Audi S3 2018 review - here's why it's the ultimate sleeper car
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Date: 2022-04-11
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Comments and reviews: 10
Andrew
As a fast family car - the Sportback model is pretty good. As a hot hatch - not so good. Dead steering, awful passive suspension (get adaptive or regret it, a heavy feeling car in the corners that simply doesn't let the driver have any clue as to what the car is doing with that dead steering. You learn to have almost blind faith in its abilities rather than driving it to your limit (or it's limit) via feel and feedback. As a comparison to a Golf R (which I had for 2 years, there is no comparison in terms of feel and feedback - the Golf has it, the Audi doesn't. As a car to live with for day to day duties, its very good. Fits into day to day life and a truly excellent place to travel, if not very exciting to drive. I would suggest the Black Edition with technology pack as the minimum spec, but with the caveat that the active suspension is essential for the drivers out there. If you just want a refined, quality, rapid family car that eats miles, passive suspension will suffice, but it wont stir the soul when you hit the twisty bits. Don't expect great service from dealerships - they are at best patchy in my experience and not supplying a premium experience for the money or for the badge. I would have a Golf R again in a heartbeat, but would not have an S3 of this model again.
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As a fast family car - the Sportback model is pretty good. As a hot hatch - not so good. Dead steering, awful passive suspension (get adaptive or regret it, a heavy feeling car in the corners that simply doesn't let the driver have any clue as to what the car is doing with that dead steering. You learn to have almost blind faith in its abilities rather than driving it to your limit (or it's limit) via feel and feedback. As a comparison to a Golf R (which I had for 2 years, there is no comparison in terms of feel and feedback - the Golf has it, the Audi doesn't. As a car to live with for day to day duties, its very good. Fits into day to day life and a truly excellent place to travel, if not very exciting to drive. I would suggest the Black Edition with technology pack as the minimum spec, but with the caveat that the active suspension is essential for the drivers out there. If you just want a refined, quality, rapid family car that eats miles, passive suspension will suffice, but it wont stir the soul when you hit the twisty bits. Don't expect great service from dealerships - they are at best patchy in my experience and not supplying a premium experience for the money or for the badge. I would have a Golf R again in a heartbeat, but would not have an S3 of this model again.
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Colin
Matt, I relied mainly on your review when buying my 2019 S3 which has every extra except matrix headlights. Overall it's a stunning car, with the obvious possibility to add a stage 1 or 2 tune, probably when out of warranty, but I may take the chance sooner. One HUGE thing that you don't mention in any of your reviews is that most of the engine sound is synthetic and generated by a 'Soundaktor' on the main bulkhead. The exhaust sound gets better in dynamic mode, but no pops or bangs anymore, but is overpowered by the Soundaktor. I only found that out after my first long run after taking it home and my Audi dealer says they don't sell the Sound Enhancement kit in the UK and that any other 'res delete' will void the 3 year warranty (according to Audi-sport. net at least some dealers are different.
I REALLY wish you or the other reviewers would 'fess up' about that bloody Soundaktor. I've turned mine down to 20% to get rid of most of the fake sound but without a better exhaust sound you still don't get a real feeling for the engine (other car is a Porsche Turbo in which you do.
The exhaust 'nobbling' and Soundaktor have really taken the edge off my enjoyment of an otherwise brilliant Sleeper -
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Matt, I relied mainly on your review when buying my 2019 S3 which has every extra except matrix headlights. Overall it's a stunning car, with the obvious possibility to add a stage 1 or 2 tune, probably when out of warranty, but I may take the chance sooner. One HUGE thing that you don't mention in any of your reviews is that most of the engine sound is synthetic and generated by a 'Soundaktor' on the main bulkhead. The exhaust sound gets better in dynamic mode, but no pops or bangs anymore, but is overpowered by the Soundaktor. I only found that out after my first long run after taking it home and my Audi dealer says they don't sell the Sound Enhancement kit in the UK and that any other 'res delete' will void the 3 year warranty (according to Audi-sport. net at least some dealers are different.
I REALLY wish you or the other reviewers would 'fess up' about that bloody Soundaktor. I've turned mine down to 20% to get rid of most of the fake sound but without a better exhaust sound you still don't get a real feeling for the engine (other car is a Porsche Turbo in which you do.
The exhaust 'nobbling' and Soundaktor have really taken the edge off my enjoyment of an otherwise brilliant Sleeper -
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Geordiesrule
Build quality is terrible on my 2017 S3. window washer tank leaking and QI charger in armrest broken on delivery from new. Gearbox malfunction warning within 6 months then every few months after without fault fixed or found. Cruise control failing all the time as well as the start stop. Heated driving seat broke. Then finally engine management light. rejected the car as not fit for purpose.
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Build quality is terrible on my 2017 S3. window washer tank leaking and QI charger in armrest broken on delivery from new. Gearbox malfunction warning within 6 months then every few months after without fault fixed or found. Cruise control failing all the time as well as the start stop. Heated driving seat broke. Then finally engine management light. rejected the car as not fit for purpose.
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Connor_Stacey17
Sorry but the ultimate sleeper (of Audi-s anyway) has got to be the 3. 0l biturbo V6 A6 Allroad because thats nearly as quick as the S3 but looks like a grandad car, its something that can even catch a car guy out! If you are into cars you know what an S3 is and can see it a mile off from the quad pipes.
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Sorry but the ultimate sleeper (of Audi-s anyway) has got to be the 3. 0l biturbo V6 A6 Allroad because thats nearly as quick as the S3 but looks like a grandad car, its something that can even catch a car guy out! If you are into cars you know what an S3 is and can see it a mile off from the quad pipes.
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blower
Quicker than Audi claims. that's cos the speedo is over-reading by at least 5% and sometimes closer to 10%. all VAG cars do this, in fact nearly all EU cars do this. When you read 60, you were only doing, at best, 57mph. Audi's claims are not based on a speedo filmed with a camera.
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Quicker than Audi claims. that's cos the speedo is over-reading by at least 5% and sometimes closer to 10%. all VAG cars do this, in fact nearly all EU cars do this. When you read 60, you were only doing, at best, 57mph. Audi's claims are not based on a speedo filmed with a camera.
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Clover
Claimed by audi 4. 7
Claim by mat 4. 5
Same story with the r8 v10 plus motor trend tested -2016--2018 model year
Claimed by audi 3. 2 claimed by motor trend 2. 6 -with a good launch and warm tire-
Who else here think that audi's are underestimating them selfs
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Claimed by audi 4. 7
Claim by mat 4. 5
Same story with the r8 v10 plus motor trend tested -2016--2018 model year
Claimed by audi 3. 2 claimed by motor trend 2. 6 -with a good launch and warm tire-
Who else here think that audi's are underestimating them selfs
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Tontsyy
I loved my S3, like you say even in the bad weather it grips and goes like stink!
It has quickly got boring to drive, other than over taking and on some twisty roads.
Im planning on changing for something else this year.
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I loved my S3, like you say even in the bad weather it grips and goes like stink!
It has quickly got boring to drive, other than over taking and on some twisty roads.
Im planning on changing for something else this year.
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Leanne
My older brother bought this car 2 years ago But he did not realize that he bought the car at a higher price. Now he wants to sell it, but he is not getting a fair price for the car, which is why he is now at a loss.
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My older brother bought this car 2 years ago But he did not realize that he bought the car at a higher price. Now he wants to sell it, but he is not getting a fair price for the car, which is why he is now at a loss.
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Clover
Imagine that this thing dose 4. 5 on a shitty weather
Think of it doing on a dry suface
Probably could achive around 4 seconds dead or 4. 2.
This thing is a beast audi rules car industry
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Imagine that this thing dose 4. 5 on a shitty weather
Think of it doing on a dry suface
Probably could achive around 4 seconds dead or 4. 2.
This thing is a beast audi rules car industry
reply
Paul
I hate how we here in North America dont have the hatchback s3, only the sedan. and we get a rip off on HP too at 296. damn you Audi! oh well still getting mine in 2 weeks, cant wait XD
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I hate how we here in North America dont have the hatchback s3, only the sedan. and we get a rip off on HP too at 296. damn you Audi! oh well still getting mine in 2 weeks, cant wait XD
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