Hi Everyone,
After moving to the East Coast from Los Angeles, and getting stranded in the snow with my current daily driver (2001 M3), I was in the market for a well-rounded 4WD car to "retire" the M from daily driving activities. I considered all the normal contenders in this market:
- 2015 Subaru WRX STi
- 2015 or 2016 Golf R
- 2015 BMW M235 xDrive
To be honest, I had a bias towards the BMW. However after finding out that the BMW M235 xDrive only comes in automatic (No DCT - only M cars have DCT option), it dropped out of the running. I'm a BMW fan-boy and driven NA powered/manual cars my whole life, so this was a big transition:
- 1991 BMW 525i (5-speed) - forced me learn to drive a manual
- 1997 BMW 328is (5-speed) - allowed me to learn to drive through the canyons and enjoy RWD
- 2001 BMW M3 (6-speed) - current car with the following mods:
- Bilstein PSS9 coilovers
- Polyurethane Bushings (FCABs/RTABs)
- Upgraded Rear Shock Mounts and Tranny Mounts
- Front Strut bar
- Stoptech Stage 2 Brake Upgrade
- AFe Filter/Streamline Arm
- BORLA Muffler
- AP Section 1&2 Exhaust
- LTW Flywheel
- 4.10 Rear Diff
- UUC Evo3 SSK
- CF CSL Front Bumper
- CCFL Angel Eyes
- LED (Interior, Taillights, Side-markers, Front Indicators)
- Matte Black Grills - vinyl front smoked indicators
- VMR V710 19X8/8.5 - Pilot Super Sports
- ///M Stitched Shift/E-Brake Boot
- Black Floor Mats
- Suede Roof-liner
After doing my research I was leaning towards the Golf R, because I Just didn't think the extra cash for the S3 was going to be worth it. Throw in the fact that the 2016 Golf R comes with a wider screen and a manual option, I was ready to just wait for that. To be honest I don't even need a new car, since Winter is far away now. Just yesterday, I went with my girlfriend to the dealer and test drove a 2015 S3...you know, just see it, touch it, test drive it. Well....6 hours later I left with this S3 w/Prestige Package and a big grin on my face:
This car was still wrapped in plastic (inside and out), the dealer just got it 2 days earlier. I don't plan on doing too many mods to this car yet....in fact it's just going to sit for most of this summer and fall. For now I'm going to
- Remove the front license plate holder
- Tint
- Vinyl wrap (black) on the 3 grills...for now...
Looking forward to learning more about Audi :)
Regards,
-JonJaz