@@marku3423 ok cool, I’m picking up 2018 s3 in 2 days. I’m coming from mostly Honda and Toyota background and just worried about reliability.... is there anything I should be looking out for? Or have you had any issues. Thanks!!
@@MrScoobieman well, make sure you get one that's certified and has Audi Care, so your maintenance up to 62K miles is covered. I haven't had any issues.
@@marku3423 ok thanks, it’s being sold at a dealership here in Canada and it has 82,000 km on it, it really looks and drives beautiful , For that amount of kilometres it looks almost new I’m just hoping reliability will be the same. Thanks for replying :)
While I'd love to try an RS3 one day, I've never ever felt "wowI wish I had gone RS3 over S3" having now owned my car for nearly 2 years. I've been super happy with my S3 since day 1 and I don't think I'm ever getting rid of it
@@jquillenwest6168 no definitely NOT a mistake, I have the S3 stage 2 and I am completely satisfied, has gobs of mid range immediate torque, better response than the RS3. While the potential for RS3 is higher, the value for what you get with the S3 is unbeatable. Ive seen built S3. 2.0T's with 800+ HP running low 9s in the quarter holding up just fine.
@@raudi.audirsif you pay 40k for an rs3 its not far fetched to spend 3k more to get 500hp. spend 5-6k with a bigger turbo and nearly 600 hp is also easily possible. above that you will probably need to stregthen piston and rods as well as a clutch upgrade. Block, Crank and gearbox itself have no problem with far over 1000hp
Haha The RS3 took my breath away a little bit, it was so quick that I became really focused on it. The s3 was also the first one I tested and I just wasn't expecting it to take off as hard as it did.
@@XYZ-g9w4e the little added weight on the rs3 makes it feel like a more planted well balanced car. The engine is def in it's own league, though I think tuning it is a must as in stock form it felt that the s3 had less turbo lag
@@_NB233 Its still nice, i've had it for almost 2 years now haha. The repair cost if anything happens to it is pretty costly, hitting a curb cost me like 3k. Maintenance also kinda pricey prob like 1.2k-1.5k average a year.
honestly, if you have the money go for a stage 1 tune. One tune with no mods brings the car up to 297HP / 346LB-FT. I have a stage 1 unitronic tune atm.
Next time let the boost build to max before letting go of the break, while launching. The boost-meter is below the right side screen in the cockpit. I own a 2017 s3 and building the boost makes a lot of difference
Ive been watching reviews on these cars for a minute thinking of buying one. Then I watch this one and realize its in my stomping grounds. Kinda Startled me at first seeing the abandoned Kmart in the background and the rolling shots in old marsh behind the dealer ship. Go Hoosiers!
Wished I got the 2018 S3 instead of my A3 but I like to look at my A3 like a GTI with AWD. tunes and bolt ons really help out the MQB platform so you may not be able to get an s3 but with a few mods you could get the same performance easily.
killer_vette full bolt on stage 2 A3 can hang with the S3 but of course once you start putting parts on an S3 the A3 doesn’t even come close obviously.
@@ltlint got my self audi s3 2013 sportback stage 1 managed to get 365hp and 544nm, got a nice 4 sec to 100 ( cold weather and winter tires ) wondering what a downpipe will do
I loved my 2015 A3 1.8T, just traded it in and upgraded to a like new 2018 S3, and the S3 is stupid fast stock. SOOO much fun to drive, plus you get the "S" badge club, lots of heads turn for sure. Stay away from the FORD.
Bought my 2009 A3 Quattro a few months ago for a bargain in NZ, just stage 1 tuned it and now it has 250hp and 320nm of torque compared to base and its very very similar to an S3 if not slightly faster at the launch. Amazing car for anyone wanting a daily too
@@RamenVFXYT S3 are easier to tune and are easier to find in manual; insurance is more expensive. A3 is definitely a sleeper Audi build and a Stage 1 tune for the 8P can easily put the same power as an S3 (260hp 'up from 200hp' & 340nm TQ 'up from 280nm'). A4 is very common, lots of parts, bigger frame and has actual Quattro instead of Haldex
I know this video was filmed to years ago. He said for under 60k it’s a good car. But at least where I live I can’t find one under 60k 😭 car market is crazy
I would like to note at the time of writing this comment you can find s3's for 20k now. (buy an s3 over the a3 if you want a fun daily. If you want a great sports car experience that costs much more go for the rs3 which is 2x the price of the s3.)
You can't even find a newer a3 for under 34 k bro , I'm trying to trade my 2017 Mustang Hpp Ecoboost but the power and interior of this mustang is so hard to compared . It has 340 and 380 tq and way bigger screen so hard to find something better that's new and under 35k
@@ImXprt Honestly I would just wait like a year or 6 months until the market chills a bit but I would never buy an a3 for 34k if I were you. I would try and go for a 3 series counterpart at that point.
@morgan rhysA3 stage 1 is actually supposed to be around 320hp to 330hp. 290hp on 87. I use 91 and my dyno was 314hp / 322TQ. Just tune and aftermarket panel air filter no hardware mods.
He got the metrics wrong whyle trying to use bhp from the PS that is in europe . We have 310 PS NOT BHP in europe . Its a diferent way of calculating the number
Good tests, but I do believe best bang for the bucks got to be a BMW M240i xdrive. You can find them for less than 30k, 0-60 in 4.1 sec stock, throw in a simple $400 tune and get 0-60 in 3.4 seconds!!! 1/4mile in 11.5 sec at 120 mph. That's GTR territory for 1/3 the cost. Also half the cost of a RS3.
Those definitely pack more of a punch than the s3 and for not much more cash new. Although I would have to check, I think you can get an S3 for a tad cheaper and they also have crazy tuning options. I'd like to see a race between the two with some tunes! Thank you for the feedback
@@Realistick Stock for stock or tune for tune a m240i xdrive will smoke a S3 all day. But the m240i will not touch the RS3, stock for stock or tune for tune lol. Fully stage 2 RS3 on E85 makes 500whp, same tune and e85 on m240i only make 460whp. So M240i is right in the middle of a S3 and RS3, but it's closer price to a S3, that's why I said it's the best bang for bucks. I know it cause I own a m240i xdrive, trying not to be bias, just giving the facts. Good video comparing the audi 3 series regardless. You should do a review on the m240i xdrive too, you'll love it.
@@Kai240ithey are not even close in point. used 2015-2017 S3s are going for low 20s - high 20s...used M2s are going for low 40s and up. think it's clear which is more convenient from a price point.
Not what I was referring to. In the now previous gen A3, the quattro package gave the A3 a boost in horsepower (google it), obviously, quattro is just the name for the awd system.
@@Realistick no it isn’t lmao. Shouldn’t be “Quattro that boosts power” and should be “with Quattro and a higher output engine” (or something similar to that
As the owner of a '17 S3, I'm very satisfied with it.
How long have you owned it?
@@MrScoobieman a year.
@@marku3423 ok cool, I’m picking up 2018 s3 in 2 days. I’m coming from mostly Honda and Toyota background and just worried about reliability.... is there anything I should be looking out for? Or have you had any issues. Thanks!!
@@MrScoobieman well, make sure you get one that's certified and has Audi Care, so your maintenance up to 62K miles is covered. I haven't had any issues.
@@marku3423 ok thanks, it’s being sold at a dealership here in Canada and it has 82,000 km on it, it really looks and drives beautiful , For that amount of kilometres it looks almost new I’m just hoping reliability will be the same. Thanks for replying :)
While I'd love to try an RS3 one day, I've never ever felt "wowI wish I had gone RS3 over S3" having now owned my car for nearly 2 years. I've been super happy with my S3 since day 1 and I don't think I'm ever getting rid of it
Ya you made a mistake you definitely wish you gone rs3
@@jquillenwest6168 I’m alright if I never own one
@@jquillenwest6168 no definitely NOT a mistake, I have the S3 stage 2 and I am completely satisfied, has gobs of mid range immediate torque, better response than the RS3. While the potential for RS3 is higher, the value for what you get with the S3 is unbeatable. Ive seen built S3. 2.0T's with 800+ HP running low 9s in the quarter holding up just fine.
The rs3 is a waste of money in my opinion. I’m that price range, you go TTRS….
The crazy thing is the rs3 with a simple downpipe and tune is absolutely psychotic
Yeah but parts are so expensive :(
@@raudi.audirsif you pay 40k for an rs3 its not far fetched to spend 3k more to get 500hp. spend 5-6k with a bigger turbo and nearly 600 hp is also easily possible.
above that you will probably need to stregthen piston and rods as well as a clutch upgrade.
Block, Crank and gearbox itself have no problem with far over 1000hp
Your reaction to the RS3 seems underwhelming compared with the S3.
Haha The RS3 took my breath away a little bit, it was so quick that I became really focused on it. The s3 was also the first one I tested and I just wasn't expecting it to take off as hard as it did.
I had the 17 s3 and now 18 rs3. Loved the s but the rs is really special and drives very differently
@@mike786551 How does it drive differently? I heard that the low end torgue is very similar
@@XYZ-g9w4e the little added weight on the rs3 makes it feel like a more planted well balanced car. The engine is def in it's own league, though I think tuning it is a must as in stock form it felt that the s3 had less turbo lag
The A3 2.0 also has launch control. First turn off traction control, put it in sport or manual and send it!
Yes, my first launch, I didn't push it to the floor, the second result was with launch mode, 4:45
A3 s line premium plus quattro is a steal i fucking love this car
I just got my A3 sline premium plus Quattro also, I’m a week and a half into ownership and I’m loving it. Hope to be tuned in a couple months, EQT.
@@jayc7612 how have you been liking it a year now
@@_NB233 Its still nice, i've had it for almost 2 years now haha. The repair cost if anything happens to it is pretty costly, hitting a curb cost me like 3k. Maintenance also kinda pricey prob like 1.2k-1.5k average a year.
I'd save a lot of money if just go with the A3 but at the same time I really want the S3! That aggressive front bumper looks awesome!
honestly, if you have the money go for a stage 1 tune. One tune with no mods brings the car up to 297HP / 346LB-FT. I have a stage 1 unitronic tune atm.
a3 s-line with a tune will give you the same looks and performance of the S3
@@TVCHLORD a tune on the S3 will give you the same performance as the RS3
@@KuzkayDevapproximately how much for this tune?
@@NYCDurrani Stage 2 is about 3.5k euro
Next time let the boost build to max before letting go of the break, while launching. The boost-meter is below the right side screen in the cockpit. I own a 2017 s3 and building the boost makes a lot of difference
Ive been watching reviews on these cars for a minute thinking of buying one. Then I watch this one and realize its in my stomping grounds. Kinda Startled me at first seeing the abandoned Kmart in the background and the rolling shots in old marsh behind the dealer ship. Go Hoosiers!
Wished I got the 2018 S3 instead of my A3 but I like to look at my A3 like a GTI with AWD. tunes and bolt ons really help out the MQB platform so you may not be able to get an s3 but with a few mods you could get the same performance easily.
Bolt on for bolt on though, the S3 shines, im 400whp+ on stock turbo
killer_vette full bolt on stage 2 A3 can hang with the S3 but of course once you start putting parts on an S3 the A3 doesn’t even come close obviously.
@@killer_vette351 oh damn. What kind of tune do you have? And has the car been reliable?
swiftripper EQT E85 tune and car has been very reliable , no issues
@@ltlint got my self audi s3 2013 sportback stage 1 managed to get 365hp and 544nm, got a nice 4 sec to 100 ( cold weather and winter tires ) wondering what a downpipe will do
Very.... Very... Very... Nice "moving" car walkaround. I hope you do these video shots on your upcoming reviews. Im subscribing :)
Really good vid!
My 2015 S3 with stage 2 is one of the funnest things ever, I love mine. Better value than the RS3 for sure
Ive been debating on getting an A3 fully loaded for months, i just cant make up my mind. Either that or a mustang ecoboost it's so hard i cant choose
As someone who grow up a mustang fanboy; audi✌️
consider the mk8 golf r
S3 Black Edition.
I loved my 2015 A3 1.8T, just traded it in and upgraded to a like new 2018 S3, and the S3 is stupid fast stock. SOOO much fun to drive, plus you get the "S" badge club, lots of heads turn for sure. Stay away from the FORD.
Bought my 2009 A3 Quattro a few months ago for a bargain in NZ, just stage 1 tuned it and now it has 250hp and 320nm of torque compared to base and its very very similar to an S3 if not slightly faster at the launch. Amazing car for anyone wanting a daily too
Hey! I’m looking at an a3. Is it worth it to build it and just run with that or go with the s3 or the a4?
@@RamenVFXYT S3 are easier to tune and are easier to find in manual; insurance is more expensive. A3 is definitely a sleeper Audi build and a Stage 1 tune for the 8P can easily put the same power as an S3 (260hp 'up from 200hp' & 340nm TQ 'up from 280nm').
A4 is very common, lots of parts, bigger frame and has actual Quattro instead of Haldex
@@NzScruff sorry for the late reply. Thanks a ton for the info my man!
I know this video was filmed to years ago. He said for under 60k it’s a good car. But at least where I live I can’t find one under 60k 😭 car market is crazy
400hp m5 did 0-62 in 5.4s
cap
I got the weird Audi A3 Etron, I love it.
A3 have 5.6 second,S3 have 4.9,rs3 3.9
nope, I have 2018 S3 , and it does 0-60 in 4.5 -4.6 sec all day, stage one 0-60 in 4.0 sec
@@volkssturm9694 Yeah, 4.9 is only what audi claims, audi always underrates the 0-60 time
Great video
in europe the s3 is 310bhp i dont get why its restricted in usa
I don't know either, even with other brands like the old Evo fq400, we never got more than the regular 291 hp in the US.
Realistick and 400 torque, luckily enough I live in England and have a s3 hatchback 👍
As far as I know, the performance was reduced due to the average poorer gasoline
But isn't the 300+hp Europe spec s3 0-60 time 4.5 seconds as well......? 🤔
We R One it’s 4.6 but You can usually shave like .2 off easily
stock a3 0-100 5.4 sec ??
Yes, that's at least what I got on my second try. 4:44
Not stock, Quattro
@@Realistick no way.A3 stock with launch have 5.6-5.4 max.S3 -4.9-4.7 max
@@jacksantos1353 nope
@@Chair991 yes,yes
AUDI A3 is fit on my Personality simple and elegant. 🖤
As a stage two RS3 owner I’m very happy with mine. I beat RS5 and other sport cars all day
thats still dam good for a lil ole A3
I would like to note at the time of writing this comment you can find s3's for 20k now. (buy an s3 over the a3 if you want a fun daily. If you want a great sports car experience that costs much more go for the rs3 which is 2x the price of the s3.)
Maybe old ones, and maybe outside of the US, here, 2020 models have actually appreciated in value since I made this video!
You can't even find a newer a3 for under 34 k bro , I'm trying to trade my 2017 Mustang Hpp Ecoboost but the power and interior of this mustang is so hard to compared . It has 340 and 380 tq and way bigger screen so hard to find something better that's new and under 35k
I've been considering this a3 a line premium plus 2020 5,000 miles 34 k
@@ImXprt Honestly I would just wait like a year or 6 months until the market chills a bit but I would never buy an a3 for 34k if I were you. I would try and go for a 3 series counterpart at that point.
@@gabehodos-rich2372 think ima go with that 2022 Hyundai Elantra n man 33 k performance blue 😂
APR stage 1 tune on the A3 makes it faster than the S3 no problem
Or you can just pick the s3 instead of the A3 , pass on all the tuning crap and save your warranty .
And what happens when you do the same tune to the S3?
@@larjkok1184 about 360 hp
@@tdproductions3255 Diff between the money between S3 and A3 :)
@morgan rhysA3 stage 1 is actually supposed to be around 320hp to 330hp. 290hp on 87. I use 91 and my dyno was 314hp / 322TQ. Just tune and aftermarket panel air filter no hardware mods.
I would like to pay extra for the s3.
The s3 is 310bhp in Europe werid
He got the metrics wrong whyle trying to use bhp from the PS that is in europe . We have 310 PS NOT BHP in europe . Its a diferent way of calculating the number
I have a 20 Audi A3 and love it but want more power
get a cobb and get an apr stage 1, if you want more you can upgrade your turbo.
Bro they gonna confiscate those guns 💪💪
DSG is Pump and Squirt
Bro it was a good but unremarkable video up until you locked yourself in the S3's trunk. Then you got a sub from me lol.
Good tests, but I do believe best bang for the bucks got to be a BMW M240i xdrive. You can find them for less than 30k, 0-60 in 4.1 sec stock, throw in a simple $400 tune and get 0-60 in 3.4 seconds!!! 1/4mile in 11.5 sec at 120 mph. That's GTR territory for 1/3 the cost. Also half the cost of a RS3.
Those definitely pack more of a punch than the s3 and for not much more cash new. Although I would have to check, I think you can get an S3 for a tad cheaper and they also have crazy tuning options. I'd like to see a race between the two with some tunes! Thank you for the feedback
@@Realistick Stock for stock or tune for tune a m240i xdrive will smoke a S3 all day. But the m240i will not touch the RS3, stock for stock or tune for tune lol. Fully stage 2 RS3 on E85 makes 500whp, same tune and e85 on m240i only make 460whp. So M240i is right in the middle of a S3 and RS3, but it's closer price to a S3, that's why I said it's the best bang for bucks. I know it cause I own a m240i xdrive, trying not to be bias, just giving the facts. Good video comparing the audi 3 series regardless. You should do a review on the m240i xdrive too, you'll love it.
Which tune? I have an m240i and I’m thinking of getting a tune on it, but I’m not sure which one to get.
@@Kai240ithey are not even close in point. used 2015-2017 S3s are going for low 20s - high 20s...used M2s are going for low 40s and up. think it's clear which is more convenient from a price point.
@@millionmilestothesun Either BM3 or MHD. I'm currently running MHD and loving it.
Sooooo what about a type r
Quattro doesn't "boost power" it just helps it put it down better
Not what I was referring to. In the now previous gen A3, the quattro package gave the A3 a boost in horsepower (google it), obviously, quattro is just the name for the awd system.
@@Realistick well then word it like you mean it lmao
@@Realistick believe it or not, lots of people that buy cars don’t know a lot about them so that could easily confuse someone
@@joshgutierrez7380 Literally rewatch the first 5 seconds, it's clear.
@@Realistick no it isn’t lmao. Shouldn’t be “Quattro that boosts power” and should be “with Quattro and a higher output engine” (or something similar to that
A3 don’t have launch control
Why anyone would get any of these as a saloon I will never know. Hatchback is SO much nicer.
Cause that's what's available in the u.s.
did he just compare an RS to a 911 turbo lmao
lmao hah super funny car journalist compare quick car to really quick car as way to describe the sensation of accelaration what an idiot!
Lol you really triggered him
My guy a 911 is twice as expensive as an rs3. Shouldn’t be compared