Audi S3 advice

[Maxwell90]

Alright!

Just put down a deposit on a 2009 S3 DSG and wondering if anyone can help on some tips on what to look out for when I got to buy it on Monday. I've got the following so far:

Check the gearbox isn't jerky
Check the engine oil doesn't smell of petrol
Make sure the aircon is blowing cold
Make sure all the lights come on when the ignition is on
Check both keys work
Check the VIN number on the window matches the v5
Listen for any knocking noises on test drive


The only thing that puts me off (paranoid) is mileage. It was serviced in 2011 and 2013 and the difference in mileage is around 2500 (main dealer service). Would that put you off?
The only downside to it other than that is it needs the timing belt done due to it's age but, the price was adjusted and I'd rather it was done in my ownership so I know it's definitely done.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Audi-S3-White-S-tro...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Max

[Lucas Ayde]

Maxwell90 said:

Alright!

Just put down a deposit on a 2009 S3 DSG and wondering if anyone can help on some tips on what to look out for when I got to buy it on Monday. I've got the following so far:

Check the gearbox isn't jerky
Check the engine oil doesn't smell of petrol
Make sure the aircon is blowing cold
Make sure all the lights come on when the ignition is on
Check both keys work
Check the VIN number on the window matches the v5
Listen for any knocking noises on test drive


The only thing that puts me off (paranoid) is mileage. It was serviced in 2011 and 2013 and the difference in mileage is around 2500 (main dealer service). Would that put you off?
The only downside to it other than that is it needs the timing belt done due to it's age but, the price was adjusted and I'd rather it was done in my ownership so I know it's definitely done.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Audi-S3-White-S-tro...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Max

It addition to checking for jerky gearchanges, make sure that the S-Tronic gearbox had the oil change at 38000 miles (and any subsequent 38k interval). Based on user posts on forums though, the 'bad' DSG/S-Tronic units show problems very early on in their lives so by this stage it's either OK or has been fixed.

Also, the engine should have had a timing belt/water pump change at 5 years old.

[CerberusRogue]

Tyres tyres tyres. All four require replacing at the same time so check the wear on all of them.

[cuprabob]

CerberusRogue said:

Tyres tyres tyres. All four require replacing at the same time so check the wear on all of them.

It's a Haldex based system so no need to replace all at the same time. They can be replaced in axle pairs without any issue

[cuprabob]

CerberusRogue said:

Tyres tyres tyres. All four require replacing at the same time so check the wear on all of them.

It's a Haldex based system so no need to replace all at the same time. They can be replaced in axle pairs without any issue

[CerberusRogue]

cuprabob said:

CerberusRogue said:

Tyres tyres tyres. All four require replacing at the same time so check the wear on all of them.

It's a Haldex based system so no need to replace all at the same time. They can be replaced in axle pairs without any issue

This is what I thought but one of the mechanics there told me this is a myth that shouldn't be perpetuated. Said he also sees lots of them with almost bald rear tyres as people are led to believe that they take much longer to wear than the fronts so never check them

[Dr G]

cuprabob said:

CerberusRogue said:

Tyres tyres tyres. All four require replacing at the same time so check the wear on all of them.

It's a Haldex based system so no need to replace all at the same time. They can be replaced in axle pairs without any issue

No issue with having pairs rather than sets on any quattro car.

The car's done 33 so will unlikely have had any 38k work done. I'd budget to do this straight away (Haldex oil and S-Tronic oil).

As already mentioned, belt and water pump is 5 years or 75k, whichever is the sooner.

Listen for the diverter valve fluttering (sounds like a cheap dump valve) when coming off boost. They're cheap to replace for the new one but the originals are weak.

A lot get thrashed and crashed so you're looking for nice smooth, straight panels, even gaps, signs of overspray, broken trims/clips/brackets/lights etc.

[djc206]

CerberusRogue said:

This is what I thought but one of the mechanics there told me this is a myth that shouldn't be perpetuated. Said he also sees lots of them with almost bald rear tyres as people are led to believe that they take much longer to wear than the fronts so never check them

They don't need replacing all at the same time, pairs is fine. If you wanted to change all at the same time switch the rears to the front when the fronts are at about 3.5-4mm at a guess and you should end up with even wear.

The fronts on my S3 lasted about 8k, the rears were still at 5.5mm. So the difference in rolling circumference between rears and new vs old fronts was negligible.

[rich83]

Don't be too concerned if the oil smells a little bit of fuel, that's pretty much expected on these TFSI engines. As its a 09 the DSG "shoukd" be fine. Just check it for jerkiness in D and R (they can be a bit jerky when cold which is par for the course)

The above is nonsense regarding tyres. No issue in replacing pairs.

Looks a nice motor :-)

[Maxwell90]

Thanks for the replies.

Really not sure what to do as I do love the car.

The service history shows
29/03/2010 9999 miles
24/02/2011 19548 miles
23/05/2013 21842 miles

Mot's
24/05/2013 21887
29/05/2014 32331

It does check out okay but, I've HPI'd it and its showing 4 previous owners and the last buyer was 10/01/2015 before that 24/05/2013. He did say he was a trader I'm buying from if that makes a difference. Don't know whether I'm just being paranoid as I've been stung before.

It is also missing a key and needing serviced but, he has dropped the price accordingly to be fair.

[MattS3]

Any idea why it's only done 2k in 2 years around 2011?

Looks odd to me.

Especially when it's been averaging 10k per year either before and after

[Andy OH]

Maxwell90 said:

Thanks for the replies.

Really not sure what to do as I do love the car.

The service history shows
29/03/2010 9999 miles
24/02/2011 19548 miles
23/05/2013 21842 miles

Mot's
24/05/2013 21887
29/05/2014 32331

It does check out okay but, I've HPI'd it and its showing 4 previous owners and the last buyer was 10/01/2015 before that 24/05/2013. He did say he was a trader I'm buying from if that makes a difference. Don't know whether I'm just being paranoid as I've been stung before.

It is also missing a key and needing serviced but, he has dropped the price accordingly to be fair.

Sounds like you have some uncertainties to resolve. If you're not 100% sure about the car, which it sounds like you're not, then walk away as there will always be something else that will come along.

Good luck with your decision.

[Adrian E]

Could easily have been clocked between MOTs - worth checking with Audi to see if it's been near a dealer for anything in the intervening period that might suggest a different mileage profile.

You can check mileage with VCDS but don't know enough about the details to know if a 'mileage correction' would remove evidence from all the locations it could be stored?

If it smells fishy I would find another - there's loads out there and you're more likely to find a wreck than a good one, unfortunately. Even main dealers will try to flog tat!

[Dr G]

Trader isn't a registered keeper.

Too many 'what ifs' from an unknown source and Audi sold lots of S3s. Walk and find one without so many excuses.