[adrianBMW99]

I used to own 2 x e90 335i's and a 135i... I recently sold my 135i and decided to try something different and German. I wanted something that was probably priced in the ~$30k range used and came with a good warranty so as not to deal with the N54 / N55 issues that i've dealt with over the years. Both of my BMWs were heavily modded both on the engine and suspension end and while I loved them I was ready to get something different. Some comparisons and impressions to my 135-

Steering Feel - Obviously better in the 135i, the hydraulic rack feels much more natural but unfortunately that was the only thing that felt good in the 135i. The rack was awfully slow and felt every bruise and imperfection from the road. The S3 steering has weight adjustment on the feel that every driver can adjust to their liking. It doesn't have much feel but it is good enough for a DD and very precise.

Engine - Big win for the N54 135i... the N54 is not a motor that can be duplicated in terms of tunability and power. THe S3's 2.0L 4 banger is quite stout but does not deliver torque / power even close to the N54, we will see what a solid tune can do.

Handling - Let me start of by saying I thought the 135i was one of the worst handling cars that I have ever owned. The combo of the open diff, suspension designed around runflats and short chassis create one of the oddest handling cars that one could imagine. You add the slow steering rack and it makes things even worse. My 135 had Michelin PSS tires, a koni yellow suspension and the rear subframe bushings out of an M3 on Apex Wheels and it still felt like crap. I also had Megan Racing Toe arms to complement everything else. The car had one of the worst side to side sways and bounciness / play in the suspension of a car that I have ever seen. It was an unstable chassis overall imho. The S3 from the factory is well balanced, well dampened and appears to be very stable even at speeds up to 130 MPH. It takes corners really well and the Haldex AWD system works really well and grips right from the get go. The car also comes standard with non RFT tires and a spare which is huge.

Tranny - S3 has a DCT, so in terms of performance that is always a win. The launch control works really well also.

Looks - It's a great looking mini sedan and is just the perfect size and has great proportions. Personally, I never thought the 135i was a good looking car and the 2 series massively improves the looks department.

Toys - The S3 comes with an amazing amount of options not seen in a car of this class. It has a premium bang and olufsen stereo, blind spot system, magnetic ride suspension, navi, rear cam, great seats etc. It's obvious this is just overall a much newer car.


I would say overall I am happy with my decision and initially though the 4 banger combo would bother me, however; I think as a DD it is quite a solid car and anyone considering one used, can get one at a great deal. I doubt you would be disappointed.

[Mr Carrots]

Why didn't you go with a used 235i?

[adrianBMW99]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

Why didn't you go with a used 235i?

I said to myself that I would never buy another BMW that is not an all out M car...The difference between the standard and M cars is night and day.

[Never_Enough]

What year S3?

[adrianBMW99]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

What year S3?

2015

[so0fresh]

why not a e9x m3?

[adrianBMW99]

Originally Posted by so0fresh

why not a e9x m3?

0 interest in an NA motor, 0 interest in a car that old.

[so0fresh]

Originally Posted by adrianBMW99

0 interest in an NA motor, 0 interest in a car that old.

have you at least driven one?

[adrianBMW99]

Originally Posted by so0fresh

have you at least driven one?

10x and had 2 opportunities to buy one... that weight, high revving NA combo is just not for me... the sound is out of this world but that alone will not convince me to buy a car...

A family member has an F80 and that is a completely different league but out of my price range.

[Mr Carrots]

Originally Posted by adrianBMW99

I said to myself that I would never buy another BMW that is not an all out M car...The difference between the standard and M cars is night and day.

But the difference between my m240i and the S3 is night and day

[adrianBMW99]

Originally Posted by Incontinentia Buttocks

Four cylinders

That's what I said... but I did not want another N54 , N55, B58 etc, I would argue the VAG 2.0 is the best iteration of a turbo 4 banger. Obviously, the TQ and sound will never match a 6.

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

But the difference between my m240i and the S3 is night and day

I really don't think so... they are often cross shopped and compared... I did not want another 2 door car so the M240i was out for me, but having driven an M2 both on the track and on the streets I was left very unimpressed compared to my old 135i. I think this came down to wanting something different and not being let down and it worked... Again, F80 M3 Comp Pack or bust for me when it comes to BMW.

[jkoral]

Curious the mileage and final price paid. Pics would be good too. I love the looks of the S3. I've always felt the 1-series is an odd looking car, and down right ugly from some angles.

[adrianBMW99]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Curious the mileage and final price paid. Pics would be good too. I love the looks of the S3. I've always felt the 1-series is an odd looking car, and down right ugly from some angles.

26k miles
$31k paid
CPO w warranty up to 100K Miles

Will post some pics later!

[Germanauto]

Interesting take on the steering. I personally found the steering on the 1-series to be among the best of any car I've ever driven. Absolutely telepathic of the road surface. It's a shame that BMW doesn't make such cars anymore.

But I can understand how that level of "feel" for the road can get annoying. I suppose that's why nobody makes a car like that anymore.

My only gripe with the S3 is its very barren interior styling. Otherwise great car.

[blschaefer1]

My wife currently drives a 2017 S3. Great all around car. We have the resonator delete option and the sound is good. It’s sneaky fast too. Love the looks as well.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Interesting take on the steering. I personally found the steering on the 1-series to be among the best of any car I've ever driven. Absolutely telepathic of the road surface. It's a shame that BMW doesn't make such cars anymore.

But I can understand how that level of "feel" for the road can get annoying. I suppose that's why nobody makes a car like that anymore.

My only gripe with the S3 is its very barren interior styling. Otherwise great car.

Have you driven an E36 or E46 M3? And did you at least have non RFT's on your 1er?

I'd actually say that our LCI F30 has pretty similar steering feel to our 135i. Which is to say nearly none, but still tons more than a pre-LCI F30.

Plenty of cars with EPS have better feel than the E82 had. The S2000 and the later NSX both did, and even my Mk7 GTI gives more actual feedback.

The best assisted steering I've had was easily my E36/8 M Coupe and E36 M3's were darn close (since it's the same setup.). The manual rack in early NSX's is hard to beat, but not really a fair comparison.

[c1pher]

I’ve posted before about my brother’s S3. It’s a great car and if I sell my 135is, the S3 or Golf R would be on my short list.

[Z K]

So you wouldn't get anything but a real M car... but you're ok with a fake Audi Sport car? The only real "S" models now are the RS cars that are developed by Audi Sport. Everything else is just regular model cars with added horsepower and a body kit.

I picked up an A4 recently. Stage 2 for 300+hp and a few bolt ons and it's a great fun DD. I don't think I'd replace the M3 with it though. The steering feel is terrible and understeer is very real.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Interesting take on the steering. I personally found the steering on the 1-series to be among the best of any car I've ever driven. Absolutely telepathic of the road surface. It's a shame that BMW doesn't make such cars anymore.

But I can understand how that level of "feel" for the road can get annoying. I suppose that's why nobody makes a car like that anymore.

My only gripe with the S3 is its very barren interior styling. Otherwise great car.

Exactly correct... the feel in terms of resistance and overall feedback is good. The precision of the wheel, the amount of drone in the wheel and the slow steering rack make it awful. I genuinely hated mine until you were at speed.

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Have you driven an E36 or E46 M3? And did you at least have non RFT's on your 1er?

I'd actually say that our LCI F30 has pretty similar steering feel to our 135i. Which is to say nearly none, but still tons more than a pre-LCI F30.

Plenty of cars with EPS have better feel than the E82 had. The S2000 and the later NSX both did, and even my Mk7 GTI gives more actual feedback.

The best assisted steering I've had was easily my E36/8 M Coupe and E36 M3's were darn close (since it's the same setup.). The manual rack in early NSX's is hard to beat, but not really a fair comparison.

Yea, I think everyone overrates the steering of the E90 / E82.

Originally Posted by Z K

So you wouldn't get anything but a real M car... but you're ok with a fake Audi Sport car? The only real "S" models now are the RS cars that are developed by Audi Sport. Everything else is just regular model cars with added horsepower and a body kit.

I picked up an A4 recently. Stage 2 for 300+hp and a few bolt ons and it's a great fun DD. I don't think I'd replace the M3 with it though. The steering feel is terrible and understeer is very real.

Not entirely, the S3 has a different sport suspension , different diff tuning and feels like a completely different car. There is a reason it is over 12k more at base price over an A3. I had an A3 rental and thought that was straight ass just like the 320i, 330i and base non sport 335.

[adrianBMW99]

I agree with some of the sentiments but overall wanted something different. I did not like the steering in the 135i at all. I think it was quite overrated.

[XMetal]

OP, Congrats on the new car - hope you enjoy it as much as we do. I too had defected recently (well, not entirely because I still have the Zed) and picked up an S3 for my wife. Personally, I love the simple interior of the S3, especially with Virtual Cockpit.

[Foggins]

I was recently looking at used S3 prices and was shocked at how much car this is for the money. Great pickup OP!!