1996-2003 audi s3 Real world mpg / running costs
1996-2003 audi s3 Real world mpg / running costs
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Discussion

ge0rge

Original Poster:

3,053 posts

236 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
I was wondering if any of you s3 drivers could give me some real world figure running cost ideas for the above car..

MintyChris

848 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
My avg recorded mpg is 33 so not too bad.

Cant say running costs are particularly bad. Small things can go wrong but not very expensive. MAF, coil packs etc.

Servicing is like any car apart from haldex needs looked at every 20k (awd system).

£100 a corner for tyres but they are good tyres. Should last atleast a year. Ive been using the same brake discs and pads for a year and a half with a handfull of spirited driving days chucked in.

Suspension might give up, arbs and springs are prone for cracking but should only really see this once in the time you own the car.

Overall...hasnt cost me much at all in maintenance


UpTheIron

4,058 posts

299 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Had my 51-plate 2002 S3 225 from 67k, now showing 142k.

Touch wood, it has never let me down in the last 4 years and 75k miles. It has however eaten its way through plenty of parts.

MPG is 34-ish according to the trip computer. It is at least 10% optimistic.

Notable maintenance costs:
6 services (7th due on Friday)
2 front springs (one actually broke whilst driving)
2 rear springs
2 track control arms
1 set discs & pads all round
1 cambelt + waterpump
4 windscreens!
1 A/C regas
13 tyres (one blow out)
ARB bushes

I've got bills for just shy of £5k.
Fuel in that time must be about £12k.
Tax is approx £210 per year, so another £1k.
Insurance is cheap, because I'm old and live in the middle of nowhere. Another £1k in total.

So about 25 pence per mile.

Only grips are fuel gauge (unreliable / sticky sensor), quite a lot of road noise and it sounds like a sewing machine.

Have been looking for a replacement for ages, but can't find anything that has its blend of all weather usability, practicality, interior quality, pace and image (or rather, lack of). If I don't find anything soon I'll be refurbishing the alloys and respraying the front end and keeping it.

ge0rge

Original Poster:

3,053 posts

236 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Thanks guys, very imformative, ive read about haldex controllers to force more power to the rw's continually, either of you use this device? Heard of any issues in using it?

UpTheIron

4,058 posts

299 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
ge0rge said:
Thanks guys, very imformative, ive read about haldex controllers to force more power to the rw's continually, either of you use this device? Heard of any issues in using it?
Not got one though I've never heard anything bad about them.

MintyChris

848 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
You can buy an uprate haldex controller which is meant to be quicker and more likely to send power to the back more regularly.

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/product.php?xProd=385...

Edited by MintyChris on Wednesday 18th November 16:31

ge0rge

Original Poster:

3,053 posts

236 months

Thursday 19th November 2009
quotequote all
& Roughly what do audi charge per hour for servicing compared to an audi/vw specialist?

MintyChris

848 posts

223 months

Thursday 19th November 2009
quotequote all
Seems to vary. Cost me £450 for cambelt(waterpump + tensioner), service, 4 tyres fitted and mot. That was a local specialist garage.

Heard prices between 300 and 600 for a cambelt service from a main dealer. I think Audi are doing fixed pricing these days though, might have info on their website. Audi also offer free mot's.

ge0rge

Original Poster:

3,053 posts

236 months

Tuesday 24th November 2009
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Ive noticed something strange about s3 sales, a lot of the owners who are selling appear to be called ##### khan.. Weird eh !

MintyChris

848 posts

223 months

Thursday 26th November 2009
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lol well plenty for sale. Pop across to www.audi-sport.net few nice examples there.

ge0rge

Original Poster:

3,053 posts

236 months

Friday 27th November 2009
quotequote all
turns out a mates got a ming blue one with 60k leather for sale for 7.5k fash !