Anyone running a S3 Sportback?
Discussion
I'm at my regular thinking of changing my car stage.
After looking at B8 S4's of around 4 years old, I think whilst a great car, many seem over priced for what is on offer, after all, a large engined car is not on everyones shopping list, and I recall buying my then 4 year old S4 (6 years ago) somewhat considerably cheaper at Around £18k.
Current B8 S4 seem to be retailing near the £22k range and many have the £480 Road tax as well. (the manual saloon is still £280 due to emissions on the saloon being lower).
Looking around at the market, S3 sportbacks seem to offer similar levels of passenger space in the front and back, pretty much on a par with my wifes MKV Gti, which seem bigger in the back than my current B6 S4.
A quick remap (as I did with my previous 1.8 S3) will see a 300bhp and similar levels of torque, so not a million miles away from the S4.
Sportbacks seem to be available for £17k-£18k ish and well specced. RNSe, bluetooth, heated leather, would all be on the list.
I've been looking for buying guides but they seem very few and far between. So, anyone out there run one?
Whats it like to live with, common issues etc?
MPG around 25mpg I guess?
Thanks for reading.
After looking at B8 S4's of around 4 years old, I think whilst a great car, many seem over priced for what is on offer, after all, a large engined car is not on everyones shopping list, and I recall buying my then 4 year old S4 (6 years ago) somewhat considerably cheaper at Around £18k.
Current B8 S4 seem to be retailing near the £22k range and many have the £480 Road tax as well. (the manual saloon is still £280 due to emissions on the saloon being lower).
Looking around at the market, S3 sportbacks seem to offer similar levels of passenger space in the front and back, pretty much on a par with my wifes MKV Gti, which seem bigger in the back than my current B6 S4.
A quick remap (as I did with my previous 1.8 S3) will see a 300bhp and similar levels of torque, so not a million miles away from the S4.
Sportbacks seem to be available for £17k-£18k ish and well specced. RNSe, bluetooth, heated leather, would all be on the list.
I've been looking for buying guides but they seem very few and far between. So, anyone out there run one?
Whats it like to live with, common issues etc?
MPG around 25mpg I guess?
Thanks for reading.
Many thanks for both replies.
Zorba, once you get a chance to give some first impressions, it would be appreciated.
Do you guys have kids? If so, how do you find the space in the back.
I'd be looking to keep the car 3 years, so my eldest could be 11 by the time I move it on, my other lad will be nearly 8, I'm thinking they'd be plenty of room for them in that period.
Zorba, once you get a chance to give some first impressions, it would be appreciated.
Do you guys have kids? If so, how do you find the space in the back.
I'd be looking to keep the car 3 years, so my eldest could be 11 by the time I move it on, my other lad will be nearly 8, I'm thinking they'd be plenty of room for them in that period.
I'd discounted the DSG as the potential for issues *might* arise as it gets older, well that was my thinking.
I presume a re map works ok with the DSG, it's not too much extra strain?
I guess there is not the issue of clutch burning out with DSG though? (my old 8L S3 did the clutch 2 weeks after the re map)
I presume a re map works ok with the DSG, it's not too much extra strain?
I guess there is not the issue of clutch burning out with DSG though? (my old 8L S3 did the clutch 2 weeks after the re map)
Great advice guys, many thanks. I was convinced for the manual, but now I've read the 2 posts above, DSG will be the more sensible way to go I reckon.
Also good to know that 2 kids will have plenty of room too.
I'm already won over by the the fast, well specified car, even if the handling, like my S4, isn't completely cutting edge.
Also good to know that 2 kids will have plenty of room too.
I'm already won over by the the fast, well specified car, even if the handling, like my S4, isn't completely cutting edge.
All very positive comments so far. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
My biggest concern currently is oil consumption. Reading the internet for 2.0 fsi engine throws up some ( lots) of scare stories about 600-800 miles between 1 litre top ups.
That's a little worrying. And also difficult to see at pre sale inspection.
My biggest concern currently is oil consumption. Reading the internet for 2.0 fsi engine throws up some ( lots) of scare stories about 600-800 miles between 1 litre top ups.
That's a little worrying. And also difficult to see at pre sale inspection.
Dr G said:
The older (belt driven) EA113 motor in the S3 isn't too bad for oil consumption.
The later (chain driven) EA888 has had some piston ring/breather problems.
Your right foot will likely have the biggest impact on this; buy a couple of 5l pots when they're on special and don't worry. They're cracking little cars.
Would a 2009 likely be an EA113 Dr G?The later (chain driven) EA888 has had some piston ring/breather problems.
Your right foot will likely have the biggest impact on this; buy a couple of 5l pots when they're on special and don't worry. They're cracking little cars.
I think I've figured it
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=115...
So it's the same engine as my wife's 2005 golf GTi? Just running a different turbo potentially and upgraded internals?
(Her car uses no oil)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=115...
So it's the same engine as my wife's 2005 golf GTi? Just running a different turbo potentially and upgraded internals?
(Her car uses no oil)
zorba_the_greek said:
Hay Matts4,
Have you taken the plunge?
Not yet. The one I had planned to drive was sold before I had chance, then I've been doing family stuff/running this last 2 weekends. Have you taken the plunge?
I'm probably going to have to wait till new year now. My S4 needs a service in the next 3-4 weeks, so will get that sorted prior to attempting to sell it.
I'm still looking out for the B8 S4, I've seen a couple around £19k in the last week or two, they've definitely started to soften in price and I reckon they'll only start to go quicker that way as more come into the market at 3-4 yrs old.
My wife is potentially looking to change her GTi too, so there is a possibility of her getting the S3 and leaves me in a nice position of driving both if I go B8 S4.
The S3 would deffo be DSG though, that's for sure.
I've set up an Autotrader search for both cars as well.....I've got my eyes out.
Right, I'm actively looking for a car.
My current car is sold, which leaves me with the MX5 (which is also potentially sold!) and my wifes MK5 Gti.
I need a DSG sportback with reasonable mileage around £17-19k. Ideally I'd like to buy privately from an owner who is looking to trade in and wants a better deal than PX or Webuyanycar.
I need to really find something in the next 2 weeks, or am going to have to buy a cheap old run around with 4 seats to tide me over.
My current car is sold, which leaves me with the MX5 (which is also potentially sold!) and my wifes MK5 Gti.
I need a DSG sportback with reasonable mileage around £17-19k. Ideally I'd like to buy privately from an owner who is looking to trade in and wants a better deal than PX or Webuyanycar.
I need to really find something in the next 2 weeks, or am going to have to buy a cheap old run around with 4 seats to tide me over.
Edited by matts4 on Tuesday 21st January 16:08
Edited by matts4 on Tuesday 21st January 21:38
Jim909 said:
Looks tidy, I love the rotor wheels.
I have a S tronic TTS, so same car with less room, as a day to day car it is great, so easy to live with, im doing about 20k miles a year in mine, it has been totally solid.
The wheels certainly help freshen it up a bit. There is no denying the car is now an older design, but they do help to keep it looking pretty stylish I reckon.I have a S tronic TTS, so same car with less room, as a day to day car it is great, so easy to live with, im doing about 20k miles a year in mine, it has been totally solid.
As for the drive, I'm genuinely blown away by just how quick it is in standard form, coupled to the DSG box.
I was concerned I'd miss the S4 grunt but not at all in reality. Even the exhaust sounds pretty sporty, so am not at all sad to have made the change.
Only gripe would be lack of cabin storage space compared to my S4, but a few retrofits are on order and will sort that issue in the next week or 2.
It's getting Revo'd stage 1 tomorrow, I don't think it really needs it, but you can't really have too much BHP or lbs ft of torque, can you?!
How did you get on Adrian?
The S4 you missed out on, was it black and for sale in the south west? (I initially enquired about that vehicle, but it had a few too many owners in just 3 and a bit years for me to progress it once I had the budget)
I'm glad it had, I'm loving this sportback at the moment.
A Revo remap has delivered me 325bhp, it is fantastic in this size of car, genuinely surprised. As are my friends who've been out in it.
A great all rounder for sure.
The S4 you missed out on, was it black and for sale in the south west? (I initially enquired about that vehicle, but it had a few too many owners in just 3 and a bit years for me to progress it once I had the budget)
I'm glad it had, I'm loving this sportback at the moment.
A Revo remap has delivered me 325bhp, it is fantastic in this size of car, genuinely surprised. As are my friends who've been out in it.
A great all rounder for sure.
My Sportback was Revo re-mapped last week.
I got it on the rollers Saturday just to sense check the extra power I "felt it had" over my B6 V8 S4.
I know rollers are never a true, true representation, but they give an idea, and I had previously had my S4 on the very same rollers, so a good comparison none the less.
The result was 325 bhp and 280 lbs ft of torque.
It means I have 223 bhp per ton in the S3. The S4 was 200bhp per ton
And torque is 193 lbs ft per ton. The S4 was 171 lbs ft per ton.
I thought it felt much quicker, and was really putting it down to the turbo delivery and the DSG box making rapid shifts.
Reality is, it is a fair bit more powerful.
I'm very pleased.
I got it on the rollers Saturday just to sense check the extra power I "felt it had" over my B6 V8 S4.
I know rollers are never a true, true representation, but they give an idea, and I had previously had my S4 on the very same rollers, so a good comparison none the less.
The result was 325 bhp and 280 lbs ft of torque.
It means I have 223 bhp per ton in the S3. The S4 was 200bhp per ton
And torque is 193 lbs ft per ton. The S4 was 171 lbs ft per ton.
I thought it felt much quicker, and was really putting it down to the turbo delivery and the DSG box making rapid shifts.
Reality is, it is a fair bit more powerful.
I'm very pleased.
rich83 said:
Torque sounds a bit low on that map. Most revo stage 1s will pull just over 300lbfts
I was expecting nearer 300 but it doesn't seem unusual for a DSG on the rollers to record a little lower apparently. Truth be told, I'd be happy the torque is a little lower as it means less grunt going through the DSG potentially.
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