About the Audi S3
Matt Drayton purchased this Audi S3 used for $47,990 (including all on-road costs) in 2019. Matt Drayton would buy this car again because: “The Audi S3 has been my daily driver for three years now and has been absolutely faultless. From the way it looks, to the way it drives and the technology/creature comforts it has on offer, it really is hard to find a better car for the money.”
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
As with all cars there will always be the occasional niggles. In the time I’ve owned my S3, it’s gone back to Audi once for a warranty job where the all-wheel system wasn’t engaging the rear axle. After a simple software update, this issue has never surfaced again. Aside from this issue, the only other gripe I have with the car is that the sunroof can sometimes creak, particularly in warmer climates.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
My ownership experience has been fantastic. The service I received from Audi Centre Brisbane where I purchased the car was fantastic. On picking up the car I received a full induction on how to operate everything in the car from infotainment to Audi Drive Select and everything else.
Audi’s service departments don’t quite provide the same level of thorough service, though loan cars are always available free of charge with no additional charges for use of toll roads or fuel usage.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
I couldn’t be happier with the price and features of the car. Prior to purchasing I looked into the BMW M140i and Mercedes A45 of equivalent age and odometer and in terms of value for money, the Audi and BMW didn’t come close when it came to what I valued in my daily driver.
When it comes to the interior, both design and quality, I personally felt as though the Audi was far superior to both the BMW and Mercedes offerings. The sound system plays a large part in my choice of vehicle and the Audi’s Bang & Olufsen system is leaps and bounds ahead of the equivalent competition in this regard.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
Whilst the performance lacks slightly compared with the M140i and A45, it provides a good middle ground for someone looking for something with a bit of haste without driving like a track car. The S3 may not be as sharp in the twisties compared with the Mercedes and BMW offerings however from a daily use standpoint, I found the S3 was the perfect compromise.
The economy is great however subject to your driving style. I’ve seen figures as low as 6.5L/100km on a drive from Brisbane to Sydney and as high as 15L/100km on a track session.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
At time of writing (March 2022), the technology may be lacking in comparison to new models in today’s market however I don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything major. This model S3 misses out on Apple CarPlay/Android Auto due to the age of the car, however this is the only thing I feel is really missing. The inbuilt navigation still works well and Audi’s MMI is still for the most part quite responsive.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
The S3 provides me with a perfect balance between sports car and luxury car. My S3 is optioned with MagRide allowing for adaptive damping at the tap of a button.
Comfort mode is where my car spends most of its life, it’s incredibly compliant with bumps in the road and floats over undulations like they’re barely there. On changing into Dynamic, the suspension stiffens immediately and changes the characteristics of how the car goes around corners completely. Whilst I find Dynamic mode too firm for daily use to and from work, when on the track or having some fun on twisty roads, Dynamic mode does a fantastic job.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
My S3 has been a fantastic all-rounder. I still look on Carsales for other cars at a similar price point and still come back to the S3 as being one of the top picks for the segment.