my bro has just taken delivery of his new s3.
he bought this after having worked for bmw, vw and finaly audi.
the fact he chose the audi speaks for itself as he`s driven all the comparative models. the audi is expensive i agree but you get the full package, and is quite easily the best built car to come out of germany. people who drive a bmw tend to stick to what they think they know and obviously enjoy hogging the fast lane and dont tend to move over for an audi thats wedged up its arse with clearly more horses growling than the bmw could dream of (apart from the m series). i sat in a 1 series bm to see how it felt and the interior is made entirely out of hideous plastic. they make the outsides look pretty nice and seem to have no money left to make the interior look half descent. my wife had the a3 3.2 v6 which kicked ass, and has now got the s4 cabrio, fast but thirsty. iv got the s-line 2.0 turbo petrol which did 150 mph the other week. say no more. i get my s3 in 3 months.!!!!!!

kev, leeds, yorkshire

For anyone living in or near London, there one damn good reason to buy the S3 - apart from the sheer sense of smugness you get from driving it. With dear Mayor Ken introducing a £25 congestion charge for cars with CO2 emissions higher than 225g/km, the S3 slips in just under the radar at 217g. The VW R32? 231g. The gutsier A3 3.2 V6? 250g. Driving every day in London? That'll be £6,250 a year please...Of course you can buy the new BMW 135i (220g), but it looks like a baby Jag X type. I bought my S3 in December. It is settling down and I love it. Jumpy in lower gears, but the turbo kicking in in third or fourth above 3000 revs is sublime. Buy one. Now.

William , London,

I have done 16k in my S3, and it is the most complete car I have ever owned. My previous cars include, BMW M3 SMG, Porsche Boxter S, Mini Cooper S JCW Works, Old Audi S3 etc etc.

It is quicker (except M3) and out handles them all!

Mr C is a good entertainer, but read Autocar for a proper review of the car, I did in Feb 07, test drove one and instantly placed an order spending over £33k on one! Money well spent

Greg Hall, Billericay, Essex

Having just purchased a S3 and having the superchip mod done to increase BHP to around 310, I am so happy with this car its untrue, I dont think you can buy this much fun with any other car on the market around this price

Big Andy, Caversham,

If you want an A3 with the R32 engine go for the 3.2 quattro A3 its bascally the same. As for people going down the cheaper route of tuning up a golf gti which is done with a remap and maybe a performance exhaust and air filter. The performance figures are the same as the s3 but audi hasnt mapped the standard 2.0t unit they have put in a new all metal intercooler, better pistons, stronger engine internals and slightly bigger turbo. Also the suspension is better than the gti's and lets not forget the brakes are much better.
I am awaiting arrival of my new s3 in 1 month. Current car is a mini cooper s supercharged with 240bhp, porsche turbo calipers with huge 341mm discs, coilover suspension etc. I seriuosly think that my mini is quicker than an s3 although when i get my s3 im getting mtm stage 2 package which is a map and exhaust which will see the car at 330bhp. For a golf gti to be at 330 bhp it would definately need a bigger turbo.

Luca, blackburn, england

Im currently in the market for a 27k hot hatch and after reading reviews and studying figures and depreciation facts Im going for the S3 with bells on.

You may remember the top gear episode where they pitched for the gorgeous but hideous handling 3.0 V6 alfa which went awfully fast but straight when you wanted to corner!

Enough said.

jim bell , fort william,

i drove the S3 today, despite my gut feel of it having, after all, a standard GTI engine beneath the bonnet with a couple of precision tweeks to handle the optimised power. i must state that i've had the software upgrade done to my GTI which kinda puts it on par with the S3's performance. the ride is certainly more snug and confident - thanks to the AWD and 18" running shoes. however, as far as bang for buck goes, i'd opt to keep my gti. the R32 just won't sustain my enthusiasm - seems like a patchy attempt by VW at putting the gti on par with similar hot-hatches and stands the risk of being outdated by the golf 6. so i guess i'll have too look forward to the BMW 135i and hope that fulfills my needs. first, i'll just have to warm to the idea of moving away fromt he vw stable.

rosh, pe, south africa

I test drove the R32 then the Audi s3 with in 2 days. I could not have lived with the R32's hard ride for ever day driving. So I currently waiting for my S3 to arrive. I do agree with JC that it would be good to have the VW V6 engine as its a great unit.

James Wood, Aberdeen, Scotland

I think Audi makes the most beautiful cars. With V6 engine can be a dynamite. I own A3 1.8T and look classier then any VW, especially interior. And for normal working ppl V6 become somehow expensive when paying taxes and registeration every year.

Robert, Slovenia,

I recently sold my 2 week old r32 and purchased a new audi s3.I was very happy with the vw until i drove the s3 and the rest is history.Surprisingly ,here in South Africa the vw is more expensive than the audi (about 1000 pounds).

Imraan H, Durban, South Africa

I nearly made the mistake of buying the R32 (DSG) as I test drive it first. It was a very good car and the exhausts note were sweet. However, when I test drove the S3 I felt in love with it immediately. The power surge was astonishing and the brakes were superb. I took delivery of S3 3 weeks ago and just can't stop driving it.
Actually the Australia version Audi had tune down the power by 7kw, can't wait to modify the cpu. The modification will increase the power by 30kw and torque by 30Nm.
If you haven't test drive one, go and do yourself a favour. Take one for a test drive.

Tommy, Sydney, Australia

I test drove all the variants of VW/Audi/SEAT hot hatches currently available, and the R32 is a decent car butI just find its 3.2V6 engine.....plain ordinary. The BMW M3 manages to pipe 343bhp out of its 6 cylinder lump, not 250PS. The VW lump is very expensive to tune in order to free up any extra horses.

I don't dispute that the engine can be slightly course under full load, and the suspension isn't perfectly tuned for UK roads (particularly motorways), but overall its one of the best cars I have driven for some time out of the VAG group. A work colleague with an M3 CSL said he was 'pleasantly surprised' by the S3 as he thought it would be more Audi stodge.

I posted 5.44s 0-60 at GTi international this year. In a current magazine which tested a new V8 RS4 they achieved a best of 5.8s (dry - same track). OK, so it can keep pulling beyond 100 (licence losing territory). I therefore dispute strongly that the 2.0T was the wrong choice as it keeps the front end light and responsive.

Warren, Newbury, UK

I just sold my Blue beast R32 with DSG... guess why? I wanted a S3. It is more of a Q car than the Golf. Here in Aus the $ difference is around 10k, quite alot (15%). But they are packaged differently, cunning those Germans. I have had the S3 for a week now, must admit I miss the exhaust note but that is all! The turbo rush is awsome, it squats and goes really hard. Not a squeak or a rattle, unlike the R32! The interior is a much classier and nicer place to be and in black with RS4 wheels it looks hot. Either car is great in my opinion, decisions decisions!

John G, Canberra, Australia

I've currently got a fully optioned R32, DSG, with mods for track days. It's an amzing car, I've had it for 9 months... however I'm off to get an S3.

To sum it up: as a fun daily driver the R32 DSG is the go. However, if you enjoy doing the odd track day and want to explore the upper limits of driving a car of this type, the S3 will deliver well beyond the R32, standard or modified. This is the only reason to move to the S3 ! Otherwise, stick to the GTi or the R32.

Matt, Sydney, Australia

Actually - Rant is NOT over yet !!

AUDI TT - ??!?!?!

Are you serious - !?

Two seats, brilliantly slow & looks well, recognisable - Not a great thing based on the old TT.

So, TT = NO.

Tom, London, London

You are right "Dan from Reading". SAS soldiers dont wear Rolex watches... nor do they drive Audi S3's.
Generally they can be found driving a knackered old Land Rover and defecating in a plastic bag which they then carry around with them through fear of having their position compromised by the unwanted attention of wildlife.
All credit to the SAS soldiers for fighting Blair's cause, which, by the way, makes them mere lemmings in the cogs of war.
Hence why you think they would prefer the Golf? Is that the point you were making?

JK, Bristol,

If only the real people in life, who actually mean what they say and were straight with it, they would not be knocking Jeremy but owning up to their own inhibitions! I met Jeremy briefly the day after his daughters birthday party and as a father of 6 and with a good team of guys with me intent on enjoying the Grand Prix I can honestly say despite a late night Jeremy was an absolute professional in every way, in my professional opinion he is one of the great presenters on TV because in these days of so called PC he speaks his mind, without thinking because the majority of black chinese whites or any other colour and or religion should take offence I deal with it evey day. Think back to the days when you could say things like Honky, Sambo Ginger and so on and no one took offence in the pub at home or anywhere the nanny state is upon us "Love Thy Neighbour" "On the Buses" Alf Garnett and so on no hurt intended if it had stayed like that would we all be so P off

Hugh Thomson, Brentwood, England

I hear a whirring sound not unlike an F-40 going from nought to 60 in -3s. and since that is impossible, I check and see that it is Voltaire spinning in his grave at the thought of being associated, however remotely or flimsily, with dizzy, socialist wimmin. You must have been thinking of Jean-Jacques Rousseau!!!

elizabeth schumann, Paris, France

The fact that Jeremys' son can't put on a bike chain, or his daughter wire a plug! Says more about his fathering skills than his childrens' lack of essential skills.When I was 8 and the cycle chain came off ,it was walk home time unless you knew how to fix it, maybe several miles. No mobile phone to call mum or dad. Aswhen on holiday with my brother in the south of France when I was 21.And Morris
Minor radiator leaked---- mended it with 3 packets of gluey french chewing gum, and took the seal off the pressure cap. But then us country lads know things like that, so we drove 1000 miles home.

David Vinter, Louth ,Lincs., UK.

The difference between R32 and A3 V6 3.2 is huge! R32 is much better car and nicer as well. Add DSG and the best hatch is born

Jan Hinner, Reading, UK

S3 is a brilliant car. V6 engine would have been too heavy ,and made for significant understear. A lot of internal alterations to the standard 2.0 TFSI engine have made it really responsive.
And you can easily get 300 bhp plus with a remap.

BMW is 130i is ugly, very crampted rear, has to be floored to get real performance, and eats petrol. Plus you cannot use the performance in bad weather.
R32 is a Golf with a very heavy engine up front and therefore compromised handling, and again does not have the real world acceleration in the gears which a really good turbo engine does.

Look at the S3 performace figures in gears. As fast as a Porche 911 between 30 and 70. That is real world figures.

Autocar feel it is the best Audi yet, and having driven all the above, I agree.
Peter, Scotland

Peter, Banchory, Scotland

SAS soldiers don't wear Rolexes, they wear cheap Casio watches.

Need I go on?

Dan G, Reading,

Geez man. This entire article sounds like it was written by some grumpy old man that couldn't find anything good to say about anything. Could you possibly gripe any more?

The S3 is a fantastic car. This is the first article I have ever read on the little Audi where it hasn't been praised up one side and down the other. I believe the real problem here was the driver.

Ron, Tampa, FL, USA

I have a Mercedes SL 500 which, after 6 months, is a big disappointment. Usual Merc woolly steering and a 7-speed gearbox like a blancmange which never knows what gear it's in. When changing down for a bend you need to telegraph the box about 5 secs before you need the reaction - hopeless! I now want something like the S3 but am confused by the reports - guess I just need to try it -

Tex Crampin, Goodwood, W Sussex UK

Definetely A3 V6 3.2, far better than the R32. Discrete yet powerfull and in comparison with the S3 it is just lacking 11bhp. Got one in 2004, would get one now!

Pedro, London,

Do you buy a Rolex because it tells the time better than a Swatch?

Or is it because it oozes quality and status and those in the know recognise your choice of purchase.

I could buy a cheaper VW R32, but why would I do that when I can buy an Audi S3.

Russell, Bristol, UK

I also own othe new S3 and I must say Im very pleased with it. I drove the 3.2 litre V6 that Audi has to offer (albeit it the new TT) and yes it sounds better, but it has less power. Theres nothing like a 260 Bhp turbo engine in a hatchback! The lag isnt an issue, you expect it in a turbo, and the whoosh you get when you push the turbo both aurally and physically are awesome.
Yes it is expensive, but Ive been assured the rsiduals are good enough to save my tears. The old S3s are keeping their value despite their age and are still going strong.

Chris, Dartford, Kent

Well, I agree with Andrew from Quimper. It is better to ride a 196 kg bike with more than 100 hp to get a kick (on route 66) and a nice car like an S-Type in Germany and its Autobahns for a fast and comfortabel numb.

Diethard, Bonn, Germany

All being said the main reason I bought an S3 is simply, "because I can". Yes It IS more expensive and perhaps lacks the sweetness of the V6 engine in the R32, but anyone, whose comments are worth noting, will appreciate that the driver of the S3 did not want to drive a VW Golf like the rest of the lemmings out there. I've seen the look of envy in the eyes of R32 drivers when I pass them.

JK, Bristol, UK

BMW 130 MSport is the best in class - although over priced. Just read EVO magazine for their impartial opinion - they have run the R32 and 130 as long termers. Engine is NOT thirsty - I get 32mpg most of the time. Friends R32 struggles to get 26. Engine in 130 weighs the same as the Audi unit, but is a 3.0 straight six instead of a blown 2.0. Also the handling of the Audi is pants compared to the BMW. Yes the BMW is a rather odd looking device, but to me at least that is part of the appeal. The fact it is technically on a different plane, makes it all the more desirable. It has a high reving magnesium engine, and fantastic chassis. The fact is Clarkson, Top Gear magazine, and show are great from an entertainment perspective. In terms of taking their advice when buying a car, anyone would be mad. Just listen to Clarkson's rants and flighty ever changing opinions! EVO actually make a subjective assessment based on the technical, driving and ownership factors all weighed up.

Nick Heather, Sunbury,

'Ice Station Zebra was entirely made in a studio in Burbank...'

According to IMDB Ice Station Zebra was filmed in San Diego, California, USA and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA . Now where is that atlas and we'll find out which one is in the extreme North of Canada :o)

Steve Turnbull, muenchen, Germany

Look, if you really want to enjoy a speed buzz, just buy or borrow any modern 600cc+ motorbike. It will blow your mind. All cars are slow in comparison. Then when you're all done, buy a nice, comfy diesel to relax in.

andrew, quimper, france

Just bought one...but not because of Mr C's review. I actually drove one! The car lacks steering feel, the brakes could be better and the shape is a bit bland, oh and it costs a fair bit too. On the other hand it makes you feel good; the interior is sublime; it's very well balanced, even over the limit, with turn in very direct; it's well screwed together and it goes like stink. I can only describe it as like a rocket on bonfire night. Most of my driving will be commuting and motorway cruising and for that it's perfect with the acceleration necessary for getting past traffic fast. It's not the worst car for B road driving either! The alternatives are not appealing. The R32 is a bit chavy and plasticy inside. The BMW 130 is ugly and thirsty. The merc, well it's an old mans car! The renault, a drivers car but still a renault. The Alfa, nice looking, you can look at it while you're waiting for the AA. You would have to spend a lot more to get a better all round prestige car.

Andrew, Peterborough,

Recent Audi's look like bricks. For real beauty and power try an Alfa Romeo. Tried the Brera 3.2 recently and was smiling from the moment I got behind the wheel.

Peter, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Why not simply go for the A3 3.2? The beautifully smooth V6 delivers performance that in the real world probably beats the S3, plus you get to save some money too!

Tom, Berlin, Germany

For me I would have the R32 or GTI. Maybe an S3 when its a couple of years old would be better value. My local dealer has a bright orange one for £30k, its been sitting on the forecourt for about 3 months, wonder why?

Paul, Lincoln,

I bought a Fully Speced R32 DSG last month, i could have bought an S3 instead easily.

Why? For several reasons

1) In Silver the R32 looks pretty much like every other Golf on the road, mines rebadged 2.0 TDI and 99% of people i meet believe its a normal diesel golf. So its a real Q car, zero hassle from the police and a greatly reduced chance of it being carjacked / nicked.

2) Track performance bears zero relationship to real world driving. In the real world you want instant torques very low down the rev range and the V6 delivers this in spades!! To get the best out of cars like the S3 (and my former STi PPP) u need to drive them full bore and at those speeds on a public road your risking jail....

The R32 DSG is all things to me, discrete, takes 4 large guys and there stuff, a fantastic distance cruiser, a brilliant comute to london traffic car, and on open roads in flappy paddle mode its still bonkers and very involving to drive :D

Oh and i get 22.5mpg, My CTR did 24.1 hardly bad

Dave Hedgehog, Dartford, Kent

"The TT is for posers, the S3 is for drivers. "

The S3 has always been a big disappointment- Certainly never the driver's car it pruports to be. What's more, the new TT seems to now have the driver appeal to match the looks judging by decent motoring press. I's also argue that there are a lot less R32's than there will be S3's owing to their steep price tag and that fact that they don't give much over the Golf GTi aprt from a chrome grill and bad fuel consumption. The S3 will never be special and in my opinion you'd be better off with a Golf GTI and enough money to spend 3 weeks in the Caribbean.

Neil, T Wells,

Ice Station Zebra was entirely made in a studio in Burbank...

Al, Southampton, UK

The TT and the S3 are completely different cars. The TT is for posers, the S3 is for drivers.

Yes, you could buy an R32 for less (who wants to buy a 3.2 litre Golf off you when the time comes!) but it's not as rare or as special as the S3.

Jezza drove the car for a few hours, I've done nearly 10k in one and it's far more the can than he makes out.

Mark - Dublin

Mark Noble, Dublin, Ireland

The S3 is a good car but the 2.0 engine feels like it has been Turbo charged to within an inch of its life. The 200bhp TT 2.0T is the same price, looks better and is better balanced with its Magnetic ride and hybrid aluminium/steel body.

Michael Moore, Belfast,

Oh Mr. C!

Have you forgotten that the Golf R36 is due sortly. 300bhp od hatchback V6 sweetness.

Please try and tell your fawining public (which includes me) what they can get shortly in addition to what they can get now.

Freddy, Hong Kong,

I agree with Max Mr Clarkson is a good entertainer but as for factual information not so good

Mick, Somertown,

It's a mystery why Audi felt the need to put out this S3 when the version Jeremy yearns for already exists: the 3.2 litre Audi A3 quattro.

Alan Depauw, Verrières-le-Buisson, France

I'm going to have to agree with you Clarkson, the R32 is the better deal. When it comes down to it, you're pretty much buying a hopped-up GTI with four-rings of the hood, and given how much of a "step up" it may be in terms of price/performance/perfection, I just don't see the reasoning behind it. Either way, the performance is still pretty good, plus it can haul the kids and the dog around if you wish, not to mention the halfway decent gas mileage as well.

...But, I'll take the GTI or the R32, as we won't be getting the S3 in the US any time soon. Well, my beloved VWs or maybe a Mustang GT. Its still up in the air...

Brad Ysseldke, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

What a pity you didn't go back and read your own review of the 1st Audi S3.
Back then you didn't seem to care that the 210 bhp S3 suffered from turbo lag, in fact according to you it "head-butted the horizon".
Lets not forget your review of the new Audi S4 where you slagged off earlier S4's for having a heavy lump at the front....... you mean like adding the 3.2 engine to the S3 chassis?
Yes the S3 is expensive, well, really it hasn't gained too much, the original cost £27k in 1999.
It's still a joy to drive though, cheaper option would be the R32 of course....... but it isn't an S3.

Max, Glasgow,