S3 as a load lugger

[stuh]

I'm looking at either an S3 or poss Golf R32 as the family workhorse. Although the S3 is favourite due to premanent 4 wheel drive and chippability

I've seen low mileage "02" cars for around the 19k mark with all the toys. Are there any specific options that are worth looking out for? Is the Bose stereo a standard item on this car? Similaraly leather seats?

How is the ride comfort for long journeys? For instance the odd wine run to France. I'm hoping, with the rear seats down that it should be able to carry a fair few bottles of vino!

Any advice much appreciated.....

[edc]

I thought the S3 and R32 both used Haldex which is fwd until it loses traction?

[golfy]

edc said:

I thought the S3 and R32 both used Haldex which is fwd until it loses traction?

I think edc is right. I'm sure both cars use the same 4wd system.
If space is an issue then what about one of the faster A4 estates? You could probably fit more wine in one of those

[agent006]

R32 is deffo a haldex system. I have a feeling the S3 may be one of the last to have a proper quattro system.

[edc]

As in Torsen?

If google is anything to go by then you will see the quattro tag attached to S3 but IIRC it is just a moniker and is in fact a haldex system, although some sites show this as 'permanent 4wd'. I've confused myself now!

[agent006]

Bugger.

R.I.P. Quattro

[Andrew Richmond]

edc is quite right. The A3, S3 and TT all use Haldex and call it quattro even though it is'nt. A4, A6 & A8 all have proper quattro with a 50:50 standard axle split and the ability to go to 75:25 (I think) in either direction.

When I bought my Impreza I chose it over an A3 3.2 partially because it always drives the rear axle but its actually a fixed 50:50 so its not as flexible as a true quattro!

[Woody_450]

After test driving both the S3 and the R32 I went and bought the S3. It seemed to hold the road a lot better than the R32, that was a bit skitish (maybe it was the demo car) Plus the R32 drank like a fish and the insurance was stupid money!

But I can't say many bad things about the S3, well apart from:
- Ditch the OEM diverter valve and get a piston one (Amd Viper or a forge) You'll get better drivability out of it, not so much lag (there's not a lot there anyway) and better throttle response
- Uprate the brakes, get better pads and better disks. I got bad brake fade from the standard set up if you're a bit heavy with the right foot around the twisty bits
- You can dial out a lot of the understeer if you uprate the ARBs, get some R32s fitted or ones from neuspeed

Then get the thing chipped, not a plug and go one, I'd recommend getting it done properly rolling road etc

Oh and Bose is an option...

There's my twopenneth...if you get one you'll really enjoy it...

Rich

[stuh]

Cheers for the comments.

After finding a bit more change down the back of the sofa i went for a 2001 M5 instead

[Andrew Richmond]

stuh said:

Cheers for the comments. After finding a bit more change down the back of the sofa i went for a 2001 M5 instead

Big sofa!

[Woody_450]

That's one more car bloking the outside lane!