Audi S3 8P Buying advice

[Woodyyyy]

Hello guys I’m looking at the above car as a potential next car along with a corsa vxr and possibly a Golf GTI I want to spend max 8K not including insurance.

What I need help with is used buying advice. I know if I get the corsa vxr the quality of the other two. However I can get the vxr with a lot lower miles and condition for the same price as an s3 with double the miles. How many miles is too much on the S3 what sort of things need replacing and just general maintaining the car. I don’t want to buy a car which 6 months down the line I can’t afford to run. The car will be my daily so I don’t want it breaking down and always in the shop. If anyone has owned any of these cars I would appreciate any advice you may have?

[ZX10R NIN]

With the S3 expect to be replacing suspension components (especially if driven in the city a lot) engine wise they burn a bit of oil but keep an eye on it, get the haldex system checked (pay a specialist to check it over) apart from that do your usual checks.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's a better car than the VXR but you may well enjoy driving the VXR more:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With that budget I'd be looking at either of these two both are better drivers cars than the two listed above (& the GTI you also mentioned) & you should be able to land a very good example for your budget.

Focus ST-3 (that 2.5T is a peach & adds an extra bit of character)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

RS250 (not a Cup Chassis car but still a good steer)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another car with character is the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf but they're hard to find so hold their money pretty well:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If it has to be a VAG if it's not the Corsa then I'd be look a the Seat Leon Cupra:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[adamfraser]

We have an S3 8P on a 58 plate. 80k on it, done 16k of that and not much has gone wrong to be honest!

Been pretty reliable, gave it a full service when we first got it (oils, haldex service, plugs, filters). Rear calipers started to stick so have replaced them.

Whoever done the last belt hadn’t replaced the one time use stretch bolts on the engine mount, and they managed to wriggle their way out and snapped 2 of the 3 bolts so engine was sitting down. Garage wanted ££££ to take engine out and have a look, fixed it in the driveway with £20 of new bolts and a few hours Labour. I know not every car will be the same but it’s worth checking!

Window regulators fail, just done the passenger one and fitted replacement speakers at the same time as they weren’t sounding great.

Very happy with it, use it a lot more than my Impreza as it’s just got so much more comfort.

[Hoink]

ZX10R NIN said:

With the S3 expect to be replacing suspension components (especially if driven in the city a lot) engine wise they burn a bit of oil but keep an eye on it, get the haldex system checked (pay a specialist to check it over) apart from that do your usual checks.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's a better car than the VXR but you may well enjoy driving the VXR more:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With that budget I'd be looking at either of these two both are better drivers cars than the two listed above (& the GTI you also mentioned) & you should be able to land a very good example for your budget.

Focus ST-3 (that 2.5T is a peach & adds an extra bit of character)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

RS250 (not a Cup Chassis car but still a good steer)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another car with character is the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf but they're hard to find so hold their money pretty well:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If it has to be a VAG if it's not the Corsa then I'd be look a the Seat Leon Cupra:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I would like to say how much I enjoy reading your posts. This sub forum wouldn't be the same without you!

[xjay1337]

S3 has basically the same suspension as a Golf.
aside from slightly different rollbars etc.

Basically find a buying guide for a Golf and use that

Basically, generally solid cars, bit boring, few niggles but easy and cheap (usually) to fix.