SHOULD I UPGRADE FROM AN A3 TDi 130 TO S3 2002, NEED ADVICE PLS??????

[rui7]

Hi,
I bought a 2003 audi 8L TDi sport 130bhp last year. I really like the car. My last car was a 1994 1.3 Toyota corolla so Im very happy with the new speed of the TDi.

But Ive always loved the S3 8L and now I have spotted a 2002 one which ticks all the boxes but Im unsure if its worth the change. Here are some reasons, can anyone out there tell me Im wrong or advise on an S3 buy and if its worth it??

1) The A3 TDi 130bhp has more torque than an S3. I keep hearing its all about the torque so is the S3 gonna be that much faster that the A3??

2) Im currently getting about 500 miles on a 55 litre tank of diesel. If I drive hard I get between 400 and 450. If I drive careful I can get close to 600 miles on a tank. The S3 (225bhp) is quoted as having an MPG of 30. Can any S3 owners tell me how much miles they can on a full tank at different driving styles? (think the S3 tank is a 60L)

3)My current A3 service costs are 150 quid. Will the 2002 S3 services costs be much more. I hear they need haldex oil which is the biggest cost but do they need specialist audi servicing?

4) Is there much of a cosmetic difference if any between a 2002 S3 8L and a 2003 S3 8L?

5) Will an S3 make me smile everytime I look out the window at it and everytime I turn over the engine or put the foot to the floor?


Any advice appreciated?

Rui

 

[s3dave]

5, Yes

 

[jdas03]

Firstly i'd say yes it is worth the change, but i own one so probably biased!

Performance wise the S3 will be alot quicker! especially if remapped, with big states of tune it can be a very fast car.
4wd is great as well for traction in all weathers.

I can get 35mpg on the motorway in mine, and about 28 around town, i dont often fill it up and drive to empty but im sure someone can give you a figure of miles to a full tank!

Servicing will be more expensive as its a more expensive car.
From 2001 the S3 had a facelift, anything after that has the new lights, engine and some interior tweaks but all are very minor really, so yes 2002 and 2003 will be the same!

For me i love the car, its subtle but nice looking with flared arches, very comfortable to drive at low speeds and when you put your foot down or launch it out of a corner or off a roundabout you'll get a big smile!

All in all its a great car and i'd recommend the upgrade

 

[rui7]

Thanks for the replies.

I love the look of the S3 8L too. I practically drool everytime I see one!

Im from Ireland, the S3 I noticed for sale was a 2002, 76K on the clock. The seller is looking for 9990 euro. I reckon I cud get him down to 9k. thats about 7000 sterling. I know theres S3s on sale in the UK for 5-6k but Id have to pay VRT tax of about 2500-3000 euro to import into Ireland.

The milege is good for a 2002 so Im thinking the price might not be too bad.

 

[jojo]

If mpg is an issue, then it's not a worthwhile upgrade, not with the fuel prices going up they way they are!

I'm not saying don't buy an S3 of course, I'm a big fan of them! really depends on where your priorities lie.

 

[fingermouse]

S3 will give you 300-330 to a tank, No diff 2002 to 2003.

 

[finesse]

I get 400 to a tank of 60litres, mainly motorway

servicing is not much different to the tdi, apart from the haldex service bi-annually

only noticeable difference will be insurance, tyres and some parts cost more

swap the tdi for an S3 & remap it = smiles

 

[Ash B]

I always say if you can afford to buy, run and maintain the top of the range model in this case 8L S3. DO IT
Plus your always gonna have the itch for the S3 till you get one!

 

[finesse]

Ben, when you getting your S3 8l

 

[Westy]

I get anywhere between 250-300 miles and 24mpg but I do a lot of short journeys. Best i've seen on a full motorway journey was 33mpg and the light coming on at 400 miles!

One thing to remember is that these cars are fast approaching 10+ years old and will need work to suspension and possible turbo or clutch so try and find a car that has had the suspension done as a minimum or it might cost you a bit in maintenance costs.

I've been replacing parts on a monthly basis but I'm a bit anal and like anything thats slightly worn to be in tip top shape. On the flip side though I am only just about to replace my shocks and springs after 122K miles and a load of Nurburgring abuse

 

[Ash B]

Ben, when you getting your S3 8l

Haha
Was hoping to try and get one in the summer or end of this year once my current project done.
But not working at the moment so thats stopped all planslol
Doesnt helping seeing my mate and his noggy blue 8L. I'll get one i've got the itch and i need to scratch it but dont want to have two cars and be modding both i'll end up poor lol

 

[S3 Rav]

I used to do alot of motorway milege in mine and easily used to get 350 miles to a full tank, that also included being stuck in London traffic. Now I do mainly shortish journeys of about 12 miles each way. I've gone from about 30-35 mpg to 25-30 mpg with a tank now lasting about 300ish miles or slightly more. As said though if mpg and petrol is a big factor the s3 isn't for you.
As for will you look back at it, put it this way I've had my s3 3 years and still look out the window when I can or have a cheeky look back when ive parked up and still get compliments on how much of a good all rounder it is.
Hope that helps bud.

 

[DavidW]

Petrol is surely the biggest factor here. You are not going to get anything like decent economy out of it, it's just not that kind of car. The best I've ever seen on the DIS was 35 on a trip from Lancs to Scottish borders, part motorway part clear a-roads. Now that is ok but I'd think your diesel should be touching 50+ on the same sort of run.

On the other hand look at it, mine is nearly 10 years old and I still think it's a fantastic looking car. It just seems to sit so well on it's wheels. It manages to look purposeful without looking chavvy like most other hot hatches. I don't drive mine much now but everytime I do it amazes me just how well it drives for, again, a car that is nearly 10 years old.

If you can afford the fuel and slight increase in other running costs (tyres, tax etc) go for it, I'm sure you won't regret it.

 

[MartayMcFly]

1) Yes. BHP isn't the be all and end all, but neither in torque. The TDi might be a shade quicker to respond from low revs, but the S3 is definitely faster.

2) I get between 300 and 350 from a tank, usually see anywhere from 16 to 20mpg driving around town, had it up to 36mpg for a long trip up slow roads.

3) Servicing is probably much the same price, but any fixes will cost you more on the S3. Maybe not, but I'm pretty suer just about every part/consumable costs more.

4) The only cosmetic difference is the numbers on the plate, there was no difference between the first of the 2001 (?) facelifts and the last of the 2003s.

5) Yes. Very, very yes. Every day, every time you plant your foot, ever time you spot another 8L and remember just how good they look on the road. Maybe not every time you turn over the engine... some sound quite diesely on start-up.

 

[rui7]

Thanks for all the info people! much appreciated.

Im single, no mortgage and no kids but dont have huge wages from my job so it would be a tight squeeze with the running costs.

I was working it out today. At the moment with the TDi, Im paying about 140 euro per month on diesel. With S3, Id be filling it 3 times a month and spending about 250 euro a month at current petrol prices (1.45 per litre here in Ireland, getting ripped off!!!) So thats 100, extra per month, then theres the extra insurance which would cost an extra 400 per year. I know a very good mechanic who wont charge over the top so my service costs wont be that different.

lol Im just trying really hard to convince myself its ok to get an S3... its working....

Well, Im going to test drive a 2002 this weekend. Never driven one b4 so want to test it out. I'll prob fall in love with it after the test drive and want to buy one then for sure!

I think the 8L looks alot better than the 8P. Its more chunkier looking.

I will report back after my test drive

Cheers,

Rui

 

[Poke13]

I just got 295 miles on a tank but that was 90% short journeys this time and driving like a granny except for a spirited 25 mile motorway drive.

Overall on that tank I took it pretty easy and thought 295miles wasn't bad, the read out was tellin me I still had 25 miles til empty. When I filled it with V-Power and it took 56.3 litres!!! To the grand tune of £76.51! Luckily that only happens every month!

If fuel economy is a big factor I wouldnt recommend it, if I were doing anywhere near 20miles a day I would change I think but each person has their own reasons. I still love the car though ever since I got it, it definately is that type of car that makes you grin as you see it on your drive/in a car park, sneaky, stealthy, quality

 

[sportstractor]

Yeah some accurate info here, if you don't mind spending the extra money for fuel then it's worth. Well if you ain't married now, you will be when you get an s3, even if you look like the elephant man. The lady's love s3s

 

[Stanley]

Two completely different cars.

S3 is miles faster. Diesels 'feel' fast but quickly run out of puff when you stretch their legs.

Get the S3, you WILL love it!

 

[Sean_S3]

If you work hard and pay your way then there is no reason to convince yourself not to buy an S3. Believe me it will feel like a rocket compared to the diesel once the S3 gets into its stride, and then there's the seats and interior which is a nice place to be and still holds its own compared to modern cars. Had mine for 2 years and will most likey still have it in another 2 years time.

 

[rui7]

Hi,

Well, I went and test drove a 2002 S3 today. It had 101k miles on the clock. I was very dissappointed. It wasnt anywhere as near as fast as I thought it would be. It even felt slower than my TDi 130!!!

It might be down to the fact that the car may have been poorly maintained over the years, Im not sure. I was in 5th gear on the motorway, planted the foot and it gave a very small acceleration..... Maybe im too used to driving the diesel so Im changing gears too quickly but going up thru the gears didnt thrill me at all!!

I asked the owner about the haldex oil changes and he didnt know what I was on about. mmmm Anyways, Im testing another one next week if its still on sale and if that doesnt impress me I will gladly stay with the TDi. Even when I got back into the TDi and put the foot down, the difference in acceleration was totally noticeable. Thats what I wanted to feel is the S3 though...

I'll see what the next car is like. Its another 2002, with 70k miles done. Should be interesting.

Rui

 

[Ian W]

It sounds like you drove a dodgy one, the S3 should feel noticeably quicker than a diesel!

 

[a3tdi2001]

Your 130 TDI produces more torque than an S3, 229 lb/ft vs 207lb/ft.
At 55mpg vs sub 30mpg I'd stick with the TDI and spend the rest on a holiday or something.

 

[jdas03]

That's strange... The S3 should feel quicker like all have said!
I remember when I first got the car planting it on the motorway in 5th and feeling the surge, great feeling and that's what it should feel like.
That one sounds like a dodgy one and if the owner didn't know about haldex changes then I'm sure it's not greatly maintained.
Don't forget as well the s3 maps well ;-) if you want more torque and power it's easy to come by with an s3!

 

[rui7]

When I planted the foot it didnt respond at all but then the rev counter gave a sudden jump. would this suggest turbo lag problems?

Does the haldex oil change need to be done bi-annually or annually?

Lastly, if re-mapping a car, I'm assuming the extra torque/bhp will have a knock on effect on all parts of the car due. i.e Parts will wear quicker, increased vibration will lead to parts loosening quicker. I'd believe Audi have designed the car so that the standard engine is working within its limits so there would be room for increased output. Just wondering has anyone had any problems with their cars a few months after a re-map?

Rui

 

[JS1500]

When I planted the foot it didnt respond at all but then the rev counter gave a sudden jump

Clutch slipping perhaps?

Does the haldex oil change need to be done bi-annually or annually?

Every 20k miles i think.

Lastly, if re-mapping a car, I'm assuming the extra torque/bhp will have a knock on effect on all parts of the car...

Don't worry too much. A remap will make you happy.
Somewhere that checks your car over first and does before/after rolling road runs would be my choice (R-Tech or Badger5 for example).

 

[sportstractor]

ha, well the tdi are quicker to deliever the torque. You have to drive an S3 differently. Like said they have more torque so you really have to use the revs, rather than changing at 3k like you normally would But I used to have a TDI golf running around 140 and my s3 is muuuuuucccccch quicker. Also s3s dont feel very torquey on the standard map, remap changes that though.