Agree, where's the flair, its like a computer did the design, to the human eye it's just another euro blob. If Audi concentrated as much on design as the fairy lights they seem to be obsessed with it'd be better.
RS3s were just over 40k in 2016 which is just under 53k in today’s money, accounting for inflation. Even so that still makes this seem pretty expensive
@@milinddixit6583 with that engine, most probably. I do also think (opinion) that the cars to watch for value gains in this sort of price range is the Mk3 TTRS, and the Mk3 TT Roadster Final edition, if you're from the US (TTRS Heritage as well, but less so). Could be wrong with the last one but it just looks amazing, and I don't like convertibles to begin with.
£47K is nuts, but if you walked into any showroom of the German big 3 with £30K, you’d just about (with haggling) get a new base A class / 1 series / a3 and some change. And they aren’t as premium as they used to be…..good review Joe, keep up the good work!!
Totally agree regading the quality these days. I had a Merc C class rental car recently, absolute garbage materials and build quality. I also went to look at a BMW M240i and can't believe the materials used on part of the door cards, it is like something you'd find on a budget car and they're using the same material on the new M2 aswell. The things that used to make German premium cars stand out have been eroded.
I bought a C43 AMG sedan with full spec in grey matte with 3 year warranty that covers almost everything with about 40.000 km down for about 53.000€ which already was expensive bc I bought it directly from a dealership in that exact spec. You could get that car around 45K with a bit more extras, and that Audi looks so stupidly expensive compared to that. Even used RS3 facelift is about 60K
The RS3 fits perfectly in its $60k-70k MSRP price bracket of high-performance cars. The S3 however, is priced about $10k too high. 333hp and a 0-60mph of 4.7 seconds out of a $50,000 4-cylinder Euro-peanut is not proportionate in the US/Canadian market. A 2024 Mustang GT in the US starts at $40k (31.5k GBP) and comes with a high-revving 5.0L V8 and 480hp... and you're still left with $10k on the table to load the mustang with options or invest in a supercharger kit warrantied by Ford. I currently have a '21 RS3 8Y sedan in Kyalami Green, love the car, and want to upgrade to the '25 refreshed RS3 unless Audi puts the MSRP over $70k. Once Audi charges above $70k I might as well just move to the G87 M2 Comp xDrive coming the end of this year with an S58 inside it.
Just picked up my brand new S3 today. Absolutely love it. Should i have waited for the 333bhp version? Maybe, but the Audi dealership knocked about 4,000 off. Highly recommend checking out offers with Audi now as they will be trying to clear out their stock before the new model comes in.
Even by pcp or hp standard £47k is a tough pill to swallow Surely anyone that wants a s3 and has 50k to spend would consider a mint late prev gen rs3 surely no?
That's the challenge for the Audi sales team indeed. I still try my old mans RS3 Saloon (2017) - at 70 years old he is convinced its all the car he's ever needed and doesn't see the basis of the change to a newer model 7 years later
@@ineedthatcar7169 He is kind of right tho.... The only thing lacking in 2017 rs3 is infotainment system but for a 70 years old it doesnt matter that much I guess.
@@HaruHaruman having owned a 140i for quite a while I agree, the B58 is great. New car prices are too high though. People need to not buy unless good discounts are offered.
I agree with you on the front-end updates, and I just noticed the new "S" badge on the rear! Total mistake, especially when they use the traditional badge on the seats and other places. The rear bumper looks worse than the pre-facelift model too. Performance-wise, very nice upgrade as far as I can see in this great review. 😃
What the hell have they done with the badging? No S3 badge on the front end is a mistake. Why have they changed the S3 badge on the back? The red flag and the S3 is supposed to be integrated. It’s been that way for over 20 years. Is this so they can put the red flag on an A series because they’ve thrown on $15k of overpriced S-Line upgrades? I have a 2023 S4 and I would never consider this car , the face lift is soulless - I’m starting to wonder if a BMW is my next car. Never thought I’d say that.
In 2016 I got a brand spanker S3 for £27k on PCP, £320pm… A rough guess in this would put it at £650pm, £10k deposit, plus tax and a decent sized petrol bill… I’m on significantly better money than I was in 2016 and I couldn’t justify spending £800+ per month on something you couldn’t necessarily call a premium motor
Don't forget your luxury motor tax on that too. Spec'd my 135i a smidge over 40k and tax is £600 a year. The way it's going seems like soon you won't get a car under 40k 😅
The new "S3" badge styling on the back looks so eBay spec I had to pause the video to check I wasnt seeing things. How have they managed to mess that up?
If you don't need backseats, you should be shopping Porsche Approved Used with that budget and looking for a Cayman. If you want a hatchback which doesn't have a bone shattering ride or isn't insanely noisy - this is probably it I guess. BMW M140i slightly cheaper? Who knows. Hatchbacks are too expensive now.
I test drove a Cayman and hated it, noisy old tech engine, unrefined suspension, gearbox not as good as a GTi, I was very disappointed and won’t be going Porsche or BMW
£47K for a hot A3 is crazy, so much of the car is already made for an A3, so many decent tuning firms can improve power and torque outputs for £1K options so OTT in price, most average people just can’t afford this price range of cars these days, then they drop in price like a stone in a pond, often because hard to sell as to expensive.
Odd that in the UK the S3 and the Golf R are close in price. On the « continent », there’s a 10K euros difference starting price (fully loaded Golf R vs non optioned S3)
Great video. Will be really interesting to see your back to back. £55k for one specced like you would really want is steep, especially when it still only comes with a piddly warranty.
Good video Joe (as always), it's been a long time since I've visited the channel - apologies! As other have said, it's a fair chunk of money for the car, but sadly that is simply the state of new car prices at the moment. I do hope the new S3 is more engaging/fun to drive than the last one as I found it to be too clinical and it had a certain numbness about it. Hopefully the new Torque Splitter will help to address that. Like you, I'm not a fan off the new rings, they looks as if they've been 3D printed (they may well have been for all I know) and look a bit cheap because of it. Also, the choice of four designs for the daytime running lights seems awfully needless lol. Good news about the rev limiter, though!
When it comes to Audi (any model), you car reviewers always seem to trot out the same question "is it worth the price tag". However, whenever I've done a detailed comparison with manufacturers like Ford or even the Korean and Japanese ones, once you spec-up like-for-like, there is little difference. For example, a Ford Focus ST Edition (280 PS) STARTS at £43,000 and isn't in the same league. Audi over 300 PS, automatic and Quattro.
3 Things that still keep me away from even considering the A3/S3/RS3 1. The lack of quality especially (e.g. door panels are hard plastic) compared to the competition A-Class and 1-Series/2-Series GC. 2. the rear of the center armrest exposing that ridiculous drum/barrel, overall poor design. 3. Doesn't have a proper automatic shifter from the e.g. A4. Though, few things they upgraded the cup holders now have proper design with seperated sections and lighting. However, the positioning is still awful. Overall, offerings more amebient lighting known from the upper classes. Personally, just go with the A4+ or the 2 Series Gran Coupe you get so much more.
Predecessor 8y is much more aggressive than this, especially the front part. Hyundai grill, front lights are awful and the logo rings looks like it's from some cheap store.
🤯 47k wow wouldn’t go anywhere near it. Just look at what that could get you in the used market. You would have to have you head seen to if you brought it.
The badge on the front grill looks rubbish, can't believe that they've removed the S3 badge from the grill too, thats what gives the S3 an identity from the front otherwise its no different from a regular A3. The S3 8V facelift is by far the best looking S3 inside and out, personally I prefer the analogue dash over the virtual one, just more classic and i think it looks more classy.
Am I wrong in thinking that the mk8 Golf R has always had the diff that they’ve subsequently put in this? I think that was the main reason to buy that over the S3 previously. As I say, I might be wrong though! Nice video as always, Joe 😊
June 14th 2024 ...Would you like a better looking and $10,000 dollar less expensive car ... Check out a Ford Focus ST ... and you can get a Manual tranny if you so desire. I'm an American, and will come to Germany to buy my second Focus ST ... Loved that car, (but, manual is a more sure-fire dependable transmission). Some of you may laugh, but other cars I've owned are: 81-RX-7, 88-BMW M5, 93-Supra Turbo, 2007-MazdaSpeed-3, (each of the aforementioned were the first year of each) and about 6 different Mazda 626 Turbo's (1986-1991). The Focus ST was a perfect car from 2013-2020. All cars mentioned were Manual transmission.
Brilliant vid Joe, I’ve been following you for years, ever since you convinced me to buy my first BMW, a beloved brand new M140i. Great content bud, keep them coming 👍🏼👍🏼. Just sold my ‘22 F56 JCW and will be taking delivery of a new X1 M-Sport in a few weeks. Can’t beat a Bimmer
Great review. Price. That's where we are today. I just wished cars held their value. Seems to me we just accept 50% depreciation over 3 years. There lies the problem. You only lose money when you sell. Car looks good, 4 rings look crap. I'd take a BMW or a Cupra
@@fireworks368Nothing to do with inflation. Everything to do with filling the black hole in their finances after the covid pandemic, R&D for EV models and pushing buyers away from petrol, diesel and hybrid towards electric. You then have the one model to rule them all SUV mentality. They don't want to make different model shapes and styles. The answer is to make the hatchbacks expensive. Look at Ford and getting rid of the Fiesta and concentrating on the Puma. It's about creating an environment to push the direction of travel. Make the hot hatches more expensive, FOMO them, less available. Then they will say no one wants them and buying habits have changed
Great review, as always, well documented and concise. My only issue is with the car itself. Why would I buy this one over the RS3? I will add a couple of thousands and that's that! Why go for number 2? Anyway ... that's my opinion, I'm sure there are people who say that a couple of thousands on a 47K car mean something. How much ia the RS3 .... 55K with all the discounts, blah blah?
Does it still feel like a front wheel biased four wheel drive system . I have had a haldex, xdrive and a 4 matic+ and the haldex was so dull compared to the others!
I test drove the last Gen S3 and explained to the salesman that while roomy the materials are plasticky and the 4cly engine was underpowered for the price. He argued for a minute and then I mentioned the BMW M240i at almost the same price and he shut up. No emotion just like the Audi.
Also do you know if on the uk models we will be able to option the adaptive dampers on any model other than the top spec car ,this was a fail on the current out going model.
I used to change my cars quite regularly but given the price hikes for fairly average cars I refuse to play the game and will run my cars until they are no longer viable
I hear you about quality touch points like the metal padels. I spend time in hot countries and metal parked in direct sun make this a bad idea. They should have leather covers offered imo😊
The previous gen S3 (2017 facelift) was one of my favourite looking cars ever, love the interior too. This is awful compared to it. It’s to busy looking, the previous one looked sporty but in a nice classy way. Such a shame.
I really don't think these are hot hatches anymore, as a hot hatch was meant to be 'cheap' and affordable. A jack of all trades family car for the enthusiast. Using the already insanely high priced £47k Golf R to say that the new S3 is good value when compared against it just goes to show how far the car market has fallen. The Golf was already laughable at pushing £50k, this is an equal amount of a joke. Hot hatches should be £30-35k. I picked up a brand new Golf R MK7.5 in 2018 for £28k (Lapiz/Prets) with
Those that are willing to spend that on a car like this would probs splash the extra for the RS3 and those that want the S3 but not for this price could always look at the A3 S Line. Feels a bit disappointing
Let's be real. They're priced that much for PCP. No one is going into an Audi garage and forking over 47k when driving off the forecourt is losing you 10k straight off. No hot hatch is worth over 35k IMO.
