S3 8V buyers guide?

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grantlowery

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Hi All,

First post..take it easy on me!

I was initially in the market for a golf R but can't seem to find the one for the right price, the stock alloys really put me off and the build quality maybe doesn't seem as good as the S3?

I've got a budget of 21k and was wondering if this would stretch to a good S3, preferably s tronic?

Can I find a good S3 for 21k and if so what do I look for in terms of milage, spec etc? Or shall I stick with the Golf R as they're seem to be more on the market for this sort of money!

Thanks,

Grant
 
I will sell you my car for £23k with 25k miles and it's exceedingly well looked after lol

For £21000 expect a low optioned car with over 30k miles

The used S3 market is bit of a minefield as there's a good few factors that determine the prices ie... S1tronic "car's are more expensive as are higher spec cars, manual S3's with a normal spec, yeah you'll get one no problem for £21k with 20k odd miles
 
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I've been looking at the used market for S3 for a good while now and with a budget of £21k it is possible.

Seen a couple of fairly low mileage 14plates with decent spec pop up under £22k, but they don't hang around for long...

My main criteria is that it has the tech pack (can easily see but the fact it has the larger centre screen) and parking sensors.

I'm not in the market for one anymore, but still look now and again.
 
jassyo06 said:
I will sell you my car for £23k with 25k miles and it's exceedingly well looked after lol

For £21000 expect a low optioned car with over 30k miles

The used S3 market is bit of a minefield as there's a good few factors that determine the prices ie... S1tronic "car's are more expensive as are higher spec cars, manual S3's with a normal spec, yeah you'll get one no problem for £21k with 20k odd miles
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, if I was to go S tronic how many miles should I be looking at? Any issues to look out for?
 
grantlowery said:
Thanks for your reply, if I was to go S tronic how many miles should I be looking at? Any issues to look out for?
Click to expand...

Again it's all down to the condition of the car, this should reflect how it's been driven,also a poor looking interior should reflect this as well Audi's leather is too soft hence if it ain't been looked after well you'll see this..
 
53000 miles, that's had some use!

Prefer the Floret one, but would bite Jassy's hand off for his mint, fully loaded one, low mileage instead.
 
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TDI-line said:
53000 miles, that's had some use!

Prefer the Floret one, but would bite Jassy's hand off for his mint, fully loaded one, low mileage instead.
Click to expand...


Yeah mate its a bargain
IMAG0577
IMAG0549
 
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Best S3 colour.... period.
 
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No way you can make it work? I'm doing the same just now but with a new car. I'm just about there to make it a goer! A couple of less takeaways a week/month to have the car you want?? Stay in one Saturday night and stay off the sauce?? Wee things can add up quickly. All depends what's ultimately important to you. But also appreciate that you don't get yourself into something that you can't sustain.
 
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I could afford more but want to stick with my £21k budget...maybe it's best that I do go for the Golf R if that's the case?
 
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I really like the R and that's still in the mix, albeit a distant second to the S3 for me. However, you'll get a decent R younger with less miles and DSG for 21k than you would an S3. The S3 holds its value more, it is a bit more expensive to begin with. Have you driven them both?? I know a few who prefer the R to the S3 and vice versa! I wouldn't worry about build quality of the R. Any car can have rattles or be a "Friday" car! You just need to pick carefully and ensure you're making the right decision for you! Most on here will be biased towards the S3. My current A3 is my first Audi and it's yet to be into the dealer for anything other than servicing (touch wood). It's build quality is superb so I'm happy to stay with Audi but bump up the trim levels.
But, you must drive a good few of each before you make your mind up. Just don't pay the screen price of any car you like.
 
That's great advice @Scottyg thanks!

Living in the city centre having DSG/S tronic is important.

The S3's do seem to hold their value better and would rather have one but I'm not sure I'll find one with the spec unless I want if I don't go for a slightly higher mileage. Anything I need to look out for with an S3 on say 40/50k?
 
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Not having an S3 yet, the main thing I've read on here is for the S-Tronic to be fully checked and ensure the Haldex system's been serviced. There's plenty people on here who can give you specifics. Apart from those two, drive any car you go look at on the roads you normally drive, ie your commute to work and back.
 
Scottyg said:
No way you can make it work? I'm doing the same just now but with a new car. I'm just about there to make it a goer! A couple of less takeaways a week/month to have the car you want?? Stay in one Saturday night and stay off the sauce?? Wee things can add up quickly. All depends what's ultimately important to you. But also appreciate that you don't get yourself into something that you can't sustain.
Click to expand...

That's man maths at its best right there Scotty!

I tried the takeaway every other week reasoning with the wife when I bought my Mini as I was pushing the monthlies a bit more than she'd like. When it came to the S3 I went with packed lunch to work rather than a supermarket meal deal everyday reasoning. She was having none of it, that's why I'm driving an entry level S3 with no options in Ibis white.

FYI the takeaway thing lasted about 6 weeks and it was back to weekly lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Hi Grant

For specific items to watch out for on used S3's read my post and others in the below thread.

The Haldex and DSG gear box service as others have mentioned is also an important point now that some of the first cars are @3 +years old and hitting 30k+ miles.

Here is the thread with many useful pointers:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/2013-s3-8v-3-door-test-drive.282804/#post-2781275

Generally speaking the S3's are great cars and very reliable if maintained correctly. At your budget for a DSG car you will either be looking at a higher mileage example or / and a car with limited spec.

As others have suggested if you can squueze a little more from your budget you will get a car with some nice options which will make the entire experience far more pleasant 3-6 months down the line once the initial excitement of the purchase has worn off. As an example at £22k which is only 1k higher the world opens up, and ofcourse just a little more gets you into cars like Jassy's. But its all relative.

As you have noted, 3 door hatch is the cheapest of the cars, with 5 door Sportbacks and Saloons trading at a premium. Cars with Auto DSG boxes also trade at a premium as this was a relatively expensive item new. Options like Tech Pack High, Comfort pack and B&O sound system will make for a nice car. Small items like Mono Pur , LED Interior light package can also really lift the interior of the car. Others options will probably be out of your current budget, ie LED headlights, Pano Roof and Reversing Canera etc.

You will get a better spec and potentially newer lower mileage Golf R at the same price point as they do not hold their money as well as the S3. Also look at the Seat cousin if performance and spec is more of a priority over the badge on the front of the car. All based on the same MBQ platform.

Good luck on your hunt and hopefully you can get into an S3 which you will be happy with and we aee you on here soon!

All the best
Jungle
 
Last edited:
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grantlowery said:
That's great advice @Scottyg thanks!

Living in the city centre having DSG/S tronic is important.

The S3's do seem to hold their value better and would rather have one but I'm not sure I'll find one with the spec unless I want if I don't go for a slightly higher mileage. Anything I need to look out for with an S3 on say 40/50k?
Click to expand...

There's a few on the Audi site too, within your budget, maybe worth a look...

https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar...6398,800,cGU3IDN6eg|1051,22500/l|12,1,t_geo,U

https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar...6398,800,cGU3IDN6eg|1051,22500/l|12,1,t_geo,U

https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar...6398,800,cGU3IDN6eg|1051,22500/l|12,1,t_geo,U

https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar...6398,800,cGU3IDN6eg|1051,22500/l|12,1,t_geo,U
 
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jungle650 said:
Hi Grant

For specific items to watch out for on used S3's read my post and others in the below thread.

The Haldex and DSG gear box service as others have mentioned is also an important point now that some of the first cars are @3 +years old and hitting 30k+ miles.

Here is the thread with many useful pointers:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/2013-s3-8v-3-door-test-drive.282804/#post-2781275

Generally speaking the S3's are great cars and very reliable if maintained correctly. At your budget for a DSG car you will either be looking at a higher mileage example or / and a car with limited spec.

As others have suggested if you can squueze a little more from your budget you will get a car with some nice options which will make the entire experience far more pleasant 3-6 months down the line once the initial excitement of the purchase has worn off. As an example at £22k which is only 1k higher the world opens up, and ofcourse just a little more gets you into cars like Jassy's. But its all relative.

As you have noted, 3 door hatch is the cheapest of the cars, with 5 door Sportbacks and Saloons trading at a premium. Cars with Auto DSG boxes also trade at a premium as this was a relatively expensive item new. Options like Tech Pack High, Comfort pack and B&O sound system will make for a nice car. Small items like Mono Pur , LED Interior light package can also really lift the interior of the car. Others options will probably be out of your current budget, ie LED headlights, Pano Roof and Reversing Canera etc.

You will get a better spec and potentially newer lower mileage Golf R at the same price point as they do not hold their money as well as the S3. Also look at the Seat cousin if performance and spec is more of a priority over the badge on the front of the car. All based on the same MBQ platform.

Good luck on your hunt and hopefully you can get into an S3 which you will be happy with and we aee you on here soon!

All the best
Jungle
Click to expand...
Don't think he needs anymore advice as it's all been summed perfectly in your post mate
 
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