for the first time ever this thread is actually making me think the S3 is not that expensive
take a Leon Cupra : £19500 for the sake of argument
Now if you could add:
Haldex: £1500
bi-xenons: £900
leather: £900
heated seats: £300
you can't put a price as such on the slightly different intercooler and whatever the bit on the turbo is, so I wont add 'owt to the price for that.
Spec for spec, this puts the Cupra at £23.2k (if you could add that kit obviously). The S3 is only £26900ish, so £3700 more for some 'perceived'
badge value and slightly plusher finish internally. Put in those terms its not actually hideously expensive. R32's are the expensive one in my eyes.
However, I'd stick with the Cupra and get it soundproofed - sod the BM.