Audi S3 - Can anyone help with info when buying one?
Discussion
Hi, and nice to have joined a great forum. I have read a lot but decided to join as finally have something to say (or rather ask)!
I am looking at buying an Audi S3. Have up to £15k but really want to spend nearer £12k.
The purpose of the car is for using as a company car and visiting clients, so doing about 15,000 miles a year.
I have seen a few and sat in one as a passenger, but not driven one.
So, it would be great if anyone can help with the following:
1. Is it worth getting the 225 bhp model as the 210bhp one seems fine. I reckon i could chip it to well over 225bhp reliably and apart from the alloys seems theres no difference. Am i right or is the 225 model worth the extra and is it any different?
2. On a mix of spirited driving and motorways what do most people get mpg wise?
3. Is it a good car for the sort of mileage i am doing and comfortable for 2 hours driving at a time regularly?
4. Any general problems or things i should look out for when buying?
5. When is the cambelt due to be changed, and also when are the major and minor services? Has anyone got any prices for these by a specialist on average?
6. How do they age as i will keep for 2-4 years and put on anything up to 60k miles from a start at around 40k.
7.How reliable are the turbo's
8. And what do you all find is the best thing about your S3?!
Sorry if theres quite a few but really hoping to get some good info.
Thanks in advance and really look forward to your responses, as well as plenty more posting!
I am looking at buying an Audi S3. Have up to £15k but really want to spend nearer £12k.
The purpose of the car is for using as a company car and visiting clients, so doing about 15,000 miles a year.
I have seen a few and sat in one as a passenger, but not driven one.
So, it would be great if anyone can help with the following:
1. Is it worth getting the 225 bhp model as the 210bhp one seems fine. I reckon i could chip it to well over 225bhp reliably and apart from the alloys seems theres no difference. Am i right or is the 225 model worth the extra and is it any different?
2. On a mix of spirited driving and motorways what do most people get mpg wise?
3. Is it a good car for the sort of mileage i am doing and comfortable for 2 hours driving at a time regularly?
4. Any general problems or things i should look out for when buying?
5. When is the cambelt due to be changed, and also when are the major and minor services? Has anyone got any prices for these by a specialist on average?
6. How do they age as i will keep for 2-4 years and put on anything up to 60k miles from a start at around 40k.
7.How reliable are the turbo's
8. And what do you all find is the best thing about your S3?!
Sorry if theres quite a few but really hoping to get some good info.
Thanks in advance and really look forward to your responses, as well as plenty more posting!
I'm no expert on them, but do own one...my thoughts below:
£12k should get you a good one. Less than that bought me a 225 BHP model from an independent dealer just under a year ago. I've owned/driven a bunch of the S3/A3/Golf derivatives and went for the S3 after having a positive experience with a company A3 1.8T. 15k/year should be no problems - get it on the long life service and you'll only need one service each year.
In answer to your specific questions:
1. I can't believe there is much difference between 210/225, and I agree that a chip will remove any difference. However, the upgrade to 18" wheels came after the engine changes - for me I prefer the 17's. The other major change was the overall facelift - interior, one piece headlights, and a few other bits and pieces. I would get the facelift if you can (as I did, and it's well within budget).
2. About 28-30mpg, although that is mainly fast A-road/M-way. I have the Tuscan for fun
3. Very comfortable. I do sometime wonder whether I should have gone for a 7-series or similar, but I do find the S3 very comfortable for the size of car.
4. I've had:
- A3 1.8T from new (company car), no problems in 46k (12 months!) other than broken wash wipe (expensive).
- A3 1.6SE (girlfriends) for 4 years. No mechanical failures.
- My current S3. No mechanical failures in around 10k miles, however I do suffer from a few of the common S3 foibles - dodgy fuel gauge, coolant warning for no reason etc.
5. Cambelt is 80k, but general recommendation is get it done early, and have the waterpump done at the same time. Servicing is either 'long-life' - works out at about every 15-18k, or standard is every 10k/annually. I've just had the "big" 80k service (slightly early)...cambelt, waterpump, haldex oil & filter, long life service, brake fluid. £640 inc the dreaded at a highly rated indie. Expect to pay £1000+ at some main dealers and indies though.
6. Mine is at 80k and feels like new.
7. Don't know, but no problems et.
8. The best thing? Quiet, calm, efficient progress (compared to the Tuscan!). The worst? Brakes and overall weight...it's a heavy car.
£12k should get you a good one. Less than that bought me a 225 BHP model from an independent dealer just under a year ago. I've owned/driven a bunch of the S3/A3/Golf derivatives and went for the S3 after having a positive experience with a company A3 1.8T. 15k/year should be no problems - get it on the long life service and you'll only need one service each year.
In answer to your specific questions:
1. I can't believe there is much difference between 210/225, and I agree that a chip will remove any difference. However, the upgrade to 18" wheels came after the engine changes - for me I prefer the 17's. The other major change was the overall facelift - interior, one piece headlights, and a few other bits and pieces. I would get the facelift if you can (as I did, and it's well within budget).
2. About 28-30mpg, although that is mainly fast A-road/M-way. I have the Tuscan for fun
3. Very comfortable. I do sometime wonder whether I should have gone for a 7-series or similar, but I do find the S3 very comfortable for the size of car.
4. I've had:
- A3 1.8T from new (company car), no problems in 46k (12 months!) other than broken wash wipe (expensive).
- A3 1.6SE (girlfriends) for 4 years. No mechanical failures.
- My current S3. No mechanical failures in around 10k miles, however I do suffer from a few of the common S3 foibles - dodgy fuel gauge, coolant warning for no reason etc.
5. Cambelt is 80k, but general recommendation is get it done early, and have the waterpump done at the same time. Servicing is either 'long-life' - works out at about every 15-18k, or standard is every 10k/annually. I've just had the "big" 80k service (slightly early)...cambelt, waterpump, haldex oil & filter, long life service, brake fluid. £640 inc the dreaded at a highly rated indie. Expect to pay £1000+ at some main dealers and indies though.
6. Mine is at 80k and feels like new.
7. Don't know, but no problems et.
8. The best thing? Quiet, calm, efficient progress (compared to the Tuscan!). The worst? Brakes and overall weight...it's a heavy car.
Cheers for that! Great to get some feedback!
Few questions though:
'get it on the long life service and you'll only need one service each year'.
is it bad for the car to leave it so long between services?
What was different in the interior facelift?
You are right about the too young for a 530d, thankfully i'm looking at the 530 petrol. Found the 330d sport equivalent about 2-3k more and also had an awful ride. 5 series seemed better.
Few questions though:
'get it on the long life service and you'll only need one service each year'.
is it bad for the car to leave it so long between services?
What was different in the interior facelift?
You are right about the too young for a 530d, thankfully i'm looking at the 530 petrol. Found the 330d sport equivalent about 2-3k more and also had an awful ride. 5 series seemed better.
I don't see a problem with it only being serviced annually, as long as you keep an eye on things yourself.
Interior facelift was mainly the central console switchgear etc.
This is pre-facelift: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-AUDI-S3-QU
This is post-facelift: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-AUDI-A3-TD
(poor pictures tho)
Interior facelift was mainly the central console switchgear etc.
This is pre-facelift: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-AUDI-S3-QU
This is post-facelift: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-AUDI-A3-TD
(poor pictures tho)
I have an 03 225bhp S3 which is a great drive. I am selling soon as we are expecting our first child this summer and we really need a bigger five door car. Although it has been great, and I wouldn't be selling it if I didn't have to, some expensive items like anti roll bars, xenon headlamp unit (£700!!!)have required replacing. Although these were covered by the warranty they would have been painful bills to pay privately. I have also heard that the cat lasts only about five years and that a replacement will set me back a grand.
All in all, i'd sum it up as a stylish efficient hot hatch loaded down with technolgy, that will require maintenance that will likely come at a price. Great car though....just trying to add some balance.
Best of luck, Stu
All in all, i'd sum it up as a stylish efficient hot hatch loaded down with technolgy, that will require maintenance that will likely come at a price. Great car though....just trying to add some balance.
Best of luck, Stu
I own a 2001 S3 210 and it has been fantastic, I would fully reccommend it to you.40k service cost c£180 at a specialist (AM cars in Ilminster- if you are into your quattros then well wort a visit.)Main dealer sevice @20k £325!!)My car was imported and I have had only one problem- the xenon head light went (or I am told the contol unit went costing £650!!!!!)
Build quality is excellent and I can confirm that I regularly get c30 miles/gallon even when pushing on. Bose stereo puts my Arcam set up at home to shame!
Only one slight problem- If you have very long legs you can end up a bit uncomfortable after about 2 hours, but its probably time to get out anyway!
Got mine 4 years ago from Fontain Audi in Iver, Bucks, they were very helpful. Don't be put off by imports I have had no problems other than Audi franchised dealers looking down their noses when it doesn't appear on the computer!
All the best, Jim
Build quality is excellent and I can confirm that I regularly get c30 miles/gallon even when pushing on. Bose stereo puts my Arcam set up at home to shame!
Only one slight problem- If you have very long legs you can end up a bit uncomfortable after about 2 hours, but its probably time to get out anyway!
Got mine 4 years ago from Fontain Audi in Iver, Bucks, they were very helpful. Don't be put off by imports I have had no problems other than Audi franchised dealers looking down their noses when it doesn't appear on the computer!
All the best, Jim
Fiddlemesticks said:The 1.8TQ is a good car too - 180BHP standard, but it doesn't have the S3's (electric) Recaro's, bigger turbo, Xenons (as standard) and more importantly, it won't match a chipped S3's 265BHP
Thats great, thanks.
Facelift it is then!
Someone had mentioned not getting an S3 but a 1.8T Quattro and chipping to S3 levels. Any thoughts on that?
Not too much to add but I'll share my 2p anyway...
MPG I get an average of about 27MPG on the DIS and it's about right if you're doing lots of motorway driving or not driving like a nutter then 30 or higher is easy.
Sticking to the AVS servicing is daft, just look at the state of the oil after 5,000miles that and it was the first question I was asked when the engine went bang in mine last year by both Audi and a few tuning companies!
Cambelt should be done at around 60,000 with the water pump as these can go.
I did a weekly commute from reading to plymouth for 6 months and I couldn't have been happier and I don't think I could have picked a better car it's very comfortable for long journies and the seats are great!
I think the S3 is great because it's pretty rapid very comfortable and very handy - I moved enough stuff in it down to plymouth in one go and you can fit a 4x4 foot piece of plasterboard flat in the back with the seats down (they fold to make a flat floor). It's good enough as standard and also has great tuning ability - remap and suspension wise to make it a very special car.
one of my friends with a 400bhp griff thought it was fairly rapid and responsive so can't be that bad, and I really wound up an original boxster owner when he couldn't out accelerate me from a rolling start at 50+ oh and mines a standard 210BHP pre-facelift but I don't think the facelift or the engine change makes much difference to be honest!
MPG I get an average of about 27MPG on the DIS and it's about right if you're doing lots of motorway driving or not driving like a nutter then 30 or higher is easy.
Sticking to the AVS servicing is daft, just look at the state of the oil after 5,000miles that and it was the first question I was asked when the engine went bang in mine last year by both Audi and a few tuning companies!
Cambelt should be done at around 60,000 with the water pump as these can go.
I did a weekly commute from reading to plymouth for 6 months and I couldn't have been happier and I don't think I could have picked a better car it's very comfortable for long journies and the seats are great!
I think the S3 is great because it's pretty rapid very comfortable and very handy - I moved enough stuff in it down to plymouth in one go and you can fit a 4x4 foot piece of plasterboard flat in the back with the seats down (they fold to make a flat floor). It's good enough as standard and also has great tuning ability - remap and suspension wise to make it a very special car.
one of my friends with a 400bhp griff thought it was fairly rapid and responsive so can't be that bad, and I really wound up an original boxster owner when he couldn't out accelerate me from a rolling start at 50+ oh and mines a standard 210BHP pre-facelift but I don't think the facelift or the engine change makes much difference to be honest!
I've had both an A3 1.8T quattro Sport and an S3 and there isn't much difference. Same engine, gearbox and chassis tweaks over a regular A3 after all.
I loved both of them but I found the S3 faintly disappointing after the A3. The joy of the A3 was that visually it promised nothing over a 1.6 Sport and yet did a fair approximation of a scalded cat on an Astroturf pitch. I like that in a car. The S3 did go harder but then looking at it, you certainly expected that it should and the difference is not as much as all the spoilers and pumped arches suggest!
So, I'd say ideally get a A3 1.8T quattro with 5drs (max subtlety), xenons and leather seats (not that hard as it was top of the range model so often well-specced and frankly some even have the Recaros as these were optional on the A3 as well) and you're laughing. You can remove the badges and chip away (or better still fit an S3 turbocharger (it's bigger)). And if you get one of the last ones, they had as standard some natty 17" RS4-style alloys which look great but give a considerably more restful ride than the 18" versions that my S3 had.
To answer your questions:
1. Is it worth getting the 225 bhp model as the 210bhp one seems fine. I reckon i could chip it to well over 225bhp reliably and apart from the alloys seems theres no difference. Am i right or is the 225 model worth the extra and is it any different?
I had a 225 and it felt quicker than the 210 I tried. But it's all the same engine.
2. On a mix of spirited driving and motorways what do most people get mpg wise?
I got 30mpg in the A3TQ and bizarrely a slightly better 34mpg in the S3. I notice that the S3 ran about 400rpm lower at 80mph in 6th which presumably accounts for the difference. No idea why.
3. Is it a good car for the sort of mileage i am doing and comfortable for 2 hours driving at a time regularly?
Yes. I found both supremely comfortable and reliable.
4. Any general problems or things i should look out for when buying?
Anti-roll bushes (and hence bars as mentioned) needed replacing on both the S3 and TQ during my tenure but that's South London speed humps for you. MAF can fail - didn't on either of mine. Coil packs can fail - one did fail on the TQ at one point but is easily fixed by replacing it.
5. When is the cambelt due to be changed, and also when are the major and minor services? Has anyone got any prices for these by a specialist on average?
Cambelt at around 60k i think. Never ran one to that. Servicing is AVS (variable) - can go to 19k between services but I serviced mine every 10k to be on the safe side - they are turbos after all. Every 20k you need a haldex oil change which is dearer and every 40k you need haldex oil and filter - check has been done. Always went to an Audi dealer for servicing.
6. How do they age as i will keep for 2-4 years and put on anything up to 60k miles from a start at around 40k.
Ran my TQ to 55k and it was fine. Ran the S3 to 35k and was still like new. Can't comment on higher.
7.How reliable are the turbo's
Supposed to fine if looked after and serviced regularly.
8. And what do you all find is the best thing about your S3?!
All-round ability and sense of utter dependability whatever the weather. Mine, on winter tyres, would go anywhere. Oh and the fact it's a very good-looking car for a hatchback.
>> Edited by RacingTeatray on Wednesday 3rd May 12:45
I loved both of them but I found the S3 faintly disappointing after the A3. The joy of the A3 was that visually it promised nothing over a 1.6 Sport and yet did a fair approximation of a scalded cat on an Astroturf pitch. I like that in a car. The S3 did go harder but then looking at it, you certainly expected that it should and the difference is not as much as all the spoilers and pumped arches suggest!
So, I'd say ideally get a A3 1.8T quattro with 5drs (max subtlety), xenons and leather seats (not that hard as it was top of the range model so often well-specced and frankly some even have the Recaros as these were optional on the A3 as well) and you're laughing. You can remove the badges and chip away (or better still fit an S3 turbocharger (it's bigger)). And if you get one of the last ones, they had as standard some natty 17" RS4-style alloys which look great but give a considerably more restful ride than the 18" versions that my S3 had.
To answer your questions:
1. Is it worth getting the 225 bhp model as the 210bhp one seems fine. I reckon i could chip it to well over 225bhp reliably and apart from the alloys seems theres no difference. Am i right or is the 225 model worth the extra and is it any different?
I had a 225 and it felt quicker than the 210 I tried. But it's all the same engine.
2. On a mix of spirited driving and motorways what do most people get mpg wise?
I got 30mpg in the A3TQ and bizarrely a slightly better 34mpg in the S3. I notice that the S3 ran about 400rpm lower at 80mph in 6th which presumably accounts for the difference. No idea why.
3. Is it a good car for the sort of mileage i am doing and comfortable for 2 hours driving at a time regularly?
Yes. I found both supremely comfortable and reliable.
4. Any general problems or things i should look out for when buying?
Anti-roll bushes (and hence bars as mentioned) needed replacing on both the S3 and TQ during my tenure but that's South London speed humps for you. MAF can fail - didn't on either of mine. Coil packs can fail - one did fail on the TQ at one point but is easily fixed by replacing it.
5. When is the cambelt due to be changed, and also when are the major and minor services? Has anyone got any prices for these by a specialist on average?
Cambelt at around 60k i think. Never ran one to that. Servicing is AVS (variable) - can go to 19k between services but I serviced mine every 10k to be on the safe side - they are turbos after all. Every 20k you need a haldex oil change which is dearer and every 40k you need haldex oil and filter - check has been done. Always went to an Audi dealer for servicing.
6. How do they age as i will keep for 2-4 years and put on anything up to 60k miles from a start at around 40k.
Ran my TQ to 55k and it was fine. Ran the S3 to 35k and was still like new. Can't comment on higher.
7.How reliable are the turbo's
Supposed to fine if looked after and serviced regularly.
8. And what do you all find is the best thing about your S3?!
All-round ability and sense of utter dependability whatever the weather. Mine, on winter tyres, would go anywhere. Oh and the fact it's a very good-looking car for a hatchback.
>> Edited by RacingTeatray on Wednesday 3rd May 12:45
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