Made the swap from a stage2+ GTI to a standard facelift S3 a few months ago and am very happy I chose the S3 as a replacement
Performance wise a standard S3 with dsg like mine feels if anything a bit quicker than my GTI did, not sure whether it's down to the 4wd or the dsg or both but it just seems to take off and just keeps going, where as the GTI in anything other than a bone dry road would be struggling for grip with the traction control light flashing away
Ride wise the S3 is a fair bit firmer than the GTI but it think audis are in general anyway, the only thing I wasn't happy about the ride was the front being higher than the rear looking like I had some serious weight in the boot
Since then I've had some bilstein B14 coilovers fitted and some other handling mods and it's made it for me perfect
Also had revo stage1 loaded and the car is a beast to drive so looking forward to stage2+ when my group buy bcs exhaust is made and ready to put on
Dave