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[Audi A3/S3] S3 225 (2003) - Reliable or Not?


syphuric
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Living with it is fine. The boot is big enough for most things & the seats fold down okish for bigger things.

There is an issue with rear space, but it is a 3dr hatch.

You will get 20-25 mpg av. 35 mpg is possible at steady motorway speeds. The car's noise is quite rough and it is quite loud at motorway speeds, but it is comfortable, looks good is less than 2.0l (good for future green taxes??) and has decent performance.

The issues you will get are 'wear and tear' such as the MAF/Coilpacks/Brushes maybe turbo hoses, but all these parts are easy to get hold of and quite cheap. There are other issues such as synorcromesh failing or the clutch (esp. if chipped), but it is a machine and faults will occur.

I have had nothing that has left me stranded. A few problems, but you expect that..

What colour are you going for?

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Black, 18" inch RS6 allow (I believ), black leather heated seats and BOSE, normal upgrades really. I don't believe it is chipped (doubt I'll be doing that either). I have to admit it does look good smile.gif

Whenever I see one on the road (rare, but it does happen!) I do think they are nice.

Just stressing as have been running a Passat TDi for the last year or so, which has cost next to nothing and has been good.

As you say, it is a machine. They can go wrong, like anything. Guess if you try it kindly, then like most things, it will last !! smile.gif

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All I would say is make sure the engine is warm before using the rev range and enjoy!! smile.gif

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Thats a great peice of advice for any owner, but you gotta hope that previous owners followed that strategy too when buying used. Its a gamble you have to take when buying 2nd hand though

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[ QUOTE ]

Living with it is fine. The boot is big enough for most things & the seats fold down okish for bigger things.

There is an issue with rear space, but it is a 3dr hatch.

You will get 20-25 mpg av. 35 mpg is possible at steady motorway speeds. The car's noise is quite rough and it is quite loud at motorway speeds, but it is comfortable, looks good is less than 2.0l (good for future green taxes??) and has decent performance.

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Second all that.

I took a built-in oven home from B&Q in mine, so the boot is surprisingly big.

I used to get 28mpg average, until I had it chipped when it dropped to about 22mpg, but during the fuel blockades I drove gently and got mid-30s for a couple of weeks (only!).

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[ QUOTE ]

I used to get 28mpg average, until I had it chipped when it dropped to about 22mpg, but during the fuel blockades I drove gently and got mid-30s for a couple of weeks (only!).

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You can get 50mpg (on DIS) at steady 55mph on the motorway.! If you live in town then expect av. mpg of 15-25.

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Thanks for all of your advice and tips.

I'm picking the car up this evening (just gonna give the car a once over again before driving it away).

Looking to getting into it and driving it.

Going to see if I can do a deal with them about the cambelt and waterpump. If that's a no go, I've contacted some specialists who said they can do the work circa £400.

Thanks again smile.gif

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I always wait for the temperature to reach 90 before giving it any beans.

Reliability has been fine with mine but it has had a couple of expensive faults with the Xenon headlight auto leveling system and the rear suspension. But I have had it for over 2 years and done over 40k miles within that time so I don't mind. Plus, when you get onto a nice A road that grin soon comes back!

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[ QUOTE ]

I used to get 28mpg average, until I had it chipped when it dropped to about 22mpg, but during the fuel blockades I drove gently and got mid-30s for a couple of weeks (only!).

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Mine was the complete opposite in that my fuel consumption went up after re-mapping. Had mine for approx 2yrs and had it re-mapped immediately upon purchase. Car covered 40K miles. Apart from routiner service I had two warranty issues. Door lock and temp sender.

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[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

I used to get 28mpg average, until I had it chipped when it dropped to about 22mpg, but during the fuel blockades I drove gently and got mid-30s for a couple of weeks (only!).

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine was the complete opposite in that my fuel consumption went up after re-mapping. Had mine for approx 2yrs and had it re-mapped immediately upon purchase.

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mpg going down from 28 to 22 = increased fuel consumption. So aren't we saying the same thing?

You say you had it re-mapped immediately on purchase, so how do you know the fuel consumption changed due to the re-mapping? - Just curious...

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