bob r

iTrader: (46)

I am considering an early S3 and decent one's can be had for 6k. I believe they changed power from 210 to 225 in 2002 but is there any other differences and anything to avoid?

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

It's all about the bushes... like the Golf platform it's based on the bushes will wear with high mileage.

At around 85k+, they start to wear out and you hear knocking from the front suspension, the steering becomes vauge and tyres permaturely wearing on the edges. A friend had his 51-reg one fixed at Audi for over £1500!!

The engines are the same on the 210 and 225 models, so it's all down to the map on the ECU.

mattvortex

My brother had one from new in 2002- a 225bhp model- earlier than this are 210bhp.

I drove it many times and enjoyed the strong engine but remember the steering felt very wooden and lacking feel. At the time, i had a my98 uk turbo which felt much better in the steering feel area. The Audi was just as quick once rolling but not as quick off the line.

Economy was about the same as the Impreza. The car was owned for 2 years and was problem free although obviosly there much older now and most will have done a few miles!

rookymatt

iTrader: (15)

The re-circ dump valve splits (put a forge one on)
The front bushes for the front wishbones split.
The headlights changed to an "all in one" job, i'e indicator lens became incorperated.
The 210 version had cabled throttle, the 225 had fly by wire.

stevep360

iTrader: (20)

I had one pre impreza in 2003, nowt but bother with it, elctrics in my case, pleased to get rid of it and re-circ valve went

ScoobyJawa

I had a go in a couple when I was changing a few years back. Drove there in the missus standard 180bhp Leon Cupra, and in every scenario the Leon was more fun and defo seemed faster - shame. Got a Focus ST 225 instead - much better car!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Front wishbone bushes aren't hard to replace. Which reminds me, mine are starting to perish

After some test drives, I ended up with an R32 - prefered the instant/precise torque and throttle response.

I'm so glad I didn't swap for Scirocco R now the weather is pants

Matteeboy

Same here - tested a couple of late 225bhp S3s but went for the mk4 R32. The 3.2 A3 is similar in engine but about as fun to drive as a wheelbarrow with no wheel.

Dingdongler

What? An Audi with no steering feel and generally not fun to drive? Be careful Alan Bell and the good doctor will be along at any minute to tell you that apart from a Mondeo only Audis can manage to to travel on UK roads without skipping off the road on 'one wheel drive' whilst melting the brakes the first time you touch the pedal.
LOL

zip106

@ Dingdong

Matteeboy

Dingdongler

I posted that message from my phone so couldn't add lots of these

Just so John and Alan know the post was in good nature

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Steering assitance is adjustable on certain VAGs based on the 8P chassis (A3/S3 included). Sadly it depends on what controller the power steering unit has; some can be changed to give heavier steering, some can't.

scooby222

ive had one for 4 months now and would agree with the above, steerings a bit wooden and the rides a bit lumpy on b roads but it is still ten year old struts on it
theres no squeaks or rattles from it, everything works apart from the lcd screen for the trip computer, the interior always feels comfy and special
mine came with full milltek, forge d/v and superchip to 260 and its quick and effortless but not properly fast but does get 38 mpg on long runs 28 on back roads/town
make sure you get one with the cam belt water pump done as its an expensive job,and springs are prone to snapping on them
overall ive been very very happy with mine, dont regret buying it at all

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

I had one for a very short period some years ago..

It was a Nogaro blue 2000 model..

It was nippy but uninspiring,needed all front bushes doing and CV joints were clacking.Only a one owner car with 70k on IIRC..

Wouldnt have another..Or an R32 Golf for that matter,there to busy blowing up mainifolds and ****ting conrods..

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Steering feel and steering weight are entirely different things.

Some manufacturers (BMW included) have increased steering weight as a proxy for feel - but they ain't the same thing.

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

Anyone owned an S3? I nearly did once but he *just* had me on the gear changes - I think it was because we were two up and the S3 was just the driver

euan_F

i had a 03 plate S3 (225) remaped by celtic tuning, to about 280bhp and apart from a slight overspin in the turbo just below boost, i had no issues in the year or so i had the car. and i didnt exactly take it easy on her either. very nice car to drive i felt would deffinatly have another.
economy was good aswel, averaging 32mpg usually, even with pushing her hard. and for the most part was equal to most scoobs and evo's i raced (mainly due to the close ratio gearbox).

terzo314

you wouldnt own this one lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Id2O0vC7Lk

beast

ScoobyJawa

IC and Exhaust look ridiculous!

terzo314

im with ya on that, but christ dont it half shift lol..

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZGvktKs-pI

I reckon Andy Forrest would kick his *** in this though.

terzo314

i'd hope so m8, is the gobstoppa quicker than andy forrests scoob?

The Zohan

LMAO!

Jamz3k

Drove a friends, didn't love it to be honest. Gearbox was poor between 2nd and 3rd. The car felt quite bloated on backroads as well and I can't say I was inspired to go into corners quickly as I thought I would have in a quattro.

The older shape S3 is definitely a nice looking car though but pretty aged looking now. The interior is a very very nice place to be though.