"avoid Imola Yellow, it`s a nightmare to sell on."

Does this mean yellow ones are cheaper to buy in the first place?
I don't mind them personally but I can imagine your typical Audi driver turning his nose up. ;)


[Edited by TurboBoost - 8/1/2003 5:38:52 PM]

Yep, all S3s are 6 speed.

Variable servicing is available on S3s or you can opt for the regular 10,000 mile service intervals. The thing is, if the first owner has started on VSI then I think you`re stuck with it and vice versa. Not sure about the cam-belt change. I`m sure your friendly Seat dealer can do the same job at a fraction of the cost of the local Audi franchise.

I think the Imola Yellow S3 has a limited appeal. I bought my S3 in Dolphin Grey, it hasn`t got the polished door mirrors and when it`s dirty looks just like any other A3. Discretion was quite appealing to me.

[Edited by Simon S3 - 8/1/2003 9:20:32 PM]

I think the coil pack issue affected cars of a certain year. Of course, this affected several models in the VAG line up. Do a search on here as I remember it being covered some time back. It was a bit of a problem at the time.

Lots of tuning options too with the 1.8T, if that's your thing.

Try This

[Edited by SlowBoy - 8/1/2003 10:10:43 PM]

Not with the handbrake applied, not sure other times, my 1st gear is so short it bounces off the rev limiter, so I rarely use it other than to get moving..

I believe in the higher gears (or maybe higher speed) the haldex is apparently "less willing" to engage, ie 70mph etc, which is great as there are not many engines that can get over 42mpg *and* give the performance (petrol of course)

Which Audi do I have? :) None - Skoda Octavia 4x4 estate, remapped, 222bhp, 231lb ft, 0-60 in 6.4.

Ian.

[Edited by ianc - 8/6/2003 10:19:07 AM]

95% converted to buying a 3yr old S3, any tips on what to look out for on 2nd hand models/whats mega bucks to replace if its worn/any service cost indication etc..

You need to buy a green one, or you'll be out the gang. ;)

Audi A3=Posh Astra
S3=Expensive way into 4WD performance

Get a Scoob!

He doesn't want a Scoob. They're too "in yer face". He likes understated classy-looking cars, which still have decent poke.

Hence the progression from a VR6 Golf, to an S3.

(He'd like a '73 RS 911, but they're a tad much... :D)

and a scooby isn't expensive .... lol

Anyone actually got any helpful advice?

He wants an S3, not a Scooby.

I`ve had my S3 for just over a year now. A three year old example will be a 210bhp car but don`t let that worry you, there is hardly any performance benefit with the 225bhp one.

Try to get one with the Bose stereo, this will make resale easier, some people say heated seats are a bonus too, I`ve used mine for about 3 minutes so I wouldn`t bother. As for colour, avoid Imola Yellow, it`s a nightmare to sell on.

Try www.privilege.com for insurance, they were very good for my S3 (lower premium than a Cooper S!).

Other than that you can`t go wrong really. The S3 is no Impreza but it really isn`t trying to be, it has decent performance, good economy (regularly see 34 mpg on a motorway run if I`m at a steady 80 mph) and amazing build quality.

Oh, some people have had problems with coil-packs on their cars (I haven`t) but I think Audi UK have sorted out the poor availability on these now.

Oh, I forgot, there are a lot of modded S3s out there, if you ask in the A3/S3 forum on www.audi-sport.net they should be able to give you more advice on who`s who etc.

Good luck!

.........and another thing, the standard brakes are pretty poor if you intend to do track stuff, I`ve never had a big problem with them on the road with them though.

Right, I think that`s it!

S3's are great cars.
A friend of mine has one. He has had his for about 5 months and hasn't had any problems, very nice to drive as well!!

Cheers to Simon & Duck Pond at least two guys on line can read...

No offence to Scoobys, my bro's is one of the best all round driving cars I have ever been in... I am a Porsche adict so its German cars for me!

I'm also seriously considering one of these as well. I have 2 questions:

1) Do the 210 bhp cars have the 6 speed box
2) Are the service intervals variable and if so, when is the cam belt due?

Regarding the latter, I'm assuming something around the 60k mark and a massive bill if the Audi Stealership has anything to do with it.

I hear that the 1.8T engine is as tough as old boots and given proper maintenence will go on forever.

yay i like the yellow ones :)

Look good cars, one of the managers at work has one and loves it.

www.tyresmoke.net
all you need to know over there.
Have had 2 S3's and loved them, second one was MTM modded to 270bhp 300lbs/ft and shifted, never, ever missed a beat, can take huge mileages no problem.

www.rs246.com seems to be a pretty good Audi performance forum.

I also heard a rumour that 210 BHP S3s that were brought in for a service at an Audi dealership were flashed with a new ECU program to put them on to 225 BHP. Any truth to that rumour?

The 1.8t is great and its an even better version in the S3

Lots of tuning options but he should check out Jabba big turbo kit, 350 bhp for around £3000... really opens up the 20v Motor

If he get one outside the warranty don't bother with Main dealers most of them are clueless, better off with one of the many vag/audi
specialists - Jabba Amd etc all do ordinary servicing as well as Tuning

You can even buy a Haldex controller which allows to adjust the power split between front and rear

a mate @ work is considering buying one & I have a basic question:

are they all 4 wheel drive then as they are called quattro?? I have always assumed that they are fwd ??

cheers

shunty

just to confuse everyone....used the wrong username...
tis shunty that is asking.

cheers

shunty

They use the Haldex system, which if I remember sends power to the rear wheels only if slip is detected in the fronts.

So basically a FWD car that can transfer grip/drive to the rear if things get hairy.

[Edited by Witor - 04/08/2003 13:06:15]

IIRC the haldex controller is a) very expensive and b) not adjustable, just forces the car to run perm 4wd no matter what.

S3, nice car, I just wanted the same bits in a cheaper package, and an estate, and a Qcar....

;)

Ian.

S3 Haldex is adjustable. For example, in first gear 4WD is always activated which means you always get off the mark quickly but in later gears it only sends power to the front wheels which means you do not suffer from 4WD loss. If need be it will send power where it is needed in any gear.

As far as I am aware Haldex can send more than 50% of power to the rear wheels.

Verocha, I was talking about the aftermarket controller that someone mentioned earlier on, it's about a grand, marketed by forge, and makes it 50/50 always on. In my opinion, it takes away all the advantages of the standard setup, and at no small cost.

The way the standard haldex works is very impressive. :)

Alternatively for a bit of fun.......... put the handbrake on to its first notch, so that the light comes on in the dash.... and heh presto you have a 225bhp front wheel drive hatch.

Haldex is not engaged if the handbrake is on apparentley. Not tried it on my TT tho but am assured it does work.

Actually i wasn't talking about the forge item - i was talking about the one from MTM - Yes your right it does make it 50/50 but that is actually adjusting it from normal isn't it......so therefore making the haldex adjustable (manually)

Reason i mentioned it was because poeple say the s3 isn't a proper 4wd well with the controller your getting pretty close. From the reviews i've read it only makes sense if you drive the car very hard and uprated suspension.

Also the haldex doesn't just use the sensors from the front wheels to decide to put power to the rear - its used sensors from all areas of the car - throttle position, wether or not the winsreen wipers are on... etc etc -

thanks for the info on 4wd, we have just been reading through them.
the hand-brake trick gave us a laugh:D:D

cheers

shunty

The hand brake trick does work, you never realise how much work the haldex does until you try that, wheelspin and torque steer in 1st, 2nd, 3rd.... was an icy night I tried it...

(I've only got 222bhp tho)

I had a feeling there was only one aftermarket controller out there, and really designed for those that do a lot on sand \ snow \ mud rather than for highly tuned cars?