When one purchases a new Audi S3 they can only expect to retain a mere 47% of the value over 3 years (doing an average of 12,000 miles each year). This makes this car a poor investment when one considers they would lose $23,000 in depreciation.

Audi has had a relatively clean history in terms of recalls apart from one instance in 2001 where model titles A3, S3 and TT were recalled due to concerns about the rear axle ball joints seizing from moisture and corrosion.

The Audi S3 was the proud winner of the prestigious "Engine of the year award - 2007."

The Audi S3 has not been crash tested as yet, however its sister car the Audi A3 received a strong five-star rating from European NCAP who performed the independent crash tests.

The aggressive 0-60 acceleration coupled with the electronically limited top speed of 155mph gives you the impression that this car would in fact have a terrible fuel economy… that would be the correct impression. One would average an estimated 28mpg in the S3, less than half the quoted distance of the latest Hybrid cars.

Audi's benchmark hatchback the S3 has been reviewed and driven in shows such as "Top Gear," and "Fifth Gear," as well as appearing in other televised series including "El Internado," and "Mariages!"

The Audi S3 is one of the most expensive cars in its class costing $14,000 more than the new Golf GTI.

Audi has always considered itself a pioneer in driving technology and the S3 is no different; it features something Audi calls 'servotronic steering,' a technology that senses when the wheel is turned and distributes the perfect amount of power assistance.

Audi (under the ownership of Volkswagen,) have given the S3 the engine from the new Golf GTI; they also tweaked the engine so it now produces a staggering 261bhp compared to a meager 197bhp you get from the VW.

The Audi S3 has undergone some large facelifts since its launch in 1999, the most noticeable and recent of which is the expansion into the cabriolet market which is expected to increase Audis' sales of the S3 substantially.