Discussion
Hi All
I'm currently eyeing up a used Audi S3 at a well known Scottish dealership - this alone puts me off but the car is in my budget and looks great. I haven't yet been in to speak with them about it but will do shortly.
It's a 2008 Audi S3 on at just over £10k.
Can anybody with any Audi experience advise of things I should be checking on the motor/asking the dealer ?
TBH I probably won't buy this specific one just because of who is selling it but I pass it everyday on my walk to work and I am getting drawn to the Audi's...but have never owned one.
Any advice regarding a 2008 S3 appreciated.
I'm currently eyeing up a used Audi S3 at a well known Scottish dealership - this alone puts me off but the car is in my budget and looks great. I haven't yet been in to speak with them about it but will do shortly.
It's a 2008 Audi S3 on at just over £10k.
Can anybody with any Audi experience advise of things I should be checking on the motor/asking the dealer ?
TBH I probably won't buy this specific one just because of who is selling it but I pass it everyday on my walk to work and I am getting drawn to the Audi's...but have never owned one.
Any advice regarding a 2008 S3 appreciated.
Generally very good as it goes; with correct maintenance one shouldn't give you much grief. The biggest killer of S3s is their owners, no these are getting cheap a good many fall into the hands of complete idiots so you're looking for the scent of interesting herbals, crap modifications and worse repairs.
Really you want:
Oil every 10
Service every 20
Haldex (rear diff) oil every 40
Timing belt with water pump every 5 years
The engine itself is pretty strong and with regular oil will do moon miles, gearbox doesn't often misbehave even when modified but the stock clutch won't take abuse at anything over standard power. Talking of power, how much do you want? A simple stage 1 map gives you somewhere around 300 BHP and they absolutely fly. The world is your doggy bag for S3 tuning bits and they can be made to go, stop and turn in a very, very serious manner.
I'd be looking out for a car with Bose, Bluetooth, rain & light sensors. The navigation from 2008 is OK but a little dated feeling so I wouldn't let this be a deal breaker. There's an updated version that isn't silly money to retrofit.
Listen for clonks and bangs when you're test driving, feel for smooth clutch engagement without lurching or slipping, boost should come on smooth and hold well to fairly high revs (they've got much bigger lungs at high revs than the old 1.8T). Standard brakes are quite good, not expensive to replace and not prone to any problems. The four wheel drive system is strong but listen out for whines from behind you (diff oil changes often ignored). I personally can't stand the weird, perforated leather that comes as standard and would have the half alcantara setup ahead of it all day long.
Facelift cars ('58 plate) look a fair bit younger and are freshened up inside too.
Really you want:
Oil every 10
Service every 20
Haldex (rear diff) oil every 40
Timing belt with water pump every 5 years
The engine itself is pretty strong and with regular oil will do moon miles, gearbox doesn't often misbehave even when modified but the stock clutch won't take abuse at anything over standard power. Talking of power, how much do you want? A simple stage 1 map gives you somewhere around 300 BHP and they absolutely fly. The world is your doggy bag for S3 tuning bits and they can be made to go, stop and turn in a very, very serious manner.
I'd be looking out for a car with Bose, Bluetooth, rain & light sensors. The navigation from 2008 is OK but a little dated feeling so I wouldn't let this be a deal breaker. There's an updated version that isn't silly money to retrofit.
Listen for clonks and bangs when you're test driving, feel for smooth clutch engagement without lurching or slipping, boost should come on smooth and hold well to fairly high revs (they've got much bigger lungs at high revs than the old 1.8T). Standard brakes are quite good, not expensive to replace and not prone to any problems. The four wheel drive system is strong but listen out for whines from behind you (diff oil changes often ignored). I personally can't stand the weird, perforated leather that comes as standard and would have the half alcantara setup ahead of it all day long.
Facelift cars ('58 plate) look a fair bit younger and are freshened up inside too.
Dr G said:
Generally very good as it goes; with correct maintenance one shouldn't give you much grief. The biggest killer of S3s is their owners, no these are getting cheap a good many fall into the hands of complete idiots so you're looking for the scent of interesting herbals, crap modifications and worse repairs.
Really you want:
Oil every 10
Service every 20
Haldex (rear diff) oil every 40
Timing belt with water pump every 5 years
The engine itself is pretty strong and with regular oil will do moon miles, gearbox doesn't often misbehave even when modified but the stock clutch won't take abuse at anything over standard power. Talking of power, how much do you want? A simple stage 1 map gives you somewhere around 300 BHP and they absolutely fly. The world is your doggy bag for S3 tuning bits and they can be made to go, stop and turn in a very, very serious manner.
I'd be looking out for a car with Bose, Bluetooth, rain & light sensors. The navigation from 2008 is OK but a little dated feeling so I wouldn't let this be a deal breaker. There's an updated version that isn't silly money to retrofit.
Listen for clonks and bangs when you're test driving, feel for smooth clutch engagement without lurching or slipping, boost should come on smooth and hold well to fairly high revs (they've got much bigger lungs at high revs than the old 1.8T). Standard brakes are quite good, not expensive to replace and not prone to any problems. The four wheel drive system is strong but listen out for whines from behind you (diff oil changes often ignored). I personally can't stand the weird, perforated leather that comes as standard and would have the half alcantara setup ahead of it all day long.
Facelift cars ('58 plate) look a fair bit younger and are freshened up inside too.
Superb - thanks for that reply.Really you want:
Oil every 10
Service every 20
Haldex (rear diff) oil every 40
Timing belt with water pump every 5 years
The engine itself is pretty strong and with regular oil will do moon miles, gearbox doesn't often misbehave even when modified but the stock clutch won't take abuse at anything over standard power. Talking of power, how much do you want? A simple stage 1 map gives you somewhere around 300 BHP and they absolutely fly. The world is your doggy bag for S3 tuning bits and they can be made to go, stop and turn in a very, very serious manner.
I'd be looking out for a car with Bose, Bluetooth, rain & light sensors. The navigation from 2008 is OK but a little dated feeling so I wouldn't let this be a deal breaker. There's an updated version that isn't silly money to retrofit.
Listen for clonks and bangs when you're test driving, feel for smooth clutch engagement without lurching or slipping, boost should come on smooth and hold well to fairly high revs (they've got much bigger lungs at high revs than the old 1.8T). Standard brakes are quite good, not expensive to replace and not prone to any problems. The four wheel drive system is strong but listen out for whines from behind you (diff oil changes often ignored). I personally can't stand the weird, perforated leather that comes as standard and would have the half alcantara setup ahead of it all day long.
Facelift cars ('58 plate) look a fair bit younger and are freshened up inside too.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff