It's overlooked because the Golf R exist. Cheaper, more practical, more fun to drive and available with a manual transmission. Also, the Golf R is the pinnacle of VW's lineup. The S3 is on on the low-end of Audi's lineup.
@@lucasschmitz4588 S3 has the exact same brakes as the Golf R. The S3 is still Audi’s cheapest “S” model car, so many still consider it to be entry level. To spec an S3 to come with what the Golf R has standard. You are looking at an almost $60K vehicle.
Idk what dealers you are looking at, but most dealers can't even give these away. Search around, they aren't flying off of the shelves so there are deals to be had.
@@flameman7477 just because they can't sell it doesn't mean they will sell it below msrp. When you have wild volatility in the economy most sellers will refuse to lower prices regardless if it is in their interest to do so.
@@allnovieveryday I paid under MSRP for mine with little fuss from the dealer. They had over 10 on the lot and my salesperson even told me that they can't move them very well at all. People are just not interested in small luxury performance sedans. You're crazy to think they won't budge when they're not moving inventory, because they absolutely will. Just like Audi will offer an artificially low interest rate to move cars occasionally because that's what they're in the business of doing! Lol.
Just bought my brand new 2023 S3 a month ago. I absolutely LOVE it. Got 7 grand off the asking price as well (one of the few new cars that dealerships have in quantities), buy now if you are looking for a deal. But let me tell you, you are SPOT on when you say you have no idea you are going 70... I caught myself going 90 and thought I was going 60... You don't realize the speed of this car because it is so well tuned... Best car purchase of my life as a daily driver.
@@Stclairm1 was up in MA. They had four S3's and had a bunch more coming in for delivery so they REALLY wanted to push inventory. The one I bought was the "oldest" on the lot and had 90 miles on it. Got so lucky with the find.
I rocked a golf r for a couple of years. Youre right about the gas mileage. Its really amazing. Im pretty sure a big part of it is the haldex system. Basically rolls around as a fwd car. One of the things that kept it to a great 8 tenths car, once i got to 9 and 10 tenths it all kind of fell apart and became pushy even with camber plates and a stiff rear bar. Amazing DD. Just dont go thinking its a great track toy.
@@anthonylee14 245/45 17 falken azenis 615+ on 17x8 oz allegerittas. I'm spoiled with my s2000s. Double front wishbone with rwd is difficult to match feel wise.
with just some simple adjustments in how the car is aligned, makes a whole lot of a difference concerning trackability. Apart from that, the right rims with the right rubber on it, will make it a fun track toy. My adjustments so far: KW V3's and a set of lightweight rims with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi's and a track-focussed alignment. Works like a charm. Not saying there are no better track toys, but purely for a trackday-car it is very sweet. No need for other stuff to be changed to have fun and compared to previous S3 versions, this time they worked on the so called "audisteer", it is improved by A LOT. I do own an S3 8Y Sportback, not the Limousine though.
@@anthonylee14 front camber for daily driving is around negative 1.5 degrees each side, and depending on track negative 1.8 to 2.2, also stiffer front rebound settings on track. Might play with it depending on the sharpness of left and right corners. And I do run rear toe out indeed, this is around negative 1.6mm (0.8mm each side) I tend to leave this alone as it is to much hassle to work on the rear suspension. Front is camber adjustable with the camberplate. For me it works as a sweet alround setup like this. But it also depends on your driving style for sure.
David, I'm a long-time viewer of yours, and I know there's always an evolution of content creation, but Honestly, this video has felt like a new video in your old style we all love. I know there are only so many cars you can review before you run out of content. I wish the best for you and hope you can dig for more content like this, ADM, JDM, EuDM be damned!
@@Vicstructioninteresting I haven’t seen one yet maybe not in my area tho it did take me a while to see the Civic Type R when it first came out and the GR Corolla
@@Vicstructionprobably because it’s the first year of selling the type s. I doubt it’s run will last as long as the s3’s. I actually thought it was fairly priced at first but it really isn’t
The EA888.4 EVO engine is a beast. Such a great engine. I have a mk8 GTI and I get 35mpg highway and it makes all it's power on 87. Not to mention that the car makes all it's rated crank hp to the wheels. Nearly 250 wheel hp. An e85 tune and intercooler upgrade and it's around 400 wheel hp.
The 8Y S3 is great. Really good street-able power and torque from a very fuel efficient turbo four. DCT gearbox w/ AWD as well. Good brakes and even better suspension with the adaptive dampers. Four doors and a usable trunk. Small enough to fit in a garage and get in and out of traffic easily. Lots of tech and a really nice interior with great build quality throughout. Also, it's very much a sleeper that is unsuspecting to most. What's not to like...
Love my 2023 S3, Technik (prestige). Every option but the HUD/advanced driver assistance since I don't use them and wanted to keep the flat bottom steering wheel. Plus factory sport exhaust, matrix LED. Love it all.
I’m a 2020 BMW M340i owner. I’m beginning the process of scouting what my next car will be. I’m so impressed with the Audi s3 that it lead me to the RS3. I might go for the RS3 for my next purchase. The $/ value ratio is adding up to be better than what the BMW equivalent is.
Ive had the 2017 Audi S3 for 5 years now and I absolutely LOVE IT! The turbo Lag is very apparent, but it is actually hilarious how much fun it is. The car has so much Character, id very much recommend it to anyone in the market for a car this price
How much is insurance on your S3? If you don’t mind me asking I’ve never owned a German car and I’m looking into the 15-17 models. And I’m 24 so idk if they would charge a lot for a car like that
i have driven about 40 000km or about 25 000 miles now with this S3. Wonderful daily driver, packs a punch and with adaptive suspension it's a really smooth drive on longer journeys. Just drove 750km or 450 miles with one tank to Lapland, Finland.
@@ramirosaenz1145 It's electrically adjustable suspension. There's 3 settings, hard, normal and soft. The hard on is really stiff and the soft one is surprisingly soft. I think it differs on different countries that is it a extra or not. I had to pay about 1200 dollars for it.
I bought a very slightly used 2022 with prestige, black optic, Napa leather, and s sport packages. I love it. I don’t notice turbo lag in sport mode and love to pass people (always surprised how fast I’m going when I pass them). Sound is better with the sport exhaust resonator (seems like it should be free😊). I chose it over an R because it was available (no clue when R would be available), much nicer inside, price for used was comparable, and no concerns with aptics.
The 8V and 8Y A3 and S3 Quattros are great option for someone who wants a sedan within the MQB instead of a hatch and doesn't want to pay the Golf R/Gti premium. The Golf R gets a bit of attention that's cool in your 20s but can get old real fast when you're just casually commuting. It's less raw, but sometimes that's a preference instead of a con. I have a 2017 A3 8V Quattro Premium Plus (S-Line comes standard for that S3 look) with plans for an OEM S3/Golf R IS38 turbo or hybrid turbo upgrade and no one looks twice unless they're knowledgeable of the MQB platform.
That exhaust note. It has that throaty sound found in American NA big bore V8s. It shouldn't come from a turbocharged four cylinder, but Audi somehow managed to do it.
Nearly 33mpg on road trips... That is amazing! My 2018 Stinger GT2 gets anywhere between 28 and 32mpg on the highway for road trips, but it's still tough to get more than 350 miles range per tank out of it. If only they made this in a hatch that wasn't the Golf R...
I'm a bit confused by some of the comments, saying that the Golf R is cheaper than the Audi S3. Base models for both (Golf R equipped with the same auto transmission) are practically the same cost. Now yes, the S3 does have higher trim levels with added creature comforts, but there's a Convenience Package, which that's what it looks like is being driven here, only brings the cost up to $49k, only a couple grand more expensive than the Golf R, which I feel is negligible at this price point. All that being said, some could argue the Golf R is the better car because it comes with a manual and that it's a hatch (Audi, please bring the hatch S3/RS3 over). But my current daily is already a 6 speed with no plans of getting rid of it. So I would like to have my second car to be more of a luxury feeling car but still fast and fun, and this S3 fits the bill nicely for me.
The turbo that isn't spooled up at 1500 rpm is the reason it gets good fuel mileage and blows cars like Evos out of the water in the top end. Automotive manufacturers have been building turbo 4 cylinders wrong the whole time by trying to eliminate turbo lag to appease the average consumer.
I bought my 2017 Audi S3 prestige brand new with the dynamic and technology packages for $49k in 2017. Currently, prices are so inflated that anyone buying a brand new car is basically dumb.
Ive always loved the A3/S3/RS3 lineup but i really want them to bring back the hatchback versions. I absolutely love my 09 A3 3.2L S-Line, but if there was a newer hatchback, i would def upgrade.
Just bought a hatch 1 week ago. Absolutely love it. Got it cheaper than a mk8r. The drive is waaaay more comfy than the r. This thing tuned will be an absolute weapon.
Drove the '23 S3 for five days as an unexpected upgrade from Enterprise. An absolute highway star. But lots of blind spot anxiety issues in heavy metro crowded situations for me, though. The backup cam and gas mileage +++
A used previous generation 8v s3 is a great deal! I had bought one 8 years ago and it was 2 years old then and already 15k less. It seems like a used 22-23 can be had for mid 30’s. Awesome deal! Also a used a3 from previous generation can be had for as little as 5k. That’s an amazing car for price
Reliability after warranty aside, one thing I can say is that Audi/VW knows how to build enjoyable cars. As a former wrx owner, I got to drive a 2016 S3 for a couple of weeks. Most comfortable car I've ever sat in. Great power, an accessible tuning platform, and these cars just handle corners differently. Hell, I've got a 13 GTI that handles corners way better than my WRX ever did. I'm planning on buying an S3 when it makes sense financially. It's def gonna be my next car
Ive got the rs3 hatchback. Its a monster of a car. Really comfy daily driver, and faster than 99% of cars on the road. I had an m140 before this, i have to say the rear wheel drive on the bmw was way more fun. But when it snowed i had no chance of going to work in my car.
ive become a complete audi fanboy after buying my first one last year (B9 A5 Sportback). Can not wait to get the S5 and (eventually) the RS5/RS6 Avant. I've seen quite a few S3s and RS3s rolling around my city and they're pretty impressive little cars
Still never trading my Focus St in. Only fwd car I’ve ever accepted for what it’s worth and I love driving it every second. New 6-MT Supra is on the way and I cannot be more excited
I had a focus st i loved it Wrote it off, hitting a moose... I now have a 2019 Golf R 6 speed..... its even better But that focus was awesome for a fwd car
S3 is great. I have an 8V and I took it over the golf since the interior is much nicer. Specially with the RS seats upgrade. It’s so quick for no reason and most people don’t know what it is. You’ll have stangs revving at you and you’ll leave them half a block behind and just hear noise pollution behind you. Def recommend
Unfortunately the lack of manual is a huge problem--Golf R exists. And not only can you get that in manual, it has the Evo4 EA888 rather than last gen still in the S3. It also comes in hatchback and costs $10K less.
32mpg is pretty good but for the most part thats pretty standard on turbo 4 cylinders and a fa20 wrx will get 30+ no problem now a EJ on the other hand no way
I have a 2016 s3 stage 1 w/ Awe exhaust. Makes like 360-370whp Have it on HnRs, amazing car for the price I got it, pretty rough driving tho more of a track car now.
The interior is strikingly similar to my 2023 GTI 40th Anniversary. Many of the components (knobs etc...) I'm seeing are identical. Very nice car! Thanks for sharing.
It isn’t a turbo spool up issue. It is throttle lag caused by shitty software. We had an S3 from 2016 which had throttle lag but in the last year of owning it, Audi fixed it. We have a new RSQ3 and an S3. Throttle lag occurs periodically in both cars. It is a known issue. It will be corrected with the 2025 models
The new s3 has forged rods apparently and audi also changed to a continental turbo. I've heard people have been pushing 40 psi making 500 after some minor mods and a tune. Granted idk how true that is as I haven't seen it.
I have a 2022 s3 in red. I love it and its been great for the little over a year i have had it so far. With the factory sport exhaust (I got it installed separately afterwards, just a resonator delete) the pops and bangs are a lot louder. Mine also has the flat bottom wheel which I personally like alot more. Also have some aftermarket wheels and tires and it handles great! Compared to my 20' wrx I love it and I think it is underrated
I love Audi's S3 and RS3 models, they're like the perfect sleeper pocket-rockets. I keep my cars for a many years, so sadly they were not on the list to be considered. I agree 100% on the blue color, the sea of base colors out there in the world is ridiculously sad. Thanks for posting!
I have a 2016 limo and a 2008 8p. Two s3. That is how much i liked the first one. And also because it was so reliable. With 280k now and zero problems.
@@blu_is500 i am living where audi is from. Even my neighbour could repair a lot of things. But yeah no both are very reliable and that is actually what I would expect from that model and engine and what all the guys working at audi and building them here would also say.
@@blu_is500 especially if the car is treated well and service is done right. would not buy a rs model tho if I don't have money. Like with every very fast sportscar. The 5 cil engine is also very reliable tho. But everything that has to be replaced does cost a lot like brakes.
Let me guess, you watch a lot of scotty kilmer. People who don't take care of cars should buy boring cars like lexus and toyota. People who are good about checking things out on their car and are passionate about the experience should find something more fun. My Audi is 29 years old. I have more issues with my 2007 Toyota, AFTER I did the preventative stuff on both. Nobody is going to date a beautiful, high performing woman and expect her to be happy with McDonald's and oatmeal.
For me the biggest problem with the S3 is that the Golf R exists, and once you spec out the S3 to match the content of the R the price difference is eye watering and you aren’t even getting all the features the R has, like heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, and cooled seats. Plus, you get the utility of the R’s hatch in a tiny exterior package so it’s awesome as an urban runabout. It’s what you’d expect though when you’re comparing a top-end model economy brand to a low-end luxury brand so eh, nothing unique to the R vs S3 situation, really.
Except for the fact the A3 looks completely different. A lot of their target market does not want a hatch style vehicle, rather something more refined. The sportsback is the only exception in Audi’s car lineup since it gives the illusion of a sedan shape
I have a 2019 GLI and I can't choose whether I want this a S4, or S5 sportback as my next car. I got into bikes so I really don't mind losing the manual transmission. I have something else I can shift gears on. I like the practicality of the sportback, but the s3 is a crazy performance bargain when you factor in the aftermarket.
The review of the green one in 2016 helped push me to lease one. I put an apr tune and hated it, then put a eurodyne tune and it was amazing. Not a single problem launch and pull after pull. Turning that in was a sad day. S3 is definitely ignored too much considering what ppl are paying for boyish type r and corollas. S3 is in a diff league with fit finish and Quattro for same money
give us stick shift lovers one more last hurrah and we'll drop everything and go get in line for one. as it stands that's the only thing holding me back from wanting one.
I would much rather have this than the Golf R. Same performance, but at Audi didnt go completely insane yet and kept some physical controls on the interior.
A8 is heavier, 850 Nm of torque and is 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, still getting 500 miles per tank, no S badge, very please with it, S3 is more agile and burbling is cool indeed.
I think that it's important to mention that some of the things you showed are options and depends on the trim level. For example, the diamond stitching, the LED Matrix front light and the dash screen (Virtual cockpit vs. virtual cockpit +).
I'm getting older now and I've done with the German car performance scene. I picked up a 2023 Mustang GT 6 speed. So far the experience has been nice. Good old American horsepower and unfussy engines makes for a nice cruising experience on the weekends.
The only Audi I’d buy will have 5 cylinders. Coming from a mk8 golf r owner (no tech issues, it’s not bad AT ALL) The rear diff and 3 pedals is a no brainer over the s3.
In the UK, the S3 is cheaper than the Golf R…. by quite a margin if you consider that nappa leather is an expensive option on the Golf R. The RS3 is extremely hard to get new in RHD, hence they fetch speculative prices. It is sad that the is whole sector of hot hatches from the Hyundai i20N up to the RS3 is so greatly diminished in favour of SUVs and the like, since they are all wonderful drivers’ cars.
Annihilate the STi? I currently have the 23' S3, 16 STi limited and the OG 04 STi. The 04 STi is the quickest of the 4, they're all pretty much even though. The S3 by no means Annihilates. If you're talking overall vehicle, sure, Audi is just on a different level. The 04' STi def is the funnest to drive and I use my 16' Limited STi as my daily as its also more fun to drive
I eat these things every week on highways with my stage 3 LSDed 07 GTI. I’m lighter, quicker and don’t draw attention like an Audi does. They call my car “ DR. J and MR. H”. Low profile but a monster ! And WAY less than $65,000!
I had a 2021 s3...nice car but I'm not sure I would tag it as insane for the money...with your options in Canada its a 60 k car ...for 65 you can get a loaded genesis g70 turbo that blows the s3 away in all categories I know cause I've had both...problem with the s3 is if you even hit the smallest of ruts or potholes you need a trip to the dentist ...and Audi isn't known for their long term reliability but it is a nice car I just wouldn't classify it as crazy for the money
