Audi S3 Quattro (1999)

[OW29]

Hi,

Not logged in to PH for a while, been lurking a lot though, so thought I would update since the car comings and goings since last time....

My last readers cars thread involved this £500 Subaru;



Which I sold for some cash and a really nasty 1997 BMW 320i. In turn, this was sold within a week to a rough looking chap who had no concerns over the poor/brush finished paint or burning oil smoke coming from the engine on tick-over.

I then bought a 2001 Phase 2 Volvo V70 2.4T (200 BHP) Petrol with 141K on the clock for £800 - no photos, but it was great for 8ish months. The airbag light was on and it had a few other minor issues, as well as needing a couple of new tyres so I sold it before the MOT was due for £950.

I then, in a moment of desperation (needing a car asap) bought this Honda CRV 2.0 for £750;



It served a purpose but was useless on motorways, useless in the towns, rubbish on fuel and was more basic spec than a really basic thing.

It lasted about 2 months then I purchased my wife a new car (a 2006 Volvo V50 T5 Manual 57K miles - which is an ideal family wagon). This mean't that I had her old Focus ST170 - Silver, 3dr, Leather, 6-spd, 49K Miles;



This was actually a really good car and always felt so planted, as well as being a pretty comfortable place to be. I had this for 4 months before I got a bit bored and decided to change again.

I was looking for a Subaru STI V3/4/5 Wagon but just could not find a straight one... However, I was not particularly set on a Subaru, I was looking at anything interesting and quick.

So, eventually, this brings me onto the S3. It came up for sale 3 miles away and I went to have a look, not expecting much, and never having driven one. It was really straight on the body and looks like it has been well looked after;












Not sure if the photos work.

I had a look and a drive, enjoyed it, came up HPI clear, so I bought it for £2300. I have bought it as a daily run-around, and to do a few long trips with work.

It is a 210BHP version (but mapped to 255BHP), 6 Spd, 1.8T, 116K, Leather Recaros etc, New engine from Audi in 07, masses of history, not a spot of rust...

First impressions are that it goes really well, actually has a bit of character, is a really nice place to be and I am getting quite attached to it!

However, after only 3 months of ownership, I have had to change the clutch/flywheel, which was not cheap but... hey... I have done pretty well with previous cars so am fairly philosophical about it!

Anyway, enough for now, if I keep it long enough, I will update!

Cheers

Oscar

[SlowStig]

I really like the S3, I am guessing that 255bhp is the limit of power for those engines? What are they like to live with and run on a daily basis?

[Baryonyx]

Were these not supposed to come with the chrome style wing mirror covers?

EDIT: Actually, that might be a facelift thing.

Edited by Baryonyx on Sunday 3rd February 20:29

[MJK 24]

SlowStig said:

I really like the S3, I am guessing that 255bhp is the limit of power for those engines? What are they like to live with and run on a daily basis?

255bhp might be the limit with a remap but if you're willing to improve the cooling, change the turbo and injectors, you can plough on to 400bhp +

[Deerfoot]

Baryonyx said:

Were these not supposed to come with the chrome style wing mirror covers?

EDIT: Actually, that might be a facelift thing.

Edited by Baryonyx on Sunday 3rd February 20:29

They were a cost option. I had a 225bhp S3 on a 52 plate which had body coloured mirrors. I think they were quite expensive too, over £300 or something.

[SlowStig]

MJK 24 said:

255bhp might be the limit with a remap but if you're willing to improve the cooling, change the turbo and injectors, you can plough on to 400bhp +

On standard internals?

[OW29]

Day to day, it is very easy to live with, in my opinion...

You can drive it like a 1.8 shopping trolley but, when you feel like it, it has a real turn of pace. To be honest, I think the focus handled better or, at least, it instilled a little more confidence (but nowhere near as fast so could be an illusion).

Fuel wise, it is not great but I have been getting 30-35 on trips, which is what the focus and the volvo get.

On the motorway, I am quite happy sitting at 70-75 and it doesn't mind this... However, above this and it is on-boost so not particularly comfortable mixing it with the diesels in lane 3 for any lengthy periods.

Oscar

[MJK 24]

SlowStig said:

On standard internals?

Many people do but you wonder about longevity!

[Gilhooligan]

I do like these. I guy up the road from me has one (and has had it for years) in nogaru blue. I'd buy it off him if I could!
What's the plans for it?

[ambuletz]

Have you thought about buying/renting a heat gun to restore the the colour of those light grey bumper strips on the front/back of your car?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-dtbBzky-s

[Baryonyx]

Gilhooligan said:

I do like these. I guy up the road from me has one (and has had it for years) in nogaru blue. I'd buy it off him if I could!
What's the plans for it?

Nogaro Blue is the best colour for an Audi...so, so right. China Blue is nice though.

[5potTurbo]

I'm afraid I can't see your pics at work, OP. But I do like the S3's of this age. Not a fan of the newer versions.

Baryonyx said:

Gilhooligan said:

I do like these. I guy up the road from me has one (and has had it for years) in nogaru blue. I'd buy it off him if I could!
What's the plans for it?

Nogaro Blue is the best colour for an Audi...so, so right. China Blue is nice though.

[Panto mode]
"Oh, no it isn't!"
[/Panto mode]


I had a 225 from new in August 2002, with a special order Quattro GmbH paint called "Merlin Pearlescent". I shouldn't have sold it. *sobs*

[Jimhughes]

Love it! Looking for one of these next just waiting for the prices of sub-100k facelifts to drop a bit. (Not that I have a problem with well cared for 100k+'s my last 3 Audis have all had over 120k!)
Not sure if your planning on doing much with it but a mate was running one with a haldex controller and it really did transform the handling!

[Jimhughes]

Also did you change the clutch/flywheel for another dual mass? Opted for a solid-mass conversion kit on my A6 (Mapped 1.8t) as know the dual-masses can be a real weak point when you start increasing power.

[aka_kerrly]

Even allowing for having to do the clutch and flywheel £2300 for what appears to be a tidy looking S3 is good going!!

[C.A.R.]

Lots of car for the money!

I like that shape S3 / A3, they started going downhill after that IMO. Get some back-to-black on that rear bumper section though! That would really bug me!

[Alias218]

These engines (AMK or BAM depending on year) are renowned for having ropey ConRods. Where the crank and pistons are forged, the rods are cast.

I own a 2003 Leon Cupra R (same car, different suit) and have never modded it because of this. The accepted standard on seatcupra.net is 300bhp/300lbft, whichever comes first. But I think that is really pushing your luck.

As for your motor - very tidy for 117k miler!

[MattyB_]

I was looking at one of these as I'm looking to downsize in order to move house, and I've always liked them.

I'll be doing a few more miles, though - used to easily get 30mpg around town and 40mpg on the motorway with my old A3 1.8T, how does the S3 stack up? I'm guessing the increased power (210-225) and Quattro weight means it won't be quite as economical as its little brother...

[OW29]

MattyB_ said:

I was looking at one of these as I'm looking to downsize in order to move house, and I've always liked them.

I'll be doing a few more miles, though - used to easily get 30mpg around town and 40mpg on the motorway with my old A3 1.8T, how does the S3 stack up? I'm guessing the increased power (210-225) and Quattro weight means it won't be quite as economical as its little brother...

I quite like it as a runaround, it will do 35mpg on an easy run and has great seats, plus the poke to have a bit of fun when needed.

Also, although it is not that fast, it just has something about it (that same something that I felt with my sapphire cosworth but not really with the M3's / subarus I have had)... I really enjoy getting in it and driving it, plus I have not seen any on the road since I bought it.

Regarding plans - I don't really have any. I will get the cambelt changed and, now people have made me notice the grey bumper inserts, will probably sort them too. Looking at the photos on here, I noticed that it could do with a polish and the headlights are utterly useless (lenses seem a little cloudy). I always regretted selling my clean sapphire cosworth and I may end up garaging this after I have used it for a while.

It has retained the dual mass flywheel so hopefully it will hold out ok! The first one lasted 13 years and 116K so fingers crossed as I do not want to be changing it again!

Price wise, I believe it was originally advertised for over £3K, I looked at it at £2750. I have seen them advertised for silly money though but they are probably overpriced rather than mine being cheap (still feels a lot for an old A3!).

Thanks for all the comments, I have to say I feel a bit guilty using it as a hack but I just have a serious problem with paying big money for cars when you can get so much for so little!

Cheers

Oscar

Edited by OW29 on Tuesday 5th February 20:19

[mwstewart]

That seems quite a bargain, Oscar. I had a Quattro GmbH car myself a few years ago and the 8L does feel a bit special,especially compared to the more regular looking 8P model. I must admit I didn't take to it at all due to the woeful handling but I understand that can be resolved to a point.

For what you paid though, it's good value.

Cheers,
Mark