Hi
am looking at buying an Audi S3 privately and would like any help with information regarding S3's and what to look out for with things that go wrong with used models. The year I am looking at is 2000 facelift model. Also when do the S3's need there cambelt done (Kilometers wise) and does anyone know how much it would cost?
thanks in advance
Tin
dreamer
Ignore Rob he never works ... appreciate it if you get back to work or I will tell your boss!
Quote from: tintinz on September 27, 2005, 03:47:07 PM
Hi
am looking at buying an Audi S3 privately and would like any help with information regarding S3's and what to look out for with things that go wrong with used models. The year I am looking at is 2000 facelift model. Also when do the S3's need there cambelt? done (Kilometers wise) and does anyone know how much it would cost?
thanks in advance
Tin
Check out the following:
1) Surging in 1st gear, happens to lots of people a few years in. lots of reasons why, no single easy fix.
2) Rust in the bottom of the doors
3) Cold start issues (related to (1))
4) Synchro loss issues between 2nd and 3rd gear, need to double de-clutch
I have 1, 3, and 4. Can't blame anyone, I had it from new..
The cambelt change is in the manual, don't have mine handy to check at the moment though, sorry.
Cheers, Ed.
Thanks Ed for this advice
am actually going to arrange to look at the S3 its on trademe ... so wish me luck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Audi/auction-36109626.htm check it out let me know what you think
cheers
Tin
Quote from: tintinz on September 28, 2005, 08:44:34 AM
Thanks Ed for this advice
am actually going to arrange to look at the S3 its on trademe ... so wish me luck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Audi/auction-36109626.htm check it out let me know what you think
cheers
Tin
Try and get one MY2002 onwards if you can so that you get the 225hp engine. Also make sure that it is tunable via the serial port tune, older S3's require the ECU to be soldered. I'm also not sure if the older S3's have xenon lights. The bose in dash stereo is rather nice as well, even if the sound does suck a little after a while.
A quick way of spotting a newer S3 is that the logo on the front grill is an S3 rather than the // symbol with a small S3 in it.
Cheers, Ed.
Hi Ed
thanks for the further information and after looking at the pics of the car further on trademe I am afraid that it is the older model with the // symbol on the grille even tho it is a facelift model with the chrome mirror. Will check if it has Xenon headlights and weigh up if I want to go look at it.
I was also told about tuning via the serial port at http://www.revotechnik.com/ so the information you provided above was great
cheers again
Tin
Hi,
there are actully 3 versions of the S3, the one that you are looking at on trade me is the 1st release,
There is a 2nd facelift with the new headlights & the 210Kw, which ran through to late 01 possibly 02
then came the 225Kw which looks the same but had more power, normally 02 models
Quote from: Lunar7 on October 04, 2005, 10:55:24 AM
Hi,
there are actully 3 versions of the S3, the one that you are looking at on trade me is the 1st release,
There is a 2nd facelift with the new headlights & the 210Kw, which ran through to late 01 possibly 02
then came the 225Kw which looks the same but had more power, normally 02 models
You mean BHP not KW?
Yes I have the 210HP 2001 facelift - this is really an early 2002, as Audi traditionally feeds in updates ealrier than advertised as parts run out and also due to meeting seasonal launch dates. This newer version has significantly different suspension set up amongst other changes from the early model in the ad. The handling is significantly improved over the early model. . Also I believe some of the early mechanical issues had been resolved by then.
The first TRUE facelifted versions were registered in late 2001, mine was November. I suspect the one advertised merely has chrome mirrors ordered as an option.
Quote from: 12ax7 on October 04, 2005, 06:51:28 PM
Yes I have the 210HP 2001 facelift - this is really an early 2002, as Audi traditionally feeds in updates ealrier than advertised as parts run out and also due to meeting seasonal launch dates. This newer version has significantly different suspension set up amongst other changes from the early model in the ad. The handling is significantly improved over the early model. . Also I believe some of the early mechanical issues had been resolved by then.
The first TRUE facelifted versions were registered in late 2001, mine was November. I suspect the one advertised merely has chrome mirrors ordered as an option.?
12ax7, off topic, are you into your rotarys? Im was trying to figure out what your user name was about. 12a RX7? Am I right?
Quote from: Golfboy666GTI on October 04, 2005, 08:39:01 PM
12ax7, off topic, are you into your rotarys? Im was trying to figure out what your user name was about. 12a RX7? Am I right?
lol, thats the first thing i thought!
so decision time .... shall I go look at this S3 from trademe?? or tell the guy that his S3 isn't a facelift model based on the information given above hmmmmmmm
thanks guys\Gals
Tin
Quote from: tintinz on October 05, 2005, 08:54:03 AM
so decision time .... shall I go look at this S3 from trademe?? or tell the guy that his S3 isn't a facelift model based on the information given above hmmmmmmm
thanks guys\Gals
Tin
Have you spoken to the owner? Do you know what he wants for it?
12ax7 is a tube - into audio, the best gear is tube or valve based.
If you dont mind the older model the S3 in question is a reasonable price in my opinion with reasonable k's - however you might like to make a silly offer given that it is not the facelift model and it has now been sitting around. I would want to see the service records - if it has been serviced by an Audi approved dealer then they should be able to provide details on all service work. You may also want to consider offering subject to independent check by Gilltraps. For your info I know a dealer who traded a 1 yr old S3 225hp with 8k for $45k ! Known weaknesses are coils, ball joints ( back ), gearbox particlularly 2-3 change
No have not spoken to the owner yetso will give him a call and see how negotiable he is on the price based on fact that it is not a facelift model. Can you get a mechanical warranty from an Audi dealer? I think they call it the silver circle? or do you have to buy the car from a dealer to qualify for this?
Xenon lights are a curse to other drivers and should be banned!!
W*nk factor times four!!
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