Help buying an S3

[jimbob7]

Hi everyone. I have literally just joined the forum and am hoping that someone might be able to help me to with buying a S3.

I am going to see and potentially buy a red 51 plate facelift S3, 76000 miles, Bose sound system. Cam belt and pump done at 70k. It has had 7 owners.

What I am not sure about is that it has an after market head unit cd player. Everything else is meant to be the original Bose set up. The current owner tells me he put in the new unit as the originals display had stopped working (although it still worked, you just can't see the tracks/radio station etc). Apparently this is a common problem and the display can be fixed/replaced on the original (owner still has original?

Looking at a photo of the after market unit it looks pretty good but it looks like the AC controls etc have been moved higher and a panel put in underneath. Firstly is this a problem to put back and fix the original, secondly do you think this is a problem in general (and will it sound as good as the original)?

Finally are there any things with this model S3 that I should really be looking at for faults/issues?

Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[jojo]

7 owners after 70k miles?!

 

[Ashley g]

Sounds dodgy. Buy mine!

 

[Maz]

7 owners after 70k miles?!

This would deffo put me off for a start!!! ...like a woman with a wizards sleeve!

 

[The Doctor]

This would deffo put me off for a start!!! ...like a woman with a wizards sleeve!

Love that quote! Anyway, I bought mine 2yrs ago with 65k miles and I'm the 6th owner. But I am known to my mates as Dr OCD and it's been fantastic so far. So for me it's more about the condition of the car and the service history.

I'd be checking the service history carefully and running an HPI check on it. You can also check the MOT history online. Wouldn't worry if it's not Audi history, so long as it's a VAG specialist. Has it had "longlife" servicing or every year/12k miles (preference)?

As for common faults etc, check the stickies above. From top of my head:
Any paint bubbling around rear of roof rails? Same for around boot lock.
Check rear washer works OK (pipe known for coming apart) & leaking water into the car.
Check driver's door registers closed when it's closed - lock mechanism can fail so it thinks the door's open when it's not - check alarm arms when the car's locked.
When starting the car, do you hear 3 beeps? If so, alarm siren batteries are on their way out & need replacing (easy to do but hey).
Are door blades coming away? Over time they can come away from the door.

Loads more in the stickies I'm sure.

 

[jimbob7]

Thanks for the replys and tips.

Ashley, what are the details of yours?

I thought 7 owners was extreme as well, but like the doctor I have a friend who's car had 8 owners and 8 years and has never had an issue. I think I am still going to look at it but am taking a friend who knows engines. So hopefully I can avoid a lemon. Its up for 4.5k (top of my budget) and is apparently mint (not seen it in person yet).

One friend told me that 7 owners means 7 different driving styles and this will stress the car. A different friend said 7 owners means there were 7 people that looked after it when they first had it, honeymoon period.

it does have FSH which I will go over. I've not done a HPI on it yet but I will do next.

Dr where can I find the online MOT history?


Any thoughts on the sound system anyone?

Thanks

 

[JoeD]

I'm the 7th owner of mine, but it's been owned by several engineers from the same aviation company in cearphilly. Didn't bother me too much as it had FSH from Audi & Audi specialist with all the major work done.

 

[SunnyB]

Check MOT history here ;

Check your vehicle's MOT status and history online : Directgov - Motoring

 

[Ashley g]

Here's mine mate, over your budget though...

Audi : AUDI S3 2003-03

 

[mk1chopper]

Never heard of the stereo display not working, just the DIS losing lines on the display, and this displays radio/cd info. The climate control hasnt been moved up its probably just because its a single din centre console not double din, check photos of other S3 for sale on piston heads to confirm though.

 

[camscockle20vT]

I remeber the volume knob being nakerd but never the display??? I wouldnt say 7owners is a major deal, i bought my 1st audi 1.8t that had 3 previous keepers with 140k and lets just say it was a learning curve. Just gotta do that derren brown trick of the mind s**t when you go see the car and the owner, to see if his not telling all about the car. Good luck. Ps if you got the funds ashley gs s3 looks a nice honest car.

 

[jimbob7]

Cheers everyone, going to see it this morning after the rugby.

Ash, lovely car but it is out of budget sorry.

 

[jimbob7]

Thanks for all of your help everyone. I went down and saw the S3 and decide to buy it! Very happy!

 

[beanoir]

:sign_pics:

 

[colicabcadam]

who cares about owners? do you honestly think they all got rid of it because of a problem they could not get fixed lol

that's 10,000 miles per owner, how many people buy a car on here and decide they want something faster so get another car within 10,000 miles - or mod the hell out of it, which that one has not had done!

enjoy the car