A3QT / S3 buying advice needed

[jamesm]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy an Audi A3, however I'm not too hot on the spec's, and wondered if anyone could put me straight on a few things.

I have 6/7k to spend, so am looking at either a 1.8T sport or if possible an S3. However, I see some of the straight A3's have Quattro, are they all 180bhp compared to the 150bhp of the non quattro?

Also I see on some of the S3's they have a bhp of 180, and others have 210.. When did the bhp change, and what is the difference?

Is there anything in particular I should look out for when buying an A3?

Thanks guys.

[Adam B]

jamesm said:

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy an Audi A3, however I'm not too hot on the spec's, and wondered if anyone could put me straight on a few things.

I have 6/7k to spend, so am looking at either a 1.8T sport or if possible an S3. However, I see some of the straight A3's have Quattro, are they all 180bhp compared to the 150bhp of the non quattro?

Also I see on some of the S3's they have a bhp of 180, and others have 210.. When did the bhp change, and what is the difference?

Is there anything in particular I should look out for when buying an A3?

Thanks guys.

not quite correct, range goes:

A3 1.8T sport - fwd and 150bhp
A3 1.8T quattro sport - 4wd and 180bhp
S3 - 210bhp or 225bhp (think they chnaged over in 02), if you are thinking of chipping then don't worry too much about the 210 as they chip up to the same 255-260bhp (chip only)