I recently ordered a 2022 s3 they told me around 8 months wait. I’m curious how long it took for your to arrive?

I heard the RS3 is even worse! Harsher!

@@buildmorefarms1007 yes it’s much worse. I was originally going to order a base RS3 but then they told me about a year and a half to about two years wait. That’s why I went with the s3 instead

The RS3 suspension is great. It has 3 modes. The softest is almost too soft IMO.

@@nygelldiaz2948 I bought mine off the lot, just so happened to check the dealer site and found it listed. It even still had the shipping plastic on it when I went and first saw it.

Give it another few years and we'll get there

It's the Golf R :)

@@Shankovich ummm 🤔 maybe in engine alone but the materials, nvh, sound system. It’s superior in the Audi

All sedans should be liftbacks.

Since you've had your Audi for more than 10 yrs, what's the maintenance,/reliability been like? I had an 02 A4 and 04 S4, and they were fun, but both money pits. Constantly changing tail lights, oil issues and the S4 needed a whole new intake.

@@lions208436 😂 I’ve only have the car for four weeks. The “8Y” refers to this generation of RS3. I will be happy to do a reliability follow up down the road.

@@CCC-DID learned something new, thank you and I look forward to the update

@@lions208436 I had an 02 A4 as well and agree, total money pit. I’ve had the 22 S3 for about 7 months now. No issues to report but somewhat holding my breath.

The remote start isn’t offered for Audi because out in Germany, they have strict EPA laws that prohibit a car for idling for too long without anyone in it. So Audi doesn’t incorporate it. You’ll see Mercedes Benz offer it because a good portion of the vehicle is assembled in the US. FWIW- I just learned this but interesting nevertheless

@@Teedohs odd because my S3 was built in Hungary.

@@pokerfred68 maybe same EPA restrictions in most places in Europe or outside the US? Not sure, though but this is what I was told by Audi

these reasons are why i am hesitant on purchasing the s3

I swore I'd never buy another car with leather without vented seats and I went and bought a 2023 S3 in November. We've had a couple of 80° days and damn that black leather is hot. I keep thinking I could have bought a new GLI and got the vented seats and saved $20k.

What? The ability to push power to each of the 4 wheels absolutely creates traction in the sense of the car being able to maintain control and maximize effectiveness of the grip of the wheels that are gripping. If three wheels have no traction and one wheel does, and that one wheel is able to receive power, traction is gained over an FWD car. And that's especially true in cars with limited slip differentials where power is used to help a car rotate in a turn and thus handle. Why else would RWD, FWD, AWD cars have different handling characteristics? If AWD is only about acceleration, that wouldn't be the case. What you're saying would only maybe apply in a zero-friction setting like an entirely ice surface like a frozen lake.

@@KevRC4130 I feel like I explained it. You asked a general question. I don’t know which part isn’t making sense. The issue may be my original write up. People have a poor understanding of what AWD really does for the car. I feel like that’s hard to disagree with. AWD doesn’t help you brake better. That’s just not what it does. AWD doesn’t really help you turn better. I’m assuming this is where you have the issue. Imagine an AWD car not applying acceleration going through a turn where it loses traction (gravel, mud, ice, wet leaves, water … whatever reason). Does AWD help it? Nope. That’s the core concept. What does the drivetrain actually do for the car? At the core, what it does is provide better acceleration. That acceleration may happen throughout a corner or in a straight line. But, all it can possibly do is help the car move forward. Have you ever seen a summer Vs winter tire comparison? It’s amazing what better tires does. A FWD car on winter tires will dramatically out accelerate an AWD car in summer tires when both cars are in a lot of snow. That is easy to see in a straight line. Those impacts continue when the two vehicles try to do the same turn at the same speed with constant acceleration applied (like cruise control at 25mph). Straight line or corner. If you’re braking AWD has no benefit. Straight line or corner. If you’re neutral with no acceleration and no brake AWD has no benefit. All the car can POSSIBLY do is accelerate better because more of the tires can try to apply torque to the ground using available traction. Straight line or corner … doesn’t matter which. That core concept has a lot of impact on driving characteristics when driving at the limit of what the car can do. And, there are lots of subtleties with how limited slip systems may be used to put power down to the ground. And there are lots of subtle differences based on how much power is being sent to each of the four corners (typically). Still, fundamentally, the benefit of AWD is the ability to accelerate. Confusion seems to come up because that acceleration can happen in a corner which gives the impression that the drivetrain helps the car turn better. Doing the same turn at high speed but without using the accelerator will give you the same characteristics as another car without AWD (assuming same tires, same weight, same weight bias ….).

@@zero11010 I think you are incorrect. Throw a 200 hp front wheel drive car into a corner under power and you have the front wheels trying to lay down 200hp and steer the car, 100% level of traction trying to do two things. Throw a 200hp AWD into the same corner and you only have the front wheels laying down 100hp and trying to steer the car, leaves more traction to steer.

@@robstone4537 I feel like we are saying the same thing. If that car wasn’t trying to accelerate (“under power” as you say) then in both scenarios they would be roughly the same. Because the car is trying to accelerate, the AWD drivetrain will be beneficial as I’ve previously laid out. With a good traction control system power in that FWD car will be cut and the FWD car will still turn just fine. Just like you see cars with lesser tech traction control systems and limited slip systems and many AWD systems are still infamous for understeer in that same scenario. It’s up to traction control to limit power and let the front wheels do the turning. AWD doesn’t help the car turn because it doesn’t do that kind of thing. Tire traction (and tire heat), weight balance, weight (and downforce), traction control (human or AI), and a limited slip system (clearly related to traction control) will all combine to help make the car turn better.

No manual transmission available on the A3...pass.

More length in back of A3/S3 with seats down than Golf R. Can easily fit surfboards, snowboards etc in. Long enough even to sleep in. DSG is so fun to drive!

I am wondering which one has better cabin noise score and ride comfortable score

@@davidb7358 DSG's are problematic and expensive to maintain also.

@@buildmorefarms1007 what type of problems specifically? I've used mine with DSG for 6 years without a problem. Doesn't lose boost at WOT shifting.

Brian?

I was debating between the S4 and the S3 (because the RS3 is hard to find at MSRP). The S4 is a great all around car for the occasional street fun or longer family trips. It definitely has lots of potential with its V6. However, it’s still a hefty car to throw around here and there and doesn’t feel as fun. The S3, though, has a more aggressive and sporty look, more forgiving with handling in tighter areas and just all around a much more fun car. Did I mention that it really does look sportier / nicer than the S4 (yes, that’s subjective 😉) When deciding between the two, it came down to this: “Do I want the Civic Type R (S3) or the Accord Sport (S4)?” ….figuratively speaking, of course 😉

I had the same debate and went the A4 way for several reasons: better engine (direct and port injection), much better AWD system due to the longitudinal powertrain (the real Audi Quattro system), much better ride and larger cargo space. The A4 has quite better interior materials (which Audi may ruin on the next redesign unfortunately as they do not have the same standards on the recent redesigns). If the smaller format appeals to you than the S3 then go for it but or if you are debating go for the A4 or A5 which would be my choice nowadays. By the way the A4 is very quick.

Alex is the creator and fearless leader here at Auto Buyers Guide! -Travis

I have an 8Y RS3, and if you can get that at MSRP (I did), I definitely would go with that. They're probably really hard to find though. I waited a year and a half. S3 vs S4 will come down to space, fuel economy, and handling. They're both tunable. If you want good mileage, S3. If you just want something for the street and don't care to much about gas prices, S4 (and a tune). I would go RS3 or Golf R for the track. The RS3 also gets pretty great mileage for what it is. I get 34 highway.

@@keithemanuel1072 Thanks!! I would never be on the track 😞 - but love the idea of the RS3... but your comments make me think S4. Thanks again!

@@JesseProwisor The price difference between the S4 and RS3 isn't big though, and the RS3 is still a great daily. The RS3 should hold value really well, so I would still get it if buying new. A used S4 and a tune is a good option though.

Perception of hatchbacks in the US is cheap economy cars not luxury cars.

Agreed. The Golf R is a better package, with significantly more features. If someone can overlook the haptic button issue, then the Golf R is the obvious choice.

@@darrell9616 Better value at top trim comparison. Comes down to preference of sedan vs hatch and looks. I think the new Golf R exterior is a bit too Hyundai ish.

@@Brad633 You're right about the looks. Personal preference. However, regardless of configuration, the Golf R is better equipped for the same or less money. The Golf R has standard features that aren't even available on this car or the RS3. Objectively, the Golf R is a better package. Subjectively, you can make a case for the S3.

@@darrell9616 Agree. Just wondering if the Golf R will have better cabin noise control and ride comfortability (DCC set to soft) for daily driving compared to S3.

i thought only the blackwings get manuals? and not the regular ct4 v

@@ShaiyanHossain Yes, you're right. Only the 10spd is available.

m240 is a straight 6

I find it hard to believe any BMW is more for the money even at MSRP. I think their prices are all slightly higher as is their horsepower. BMW 10-yr maintenance cost is significantly higher as well. VW/Audi have arguably the best engine platform for tuning too. Save the money and get an s3 with a stage 1 tune =p

@@Brad633 the b58 is more tunable and has more power and more room for more power with bolt Ons. The b58 is one of the best straight 6 engines with great tuning capabilities to exist in the modern world.

@@trevine33 Not denying it's one of the best engines as is the EA888, but to say it is more tunable is highly questionable. You'll get no argument that a 6 cyl has a higher ceiling (duh), but I feel like the 4 cyl has just as much room if not more, possibly due to it being undertuned stock. An s3 stage 2 on 91 nets you about 400hp (36% over 292hp stock). An m240i with a similar tune and bolt-ons nets you 460hp (37% over stock 335) with 93. The m240i will cost you more all around. Higher sticker price, higher maintenance costs, worse fuel economy. Now, if price was not at all important to me, I'd choose the m240i too, just saying.

@@Brad633 only prob is with more tunes the ea888 will start to valve bounce and the stock turbos turn red hot. I've seen a couple that are tuned to close to 400 and have to ease up when pushing it coz they can blow something.

Type R is larger inside and has more cargo capability. Seats 4 full adults and will keep its resale value. The audi will drop in value off a cliff

@@abelalba3111 S3s are tarted up Golf's- Type Rs sell higher than that in California apples to apples

@@TheFK8Life Audi interiors > Honda/Acura interiors

@@KP-xi4bj no doubt - but what good is the interior when the rest of the car is in the junkyard lol

@@TheFK8Life Rest of the car is junk? I think you're confusing Honda/Acura with Audi. LMFAO SMH

@@naveenthemachine I expect VW & Audi to have electrical gremlins, mechanical issues early and often. For Audi, I expect shop visits to be expensive and for parts to be expensive. But, I always give them a chance to improve.

Yeah, I like the S3, S4 and their RS variants but I definitely have an aversion to spending any time on the shoulder or repair item that take more than an hour of shop time. Honda products come up short on OEM performance but that’s the only area it comes up short. 😎

Reliability should be rock solid. I've owned 8 Audis from new, all S or RS models. Never had an issue with any of them, not one. I do around 15-20,000 miles a year as well. Hold value? It's an Audi, so hell yeah. My new RS3 is worth 10k MORE than when I bought it! I recently sold my 3 year old TTS and only lost 35% in depreciation.

@@DavidDLee Weird? May be things are different elsewhere? You buy a new Audi in the UK it comes with a warranty, so no matter what happens, you pay nothing during the warranty period. You can also pay to extend that period from 3 years to 4 or even 5 years. I just get a new car every 3 years, so suits me. Cheap motoring. Just got a new RS3 and all I'll pay in that 3 years is tyres, road tax, servicing and petrol. Servicing was free for first 2 years as well - compensation for the 18 month wait to get the car.

pretty much a common issue for all DI engines, honda no exceptions.

I’m watching this again … you point at the S3 and call it an A3 and talk about the engine and power and price of the A3 gesturing at an S3 …. Then you talk about the S3 while pointing at the S3 and rattle off a bunch more numbers. As you make that transition I have to remind myself that I’m here to listen to you talk about the S3, and these are the numbers for this vehicle … Which makes the A3 numbers and gesturing confusing. I think this is like presenter UX.

Yes. Pumped into the cabin through the speakers. Doesn't sound that bad actually.

An arteon does not do 0-60 in 4.3 seconds lol

The s3 is faster than the golf R ever so slightly due to (I believe) wheelbase.

@@freezingdragon6988 Audi said this but it hasn't proven to be true. I've seen articles that said the Golf R is slightly faster. Plus the Golf R has the torque vectoring rear diff that the S3 lacks. So mechanically the Golf R is superior.

Drive the RS3 and won't want the S3, fact.

@@luciussander8217 it all depends on the person. It's in the eye of the beholder.

Nah

😂

Costs more than the S3 in my country, so no, Golf is not best value.

Indeed with the RS3 being the best long term investment, and the most fun of them all!👍

Like that pop up screen in the dash was classy! I hated that in my RS3 8V, along with the dated tech. The interior is much better in the new car and far more modern. I have the new RS3...

Truthfully, Porsche is the only german manufacturer that hasn’t “messy” with their look. New Audi, BMW, Acura, and Mercs all look strange.

@@SilverScarletSpider acura doesnt look strange

I think the opposite. Last RS3 looked bland and boring, you could easily walk past one and not even notice it. New one, which I own, looks damn amazing. I'd bet you have not seen one in the flesh or you need to see an optician.

RS3 all day for those who have deep enough pockets 😂

@@germanengineering204 not as fun

@@mharro88I'd go for the new Integra type S if I need a manual, and a drop dead gorgeous design!

5 cylinder is a masterpiece compared to any 4 cylinder ever built! Sound is incredible, and all the owners of these along with all reviews say it's super FUN to drive! Engine won international Engine of the year award 10 years in a row!!😀

@@germanengineering204 it's amazing , it's quick and it's clinical but I had more fun in the Elantra N to be honest. It's overpriced.

Looks for one 😁

It’s really not that serious. The Type R is a great car. But it’s not sliced bread. Say it with me “other cars are just as good, some are even better at certain things”. I would definitely take a GR Corolla over a CTR. I’d take a Golf R over one too. But you’re right about one thing, I wouldn’t take a S3 over a CTR on any day.

@@chowsquid nah the new fl5 looks sick, especially the front.

​@@Soh90S3 over type R😂😂😂 naaaah

Not one bit.

That would depend on your personal priorities.

Horrible interior and terrible infotainment system. For those reasons, S3 > Golf R.