Originally Posted by 4Car

In the end, while I admire the look of the S3 and its raw performance, the car as a whole feels like an A3 that's been pushed harder than it cares to go. Most of its problems would be solved by a less raucous engine with a gentler delivery and a wider powerband, and I still struggle to understand why Audi, with just such an engine already in an A3 in the form of its 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 motor, elected to use a 2.0-litre four instead. Audi says it keeps the car light and it's what old S3 owners wanted, but to me the problems it brings far outweigh any potential benefit.

So despite its great looks, I'm going to pass. Were I in this market not only would the S3 fail to get my business but so too would what Audi claims are its most immediate rivals, the BMW 130i and Mercedes-Benz C350 Sports Coupe. Instead I'd walk straight past their doors and into the local VW dealer where I'd buy a car with not only the same chassis, with the same four-wheel drive system as the S3, but also what recent experience suggests is a better blend of ride and handling. And it has the very same 3.2-litre V6 that the S3 is crying out for. It would be a little slower for sure, but I'd enjoy driving it fast much more. It's called the Golf R32 and, best of all, it costs £2755 less than the S3 and is available with a DSG gearbox. In this class and for this money, its case looks unanswerable.