Nay Charles because brand new there about 25-30K I believe, and too me that’s very expensive for such a small car. Can pick a few year old one with about 20-30 thousand miles on for about 18K which is very reasonable for the power your getting plus they hold value very well
It does have all the problems of any other turbocharged VW with a Haldex system though... Fun times to be had changing water pumps, replacing clogged Haldex filter screens and the like!
Bought a second hand S1 6 months ago and absolutely love it. I so nearly bought a Mark 7 Fiesta ST because it is so good (except the dated cabin) but love the refinement and rarity of the S1. Don’t regret my decision although I’d never have paid £30k + for it!
Bloke here, nothing girly about a small car, I just sacked off my 335d, fed up with diesel rattle and big cars. Just bought a low miles 2016 Quattro S1 with both Quattro packs, looking to start tuning it.
I had a regular S Line A1, and there weren’t any cheap plastics pretty much throughout the whole interior! Just goes to show you can’t take any notice of online reviews.
Went from a Fiesta ST3 Mountune to an S1. The Audi is in a different league !! Interior is great, drivetrain is superb, engine has so much more torque than the Fiesta. Nothing on the market touches this ! Being an ex rally driver, one hell of a car !!
The optional Quattro Interior and (separately optioned) aluminium turned gear knob really lift the looks inside. These are must haves in my opinion especially on a car that was so expensive at list.
I’ve got a 2011 a1 (pre facelift) which has an almost identical interior minus the satnav and s1 accents, but I’m more than happy with the interior, although I can see how it would be disappointing in a 2018 model
Dave Spooney They are great fun to drive..I was always pinching my wifes and in the end sold my Porsche Macan and got a S3..needed more fun in my driving life! 😁
Lancia delta porsche cayman and 911..toyota gt4..add over 20 car 34 years driving...went to test golf r...and s3...didn't like dsg...tested s1 as a wild card..wow I was hooked .proper gearbox 78 in 3rd..limited to 155mph..200 kg lighter than golf r..and batteries in the boot on s1..ear we are in 2021 toyota bring a challenge to the show the gr yaris with 1 less cylinder 30k..make s1 seem like a bargain lol
I think they're cool little cars,there's something about a small car with good power,yes your m3s your rs4s are good but cars are getting so big it's hard to hustle them down a nice b road without worrying about what's coming the other way
I like the look of them. I've got a Black A1 S-Line and it is super smart with all the chrome blacked out and inch spacers all round. The S1 probably is a lot more fun to drive, but I got mine for the 70+ MPG that I get, saving me tonnes of money on fuel over my Turbo Beetle. The TDI is the best economy car for the money since they hold their value more than any other small car.
if you are bothered about the quality of the interior or the look of the pop up screen you are missing the point of the car. there is so much more to it once you start to live with it. it took me about 2 months to figure out the best way to drive it. it just clicked one day on a fast bend and we have been in love ever since. i nearly sent it back after the first two weeks of having it. so glad i didnt . looking forward to getting mapped now.
It's true that PARTS of the interior are plastic-y and cheapish. But MOST details I would say are "nice". I've owned one for 4+ years. The premium seats are very comfy, as is the (round) steering wheel, and the gear lever.
I drove 2 A1’s last weekend with a view to buying one. Have to say I was well impressed with both of them. One was a 1.4 semi auto petrol. The other was the manual 1.6 diesel. Both really shift fast. Finally decided to get an A3. All these reviews are obviously subjective. Each to their own, but frankly, I love ‘em! Great cars!
Always liked the S1. What's not to like? Small hatchback, 2.0l Turbo and AWD. Pricey for what they are, but for all year round usability, nothing comes close. It's a shame no other car manufacturer builds a small fast AWD hatch. The Fiesta ST will be more fun to drive, but the S1 will be able to use all it's power all year round. The problem with an S1 V's a Fiesta ST is the price. A well specced S1 is well into £30k territory, while the bells and whistles ST is £23k. As an S3 Saloon owner, the efficiency mode is pointless and after much testing doesn't result in any reduced mpg. Can achieve the same results with the engine in Dynamic. Now if Ford build an AWD Fiesta RS ...........
Wayne Belton Good points. My wifes S1 with the Quattro ext and int pack cost £33.5K😲 I must say though that appart from the carpet and a few lower down plastics it's a really nice quality interior..only the infotainment really lets it down..should have been updated 3 or 4 years ago IMHO. My S3 with virtual cockpit and googlemaps is in a different league..but not quite as much fun to drive..guess that may be down to manual vs DSG. I find efficiency mode in the S3 makes a big difference because it coasts when you lift off..I've averaged 31.7mpg over nearly 5K miles..about the same as my wifes S1. The S1 does come with adjustable dampers as standard unlike the S3..and efficiency makes these softer on the S1 and makes m'way driving less jiggly. The S1 is softer sprung than the S3 and rides speedbumps better than my adjustable susp. S3 in comfort. One thing I much prefer about the S3 is the fact that the driver modes can be assigned to the steering wheel button..the S1's can't!😔 I tend to leave the S1 in auto all the time but jump the S3 between efficiency and individual. The S3 having 7 speeds with a higher final drive makes it a quieter/more ecconomical m'way car.
Tim Burton You're right..softer dampers in efficiency..though I find the throttle mapping a bit dull in that setting. Auto for me unless on the M'way.👍☺
@@douglasb.5601 It's pretty laggy and boosty in any mode, and if revved out the engine takes so long to drop shifts take an age, so I just drive it like a diesel.
Tim Burton Well the 276lbft of torque allow you to surf the low revs like a diesel..but I used to drive it back to back with a Porsche Macan Diesel S...and the S1 made the Porsche feel like a diesel...which is why I traded it in for an S3. I find the S1 a great fun car..not laggy over 1600rpm due to the small turbo (compared to the S3)..just a joy to punt down a tight back road in any weather. My only negative thoughts on the car are the VERY dated infotainment and the lack of steering feel.
Stop your bloody moaning. I find the interior very good for a little A1 or S1. And all the controls are uncomplicated and easy to use and access. And the fact that it’s super fast makes it even better. Bloody hell get over your problems
wayne jenkins Can't agree..my wife had a Skoda fabia VRS before her S1..the S1 is in a different league and nowhere near as plasticy..maybe it's because she's got the quattro int. pack with the Supersports seats..it's no different in quality to my S3..just has a crappy infotainment system...and the Bose is nowhere near as good as the B&O system in the S3. The S1 is a really fun car to drive though despite not being quite as rear driven as the S3 in dynamic mode. You can power oversteer an S3 easier than you can an S1..S1 needs a lift on corner entry to get the rear to rotate.😉
@@douglasb.5601 I bought an insanely good Android replacement screen. Now it lives up to the modern day. Only £350 on ebay. Took less than an hour to fit.
Good review Jay...but please note that the S1 does come with adjustable dampers as standard...unlike the S3!! It also comes with a leather interior..and gets a lot better with the quattro interior pack. The infotainment is terrible though and should have been updated at least 3-4 years ago. It's an amazing car to punt down back roads though and even more fun than my S3..the boot is also great for getting 4 bags of shopping in...it doesn't roll around!👍☺ My wifes S1 is yellow with a black roof..we both love it!💛
Stuart Christie Wrong..active dampers. From the S1 Owner's manual P.87... Audi Drive Select: Suspension control: The suspension control uses sensors to collect information on steering movements, braking and acceleration input by the driver, road surface quality, road speed and vehicle loading. With drive select you can ADJUST THE SUSPENSION FOR A STIFFER RESPONSE (dynamic) OR BALANCED SET-UP (efficiency or auto). It is a very obvious system IMHO..dynamic is pretty hard and efficiency takes the jiggle out of m'way trips..auto a good all rounder.👍😉
Douglas B. I stand corrected although I didn’t get the handbook with the car. If the adaptive dampers worked they make no difference to the ride. The dealers should also gen up on the product as I was told by the salesman passive only
Stuart Christie No problen...but if you go over a speed bump in dynamic..then a speed bump in efficiency..it should be a MASSIVE difference..I wonder if you've got a blown fuse?🤔
Been watching this channel over last few months! Content is really good! Reminds me of very old top gear! S1 is like a Mini Cooper S but I think I’d still go for JCW over S1. Not entirely sure who these cars are aimed at based on price tag! If I was 21 again I’d love it, but at that age could you afford it! I’ve just got rid of my 2016 golf R had so much fun over 2 years and decided to go for merc c class slower obviously but just nice to not have my back jarred with every pot hole!
i think they are aimed at people who need the speed and have the cash. i am a guy in my 40's. its the perfect car for me. i live in the countryside. really tight bends. love it.
My main (most expensive vehicle) is a big lumbering thing. I absolutely love my S1 for the B-roads, it’s hard to think of a vehicle that’s more fun to drive on the roads around here, come rain or shine, snow etc. It’s not as fast as many cars, but it is just pure joy!
Don’t really know what’s he’s on about- it’s not a cheap interior for that types of car - it has the same climate control as an r8 for god sake but yet again I think he slagged the .r8 interior off but likes cheapo Ferrari interiors
I purchased a used nogaro blue S1, list price was circa £38k. With every extra possible 😀 Buying used is the way to go, great little cars, might retain their value given no longer being made..
Uploaded early 2019? So I don't understand why you are presenting the S1 as a new car, As far as I know it was build between 2013-2017... Clutch is made for S1, as long as you keep it on 236/237HP, it will go a long way. Make it stage 1 (310HP easy) then you need a new clutch (RS TT 2004). Comparing it with a Polo or even VW GTI... then you don't know the history of the S1. Small example... it's the only S (or RS) that is hand-shifted. You didn't even scratch the surface as you didn't mention the Audi A1Quattro (only 333 made, numbered 1/333, 2/333...). It's a different car with another heritage than the car you presented, sorry.
I'm such a Audi Sport fan but this Car makes O% Sence, it's just a smaller less powerful S3 for nearly the same price . Ok if your a rich 20 year old Girl that didn't know the fiat 500 or fiesta st existed then cool great purchase.
@@lewiscannon8213 If your priority is driving it makes 100% sense though. I have had both a 16 plate S3 and a 67 plate S1 after that. The S1 is far and away the better car to drive. It's more agile/adjustable, less prone to understeer and the damping on bumpy British roads is much better sorted than the S3. Subjectively it also feels quicker than the S3 because of its smaller size and lower weight. Both are good cars and you're right in saying that the S3 is the faster more practical car. But sometimes buying a car isn't about Objective merit. It's about how much fun it is to drive and how well it combines different attributes. The S1 is a car which manages to combine 90% of the practicality, desirability and everyday, all weather performance of an S3 with a far more entertaining chassis and (I think) cooler looks. The S1 is that incredibly rare thing. A genuinely FUN Audi!
@@thomasholdsworth2422 your Right about the s3's damping my Mk1 s3 225 has had £1,300 of genuine Sports suspension done I mean everything suspension and it still drives like a pig . It's just soooo fucking heavy. The mk3 s3 isn't that much better in comparison to the mk1 really , Now I'm 5weeks in to financing a 16 plate Rs3 8v , Yes it still feels like a tank but a very sorted tank " mag ride " 👍😎
@@lewiscannon8213 Congrats mate! The 8v RS3 is an incredible piece of kit. Practical, luxurious and supercar fast. Not to mention one of the best sounding cars in the world. I'm jealous!
@@thomasholdsworth2422 I've always wanted the rs3 since its was released And now I have one I'll be honest it scares me , in dynamic mode it's so aggressive lol I totally underestimated it as a Machine , and plus I've had it down to 9 mpg. 😨
I have a polo gti 6c stage 1 ,st coilovers, 18 inch wheels with eagle f1s ebc disk and pads and i love it , could not afford a s1 do you guys think I could keep up with a s1 on a dry road
@@LittleBanditMicra it's the same chassis, as is the seat Ibiza and the polo weighs less then a s1 as doesn't have 4 wheel drive, and I don't understand why you think a two wheel car would only put it's power down on one wheel it's not a robbin reliant
@@MrCdt The 1 tyre comment is eluding to the fact that the polo doesn't have an LSD so when you're pushing the car hard if 1 wheel looses traction the power isn't being put down by both wheels, where as the s1 has 3 other wheels being driven to put power down.
@@MeefMoaf yeah I know my car doesn't have a LSD never said it did but it has xds which is vw cheaper version of LSD which uses bracking on the wheel it feels is losing grip and helps to rotate the car round the corner, it does this front and back at a cost to your break pads and discs!
@@MrCdt I'm aware how manufacturers cut the cost of a real LSD by using brakes instead. I also didn't imply that you had said your car has an LSD. The fact remains that 1 tyre fire only happens on cars without an LSD or AWD, any system that uses brakes in place of an LSD is vastly inferior.
Initially was annoyed that the A1 and S1 did not make it State side, but think that they would not have sold especially with petrol still being so relatively cheap.
Curious, why does the petrol price have anything to do with it? Because people can have bigger cars / engines? That sorta misses the point of this car. Sure it’s economical, but it’s more about the way it adheres to narrow winding roads. It is just ridiculously fun to drive.
@@bollocks2usernames I think "small cars" struggle in the US. Even Ford and GM dropped cars like the Fiesta, Focus, Malibu, Cruze. even the Audi A3 is a small car over here.
A very honest, and most of all trustworthy review of this car. 👍👍👍👍👍👍 Sorry for asking the same question again, but do you think you could possibly test drive a Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR and give me your evaluations on that model (I currently own the last model variant which is a 67 plate ) I would love your honest opinion. Thax Steve.
It is this guy just did a horrific job at expressing it over the video when your behind one in real life the s1 badge and quad exhaust let's you no your.about to get smoked this guy just did a horrific job
This is like a Stock S1, doesn't have the quattro pack for the interior and is so basic, for about 30 thousand pound. Everyone know about Audi, they give a basic car, and you have to spend a lot for customization, and this is a basic S1.
I've seen loads of them modded, and still from a standing start there are plenty of stock cars which are heavier that wouldn't break sweat up against it.
is the interior worse than a base 2 series? we were checking some X6m and m6 for my mate at the dealership and I sat in one of them and holy shit it was terrible inside. Great car though.
You sure you sat in a BMW? Can't be it was terrible indide BMW 1 Series already has niceley premium interior, 2 Series Coupe is similar. Also the A1/S1 is the lowest class of Audi, BMW and Merc don't have that low class. 2 Series is in class with Audi TT
That kind of power doesn’t need awd even at 300 bhp you can put down 300bhp with a good lsd. If I was to buy one I would definitely modify it well past 300 bhp
BS! Unless you’re on a prepped drag strip with a prepped car, you will not put down 300hp in a FWD car, even with a good diff. With traction control off, that’s just not happening! 🤦🏻♂️
Great review Jay, thanks for that! How does it compare to your recent drive of the mk8 Fiesta ST? There don't seem to be any comparisons on these two cars yet which is a shame seeing as it would make a very interesting new (ST) vs used (S1) test.
Cletus, my dear boy, will you please learn the correct pronunciation of "advertisement"⁉️ Why, in God's name, would you want to heel and toe on a public road⁉️ The next thing we know, you'll be banging-on about double-declutching‼️ What's all this about music❓You're driving a car, not a mobile hi-fi system‼️ Are there, really, blokes who are so insecure they talk about " girly cars "⁉️ A car is a means of transport, how can it be gender specific❓ With regard to the interior, if the seat is comfortable, and the main stuff works, what more do you want❓ This " electric everything " in modern cars is bloody ridiculous. It adds weight and complexity, and is unnecessary. People don't want an S1, because they don't know it exists. Great video, by the way, I really enjoyed it.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
There is value in smoothing out changes while on the brakes. Drive something like a modern manual Porsche or //M car and you'll see the blipper in action. S1 ignores those kinda throttle inputs though.
@@MrKeyboardCommando yeah you're dragging the engine speed up with the clutch, but it's a heavy old flywheel and tips the nose down unless you're blipping it or slipping the clutch.
@@MrKeyboardCommando coming into a corner heavy on the brakes and down the gears, you need to raise the engine speed to match the new ratio. Can either bang the gear and drag the clutch to force the engine speed up, you you can blip the throttle to not have the torque spike come back down the driveline and upset the cars balance. Probably makes no difference in a shopping car, but in my M3 and R300 it's required to not lock the rear axle up.
@@JayEmmOnCars 1.0 ecoboost Fiesta's that is the mk7 are the same. Chocolate clutches and even whole gearboxes the 5 speed cant take the power even in stock if you rev it out.
I totally agree with your comments. I had an S1 and just sold it last year. It was amazing and fun to drive, but it lacked premium quality interior. Also the armrest was in the road of the handbrake............ I have an S3 now which is on another level :-)
Wow, you ripped it another one 😂 as I said before, if you want to save money on a car you get a nice example of a fully deprecated car, like a Porsche or an M or RS car. If you want to spend as little as possible, get a 3 yr old 30k miles car ... and for £30k you have a world of options. I still can’t understand S1. Even something like 2008-2010 S3 feels like a much better choice really.
JayEmm on Cars true, however isn’t it still loads cheaper to get a nice example and budget in £5k for “potential” repair? You’d have to blow your engine to spend that much on a second hand S3 ownership over 2 years.
should of just whipped 2.5k into a vauxhall nova and turned up like a tit in that. would of saved 27.5k if finances really are the tipping point of the car you want to own. i know warranty is a very solid thing to want or need and have, but if your insisting the buying point of an audi or car is to need warranty then to me it shows its a common bag of spanners. sounds like the bloke is bored with life not struggling for financial choices.
he doesn't critise as it self but only as a top of a line audi a3 the rs3 doesn't offer you enough difference from a3. To make you think you own a top of line model. i don't mind personally, it makes parts cheaper to buy as economy of scale offer you. But for somebody used to lotus i understand his point of views. Exclusivity is good for your ego sometimes.
@@LaFritePerreGoat if he wanted exclusivity, then a bag of common audi parts isnt the way to go. this bloke is 30 years behind in his mid life crisis as the rest of young lads buying up the A or S 1 or 3 models.
The RS3 is well over rated and interior is lacking, if it exceeds others in its segment then that's nothing to shout about. 53K was the one James reviewed. That's obscene.
low rent in a audi is still better than most! and everything in a audi is optional ! the rs design pack for my rs3 saloon was £895 option " shocking really!
the 2009 TT Special Edition I just bought had all the options added on to it which is quite nice, even has the TT RS alloys as an option which were added. I think is was just over 8k above the standard base price which is a lot considering it's not even a TTS.
I only bought the car a few weeks ago but I'm going to use the TT shop soon to do my S-Tronic and Haldex fluid. So they are probably used to the stuff anyway lol XD
i wish you'd talked more about how it feels to drive. I drove a normal A1 st line on 17s and it's awful to drive. very low limit, under 40 mph inexplicably oversteery and over that very understeery, the steering has absolutely 0 feel
I quite like the quattro sportback with interior pack and reasonable money today. Yeah clutch an issue but at 70k miles id be buying id just do the clutch upgrade and remap when it fails. There are plenty on sale with far higher miles so clutch cant be that bad.
Weight does affect it but even when I had to transport 25 Breeze blocks and 2 bags of concrete I still have plenty of power. A surprising amount actually. Very nice car.
What a trash review your mate must be laughing his head of at you reading these comments this guy don't no his cars at all it has adaptive electronic suspension and it has valved exhaust that works through the modes you couldn't even get that right
@@JayEmmOnCars sorry but all reviewers say how good the quality of the interior is the only supermini comes close is the mini I own a Audi a1 2013 s line and I'm not bias because I used to be a bmw guy but I've sat in lot of small cars and the a1 feels quality like there bigger cars and everybody knows audi make the best interior for the money sorry just saying maybe you was driving a Bentley before you reviewed this a1.
Smart looking yet expensive car. Barely enough power to really exploit the fact it has 4WD and probably adds an extra 75-100kg surely? Why the hell do Audi insist on these option packs - it's the only A1 with Quattro so it should come with them as standard! Would rather go for a Hyundai i30N - nicer interior, more driver focused and longer warranty.
High tolerance engine. Good gear ratios. Very tunable. Easily get over 300BHP and not a huge amount to do get to over 400BHP. Seriously. Clutches though not so good. Hyundai? Why don't you go the whole hog and get a Nissan Juke?
@@EnglishLaw that's why I want to buy one after I sell my 280 Punto Abarth In the Rain even with 200hp it was a pig The s1 is just a beast, the haldex sistem in shit until you try one in snow or rain. The back end also can slide out if pushed hard out of a herpin or roundabout The engine is very reliable at 300hp. You just need to upgrade the clutch
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Still probably one of the best cars to buy second hand in my opinion
Why second hand ?
Nay Charles because brand new there about 25-30K I believe, and too me that’s very expensive for such a small car. Can pick a few year old one with about 20-30 thousand miles on for about 18K which is very reasonable for the power your getting plus they hold value very well
James Eyres Yhman fair enough mate
@@naycharles5430 cos you can’t get them new anymore.....
It does have all the problems of any other turbocharged VW with a Haldex system though... Fun times to be had changing water pumps, replacing clogged Haldex filter screens and the like!
Bought a second hand S1 6 months ago and absolutely love it. I so nearly bought a Mark 7 Fiesta ST because it is so good (except the dated cabin) but love the refinement and rarity of the S1. Don’t regret my decision although I’d never have paid £30k + for it!
Good choice and I bet you saved a TON over list.
@@EvoraGT430 I certainly did mate 👍
Same here, bought one over a Polo R in july last year for about 20k. Don't regret my decision one bit :)
@@paraknas5 Polo R?
@@colinmason92 polo r wrc
LOL at the comments about it being "girly". Some "car guys" are so fragile.
It really is abit of a chciks car, almpst like the fiet 500. just look at the majoirty of drivers driving a1s
Silly really, as some of these can have up to 300bhp if known what to do with it
@@EskiLdn aint no way, u say its almost like a fiat 500, thats crazu
Bloke here, nothing girly about a small car, I just sacked off my 335d, fed up with diesel rattle and big cars. Just bought a low miles 2016 Quattro S1 with both Quattro packs, looking to start tuning it.
Jeez, so bloody negative. What a cracking small car.
The low rent comments were laughable considering Nissans being mentioned constantly 😂
He didn't like it but compared it to a GTR... 😂😅
He didnt rate an Ur quattro 20v....so not sure what would impress. Clueless.
I had a regular S Line A1, and there weren’t any cheap plastics pretty much throughout the whole interior! Just goes to show you can’t take any notice of online reviews.
Went from a Fiesta ST3 Mountune to an S1. The Audi is in a different league !! Interior is great, drivetrain is superb, engine has so much more torque than the Fiesta. Nothing on the market touches this ! Being an ex rally driver, one hell of a car !!
The optional Quattro Interior and (separately optioned) aluminium turned gear knob really lift the looks inside. These are must haves in my opinion especially on a car that was so expensive at list.
I’ve got a 2011 a1 (pre facelift) which has an almost identical interior minus the satnav and s1 accents, but I’m more than happy with the interior, although I can see how it would be disappointing in a 2018 model
With these being Manual only and in relatively small numbers with no replacement they will hold their value - regardless if it’s deserved or not.
Dave Spooney
They are great fun to drive..I was always pinching my wifes and in the end sold my Porsche Macan and got a S3..needed more fun in my driving life! 😁
Yeah I agree with you.
What is he going on about the interior? Are the seats too small for him?
Lancia delta porsche cayman and 911..toyota gt4..add over 20 car 34 years driving...went to test golf r...and s3...didn't like dsg...tested s1 as a wild card..wow I was hooked .proper gearbox 78 in 3rd..limited to 155mph..200 kg lighter than golf r..and batteries in the boot on s1..ear we are in 2021 toyota bring a challenge to the show the gr yaris with 1 less cylinder 30k..make s1 seem like a bargain lol
I think they're cool little cars,there's something about a small car with good power,yes your m3s your rs4s are good but cars are getting so big it's hard to hustle them down a nice b road without worrying about what's coming the other way
totally correct mate. i live in the sticks. love my S1
I like the look of them. I've got a Black A1 S-Line and it is super smart with all the chrome blacked out and inch spacers all round.
The S1 probably is a lot more fun to drive, but I got mine for the 70+ MPG that I get, saving me tonnes of money on fuel over my Turbo Beetle. The TDI is the best economy car for the money since they hold their value more than any other small car.
hows that working out for you?
also got a 2.0 liter A1 S-Line Black Edition, so far its been fantastic
@@diogovieira3362 Do a stage 1 tune, becomes a quick diesel
if you are bothered about the quality of the interior or the look of the pop up screen you are missing the point of the car. there is so much more to it once you start to live with it. it took me about 2 months to figure out the best way to drive it. it just clicked one day on a fast bend and we have been in love ever since. i nearly sent it back after the first two weeks of having it. so glad i didnt . looking forward to getting mapped now.
It's true that PARTS of the interior are plastic-y and cheapish. But MOST details I would say are "nice". I've owned one for 4+ years. The premium seats are very comfy, as is the (round) steering wheel, and the gear lever.
I drove 2 A1’s last weekend with a view to buying one. Have to say I was well impressed with both of them. One was a 1.4 semi auto petrol. The other was the manual 1.6 diesel. Both really shift fast. Finally decided to get an A3. All these reviews are obviously subjective. Each to their own, but frankly, I love ‘em! Great cars!
Like the Audi S1
We tested one but like the Mini Cooper S not big enough. 25k new tops !
beautiful shot in slow motion with the snow!
Yeah very pretty, got lucky with that
Always liked the S1. What's not to like? Small hatchback, 2.0l Turbo and AWD. Pricey for what they are, but for all year round usability, nothing comes close. It's a shame no other car manufacturer builds a small fast AWD hatch. The Fiesta ST will be more fun to drive, but the S1 will be able to use all it's power all year round. The problem with an S1 V's a Fiesta ST is the price. A well specced S1 is well into £30k territory, while the bells and whistles ST is £23k. As an S3 Saloon owner, the efficiency mode is pointless and after much testing doesn't result in any reduced mpg. Can achieve the same results with the engine in Dynamic. Now if Ford build an AWD Fiesta RS ...........
Wayne Belton
Good points. My wifes S1 with the Quattro ext and int pack cost £33.5K😲
I must say though that appart from the carpet and a few lower down plastics it's a really nice quality interior..only the infotainment really lets it down..should have been updated 3 or 4 years ago IMHO.
My S3 with virtual cockpit and googlemaps is in a different league..but not quite as much fun to drive..guess that may be down to manual vs DSG. I find efficiency mode in the S3 makes a big difference because it coasts when you lift off..I've averaged 31.7mpg over nearly 5K miles..about the same as my wifes S1. The S1 does come with adjustable dampers as standard unlike the S3..and efficiency makes these softer on the S1 and makes m'way driving less jiggly. The S1 is softer sprung than the S3 and rides speedbumps better than my adjustable susp. S3 in comfort.
One thing I much prefer about the S3 is the fact that the driver modes can be assigned to the steering wheel button..the S1's can't!😔
I tend to leave the S1 in auto all the time but jump the S3 between efficiency and individual. The S3 having 7 speeds with a higher final drive makes it a quieter/more ecconomical m'way car.
Drive the Mrs s1 in efficiency all the time, under the impression that it softens off the crashy ride, might be placebo though.
Tim Burton
You're right..softer dampers in efficiency..though I find the throttle mapping a bit dull in that setting. Auto for me unless on the M'way.👍☺
@@douglasb.5601 It's pretty laggy and boosty in any mode, and if revved out the engine takes so long to drop shifts take an age, so I just drive it like a diesel.
Tim Burton
Well the 276lbft of torque allow you to surf the low revs like a diesel..but I used to drive it back to back with a Porsche Macan Diesel S...and the S1 made the Porsche feel like a diesel...which is why I traded it in for an S3. I find the S1 a great fun car..not laggy over 1600rpm due to the small turbo (compared to the S3)..just a joy to punt down a tight back road in any weather. My only negative thoughts on the car are the VERY dated infotainment and the lack of steering feel.
Stop your bloody moaning. I find the interior very good for a little A1 or S1. And all the controls are uncomplicated and easy to use and access. And the fact that it’s super fast makes it even better.
Bloody hell get over your problems
Oh ffs shut up about the interior!
We don't want to pay for stuff that doesn't make the car go faster and only makes it more expensive.
After driving an A1 for the last 2 weeks I have to agree with the comments about the interior, basically its a Skoda with an Audi badge.
wayne jenkins
Can't agree..my wife had a Skoda fabia VRS before her S1..the S1 is in a different league and nowhere near as plasticy..maybe it's because she's got the quattro int. pack with the Supersports seats..it's no different in quality to my S3..just has a crappy infotainment system...and the Bose is nowhere near as good as the B&O system in the S3. The S1 is a really fun car to drive though despite not being quite as rear driven as the S3 in dynamic mode. You can power oversteer an S3 easier than you can an S1..S1 needs a lift on corner entry to get the rear to rotate.😉
@@douglasb.5601 I bought an insanely good Android replacement screen. Now it lives up to the modern day. Only £350 on ebay. Took less than an hour to fit.
WWG1WGA UK
Sounds amazing...have you got a link?👍🏻
I trust the plan! 'Q' 😉👍🏻
Good review Jay...but please note that the S1 does come with adjustable dampers as standard...unlike the S3!!
It also comes with a leather interior..and gets a lot better with the quattro interior pack.
The infotainment is terrible though and should have been updated at least 3-4 years ago. It's an amazing car to punt down back roads though and even more fun than my S3..the boot is also great for getting 4 bags of shopping in...it doesn't roll around!👍☺
My wifes S1 is yellow with a black roof..we both love it!💛
Interesting, I was told they were passive
Passive dampers only
Stuart Christie
Wrong..active dampers.
From the S1 Owner's manual P.87...
Audi Drive Select:
Suspension control:
The suspension control uses sensors to collect information on steering movements, braking and acceleration input by the driver, road surface quality, road speed and vehicle loading. With drive select you can ADJUST THE SUSPENSION FOR A STIFFER RESPONSE (dynamic) OR BALANCED SET-UP (efficiency or auto).
It is a very obvious system IMHO..dynamic is pretty hard and efficiency takes the jiggle out of m'way trips..auto a good all rounder.👍😉
Douglas B. I stand corrected although I didn’t get the handbook with the car. If the adaptive dampers worked they make no difference to the ride. The dealers should also gen up on the product as I was told by the salesman passive only
Stuart Christie
No problen...but if you go over a speed bump in dynamic..then a speed bump in efficiency..it should be a MASSIVE difference..I wonder if you've got a blown fuse?🤔
Been watching this channel over last few months! Content is really good! Reminds me of very old top gear!
S1 is like a Mini Cooper S but I think I’d still go for JCW over S1. Not entirely sure who these cars are aimed at based on price tag! If I was 21 again I’d love it, but at that age could you afford it!
I’ve just got rid of my 2016 golf R had so much fun over 2 years and decided to go for merc c class slower obviously but just nice to not have my back jarred with every pot hole!
i think they are aimed at people who need the speed and have the cash. i am a guy in my 40's. its the perfect car for me. i live in the countryside. really tight bends. love it.
Yes, they are perfect for people in their 40s, who no longer need a family car.
My main (most expensive vehicle) is a big lumbering thing. I absolutely love my S1 for the B-roads, it’s hard to think of a vehicle that’s more fun to drive on the roads around here, come rain or shine, snow etc. It’s not as fast as many cars, but it is just pure joy!
Don’t really know what’s he’s on about- it’s not a cheap interior for that types of car - it has the same climate control as an r8 for god sake but yet again I think he slagged the .r8 interior off but likes cheapo Ferrari interiors
A1 mk1 is perhaps the best all around car. Cannot understand the comments about the interior.
I wish we’d looked at one of these over the Mini Cooper S we bought on a 14 plate.
Just traded in my cooper s and got an s1
I hope you’ve got rid of that shit mini in the last 3 years
@@SamLaidler nothing wrong with it. Why you driving a Lada?
@@ArcticRob thoughts?
@@s1dew1nd3r4 sold it after 4 months, worst car I've owned. Very dull and boring.
Handles good but that's about it. Preferred my mini
I purchased a used nogaro blue S1, list price was circa £38k. With every extra possible 😀 Buying used is the way to go, great little cars, might retain their value given no longer being made..
Noggy blue Audi's are Super cool 😎
@@lewiscannon8213 too right. I’ve a RS6 PERFORMANCE in the same Blue. Gets a lot of attention from the yoot.......😜
They go for £10k now 😳
£10k?? Not decent ones…
Rubbish review. Great little car. Full of self importance.
Uploaded early 2019? So I don't understand why you are presenting the S1 as a new car, As far as I know it was build between 2013-2017...
Clutch is made for S1, as long as you keep it on 236/237HP, it will go a long way.
Make it stage 1 (310HP easy) then you need a new clutch (RS TT 2004).
Comparing it with a Polo or even VW GTI... then you don't know the history of the S1.
Small example... it's the only S (or RS) that is hand-shifted.
You didn't even scratch the surface as you didn't mention the Audi A1Quattro (only 333 made, numbered 1/333, 2/333...).
It's a different car with another heritage than the car you presented, sorry.
One of the worst reviews his ever done theirs so.much more to this car the fact theirs only.146 left with mot in the UK just shows how rare they are
This guy is so negative
He disengaged his brain and bought the badge.... sigh he'll loose on it too when decides to get shut in 6 weeks
So every other reviewer says these are great little motors yet you say they are shite, standard.
£30k for an S1. My brain still cannot compute as to why someone would do such a thing
I'm such a Audi Sport fan but this Car makes O% Sence, it's just a smaller less powerful S3 for nearly the same price . Ok if your a rich 20 year old Girl that didn't know the fiat 500 or fiesta st existed then cool great purchase.
@@lewiscannon8213 If your priority is driving it makes 100% sense though. I have had both a 16 plate S3 and a 67 plate S1 after that. The S1 is far and away the better car to drive. It's more agile/adjustable, less prone to understeer and the damping on bumpy British roads is much better sorted than the S3. Subjectively it also feels quicker than the S3 because of its smaller size and lower weight.
Both are good cars and you're right in saying that the S3 is the faster more practical car. But sometimes buying a car isn't about Objective merit. It's about how much fun it is to drive and how well it combines different attributes.
The S1 is a car which manages to combine 90% of the practicality, desirability and everyday, all weather performance of an S3 with a far more entertaining chassis and (I think) cooler looks. The S1 is that incredibly rare thing. A genuinely FUN Audi!
@@thomasholdsworth2422 your Right about the s3's damping my Mk1 s3 225 has had £1,300 of genuine Sports suspension done I mean everything suspension and it still drives like a pig . It's just soooo fucking heavy. The mk3 s3 isn't that much better in comparison to the mk1 really , Now I'm 5weeks in to financing a 16 plate Rs3 8v , Yes it still feels like a tank but a very sorted tank " mag ride " 👍😎
@@lewiscannon8213 Congrats mate! The 8v RS3 is an incredible piece of kit. Practical, luxurious and supercar fast. Not to mention one of the best sounding cars in the world. I'm jealous!
@@thomasholdsworth2422 I've always wanted the rs3 since its was released And now I have one I'll be honest it scares me , in dynamic mode it's so aggressive lol I totally underestimated it as a Machine , and plus I've had it down to 9 mpg. 😨
I have a polo gti 6c stage 1 ,st coilovers, 18 inch wheels with eagle f1s ebc disk and pads and i love it , could not afford a s1 do you guys think I could keep up with a s1 on a dry road
No chance! The S1 is a far superior chassis and it’s not trying to put the power down through one tyre! 😂
@@LittleBanditMicra it's the same chassis, as is the seat Ibiza and the polo weighs less then a s1 as doesn't have 4 wheel drive, and I don't understand why you think a two wheel car would only put it's power down on one wheel it's not a robbin reliant
@@MrCdt The 1 tyre comment is eluding to the fact that the polo doesn't have an LSD so when you're pushing the car hard if 1 wheel looses traction the power isn't being put down by both wheels, where as the s1 has 3 other wheels being driven to put power down.
@@MeefMoaf yeah I know my car doesn't have a LSD never said it did but it has xds which is vw cheaper version of LSD which uses bracking on the wheel it feels is losing grip and helps to rotate the car round the corner, it does this front and back at a cost to your break pads and discs!
@@MrCdt I'm aware how manufacturers cut the cost of a real LSD by using brakes instead. I also didn't imply that you had said your car has an LSD. The fact remains that 1 tyre fire only happens on cars without an LSD or AWD, any system that uses brakes in place of an LSD is vastly inferior.
So many people talk about that clutch and that was the main reason I passed it by.
DSG will negate that in next generation
Haha! This comment didn’t age well considering there’s no new S1 model. Learn to shift gears & it’s not an issue. Geez!
Initially was annoyed that the A1 and S1 did not make it State side, but think that they would not have sold especially with petrol still being so relatively cheap.
Curious, why does the petrol price have anything to do with it? Because people can have bigger cars / engines? That sorta misses the point of this car. Sure it’s economical, but it’s more about the way it adheres to narrow winding roads. It is just ridiculously fun to drive.
@@bollocks2usernames I think "small cars" struggle in the US. Even Ford and GM dropped cars like the Fiesta, Focus, Malibu, Cruze. even the Audi A3 is a small car over here.
A very honest, and most of all trustworthy review of this car. 👍👍👍👍👍👍 Sorry for asking the same question again, but do you think you could possibly test drive a Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR and give me your evaluations on that model (I currently own the last model variant which is a 67 plate ) I would love your honest opinion. Thax Steve.
I can drive yours unless you can find someone elso who has one?
No probs with you testing driving my car I would be more than honoured. I live in Torquay in Devon would that be a problem? @@JayEmmOnCars
I'll be that way at some point in March. Drop me a line on talk@jayemm.com
Will do👍👍@@JayEmmOnCars
That right hander looked a bit blind for being on the wrong side of the road, after talking about the sat nav?
oops a front wheel valve cap is missing
Best get the car rejected
I bet it was cheap plastic ;-)
honestly expected it to be a little sportier and better in terms of quality...
It is this guy just did a horrific job at expressing it over the video when your behind one in real life the s1 badge and quad exhaust let's you no your.about to get smoked this guy just did a horrific job
This is like a Stock S1, doesn't have the quattro pack for the interior and is so basic, for about 30 thousand pound. Everyone know about Audi, they give a basic car, and you have to spend a lot for customization, and this is a basic S1.
It’s pretty much bog standard.
Is that an S1 2018?
Good review, my sons s1 has 408 bhp now and would wipe the floor with just about anything out there
david appleyard what mods to reach that sort of power?
I've seen loads of them modded, and still from a standing start there are plenty of stock cars which are heavier that wouldn't break sweat up against it.
335d would shite all over it
is the interior worse than a base 2 series? we were checking some X6m and m6 for my mate at the dealership and I sat in one of them and holy shit it was terrible inside. Great car though.
I've not sat in a base 2 but its much worse than an M2
@@JayEmmOnCars worse for you cause you're a fatty you mean
You sure you sat in a BMW?
Can't be it was terrible indide BMW 1 Series already has niceley premium interior, 2 Series Coupe is similar.
Also the A1/S1 is the lowest class of Audi, BMW and Merc don't have that low class.
2 Series is in class with Audi TT
That kind of power doesn’t need awd even at 300 bhp you can put down 300bhp with a good lsd. If I was to buy one I would definitely modify it well past 300 bhp
BS! Unless you’re on a prepped drag strip with a prepped car, you will not put down 300hp in a FWD car, even with a good diff. With traction control off, that’s just not happening! 🤦🏻♂️
Great review Jay, thanks for that! How does it compare to your recent drive of the mk8 Fiesta ST? There don't seem to be any comparisons on these two cars yet which is a shame seeing as it would make a very interesting new (ST) vs used (S1) test.
Audi is more capable, the Ford is more fun
@@JayEmmOnCars how does the S1 compare to the Peugeot 208 GTI by PS?
@@mattchamberlain859208 is a bag of 💩 in comparison
In 2023 it’s a £10k to £15k car. Proberly the most fun small on the market. The only car that is more fun would be an ep3 turbo
Really clean, low mileage ones with decent spec are still circa £20k and even above.
Cletus, my dear boy, will you please learn the correct pronunciation of "advertisement"⁉️
Why, in God's name, would you want to heel and toe on a public road⁉️ The next thing we know, you'll be banging-on about double-declutching‼️
What's all this about music❓You're driving a car, not a mobile hi-fi system‼️
Are there, really, blokes who are so insecure they talk about " girly cars "⁉️ A car is a means of transport, how can it be gender specific❓
With regard to the interior, if the seat is comfortable, and the main stuff works, what more do you want❓
This " electric everything " in modern cars is bloody ridiculous. It adds weight and complexity, and is unnecessary.
People don't want an S1, because they don't know it exists.
Great video, by the way, I really enjoyed it.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
There is value in smoothing out changes while on the brakes. Drive something like a modern manual Porsche or //M car and you'll see the blipper in action. S1 ignores those kinda throttle inputs though.
@@timburton1080 I'd have thought a modicum of clutch control would ensure smooth down changes, you are, after all, reducing speed by braking.
@@MrKeyboardCommando yeah you're dragging the engine speed up with the clutch, but it's a heavy old flywheel and tips the nose down unless you're blipping it or slipping the clutch.
@@timburton1080 The nose is already down due to the braking. You're gearing down to ensure you're in the gear that best matches your reduced speed.
@@MrKeyboardCommando coming into a corner heavy on the brakes and down the gears, you need to raise the engine speed to match the new ratio. Can either bang the gear and drag the clutch to force the engine speed up, you you can blip the throttle to not have the torque spike come back down the driveline and upset the cars balance. Probably makes no difference in a shopping car, but in my M3 and R300 it's required to not lock the rear axle up.
a clutch that lasts 10 thousand? oh dear oh dear.
10 times better than my first Ferrari
Are the clutches that bad?
Yep
@@JayEmmOnCars 1.0 ecoboost Fiesta's that is the mk7 are the same. Chocolate clutches and even whole gearboxes the 5 speed cant take the power even in stock if you rev it out.
People complain about the cleanliness of cars on the channel?
Sounds like 'people' need a sense of perspective.
Welcome to the internet
I totally agree with your comments. I had an S1 and just sold it last year. It was amazing and fun to drive, but it lacked premium quality interior.
Also the armrest was in the road of the handbrake............
I have an S3 now which is on another level :-)
James S that’s because it’s a vw polo
Wow, you ripped it another one 😂 as I said before, if you want to save money on a car you get a nice example of a fully deprecated car, like a Porsche or an M or RS car. If you want to spend as little as possible, get a 3 yr old 30k miles car ... and for £30k you have a world of options. I still can’t understand S1. Even something like 2008-2010 S3 feels like a much better choice really.
A 2008-2010 S3 is not going to come with factory warranty on it though
JayEmm on Cars true, however isn’t it still loads cheaper to get a nice example and budget in £5k for “potential” repair? You’d have to blow your engine to spend that much on a second hand S3 ownership over 2 years.
Never underestimate the power of finance to make a newer car cheaper when it doesn't seem obvious
JayEmm on Cars guess it comes down to life philosophy. If you can’t bare to buy a second hand car, then yeah, it’s a moot point isn’t it.
should of just whipped 2.5k into a vauxhall nova and turned up like a tit in that. would of saved 27.5k if finances really are the tipping point of the car you want to own. i know warranty is a very solid thing to want or need and have, but if your insisting the buying point of an audi or car is to need warranty then to me it shows its a common bag of spanners.
sounds like the bloke is bored with life not struggling for financial choices.
Thanks for the review! Very honest and not biased
I try!
Also you can’t criticise RS3 for it’s interior, because there is nothing better you can buy in the small hatchback segment :P
he doesn't critise as it self but only as a top of a line audi a3 the rs3 doesn't offer you enough difference from a3. To make you think you own a top of line model. i don't mind personally, it makes parts cheaper to buy as economy of scale offer you. But for somebody used to lotus i understand his point of views. Exclusivity is good for your ego sometimes.
@@LaFritePerreGoat if he wanted exclusivity, then a bag of common audi parts isnt the way to go. this bloke is 30 years behind in his mid life crisis as the rest of young lads buying up the A or S 1 or 3 models.
The RS3 is well over rated and interior is lacking, if it exceeds others in its segment then that's nothing to shout about. 53K was the one James reviewed. That's obscene.
Emperor's new clothes. Time somebody said this. Thanks!
The new A1 is so much better
Like every new model of the car
low rent in a audi is still better than most! and everything in a audi is optional ! the rs design pack for my rs3 saloon was £895 option " shocking really!
the 2009 TT Special Edition I just bought had all the options added on to it which is quite nice, even has the TT RS alloys as an option which were added. I think is was just over 8k above the standard base price which is a lot considering it's not even a TTS.
you got to pay for all those audi staff that just stand about all day lol
I only bought the car a few weeks ago but I'm going to use the TT shop soon to do my S-Tronic and Haldex fluid. So they are probably used to the stuff anyway lol XD
Is that the RS design package with the super sport seats ?
no the super sports seats are another option" was around £750 extra"
Would the s3 clutch not fit in? They use the same engine and are good for 350 bhp?
I have a Sachs Organic clutch in mine, a bit heavier pedal but I'm running 320 bhp
Great review James 👍
Cheers Ryan
I had a Mini F56 JCW. Over the A1 I test drove.Same power. same price. far more interesting inside and out.
I gotta say I'd rather have the RWD 1 series. It feels like a beamer and drives like one.
Audi being daft these days will probably make the A1/S1 into a sportback like they did with the A3 and A5
they already have a sportback s1, you'd know that if you knew what you were talking about.
@@Epicdevil323232 Doesn't understand sarcasm....
@@riverstour That isn't sarcasm, that is a brain fart dude.
@@EnglishLaw Ok mate
just too big for the car
Damn this guy breathes heavily haha
By his accent, I'd say he smokes cigars.
That’s because he’s a chunk!
At that price id say this just had to be a bad review.
i wish you'd talked more about how it feels to drive. I drove a normal A1 st line on 17s and it's awful to drive. very low limit, under 40 mph inexplicably oversteery and over that very understeery, the steering has absolutely 0 feel
It was better than that but not for steering feel
I quite like the quattro sportback with interior pack and reasonable money today. Yeah clutch an issue but at 70k miles id be buying id just do the clutch upgrade and remap when it fails. There are plenty on sale with far higher miles so clutch cant be that bad.
One of the most boring test I have seen recently. Congrats.
Only slow because it’s an elephant driving it
Yes you do sound exactly like a nasty little troll.
Weight does affect it but even when I had to transport 25 Breeze blocks and 2 bags of concrete I still have plenty of power. A surprising amount actually. Very nice car.
What a trash review your mate must be laughing his head of at you reading these comments this guy don't no his cars at all it has adaptive electronic suspension and it has valved exhaust that works through the modes you couldn't even get that right
Should have bought a new polo gti
When I think "Audi" I think "tosser" ! 😋
The tossers have now moved on to Tesla imo
Coooolzies. What do you drive then?
@@EnglishLawHis Mum drives him about! 😂
Who spends 30 grand for an S1 when you can pick up an M4 for less ?
Because you won’t buy a new M4 for £30k 🤦🏻♂️
Highly overpriced new and used and sounds shit.
Click bait crap ! Well done on a Skoda in a fancy dress
Clickbait? It says "Audi S1 Review"
Says baby gtr on the thumbnail , maybe a baby Octavia ?
Moron
What a trash review
Feels cheap this guy shouldn't do reviews
We don't always get what we want
@@JayEmmOnCars sorry but all reviewers say how good the quality of the interior is the only supermini comes close is the mini I own a Audi a1 2013 s line and I'm not bias because I used to be a bmw guy but I've sat in lot of small cars and the a1 feels quality like there bigger cars and everybody knows audi make the best interior for the money sorry just saying maybe you was driving a Bentley before you reviewed this a1.
@@kevincanham3078 it's not an A1 though, it is an S1 and it's an expensive car. A £30K KIA feels much nicer inside
If you think kia is more stylish at luxury in side and out I'm worried
@@kevincanham3078 I didnt say stylish, I said a 30K KIA is a higher quality interior than the S1
Smart looking yet expensive car. Barely enough power to really exploit the fact it has 4WD and probably adds an extra 75-100kg surely? Why the hell do Audi insist on these option packs - it's the only A1 with Quattro so it should come with them as standard! Would rather go for a Hyundai i30N - nicer interior, more driver focused and longer warranty.
@James car vlogs Ibiza Cupra makes much more sense to me than the S1. That's an even greater weight penalty than I expected!
High tolerance engine. Good gear ratios. Very tunable. Easily get over 300BHP and not a huge amount to do get to over 400BHP. Seriously. Clutches though not so good. Hyundai? Why don't you go the whole hog and get a Nissan Juke?
@@EnglishLaw that's why I want to buy one after I sell my 280 Punto Abarth
In the Rain even with 200hp it was a pig
The s1 is just a beast, the haldex sistem in shit until you try one in snow or rain. The back end also can slide out if pushed hard out of a herpin or roundabout
The engine is very reliable at 300hp.
You just need to upgrade the clutch