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[Audi A3/S3] can anyone help i am buying an s3

gareththomas

By gareththomas
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TheReverend Newbie

TheReverend

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Good luck fella. If you're researching on this site there is a buyers guide and enough to keep you awake for a while!

Generally it's a good car but be aware that it's not the fastest hatch, the most fun or the best handler, or the quickest, or indeed the most charismatic. It's a nice balance of these things and that's what some people like.

It's certainly not the most reliable thing you can get your hands on either (don't get despondent - simple statement of fact)

The interior is lovely as long as it's been looked after and has a decent spec. (which is everything) go for a balance of a well specced car which has been looked after.

Things to watch out for?

1) Has it been a track day hero (unlikely given the above but you get some..)

2) Has it been run on a modest budget? This is an expensive car and when things go wrong they can cost, especially if you take it to the main dealers, specialists are cheaper but it can still sting. Look for lots of bills - it eats tyres and fuel if driven like your ass is on fire.

3) Faults? MAF (Mass Air Flow Meter) usually plays up (read the posts here) and cuts power significantly, The coil packs go too (misfire) but most have already been replaced under warranty, the front anti roll bar can corrode and will creak when you corner or go over speed bumps,

4) Servicing - Usually ever 12k miles or once a year but some cars (like mine) are on the varible servicing which means it can be as much as 2 yrs between services if you treat it right. Haldex oil needs changing every 20k miles with the filter at 40k.

Certainly check if it's been chipped and who by. AMD / Revo / MTM / Superchips do the best work and transform the car, they have different profiles which suit varied driving styles. Be mindful of other company work (can't comment on them all but perhaps be a little cautious of anything too far north of 270bhp without proper work)

It's very understated and is a class act. Prices are competitive for the best cars and with speculation about the S3 based on the new floorplan being moot given the "shooting brake" model of the new TT it could hold up prices further.

What you'll get depends on the money you have to spend.

Warranty from a main dealer is worth it if you're prepared to spend to money on the car. Should be a proper example with no problems.

Spec wise it's down to personal preference but it looks the nuts on;

18" SLines or TT's

Alloy wing mirrors

Symphony & CD

Centre arm rest

Leather (it's just easier to live with)

Every man and his dog has silver / black / grey but they do look good. Nogaro Blue, Red & Imola Yellow are opinion dividers. I personally love 'em, especially with the leather / alcantara interior.

I've had mine for about 2 yrs which is an eon for me. I'm struggling to find something that looks as nice (read classy) that goes so well, responds to tuning and is easy to live with for the money, that won't get stolen. There are faster, better handling cars out there but they either say "Chav, Muppet" or "ooh, race me!"

Speak softly and carry a big stick!

Happy Hunting!

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Wallachie Newbie

Wallachie

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Top review Reverend!

I would just like to point out that I'm now 18 months into ownership of my 2nd S3, and the only problems I've had were a split turbo hose and a faulty door locking mechanism (both fixed under warranty). As The Reverend quite rightly pointed out, the MAF is a common problem, and it went on my old S3 but was replaced under warranty.

I've loved every minute of owning a S3, and there is nothing out there that has tempted me away from it. It is going soon though, but unfortunately I'm downgrading! frown.gif

Go for it mate, you'll love it!

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Tomk Newbie

Tomk

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you forgot the rear wash wipe problem , creaky seat, also find out what fuel its been run on, check the spare wheel for chips, a spotless alloy is always nice, also make sure you HPI and do a really good check for accident damage

really really really important

make sure you get both spare keys, the 'service key' the black plastic key and the barcoded while lable to get more keys cut... without that you cant get another key easily and i would not want any of them being owned by someone else !

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TheReverend Newbie

TheReverend

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Never had a problem with the rear wash wipe but it's nice to know I've that to look forward to.

The creaky seat is a good one. Mine actually rattled for ages before I lost the plot and took it to the local stealer to be relieved of a shameful amount of money to fix it. "What's that, you want some old rope sir? Yes, I've got plenty.."

Lambda sensor is another one too. That was worth another hand full of earth pounds. Like I say, it's not the most reliable thing going. In my history of owning cars it's the only thing to have left me by the side of the road (although I've never owned an Italian car!)

You got a fullsize spare alloy? I've got some comical space saver. How'd you do that?

HPI is standard for any car buy as is the accident check.

Didn't know the deal with the barcode for the label on the keys. Thankfully I have mine but could have come a cropper there!

If you can find a way to prove you've run optimax through the car then you're good. Aside from them having all the receipts they could tell you anything and run it on cooking oil!

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F90X Newbie

F90X

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This has been very helpfull as I am looking for an S3 right now. I shall be buying one in the next 3-5 weeks so I shall let you know how I get on. I have looked in the 'For sale' bit and unfortunaly nothing there for me at the mo. If anyone knows of a Silver/Black/Grey/Ming (Poss Nog Blue) with leather(heated maybe) armrest, Bose, sunroof(Maybe) chrome mirrors(if poss)40k ish max up to £15k let me know. Would like a 210 model on a 51 plate if poss. Has to be 210 as the ins for that is £1030 and the 225 is £1400 frown.gif

Steve

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harj Newbie

harj

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Dude,

I may be thinking of selling mine soon. Its 2001 silver (facelift 210bhp), bose, arm rest, black leather heated seats, climate control and 18" RS4's. The only thing that may put you off is the 58k on the clock and that its been AMD tuned to around 255bhp.

PM me if you maybe interested.

Good luck

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Wallachie Newbie

Wallachie

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[ QUOTE ]

Ouch! That's some steep insurance man! Where do you live, France? Mine's £450 fully comp! Also, my 210 facelift was 221.4 on the rolling road at AMD, so what's the point in a 225? You may get 229 out of a 225 according to AMD, that's a lot more insurance for only a few more horses!

[/ QUOTE ]

£450?? What age are you, 50!?!?

I paid circa £750 last time!

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F90X Newbie

F90X

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I'm 40 but only have 2yrs NCB because of too many years in company cars. In addition I live in Central London so it's never going to be cheap. The funny thing is my existing y2k W plate Honda civic VTI-S with a mere 170bhp worth a max of £4k is only £9 pounds less to insure. How do you like that!!!

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doogal1972 Newbie

doogal1972

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[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

I'm 33 and have 3 points mate! the_finger.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It must be your postcode that's keeping the premium down then...

I'm 44, max no claims, 3pts (SP30) and its £580 with all my mods declared (265bhp, wheels,exhaust,brakes,suspension)

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it must be, I do live in Oxford don't you know!

ROLLEY~14.GIF haha!

I have full no claims and it's a 210 with no mods. Tesco insurance, and there was me thinking they only did food!

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Wallachie Newbie

Wallachie

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I went with Direct Line this time, seemed like a much better policy than Elephant were offering, I was with Elephant for 6 years or so, but was never convinced that if I had an accident, they would ever pay up!!

I have a clean license (well that's what I told Direct Line) and full NC's. I actually had 9 'shadow points', but because I have a N Ireland license, the courts in Scotland can't endorse it! That has now changed I think.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Motormouth Newbie

Motormouth

Posted
Posted

[ QUOTE ]

The creaky seat is a good one. Mine actually rattled for ages before I lost the plot and took it to the local stealer to be relieved of a shameful amount of money to fix it. "What's that, you want some old rope sir? Yes, I've got plenty.."

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi I have the rattling seat problem, I have spent hours trying to track it down with no luck. What was the problem with yours and how did they fix it ? I find that if I adjust the seat so its quite laid back the noise goes, if I put it up right it comes back. It sounds that plastic on plastic.

Ive still got a few months warrenty on it, but the stealer is saying that if its turns out not to be covered by warrenty Im going to have to pay. Considering Ive already spent lots of hours trying to locate the rattle, Im not keen to risk ending up with a large labour charge. I recon the rattle must be in the seat.

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Motormouth Newbie

Motormouth

Posted
Posted

[ QUOTE ]

i found a really easy fix to it want to know smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes please, if its 'turn' up the stereo Im already doing that 123576-assfeck.gif You mentioned before I should tighten up the bolts that hold the seat base unit to the car but I couldnt see these on my seat, mine is an 02 model, heated leather if that makes a difference. ECLIPSe.gif

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TheReverend Newbie

TheReverend

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Hi,

unfortunately they didn't explain what they did.

Essentially the bolts securing the seat to the base work loose over time. I raised the seat and tried to get to them all but skinned my knuckles enough time to think "pay a man".

The problem is that (from memory) they're all allen bolts and you need to get access. Perhaps you can do it from behind? ( Ahem - the seat)

It's fine now but cost me £50. I was so pissed but couldn't take another moment of the damned thing rattling like a snake the whole time.

Sorry to not be more help but you don't need to get a main stealer to relieve you of your earth pounds.

It should just be an issue of time x tools / patience = result!

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Al_H Newbie

Al_H

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Posted

[ QUOTE ]

That's a shame Harj, it's just the spec I'm after but I'm afraid the insurance would be too much and I would be looking to sell a car at 60k not buy one I'm afraid. Sorry man, good luck with the sale.

Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

Im sure you will find your perfect S3 on http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=171

Loads of examples on there in the classifieds.

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F90X Newbie

F90X

Posted
Posted

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

That's a shame Harj, it's just the spec I'm after but I'm afraid the insurance would be too much and I would be looking to sell a car at 60k not buy one I'm afraid. Sorry man, good luck with the sale.

Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

Im sure you will find your perfect S3 on http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=171

Loads of examples on there in the classifieds.

[/ QUOTE ]Cheers, I've seen that already, everythings on hold for a few weeks at the moment, my flat sale has been delayed and I don't want to change my car untill it's gone. Trouble is I'm looking at BMW's now too. Watch this space....

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