Hi guys, seen an s3 sport back I like, s tronic black edition, white with the black rails, any things to look out for?
Looking to get an S3 sportback
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Full service history.
Items like Haldex service and cam follower done on time.
No evidence of smoking(!) which might indicate turbo oil seals wearing.
Engine should not hesitate or miss under load....coilpacks and plugs may need replacing.
If it's been mapped,look to see that it's been done by someone well known,and that the oil has been changed regularly.
Other than that,they're reliable and tough.
Items like Haldex service and cam follower done on time.
No evidence of smoking(!) which might indicate turbo oil seals wearing.
Engine should not hesitate or miss under load....coilpacks and plugs may need replacing.
If it's been mapped,look to see that it's been done by someone well known,and that the oil has been changed regularly.
Other than that,they're reliable and tough.
How often should the above parts be changed just so I know? And he gearbox is 40k miles or 2 years is it? That's what's in my head from my old a3 tdi dsg
Full service history not too many owners 2 or 3 at a push and see it was a family owned car from new as apposed to company owned, there has been a cam chain problem 2010+ cars, check the threads as I believe Audi have been doing good will gestures on blown engines, which is a bit of an admittance really, rear wash wiper motors tend to go quickly and leak water into the lock mechanism and trigger alarm problems, solid cars in general though and just the odd electrical niggles here and there.
If its a DSG box make sure its had a gearbox oil and filter before 40k, if not and its done say 80k with no change walk away as a repair will cost circa £1500, and a dsg is prone to mechatronics faults if its not had regular servicing.
Cam follower every service as a preventative, especially on a tuned car, Saying that I took mine out at 55k and looked fine with just a bit of minimal wear, the cam followers are supposed to last the life of the car and not a serviceable part, there have been failures though and it a £3000 job to put right.
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pluves1
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All of the above plus
Check all tyres for even wear. Remember you're looking at over £100 per corner (think I paid £125) so make sure its got decent brand of tyres on it as it will affect handling.
The more options the better. Recaro's are highly desirable to some (personally I found them uncomfortable so didn't spec them).
Sat Nav is a nice upgrade. If it doesn't come with the car you can upgrade.
Service history is essential. On the S3 the timing belt should be changed at 60K or 5 years whichever is sooner. If this has been done at an Audi dealer the full kit is used. I had the water pump done on ours as well. After we had this done the cam sensor went after about 500 miles so worth checking if that's been done as its labour intensive.
Depending on what mileage you're looking at I can say that at about 80k suspension bits may need doing at some point. We had a front spring snap so check these and the shockers for signs of oil/leakage.
Check all tyres for even wear. Remember you're looking at over £100 per corner (think I paid £125) so make sure its got decent brand of tyres on it as it will affect handling.
The more options the better. Recaro's are highly desirable to some (personally I found them uncomfortable so didn't spec them).
Sat Nav is a nice upgrade. If it doesn't come with the car you can upgrade.
Service history is essential. On the S3 the timing belt should be changed at 60K or 5 years whichever is sooner. If this has been done at an Audi dealer the full kit is used. I had the water pump done on ours as well. After we had this done the cam sensor went after about 500 miles so worth checking if that's been done as its labour intensive.
Depending on what mileage you're looking at I can say that at about 80k suspension bits may need doing at some point. We had a front spring snap so check these and the shockers for signs of oil/leakage.
I run Avon ZZ5 tyres at £80 a corner fitted and balanced from Formula one Autocenters, very underrated tyre good dry and wet grip, quiet and long wearing.
Seen a few but I'm out off with the higher mileage ones (6-70k plus) I've seen a nice example, black just had haldex and s tronic service and oil and filter change. Think that's up for 17425
Test the Stronic box changes nice and smooth up and down, all through the range of gears, use the full auto mode, the gear lever and the paddles. Listen out for whine 60 to 70 mph (turn the radio off). £17k should buy you a sub 50k. car with full Audi s/h. Don't be too concerned about the year, condition is paramount here.
Abz17
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I've seen an white one, the colour I mainly wanted for 16.800 60k on clock. See I like to get a low mileage one so when I come to sell its one fairly good mileage. What would a 10 plate be worth in 4 years time with say 90-100k on?
Test drove one today, loved it, put a deposit down, now seen a white one, black edition, with 30k for 17,800
Got my deposit back lads, pick this one up tomorrow, only thing is I can't remember wether the cambelt had been changed on the service history, so if not I'm gonna try get them to pay for it, is the cam follower changed on one? Or do I have to ask for it to be done? Is the diy easy enough to do?
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I've had a quick look at some guides, just without seeing a 2.0 engine before , I've obviously not a clue where n what's what lol
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Yeah cool, I'll have to check what revision dv it has too won't I. Pick it up tomorrow morning so I'll have a good look around when I get home
Saying that I have a 110 mile trip in it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so I'll get a good test of its mpg lol
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Two types D which is hard piston g which is rubber diaphragm piston.
D tends to stick apparently and G tends to split under high boost pressure. I'll be going for a GFB DV before I go stage 2
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Trying to cruise driving an S3 I'll give you 20 miles before the cruise control comes off and you go playing with torque
lol
Can somebody confirm the cambelt interval age and mileage for a 60 plate? As if it is 100% 5 years I can get it done for free
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Get accustomed! They're tuneable engines and most parts as easily accessed
/\ /\
This is definitely true,even if the thing still needs a laptop as well as a box of spanners,and a smart engineer.
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Not collected yet, they confirmed it does need a belt doing, along with brakes all round and a rear passenger door module, collect it at 4-5ish today and taking it back for the cambelt in a fortnight as I need the car for work this week
I know just out of habit I say cambelt, but I thought they had both anyway? And Audi U.K. confirmed that it's 120k or 5 year for the interval
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Belt to drive the inlet cam,and chain connecting inlet and exhaust cams(or maybe the other way round,but you get the picture).
