S3 cam belt or timing chain ?

Scotty75

Scotty75

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Afternoon peeps
First post in a long while …… Off to look at and quite likely buy an 66 plate S3 at the weekend. Lovely spec and feeling pretty excited !

Was hoping someone here could tell me though if this year of S3 has a timing chain or cam belt ? If the latter , what’s the change recommendation for it

Ta
 
Scotty75 said:
Afternoon peeps
First post in a long while …… Off to look at and quite likely buy an 66 plate S3 at the weekend. Lovely spec and feeling pretty excited !

Was hoping someone here could tell me though if this year of S3 has a timing chain or cam belt ? If the latter , what’s the change recommendation for it

Ta
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Chain
 
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Check the Haldex has been serviced including internal pump gauze cleaned, this should be done every 10k. Also the DSG oil+filter charged at 38k. Although some S3 are listed as long life servicing (oil+filter every 2yrs) it's better it's changed annually for the health of the engine. So what I'm saying is check the service history if the car looks decent it doesn't necessarily mean it's been maintained well but hopefully it has.
Good luck with the viewing & fingers crossed it meets your expectations :icon thumright:
 
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Thanks Harvey . Good advice . The one I’m looking at is actually a 6 speed manual Quattro. Fully loaded, will definitely look thoroughly at its history.
 
Scotty75 said:
Thanks Harvey . Good advice . The one I’m looking at is actually a 6 speed manual Quattro. Fully loaded, will definitely look thoroughly at its history.
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Plenty will tell you not to buy a manual and say STronic is faster through the gears (and it is once it has got its act together) but not all of us are as blind or forgiving of the "characteristics" of the auto box.
Manual 'box factory clutches are weak though so make sure it doesn't slip. They usually only last 15-30k and won't hold the extra torque of an engine tune. An uprated clutch really is a must when it's time to replace it. A 6-8hr job and expect a £1k bill including a new DM flywheel.
 
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Another question if anyone can help, I’m sure it’s a facelift 8v . Late 2016 with matrix LED’s etc . Is it possible to fit the R/S style grille without screwing up sensors , parking and ACC ?
 
Scotty75 said:
Could you explain a little more on that George
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lets just say if you were in a 70mph limit in 5th or 6th and you went for a very fast overtake , if you plant it full throttle and the rev counter jumps maybe 2000rpm without any significant speed increase then it's a sign the clutch is slipping and not able to handle the torque. most noticeable in higher gears
 
Mine first started slipping when caning it, applying WOT immediately after 3rd to 4th changes. Very rarely did it just slip in gear under throttle but definitely was starting to do that and deteriorating. I know the clutch hadn't been abused or "ridden" a I've had the car from new.
Choice at that point is to replace the clutch or sell the car so be careful. Plenty of tales of how some dealers will try anything not to replace it, including saying it's how you have been driving the car since you drove it off their forecourt.
So don't hold back and drive it hard to test the clutch before buying.
 
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Thanks Matt, all makes sense now. A lot to consider. I do have a second S3 that I could go for but less spec. 2017 with less mileage but from what I gather the S3 got dulled down after 2016 unless I’m wrong
 
Scotty75 said:
Thanks Matt, all makes sense now. A lot to consider. I do have a second S3 that I could go for but less spec. 2017 with less mileage but from what I gather the S3 got dulled down after 2016 unless I’m wrong
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Yes, Audi stopped selling S3s with manual gearboxes LOL.
Particulate filters were fitted with a slight power reduction and less noise from the exhaust..
 
As said. If you buy a manual (as I did) factor into the cost that will probably need to replace the clutch at some point soon. Not all the clutches are total crap but most of them are. Get an uprated one fitted (tuning or not) dont bother refitting the stock rubbish.

Yes the auto box is quicker and an uprated clutch is heavier and moderately annoying in traffic, but personally I didnt like how clunky the auto box felt especially when decelerating up to roundabouts etc. Maybe that was just the one I test drove, and maybe that was a sign that a 6 grand bill was in the making for when the warranty ran out. Who knows. If tuning is your goal then perhaps an auto is the better choice as it takes the clutch out of the equation.
 
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Scotty75 said:
Thanks Matt, all makes sense now. A lot to consider. I do have a second S3 that I could go for but less spec. 2017 with less mileage but from what I gather the S3 got dulled down after 2016 unless I’m wrong
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Facelift got an extra 10hp over PFL up to a 68 plate in 2018 when particulate filters were added and that extra 10hp was lost along with some exhaust noise and loss of port fuel injection so intake valves more likely to gunk up over time.

Facelifts (2017+) were all STronic IIRC so the loss of manual gearbox was the only dilution (opinions may vary on that). Facelift also has a better 7 speed S-Tronic box than the 6 speed PFL S-Tronic

Assuming it’s stock and not retrofitted, easy way to tell PFL from FL is whether the bottom of the headlight clusters are curved (PFL) or have a ‘tooth’ sticking down (FL).

Yes both engines are chain driven with expectation that lasts the lifetime of the car.
 
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JohnM100 said:
Facelifts (2017+) were all STronic IIRC so the loss of manual gearbox was the only dilution (opinions may vary on that). Facelift also has a better 7 speed S-Tronic box than the 6 speed PFL S-Tronic.
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Noooo, but not far off. FLs started delivery in July 2016 and the manual option was I believe removed around a year later. But manual FLs are rare.
 
Scotty75 said:
So could be a lucky find for me then
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If you’re after a manual facelift S3 there’s loads on Autotrader if that one falls through. I was looking for one for a while just couldn’t make up my mind wether to go manual or auto. What swayed your decision to go manual.
 
Happy to say we finally took the plunge for an S3 today. Not the one we originally planned on. 3 hour round trip to look at that one and lo and behold …….. Clutch slipping badly in 3rd and 4th gear.
Dealer tried all sorts to get us to buy it but walked away.

Went to Portsmouth Audi and bought a FL 2017 , 44k on the clock , new clutch fitted. Lovely car and ****** me it’s quick. Navarra Blue.

collect it Tuesday , can’t wait . Big thanks to all here for the advice as you’ve saved me from a £1600 clutch DMF repair !!
 
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Scotty75 said:
Happy to say we finally took the plunge for an S3 today. Not the one we originally planned on. 3 hour round trip to look at that one and lo and behold …….. Clutch slipping badly in 3rd and 4th gear.
Dealer tried all sorts to get us to buy it but walked away.

Went to Portsmouth Audi and bought a FL 2017 , 44k on the clock , new clutch fitted. Lovely car and ****** me it’s quick. Navarra Blue.

collect it Tuesday , can’t wait . Big thanks to all here for the advice as you’ve saved me from a £1600 clutch DMF repair !!
Click to expand...
What did the dealer say regarding the slipping clutch? Weren't they prepared to replace the clutch or offer a discount for you to replace it?
+1 for Navarra. A very classy S3 colour.
 
I'm amazed they are selling the car with an obviously knackered clutch. I'm guessing they were hoping someone would drive it without booting it and not notice. Awful dealer.
 
After a test drive we confronted the dealer who denied any knowledge of the clutch issue . He drove it and tried palming us off but we told him to floor it in 4th……. His face dropped !

He did offer to do the clutch but having heard him on the phone to a garage , it seemed he was only going to do the clutch and not the DMF. He also offered a £1000 that he would reimburse if we left the finance as it was.

Being honest at that point , the trust was gone. Aside of the clutch I’ve got a feeling the S3 may have been poorly mapped. Engine and exhaust didn’t sound the way I expected an S3 should.

Went to Portsmouth Audi, as soon as we fired up the 2017 S3 everything was different , engine and exhaust sprang to life instantly! Right from the start it was the S3 for us and also just had a new clutch. Plus all the usual Audi warranty to back it up .

Collection at 3pm today !!!!!! Oh and some detailing kit ordered from Slim’s as well
 
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Sounds like a blessing and you now have a better car :)
 
Lol …… yeah I remember that rule . Photos tomorrow after I’ve detailed the S3 !!!
 
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Photos of the freshly detailed Navarra S3 in the detailing thread


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Scotty75 said:
Thanks John, really love the Navarra paint , almost a hint purple in there. Feels like a big step up from our A3 2.0 tdi s- line.


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A3 -> S3 is a step you won’t regret, and unlikely to go back. More planted than an A3, and quattro out of a bend or roundabout: whahay! Fuel needs a bigger wallet very few buy an S3 if that’s a constraint. 40mpg very doable but that can be destroyed in one blast of legal fun.

Welcome to #TeamNavarra - really pops in the summer sun but somewhat muted in winter.

Keep on top of your exhaust tip cleaning as they carbon up and pit easily, unless you want the stealth look.

Rite of passage is finding a tunnel or solid high-sided road, driving in Dynamic with the windows down and roof open (if you have one) - you don’t have to cane it but challenge you not to grin.

…and the main thing - enjoy!
 
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JohnM100 said:
A3 -> S3 is a step you won’t regret, and unlikely to go back. More planted than an A3, and quattro out of a bend or roundabout: whahay! Fuel needs a bigger wallet very few buy an S3 if that’s a constraint. 40mpg very doable but that can be destroyed in one blast of legal fun.

Welcome to #TeamNavarra - really pops in the summer sun but somewhat muted in winter.

Keep on top of your exhaust tip cleaning as they carbon up and pit easily, unless you want the stealth look.

Rite of passage is finding a tunnel or solid high-sided road, driving in Dynamic with the windows down and roof open (if you have one) - you don’t have to cane it but challenge you not to grin.

…and the main thing - enjoy!
Click to expand...

I hear ya regarding fuel, tank of V-power isn’t the cheapest right now ! The hind head tunnel near Guildford will be getting a visit soon for sure

The Matrix LED’s on our S3 are smoked with some sort of film and I’ve noticed a couple of small spots where the film has chipped.

Any ideas how easy or difficult it would be to remove the film ?


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Scotty75 said:
I hear ya regarding fuel, tank of V-power isn’t the cheapest right now ! The hind head tunnel near Guildford will be getting a visit soon for sure

The Matrix LED’s on our S3 are smoked with some sort of film and I’ve noticed a couple of small spots where the film has chipped.

Any ideas how easy or difficult it would be to remove the film ?


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Pretty easy to remove once you apply a little heat, nice car mate.
 
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Scotty75 said:
Would a hair dryer do the job ?


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Yup, doesn’t take a lot of heat but don’t be to over enthusiastic :thumbs up:
 
Jcbmally said:
Yup, doesn’t take a lot of heat but don’t be to over enthusiastic :thumbs up:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip mate , job for the weekend I think . Being honest I’m not overly keen on the smoked look.


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Exhaust valve delete modules fitted today , pleaded with the improvement in exhaust sound . Not too much but enough and we’ll worth £30 off the bay !

Did a maintenance wash and wax and dressed the new PS4’s with Fireball Ultimate. Productive afternoon


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