Audi S3 - 900 miles to Scotland and back - Eco vs Dynamic Mode Test

[@stephenpeacock2627]

Finally people understand the Audi s3. It’s more power than you’ll ever need 99.9% of the time, it’s comfortable, looks good on the outside without being too shouty, it looks good inside, it’s comfortable, it’s economical considering the power, it can be a cruiser or an animal, it’s not too costly to run provided nothing major goes wrong, maintenance is cheap considering it’s power, my 14 plate has 225.40 18inch and are £320 a set for Michelin pilot 4s. Easy to drive. It’s not a track car but it’ll do tracks at a decent pace, but it doesn’t pretend to be a track like the golf r, it will carry most items with ease, it will carry 4 adults in comfort and it will carry 5 is fair comfort like most hatchback cars, it drives well in all weather. Don’t like the colour though.

[@fredhumfrey2971]

pretty sure that everyone got the s3/golf r since day dot. lots of performance without old school costs. been a fairly standard hot hatch thing for 30 years....

[@carguyuk7525]

I can’t believe that I just watched two blokes sitting in a car for nearly 900 miles. Great video. You should get Dan to be in more videos.

[@DarrenJMHughes]

I know what you mean. In any other scenario it would be deemed odd behaviour 🤣

[@jasonboyle7203]

Snap lol

[@kysonbruce1767]

I realize Im pretty off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online ?

[@a5cgb]

I've had 3 Audi A3s and driven 1456 miles down to Spain in each of them and all were great mile munchers! Two trips were without overnight stops! Great video as usual👍

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Clive 👍

[@williamfence566]

I guess once cruise is set at 70 it doesn't matter what mode you are in as the revs are constant. Great vid as usual

[@PetrolPed]

Probably 👍

[@davidwan247]

The whole coffee size discussion had me in stitches. I’ve contemplated the Starbucks naming convention on many a night, and I don’t even drink the stuff! Nice Audi S3, by the way. I had a 2018 TTS, which is virtually the same car and it’s incredibly practical and fun to drive at the same time.

[@PetrolPed]

Still don’t get the coffee thing and I agree the TTS is superb 👍

[@a20axf]

Sounds so good at these timestamps, even if it is mainly synthetic nowadays if you don’t sort out the exhaust 😢 10:53 12:51 13:34 13:53 14:08 Can’t wait for mine to arrive next month 🙌🏻

[@a20axf]

Well that’s it run in and I’ve given it a good back road run today. Having only had rwd high performance cars, I thought that going for a sensible S3 with less power and Quattro could be a little boring as it was too good. Boy was I wrong. It’s because it’s too good that makes it fun, you just point and go rather than trying to manage traction which is quite addictive. Learning when to get on the throttle really early I’m a corner to rocket out is addictive. Also despite the filters the pops on the overrun are quite loud at times too. The piped in sound actually adds to the experience (which I know is a contentious opinion) and there’s also a fair bit of turbo noise which I wasn’t expecting. It’s equally happy getting 41mpg on the motorway as it is roaring along a b-road. I miss having 480bhp/720nm, but I can use the power of this far more of the time so it actually feels more fun.

[@georgewhiteford9869]

What a lovely guy Dan is, and you too, of course Pete! Loved the banter and the scenery. The Audi looks pretty good as well.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@adamchase1517]

This was a great watch, I’m patiently waiting for my S3 to be delivered in July

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👍

[@alansheard553]

SNAP ! I can sympathise, I went over the handlebars at 23 mph last May, broke my clavicle badly, it took 12 weeks to heal. Because of Covid lockdown they were reluctant to operate. Loving the cycle Sunday.

[@PetrolPed]

😢

[@pipmeister2103]

Did many miles in an S3 in the 90’s/2000’s to Uk & Germany & back. Always a comfortable drive. Good upload as per 👍🏻

[@StuartSutherland-1]

I travel up and down the country loads and I would say wind direction is more of a factor to fuel economy than driver settings.

[@id70b40]

Loved the commentary to the first stop after 1.5 hrs.... in Australia we call that a trip to the local shops.

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@chrissimpson7439]

Another excellent video Ped that Audi is absolutely fantastic & the scenery in this film is the icing on the cake well done guys.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Chris 👍

[@neilbarden9430]

Proper road trip and some proper Scottish roads, loved it. Now I want to go.

[@markday5797]

Good afternoon one and all, from the USA midwest.

[@staycasual7203]

Y’all from Ohio?

[@tobygroves2112]

Did the NC500 in my S3 in late 2019, now that's a proper Scotland road trip :) And yes of course I stopped at Tebay too.

[@nickjh1968]

Good video Pete, the S3 is a fantastic all rounder IMO

[@britishminiclub]

Just recalled that back in the 90’s we used to drive from the Midlands to Aberdeen most years in a Rover Mini. Brilliant fun and the road from Newcastle to Edinburgh on the A68 via Jedburgh through the borders was just magical 👍

[@daleashby4599]

Hi Ped. Great work as usual. I realize it was probably bright conditions, but sunglasses off gives us a better viewing experience. Cheers Dale, Adelaide.

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@id70b40]

What scenery..... stunning Scottish countryside... there’s nothing better than a missed exit that leads to beautiful views

[@PetrolPed]

Oh yes 🙌

[@owenmcdonald5922]

I do enjoy these road trip videos. Restrictions permitting I would like to see more.

[@PetrolPed]

Your wish is my command 👍

[@timmartin7468]

Lovely engine note in Dynamic, colour is debatable, surprised my the MPG comparison and enjoyed the Trip Buddy bants. Thanks lads.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Tim 👍

[@alannorman1773]

Great fun pal. Really enjoyed it ❤

[@PetrolPed]

So glad 👍

[@carllynch8798]

I had the first generation S3 from new in 2003 ! Was a lovely car would love to experience the latest model. Nice CUBE bike too I have a CUBE carbon 29er MTB done many miles on that bullet proof

[@starlinegaming5068]

Awesome car and I'm lucky enough to live just outside Edinburgh, about a 10 minute drive from that road you enjoyed. The only thing I'd say about the efficiency test is that a lot of the trip back from Scotland is downhill compared to uphill to get there.

[@stanelder9995]

Nice area up there - I lived in the New Town (Stockbridge) for a year in 1984, working as a student for Ferranti Defense Systems. At least you were a little South and East of the City proper.

[@robertdickson3064]

Welcome to Scotland........ just to note it’s more downhill to England which might help the return mpg a bit........... great video.

[@willstillo72]

Great video. Always bought big cars for the big journeys I do. Interesting the car performed so well

[@craigtrigg4288]

what a car looks a fantastic trip to scotland did you have fun great video

[@johnbrown3951]

If you thought that was a road you should try Fort William to Mallaig or Inverness to Ullapool on the West Coast of Scotland or the snow road Blairgowrie to Ballater in the North East. I have thought many times about the S3 and that review has not changed my liking of it. It sounded quite good but that is one reason I changed my mind on the SQ2 there was very little noise.

[@gordoncraig6396]

I travel to Aberdeen from Lincolnshire twice a month and have done so for many years and in many different cars. It may be prevailing wind direction or changes in terrain but the trips north have virtually always used more fuel than the southern journey. The difference is usually around 2-4mpg.

[@russellchristison8425]

I love a road trip video, we have a 600klm return trip on Thursday from our SouthernHighlands base to Batemans Bay on the New South Wales South Coast. and return

[@victorkuria8068]

Great video...always enjoy your road trip videos👍🏾

[@philipparkes5079]

Hi Ped Different take on a road test, and all the better for it. I know Mini is flavour of the month in your household, but pleased to note as a long term Audi man you still like the brand. Had an A3 Sportback prior to SQ5, and really rated it for a lot of the points you both mentioned. Superb scenery on your trip, we are heading north to Northumberland in June, after a month in Cornwall in May, cannot wait to be free again.

[@PetrolPed]

We’ve got some time in Cornwall in May too. Can’t wait 👍

[@Russell_G]

In a previous life I spent a lot of time working around Tebay (on the Railways) and we always looked for an excuse to hit the motorway so we could stop at the services for food. Without a shred of doubt the best service station in the UK!! Oh the S3 seemed quite nice too. Oh and nice to meet your mate too too!!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Russell. I can’t wait to go back 😂

[@robinhosleftfoot]

Heard the company that owns Tebay has a place on the M5 around J12 I think. Is the food as good there?

[@vedelcarby773]

Great review on the Audi S3 ped. Just shows the S3 is good on fuel for long journeys

[@ianhowatson4818]

Yesterday I did a round trip from Yorkshire to Devon in my 2018 S3, 10 hours in the driving seat, seats very comfortable no aches and pains, 38mpg, coffee and bacon sarnie at Gloucester services! A real “q”car compact and capable, don’t mention the dealer experience though.

[@PetrolPed]

Cool 👍

[@robinhosleftfoot]

What's the issue with the dealers? Bad service?

[@keithevans5667]

Looks like a fun one. 😄 bikes, cars and banter! Brilliant 👏

[@PetrolPed]

Yep...we didn’t really listen to music. Just chatted the whole way 👍

[@DC5dotty]

That services on the a34 is a fav of mine too :)

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@ginggur17]

Audi have nailed that old skool sound massive time. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤜🤛👍👍👍👍👍

[@stuarthunt5763]

The unmistakable drive to West Meon at the beginning of the journey.

[@PetrolPed]

Yep 👍

[@jeffabbott463]

Love a road trip with a good mate! My M140i from Cheshire to Bedford did 43mpg (comfort mode) doing no more than 75mph on the motorway in cruise control, a fair few 50 and 60 zones for roadworks granted and some dual carriageway round about spirited accelerations! Great all round cars. S3 was on my list but stuck with BMW. Seats are better in the S3 though!

[@a20axf]

Just away to change my manual 3dr M140i and since the new M135i is a 4 cylinder I’m going with an S3 as the M240i is silly money for what it is. Tbh most are silly prices now. Tuned the M140i to circa 480bhp and it still gets 43-45mpg easily on a decent motorway run 👌🏻 I genuinely don’t get how a 3.0 can be so economical 😂 great cars and I will sorely miss it.

[@DjNikGnashers]

That was a really interesting video, thank you both.

[@darrenhyde7742]

Cool video....2 mates in a roadtrip..nothing better...and a fellow Street Triple rider👍 more of that please 😁

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@chargeheadsuk]

Great video. The sound of that S3...Eargasm!! I heard they were 5 cylinder like. I look forward to a drive at some point. The joys of working for a Vag dealer group 🤫

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@andrewgibbs5096]

Great fun road trip. Evening all!

[@captainaverage721]

Love the A70 on the bike

[@xxgitxx]

Great vid as always Ped :)

[@Pmjs]

When I drove from Edinburgh to Blackpool it was raining heavy in the Lake District.

[@rubyandrenaetheminiatureda6988]

Cracking car, and lovely part of the UK Pete👌. Really enjoyed this video buddy 👍

[@ishraqzamee9479]

Good morning everyone, on a similar road trip with the 2021 Jaguar ipace currently. Very comfortable and smooth, but as it’s electric the charging situation is well… different to a conventional car, but when it comes to the lovely B roads it’s unfortunate that you can’t push that hard because you get concerned about your range 😂😂😭 that s3 looks wonderful and with all the new tech it seems like the perfect daily. I love that the like mid range sports cars within a certain model of car ( a3 *s3* rs3) has a split personality. It can be perfectly fine in comfort mode but switch it into dynamic the whole car changes.

[@mcgeoch81]

“Fresh as a daisy” bingo is a dangerous game.

[@markgregory6350]

Heya Pete, at 6:20 there's sound from one of your bike chats on the video too, by the sound of it.

[@PetrolPed]

Yep. That was the plan 👍

[@pmj_hawks89]

12:53 that sound, nice!!!

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@markkenton8420]

Great video. Your mate is a really good laugh You should do more with him in

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks. I hope to do just that 👍

[@summit_detailing]

Like the different video format...PP Carpool works for me. Dislike the artificial exhaust 'noise'. Cheers.

[@Murtayafourfun]

Really enjoyed that, great banter with you and Dan and a nice insight to the S3. I can totally relate to the frequent stops for a wee and coffee! #itsanagething 😂😂😂

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@dangreasley7934]

Well that made a change.. Thanks :)

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@me250165]

Good evening PP 😊👍 hope everyone is having a good day

[@Kelbayram]

Great content pal 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@callum7875]

Absolutely love Tebay Services! Always stopped there when driving home (Scotland) from my flat on the South Coast. Btw lads... need to work on those Scottish accents ;) great video as always!

[@PetrolPed]

LOL...I was waiting for someone to pick up on that. Did all my learning from an Ironbru add 😂😂😂😂

[@garethedwards2883]

Great video Pete as the dynamic between you and Dan is great. I would have to leave it in dynamic mode all of the time for that exhaust sound and to be fair you don't buy a sportier model for MPG

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@coltoncleveringa8004]

Pretty cool video was fun to watch

[@britishminiclub]

Evening all. Scottish roads through the hills are fantastic to drive. Curios that the mpg difference between modes is very little

[@marcoj9420]

Evening all, hope we can get out of this pandemic soon so I can finally give my car a proper test on the Scottish B roads. Hands down most epic roads and sceneries.

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

What do you drive pal? I've got an i30N

[@marcoj9420]

@@MrSunnyBhoy Mini clubman JCW which I bought after Pete’s reviews.

[@Murtayafourfun]

@@MrSunnyBhoy Good choice, me too.

[@footey7670]

That was a great vid Pete and Dan (great name btw) ! Agree totally with the Starbucks sizing it’s really just silly.... cheers boys and that Audi sounds pretty good 👍🏻🍻🇨🇦

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers 👍

[@leemullin9649]

Yes Pp the weather was a bit Dreich 🌧 sorry but today’s rain 🌧 is tomorrow’s whisky 🥃😜

[@guylambrechts2303]

Hi Ped. This video is enormously amusing! At least to my taste. Cheers.

[@ginggur17]

Evening sir, very similar colour to the M4 comp which I’ve just watched. 👍👍👍

[@PetrolPed]

Pretty close. Nice to see you are playing catch-up 😜😂

[@ginggur17]

@@PetrolPed I won’t miss things from you pal. 😜👍

[@bshah4831]

Great road trip. And I do shout at normally van drivers who park in parking spaces for the disabled.

[@josephorme-dawson2573]

The new S3 sounds great in this video but how much of that exhaust note is fake? The camera is quite close the the car speaker on the top of the dash so really doubt it sounds as good as it does on camera?

[@PetrolPed]

Hard to tell 🤔

[@TheRobJonker]

Good evening to you all 😉👊

[@chrise7058]

Not exactly an in depth review but I enjoyed the banter between 2 mates!

[@PetrolPed]

Wasn’t really meant to be. Trying for something a bit different. Check out my S3 Saloon vid for a proper review 👍

[@johnmull59]

Pleased you enjoyed the roads up here in the Scottish Borders...they are a bit special!

[@hubba96]

Evening all. Time for a beer and a bit of PP

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@sandygarage3802]

Some things I like about the car; Room for a bike & gear, manual gear changes, good fuel economy & a nice engine note👌............& cup holder's👍.

[@PetrolPed]

Perfeck 👍

[@sandygarage3802]

@@PetrolPed perfeck/perfick- Darling Buds Of May- David jason?

[@wordreet]

Bike in the back! It had to be done! 😁👍 Can I raise the bar? . . . hmm, well I do keep mentioning mountain bikes in the back, but I'll reveal that when I do go out with a bike (ooer missus) I ride a Caliber Dune, which is a fat tire bike. But a quick release means that the front wheel always comes off for transport.

[@SurprisedSalmon]

Brilliant video! Thanks chaps! Please could you ask Dan what glasses he has? Thanks! 😂

[@PetrolPed]

Glad you enjoyed it. He says they are They are Oakley Droppoints (in Brown) 😎👍🤘

[@andyhunt457]

Nobody believes you missed that exit by accident 😂

[@jasonboyle7203]

Always take that exit rather than at Hamilton Motorway driving is Bland.

[@PetrolPed]

😂

[@HQBProductions]

This reminds me of the many journeys I have done with my friend Adam...thirty years of them and a host of memories and dozens of cars but none since Jan last year. We will have to see how the next month or two turn out...Goodwood?....we wait and see! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@PetrolPed]

No need for a radio. Just chatted all the way 👍

[@HQBProductions]

@@PetrolPed I know this...we usually ended up with sore throats!!😱😃😃😃😃

[@simonupex2628]

Hi Peter when driving any VAG vehicle stay away from the eco setting put it in dynamic mode and trust yourself with your right foot. Not surprised about the food at Tebay services on the M6,consistently voted to serve the best food at any motorway services in the UK.

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

This is a sweet car and the A3 diesel is also a really good car.

[@NickGroves-ov7jw]

Hi is that a tag monocoque watch your wearing

[@PetrolPed]

Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 👍

[@FixieFarquhar]

Good vid and nice Monaco 😉

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@HamJumbo3]

410m on a tank....is that it.... Once you had a modern turbo diesel with 600+ miles on same tank as that Petrol Audi you would never swop iam afraid. good video lads

[@PetrolPed]

Although you’d want this once the road got interesting 👍

[@coops111s]

Diesel is for tractors 🤣

[@HamJumbo3]

@@coops111s I drive them aswell cant you tell 🤣🤣🤣

[@birdbrain7232]

Great vid! Enjoyed your perspective on how it drives on a long journey. Which would you choose (money aside) the new S3 or an RSQ3?

[@malph9216]

That's a great question. Having owned a previous generation RSQ3 (340bhp) it was great over long distances, matching, or bettering, that S3 on a long trip. As a knackered old git, it would be an RSQ3 every time.....my back said so!

[@PetrolPed]

RSQ3 👍

[@cliftonmcintosh6193]

You get some nice cars 🚗 to try out keep it up pp👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@ronald1968]

I wonder how long, and at what the cost comparison would be if you did the same journey in an equivalent ev... charging time alone would be quite frustrating I suspect.....

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure I’m up for that 😂

[@ronald1968]

@@PetrolPed exactly...... And, I really wonder why audi, or any car manufacturers would have different ' modes' when economy is marginal between what is supposedly the best, and possibly worst, mpg wise..... unless of course there's an emissions advantage in 'economy!??

[@greenyrog]

Howgills, not the lakes, I live at Sedbergh 5 miles from there

[@davewestrup2420]

Great Video chaps, so given the choice, S3 or TTS??

[@PetrolPed]

S3 😳

[@davewestrup2420]

@@PetrolPed interesting, thanks you for that, made my visit to the Audi Garage on Friday to swap my TT Sport a bit more interesting now 😊 Great videos on both cars and bikes, keep them coming 👍

[@b17blg]

Yeah these modes are probably named wrong in some circumstances. Efficiency probably should be called comfort. Just the experience it gives you I guess rather than actual performance. Good test though that's for sure!

[@PetrolPed]

I am wondering if it is there for the eco regulations 🤔

[@adriandickinson204]

That economy's quite poor, I'm surprised, being the new car I'd have expected better. My MY2017 FL 8V 310ps S3 DSG would have done 40mpg on that run. I've seen 41 on a 300 mile journey 2 up with luggage & got 38.3 yesterday doing a 100 mile trip, normal "A" road & motorway driving sticking to the speed limits, & in comfort mode. Good video as always PP!

[@robinhosleftfoot]

Depends how many miles on clock. Could be tight engine

[@paulwilkinson1433]

West Sussex to Edinburgh in around 8 hours, wonder how long that would've been in an electric car? I only have an A3 35 TSFI S-Line but absolutly love it. I went for the saloon as it has a bigger boot than the Sportback so more room for my golf clubs and trolley. Depends what sort of practicality you need and this suits me!

[@PetrolPed]

Good question 👍

[@stewartclanachan3439]

You’ve just passed my house in Gretna and it’s sunny sometimes 😆😆

[@PetrolPed]

LOL 😂

[@photostu]

Hi Pete, thanks for another fine vid, I have a Mini related question, can you tell me what part is used to hold your front license plate to your Clubman? I'm in the US and trying to find that part has been a nightmare! Cheers!

[@PetrolPed]

Hi Stuart. Sorry mate but I have absolutely no idea 🤷‍♂️

[@stevecade857]

S3 or JCW Clubman then Ped? They're the same class of car and having owned a 2015 S3 was on my short list but I just didn't find it special enough over the S-Line + away more expensive.

[@PetrolPed]

Clubman had a little bit more character but I think the S3 is a little more stable when pushing hard 👍

[@stevecade857]

@@PetrolPed Great stuff. So the new S3 isn't that much different to the 8v I used to own. Very competent car just lacking a little character to make it a great one.

[@graemecollie9233]

The efficiency vs dynamic mode comparison, you do realise that it was an unfair test because in efficiency it was all uphill and in dynamic downhill? In seriousness though it depends on what the car was doing prior to you getting it as the ECU will adapt to your driving, so on the return journey it was likely to always be more efficient. That all said I don't think efficiency is suited for faster speeds, its more round town driving unless the car has cylinder on demand which I don't think the EA888's do? Round the doors in my Audi I get about 300-320 to a tank but if I then did a 200+ mile motorway trip, the journey back I can see up to 460 miles of range through ECU fuelling adaption and C.O.D. Great video as always.

[@PetrolPed]

Damn...didn’t think of that 😜😂

[@julianr9873]

Nice journey. This is the way to road test a car. Did you have your new bike in the back on the return journey?

[@PetrolPed]

You’ll need to watch Ep6 of Cycle Sunday 👍

[@timwatkins6641]

I’ve just ordered one in Daytona grey and this video has reassured me greatly. How did you find the 19” wheels ? Hopefully a good ride as I’ve spec’d them ?! Great watch.

[@PetrolPed]

The ride is great. You will love it 👌

[@ScenesThroughTravels]

Nothing wrong with us shorties Pete 😂😂 Epic drive this was wow , Comfy car ?

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂