RE: Audi S3: PH Buying Guide

[woody_m]

asimmalik said:

Anybody either driven or owned one of these and a 306 GTi6/Rallye, be interesting to hear any comparisons. I vaguely remember a magazine review of the Rallye against the S3 when it was new.

Edited by asimmalik on Wednesday 17th October 17:10

I’ve owned the 8L (225bhp version) and a couple of GTI-6s (both of which I unfortunately wrote off). The Peugeot was by far the more involving / fun / desirable car IMO. Much better sounding engine with a good top end and far better handling. I don’t seem to recall the S3 feeling that much quicker although on paper it should have been. The Audi just wasn’t that fun to drive and wheezy at the top end. Easy to drive quickly though with low down power delivery. I think they look really good too. Like a mini RS4 B5.

[JonDerz]

rtz62 said:

I do believe you’re right my friend.
JBS is in Chesterfield, fairly near me so that would fit in with you’re suggestion.
420bhp in one of these would be epic, 600bhp...I don’t know what is above epic; frightening?
I did drive a friends S4 that was running over 400bhp and that monstered the roads around Matlock. The owner subsequently built an engine based on the Audi 2.5 (?) Turbo diesel block which he was hoping would be 600bhp+ but I’m not sure if he sold it mid-build.

I’m from Derby so I’m nearby . Yeah it was pretty rapid, mine was completely standard on the outside which made for some rather bemused faces when it walked away from more exotic machinery lol. I know the guys running those power’s are stock piling gearboxes, they’re not holding up to those torque figures too well but they are way out of design limits lol. What was you up at JBS for? With your friends S4?

I miss my s3, I have a 2009 Octavia vrs at the moment. Technically a better chassis out the box but I don’t find it as such myself.

[kainedog]

Always like these , aged well , understated and well built . Imagine they will become valuable like the s2s you never see anymore . Look great in yellow that’s for sure

[s m]

simonsti said:

Such an underrated car...I had a 52 plate S3 for 5 years

Although you'd have to say it was rated pretty well in that early EVO mag - they picked it over 911s, Integrale and Skylines as an all round road car.

Ended up in the final 3 with RB5 and Lancer EVO

[Welshbeef]

s m said:

Although you'd have to say it was rated pretty well in that early EVO mag - they picked it over 911s, Integrale and Skylines as an all round road car.

Ended up in the final 3 with RB5 and Lancer EVO

0-100mph 18.5 seconds v skyline 12.5 seconds it would take something monumental for many petrol head to select the slower car - added to the fact one has racing pedigree for that model wheeeas I’m unaware of any S3 used in motorsport

[s m]

Welshbeef said:

s m said:

Although you'd have to say it was rated pretty well in that early EVO mag - they picked it over 911s, Integrale and Skylines as an all round road car.

Ended up in the final 3 with RB5 and Lancer EVO

0-100mph 18.5 seconds v skyline 12.5 seconds it would take something monumental for many petrol head to select the slower car - added to the fact one has racing pedigree for that model wheeeas I’m unaware of any S3 used in motorsport

Makes you wonder why the Skyline didn't make it into the last 3 in that case as it is as quick as the 2 rally reps that came 1st and 2nd

[beanoir]

Had one in Silver, a great low mileage example which was a very nice little car for the money but not particularly engaging to drive even after a re-map to c.250hp.

'solid all-weather daily driver' is where I'd file both of the S3s I've owned.

[CaptainSensib1e]

If you're interested in these also worth looking at the Seat Leon Cupra R frm the same era. Very similar car mechanically, but without the 'quattro'. Better looking too IMO.

[Robbiehall49]

On my second. Absolutely love it. And it's completely standard and staying that way.. Facelift 225 in Ming Blue with sunroof and Bose.....

[Leon R]

CaptainSensib1e said:

If you're interested in these also worth looking at the Seat Leon Cupra R frm the same era. Very similar car mechanically, but without the 'quattro'. Better looking too IMO.

Still got mine.

[sjt85]

Great car and still sorely miss mine which was one of the last produced (which is now SORN'd somewhere...).

Obligatory photos...







Off to the classifieds...

[PostHeads123]

I've got a A3 1.8T sport 2002, full spec ming blue / heated leather etc, 70k miles had it for 15 years, currently got most of the issues listed including failed window regulator, pixels missing, rear wiper jet blocked, but inside and out its A1 condition, feels solid so solid, even the MOT place comments on how well its lasted. Bit of tlc and it would be in like new condition.

Edited by PostHeads123 on Thursday 18th October 13:08

[andysgriff]

Welshbeef said:

s m said:

GTRs just a bit too unwieldy on the track layout according to above

So many diesels are now vastly quicker than a Nissan GtR to 100mph 12.5 seconds how engineering has moved the game on.

Lol at the 18.5 seconds to 100mph that wasn’t that quick when it came out - a Fiat Coupe 20 V Turbo was 14.2 seconds the S3 4.3 seconds slower is night and day

Interested to see the long list of diesels that are a lot quicker than 12.5 to 100 mph.

[NGK210]

CaptainSensib1e said:

If you're interested in these also worth looking at the Seat Leon Cupra R frm the same era. Very similar car mechanically, but without the 'quattro'. Better looking too IMO.

Yep, same engine and gearbox but a sharper / lower suspension set-up, faster steering rack and more powerful brakes (Brembos). And because there’s no part-time 4WD, the LCR is also lighter.

[jwigglesworth]

I do wish journalists would stop with the Audi "excellent build quality" nonsense: had an A3 quattro then an A4 estate and both were the least reliable/well built cars I have ever owned and that includes an Austin Allegro!

[PurpleTurtle]

Welshbeef said:

s m said:

Although you'd have to say it was rated pretty well in that early EVO mag - they picked it over 911s, Integrale and Skylines as an all round road car.

Ended up in the final 3 with RB5 and Lancer EVO

0-100mph 18.5 seconds v skyline 12.5 seconds it would take something monumental for many petrol head to select the slower car - added to the fact one has racing pedigree for that model wheeeas I’m unaware of any S3 used in motorsport

My bold for emphasis.

I'm sure the Skyline has its lovers, but to me its an ugly car I would never consider owning, notwithstanding its obvious great performance.

You can't fold the seats down and lob a chest of drawers in the back, or (easily) lob all your waste in it to go to the tip, then fold the seats up and drive 300 miles across country in all weathers in it, or any of the other things that a sporty 4WD hatchback can. That it has no motorsport pedigree matters not a jot to me as a lifelong petrolhead.

Likewise most of us don't spend our day to day driving accelerating to 100mph. To quote Clarkson, "these things only matter to the kind of bloke who has a gearchange strategy for his journey to work"

[WCZ]

£1,500 upwards?

there's only two for sale here, £3.6k and £4k+.

both have over 105,000 miles

[BlackR8]

Had one of these. Had excellent build quality and was a solid car in everyway to drive, but it gave me a few 'boost' related problems with split hoses, DV issues etc. After spending a fair amount getting it right, I sort of fell out of love with it and moved it on. It definitely felt a significant step up from the equivalent VW Golf at the time.

Edited by BlackR8 on Thursday 18th October 17:06

[Wolands Advocate]

I also had one of these back in the day. It was my first decently quick car. Didn't keep it long as I had to sell it due to moving abroad for a few years, but I would otherwise have as I absolutely loved it.

Few hot hatches have ever looked quite so classy.

This was mine getting a work-out at Bedford circa 2005:

[Ahbefive]

Lioks like its about to roll over or pop a tyre.