one of these 15 plate also in blue. It looks absolutely disgusting, and I'm a big Audi fan.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by antjos1

Sorry folks, just seen a lovely audi s3 five door jan 2015 for sale at the local audi dealership.had my motor in for a service and popped next door to audi just to have a browse its up for 32k.it has 7k miles on the clock.
Now the question is it better than my f30 328i msport.
thanks for any replies

I've never driven one but would say it looks a bit more desirable than your average 3 series M Sport. And I was underwhelmed by the 328i when I drove it in terms of engine. As for the handling.. guess that comes down to whether you prefer RWD or AWD(with a front bias). Only way to know is to drive it and see.

And then there is the space... one is a large hatchback and the other a saloon, so differing flexibility and size on offer.

[jusdorange]

^^ as above

Apples and oranges

[k44ENT]

I initially went for an Audi S3 and enjoyed the test drive to a point. It was fast, felt safe and secure but boring, maybe because it's so good. I left underwhelmed and went and drove a 328i m-sport and was very impressed. I certainly wouldn't swap my 328i for an S3.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Also, bit like BMW and it's PCP v buying used.

Check out pricing used v new.

They are some decent RS3 deals.

[Nick the Greek]

Originally Posted by antjos1

Sorry folks, just seen a lovely audi s3 five door jan 2015 for sale at the local audi dealership.had my motor in for a service and popped next door to audi just to have a browse its up for 32k.it has 7k miles on the clock.
Now the question is it better than my f30 328i msport.
thanks for any replies

Depends on your priorities.

Your problems with the S3 are -

1. The chassis is usual Audi fare, zzzzzzzz, not in the same class as a f30 s drive.

2. People will laugh and point and shout "cock" at you.

Of course you may not care about the chassis and be comfortable with 2.

In which case go for it.

Or buy a Golf R.

Which is better.

[mactrack]

Originally Posted by Brigand

They are some decent RS3 deals.

Could you elaborate? I've recently sold my F30 330d and wondering whether I should go new(ish) again, something like an RS3 or M2, or perhaps try something a little older which hopefully won't be a depreciation bomb but will cost more to run like a 5+ year old 997.2 C2 PDK. Thanks.

[G82Dude]

Dull car. Dull to look at and dull to drive. Engine's the best bit, but it doesn't make up for all the other dullness. It's a sum of dull parts and a good engine..

And there's about £4K off a new one, if you *really* wanted one...!

[alpine330D]

Looks wise id stick with the 3 series in all honesty. I think audi are barking up the wrong tree keeping the s3/rs3 looking very similar to a bog standard 5 door a3

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by mactrack

Could you elaborate? I've recently sold my F30 330d and wondering whether I should go new(ish) again, something like an RS3 or M2, or perhaps try something a little older which hopefully won't be a depreciation bomb but will cost more to run like a 5+ year old 997.2 C2 PDK. Thanks.

Unless you really need the space of a hatch it saloon I can't believe you'd have any doubt that the 911 is the way to go!

[mactrack]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Unless you really need the space of a hatch it saloon I can't believe you'd have any doubt that the 911 is the way to go!

I don't any longer, as I have use of another vehicle, and hence the reason for selling the F30 and considering something a bit more interesting. Annual mileage will be lower too.

I've only ever bought new/nearly new with manufacturer's warranty so started out looking at 981 Boxsters and Caymans but I can't get over paying effective list price for a 2/3 year old one from an OPC because it has a bit of spec. I thought options were worth nothing! At least that's what the BMW dealer told me when he offered me £7K less than what I got for my F30 in a private sale.

So I've started to look at older 911s and the 997.2 would appear to be the one to go for and I would be happy with lowest model C2 PDK as it would still be more than enough for me. Of course there's a massive variance in pricing and the 911 depreciation curve would appear to be totally different to mainstream motors with mileage and spec being more important than age. Also I read somewhere that you can almost directly link when a developed economy goes into, or out of, recession by Porsche sales and clearly prices, particularly of the very desirable models, can go up as well as down which I'm not used but could actually mean that it's cheaper to run a 911 than my F30 which cost me £400 each and every month I had it.

So what is all the fuss about regarding Porsches? Serious question as I've never owned one but clearly need to drive one!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by mactrack

I don't any longer, as I have use of another vehicle, and hence the reason for selling the F30 and considering something a bit more interesting. Annual mileage will be lower too.

I've only ever bought new/nearly new with manufacturer's warranty so started out looking at 981 Boxsters and Caymans but I can't get over paying effective list price for a 2/3 year old one from an OPC because it has a bit of spec. I thought options were worth nothing! At least that's what the BMW dealer told me when he offered my £7K less than what I got for my F30 in a private sale.

So I've started to look at older 911s and the 997.2 would appear to be the one to go for and I would be happy with lowest model C2 PDK as it would still be more than enough for me. Of course there's a massive variance in pricing and the 911 depreciation curve would appear to be totally different to mainstream motors with mileage and spec being more important than age. Also I read somewhere that you can almost directly link when a developed economy goes into, or out of, recession by Porsche sales and clearly prices, particularly of the very desirable models, can go up as well as down which I'm not used but could actually mean that it's cheaper to run a 911 than my F30 which cost me £400 each and every month I had it.

So what is all the fuss about regarding Porsches? Serious question as I've never owned one but clearly need to drive one!

I think your last sentence is the key one... You really need to drive one!

I've never drive a 911, but driven quite a few Boxsters and they're just streets ahead than any car based on a humdrum hatch or saloon car platform.

Steering is sweet, control weights are perfect, ride is firm but compliant, bank vault build quality, and the sound of the flat six has character in abundance.... And the handling is joyous.

[Andy30D]

Get a golf R

32k for a badge is ridiculous

Yes it is better than 328i though

[Drek]

Originally Posted by mactrack

So what is all the fuss about regarding Porsches? Serious question as I've never owned one but clearly need to drive one!

Many years ago I had one of the first Boxsters, the 2.5. Apart from the fact it was stupidly underpowered, it's the best car I've ever owned and I would have another Porsche tomorrow if I could (dogs and 911s don't really work!). The handling was epic, very flattering for an average driver and huge fun if you want to push it a bit, the noise was just wonderful as well. I put 20k miles on it in he first year, I just couldn't stop driving it and I would find any excuse to get out there and blat it around.

[Apl440i or 335d?]

S3 is nice, would prefer one to a 328i but I think the dreaded golf r is better....

[mactrack]

Sorry to go off topic but thanks for the Porsche related replies. Back on topic the other car I'm using at the moment is a MK7 Golf and I really rate it. So I would also go for the R, or the R400, particularly if those cheap lease deals come back.

[Paular]

Test drove an S3 and loved it but deals were rubbish, monthlies were more than the 335d.
Good but not that good.

[nordberg]

Biggest problem is its image. Around West Yorkshire, they are the no. 1 choice for drug dealers and the "Asian Rental" market.

I'd avoid personally....

[F30AM]

I like both the R and the S3 Sportback. Both great cars.

The R is a better drive than the S3 Sportback and any F30. The F30 is a bit of a wallowing whale; but I love it. Standard F30 xDrives are anything but 'drives'. Horrid IMO. F30 sDrives are so much nicer. The R is fast and tight in comparison to any F30. The S3 Sportback is a lifeless drive in comparison to the R. The S3 Sportback has a wonderful interior, better than the R and the F30.

Golf R has a 343 litre boot (GTI/GTD have 380 litre boots), the S3 Sportback has a 340 litre boot.

The RS3 is very fast, is overpriced and has a tiddly boot: 280 litres!

I am looking forward to the Golf R400. It will be a giant killer.

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I like both the R and the S3 Sportback. The R is a better drive than the S3 Sportback and any F30 IMO. The F30 is a bit of a wallowing whale. The R is fast and tight in comparison. The S3 Sportback has a wonderful interior, better than the Golf and the F30.

Golf R has a 343 litre boot, the S3 Sportback has a 380 litre boot.

The RS3 is very fast, is overpriced and has a tiddly boot: 280 litres! I love it anyway.

I am looking forward to the Golf R400. It will be a giant killer.

Why would the rs3 have a smaller boot than an s3??

[Ice Man]

Originally Posted by Apl000?

Why would the rs3 have a smaller boot than an s3??

I was wondering that to and especially by such a large amount

I think the golf R is a better car having driven both, I quickly dismissed the audi it was boring to drive and doesn't look very special m135 beats it hands down if you want a v hot hatch and you can get a tidy deal on them to.

I was tempted by the golf had concerns over the ticking time bomb on residuals. In the not to distance future there are going to be a lot of 2 year old end of lease cars on the market.