2017 Audi S3 LCI - 0-60 4.4, 23-31mpg, $43k msrp

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

August 2017...

Only a little over a year. Is it even coming to the US? It didn't last time.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Only a little over a year. Is it even coming to the US? It didn't last time.

It is definitely coming to the U.S. My dealer was at the big corporate event where they announced it, and someone (not him) leaked the launch schedule.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Only a little over a year. Is it even coming to the US? It didn't last time.

It's definitely coming to the US. In fact, the RS3 sedan is being created in large part specifically for the US market (and China too). Elsewhere, they already have the RS3 in hatchback form.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It's definitely coming to the US. In fact, the RS3 sedan is being created in large part specifically for the US market (and China too). Elsewhere, they already have the RS3 in hatchback form.

I drove the hatchback it was a lot of fun. I am #1 on the list at my dealer for the RS3 sedan when it gets here. Depending on pricing obviously, it's on my very short list of options for next car.

[mremg]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I drove the hatchback it was a lot of fun. I am #1 on the list at my dealer for the RS3 sedan when it gets here. Depending on pricing obviously, it's on my very short list of options for next car.

Did you drive the current gen RS3? I'm curious because I saw quite a lot of reviews trashing it (not that it matters because most car reviews are all fluff these days).

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mremg

Did you drive the current gen RS3? I'm curious because I saw quite a lot of reviews trashing it (not that it matters because most car reviews are all fluff these days).

I did, and I really liked it. With a few IMPORTANT caveats. It was Stockholm, in December, on summer tires. Dealer was with me and it was a fight to even get them to let me drive it as I left my passport at the hotel. So needless to say I was not really testing any limits. That said it does check a lot of boxes for me. Really quick, practical with the back doors and seats, AWD which I need for the next car. Sounded AMAZING. That 5 is pretty awesome. Handling seemed fine from what I could tell, but again I was far from pushing it. I have read that the new one will have a better, more rear biased Haldex. So that would help. All things considered, think it's a very compelling package - depending on pricing. I would say from a "drivers car" perspective the TTRS will be the choice if looking at Audi, but the RS3 should be quite a bit less.

Hope that helps.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

Actually, it gets a small HP/TQ bump, the 7-speed DSG (which explains the faster 0-60 times), and the Haldex has allegedly been re-tuned for more rear wheel bias. It's a worthy upgrade over the 2016.

According to this discussion, it sounds like the US might be left out of the new transmission and power bump:

http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthr...-A3-S3-Review&

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

According to this discussion, it sounds like the US might be left out of the new transmission and power bump:

http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthr...-A3-S3-Review&

That's mildly disappointing. At least there's the new virtual instrument cluster, and it looks like LED headlights are standard (with a commensurate price bump I'm sure).

[dparm]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

Looked at this car closely before I bought my M235i. It's Haldex AWD, not true quattro which means it's a FWD car with power to the rear wheels as needed. That gives it FWD handling and driving dynamics. Test drove both the same day and you could definitely feel the difference.

The newer Haldex units are far more sophisticated than the old units you saw on cars like the TT.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by orangeglim

I drove a 2016 S3 last week, before I drove the M235i. It sounds great on city streets but the exhaust didn't quiet down at all on the highway. I couldn't stand the thought of making any sort of highway cruise listening to it drone on and on the entire way.

I did an 8 hour road trip in one last year. Didn't find the exhaust objectionable at all, but that's just me.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

It is definitely coming to the U.S. My dealer was at the big corporate event where they announced it, and someone (not him) leaked the launch schedule.

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It's definitely coming to the US. In fact, the RS3 sedan is being created in large part specifically for the US market (and China too). Elsewhere, they already have the RS3 in hatchback form.

Specifically for the US? So does that mean it's the weird extra large/ heavy version that's actually secretly a SUV?

[G8rGrl]

I would buy that A5 sportback today. Too bad I need a new car this fall.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by G8rGrl

I would buy that A5 sportback today. Too bad I need a new car this fall.

Ha funny you say that. Dad is on his third car in 2 years when the 328 sport wagon gets delivered next week. If he doesn't like that the S5 sport back is up next.

[eluded]

I'm not a big Audi fan, oh wait?

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Why would you want a rebadged VW? Just get a Golf R.

[Robm129]

I cross shopped the S3 with the M235i. I was coming from a modded STI for reference. The S3 felt tiny inside and the "sedan" back seat spacing was less than that of the M235i. I also couldn't get over how much I didn't like the round air vents. Just a personal thing. Add to this that the Audi dealerships wouldn't budge at all on pricing. The M235i beat the S3 in everything that I wanted out of the car except for having 2 doors vs 4. Something I've easily adapted to seeing as how I'm a single guy with no kids or pets!

But that RS3 though!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Robm129

I cross shopped the S3 with the M235i. I was coming from a modded STI for reference. The S3 felt tiny inside and the "sedan" back seat spacing was less than that of the M235i. I also couldn't get over how much I didn't like the round air vents. Just a personal thing. Add to this that the Audi dealerships wouldn't budge at all on pricing. The M235i beat the S3 in everything that I wanted out of the car except for having 2 doors vs 4. Something I've easily adapted to seeing as how I'm a single guy with no kids or pets!

But that RS3 though!

2 will come in GC guise in 2019

[pz619]

I test drove both before deciding the M235i. I'm a RWD guy so the audi was automatically handicapped but it wasn't a bad drive. The M235i felt more powerful and sportier but the audi definitely had a good formula.