Discussion
After much much (much) umm-ing and ahh-ing I took the plunge a few weeks ago, sorted the loan with the bank, and stumped up the cash for this lovley example, a 2001 225bhp Audi S3.
There were a few other cars I looked at, all horrific on insurance for a 22yr old, Megane Sport, a very leggy s2000, BMW 330 and the main contender the Civic type-R. After i whittled it down to the S3 and the Type R i took 2 local cars for a test drive. They both had quite similar pace, but couldn't have been any more different. I really liked the rev happy type r engine, but also loved the torquey delivery of the VAG turbo engine. But then going from a 65hp Clio I'd have been happy with anything. The decision was made mostly on the ride and interior, since I was going to be using the car for a lot of commuting and motorway miles, as well as B road jaunts. The Type-r felt very very stiff, and although the handling was very crisp and sharp, over the poor quality roads of Yorkshire it felt very uncomfortable. Where as the S3 wasn't quite a sharp, it isn't far off, and it does that while being much softer. And as for the interior, the Civic was awful, even the nice looking seats wear poorly, the silver painted plastics scratch easily too. The S3 is a lovley place to be, Silk nappa leather Recaros, bose sound system ect. I know it shouldn't be the be and end all, but it is the part of the car i'll be looking at the most.
I had Simon at Exotic Detail machine polish the car 2 weeks ago, the thread is up here for anyone interested:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
He did a great job, defo recommended if you're in yorkshire and humberside
1 Month in and I love it! Its a brilliantly civilised and comfortable cruiser when you want it to be. And the next minute you're giving the Haldex a hard time and lighting up all 4 wheels on the B roads. Forgot all the VAG bashing we normally have, this is brilliant
There were a few other cars I looked at, all horrific on insurance for a 22yr old, Megane Sport, a very leggy s2000, BMW 330 and the main contender the Civic type-R. After i whittled it down to the S3 and the Type R i took 2 local cars for a test drive. They both had quite similar pace, but couldn't have been any more different. I really liked the rev happy type r engine, but also loved the torquey delivery of the VAG turbo engine. But then going from a 65hp Clio I'd have been happy with anything. The decision was made mostly on the ride and interior, since I was going to be using the car for a lot of commuting and motorway miles, as well as B road jaunts. The Type-r felt very very stiff, and although the handling was very crisp and sharp, over the poor quality roads of Yorkshire it felt very uncomfortable. Where as the S3 wasn't quite a sharp, it isn't far off, and it does that while being much softer. And as for the interior, the Civic was awful, even the nice looking seats wear poorly, the silver painted plastics scratch easily too. The S3 is a lovley place to be, Silk nappa leather Recaros, bose sound system ect. I know it shouldn't be the be and end all, but it is the part of the car i'll be looking at the most.
I had Simon at Exotic Detail machine polish the car 2 weeks ago, the thread is up here for anyone interested:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
He did a great job, defo recommended if you're in yorkshire and humberside
1 Month in and I love it! Its a brilliantly civilised and comfortable cruiser when you want it to be. And the next minute you're giving the Haldex a hard time and lighting up all 4 wheels on the B roads. Forgot all the VAG bashing we normally have, this is brilliant
Very nice mate.
I got my 01 S3 a year ago, stock apart from a full exhaust and eibach suspension which gives a nice 30mm drop
Since then I've had a bit more of a play. Fitted a BMC carbon dynamic airbox, had some cam work done when I was getting the vvt tensioner replaced as the head was off anyway, APR downpipe fitted, APR chip and a couple of other minor bits and pieces including a cold air feed to the airbox. Also fitted a haldex controller which is a must have. Improves the handling no end.
Slightly more laggy down low (mainly due to the cams) but serious mid range throw you back in the seats push. I'm about to get a shortshift fitted, then maybe look at doing a stealth front mount intercooler at some stage. I'm looking at the circa 140kw at all four. And it is still very, very driveable in all conditions.
Very underrated, understated package.
I got my 01 S3 a year ago, stock apart from a full exhaust and eibach suspension which gives a nice 30mm drop
Since then I've had a bit more of a play. Fitted a BMC carbon dynamic airbox, had some cam work done when I was getting the vvt tensioner replaced as the head was off anyway, APR downpipe fitted, APR chip and a couple of other minor bits and pieces including a cold air feed to the airbox. Also fitted a haldex controller which is a must have. Improves the handling no end.
Slightly more laggy down low (mainly due to the cams) but serious mid range throw you back in the seats push. I'm about to get a shortshift fitted, then maybe look at doing a stealth front mount intercooler at some stage. I'm looking at the circa 140kw at all four. And it is still very, very driveable in all conditions.
Very underrated, understated package.
Great example. Good choice getting the facelift model too!
Very nice car to have at 22 also, didn't get mine until I turned 26.
Maybe think about a remap, I had mine standard for a few months while I researched potential mapping options, very glad I went through with it, felt like a new car!
Very nice car to have at 22 also, didn't get mine until I turned 26.
Maybe think about a remap, I had mine standard for a few months while I researched potential mapping options, very glad I went through with it, felt like a new car!
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