Thinking Of Buying An Audi S3
 

Evening All

Basically I am thinking of buying an Audi S3 (225bhp version, 2001).
I currently have a 1993 Impreza WRX with a 105k on the clock and standard other than an STi 5 spoiler and uprated shocks, discs and ecu and its very good nick for its age.

The S3 will have to be used as day to day car as i am changing jobs and losing the company car and getting car allowance.

I also do a few trackdays a year and the odd trip to the ring now and then.

My questions are:

1. How much is my WRX currently worth?. Guessing around £2-2.5k?.:wonder:
2. Is mileage an issue on S3's looked on the autotrader site and there are lots over 100k, but would like one around 70-80k for £10k ish.
3. Whats the running costs like, e.g. - MPG, Services etc.
4. Is it a good track car?. Chances are i will up the power a bit coming from 260bhp.
5. Any other little niggles or anything i should know?.
6. Is it permanent 4wd or not?. Read various things in other posts and i am not sure.

Thanks guys and hopefully you can help me out here.

Dave

anyone?

what colour is your car????
would you want to exchange the spoiler.........
can't see 100k+ being problem for vag car
they are heavy so not sure about track action, but the grip is amazing,permanent as far as am aware
extra horses from remap well worth it,overcomes the weight issue

I know a bit through only what i've read and what people hav told me - so dont shoot me if i'm wrong.

Drove an S3 on a test drive a TT a few times which has the same engine and this is what i found, handling (and grip) is better than you think although it does not offer the feedback an Impreza does, steering is a bit lifeless but tbh i coudl live with it.


MPG is excellent and miles better than a Scooby, servicing i couldn't tell you as for niggles i know a few suffered from electrical gremlins, check out some Audi forums to check.

No not pernament 4wd it is Haldex. it is normally FWD and when they start to slip the back kicks in (i think)

A remap transforms the car and they are quite quick - one of our Smacs members had one and he easily kept with new age STi's on runs out.

As for track - again could't tell you but would imagine brakes would suffer due to the weight, like most road cars.

a good all round understated performance road car, just dont think you'll be whooping STi's and EVO's

Brief answer as im on my way out.

MPG excellent for the performance you get, remap essential, if you do track days factor in the cost of the very effective Brembo upgrade (either GT kit or Seat Cupra R set up, discs much cheaper to replace on the Cupra R setup)

Mine was really low milage so cant really comment on high milers although ive not heard any bad stories.

p.s. make sure you get a facelift model if your looking at 2001's as there are a few non facelifts about at that age.
225bhp cars are insurance group 18, 210's are group 17 so if insurance is an issue look for a 210 as it may save you money. 210Bhp facelift model = the best of both worlds :)

Take a look on here:

A3/S3 Forum (8L Chassis) - Audi-Sport.net

Thought you'd be loafing around any S3 threads Mark.

not interested in the New S3 yet mate???

Hi all, my first post:luxhello:
I've got an S3 at the mo, and I've got to say its quality. Styling is very sutble and discreet, interior is nice but after a while a bit boring. Absolutely loads of grip but the steering is a bit short of feedback and at the limit can give a bit of understeer as most 4wd motors will. Servicing costs depends on where you take it, mine goes to the maindealer to keep the pretty stamps in the right places but they spank your arse on the labour prices (£100 per hour!!!) but specialist independents do the same job for less obviously. Mine has had a few minor mods done and easily copes with 90% of the cars you come across(standard cars that is before anyone says my 400bhp+ whatever will waste it!)
If you do get one I don't think you will be disappointed. Having said I that I'm getting rid of mine but only because my wife has just had our first baby and we need something with a bit more space in the back and 4 doors for the kiddy seat. Sounds like I'm doing the opposite to you S3 to Impreza(or Evo, sorry)

PS hope I don't sound to much like that AudiLover :D

I have recently sold an STI PPP and bought a very low mileage (24k) 210bhp facelift S3 and i rate it highly.
It is a completely different kettle of fish to the Impreza.
Solid build, classier image, good economy(27 around town), cheaper servicing, less attention from knobs, better equipment, cheaper insurance, the list goes on....
Performance is good but not an STI beater.
All i can say is they are good cars.
By the way theres nothing in it regards performance between 210 and 225 cars.
Nik.

Those S3's sure are holding their value well!

TBH I would go for the lowest mileage example you can find regardless of it bein a 210 or 225.

some useful info there, for the record my wrx is silver and not thinking of changing the spoiler.

i will see if i can have a look at one sometime over the weekend.

thanks guys

Yeah sure am, although do think they've scrimped on the 'S' touches this time. Saw 2 yesturday orange and white, the white looks 10 times better, but it would have to be black or grey for me :)

You havent bought my old one have you i sold my 210 bhp facelift with 22k miles on the clock about 6 months ago??

Grey with silver leather, on a Y plate?

Mark

da s3 aint no good bruv - i got a 93 wrx an i never had one keepin up lol!!

u gotta keep da wrx an get some mods mate. i got 18s on mine an da handlling is beter now an full de-cat - ppl can hear me commin now lol!! u gonna get more respect in da wrx at cruises - ppl aint gonna notice a s3.

ive been and test drove an x reg s3 today and found it painfully slow. it has done 98 k though so im hoping its a bad example as i still really want to swap my my99 uk turbo for one of these. reading bad boys post makes me even more eager to make the change even though i absolutely love my impreza and the feeling i get driving it. Just wish i could get over this image thing and the 3 years of high running costs arent quite as much fun any more.
Still if this s3 i drove is equal to all the others then its back to the drawing board as i dont think i could live with it. It felt like i was thrashing it to bits to get anything to happen even though i never went near red line it just sounded like it was screaming.

i think the s3 is over rated and still very expensive for the car you get, yes they look ok, the interior is nice but i dont think the performance is what it should be, they run the 210 bhp and 225bhp twin intercooled engine, with a remap they will go up to 265 bhp however they loose a hell of a lot through the 4 wheel drive system, the worst i heard was of a 210 bhp model once put out 160 bhp at the wheels.

fuel wise if you cain it they do 20mpg, normal they will do late 20's early 30's

in my opinion you would be better looking at a loen cupra r.

cheaper, bigger brembo brakes, recaros too, 18' and 225 bhp.

they also have a dedicate chassi with sport suspension and steering rack.

i'd say if you fancy the s3 just try the lcr you'd be very surprise

jake

cheers mate i like the leons and im called leon so that would be quite mad as well but the front wheel drive thing puts me off. The thought of wheelspinning and torque steer just holds me back especially coming from an impreza

It's a haldex setup so not perm 4wd so you are taling bollocks! :)

im in the same situation, not sure whether to get an s3 or a civic type r?? lol..

Afraid not, i bought it off a mate.
Nik.

Basically what Chief said is fairly accurate, the service costs in my experience are at least as high if not more than a Scoob, my last two were both a grand (one included a aux air pump, one full brake replacement). In short they are more grown up than a scoob and if you want that grin from driving it then its unlikley you'll get the same as a Scoob.

I've had a 210bhp one for 4 years now and I still love its looks and comfort on long drives, but I'm 40 now so its a different set of needs.