Buying 8p , facelift or pre ?

Bainie

Bainie

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Hi,
Tried searching but got 10000 threads on facelifting ... I am looking to buy an S3 , 15k max . This puts me into the facelift age . Is it worth buying a preface lift , especially a lower mileage one , over a facelift ? Or is a facelift worth an extre few miles on the clock / £'s ? As they appear to be the same underneath are cosmetics that important , or is there more to it . New to the Audi world , but wanted one for ages . Also the flat bottomed wheel does it for me !!

Any advice muchly appreciated ...
 
With that budget you're definitely in facelift territory.

It probably depends on the spec you're after and if you're going to modify the vehicle in any way. By this I mean the extra cash you save on getting an older model can be used for your mods.

Most of the changes you'll notice are cosmetic. Personally I thought our facelift looked a little more aggressive than pre facelift but, that might just be me!
Facelift gives you (that I am aware of)
DRL
Different rear light cluster
Different Rear bumper/diffuser
Different Front bumper
Different alloys
Dumbo wing mirrors with built in indicators
Different dash buttons
DIS in white
Aluminium buttons on climate and temp and RNS
Improved Haldex controller
Improved fuel consumption (on paper!)
Improved emissions
Software was updated to give more low down torque and you probably get uprated fuel injectors and pump according to others on threads I've read.

There was also more options added to the list so you might find a facelift with options that aren't available on the pre facelift. Things like parks assist.

For me I'd go facelift to save modifying to the get above :)
 
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As mentioned above, facelift gives not only the cosmetic changes but also few mechanical upgrades too. Especially newer Gen 4 Haldex since it gives better response to slippage and therefore less understeer although there is lot of that without any suspension upgrades anyways, newer rear lights, rear/front bumper & DRLs all this makes the looks less dated and more aggressive.

To add:

Flat bottom steering wheel comes as standard I think
Newer DV
Newer style Alloys
Better RNS-E (faster processor & screen resolution)
White DIS

and probably few more other bits
 
Thanks that is very helpful , looking at a few for sale online the interior on the facelift looks nicer . Quite a few things changed then . Not going to modify it , the idea is to get a decent single car and leave it alone ! Spent too much over the years , especially on my 2 minis ... And fed up with repairing her 320i ... Seen a few very low mileage preface lifts though ....
 
Bainie said:
Thanks that is very helpful , looking at a few for sale online the interior on the facelift looks nicer . Quite a few things changed then . Not going to modify it , the idea is to get a decent single car and leave it alone ! Spent too much over the years , especially on my 2 minis ... And fed up with repairing her 320i ... Seen a few very low mileage preface lifts though ....
Click to expand...

A remap is something to consider, cheap for what it gives. I found that Stage 1 transformed the car massively even more than going from stage 1-2+
 
audi upgrades
Bainie said:
Thanks that is very helpful , looking at a few for sale online the interior on the facelift looks nicer . Quite a few things changed then . Not going to modify it , the idea is to get a decent single car and leave it alone ! Spent too much over the years , especially on my 2 minis ... And fed up with repairing her 320i ... Seen a few very low mileage preface lifts though ....
Click to expand...

There are plenty of S3's around so I'd be putting together of a list of things your car 'must have', colour, mileage etc. Hold out for the right one. I think they're a great all rounder which is why we bought one brand new. If you remember in 2009 times were hard and they couldn't shift cars like this so there were deals to be had. Looking at the price of used Audi S3's on the Audi used car website it seems to indicate that our 5.5 year old car has only lost around 40% of its value :)
 
facelift defo, if u spend that money u want updated look, otherwise u'll we kicking yourself every time u spot facelift with DRL...
...or just save yourself some 4 grand, n go for pre facelift... 4ish grand in your bank will be nice feeling as well...decisions decisions...
 
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Prefacelift, but then I'm biast as I don't like the facelift.

Could get a better spec'd pre facelift for that money, definitely well into the bucket seats territory
 
audi upgrades
Mixed opinions then. ... Reckon a black facelift is the final decision , just need to sell the Bmw & mini then jobs a good un !
 
Job done, just bought a Dolphin Grey Facelift , 3dr ... get it Friday :)

Back to a one car family though ....
 
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I much prefer the pre facelift tbh. I honestly think that the Xenons make the front end more aggressive :)
The pre facelift also has an alloy sub frame where as the face lift doesnt! another plus for the pre facelift ;-)
Shame about the clutch on the pre facelift tho lol....
 
Didn't know about the subframe, is there a definitive list of the differences somewhere , have searched and found lots of bits , but not seen the subframe, I am sure there are more bits & pieces ?

I like the look of the prefacelift lights, especially on silver / sprint blue ones ..
 
image_zpswvrnqxhz.jpg
 
That's nice compkiler , prefer silver in pre ....
 
Compkiler said:
I much prefer the pre facelift tbh. I honestly think that the Xenons make the front end more aggressive :)
The pre facelift also has an alloy sub frame where as the face lift doesnt! another plus for the pre facelift ;-)
Click to expand...

The facelift has Xenons as well though? As well as LED DRLs ;)

Never knew that about the subframe! Every days a school day lol.

The pre facelift has alloy end tanks on the intercooler too I believe, wheras the facelift has plastic :(

Still prefer facelift though :D
 
W
Compkiler said:
Off Ebay. Look for the Heko ones

Nice colour btw ;-)
Click to expand...
What do u search for? Only colour I like except the sprint blue but there rare!
Gonna get my wheels mat black and prob plasti dip the front grill
 
Result mine seems to go up when I do anything at all :) hopefully won't charge me for changing wheel colour etc
 
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I'm with admiral and it ain't to bad 510 a yr with all mods declared
 
Greenlight here at £600ish with everything.
Not bad for the spec list.
 
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