praecurvo

I am looking for the sportier version. Which one?

Yes, a couple track days per year and some autoX.
Two kiddos 4 and 8. We do have a SUV for family driving but I'll need to run the kiddos around here and there.

Between an S3 and TTS, which one will give me the best driver's experience?

Thanks

f1point0

Wife was skeptical about getting two kids in the rear seats. I have 2 kids around the same ages as you and they love it. We don't even need booster seats because the seatbelt is lower across the shoulder.

Looks - TTS
Handling - TTS
Performance - TTS
The one you really want - TTS

SYMAWD

TTS will perform better, but I find the S3 a lot more comfortable.

ocean1

TTS all the way. I have a 9 & 5 year old. Works for the 2 days a week I drop them at school and they don't have issues fitting (yet).

Bknewtype

s3 only if u need the back seats. if not, tts in every way


only plus about the s3 ( back seats aside ) is the extra MMI screen in the middle


im curious though to why a TTS is 10k more than a s3 when they are pretty much identical cars ( other than looks and exterior )

f1point0

My guess would be design and R&D of which are independent between the 2 cars except for the MQB platform. Besides the obvious exterior body/sheetmetal which is unique between the cars, key obvious design differences are the unique air vents with the controls in the center. There's a lot of money that is spent specifically for the TT to get to the exterior looks and unique interior design elements.

Also, since Audi sells significantly more S3's than TT's, they are going to recover and displace the design and R&D costs for the model across a greater number of units for the S3 compared to the TT.

farmerjones

I own a TT, best friend owns a S3. We run numerous track days together, and hands down the TT will outperform the S3 (however the new 2017 S3 quattro software that favors power to the rear could improve the S3 notably, as the TT's quattro tuning is notable on the track).

The S3 does indeed have the more usable rear seat, and the ride is noticeably better due to the longer wheel base and adjustable suspension. However the TT's suspension is just tuned more for performance to begin with.

The TT has the looks galore, and the interior quality/fit/finish/materials is a big step up from the "Jetta-grade" plastics in the S3 (in my opinion). Since the TT is substantially lighter it's much more agile on the track, and with the rear seats down has maybe more useable hauling space for cargo than the S3. The interior is just killer in the TT, and the quality is virtually that of an A8 with the Audi Design Select interiors.

As the owner of the TT, and having spent quite some time riding and driving the S3 both on the track and on road trips, the cars are the same but different. The S3 is a killer car for the price and a hoot to drive, but the TT's looks and interior put it to shame (on and off the track).


As for the price of the TT...considering every body panel is aluminum, and the majority of the unibody is aluminum, here is a big part of the cost difference (as the S3 has an aluminum hood, and everything else is steel). That aluminum

Huey52

The first time I got into my TTS I felt it was just a bit of a letdown in terms of materials quality from my prior A5 and allroad. But I accept the concession to lowering the weight of a sportscar for enhanced performance. Heck, the allroad was pushing 4k lbs!

And yes, the [significantly weight saving] mostly aluminum body and structure of the TT is quite expensive compared to the S3. I just wish the engine block was aluminum as well.

Bknewtype

all fair points and makes sense. I guess theres a reason why the general manager from where I got my TTS says the TTS is faster than the s3 due to weight, and body materials.


but the interior of the s3 is pretty similar isn't it? if anything the s3 has a bit more nick nacks ( mmi center dash, console controls, usb charger to the side , etc ). I didn't feel like it was cheaper at all. but I am comparing 2017 and 2017, the s3 with the virtual cockpit.


huey, I agree that the tts interior feels a bit lacking vs the a5. but I don't feel like its cheaper at all. materials felt the same but I think its just the basic outline of the cockpit may giv you the illusion that its cheaper. it felt pretty solid to me. prior to getting in the TTS I felt the same way, just a bland interior. but after getting in it and playing around with it, it was solid, basic but functional. I don't mind it at all anymore


anyways I love the TTS. im looking forward to hitting up Quattro de mayo in may to push the TTS to *MY* limits on some twisties!

Huey52

I didn't mean "cheap" per se, just a bit less luxurious in feel than A4/A5. Thinner materials and more plastic. But again, sportscar vs. coupe and intent of weight savings.

Actually the seats in my TTS, despite appearing thinner, are more comfortable to me compared to the A5 sport seats.

And I really like the stoic yet fully functional TT cockpit. Less is truly more.