[grimey121uk]

We picked the S1 up around 10 days ago now and have decided put a bit of a mini review together:

##Price##
We managed to get a discount of £2450 although our dealer forgot it had the comfort pack so didn't manage to charge us which put the discount to £3100 bringing the price to around £27k. It was a brand new unregistered car that was in stock. Initially we looked at the second hand market but used models seem to be rediculously priced with 2014 models still over £20K!

##Full spec##
3 door
Vegas yellow
Black styling pack
Comfort pack
18" wheel upgrade
Red brake callipers
Audi sound system
Sat Nav (SD)
Heated front seats
Flat bottomed steering wheel
Privacy Glass
Folding Mirrors

##Performance##
Having come from a S3 (8V) with 300bhp the engine in the S1 is down by 70bhp and although the S1's engine doesn't have the top end punch above 5000rpm like the S3, strangely it feels a lot more muscular at low-medium engine speeds with no noticeable turbo lag. Obviously it's a 4 pot so it's never going to rival the RS3 for noise but compared the our S3 the engine is much louder inside and out with very noticeable turbo whistle, this could be due to less sound proofing.

Although it's only 231bhp, it is still fast with more than enough punch to upset the owners of other performance cars, some young lad in a 2007 Focus ST got a bit of a shock:)

##Handling##
It's beats the S3 and RS3 hands down, the quattro system in this thing is a real treat as you can actually feel the back end doing something in the corners. It changes direction in the blink of an eye which is more than likely due to the short wheelbase although this does make a twitchier ride over poor roads compared with the bigger S/RS3. On the motorway at typical outside lane speeds it feels rock solid unlike a standard A1.

The brakes are the weak link in my opinion, maybe I'm just used to the RS3 brakes but the S1 middle peddle just doesn't give me much confidence over country roads especially after 2 or 3 bends.

##Build, looks and Interior##
Build quality is typical Audi and the interior is very good albeit not as nice as the A3 series it certainly beats the other cars in its class by a long way. In terms of exterior styling I am glad we have a couple of options as the base spec looks a bit dull but the black pack and bigger wheels add to the aggressive look.

##Overall##
It's not particularly cheap on paper at £27k when you consider an S3 isn't much more however in the real world the S1 gives you so much more in terms of enjoyment. Me and the Mrs share both cars and I enjoy taking the S1 just as much as the RS3.

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Edited by grimey121uk, 07 August 2016 - 07:34 AM.

[45bvtc]

I know what you mean; our recently acquired 'Audi approved used' 185bhp Black Edition is amazing F U N; and ours with 7-speed DSG and amazingly good brakes that put those of every and any RS3 I've ever driven to shame - and on OEM discs and pads and single pot calipers all round...  

 

 

A cracking motor car that compliments the RS3 oh so well...

 

OK, it may not be 'quattro' but with 7-speed DSG and a set of these (a little early, I know) it'll do us very well...

 

 

 

Edited by 45bvtc, 06 August 2016 - 10:12 AM.

[dbm]

I really like compact cars - if you could have the S1 with DSG it would be on my short list of future options.

As a side note - the S1 is almost identical in terms of spec with the original S3 - my first Audi and a car I loved!

Edited by dbm, 06 August 2016 - 10:50 AM.