Audi S3 or BMW 330i

longwalks1

billy2shots wrote: »

2 litre turbo v 6 cylinder
Rwd v 4 wheel drive (when needed)
Saloon v Hatch

Very different cars although performance will be similar. What’s the car for? Fun or family

Be for a bit of both, fun but also for me and the mrs (we dont have children)


We currently have a 3.0 V6 Audi, and do like the low down grunt it has, but i do love a turbo'd car (reminds me of my youth)

longwalks1

bengalknights wrote: »

330i That 6 cylinder is a world of its own, even better get a 335i or a M3

You serious? (genuine question by the way)

System

Whichever you look at if you're looking at a 2008 one it'll be on starship mileage, most likely near or over 150,000 miles so pay particular attention to the service history and the suspension and steering. BMWs especially are hard on their front suspension.

longwalks1

E30M3 wrote: »

another vote for the 6pot BMW!

I'd expect nothing less from you E30M3! :rotfl:


I saw prices of your namesake recently, and fell off my chair!

E30M3

britishboy wrote: »

I'd expect nothing less from you E30M3! :rotfl:


I saw prices of your namesake recently, and fell off my chair!

haha, true...

I know, every time I come round to insure, it staggers me when I have to guess a value to put in the form!

motorguy

bengalknights wrote: »

330i That 6 cylinder is a world of its own, even better get a 335i or a M3

335i is faster, but not better.

bengalknights

britishboy wrote: »

You serious? (genuine question by the way)

Yes the 6 cylinders on the 330/335 are another league

But if you have the budget the V8 of the M3 is a beast.

billy2shots

britishboy wrote: »

Be for a bit of both, fun but also for me and the mrs (we dont have children)


We currently have a 3.0 V6 Audi, and do like the low down grunt it has, but i do love a turbo'd car (reminds me of my youth)

A rear wheel drive BMW will take some adjusting to after your Audi. After a few weeks you will understand it more but don’t play silly bu66ers in the first few days if you decide to buy.

Personally having owned 6 cylinders, 2 pot turbos, Hatches saloons and all different variations of drive trains I would probably go for the S3.
In fact I bought that engine, twice.

On my shopping list I had

MkV Golf Gti (new)
BMW 330 (New)
BMW M3 CSL (second hand when prices were £30k in 2005)

Heart said CSL, head won and I went golf with the 2 litre Turbo. Obviously hindsight is wonderful and I should have gone second hand CSL as prices went through the roof shortly after.

After the Gti (1 year later) I bought the new 2006 Golf R32 6 cylinder 4wd (Haldex).
A few cars followed and in 09 I bought a rare Pirelli Golf Gti with the upgraded 2 litre Turbo.

Those 3 cars pretty much make up the S3 you’re thinking about. The 2 litre Turbo with Haldex 4wd.
The engine is a peach winning so many awards back in the day. The he Haldex is ok. You used to be able to buy a Haldex controller that aloud you to turn 4wd on permanently, not sure if that’s available these days.

If roads were empty or I had track days in mind I would go BMW 3 series. The roads are too busy and there’s not much fun to be had these days due to traffic, poor road surfaces and cameras. We’ve also had some bad winters recently where RWD will see you sat at home or parked up on the roadside. I have to be at work so RWD is off my shopping list from now on.

The BMW is more fun but only you know how often your lifestyle will allow you to exploit that. The S3 will be quicker off the line and from A to B 3/4 of the time. Sometimes the BMW may not get to B.

System

billy2shots wrote: »

The roads are too busy and there’s not much fun to be had these days due to traffic, poor road surfaces and cameras.

When I see posts like that it makes me grateful I live in a rural county with plenty of local knowledge of minor roads. Went out for a blast in my MX5 on Sunday and in over an hour encountered less than a dozen cars and those I did encounter were locals avoiding tourists so weren't hanging around, road surfaces are decent as the roads get little use and not a camera in sight.

billy2shots

Tarambor wrote: »

When I see posts like that it makes me grateful I live in a rural county with plenty of local knowledge of minor roads. Went out for a blast in my MX5 on Sunday and in over an hour encountered less than a dozen cars and those I did encounter were locals avoiding tourists so weren't hanging around, road surfaces are decent as the roads get little use and not a camera in sight.

Mazda mx5 is s totally different argument, especially the older ones. Far more exploitable and at a far cheaper price than the two subjects in question. Unfortunately you need far more space to enjoy 250+bhp.
Unfortunately tax and insurance costs are making a fun weekend car difficult these days