I'm planning to buy a new S3 Saloon in a few months time and have a general question about manual gearchange vs Audi's auto 'S Tronic' system.

My gut feeling is to stick with manual (better driver control, also a lifelong familiarity with manual gear changing) but I've heard the S Tronic is both smoother, quicker and slightly more economical. My wife isn't keen on an automatic, but myself I don't think I'm dead set against it, just more familiar with manual.

Does anyone have experience of both who is prepared to offer an opinion on here, please?

 

If you're in the US, you don't have a choice...

 

Hi Rupert
I have ordered my S3 Cab and with this model (in UK) you can only get the S-tronic. Having driven both the auto and manual S3 I would go with the auto every time. You still have the option to change whenever you want using either the paddles or the stick but i have to say the auto is so slick and in Dynamic mode sounds awesome. Im a newbie to Audi so I'm only giving you my preference from the test drives and that of my friend who works for Audi.