2000-2002 Audi S3 - money pit?
Discussion
A friend of mine is thinking about buying an Audi S3 from something like about 2000-2002 - he has a budget of about £3,500.
He currently drives a fairly tidy old Honda Civic which has had, I'd say, probably more problems than it should have had including seemingly endless problems with brakes. Another bill incoming (needs a new brake master cylinder and also needs the cam belt changing) has made him want to change, but also to change up to something more sporty and fun.
Whilst I understand his desire for something more fun, I've warned him that if he's fed up of bills on the Civic, that buying a similar age S3 won't necessarily improve the situation, and that anything that needs fixing will cost substantially more. I'm well aware of what Audi enthusiasts refer to as the 'S' (and 'RS') tax!
As I'm a car enthusiast friend, he's basically looking to me to go see some S3's with him and advise on the right one to buy as he, frankly, is not clued up on car maintenance or things to look out for.
So I suppose I was just hoping for any current / former owner experiences - are they potential money pits? Any particularly nasty common problems to look out for? I've done some research and know that cam belt intervals are lower than were originally reccommended (every 60k), and know that there should be documented evidence of things like the Haldex oil being changed, etc.
Thanks.
He currently drives a fairly tidy old Honda Civic which has had, I'd say, probably more problems than it should have had including seemingly endless problems with brakes. Another bill incoming (needs a new brake master cylinder and also needs the cam belt changing) has made him want to change, but also to change up to something more sporty and fun.
Whilst I understand his desire for something more fun, I've warned him that if he's fed up of bills on the Civic, that buying a similar age S3 won't necessarily improve the situation, and that anything that needs fixing will cost substantially more. I'm well aware of what Audi enthusiasts refer to as the 'S' (and 'RS') tax!
As I'm a car enthusiast friend, he's basically looking to me to go see some S3's with him and advise on the right one to buy as he, frankly, is not clued up on car maintenance or things to look out for.
So I suppose I was just hoping for any current / former owner experiences - are they potential money pits? Any particularly nasty common problems to look out for? I've done some research and know that cam belt intervals are lower than were originally reccommended (every 60k), and know that there should be documented evidence of things like the Haldex oil being changed, etc.
Thanks.
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