2016 Audi S3: The Opposite Lock Review

"Tripper" (tripe46) 11/18/2016 at 15:07 • Filed to: None

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I had this review all ready to go on 9/28 and just as I was about to click “post” I found out that !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . So I figured I’d wait until I was in a good spot to field comments. Friday afternoon is that time.

It’s been almost 16 months since I decided to trade my 08’ E90 M3 in for a 16’ Audi S3. A few weeks before I made that decision I was never going to drive anything but a 3 pedal M car. That was when I was still on an extended BMW honeymoon. My first M3 (E46) which I’ve owned for almost 10 years, never gave me any real shit until !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The E90 was covered by a warranty for the first two years of ownership, so I had no worries there either. That was until I started having to use that warranty.

I began hesitantly shopping new STi’s, I had an 04’ and not a whole hell of a lot has changed with them in 12 years. I inquired about ordering one with the low profile spoiler, but my local dealer was less than helpful and just wanted to sell me something they had on the lot. Next was the Golf R, until I found out that I couldn’t have one for over 5 months and could expect to pay over sticker. After that was the M235i, but I really wanted something with 4 doors. I was kind of stuck for a week or so. I drove a new S4, but it felt huge and I was looking to go smaller/lighter than the E90. My buddy mentioned the S3 and I was quick to nix it because it is not available with 3 pedals. I got curious though, mainly because I was having trouble ticking all of the boxes with any car.

So I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to see what we knew about the S3, then I headed to a dealer for a TD. After the most entertaining test drive a sales person has ever taken me on, it was my turn in the driver’s seat. I was impressed, it felt every bit as quick and composed as the M3 just without the glorious noise and nearly perfect steering rack. I was hooked, the only problem now is that S3’s could only be found in the standard boring Audi colors (black, lots of silvers, and white). We found a red one but I had a red Jetta that I hated, so I thought that since I was getting a roided out Jetta, that it should be a different color. Sepang Blue proved to be the most difficult color to locate. We found 2 limited edition colors (vegas yellow, viper green) before we found a blue one that I could actually buy. It was worth the wait as I got a blue one with every option that I wanted (Tech pkg, LED pkg, stereo “upgrade”, and black optic performance package).

Exterior 8/10

E46 S3

Audi makes the same suit in different sizes as far as their non-CUV cars go, but it’s a really good looking suit. Proportions are just right and I love the shaven, tight look of Audi cars. I’m not a fan of the standard Audi chrome/brushed aluminum exterior highlights, but the black optic package takes care of all that. Instead of chrome window trim/grille I got gloss black. Instead of brushed aluminum mirror caps, mine match the body color. I like the wheels, but I don’t love them a set of silver FF01’s is in my future. I ended up with black wheels for my winter set, but that was because of fitment.

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Interior 7/10

Everything inside is nice, but not too nice. As William Clavey said “it feels more VW than Audi” and it does. I would rather a nicer material for the dash as well as the sunroof shade. One of my favorite features of the interior is the ability to put away the infotainment screen. Big screens are a trend I loathe in modern cars, so being able to tuck it into the dash is really nice. The seats are good for sports ish seats, but not as deep/supportive as I like.

Acceleration 8/10

60mph can be had in 4.4 seconds using launch control, which is really fun. After I demoed launch control for my wife, she asked that I not do it again because it “tickled her brain” and she was not sure how she felt about it. However, where this car really shines is 50-70/70-90. So quick passes aplenty! Turbo lag is slightly noticeable when starting in “comfort” mode, but other than that the car is out like sauerkraut it pretty much any condition.

Braking 8/10

I use my brakes as little as possible, but I have had to stand one them once since I have had the S3. It stopped real fast and I didn’t hit Bambi so they’re good by me. Pedal feel is nearly as touchy as a fresh Lexus which is good for most and bad for people like my mother in law.

Ride 8/10

The performance package nets you magnetic dampers which were a must for me as I had become used to them in the M3. Most of the time I leave it in comfort mode as the ride is really nice, not S class nice but Audi nice. In “dynamic” mode the suspension hardens and body roll is barely noticeable.

Handling 9/10

Two of my close friends have S5’s, in which I have had more than a few drives. While I never really had a thing for Audi’s I was always impressed with their tenacious grip. Just flying around turns jerking the wheel here and there, only to stay right on track with almost no noise from the tires. The S3 is no different. While under normal driving conditions the S3 is pretty much FWD, when you’re on it you would never know. If you need proof, it’s the rear wheels that occasionally chirp when launching. In dynamic mode with your foot on the gas, it feels every bit as planted on all 4’s as every Subaru I have driven. The only thing keeping this score from a 10 is steering feel. In comfort mode steering feel is artificially light, and in dynamic mode it’s over the top heavy…standard for electric racks (BRZ is quite good though). That and the fact that I have driven a few cars that are hard 10’s in this department. I’m sure that you can get this car to under steer near the limit but I’ll never see that limit outside of a racetrack.

Gearbox 9/10

That 9/10 was funny to type as I had originally written off the S3 because it only comes with paddles. In the world of automatic transmissions 1=SMG 1 and 10=PDK the DSG in the S3 is a firm 9. In comfort mode it shifts smoothly and early to avoid punchy throttle response. In dynamic mode it holds gears long, and downshifts for you. However, the best way to do when you’re out for a spirited drive is manual mode. Shifts up and down are lighting fast and its pretty much impossible to drive this way without making your own shifting/laser sound effects.

Audio 6/10

I’m on record hating on factory “upgraded” stereos. I have sensitive ears and aftermarket is almost always the way to go if you’re after good sound. However, I knew going into this purchase that I would likely not go the aftermarket route, and only listen to compressed tunes via my phone anyway so I might as well get the “upgraded” stereo. It’s ok but nothing special.

Side note: The S3 has one of those noisemaker things hidden in the dash in attempt to make the car sound more aggressive. I have tried it at full tilt, low tilt, and unplugged. It does not sound vastly different so I left it plugged in. I knew I would be disappointed in the sound anyway going from an S65 V8 to a 4cyl turbo.

Toys 7/10

I like the big sunroof, it’s got a backup camera, shitty nav, and a not that great infotainment system. This is the area of a car that I care the least about. Once nice thing about the stereo setup is that all of the legacy components are hidden. Aux is in center console, CD and SD slots are in the glovebox which makes for a really clean control panel.

Value 8/10

The S3 has a starting price of $42,500 (good luck finding one under $46k). The most expensive one I saw was a loaded S3 with an individual color (nardo grey and it looked fucking amazing) for $62k. The sticker on mine was $51k and I paid slightly less. Most people would argue that this is not a good value as you can have an STi or Golf R for a lot less. For me though, it’s a great value! It’s everything I wanted minus a manual trans, and now that I have owned it for a while I wouldn’t trade it for a 3 pedal model if you offered. I did the “boy racer” thing (Nissan SE-R Spec V, WRX, STi). Since then I have been after cars that are more “suited up”. The Golf R is a reasonable compromise as it’s a lot nicer place to be than the STi, but it’s not as nice as the Audi and it still has a little of that “racer” vibe in my eyes.

78/100

In conclusion, I’m more happy with the little Audi than I thought possible as I was mostly a Bimmer guy. It’s got tons of usable performance and it is a blast to drive. I don’t know whats next, but I’ve got my name on the list to at least drive the first RS3 that becomes available at the dealer where I bought the S3.

P.S. I apologize for all the trash pics, but they’re all I’ve got. Here’s a decent on of my handsome doggo.

Arrivederci > Tripper 11/18/2016 at 15:26

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Great write-up! After reading Jalopnik’s review of the S3, I started looking at what CPO ones are fetching and they’re not too bad. A decently-kitted one can be had pretty easily under $40k. Once they’re plentiful in the mid-$30k range, it’ll be quite a lot of car for the money.

Tripper > Arrivederci 11/18/2016 at 15:30

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Yea the used market will be a good one here. They had a 2015 with 20k on the clock when I bought mine, and wanted $45k and were not budging!

Dave the car guy , still here > Tripper 11/18/2016 at 15:42

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Congrats, looks nice. So how are you feeling now that you’ve partially left the Dark Side? You know once the Force has a hold on you there is no going back. I was a GM or Ford guy for years then got my first Audi. Its been almost 18 yrs now and being I work in a GM dealership I’ve caught a lot of crap over it. However nobody ever says a word when I can get through any snowdrifts in our lot during winter. Many of those days I’m one of the first to work. Please report back later when you’ve driven it in the snow. I’ve had Jeeps with full time and part time systems as well as Torsen and Haldex AWD cars, want to hear your take on its weather worthiness.

Tripper > Dave the car guy , still here 11/18/2016 at 16:03

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Haha. With the direction that BMW has gone in recent years, I’m happy to be in an Audi. Everything I loved about Bimmers has been glazed over by their version of electronic steering, deletion of their fantastic straight six, and the plethora of poopyfart CUV models like the X1. Not to mention the now gross overuse of the M badge.

I’ve still got my E46 M3, and it’s my bottom bitch;) so when I need to row my own or enjoy what made me love BMW’s of that vintage, I can do it.

It’s a blast in the snow! I can’t get it to just spin circles like the STi could, but it’s scary easy to drive fast in the snow. Luckily I’ve already learned the hard lesson of overconfident driving in the snow. I’ve been really impressed with both the DSG and the Haldex system.

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 11/18/2016 at 16:09

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I think the active suspension is definitely the way to go on these. A coworker has an S3 with the base suspension and while everything is screwed together nice and tightly so there’s no rattles, it’s stiff . My E92 335xi with a bunch of suspension mods rides better than it although some of my hardened bushings and shock mounts and whatnot make some noise and my interior is a bit rattly.

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2016 at 16:12

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Agree. A lot of people are under the impression that active suspension is for more performance, when it’s really to tune it down. I like how stiff it is in “dynamic” mode, but I love being able to turn it off when I’m just cruising or on a shit road.

Dave the car guy , still here > Tripper 11/18/2016 at 16:14

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Nice to hear you have found a warm spot for Four Rings in your heart. We have now had 3 A4 with Torsen and now my 08 A3 with Haldex. At some point for my older platform I might upgrade the controller. I will say when getting out of deeper drifts at work when its snowed all day that the old Torsen systems had more immediate grunt but the Haldex still gets the job done however it seems with a minor delay. With a set of snows either system turns these cars into tanks. I too questioned whether I’d like the DSG but quickly became a convert. On a back road I have a feeling it brings out the Speed Racer in all of us.

BTW, sorry to hear about your loss. Hope his family and yours find peace in remembering the good times you had together.

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 11/18/2016 at 16:22

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My Koni FSD shocks kinda sorta accomplish that mechanically. It’s still a firm ride but compliant.

Tripper > Dave the car guy , still here 11/18/2016 at 16:26

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Yea the Torsen system especially with the sport diff, is the winner of the two. However the Haldex is no slouch, and I’ve got dedicated summer and winter wheel/tire sets. So snow depth will stop me long before traction.

My father had an SMG E46 M3, so I was really skeptical about the DSG, but it’s great there is no denying it.

I appreciate your kind words. He was a good dude and is always remembered in high spirits.

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2016 at 16:28

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Whats the deal with the FSDs? Are they adjustable or just a different design?

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 11/18/2016 at 17:34

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They FSDs aren’t adjustable, but they have blow-off valves in them so they stay stiff in response to body roll but go soft on sharp impacts. I’m running 235/35-19 front and 275/30-19 rear tires, B&G lowering springs, and assorted harder bushings & shock mounts, so I tried to preserve some of the ride comfort with the FSDs.

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2016 at 17:35

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Gotcha, that is a neat design!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tripper 12/31/2016 at 01:28

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I can’t believe I missed this post! Great stuff. Sorry for your loss as well.

That color is wonderful.

[insert complaint about no S3 hatch]

[insert complaint about missing pedal]

[insert reminder that it’s not like I could afford one anyway!]

Tripper > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/03/2017 at 10:17

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Thanks man.

If a hatch was offered here, I probably would have gone for it. Normally I’m a sedan guy, but the S3 is short and better suited to a hatch.