Anybody with experience of Audi S3 ownership?

[JMC 0]

Well (and I hate admitting this) the time has come for me to start looking a for a different car. After something not much bigger than the Rado, don't mind if it's 2 or 4 door, probably not going to do as much to it as I did to my G60, and would like something with a bit of grunt, ideally 4 wheel drive. So I'm currently thinking Audi S3 or Golf R32 - like the idea of possibly some mild engine tuning (or if I go the R32 route then depending on how business goes maybe Turboing it). No idea at all about S3 running/ownership, so was wondering if anyone had any experience please. And yes, it will be an awful day when I need to get rid of the Rado.....

[Purplebaghera 0]

Hi. Brought one just over a week ago to replce the wife's A4 Avant, she wanted something sportier but still fairly practical, after trying to get us two and our two teenage boys into the back of a TT! Very funny : ) Anyway all good so far, goes like stink, good legroom in back, even for me at 6'2" and looks cool, hope this helps, Try to keep the Corrado as well? ; ) Cheers Vince.

[Wesleyvr6 10]

I have an S3 newer shape if that's what you mean? Amazing car, ticks every box for me. Perfect in the winter too! Mine has been tinkered with and is just shy of 400bhp so goes like stink too. Never had a single problem with it since new 5 years ago!

[craigowl 0]

Ok if you can handle a >£1100 service bill now and again.

Our lad had to get 4 new tyres/Haldex service, etc.

Great car, but they had to get rid of it - could not fund its upkeep. Lesson learnt.

This was several years ago, too.

[JMC 0]

Thanks guys, and anymore comments, please keep them coming. Yes, it's the newer shape S3 I'm thinking of (maybe last 6 years or so). I had a feeling servicing might be an issue, but my G60 doesn't like being kept outdoors, and I'm getting more issues with her, so I get the feeling servicing that will become more of an issue. I'm also pondering whether a slighly older 3.2l S3 or an R32 would be an option as well. Decisions decisions.

[Wesleyvr6 10]

Thanks guys, and anymore comments, please keep them coming. Yes, it's the newer shape S3 I'm thinking of (maybe last 6 years or so). I had a feeling servicing might be an issue, but my G60 doesn't like being kept outdoors, and I'm getting more issues with her, so I get the feeling servicing that will become more of an issue. I'm also pondering whether a slighly older 3.2l S3 or an R32 would be an option as well. Decisions decisions.

 

They never did an older 3.2 S3 mate, they were all 1.8T either 210bhp or 225 bhp. i dont find servicing expensive on mine, i use an Audi specialist rather than the dealer as they know far more and charge far less,haldex service is every 40,000.

[craigowl 0]

Wesleyvr6 said - "....haldex service is every 40,000."

 

ha!ha!ha! - what with the new tyres and that, our lad hit the jackpot mileage! I'll wind him up about poor research!

 

He and partner have opted for a custard yellow £995 Suzuki Ignis for in Edinburgh. That cost less than the S3 service - possibly on a different learning curve now!

[Kevin Bacon 5]

If you want a 3.2 Audi, it'll have to be an A3 or MK1 TT.

 

Servicing isn't too expensive if you do it yourself. The Haldex is the only tricky one as it needs a special spanner to get the filter off but Haldex oil every 20K and oil + filter at 40K. A Haldex service kit is around £50. Engine oil is expensive through VAG, so I'd switch to Silkolene Pro S 5W/40 from Opie Oils and get a better oil for less money. Air filter is easy. Fuel filter is easy (push-on fittings). Oil filter is easy. Rear diff and gearbox oil are easy too. God knows why people pay so much for dealers to do it but I guess they want their stamps in the book.

 

Arm yourself with VAG-COM as well because you'll need it with newer VAGs!! I recommend the HEX+CAN-USB lead. Handy if you want to reset the service counter and change the behaviour of the C/L and alarm chirps etc.

 

In terms of power upgrades, the 3.2 is VERY expensive to extract power from. Cams, filter, exhaust and remap will take you to about 280-290hp and that little lot will cost you ~ £3Kish. And then as we all know, it won't be enough and you'll go to Forced induction, so may as well just skip the n'asp modding and go straight to boost :D

 

The MK1/MK2 1.8T S3 can chip to 270-280hp and the MK3 2.0T S3 can chip to a lot more.

 

The 3.2 is obviously smoother and the bottom end torque and throttle response are better than the turbos. And the 3.2 exhaust note needs no introduction!

 

They all understeer easily. A whiteline 22mm rear ARB (or Neuspeed 25mm hollow arb) and Haldex blue controller will sort that quite nicely.

 

Of all the Haldex VAGs, I think the MK4 R32 is by far the best looking car but the MK4 platform has pretty crap electronics (door modules, clocks, flaky airbag connections, windows dropping into doors etc) but all are easily fixable. The R32 was also an aftermarket special with H&R springs, aggressive Bilstein dampers & Koenig seats all fitted by VW. It's by far the firmest and most alive feeling car, but the suspension stiffness can make it a rattle and squeak fest inside. MK5 R32s by comparison are a big leap forward in quality, but not as involving to drive. MK5s also have known rust issues but the MK4s so far are free of it. 12 year rust warranty, so the youngest MK4s still have 3 years warranty left. R32s also have a reputation for eating DMFs, bushes, dampers, springs and tyres but you can accept that advice only from people who thrash the crap out of them.

One more thing to be aware of with MK4 and early MK5 R32s is the chains. The early chains could stretch and some intermediate shaft sprockets weren't case hardened properly. Replacing them with the superceded parts is a fit and forget fix but treat it the same as the VR6 chain horror stories, i.e. exaggerated beyond belief.

 

The only issue with the TFSI engine I'm aware of is a high thirst for oil but not all suffer from it. 2 guys at work had TFSIs. One used a litre every 1000 and the other used a litre every 3000. You never know with them really.

 

VAG-COM is also a good idea when viewing a car because if you can't connect to the Haldex ECU, it's usually dead. You also want to do another simple check:-

 

Give it full lock in both directions and in reverse and listen for a rear wheel wheel dragging / skipping. It will also be accompanied by some nasty noises from the diff. Walk away!

 

Personally, I think after your Corrado, you would find an R32 underwhelming. A beefed up MK3 S3 will probably be more your bag.

 

And lastly, they're all heavy cars, so don't expect Corrado standards of nimbleness in the corners :D

[craigowl 0]

Well, clearly you don't spend all your time metamorphosing into a porker, Kev!

(We knew that anyway.)

Good stuff (thumb).

[Kevin Bacon 5]

The result of too much spannering and not enough 'living' :D

[craigowl 0]

You'll be OK, kev.

Livin' is spending time doing what you like.

I'm never happier than when I am geeking and tweaking (though not cars nowadays.)

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Very true!

 

I do like a good geek and tweak also, especially with AV equipment and assorted electronics!

[Paular 10]

Running my second 8P S3. They are brilliant allrounders.

 

First one was a 57 Plate Sprint Blue manual which I owned from 4months old for 3.5yrs and ran REVO Stage 1. Quick, capable, but thirsty. Not quite as reliable as people think but if anything is to go wrong is generally happens within the warranty period so the car should have had a decent shakedown.

 

Currently have a MY12 Black Ed with DSG box and its also superb. Maybe not as `fun` or involving as a manual when hooning but I prefer it as a daily driver. These cars are quite `safe`and quiet so I added a Milltek TBE + Cats and SHARK Stage 1 map and its pretty quick and sounds much fruitier! 310bhp deployable in all weathers is a nice thing.

 

 

I would recommend an S3 anyday and they are so tuneable. Clutches on manual cars are rubbish and dont stand up to tuning very well. Most people fit the SACH unit with OEM DMF and that seems to stand upto Stage 2+/3 tuning (360bhp).

 

If you need any more info please fire away, or PM or whatever.

There is a wealth of knowledge on Audi-sport.net if you have look over there.

 

Cheers

Paul

[Wesleyvr6 10]

Running my second 8P S3. They are brilliant allrounders.

 

First one was a 57 Plate Sprint Blue manual which I owned from 4months old for 3.5yrs and ran REVO Stage 1. Quick, capable, but thirsty. Not quite as reliable as people think but if anything is to go wrong is generally happens within the warranty period so the car should have had a decent shakedown.

 

Currently have a MY12 Black Ed with DSG box and its also superb. Maybe not as `fun` or involving as a manual when hooning but I prefer it as a daily driver. These cars are quite `safe`and quiet so I added a Milltek TBE + Cats and SHARK Stage 1 map and its pretty quick and sounds much fruitier! 310bhp deployable in all weathers is a nice thing.

 

 

I would recommend an S3 anyday and they are so tuneable. Clutches on manual cars are rubbish and dont stand up to tuning very well. Most people fit the SACH unit with OEM DMF and that seems to stand upto Stage 2+/3 tuning (360bhp).

 

If you need any more info please fire away, or PM or whatever.

There is a wealth of knowledge on Audi-sport.net if you have look over there.

 

Cheers

Paul

Thought i recognised youruser name mate from Audi-sport!

[Billzeebub 1]

My only experience of Audi S3 s is being cut up by them!!..

[Wesleyvr6 10]

My only experience of Audi S3 s is being cut up by them!!..

 

Did you not know we own the roads!! Haha

[JMC 0]

Thanks guys. While I hate to think about getting rid of the G60, I have a horrible feeling practicallity and usability will win out. Not just yet though....

[emu 0]

Had a GT28'ed S3 MK1 in the past. Can't say a bad word about it but you need to replace suspension as standard is crap. Had H&R coilovers on mine.

[Paular 10]

Thought i recognised youruser name mate from Audi-sport!

 

Small World matey.

 

Had my last Corrado 12 years ago and had an itch to own another ever since.

 

Its a toss up between that and a Renault 5 Turbo.:shrug:

 

cheers

Paul