Discussion
Tell me about the mk1 Audi S3 please.
I'm looking for a fast, interesting, well-put-together, reliable hatch (but not necessarily hatch) for a budget of about 5-6K.
It will be a second car, so needs to be semi-practical and properly-car-y to put people and things in.
Ideally it will be quick, or even better feel quick.
I don't fancy Impreza or suchlike as I'll rarely drive it anything like as fast as I think I would need to for that to be fun.
S3 makes me think we might end up being friends.
I'm looking for a fast, interesting, well-put-together, reliable hatch (but not necessarily hatch) for a budget of about 5-6K.
It will be a second car, so needs to be semi-practical and properly-car-y to put people and things in.
Ideally it will be quick, or even better feel quick.
I don't fancy Impreza or suchlike as I'll rarely drive it anything like as fast as I think I would need to for that to be fun.
S3 makes me think we might end up being friends.
It depends what you need/want to know – for your budget I imagine you’d be looking at an earlier 210bhp car (they later upped it to 225) with high mileage, not the end of the world if it’s been well cared for but I’d inspect any car’s your considering very carefully and make sure the books stamped up etc. You might be as well considering a Seat Leon Cupra-R – in many ways the same car but without the Audi price premium; they’re equally quick, have VAG build quality, cheaper dealer/servicing costs, and look great (best in black/grey IMO).
There are loads of other options out there, a Clio 182 Cup is a great car if it’s big enough for your needs, or possibly a Civic Type-R if VTEC takes your fancy, then there’s the Mini Cooper-S or more left-field options like a Porsche 944, Honda Integra, Alfa GTV, BMW 330 etc.
Happy hunting !
There are loads of other options out there, a Clio 182 Cup is a great car if it’s big enough for your needs, or possibly a Civic Type-R if VTEC takes your fancy, then there’s the Mini Cooper-S or more left-field options like a Porsche 944, Honda Integra, Alfa GTV, BMW 330 etc.
Happy hunting !
Had mine (2002 facelift 225) for just over a year and well chuffed with it. There's loads of other contenders for that money:
Civic Type r
RS Megane 225
Seat Leon
Looked at all of them, however image, interior especially, build quality and how the car made me feel inclined me towards the S3. Remap to 260bhp(only cost £260 from Custom code) has given the car the power it should have had from the start, -no other mods required for this. Fuel consumption improved also, -when driven sensibly!
Bought mine with 73K which was more than i really wanted, however 20K later car still never misses a beat and cuts it with the best of them! Engines are moulded from pieces of Brain Blessed's ass, so will run for ever. Don't be put off with higher mielage exmples. -standard stuff when looking, ie checking for regualr servicing and cambelt -will ensure all is okay. Mine has covered mainly motorway miles and is still on original clutch. the facelifts look better imo, so keep an eye out for these.
Yes i know civic's, ren's and all that may out handle it on a track, however the best thing about the s3 is that it's a superb all rounder. a few suspension changes can make it handle better, however i'm not lewis hamilton, and the car is great for me!
Check out:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=17
for all you need to know!
Civic Type r
RS Megane 225
Seat Leon
Looked at all of them, however image, interior especially, build quality and how the car made me feel inclined me towards the S3. Remap to 260bhp(only cost £260 from Custom code) has given the car the power it should have had from the start, -no other mods required for this. Fuel consumption improved also, -when driven sensibly!
Bought mine with 73K which was more than i really wanted, however 20K later car still never misses a beat and cuts it with the best of them! Engines are moulded from pieces of Brain Blessed's ass, so will run for ever. Don't be put off with higher mielage exmples. -standard stuff when looking, ie checking for regualr servicing and cambelt -will ensure all is okay. Mine has covered mainly motorway miles and is still on original clutch. the facelifts look better imo, so keep an eye out for these.
Yes i know civic's, ren's and all that may out handle it on a track, however the best thing about the s3 is that it's a superb all rounder. a few suspension changes can make it handle better, however i'm not lewis hamilton, and the car is great for me!
Check out:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=17
for all you need to know!
BMW E46 Coupe could be had for similar money, engines up to 3.0....saloon coupe or touring bodystyle
Been in a Mk1 S3 (as a passenger) with a claimed 250bhp, it was quick and felt very surefooted and planted, but was lacking in excitement I found, a very nice place to be but the sound and delivery of power from the 1.8 turbo didnt do anything for me, just sounded a bit dull and without character
But then i didnt drive it.
But well built, practical and reliable it was and as an everyday car I couldnt fault it, but if it's a 2nd car then you may get more thrills elsewhere.
Been in a Mk1 S3 (as a passenger) with a claimed 250bhp, it was quick and felt very surefooted and planted, but was lacking in excitement I found, a very nice place to be but the sound and delivery of power from the 1.8 turbo didnt do anything for me, just sounded a bit dull and without character
But then i didnt drive it.
But well built, practical and reliable it was and as an everyday car I couldnt fault it, but if it's a 2nd car then you may get more thrills elsewhere.
Edited by Matthew_Eames on Thursday 12th March 16:20
A lot of people say they are a little boring...
A lot of people haven't driven one. I'll admit to posting something similar (although I admitted it was hearsay).
Now I actually have had a chance to drive one (225) I can safely say I'm very impressed. Very quick, very well planted and its always nice to know all 4 wheels will spin round if needed.
IMO if you like the Audi badge and looks, buy one.
A lot of people haven't driven one. I'll admit to posting something similar (although I admitted it was hearsay).
Now I actually have had a chance to drive one (225) I can safely say I'm very impressed. Very quick, very well planted and its always nice to know all 4 wheels will spin round if needed.
IMO if you like the Audi badge and looks, buy one.
I only had the 1.8T Sport, but I think they are great looking cars. The S3 is one of the best looking upmarket ("premium compact exec") hot-hatches ever made. There's one parked up near where I live in red with silver mirrors and black leather, and it looks absolute class. I think EU rules on pedestrian safety have changed small car design, which maybe why the 2nd gen A3 didn't look as good. Get one!
Good car in my opinion, I had one for around six months a good few years ago and used to enjoy roaring driving around in it. Check history carefully and obvious things like brake discs etc as they are expensive. Also look for one with the Bose sound package as it is really quite good.
Why not a minty E36 M3 in restrained colours and sensible interior.
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing (but that'll never happen).
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
ETA: Something like this
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing (but that'll never happen).
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
ETA: Something like this
Edited by neil_bolton on Friday 13th March 09:00
neil_bolton said:
Why not a minty E36 M3 in restrained colours and sensible interior.
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
because he's not a chav?Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
nervous said:
neil_bolton said:
Why not a minty E36 M3 in restrained colours and sensible interior.
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
because he's not a chav?Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
>beginningtheconsidernotlettingnervybeinhisclub<
Edited by neil_bolton on Friday 13th March 09:00
nervous said:
neil_bolton said:
Why not a minty E36 M3 in restrained colours and sensible interior.
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
because he's not a chav?Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
thebluebus said:
nervous said:
neil_bolton said:
Why not a minty E36 M3 in restrained colours and sensible interior.
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
because he's not a chav?Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
Good to see the Boy Bolton found one with a representative ad quality though- the pics really inspire me to give that guy my money.
thebluebus said:
nervous said:
neil_bolton said:
Why not a minty E36 M3 in restrained colours and sensible interior.
Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
because he's not a chav?Can be pootled about in, and yet can rip its top off and wave its breasts in the face of whatever you're 'avin a go at in a flash.
Economical, if you like that sort of thing.
Also steers from the correct end. Unfortunatly no wipers in the side windows though, sadly.
Obviously, driven like larry layback holding the top of the steering wheel with my right hand. Innit.
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