Looking at getting an S3...

[Ste133]

Evening all,

I thought I should post a quick message to say hello.

I currently own a 335d and I'm considering selling the car, putting some money into the bank and buying a new toy.. I have a few ideas in mind but I'm tempted by an S3.

I would be looking at shifting the bmw around Christmas time, give or take. I'm thinking of maybe putting £3-5k into an S3. I would hope for a decent one for that money.

I've read through a lot of the different guides/posts which are very helpful. Anyway, plenty more reading to be done.

Some cracking cars around.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[voorhees]

They are beautiful cars Steve,get a sorted one and you'll be one happy man

 

[Sandra]

Welcome to audi-sport.net Good luck with with your search. Enjoy the forum.

 

[thegoal007]

Ditto and it's always nice to see someone coming over from the dark side.
So many are going over there after their S3 experience - god knows why.

Although I may get some responses shortly on my comment.....

 

[Ste133]

Ditto and it's always nice to see someone coming over from the dark side.
So many are going over there after their S3 experience - god knows why.

Although I may get some responses shortly on my comment.....

I can understand why some people go to the dark side. The torque in my 335d is incredible. I could see 340bhp with just a remap. The car has power, economy and is comfortable. It does everything I want from a car.

However, saying that, I fancy a change and fancy banking some money. I also miss the noise of a petrol and the fun of a manual gearbox!

I will be keeping an eye out for any decent S3's that pop up for sale in the next few months.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[16Klappe]

So many are going over there after their S3 experience - god knows why.

Although I may get some responses shortly on my comment.....

Because a standard S3 is dull as dish water, even when compared to a £500 E36 and are disproportionately expensive to run when compared to higher performance cars of the same age and price point. They don't make sense at all, unless you are in the niche market of people who want a reasonably powered AWD hatch back which costs performance car insurance and running costs but has the same power to weight/0 to 60 time as a 20 year old hot hatch...

It's not all negative though, as long as you are prepared for the large step down in performance from your Beemer they are very well built, largely reliable and a very stylish car which has aged well.

If you're planning on modifying it, then crack on and enjoy. With 280bhp+ they are a right laugh. But make sure you subjectively drive one before you commit, because a standard S3 is not an enjoyable thing when coming down from your 335D.

There is a really good buying guide in the stickes section at the top of this forum.

Good luck with your search.

-

Why don't you have a look at an E46 330ci or a Clubsport? You could get a very nice Clubsport for 5K, and as a complete vehicle it will knock the socks off an S3.

2002 BMW 330 CI CLUBSPORT RARE VELVET BLUE LOW MILES NOT M3, COSWORTH, RS | eBay

 

[jojo]

Seems a backward step to do from 335d to an 8L S3 personally, but your money, your choice.

 

[thegoal007]

oh my.....
.....my dreams are shattered !

 

[voorhees]

Audi interior is miles better than the beemer imho

 

[Searider]

Hi Steve,

I've just sold my mint B5 RS4 and got an S3 - and "put money in the bank" for a house extension. I took it in as a part exchange as the easy option!

Compared with the RS4 (And similarly to your 335 I expect), it's slow, not as well built, costs more to insure and not as practical. It's a backwards step for me.

HOWEVER, the freedom of not worrying about the cost of RS specific parts and the better fuel consumption is very liberating
It's a car I don't HAVE to care about - with the RS being so special it HAD to be looked after properly.

Having said that in my first month with the S3 I've had the following done:

Changed thermostat
Changed oil pickup pipe (and oil and filter)
Changed front discs and pads
Changed dipstick
Had a health check at MRC where a boost leak and split turbo inlet pipe found.
Bought new Turbo inlet pipe to have fitted when back from holiday

Still to do:

Refurb wheels
Have window tint film removed.

It's quite chuckable and "adequate" for the time being. I've done 1500 miles in it this month already. In a couple of years i'll need to decide between a 330d Touring or a B8 S4 Avant!

It serves it's purpose and at the price they have now dropped to aren't a bad buy.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[david7m]

Hi
Saying they are a backwards step IMO would only make sense if you were comparing apples with apples, where as you arent because they different values for a start.
I've owned mine for almost 11 years now, she's on 135k miles and I still enjoy driving it every day
Not sure how much a good example would be, but if you get a low mileage/low owner example, chip it, I think it will take some beating.
I've just had mine tarted up (stone chips on bonnet and alloys corroded, not kurbed ), still looks sharp and has aged really well inside and out. Will post some pictures up once I have sorted the wheel refurb colour misalignment
Dave

 

[Searider]

I'm not saying the S3 is a BAD car - just that from a 430hp RS4 or a 335d it IS a backward step.

However, i'm quite enjoying it

 

[jojo]

Same here, I'm not saying an S3 is a bad car, but at the same time, good ones seem hard to find, as with the age of them, things are going to start failing on them.

 

[Ste133]

Morning,

Thanks for the feedback, it's much appreciated.

I'm still debating what car to go for next. The reason I fancied an S3 is because they will be quite a 'solid' car. It's not one of these light weight cars that blows around with a bit of wind on the motorway.

I've seen a few nice ones for sale and a few with low miles. I think I'm looking for the BAM engine which is the 225bhp model.

Searider, I'm in the same position as you. I just fancy releasing some funds and saving for a mortgage. I'm getting to 'that age'.

I'm finding myself looking at a number of cars at the moment. They range from an S3 to a Clio 172. Something small and fun!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Searider]

Steve,

I think you're right - they're a great "hot hatch" and can bang up and down the motorway at 90 all day long.

Mine is a bit unloved so not a great example, but only cost me effectively about £2500 for an 02 plate BAM engine car - I would advise buying one of the cherished and sorted cars on here and spending a little more. I think i'll have spent close on £1000 on sorting mine within the first couple of months. So even spending £4k plus would make sense.

I started looking at 5 door Golf mark 4 GTIs and VR6 4Motions at the lower end of the scale to maximise the cash released and was sorely disappointed at the variation of what "Full Service History" means!

Duncan

 

[stevegti2]

if you want a hot hatch go for the clio handles about 5000090998 times better than a s3 a s3 is just a regular car with a turbo not a sporty hatch to me nice car if your not intrested in speed and just wana cruise around a civic type r for example is faster handles better interior is different more aggressive but still very well built best is to drive a few cars

 

[superkarl]

my s3 is the best car in the world ever. its faster than anything in the world, it will eat bugattis for ****s n giggles, and handle like an F1 car. There is nothing any other car can do better. it even breaks itself better than anything.


as you can see, i am not biased at all, i speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

 

[S3 AEX]

if you want a hot hatch go for the clio handles about 5000090998 times better than a s3 a s3 is just a regular car with a turbo not a sporty hatch to me nice car if your not intrested in speed and just wana cruise around a civic type r for example is faster handles better interior is different more aggressive but still very well built best is to drive a few cars

Civic type r faster??? Not in my world my old 8l used to eat them for fun!!

 

[jojo]

my s3 is the best car in the world ever. its faster than anything in the world, it will eat bugattis for ****s n giggles, and handle like an F1 car. There is nothing any other car can do better. it even breaks itself better than anything.


as you can see, i am not biased at all, i speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Remind us how long it's been off the road again Karl?

 

[Sham101]

come on guys i sold an e46 m3 to get an s3 and loving ever moment and dont get stuck in snow

 

[jojo]

come on guys i sold an e46 m3 to get an s3 and loving ever moment and dont get stuck in snow

Still a backward step Sham, going from 343bhp to 225?

 

[16Klappe]

This place is full of proper head cases.

 

[kwistof]

come on guys i sold an e46 m3 to get an s3 and loving ever moment and dont get stuck in snow

If you had the correct tyres on you wouldn't have got stuck in the snow ;-)

 

[stevegti2]

Civic type r faster??? Not in my world my old 8l used to eat them for fun!!

in standard trim i doubt that when my a3 was 212bhp on a k03s stripped and weighed at 1100kg it was leval with my mates ep3 type r till around 120 ish i have 2 friends with stock 8ls there painfully slow

 

[Alex C]

Civic type r faster??? Not in my world my old 8l used to eat them for fun!!

unless your comparing up-rated apples to standard bananas then that's BS

 

[16Klappe]

unless your comparing up-rated apples to standard bananas then that's BS

This place is full of proper head cases.

Basically.

 

[S3 AEX]

in standard trim i doubt that when my a3 was 212bhp on a k03s stripped and weighed at 1100kg it was leval with my mates ep3 type r till around 120 ish i have 2 friends with stock 8ls there painfully slow

S3 210- 0-60 6.6 sec top speed 148
S3 225- 0-60 6.4 sec top 151

Type r 0-60 6.4 top speed 146

Nothing to choose if your taking them down a long stretch, now if your talking around streets then a civic isn't gonna have much chance for me as they don't get going till long into the revs (vtech) and its all about whos behind the wheel. Drive ability wise I wouldn't know cos never drove a civic. Each to there own I suppose drive a few an see which you favour.

 

[Alex C]

S3 210- 0-60 6.6 sec top speed 148
S3 225- 0-60 6.4 sec top 151

Type r 0-60 6.4 top speed 146

Nothing to choose if your taking them down a long stretch, now if your talking around streets then a civic isn't gonna have much chance for me as they don't get going till long into the revs (vtech) and its all about whos behind the wheel.

EP3 driver needs to use his gearstick

 

[S3 AEX]

EP3 driver needs to use his gearstick

Like I say never drove a ep3 so I wouldn't know what they drive or go like, only seen and been in an around my mates 54 plate one which he sold an then regretted it saying its the best car he's had..

 

[16Klappe]

Stock EP3 WILL out handle almost every S3 in the world.

 

[Paradox1]

Stock EP3 WILL out handle almost every S3 in the world.

Oh no, waiting for the s3 lads to try kill jardo now!

 

[jezzy]

The 1.8T 20v is a fantastic for tuning and thats where the difference is.
It will go as fast as you want it to go, how deep are your pockets?
But a few simple upgrades (map, tip, and roll bars will transform the car completely)
How much to upgrade other hot hatches to catch up with the s3?

 

[stevegti2]

buy a civic type r bolt on a turbo 300 350 400bhp..before you touch the engine i just wanna argue my wifi is playing up

 

[Paradox1]

buy a civic type r bolt on a turbo 300 350 400bhp..before you touch the engine i just wanna argue my wifi is playing up

Yeah I gues you could but what about the rest?brakes,suspension,exhaust injectors.hardly going to be cheap eitherway

 

[16Klappe]

Still immense.

I love the thread derails on ASN...and I also love owning an A3. When was the last time anybody told me I should have bought something more performance orientated

 

[stevegti2]

Yeah I gues you could but what about the rest?brakes,suspension,exhaust injectors.hardly going to be cheap eitherway

youd haveto do al that to a s3 a3 golf mini any car either way stock civic suspension is firmer than the konis on my a3 by far a set of springs they handle really well brakes are good very sharp there a bit epic from factory over all tbh

 

[stevegti2]

or if ste wanted vag a seat leon cupra r is a good option or a golf aniversary