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      07-11-2020, 10:07 AM   #1
Olly_P
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Looking for some advice, 440i GC vs S3 Saloon

My current cars is BMW 330D LCI but looking at new cars in the next few weeks as my E90's getting fairly high mileage. Budgets around £23k, starting to think about kids so needs to be practical, but also fast as really enjoyed the oomph of the 330D.

I've always had my heart set on a 2016 ish Audi S3 saloon in Sepang blue as my next car. Practical, looks good, rapid with the AWD and not tooo horrific on fuel unlike the S4 of the same age/price.

However the 440i GC has taken my eye. Practical, huge boot and a bit bigger than the S3. Not as fast as the S3 as RWD, remaps well though but worst on fuel due to the bigger engine. Looks good from the front and side but pretty dull at the rear, but replacement tips and m performance difuser can help. Did think about the 3 series, but not a fan of the F30's shape.

So, just looking for people opinions really, especially if you've owned one or the other, or both!

... also well aware i'm posting on a BMW forum! I've posted the same on the Audi forum i'm currently on.
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      07-11-2020, 10:19 AM   #2
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I looked at the S4 and S5 instead of my 340 but honestly enjoyed mine better after test drives.

The 440 GC is a lovely car, much better looking than the S3 in my humble opinion. And although RWD i doubt it will be any slower after 20mph - especially if you find one with a MPPSK.

In winter/wet, sure the AWD will come into its own but in the dry i reckon you'll enjoy the 440 more, and it will be quicker.
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      07-11-2020, 10:25 AM   #3
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Also 440i fuel consumption will be better than S4-5, although is the engine different in a s3? Either way a RWD will always be more fuel efficient.

After a mad first 6 months i reset the trip computer - now averaging 31.5mpg (for last 6 months).
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      07-11-2020, 10:30 AM   #4
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This being a BMW forum, I have a pretty good idea which way people will lean

I take a similar view - 6 cylinder engines won't be around for long. Buy while stocks last!
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      07-11-2020, 10:30 AM   #5
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A friend had a S3 saloon and actually had worse fuel economy than I get in my 440i. I can easily get 35 mpg where she would struggle to get over mid 20s.

And the only time it felt faster then mine was when the road was wet. The four wheel drive gives the S3 the advantage off the line but once moving my 440i easily stayed with her especially with the gearbox in sport.
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      07-11-2020, 10:32 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Londoner View Post
Also 440i fuel consumption will be better than S4-5, although is the engine different in a s3? Either way a RWD will always be more fuel efficient.

After a mad first 6 months i reset the trip computer - now averaging 31.5mpg (for last 6 months).
The S4/5 did have a 3.0 litre turbo charged engine. The S3 has the 2.0 litre turbo engine as found in the Golf R/Leon Cupra etc.
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      07-11-2020, 10:33 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TouringPleb View Post
And the only time it felt faster then mine was when the road was wet. The four wheel drive gives the S3 the advantage off the line but once moving my 440i easily stayed with her especially with the gearbox in sport.
I hope you weren't racing on a public highway
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      07-11-2020, 11:52 AM   #8
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I had a S3 before the 340i (it was stolen after 2 weeks on the driveway). However, it felt more agile with quicker steering than the beemer. The standard suspension on the S3 felt bouncy though, not as good as a Golf GTI. Short journeys the Audi was 3 or 4 mpg better, medium & longer journeys the 40i better.

The 40i is a bit quicker everywhere except off the line using launch control on the S3, measured on V-Box.
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      07-11-2020, 12:05 PM   #9
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I looked into buying S3 saloon last August before I purchased 440i GC.

Couldn't find a well specced 2016 S3 under 24k at the time so bought a decent spec 440i (66) for 21.5k.

The S3 will hold its value better and IMO looks better but you can't beat that straight 6 sound from the B58.
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      07-11-2020, 12:19 PM   #10
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Wouldn’t bother with S3’s, they seem to go missing of driveways far too much and often violently
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      07-11-2020, 12:20 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Olly_P View Post
My current cars is BMW 330D LCI but looking at new cars in the next few weeks as my E90's getting fairly high mileage. Budgets around £23k, starting to think about kids so needs to be practical, but also fast as really enjoyed the oomph of the 330D.

I've always had my heart set on a 2016 ish Audi S3 saloon in Sepang blue as my next car. Practical, looks good, rapid with the AWD and not tooo horrific on fuel unlike the S4 of the same age/price.

However the 440i GC has taken my eye. Practical, huge boot and a bit bigger than the S3. Not as fast as the S3 as RWD, remaps well though but worst on fuel due to the bigger engine. Looks good from the front and side but pretty dull at the rear, but replacement tips and m performance difuser can help. Did think about the 3 series, but not a fan of the F30's shape.

So, just looking for people opinions really, especially if you've owned one or the other, or both!

... also well aware i'm posting on a BMW forum! I've posted the same on the Audi forum i'm currently on.
Audi fan here - I previously had an SQ5 and ex had an A3...

Get the 440i GC. The S3 is a posh Golf R, it’s a very good car but it is smaller, less fun to drive and most importantly doesn’t have the aural pleasure of a 6 cylinder....

If you buy carefully you should be able to get a 440i that you can fit the MPPSK too - great family car, goes well, as economical in normal use as the turbo 4 in the S3, and sounds amazing.

The S3 looks nice and awd is great for point and squirt - but the red 440i will be much more fun and more practical.
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      07-11-2020, 12:22 PM   #12
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I got a F30 just before my first child was born. I would've loved to go for the 4GC though had my budget allowed for it as the large hatchback boot would have been so much more practical.

My boot is just big enough on the F30 as it just fits the pram but that then leaves hardly any room for anything else. Its the lack of folding rear seats that makes it really impractical for carrying any large items though so if you do go for the Audi saloon then make sure the rear seats fold!
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      07-11-2020, 12:29 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TouringPleb View Post
A friend had a S3 saloon and actually had worse fuel economy than I get in my 440i. I can easily get 35 mpg where she would struggle to get over mid 20s.

And the only time it felt faster then mine was when the road was wet. The four wheel drive gives the S3 the advantage off the line but once moving my 440i easily stayed with her especially with the gearbox in sport.
Agree, a 440i is on par with an S3 in the dry from a rolling start.

I’d much rather have a 6 pot 4 series than a 4 pot A3 saloon though.
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      07-11-2020, 12:51 PM   #14
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^ what he said. Nothing beats a silky creamy buttery smooth straight six. Well not a 4 banger.
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      07-11-2020, 01:11 PM   #15
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Having performed some tests with a friend on this subject... all perfectly legal....
I can tell you the S3 is quicker off the line and easier to launch, obviously due to AWD. However, once moving/in a rolling race, the 440 pulls a gap on it quite easily, or at least the mppsk version does.
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      07-11-2020, 03:02 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vasumir View Post
Having performed some tests with a friend on this subject... all perfectly legal....
I can tell you the S3 is quicker off the line and easier to launch, obviously due to AWD. However, once moving/in a rolling race, the 440 pulls a gap on it quite easily, or at least the mppsk version does.
Yep, an Mppsk 440 will be quicker than a stock s3 from rolling .. but a stock 440 is only similar performance to one.
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      07-11-2020, 04:03 PM   #17
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Sounds to me like a heart vs head scenario from what you've said, with regards to always wanting the S3 saloon but thinking about kids and practicality.

After having an E87 for 10 years I needed the next car to be more practical with baby #2 on the cards at the time.

To be honest I never really looked beyond the BMW range.

I obviously went with a GT but a 4GC was the car I would've bought with my heart. I probably would've been ok with the 4GC, it's the best of both worlds with the hatchback.

The logic I used to decide was which regret would i be happier to live with.

The regret of buying the more practical car and finding you didn't need so much practicality after all.

vs

The regret of buying the car you love then having the cost and disappointment of changing the car to the practical one because it's not practical enough.

Not an easy decision, good luck.
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      07-12-2020, 01:45 AM   #18
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440i 4GC does everything you will ever need in a car.
End of.
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      07-12-2020, 02:55 AM   #19
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Don't forget about the dealerships, if your local dealership is an incompetent band of crooks then it'll marr your enjoyment of whatever you buy. Ask around, look online, see if they have a good or bad reputation. See how they respond to queries about servicing/parts etc., do you get a prompt and helpful reply or do they give you BS or just not bother?
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      07-12-2020, 04:17 AM   #20
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My bro has an S3 saloon; it’s quick but I n a raw way. I can only compare it to my 330d. Yes it’s quicker off the mark etc but it’s just not smooth and after a long journey it’s tiring

Worth a look
http://www.zeperfs.com/en/duel6629-7131.htm
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      07-12-2020, 04:24 AM   #21
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Thanks for all the replys, some really useful advice that very much appreciated.

Off to take a look at a 440 GC in Estoril Blue this afternoon!
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      07-12-2020, 04:24 AM   #22
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I know this is a BMW forum but honestly you'd make a mistake choosing the S3. The 440i is much more refined (6 cylinder) and the B58 would fair better on fuel than the S3. Lastly, personal opinion, 440i is much more classy as an overall package.

I test drove an S3 last summer, it's quick off the line, that's all if offered for me. Lacks drama and I imagine it would bore you very quickly.
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