Thinking about getting an S3

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Escy

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Hi Guys, new here. Thinking of getting an Audi S3. They seem like good value for money to me compared to similar cars. Have seen early ones that a high miles for not much over 2k.

I'm currently living in Brazil but coming back to the UK soon. Was about to buy a 2001 Audi A3 1.8T over here that worked out about 10k GBP, so i'm currently feeling like a kid in a candy shop at the moment looking at cars that aren't stupid money.

Have a few options i'm considering and budget depends on what I want. Along with the S3 I was thinking about an Alfa 147 GTA, or an Audi TT (either a 225 or a V6).

If I was to go for an S3, would probably go for something around the 3k mark.

All the reviews on the Audi seem to suggest it's a bit boring, a bit soft and less driver focused than other hot hatches. Do people find that the case?

What i'm liking is the fact it ticks a few boxes, 4x4, nice seats, 6 speed box and it's turbo'd so I can mess about with it.

What are they like for MPG? My last car was an E36 M3 Evo and it was doing about 18mpg as my commute isn't far and it's all stop start stuff.

Also, what's the difference between the early and later models and what year was the change over. I know there is a BHP difference, is that just down to the map or was there any physical differences.

How much power can easily, cheaply and reliably be got out of them?

Sorry for all the questions, Tom.
 
Alais DJA said:
Audi A1 Quattro

500 BHP edition :)
Click to expand...

^^^ :wtf:^^^

Welcome to ASN Tom, honestly, I love the S3 not only are they amazing to look at they'r a great car to drive and feel well on the road. I only drive it at weekend and compaired to my daily it's amazing, you feel safe enough to put the power down even in std form, But be aware of the understeer ( r32arb will sort that) Something I yet need to do. Brakes aint the best but a good set of pads and braided hoses will make a good improvement. You do know they'r 4 wheel on demand?

Yes they are underpowered and a bit heavy but go well enough to see most of the chavs off so not a major fail, mpg I anything from 15- 22 depending who's in the car lol but average 27-29 on long hauls.

I'm not the best to tell you about mods but someone will be along no doubt, you'll find load in the stickies and on build threads.

 
Last edited:
Been looking through the FAQ's, not managed to find what's the difference between the 2 engines
 
You get prefacelift which is APY then facelift AMK and BAM. APY and AMK were 210bhp where BAM was 225 but they both remap to the same so no worries about that. Facelift had 1 piece headlights, updated interior(dashboard) had a few diff things in Engine such as ouch down coilpacks (which are on recall) no sai and other things i can't really remember but overall both great cars if you spend the money in the right places! I was lucky to have my suspension set up with my car along with a remap but they come with a no expense spared kind of attitude as with many performance vehicles.. I keep to a motto "look after your car and itll look after you"! Good luck pal, hope you buy one :thumbsup:
 
Dont think about getting one, just get one!!

You can't get better for the £ In my opinion
 
Another question, what's peoples opinions about high miler S3's, seen loads cheap with 150k on the clock, give or take 20k either way. They tend to show the miles, suffer from seat wear, smokey turbo's, etc?

Just wondering if it's worth paying the extra for a lower mileage one.
 
Full service history and a well
Kept s3 is what you want. Whatever the mileage is.
 
Like I said on the other thread I've done 160k, ppl on here have done way more (jardo and prawn over 200k) and its still strong!

P.s my phone is retarded it keeps saying jardo is jardinio lol! So sorry for any spelling mistakes
 
^ jardinio...lmao! brilliant.

The S3 is a tame beast, but great potential. jack of all trades, master of none.

plus points:
image
rarity
turbo
4wd
interior
comfort
tuneable

-ve points (imo)
maybe too tame compared to modern 'hot' cars
4wd isnt the most reliable system.
old - mechanically and electrically. hence...
electrical problems

the above is my opinion as i've said, and based on over 2 years ownership.

despite its negative points i wouldn't want any other car in its place. i honestly couldnt think of a car, new and old, that could match the S3 and be so good in so many ways.

i would advise that you dont try and compare the S3 to your old E36 evo M3. they are worlds apart. they are both GREAT cars, but so different.

he engine codes simply denote the cylinder heads. differences between the engines is so so minimal

APY = 210hp model. pre-facelift SAI (secondary air injection). narrow band ecu.
AMK = 210hp model. pre-facelift and facelift. no SAI. mine is wideband ecu. some may be narrow band
BAM = 225ps model. no SAI. wideband ecu

pre-facelift = 2 piece headlights. different rear lights. different door/boot handles (raised). different clocks (analog). different climate controls. no ESP.

facelift = one piece headlights. different rear lights (clear indicators). flush door/boot handles. digital clock. different climate controls. ESP

i think i've covered everything. there may be some exceptions to the above, like with cars being on the 2000/2001 boundary, there may be a mix of pre and post facelift features.

to finish id say if you dont mind tinkering, and dont mind the odd problem/upkeep, and think you might find yourself modding. then buy the S3.
receipts and proof of work is very important. even if there is limited history, dont be afraid of it if there is evidence of no expense spared upkeep. and if it is well kept, dont be afraid of mileage. mine is 144k and just yesterday had a comment that you'd never know.

if you want a problem free-ish quick car, and dont mind the styling, buy a V6 TT.

hope i've helped. im fully aware theres sticky links above but im bored so thought id help you out here haha.

karl
 
I bought my S3 almost 3 yrs ago now and also had a similar list of other cars I was considering at the time (147 GTA, Elise, Focus RS Mk1 etc etc). I decided on the S3 because it's well-built, practical, has enough performance to keep me entertained (I have a stage 1 map), still looks great but is relatively understated appearance-wise, and the 4WD allows me to use all the power all the time. I drive across country through twisty minor roads to work so in the winter the conditions can be slippery but I've never had a problem with traction in the S3. It's not the lightest car on the planet to put it mildly, but I'm not trying to set a lap record so that's not as important to me. I've not regretted the decision to go down the S3 route.

If I were you I'd be searching out a car that has a full history (personally I rate independent specialists higher than main dealers) that's clearly been looked after, rather than going for low mileage.

Re. mpg, you can see my average below. This is mostly made up of my daily drive to work, which although is not stop-start does occasionally involve some heavy right-foot moments to relieve the stress of the day... This rises to around 29mpg on the motorway.

Oh, and the other benefit of owning an S3 is that you can belong to the best forum in the world of course.
 
I bought my S3 8 years ago, it cost me £18,000
its now worth only £3-4000 at most, still love driving it every day and I won't be changing anytime soon,

The only engine trouble I've had in 8 years was a oil pick up pipe blocked and a failed oil pressure sensor, suspension and bushes seam to be soft and often need replacing, a small price to pay IMO
 
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