They are a good car, I don't think they give any trouble engine wise. Once you buy one that has been well looked after and has reasonable mileage you should be fine. Plenty of members on here have them so they should be able to advise you more.

Things to check for include:

Timing belt and water pump changed @60k
Haldex oil change should be done every 20k (I think)

Good luck with the search. They are a lovely car. I am thinking of getting one at some stage, probably when I change the A4.

 

are they not 218bhpish?

 

There was a 210 and a 225 I think. Not 100% sure though.

 

QUOTE(duffgti @ Nov 14 2007, 01:13 PM) [snapback]90587[/snapback]
are they not 218bhpish?


There are two versions... 210 and 225 bhp.. dont know quite when and where they changed over but it may of been in 2001 when they got a slight facelift. That said there are ones for sale on pistonheads etc that are 1999 that claim to be 225 so its a bit confusing!

 

I think you are right, they changed in 2001 with the facelift. It should be easy to tell which is which by looking at the power rating in KW on the data sticker in the boot.

 

this should help

http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=131

Gerry

 

Yep there is 2 kinds but I think it was mid to late '01 for the change as my mate has a 210bhp '01 model. As Geo said go by the sticker and not just because of the year.

 

Yeah there was a 210 bhp facelift model for awhile.

 

There is even a difference between the 210bhp engine, the 2001 210bhp engine has variable valve timing the same as the 225bhp, so there is no real difference after these are chipped. The pre-2001 210's are not variable timing.

 

Thanks gerry! that thread was pretty enlightening! i'd prefer to by in Ireland but they are SOOO expensive compared to the UK... eg 01 S3 Nogaro Blue with 123k miles for 21k euros.. madness.. there are a few cheaper but the its tempting to go across for one.

Does anyone know of any for sale?? anyone on these forums selling one or know of someone with one??!

Another quick Q.. do they come in;

1. White
2. Five Door form???

because there is a guy has one for sale which he claims is a genuine S3 but its white with 5 doors!! bit sus to me!

 

There are definitely no 5 door models, not sure about white, don't think I ever saw a white one.

 

That white one has been up on carzone for a very long time and never any pictures
and I could be wrong but the S3 black for sale in Meath is a badged and tuned up A3
I think....

 

There are 2 S3s in Killarney.

The real one is debadged.

The fake one has S3 badges all over it

 

QUOTE(benkenobi @ Nov 14 2007, 02:47 PM) [snapback]90616[/snapback]
That white one has been up on carzone for a very long time and never any pictures
and I could be wrong but the S3 black for sale in Meath is a badged and tuned up A3
I think....


yeah that white one is everywhere but has no pics at all! rang him out of pure curiousity and he said he'd put up pics soon...

I thought the black one looked real enough.. didnt look close tho! must look at it in more detail.. i know he has RS3 badges on for some reason..

 

The black one looks like an S3 alright.

 

QUOTE(Geo @ Nov 14 2007, 03:02 PM) [snapback]90620[/snapback]
The black one looks like an S3 alright.


yup.. has S3 dials, steering wheel etc.. and the electric recaros... seems pretty close!

 

The 210bhp model was sold in the UK from 2 Aug 1999 to 30 Nov 2001
The 225bhp model was sold in the UK from 5 Nov 2001 to 1 Nov 2003

But as the lads said, check the sticker in the boot for the KW rating
Multiply the KW by 1.35 to get the bhp

I really don't think that there were any white S3 (1.8Ts) produced.

The new 2.0T S3 can be got in White alright

It came in the following colours: Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Purple?, Red, Silver and Yellow.

That white one is a 1.8T Quattro Sport, that came in a 5dr, was 180bhp and 4wd, but not an S3

 

Great cars and not just cos I have one......

Will be selling mine early next year though due to a baby on the way!

As Geo said make sure the water pump was changed when the timing belt was done.
Mine is a 210 face lift model. There is a bit of an overlap but remapped the 210 and 225 give the same output. Definately worth getting the map done, still puts a smile on my face

 

I'd buy this one: http://pistonheads.com/sales/284400.htm

The front bumper is a bit dodgey but look whats under the bonnet!

 

QUOTE(Trevor @ Nov 14 2007, 02:52 PM) [snapback]90617[/snapback]
There are 2 S3s in Killarney.

The real one is debadged.

The fake one has S3 badges all over it

Passed the real one on Tuesday, he was too busy eyeing up the blonde on the path to see me though!

 

Cheap to insure, cheap to tax, 4WD,well built, leather recaro's, reliable and a facelift model with a remap sees 250 - 270 BHP. reasonable service costs Lots of tuning bits available.
Not too many cars on the market like that.

 

I have one for sale(cars for sale section). It`s the blue one that was in the link that gerhard posted. Tom fahy (vst) has looked after this car from 11,000 miles and it is in perfect condition plus it has all the right bit`s.

 

QUOTE(CK160 @ Nov 15 2007, 10:39 AM) [snapback]90746[/snapback]
I'd buy this one: http://pistonheads.com/sales/284400.htm

The front bumper is a bit dodgey but look whats under the bonnet!

Saw this one at Audi Driver International day in Castle Combe circuit near Swindon a few weeks ago. Savage power alrite but not sure about the front bumper!

 

QUOTE(DamoS3 @ Nov 17 2007, 09:03 PM) [snapback]91074[/snapback]
I have one for sale(cars for sale section). It`s the blue one that was in the link that gerhard posted. Tom fahy (vst) has looked after this car from 11,000 miles and it is in perfect condition plus it has all the right bit`s.

Hey Damo, yours is a pretty sweet car alrite! price may be a lil bit high for me though=o( av to sell my MkIV first aswell ya see.. i'm just kinda gettin some feedback on the S3's while i'm waitin for it to be sold! but they appear to be a great car! def think i'll go for one next!! Good luck wit the sale..

QUOTE(mad-for-tar @ Nov 17 2007, 11:56 PM) [snapback]91084[/snapback]
Saw this one at Audi Driver International day in Castle Combe circuit near Swindon a few weeks ago. Savage power alrite but not sure about the front bumper!


the bumper is pretty rough alrite... put me off it straight away anyway!!