Tuesday 14th May 2019

Audi S3: Spotted

2.0-litre turbo, four-wheel drive and a premium billing are de rigueur for 2019 hot hatches - Audi was there in 2006

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Think of a hot hatch capable of everything from commuter trundling to Sunday morning thrashing, and it's hard to avoid thinking of the Golf GTI. But the Audi S3 has been doing the same job with more power for three generations now. Arriving in 1999, it had more than 200hp mark from the off, arriving with the VW Group's once ubiquitous 20-valve turbocharged 1.8, which was also shared with recent PH Hero, the Mk1 Skoda Octavia vRS. But the Audi got 210hp to the Skoda's 180hp, although at well over 1.4 tonnes, the Audi was the podgier offering.

It was quick enough, though, hitting 62mph in 6.9 seconds and topping out at 148mph, but without a serious dosage of engineering Slim Fast, the S3 really needed more power to garner proper attention. So with the arrival of the second-generation model in 2006, that's exactly what it got. Using Audi's 2.0-litre TFSI engine it now had 265hp and could sprint from zero to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 155mph.

Moreover, the 8P was a much more dynamic hot hatch than its rather stodgy 8L predecessor - thank the Golf Mk5 underpinnings for that, which had arrived a couple of years beforehand and made the GTI great again. When Autocar ran a huge hot hatch grudge match in 2007, it was the S3 that in fact surpassed the GTI - finishing in second place, ahead of a Clio 197 and only behind an R26 Megane. "Incredibly fast and surprisingly engaging" was how the Audi is described in the video - so there.

Combine all that with effortless performance, understated style and trademark Audi quality and it was easy to understand the S3's popularity in the UK. If anything it doesn't quite the recognition it deserves, lost in the limelight of the cheaper, probably more stylish GTI, and the seriously potent S3s and RS3s that have succeeded it. As an entertaining hot hatch that was compact, quick and decently luxurious, there was a lot to be said for this generation of S3.

Sales were therefore always strong in Britain, but Audi residuals are such that even the popular Mk2 S3 - there are 26 to choose from on the PH classifieds - hasn't exactly hit rock bottom prices yet. The cheapest is on for just under seven grand, while you'd need £17,497 to bag the priciest without haggling. Of course, we've picked a car from the lower-end of the listings that looks to be of a standard that might otherwise have placed it further up the order, were it not "priced to sell" by the dealer.

It's a 2008 three-door in ideal discreet S3 spec: black bodywork, silver wheels and black leather interior. With 66,000 miles on the clock, this manual car is said to be in very good health, while the spec list includes a full leather heated interior and Bose speakers for the sound system, so it's not lacking equipment. Plus, it seems a previous owner appreciated the potency of the engine, as they've fitted an upgraded cat-back exhaust and Revo induction kit, which may give the motor better responses and vocals. A recent full service adds weight to the claims that this is a well-maintained machine.

So no, it's never going to be a laugh out loud, lift-off oversteering hooligan. But as a fast car to live with every day, the case for an S3 like this is probably stronger than it's ever been. Sure, it's more expensive than some alternatives, but if this glacial depreciation continues then it shouldn't cost a fortune, either. There's a lot of be said for more subtle performance cars every now and then...

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SPECIFICATION - AUDI S3

Engine: 1,984cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: six-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 265@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@2,500-5,000rpm
MPG: 31
CO2: 217g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 66,000
Price new: £27,000
Yours for: £8,995

See the full ad here.

[Niffty951]

Dont forget it's among the fastest Audi cars still available in manual too. The RS3 was offered only in anti-driver auto.

The haldex 60/40 rear/front split means when you apply torque in a corner it's the rear tyres it works hardest and it will reward enthusiastic driving, although you have to think to stick the front end in first on corner entry before it will reveal its hidden depths. Only the TT RS, B7 RS4, early R8 and Pre2011 S4 have more engine with a manual and all except the TT come with significantly heavier running costs (fuel, servicing, parts).

The S3 is extremely easy to tune, just under 400hp and just over 400lb/ft torque being the natural sweet spot before big upgrade costs and reliability come into the forefront. I just sold mine having owned both generations of S3. You have to look at some pretty serious metal to get from A-B any faster than a lightly worked S3

The engine may be 'just' another 2.0t but is a real gem, it had the prime pick of the VAG 2.0t parts and the parts are often used as upgrades to the golf & Seat equivilents when tuning.

Edited by Niffty951 on Tuesday 14th May 07:26

[Brian Fallon]

I bought an 07 S3 in May 2007 and I still think it is one of the best all round cars on the market. The 4wd system is fantastic (especially in the snow), the car is quick and can act as an estate when you need to carry lots of stuff. I keep looking out for an affordable 306bhp model but 3 door versions are pretty thin on the ground. This car never got the respect of deserves from the motoring press.

[Dark555]

Quote ---> Audi was there in 2006

And Subaru were there 10 years earlier!

[cerb4.5lee]

I've always admired the S3 over all its generations and I still turn my head whenever I see one. I wasn't a fan of the haldex system on the 2012 TTS I had though, I've not driven the S3 to see if it is better or worse than what I experienced in the TT.

I'd like a go in one because I really like the package that they offer.

[s m]

Brian Fallon said:

I bought an 07 S3 in May 2007 and I still think it is one of the best all round cars on the market. The 4wd system is fantastic (especially in the snow), the car is quick and can act as an estate when you need to carry lots of stuff. I keep looking out for an affordable 306bhp model but 3 door versions are pretty thin on the ground. This car never got the respect of deserves from the motoring press.

The old S3 did excellently in an EVO 4wd'er group test.

Ended up in the final 3 with the RB5 Impreza and EVO 6 - up against 911s, Skylines and Integrale/Cosworth type of cars.

They must have rated it highly

[martin mrt]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've always admired the S3 over all its generations and I still turn my head whenever I see one. I wasn't a fan of the haldex system on the 2012 TTS I had though, I've not driven the S3 to see if it is better or worse than what I experienced in the TT.

I'd like a go in one because I really like the package that they offer.

It’s the same set up, I actually thought the TTS was a good if not overly damped steer

[cerb4.5lee]

martin mrt said:

It’s the same set up, I actually thought the TTS was a good if not overly damped steer

I liked the looks/interior loads but I found the front bias haldex wanting when you pushed on in it, also not helped by it having extremely light/vague steering.

I'd still have another one though I reckon, because they are lovely to live with and the performance was excellent I thought.

[is1]

The spec list states:

"Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive".

I thought it was four-wheel drive?

[mk1chopper]

For me the 8p was the start of Audi styling losing its way, the interior was step up from 8l but found the exterior lacked anything to make it stand out from an s line where as the 8l had suttle touches like flared arches. Shame Recaros became an option to so you only got the same seats as an s line too as standard.

[wab172uk]

Dark555 said:

Quote ---> Audi was there in 2006

And Subaru were there 10 years earlier!

And so was Audi with the 8L Chassis S3. All be it a 1.8T with 210bhp. A car I seriously wanted but couldn't afford. Then up to 225bhp in 2002.

[adam.]

Original price of £27,000 - this seems pretty reasonable compared to all the hyper-hatches of today!

[GTEYE]

adam. said:

Original price of £27,000 - this seems pretty reasonable compared to all the hyper-hatches of today!

But then....Golf GTIs started at £20k and could be had for £17k new so it wasn’t an absolute bargain at the time.

[SweptVolume]

I always preferred the A3 3.2 over this. Understated to the point of being anonymous, but with one of the all-time great engines under the bonnet.

The V6 almost certainly won't handle as well, but with a 2005 manual car with 74k costing under £4k, it's pretty good value against the S3.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Court_S]

mk1chopper said:

For me the 8p was the start of Audi styling losing its way, the interior was step up from 8l but found the exterior lacked anything to make it stand out from an s line where as the 8l had suttle touches like flared arches. Shame Recaros became an option to so you only got the same seats as an s line too as standard.

I’d agree with that too. I also don’t think the interior on the 8P has aged that well. They look better in lighter, more interior colours too.

[p4cks]

GTEYE said:

adam. said:

Original price of £27,000 - this seems pretty reasonable compared to all the hyper-hatches of today!

But then....Golf GTIs started at £20k and could be had for £17k new so it wasn’t an absolute bargain at the time.

And £27K in 2008 is the equivalent of £35K in 2019 so it's there or thereabouts

[Leins]

Dark555 said:

Quote ---> Audi was there in 2006

And Subaru were there 10 years earlier!

Missing the “premium” tag from the headline though, FWIW

[big_rob_sydney]

s m said:

Brian Fallon said:

I bought an 07 S3 in May 2007 and I still think it is one of the best all round cars on the market. The 4wd system is fantastic (especially in the snow), the car is quick and can act as an estate when you need to carry lots of stuff. I keep looking out for an affordable 306bhp model but 3 door versions are pretty thin on the ground. This car never got the respect of deserves from the motoring press.

The old S3 did excellently in an EVO 4wd'er group test.

Ended up in the final 3 with the RB5 Impreza and EVO 6 - up against 911s, Skylines and Integrale/Cosworth type of cars.

They must have rated it highly

I think this is the point though; there were rally based cars around, even from 10 to 15 years prior, that had its measure in every performance metric. Not to mention the disappointment and impracticality of 3 doors.

I'm not surprised it never got respect. It was years behind the times, and when it finally did arrive, it was too slow.

[Water Fairy]

'anti-driver auto'

Oh please get back under your rock

[s m]

big_rob_sydney said:

s m said:

Brian Fallon said:

I bought an 07 S3 in May 2007 and I still think it is one of the best all round cars on the market. The 4wd system is fantastic (especially in the snow), the car is quick and can act as an estate when you need to carry lots of stuff. I keep looking out for an affordable 306bhp model but 3 door versions are pretty thin on the ground. This car never got the respect of deserves from the motoring press.

The old S3 did excellently in an EVO 4wd'er group test.

Ended up in the final 3 with the RB5 Impreza and EVO 6 - up against 911s, Skylines and Integrale/Cosworth type of cars.

They must have rated it highly

I think this is the point though; there were rally based cars around, even from 10 to 15 years prior, that had its measure in every performance metric. Not to mention the disappointment and impracticality of 3 doors.

I'm not surprised it never got respect. It was years behind the times, and when it finally did arrive, it was too slow.

It did get picked over a 911 ......IN AN EVO MAG GROUP TEST!

That has to be newsworthy on its own

Made it to the top 3 ahead of all the old rally reps too








Final verdict

[Crumpet]

Uncomfortable and unbelievably firm ride, understeer, completely unengaging, rubbish noise, crap manual ‘box and no fun unless you’re thrashing it on a smooth, fast A road. They’re thoroughly unpleasant on a typical English country road. And the sodding armrest interferes with the handbrake! And the stereo always turns itself on when you fire up the motor. And then for good measure triples the volume after twenty seconds. And and and....

Hateful things!

I frequently borrow my 65 year old mother’s 2012 S3 and the only good thing about it is that in the 6 years she’s had it it’s only lost about £7k - which is really rather impressive and makes it incredibly good value if you can put up with it being awful.