The A3 on which the S3 is based, which did appear in our most recent reliability study even though the S3 did not, came 16th out of 25 vehicles in the family car category with an overall score of 98 percent. Up our most current reliability survey, which included 30 manufacturers, the Audi brand came in at number 18.
In This Article...
Is buying an Audi S3 wise?
The Audi S3 is a fantastic example of the breed. Audi’s S series have always given understated performance. Although it has a powerful turbocharger and excellent quattro 4WD traction, it is less noticeable than some wild-looking rivals due to its mature driving style and subtle appearance.
The conservative driving style matches the austere appearance. Although the Audi S3’s performance delivery may disappoint some keen drivers, it is hard to match the S3’s speed and sophistication.
It’s a strong, premium substitute for the many other sporty hatchbacks available today. The S3, despite not quite being on par with the best-handling vehicles on the market and having styling that may not be thrilling enough for some, is nonetheless a force to be reckoned with.
Although the Audi S3 isn’t the fastest A3 of them all, it is still a versatile performance vehicle because it is offered as a hatchback, saloon, and convertible. Some people like the S3’s understated appearance since, despite being a little sporty, it doesn’t look all that different from an Audi A3 in S line gear and can thus easily slide under people’s radar.
How long is the life of an Audi S3?
The Audi A3 is a tough vehicle that, with regular care and sensible driving, can travel 200,000 kilometers on average. Based on a 15,000-mile yearly mileage, this translates to 13 years of service before expensive repairs are necessary.
Is the Audi A3 dependable?
The A3 placed 18th overall out of 24 vehicles in the family car category in the most recent poll. In our most current Reliability Survey, which included 31 manufacturers, Audi as a brand came in at number 22.
What should I look for in a used Audi S3 hatchback?
Any S3 will have been aggressively used, so check the bodywork for dents and dings and look under the car for signs of off-roading. Make sure all the electrical components on the car are functioning properly and inspect the alloy wheels for curb damage.
The trim around the gearlever and the boot locking mechanism, as well as the center console region, have been the main sources of rattle complaints from certain owners. The sat-nav screen, which protrudes from the dashboard and can creak when in use, has also been mentioned as having issues. Additionally, it has been reported that water pumps leak, and the S3 has received bad ratings for headlight bulb failure. Additionally, reports of the oil breather valve sticking and problems with the fuel pump cam follower wearing have been made. Check the manual transmission for rattling, and on S Tronic automatic models, confirm that the oil and filters have been changed every 40,000 miles. As a result of frequent use, the braking discs and pads should be inspected for damage.
Is S3 fuel-efficient?
It’s impressive that the 2.0-liter TFSI engine in the most recent S3 is not only more potent than the one in the model before, but also cleaner and more effective. The three-door hatchback and five-door Sportback variants are said to achieve fuel economy of 40.9 mpg and CO2 emissions of 158 g/km when connected to the S tronic transmission. The six-speed manual vehicles, in contrast, were marginally less efficient, with ratings of 40 mpg and 162 g/km.
Which is quicker, the Golf R or the S3?
Although we cannot claim that these German automakers are plagiarizing one another’s work, the design of these hot hatchbacks is remarkably similar. There are certain variances, such as the Golf R’s 316 horsepower, which is 10 horsepower more than the S3 and 14 horsepower more than the M135i, and the BMW’s eight-speed gearbox as opposed to the seven-speed gearbox used by the VW and Audi, which both use the same mechanical components.
They can all reach 62 mph in less than five seconds as a result. The Golf R wins the title; although you won’t notice it in regular driving, its 4.7-second time is a tenth faster than the S3 and M135i can muster. On each model, the top speed is 155 mph. The quickest hot hatchbacks now on the market are the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and Audi RS 3, but they are also significantly more expensive. These three vehicles aren’t far behind.
Who are the Audi S3’s competitors?
The 2023 S3 builds on the strong foundation of Audi’s entry-level A3 car with a faster 306-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a suspension optimized for extra enjoyment. Even when compared to competitors like the BMW M235i Gran Coupe, Cadillac CT4-V, and Mercedes-AMG CLA35, enthusiast drivers will find plenty to enjoy about the S3, fitting into a small niche for sports sedans of this size. Similar to the standard A3, the S3 boasts a modern, young exterior and an interior that is packed with intelligent technology. Our favorite aspect of the S3 is how it drives, since it has a high fun-to-drive factor and great acceleration despite some turbo lag. Given its starting price, which is quite low, the S3 offers an amazing blend of elegance and performance. The loud RS3, which we separately assess, will appeal more to those who seek even more power.
Why are Audi vehicles such a hazard?
From the small Audi A1 Sportback to the spacious Audi Q7 SUV, Audi provides a wide variety of automobiles. They’ve also experimented with hybrid and electric vehicles, with the Audi E-Tron Sportback being praised as a strong entry into the field of green vehicles.
Audi’s share a lot of its architecture and underpinnings with Volkswagen, though high-tech features and cabin materials are entirely unique to Audi.
But does that imply that Audi automobiles are prone to the same problems as VWs? In our post comparing the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, you can see how the two stack up.
Will you discover the same problems if you only look at Audi, from the most popular Audi A4 Saloon to high-performance sports cars like the Audi R8 Coupe?
The data below, which comes from Reliability Index, shows the different problem types that Audi owners report, how much of the total number of defects they make up, and how Audi stacks up against other manufacturers in each category.
- 16th place, 2.43 percent, was air conditioning.
- Fifth, 14.10 percent: Axle and Suspension
- System of Brakes: 7th, 3.56 percent
- System for cooling and heating: 31st, 7.83 percent
- 29th place, 23.13 percent: electrical
- 39th, 30.21 percent for the engine
- 28th, 7.10 percent: Fuel System
- 23rd, 6.06 percent: gearbox
- System for steering – seventh, 2.85 percent
- 20th place for transmission, 2.74 percent
The engine, cooling and heating system, electrical components, and fuel system seem to be the most frequently affected systems. We may perhaps explain why Audi receives lower marks for things like electrical components, despite the fact that these are some of the most expensive items to fix.
When compared to Skoda and Vauxhall, Audi delivers a ton more functionality. They provide a fairly extensive infotainment system with sat-nav and various touch screens, similar to many other luxury brands. The number of potential problems increases if you include features like cruise control, driver safety systems, and all the cameras, sensors, electrically operated seats, and other bells and whistles that the best new cars from these luxury companies come equipped with. Audi outperforms all other top luxury automobile manufacturers (apart from Jaguar) in this category, including Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.
BMW or Audi, which has superior handling?
BMW’s vehicles, which are made to provide the “ultimate driving experience,” frequently outperform Audi in terms of handling. Because of their overall stronger suspension systems that promote a smooth, pleasant ride, Audi vehicles are significantly less agile than BMW vehicles. BMW is routinely ranked higher for reliability.
Why is Audi a bad brand?
Nevertheless, despite producing some excellent vehicles over the years and having the greatest of intentions, Audi has a history rife with issues, from major oil leaks and blown cylinders to widespread electronic failures. Owners, for instance, have complained about older models like the 2011 Audi A4.