S3 Known issues

[kev-s]

Im going to start looking at S3's soon and wondered if there are any known issues to look out for?

Will be looking at 2014 & 2015 cars with 40k ish on the clock and will be going for a STronic gearbox

I know the gearbox needs the oil changing at 38k so will look for this in the service history

What known issues are there? anything in particular to look out for?

I'm coming from an 06 plate A4 Avant 2.0T Special Edition (220bhp) which are known to use oil and have a few other known issues, Ive been lucky with mine but want to be more clued up this time round before buying

Thanks

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

Audi don’t really mention this on the service schedule but there should be a haldex service done every 40k along with the s-tronic service.


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[kev-s]

Cheers, i did read that the hadlex is due around the same time somewhere, also read that there is a filter (not sure if is on the STronic box or in the hadlex) that needs to be removed and cleaned and that Audi dont do this when changing the oil

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

Cheers, i did read that the hadlex is due around the same time somewhere, also read that there is a filter (not sure if is on the STronic box or in the hadlex) that needs to be removed and cleaned and that Audi dont do this when changing the oil

That would be the filter for the haldex pump which can get clogged up with gunk. Many people get them done from independent specialists rather than depending on audi to do it. Take a look at this post to see others who have had it done, https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/haldex-gen5-oil-change-and-gauze-clean.379347/

 

[kev-s]

Cool cheers, That's easy enough to do myself so will be the first thing i do once i buy one

 

[Ron240]

Audi don’t really mention this on the service schedule but there should be a haldex service done every 40k along with the s-tronic service.

Just out of curiosity....if it is not on the service schedule then how would an owner be aware of this "haldex service"?
Presumably Audi don't consider it important if its not even on the schedule as an optional item?
Genuine question Just seems strange to me......

 

[MikeParkin]

I had my Haldex serviced last year buy a friend that worked at Audi and I told him to change/clean the filter. When he dropped the car off he said it’s not part of the schedule so just done the oil. So this year I carried out the service my self.

It was quite bad considering the oil was changed.

Anyway, there’s thermostats that go, water pumps that go. The list can get quite large, like any car if something is going to go then it will.

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

Just out of curiosity....if it is not on the service schedule then how would an owner be aware of this "haldex service"?
Presumably Audi don't consider it important if its not even on the schedule as an optional item?
Genuine question Just seems strange to me......

Audi have got haldex as part of the service schedule but they will only change the oil for the haldex coupling system. They don’t take of the pump itself and clean it along with the gauze filter, leaving it to get clogged up with all sorts of funky stuff. I’m with everyone else here, I think it should be part of the service schedule but with that being said, Audi would probably charge quite a bit for that to be done.


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[Hamza_Irfan]

I had my Haldex serviced last year buy a friend that worked at Audi and I told him to change/clean the filter. When he dropped the car off he said it’s not part of the schedule so just done the oil. So this year I carried out the service my self. View attachment 172909
It was quite bad considering the oil was changed.

Anyway, there’s thermostats that go, water pumps that go. The list can get quite large, like any car if something is going to go then it will.

What mileage was that done at?


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[MikeParkin]

My car has 19,000 so would dread to think what it would be like on a higher mileaged car.

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

My car has 19,000 so would dread to think what it would be like on a higher mileaged car.

Mines on 58k, I’ve had the haldex oil changed but not the filter clean doubt the previous owners would have had it done as well!


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[oli356]

@MikeParkin how much more work is it to clean the filter? I don't know the procedure for the oil change really (not read the threads).

 

[kev-s]

Cheers guys, as said first thing ill be doing is the hadlex oil change, filter clean and STronic change when i buy the car

So what else is a known issue, anything particular to look out for when buying? (apart from the usual things when buying a new car)

How is the oil consumption on the S3? any need to top up between services?

I'm using around a litre of oil every 2000 miles in my 06 A4 Avant (Audi don't class the oil consumption an issue until your using a litre every 600 miles!)

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

Cheers guys, as said first thing ill be doing is the hadlex oil change, filter clean and STronic change when i buy the car

So what else is a known issue, anything particular to look out for when buying? (apart from the usual things when buying a new car)

How is the oil consumption on the S3? any need to top up between services?

I'm using around a litre of oil every 2000 miles in my 06 A4 Avant (Audi don't class the oil consumption an issue until your using a litre every 600 miles!)

To be honest, mine doesn’t use much oil at all. I think I’ve only had to use a litre or 2 of top up oil in the 14 months I’ve owned mine. A litre of oil every 2000 miles is very excessive and is indicative of some underlying issues.

The only other issue that I can think of that of that plague the s3 are the water pump and thermostat leaking coolant and needing replacing (the most common issue for the 8v). So checking coolant leaks on the under tray and around the engine is probably a good starting point. Apart from that, they’re generally very good cars for reliability.


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[kev-s]

To be honest, mine doesn’t use much oil at all. I think I’ve only had to use a litre or 2 of top up oil in the 14 months I’ve owned mine. A litre of oil every 2000 miles is very excessive and is indicative of some underlying issues.

The only other issue that I can think of that of that plague the s3 are the water pump and thermostat leaking coolant and needing replacing (the most common issue for the 8v). So checking coolant leaks on the under tray and around the engine is probably a good starting point. Apart from that, they’re generally very good cars for reliability.


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A litre of oil every 2000 miles is very good on the B7 A4 2.0T

Audi don't see it as an issue until your using a litre every 600 miles, bad spec piston rings are the cause and Audi will only rebuild the bottom end if your using a litre every 600 miles

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

A litre of oil every 2000 miles is very good on the B7 A4 2.0T

Audi don't see it as an issue until your using a litre every 600 miles, bad spec piston rings are the cause and Audi will only rebuild the bottom end if your using a litre every 600 miles

Didn’t realise that it was that bad on the B7 A4. I heard that they were bad for timing chains as well.


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[AlS3BE]

A litre of oil every 2000 miles is very good on the B7 A4 2.0T

Audi don't see it as an issue until your using a litre every 600 miles, bad spec piston rings are the cause and Audi will only rebuild the bottom end if your using a litre every 600 miles

That like 15 litres between 10k services. That’s probably more than 2 oil changes worth of oil!!!
I know the first gen Subaru’s were bad and Subaru said 7l between service is acceptable. Can’t see how 15 litres is acceptable, using like £10-15 worth of oil per tank of petrol.
Put it in perspective my last 3 Audi’s didn’t go through 1 litre bottle combined. That’s why I have like 10 1L bottles in my garage. Used to get one every service.

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

That like 15 litres between 10k services. That’s probably more than 2 oil changes worth of oil!!!
I know the first gen Subaru’s were bad and Subaru said 7l between service is acceptable. Can’t see how 15 litres is acceptable, using like £10-15 worth of oil per tank of petrol.

Exactly! How can Audi not see that it’s an excessively absurd amount of oil to go through?


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[kev-s]

It is but luckily mine is good on oil (for a B7 A4) timing chains are another known issue (again Ive been lucky) also there are oil pick up pipe issues (gets gunked up) mainly on cars that have been on longlife service plans (again Ive been lucky and its been serviced every 10'ooo miles) i knew none of this until after i bought the car hence why im getting more clued up on known issues this time around

So back to S3 known issues, so just keep an eye out for all the usual things when buying a new car plus check for coolant leakage around the water pump and thermostat (presume they leak due to a crap gasket?) change the STronic oil, hadlex oil, clean the hadlex filter

 

[msdmjb]

Had my manual s3 54months and 33k miles.
For that entire time I could (but haven't) have left the bonnet down as nowt has gone wrong under there, doesn't use any oil, do the plugs need changed around the 40k mark? Only issue I have had is haldex pump failed at 32k miles after having its oil changed at 25k miles, dealer did not clean the gauze. I got the distinct impression that if the car had not still been under warranty then they would have wanted evidence of haldex oil change.

Fundamentally it is a solid car powered by a common mass produced engine across many models, mine has averaged 32.4mpg so quite economical for the performance available, given their solidity even after tuning suggests the fundamentals are right. Not a great car by any means but a car for covering ground quickly and safely in all conditions it most certainly is whilst looking as anonymous as a 300bhp hatch can be.

If mine was retailed at around 18k it would be a bargain, inside of the car still feels like the day I got it. Buy the right one (ideally from one of the clean 'freaks' on here ) at the right price and it will be a good buy.

 

[MikeParkin]

I’m not Stronic but mine could be up for sale soon with plenty smiles per mile 19,000 miles.

 

[Adam14]

I had my Haldex serviced last year buy a friend that worked at Audi and I told him to change/clean the filter. When he dropped the car off he said it’s not part of the schedule so just done the oil. So this year I carried out the service my self. View attachment 172909
It was quite bad considering the oil was changed.

Anyway, there’s thermostats that go, water pumps that go. The list can get quite large, like any car if something is going to go then it will.

I'm curious, this filter, what does cleaning the filter actually do? Maybe a stupid question, but a dirty/clogged filter - what would happen?

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[Svenedin]

I'm curious, this filter, what does cleaning the filter actually do? Maybe a stupid question, but a dirty/clogged filter - what would happen?

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As I understand it two things are likely to happen with a clogged filter. Firstly the haldex 4wd system stops working properly (other owners have noticed wheelspin in this situation) and eventually the pump fails because it is starved of oil and overworked. A new pump is not catastrophically expensive but a bit daft to let it fail from lack of maintenance. My car has a filter that is cleaned but not replaced, earlier haldex units have a filter that should be replaced at service.

 

[jak kez 187]

Some S3's have a metallic rattling sound at lower revs. It's a fault that has also been found on Golfs as well and there is currently no resolution for it from Audi who say it's just an "engine characteristic". It's more commonly known as 'Wastegate Rattle' , plenty of threads on this forum regarding it.

I had it on mine but could only hear it when I had no music playing what so ever, and even then it wasn't too bad but can be quite annoying.

Just make sure you're comfortable with it before committing to buy, luckily I always have music playing so it was never really much of an issue for me.

 

[Adam14]

As I understand it two things are likely to happen with a clogged filter. Firstly the haldex 4wd system stops working properly (other owners have noticed wheelspin in this situation) and eventually the pump fails because it is starved of oil and overworked. A new pump is not catastrophically expensive but a bit daft to let it fail from lack of maintenance. My car has a filter that is cleaned but not replaced, earlier haldex units have a filter that should be replaced at service.

Thanks, appreciate that, as you say does seem daft for lack of maintenance, curious that Audi don't do anything with this filter then! Will get my local independent to do this after my main service with Audi which should be around 38k miles so S tronic and other bits should be looked at (one would hope).

 

[Jcbmally]

Im going to start looking at S3's soon and wondered if there are any known issues to look out for?

Will be looking at 2014 & 2015 cars with 40k ish on the clock and will be going for a STronic gearbox

I know the gearbox needs the oil changing at 38k so will look for this in the service history

What known issues are there? anything in particular to look out for?

I'm coming from an 06 plate A4 Avant 2.0T Special Edition (220bhp) which are known to use oil and have a few other known issues, Ive been lucky with mine but want to be more clued up this time round before buying

Thanks

Known issues as others have stated.
- Haldex filter, get it done or seek proof it has been done recently.
- S-tronic oil change, get it done or seek proof it has been done recently if required (I'm sure some boxes are sealed ????).
- Water pump/thermostat, tell tale signs are white residue around that area and coolant loss, get it done or seek proof it has been done recently.
- Make sure you take it on a good test drive to check the gearbox changes etc, mine needed replaced (violent changes on downshift).

Apart from that the majority of owners don't have any issues apart from normal wear and tear items. I've stated before on this forum that Audi is a mass produced car so there are bound to be issues hear and there, it's a performance car and they get pushed harder than others. I've had a few Audis and a previous S3 but I'm not letting previous issues put me off them, so much so my new S3 will be here this week.
Buy it, check it, drive it and love it mate

 

[Hamza_Irfan]

I’ve just booked mine in for a haldex oil change and filter clean at Awesomegti in Manchester. They’re charging £99, which I think is quite reasonable.


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[sixlargebeers]

£99 seems pretty good for haldex oil change and filter clean.
Mine's booked with local indie (A for Audi in Glasgow) next week for Haldex filter clean (the oil was done at dealer at last service) for £78.
Air con service also £78.

 

[Mark_86]

Known issues as others have stated.
- Haldex filter, get it done or seek proof it has been done recently.
- S-tronic oil change, get it done or seek proof it has been done recently if required (I'm sure some boxes are sealed ????).
- Water pump/thermostat, tell tale signs are white residue around that area and coolant loss, get it done or seek proof it has been done recently.
- Make sure you take it on a good test drive to check the gearbox changes etc, mine needed replaced (violent changes on downshift).

Apart from that the majority of owners don't have any issues apart from normal wear and tear items. I've stated before on this forum that Audi is a mass produced car so there are bound to be issues hear and there, it's a performance car and they get pushed harder than others. I've had a few Audis and a previous S3 but I'm not letting previous issues put me off them, so much so my new S3 will be here this week.
Buy it, check it, drive it and love it mate

Add to this...

- Steering racks, some cars have had them replaced, listen for a 'clicking' noise on full lock at low speed
- Emissions sensors can go on the fritz sometimes

 

[Chris4410]

Im going to start looking at S3's soon and wondered if there are any known issues to look out for?

Will be looking at 2014 & 2015 cars with 40k ish on the clock and will be going for a STronic gearbox

I know the gearbox needs the oil changing at 38k so will look for this in the service history

What known issues are there? anything in particular to look out for?

I'm coming from an 06 plate A4 Avant 2.0T Special Edition (220bhp) which are known to use oil and have a few other known issues, Ive been lucky with mine but want to be more clued up this time round before buying

Thanks

Mine required a major service at 38K, including the S-tronic oil change. At around 40k they need haldex and brake fluid change, mine is actually booked in for these tomorrow.

 

[Phutters]

At around 40k they need haldex and brake fluid change...

The brake fluid change is determined by time rather than mileage - stipulated at 36 months from new and every 24 months thereafter.

It kind of goes off.

A bit like milk, except that bluetits don't peck holes in the top to get at the cream.

.

 

[Mark_86]

Mine hit 40k, I did the Haldex oil change and S-tronic oil change. Might look at a brake fluid change next month.