S3

[mak2503]

Thought I might ask you guys about the S3.

My wife has decided that after being in my RS2 that she would now like a faster car.

She has a 1.9 tdi sport Polo and although it has 100bhp and gets about 50 mpg it is not fast enough for her.

We have looked at absolutely everything such as a Honda Civic Type R and a Renault Clio 182 the only thing with these cars is that even though they are excellent cars the build quality is not the same as the VAG stable.

We have seen and taken an Audi S3 in Ming Blue with Ivory Recaro's a test drive and she has fell in love with it. It is only the 210bhp model but that does not make much difference.

I wanted to know if you guys had any advice on what to look at on these.

[Jamo]

PM 4wheeldrifter, his GF has just bought a lovely S3 in black and previously she owned a 1.8t A3 so they are pretty clued on the car type.

[dan_b]

The S3 is a fine car IMHO. Ming blue an excellent colour too, and with Ivory leather Recaros it will look the dogs danglies. I'd say go for it.

The 210bhp motor can be chipped to squeeze a wee bit more out of it if you're so inclined, but I'm not sure by how much.

[Knight Rider S4]

guys here know everything there is to know

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=17

[mak2503]

Thanks for the advice. I will check those out.

This is what the S3 looks like. I have to admit she does look nice.

[mak2503]

Interior

[4WheelDrifter]

guys here know everything there is to know

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=17

Hmm.. I'm not sure they know everything, but there are certainly a few people on there that know a thing or two about S3s.

I would be inclined to say that if you're after a facelift model (MY2001>), look out for a 225 version. Otherwise make sure you keep you eye on the MAF and lambda sensors. The 210s are more prone to melting engines than the 225s.

Cambelts are rarely changed often enough. Although the self tesioning system does take up a lot of slack, they should be done every 60k miles and/or 5 years. Many do not get done with expensive results.

Make sure you have a really good look at them before you buy, and check the service history. There are a lot of dogs around, some on dealer forecourts too I'm afraid.

[dan_b]

I'm way less impressed with the audi-sport forum than this one I have to say. The general knowledge here is much superior IMHO.

[denniselbows]

that's because s3 drivers are mainly hairdressers

[Knight Rider S4]

I'm way less impressed with the audi-sport forum than this one I have to say. The general knowledge here is much superior IMHO.

Now now as every forum has its people that are into there car and people that are mechanically minded that into there car ..this site is more knowledgeable with S2's as they are older cars and no one trusts garages to fix them as they do not have a clue(but a few).so more threads regarding fixes and fault diagnosis are likely here than there IMHO

Audi-sport forum has a big mix of people from normal joes that would not have a clue how to change a coil to people that have stripped there cars down to nothing and rebuilt again..... 15000 members you would expect that .........with regard to the S3 if you spoke to ChrisS3 or EssThree both these guys are very clued up ..........as you can tell i am a audi-sport member

[iain1067]

Like the TT it's 4wd system uses the haldex system, these need the oil changing too, and they can fail leaving you with 2wd. and they aren't cheap should you need a new one


iain

[Corey]

They go through brake light switches, which in turn leaves it in 2wd.
Cambelts as said above are a must and it should be done every 60k miles/5years.
MAF's, DV's, Lambda's all require frequent checks to ensure they are as they should.
Intake pipework is very weak and collapse's under boost.
There is a variety of tweaks and upgrades if you are that way inclined, from a simple remap to a full blown turbo conversion, although suspension is best left as is for the road (except maybe swapping the ARB's for something better).

VAGCom is your bestest friend (or get very friendly with a local specialist) and pays for itself very quickly.

[ericd]

What about a Leon Cupra R , they've got the newest S3 engine hidden in them

[dan_b]

Now now as every forum has its people that are into there car and people that are mechanically minded that into there car ..this site is more knowledgeable with S2's as they are older cars and no one trusts garages to fix them as they do not have a clue(but a few).so more threads regarding fixes and fault diagnosis are likely here than there IMHO

Audi-sport forum has a big mix of people from normal joes that would not have a clue how to change a coil to people that have stripped there cars down to nothing and rebuilt again..... 15000 members you would expect that .........with regard to the S3 if you spoke to ChrisS3 or EssThree both these guys are very clued up ..........as you can tell i am a audi-sport member

Sorry, caught me off-guard: I'm an audi-sport member too since I bought the A4, but I've not found nearly as much useful information or innate knolwedge of the A4 there as I would have expected having come from this forum, where the S2 is known inside out, but also there is a lot of non-S2 knolwedge here too. That's all!

[lune]

Mak if you and your wife would like a good look over an S3 and a chat about how they compare, give me a shout as my mate has had 2. He currently has a black with black recaro's Y plate, his previous on got left with his ex and was a 53plate 225. I'm sure he wouldn't mind taking you and your wife for a spin if you reciprocate with the RS2 I wouldn't care we only drove past yours on Friday, PM me if you would like to try and arrange a meet.