Looking For An S3.......

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Elmo

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Evening All. Last night I sold my Celica GT4 ST205, and I'm now on the lookout for an S3 as I have no car :ermm:

I've been narrowing down replacement cars for ages and an S3 seems to tick all the boxes for me. Comfortable, Nippy, High Quality, Turbo, 4WD and not ridiculously expensive to run (in comparison to the GT4)

I think I pretty much know all the general stuff about watching out for water pumps, cambelts, coil packs and general service history but as far as I'm aware they are reasonably bulletproof cars.

I notice a lot of S3's seem to be high mileage. I've owned a high mileage car before and apart from the stigma of "ooohhh" its high mileage, I find theres not too much too be worried about providing the correct maintenance was carried out.

Which brings me to an example I have found.....How well do S3's really cope at high mileage with a bit of tuning work?

On paper does this car sound like it could go pop soon?.....

Audi S3 1.8 Turbo - 295bhp
Mileage -103,000
Miltek stainless exhaust system
Miltek hi flow sports catalytic converter
Forge silicone boost hoses & motorsport clamps
K04 Hybrid Turbocharger & manifold
Forge recirculating dump valve
4 bar fuel pressure regulator
Stage 2 ECU re-map

The car has full service history, poly bushes, new suspension etc so should feel very tight. But I can't help but think that is a lot of miles. Car has been in this state of tune since 93,000.

Generally I would say the car has been advertised as absolutely MINT, the spec is absolutely perfect what I want and I will be going to visit it hopefully tomorrow.

Any advice apreciated.

Cheers,
Dan.
 
Just saw the pic you posted up of the S3 you are looking at in the other thread, I would say the price is top money for the reg and mileage, but saying that, it does have hybrid Turbo power, not many of us have that conversion on this site. I would also enquire about when the cambelt was last done, as the ASN recommendation for cambelts on S3's is 60k miles or 5 years, which ever comes sooner. This will cost approx £350 from a local independant specialist including the waterpump, which is a must, since it all coming off.
 
jojo. Many thanks for replying !! :salute: You are the only person to do so!
I was beginning to wonder if my posts were invisible.

The guy had the car on 87,000 since Feb08, cambelt was done March 08, water pump April 09.

The Car Also has the blue alcantara/black leather I want, Symphony with Bose, and Audi Sat Nav.

Plus The guy works for Meguiars detailing products!! hence looking immaculate in the pictures. It under a cover in their warehouse at the moment and he will give it a quick detail down today before I go and visit.

I'm starting to think its a bit pricey, but If we can work out a deal this is sounding better and better, There isn't even any bolster wear on the drivers seat.

1296829-3.jpg

1296829-4.jpg

1296829-6.jpg

1296829-7.jpg


By the way the car is up for £7,750 !!! I was just thinking maybe I should offer 7k, but you reckon even 7 is a bit high?
 
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Not a bad deal, dont know how reliable hybrids are?

My old Stage 3 MTM is up for sale as well, possibly worth enquiring about, has better spec then the one your going to view and also better performance, handling etc upgrades.

7Kish could get you alot of car for your money!
 
Well, at the very least, you know you are getting MINT bodywork if he's a detailer by trade! Anyone would pay a slight premium for the right car at the end of the day, and think a possible quick drive round the block should seal the deal for you, sounds a nice machine.
 
What year is it and where is it located in the UK, as south can be more expensive by up to a grand in some cases than northern examples? Be interesting to see the torque figures and find out what Clutch it has to make sure it can cope. But if the owner has gone to the trouble of getting a hybrid K04 and the rest of it, then odds on its been uprated anyway.
 
you wont necessarily need an uprated clutch..... for a hybrid anyway
 
Agreed, it should be ok. I was reading on the forum (a while ago now) about 310-350 lb/ft can start stressing a standard clutch. I must admit, not alot of knowledge with a K04 hybrid (dont people usually uprate from a K04 for the small additional cost and more power?) so Id be guessing the torque figure would sit in this range somewhere (probably at the low end).

Anyone have an opinion on the limits of a standard clutch as Id like to get my facts right to ensure I dont remember incorrect information? The link below could help...

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=75897&highlight=uprate+clutch
 
Cheers for the responses guys. FAZs3 I will try to look out for your old stage 3 car. Do you know where it is for sale, have you got a link?

I was also worried baout the clutch like you guys have mentioned. It is apparently standard and original, but he assures me it has plenty of life and doesn't slip. If the car has been motorway driven I can believe this. Also like you all say a hybrid delivers the power in a completely different way so should be less harsh.

In the Celica GT4 community where I've just come from, I know hybrids are definitely a turbo of choice being able to get the same power at lower boost pressures also decreases intake temps which will help reduce det, which is interesting as this car doesn't have a front mount intercooler. How are the S3's and 1.8t's like for cooling? is no FMIC something to worry about?

oh also....forgot to mention but the car also has....

KW Coilover adjustable suspension (not sure which variant)
R32 front anti roll bar
H & R adjustable rear arms (camber)
Polyurethane bushes throughout
New EBC Brakes all round

I reckon the owner knows his stuff. Everytime I look at it, it just gets better and better :hubbahubba:
 
S1LFH said:
What year is it and where is it located in the UK, as south can be more expensive by up to a grand in some cases than northern examples? Be interesting to see the torque figures and find out what Clutch it has to make sure it can cope. But if the owner has gone to the trouble of getting a hybrid K04 and the rest of it, then odds on its been uprated anyway.
Click to expand...

2001 Y Plate....so lower Tax bracket.....Also Another bonus....It's 10 miles round the corner from me and I've never seen it on the road !!! haha

Northampton Based. I will try ask for a rolling road print out, as you say torque will be interesting as we all now thats what breaks things !

as mentioend standard original clutch...potential to haggle here I reckon!
 
ive been out in that s3, i know the owner.

seemed to pull very strongly at the time, and, as stated, is very clean.

genuione bloke, too.

hope that helps
 
Jimmeh said:
ive been out in that s3, i know the owner.
seemed to pull very strongly at the time, and, as stated, is very clean.
genuione bloke, too.
hope that helps
Click to expand...

That's quite interesting. He said he didn't go on forums.
I take it you must know him through some other means? Is he definitely not a member on here? I Hoped he wasn't try to hide something when he told me he didnt come on forums.

Chap does seem genuine on the phone though, however you can never tell these days can you...and I confess I am a generally scheptical person :sly:

Hopefully all will be revealed when I eventually visit the car !!
(he phoned me and postponed todays visit as he was busy at work :()

Gives me a chance to look around though, I don't fancy buying the first car I see and I don't want to impulse by.

God its annoying not having a car though :scared2: I feel like I've lost my wallet or something and I'm really missing my GT4 :crying:

Cheers for the input guys. Hopefully I will stay around when I get myself the right car, I always join up to forums of cars I own and try to get abit involved in whats going on :icon_thumright: So you cant get rid of me yet :)
 
He probably doesn't do forums, no. I'm a detailer and have visisted Meguiars HQ a couple of times (plus, I used to have the S3, so, was very interested to speak to him individually and blag a ride out in it! :) )
 
Jimmeh said:
He probably doesn't do forums, no. I'm a detailer and have visisted Meguiars HQ a couple of times (plus, I used to have the S3, so, was very interested to speak to him individually and blag a ride out in it! :) )
Click to expand...

What? haha.......THE PLOT THICKENS...lol. Did I just read that correctly? You used to own that Actual Car? :ohmy: or do you just mean you used to own "an" S3 so wanted a go in his? What are the chances of this. Small world!

Did he drive like he'd stolen it when he took you out? :busted_cop: .lol.

I love forums, you can find out so much out about a car. haha
 
Sorry chap, I meant I used to own "an" S3... don't know where "the" came from - sorry.

Nope - took it quite steady and even lapped around the outskirts of town before he booted it to get engine warmed up.
 
Jimmeh said:
Sorry chap, I meant I used to own "an" S3... don't know where "the" came from - sorry.

Nope - took it quite steady and even lapped around the outskirts of town before he booted it to get engine warmed up.
Click to expand...

No Worries, It's all good. Your comments have been really helpful! Can't beat knowing a little history about a car, even if it was a 2 minute passenger ride from a stranger. haha.

I shall let you all know how I get on viewing it. I hope it lives up to the pictures and advert. If it had done about 70k I would snap it up, but we shall see.

I'm struggling to find any others that really have that magic factor like this one does.
 
Right then boys & Girls.

The owner of "The Black Car" from above posts has been busy lately and had to cancel my first visit last friday due to attending the classic car show with Meguiars. As a result no one has been to see the car at all yet (which is reassuring I guess) as I will be the first person to visit. I think It's never good if a car has had perspective buyers walk away from it.

But I am still really interested in it so I'm going to visit it tomorrow where it is currently kept in a fully lit warehouse.

Heres the official advert http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1296829.htm

Particular things I'm going to ask questions about are.....

Why was cambelt done in April 2008, then Water pump not done till April 2009. I wonder if the pump failed (possible overheat?) seems strange as obviously the belt would have to be done again.

Also going to make sure the xenons are ok, read a lot about the height adjusters failing.

Check condition of interior and seats.

Plus just a general look around I think. Make sure all the numbers match up with V5, check for accident damage, etc etc.

Obviously try and take it for a drive etc.

Any last bits of advice or thoughts from you all? specific things to look out for?

Hopefully be an S3 owner soon ;)

Regards,
Dan.
 
Aside from the plastic trim I mentioned in the 'mileage' thread...clutch been done?
And yep, i'm another victim of the xenon height adjuster demons.
 
Sounds like a good buy. I'd prefer less miles but you're getting alot of car for the money with those mods adding up to about 5k i bet!

Hope it works out for you. Very impressive paintwork too!
 
Good advice guys, much appreciated..

- Clutch, original apparently, but I will be sure to check the biting point. he assures me it doesn't ever slip and has plenty of life, Which if true, I would say is a good thing as it indicates no hard launches and possibly a lot of easy motorway miles! if a clutch has been replaced, you have to ask yourself why! I used to own a mk4 astra on 120k and the clutch was like new.

- I shall check over the plastic trim for sure, however personally I think the seats look immaculate considering the mileage, not "shiny" or worn bolsters if you know what I mean, which usually happens to the steering wheel and gearstick on high milers.

- I know exactly what you mean about the high miles on the whole, I'd also prefer less, but to be honest the described condition and spec, it seems pointless buying a car on 80/90k that will soon hit 100 anyway. A lot of lower mileage examples seem to be in a worse state than some of the higher. Paintwork does look good doesn't it, will be interesting to see in the flesh and check for front end stone chips/dents. But as the guy works for Meguiars, I have a feeling it should be well kept :cool:

- 5k worth of mods I agree.....personalyl I quite like "tastefully!!" modded cars, Hopefully this thing should go round roundabouts like it's on rails and pull like a train too :arco:
 
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Well....I went to see the car tonight....

Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. Not only did the car have a few niggles, but I'm afraid I also discovered an S3 just isn't for me :(

The bodywork of the car was brilliant, the car really did look amazing on the 19's it was perfect, but it just felt very wrongto many things didnt add up for me. I'm quite fussy, so i sort of ripped the car apart really. but At least I know it wasn't rquite what I was looking for.

Heres what I discovered.......

- it had a water pump failure early this year, i ask if it overheated, he said no...but i wasn't too sure. The coolant had some residue around the bottle, and it looked brown.

- there was bits of stuff all around the oil filler cap (not mayonaisse) but just debris suggesting to me just generally not cared for that well.

- the plastic cover was missing off the engine, all the coil packs were exposed and it just looked generally grubby.

- The number plates were from an auto factors, not original Audi garage plates, i wondered if it had been in a smash, but he assured me it was hpi clear.

- the front end of the car and mirrors had loads of chips, (to be expected on high mileage) but still it really was quite bad.

- the car did not have KW coilover as advertised, but I looked at the struts and they were FK autmotive and already gone rusty, im not even sure they would be adjustable anymore, they were that rusty.

- also, Not being funny, but it honestly wasn't that quick, i dont think anything was wrong with the engine, it seemed to run fine, but it was just a bit "oh" no drama at all, didnt really feel like you were pressed into the seat, or the speedo rose quickly or anything.

- the interior was quite worn, the alcantara was "bobbly" and the switchgear was quite worn.

- the final point, i just did not like the driving position, for me the driivng position is not great, and what on earth is going on with the handbrake under the front armrest? even though the car was lowered on coilovers, i still felt like I was sitting on top of the car rather than in it.

other than all of the above the car was "ok" I'm sure it will be a great car for someone out there, but I am quite fussy with my cars and it just wasn't for me unfortunately.


I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for being very informative and helpful throughout my S3 searching process, it looks like a great forum and I would deifnitely be staying round I f I did buy an S3, but unfortunately I don't think its going to happen.

Hope the above information has helped anyone else that was looking at the car.

Best Regards,
Dan
 
lol fair enough. Interesting to see what you end up with instead.
 
Anyone see this weeks episodes of new series of 'Wheeler Dealers'? Buy and restore an M3 E36 convertible. Buy for £4500, fit new gearbox, alarm and interior, flog for £5950. A lot of car for the money, but can't help thinking the labour cost would have been astronomical, as they never take these into account...

Looked fantastic though.

Cheers,
 
MintyS3 said:
lol fair enough. Interesting to see what you end up with instead.
Click to expand...

Just Put A Deposit Down On A 2003 3dr MK4 VW Golf R32 in Deep Blue Purple with 70k on it :thumbsup:

Might not be the fastest thing on the planet and is considered a heavy car, but I completely fell in love with it as a package! Seats, spec, overall gut feeling. Definitely a car for me !!

- AMD Remap -275bhp
- Milltek
- 19's

Pick it up Tuesday :rockwoot:
 
R32 :anbet:

Best car I ever owned, people will be along shortly to say the S3 is better though.
 
Elmo said:
Just Put A Deposit Down On A 2003 3dr MK4 VW Golf R32 in Deep Blue Purple with 70k on it :thumbsup:

Might not be the fastest thing on the planet and is considered a heavy car, but I completely fell in love with it as a package! Seats, spec, overall gut feeling. Definitely a car for me !!

- AMD Remap -275bhp
- Milltek
- 19's

Pick it up Tuesday :rockwoot:
Click to expand...

Charge IT!!! Then they are awesome i loved my R32!
 
golf said:
R32 :anbet:

Best car I ever owned, people will be along shortly to say the S3 is better though.
Click to expand...


R32 is a very very very nice motor!!! The drive handling everything miles ahead of a remapped s3 or standard.!!
 
lol their good cars, just depends what you want them for, on a forum like this you will always get lots of supporters naturally (Especially in the A3/S3 section... how strange!)

Each to their own tho, I do love my S3 and it puts the biggest smile on my face on the way into work early in the morning but right now its just not right for me.

So if anyone out there is thinking about buying my one, S3s deffo arent crap, especially my one ;)
 
audi upgrades
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