hey all. i used to own an a3 1.8t sport. to be honest it was a bit of a lemon. had loads of faults and i fixed one found another etc!! ive saved a fair amount of money and i am toying with the idea of an s3....just looking for a bit of advice. are the engines good for 100k + as a lot of the ones advertised are over it by miles. whats the four wheel drive system like? and what are they like mapped? thanks a lot. Dan
thinking about an s3
- Thread starter argyle89
- Start date
I bought one recently with 45k on the clock and its peachy. Fair point that there are a lot over the 100k mark, but looks like if its been taken care of, it should be grand. As with all things to do with second hand cars, take every one on its merits and buy as best you can. Ive had the usual niggley things with the door not thinking its shut when it is, and the traction control light coming on randomly. Other than that, its been great. Only had it 4 month though, but love the wee thing 
Picked up from getting remapped today and its nippy as you need. Good upgrade path with a turbo too. Just bought a Badger 5 TIP to celebrate the good mapping session!!
Picked up from getting remapped today and its nippy as you need. Good upgrade path with a turbo too. Just bought a Badger 5 TIP to celebrate the good mapping session!! 
Aslong as the engines are serviced regulary their fine, if theyve been subject to audi variable service then drop the sump and clean it and the oil pick up pipe. Their nippy remapped but remeber their 1400kg plus in any form. 4wd is mainly feont wheel until they slip then the rears kick in, saves fuel and helps with traction. Tbh mate for the money and spec you cant beat them.
my friend has one for sale which is in the for sale adverts if you check it out
at present which has had service history up to the miles 134k these engines i have always had if you look after them they are bulliet proof
My s3 has been best car ever had drives lovely good on fuel and quick as well it justspending time and money looking after a rare classic now
at present which has had service history up to the miles 134k these engines i have always had if you look after them they are bulliet proof
My s3 has been best car ever had drives lovely good on fuel and quick as well it justspending time and money looking after a rare classic now
45k thats a decent find!! i take it theyre quick when rolling? just looking at a few variants really....mk1 octy vrs s3 and the megane 225. just want reliability and a bit of usable power and some comfert haha!!
Yeah, pretty happy with it. 6 owners, but we'll try not think about that!
Between 2800-5000rpm they are really pretty quick with any sort of remap, by all accounts. The seats are ****** wonderful. The ride could be described as a bit choppy by some supermarket shoppers, but to anyone who likes to throw a car about, its great. Had a Z4 as my previous car and the S3 kills it in comfort, ride and handling. I chop and change my cars a lot, but the S3 is something I see me having for a few years. Famous last words and all that though... Like the look of E46 M3s
cheers for that!! haha i have a bad habit of changing cars. trying to find one i can stick with for a few years!!
phil miller
Registered User
After destroying many a Peugeot and Citroen, I decided I would never buy another French car!
well atm i drive a gti-6 haha but its been quite good to me to be fair. renault has major running and servicing costs that i think would be a bit too exspensive for me tbf. what are the s3's like on fuel just out of curiosity?
Mine was on 29mpg average before the remap, on a probably 50-50 mix of town and motorway driving. As with anything with a turbo, boot it and the economy plummets, drive it gentle and its ultra economical. Best of both!
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- Joined
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I bought mine 2 weeks ago and f.... love it. they are generally in the £4k - 6k price range. If you have time to wait then do so for the right one to come along. I got mine for a steal at 3200 with new m.o.t and FSH and cambelt and waterpump changed last year and done 117k total although you wouldnt think to drive.
the performance/economy is the right balance and for the power this car has you wont get another car matching it which has all the comfort trimmings these have.
I have two slight things to play with so far which are a bit of light bodywork on one wheel arch and wheel alignment. both of these are nothing but you can sure to expect the odd thing when buying a 10 year old car. getting it booked in with midland VW in cannock for full diagnostics and wheel alignment.
gentle driving to work and back I average 30 mpg according to trip computer if i put my foot down and give it some it can drop to mid 20's. I am yet to calculate at the pumps for a true figure. I only got 30mpg in my 1.6 zetec focus because my foot wood constantly be down due to lack of power.
the performance/economy is the right balance and for the power this car has you wont get another car matching it which has all the comfort trimmings these have.
I have two slight things to play with so far which are a bit of light bodywork on one wheel arch and wheel alignment. both of these are nothing but you can sure to expect the odd thing when buying a 10 year old car. getting it booked in with midland VW in cannock for full diagnostics and wheel alignment.
gentle driving to work and back I average 30 mpg according to trip computer if i put my foot down and give it some it can drop to mid 20's. I am yet to calculate at the pumps for a true figure. I only got 30mpg in my 1.6 zetec focus because my foot wood constantly be down due to lack of power.
Think im deffo gonna be looking at these. its pretty much an s3 or mk1 octy vrs. but mapped up and exhaust etc on the vrs sees 215. which is near enough what the s3 are standard.
Nick090884
Registered User
hi ya dude I've had my A3 since Feb this year I came from a GTI-6 and I find the car to be the same power wise as the 6 and fully load with Bose seats and oem hids makes the car feel luxury couldn't ask for more from my A3 so a S3 loaded I say would bring you smiles all day long. I don't see me ever owning a different car Audi's rule
I wanted an S3 8L aswell, but sadly in Denmark they are sort of rare, and quite expensive used.
Example: Audi S3 1,8 T 210 Quattro – dba.dk – Køb og Salg af Nyt og Brugt Thats 17,500 pounds.
I am definetly getting an S3 some day, but probably not the 8L version, even tho i think its the best looking one by far.
Example: Audi S3 1,8 T 210 Quattro – dba.dk – Køb og Salg af Nyt og Brugt Thats 17,500 pounds.
I am definetly getting an S3 some day, but probably not the 8L version, even tho i think its the best looking one by far.
sounds good pal. i used to own an a3 1.8t sport but it was riddled with faults, but it was real good to drive, so comfy haha! think im deffo swaying towards s3 exhaust and a map. should be safe reliable power right?
Nick090884
Registered User
Go for it dude if the insurance wasn't so harsh on a S3 I'd of got one ! I think I'm lucky and have found a good one its a facelift aum and near mint . Just a rear wheel arch to sort as its started to bubble. Good luck dude hope to see some picture soon.
