S4 / CLA / 328i / IS250

[Special K]

Hey RS, I'm in the market for a new car. These seem to be in the same price range at around $800 to lease for 45-48 months with $0 down.

Test drove the S3 and CLA briefly. My thoughts:

S3:
+ Lots of power
Good handling
Nice interior and technology
- Looks like any other compact sedan
Expensive lease rate at 2.9%


CLA:
+ Very comfy interior with memory seats
Sports package looks pretty good
1.9% lease
- only 200 hp for a $45-50k car
Strange gear shift behind the steering wheel
Plastic centre console

328i: TBD

IS250: TBD

[Nlkko]

Pretty sure the other 3 is not in the same class with the S3. It's a performance car.

My coworker drive an S3. I sit in a few times, pretty nice and quiet otherwise but pretty fcking quick when need to. He couldn't stop raving bout it. Said it's good on gas too.

[Gucci Mane]

lol, CLA.

[LP700-4]

328i's aren't slow either. 0-60 is like 5.5 iirc (if that matters). 8 speed auto shifts pretty quick but its no DCT. Typical BMW 3 series interior, just alright.

IS250 you can cross off your list if you're looking for anything remotely fast.

[amusegt1]

^I think there's no more IS250. Replaced by IS200t. The IS200t is pretty quick now.

Look at the Golf R too. Essentially the same as the S3, but cheaper and more fun.

[Akinari]

The CLA isn't a bad car, it's when you load it up with sport/premium packages which mostly every CLA owner does, that it becomes an overpriced car. Both my parents and my gf own a base B250 (parents have premium package with panoramic sunroof), identical drivetrain, just a taller hatchback body instead of a 4-door coupe body. Very quiet, very refined chassis, plenty of power with tons of torque definitely way more than enough for daily driving or even spirited driving.

BUT it irks me to the nth degree how terrible the 7G-DCT in the CLA/B250 is (CLA45 isn't as bad). Horrible low-speed jerkiness, definitely the worst of all the DCTs on the market, and so much shift lag and the computer just doesn't seem to know when to shift gears, EVER, unless you keep the transmission mode set in sport mode, then it doesn't shift until 3-4k rpms which is pointless. That transmission makes the overall driving experience absolutely terrible, unless you're a chronic super slow driver then I guess the transmission does what it's supposed to do. If you have a heavy foot like I do, you're going to hate the 7G-DCT, DSG is leaps and bounds better, even Honda's torque converter + DCT system is significantly better.

Combine the super slow shifting DCT with turbo lag (no boost until ~2k), the super noticeable DBW lag, and almost 260lb-ft torque, it actually becomes a scary experience sometimes. Was driving on the Granville St Bridge SB one time, needed to pass a car and being uphill I needed to give it some gas. Was in 4th around 1800rpm no boost, put my foot down and the trans did this herky jerky thing dropped down to 2nd around 4500rpm with full boost, nearly lost control. I dunno, I've just never driven a car with such a poorly calibrated transmission as the 7G-DCT in the CLA/B250s.

[Special K]

^
I did notice the jerky-ness but found it kind of fun. Maybe because I was only in the car for 5 mins around the block.

In terms of insurance, is the CLA classified as a coupe? Which car would be more expensive to insure?

[Galactic_Phantom]

Originally Posted by Special K

Strange gear shift behind the steering wheel

why is this a deciding factor

As someone else have said already, Golf R is so much car for that money. Unless you're dead set on an extra gear and the body style of the S3 get that instead. Fully loaded I think its a good couple grand cheaper.

CLA: *clicks upshift on paddles, shifts a full second later

[68style]

Leasing $0 down for 4+ years??? Live within your means man! Waste of money.

Edit: unless a company is paying for it or something lol

[yray]

S3 vs CLA45?

But yea, don't bother with 4 year lease... ask my X3.

[320icar]

Originally Posted by 68style

Leasing $0 down for 4+ years??? Live within your means man! Waste of money.

Came in to say this.

[vitaminG]

Originally Posted by Galactic_Phantom

Unless you're dead set on an extra gear and the body style of the S3 get that instead.

Don't the s3 and golf r have identical drivetrain? The s3 has looks, badge and nicer interior, although if it were me I'd still take golf r for practicality and cheaper

[Galactic_Phantom]

Originally Posted by vitaminG

Don't the s3 and golf r have identical drivetrain? The s3 has looks, badge and nicer interior, although if it were me I'd still take golf r for practicality and cheaper

Yes it does, hence why I recommended the R to op. The top trim S3 is almost $10k over the Golf R which comes pretty loaded base. The S3 comes with the 7 speed S-Tronic and Golf R gets either a manual or 6 speed DSG. I think the R's interior looks better and is more functional than the pop up screen boring S3 one, but that's all subjective.

[tofu1413]

Golf R +1


if OP finds branding more important, then S3.

[Special K]

Thanks for the comments guys. The Golf R is only manual right? I need something automatic.

I guess CLA gets no love. What about a young family in their early 30s? I feel old and kind of want luxury.

I drove $25-$35k econ boxes in my 20s. It's time to upgrade to something nice. $0 down lease is just a easy comparison. We just want to walk away after a 3-4 year lease and not bear the ownership risks.

[tofu1413]

Originally Posted by Special K

Thanks for the comments guys. The Golf R is only manual right? I need something automatic.

I guess CLA gets no love. What about a young family in their early 30s? I feel old and kind of want luxury.

I drove $25-$35k econ boxes in my 20s. It's time to upgrade to something nice. $0 down lease is just a easy comparison. We just want to walk away after a 3-4 year lease and not bear the ownership risks.

has the automatic DSG option. seriously quick transmission.

YouTube

[Gallardo]

20 posts in this thread so far and fellow member Marshall Placid hasn't chimed in yet?!

[vitaminG]

Originally Posted by Galactic_Phantom

The S3 comes with the 7 speed S-Tronic and Golf R gets either a manual or 6 speed DSG.

I'm quite certain s3 is same dsg as golf r. I don't see why they would use the same engine the same haldex but have different transmissions.

[westopher]

Love the S3. Its a gorgeous car, and tons of fun.
Not sure what the IS cars are like now, but the 2008 I drove was literally one of the worst cars I've driven in terms of driving feel/fun. Its such an appliance.

[TOPEC]

get the S3, looks a lot better than a cla

[meme405]

Don't get the CLA, seriously hate that car. <someone who owns one.

[SpeedStars]

^^^^ To me, the CLA is just so claustrophobic and if you are slightly tall, you're going to hit your head on the roof-line all the time. Tbh, the CLA250 is just a cheapo merc for someone who wants the 3 star badge. Also, the CLA is just a slim B-class

[Xander]

I thought the S3 was > 1k/month with 0 down?

I find the CLA very cheap inside as well, all the small touches aren't there... I'd say Golf R as well + they're super easy to tune like the S3, downpipe + tune = 400ft/lbs

[meme405]

Originally Posted by SpeedStars

^^^^ To me, the CLA is just so claustrophobic and if you are slightly tall, you're going to hit your head on the roof-line all the time. Tbh, the CLA250 is just a cheapo merc for someone who wants the 3 star badge. Also, the CLA is just a slim B-class

I'm a hair shy of 6' and driving it is fine (not great but manageable). Sitting in the back however is just the worst.

My biggest problem with it, is that it's a cheap car, but maintains the mercedes cost of ownership. AKA we only drive it 6000-8000km a year, and it still needs one 800 to 1000 dollar service. That's appalling for a brand new car. Compared to my FX which took 3 years (75k km) of servicing to tally out to $1000.

Yes you read that right. In the first 75,000 km my FX did, it costed me just a hair more than $1000. (okay just went back, actually it was like 1500)

I spent more on maintaining the CLA after having only driven it 8000km

[Marshall Placid]

S3 is a blast to drive.

I'm biased, caveat emptor.

At 27,000km and counting for about a year, there are absolutely no problems (just minor gripes, see end of post).

Based on your post, you have already test-driven the car, and mentioned it has lots of power and good handling.

I second that.

THe interior is above average, but it's definitely noticeably a notch or two lower than the new A4 (even the old A4) and other Audi models.

The MMI is easy and intuitive to use as well as you already know.

I use it as my daily driver, drive to Whistler, Seattle, Portland, Kelowna, and plan on taking it to Calgary soon.

To the best of my knowledge, it's smaller than the 328i and IS (not sure about the CLA), and it's very, very agile.

The rear passenger room is as roomy as its larger A4 (not kidding), so it's comfortable for passengers as well.

The rearview mirror and side mirrors are smaller than the 328 and the IS, but you'll get used to the smaller sizes easily.


It's my daily driver, and it's always an adventure every single day.

It's great for city driving, but less so for highway (still good though).

If you think it's too quiet, AND you are leasing, you can get the $200 muffler delete (Audi OEM kit), and when your lease ends, just change it back (add back muffler). It was $450 all in to do the muffler delete.

It's loud (after the delete), but not too loud. On idle, it's wimpy, but once you get going, even at low rpms and low gears, it's very good sounding.

I love the DSG farts (when shifting).

But, as stock, the exhaust note is very low key, even in S-mode (dynamic).

Looks like any other sedan? There are some mods you could do:
1- RS Grille mod (there are 4 different verisons) - $300 to $500 all in
2- Carbon fibre side mirrors (looks good with black)
3- Carbon fibre rear trunk spoiler
4- Front lip spoiler (there are 4+ types)
5- Rear bottom valence

You can get all of them from

Spoiler!

Emmanuele Design l Audi l Bentley l Porsche l Volkswagen l Performance

Too slow?
Officially, the S3 goes 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.

Caranddriver tested 4.4 seconds.

1- Go stage 1 or 2, to go 3.9 seconds and 3.6 seconds respectively.

2- I didn't lease mine and I didn't do any stages (it's already very fast), but for lease, you can flash it back to stock when doing servicing, and it's $100 per flash.

Understeer:

There was a little bit of understeer, as with most (or all) Audi cars, but it's not experienced as much on the S3.

YOu can dampen this understeer problem by getting a rear trunk sway bar for $200 to $300.

Be aware that the facelift S3 is coming out in about 5 to 7 months.

Facelifted S3:


It gives you about 10 more ponies, slightly larger grille, new headlights and DRLs, and new rear lights.

Oh, the virtual cockpit...... is available for the new facelifted S3.

If you can wait those months, the facelifted S3 is a no-brainer (between the current S3 and the facelift).

If you want a car now, the S3 is a blast to drive, more REAR passenger room than the CLA, and has a trunk size that is similar to its larger A4 sibling.

However, it will be remiss of me to just suggest the S3. I would think about the Golf R as well as suggested by other posters on this thread. It's a little slower (by a few tenths of a second), but it has more trunk space, at least a few thousand dollars less, and won't get a facelift or a redesign for at least a few years. If you slap on some euro lights, lower it an inch or two, and get black paint, it's very striking. I've seen the GTI one(not the R) on the roads (the service manager at RPI Equipped is the owner), and it looks very good:

GTI:


If you are keen on the S3, facelift or not, be aware of the following:
1- If you choose the Audi magnetic ride like I did, you can't lower the car (unless you want to go through a lot to do so). Supposedly, it makes the car less harsh of a ride.
2- The paint layers on the car seem to be a few layers fewer than other Audi models (like the A4, A6, and A5/S5/RS5, I know from past experience), so there is a higher tendency to get more shallow scratches. It's a cost saving measure (I presume).
3- The rear door handles won't unlock or lock with the wireless key-fob (another cost saving measure).
4- There is a soundaktor (sp) in the front hood. You can turn this off if you don't like the fake sounds.
5- I'm 5'10, and the front is just perfect for the driving position, but it's tight. I think that one or two inches taller would make it barely manageable on the S3. The CLA, on the other hand, has more room for the driver at the expense of the rear passengers.
6- The S3 uses Haldex's AWD system, which has a FWD bias with AWD when needed. It's a lower cost AWD system than Audi's Torsen AWD system found in the A4 and up. So, it's basically a FWD car all the time until you need AWD.

Whichever car you choose, I think you can't go wrong.

Best of luck and have fun choosing.