Audi S3 or Audi A3 3.2 Quattro

High miles and why so much suspension replacement parts! rings a few bells for me, unless im being too cautious!
 
Some (including mine) have had hesitation issues but an ecu upgrade sorts that out. The chains can need replacing but this can easily be checked using VCDS. If you go for DSG, there have been ones with mechatronic issues but not too common.
Like I say, all engines have issues and there is nothing to say the 3.2 you find will have any problems.

If you do decide to jump to the 3.2, As test driving is best, get a feel for how it handles, each animal is different. Check the chains or if they have been done. To test for hesitation, apart from feeling it when driving, see if you can hold the revs stready around 2k when stationary in neutral. If the needle dances about, you have it.
 
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Got to be s3 for me. Love the 8p interior but honestly don't feel the 8l is that bad, yes it's a little dated but still better then alot of modern cars. For me the one massive factor is looks. I've had my s3 nearly 3 years now and still find myself looking back when I've parked the car, or look aout the window on the drive to get a cheeky glimpse. With the 8p I just find they are sooo common. I'd imagine the 3.2 sounds great but it's not honestly something I miss in the 8l. Fuel economy: when the pounds are tight I can do 40mpg indicated, can a 3.2 do this....I don't know that answer. Both great cars IMO.
 
The only 3.2 I'd consider is a face lift S-line which is going to cost about 12k for a good one.

As your budget is 9k tops I'd go for the S3...

It's obviously cheaper to run which is the biggest advantage,

At the end of the day it's an "S3" and not a run of the mill 'all look the same' "A3"
 
S3 = Cheaper, Faster, More Tunable, Rarer, unreliable in some cases?
3.2 = Nicer noise, Quick, Newer, but common, expensive, and front heavy!

Id have a hard choice but i think a good S3 for a long term car is a better prospect, and with 9k you can get a gooden!!
 
jdas03 said:
S3 = Cheaper, Faster, More Tunable, Rarer, unreliable in some cases?
3.2 = Nicer noise, Quick, Newer, but common, expensive, and front heavy!

Id have a hard choice but i think a good S3 for a long term car is a better prospect, and with 9k you can get a gooden!!
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I dont think the v6 is that heavy, i think the problem is the engine weight sits/acts at a higher point than than a striaght 4 creating a higher centre of gravity and this effects the handling.
 
jojo said:
Isn't roadtax for the 3.2 a silly amount? <waits to be corrected>
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road tax last April was £118.25 for 6 mths, £215.00 for 12 mths. Just had my renewal and its now £134.75 for 6 mths and £245.00 for 12 mths!!! Lucky me lol
 
it's only the early 06 onward 3.2's that are clobbered with the higher band £400+ a year tax!
 
Bit late on this but my A3 cost £2500 to have the cam chains, (cam chain stretch - original quote was £4500 :ohmy:) replaced by Audi and I'd still have it over the S3. Brakes cook a bit quicker on track, (6 laps of Brands Indy'll have them fading at Druids), but on the road they are so usable. A chip tune by Custom Code saw a bit more usability and the next mod will be a Haldex controller. 30mpg is barely achievable on the office run and I've had it down to 4.7 mpg on the DIS. I do like that gadgets in car though, lot's of toys to make the journey a pleasure. I'd go Goodyear Eagle F1 asymetric and don't bother with the cacky Pirelli P-Zero Rosso, they're crap. The car makes me smile everytime I get in it which is more than I can say for a lot of cars.

And if you're wondering why £2500, this is why:

DSC06122.JPG


Only took them all week to do it, engine & gearbox out and split and of course it's 4 wheel drive so there is all that arsing about to do as well. Nearly cried when I saw the car on the ramp. :ermm:
 
Get the 3.2l A3 but for the love of god dont get the DSG get the manual
 
Fireblade69 said:
Only took them all week to do it, engine & gearbox out and split and of course it's 4 wheel drive so there is all that arsing about to do as well. Nearly cried when I saw the car on the ramp. :ermm:
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Your lucky mate, took them 6 weeks to do mine

Breezey said:
Get the 3.2l A3 but for the love of god dont get the DSG get the manual
Click to expand...

You must be joking, the 3.2 and the dsg is a match made in heaven!
 
3.2 = waste of engine capacity lol

a mapped s3 will show it up, all for the cost of £250, the s3 should be better in the fuel department too, on a mapped s3 i manage to get 350+ to a full tank, AROUND town, on the moroway this jumps upto 440!!

getting more power out of the 3.2 wont be a problem if you are prepared to spend money.....

if i had £9,000 to spend and did not need a car strait away and had a few years NCB, i'd save a little harder and get an RS4 2.7......
 
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