steve252

hi guys,

im currently looking at getting a mk1 audi s3 to replace my focus and im woundering what peoples opinions are of it compared to the focus rs. ive got about 8-9k to spend and i have a few questions about them

ive noticed theres a facelift model that come in but i cant get a pacific time they did, i understand that the pre facelift models are 210bhp and the post is 225bhp. whats the exact difference between these models? and how can i tell which one is which? as all of the sellers are confusing the models it seems?

what do they drive like and are they reliable???

what sort of running cost should i expect when buying one?

if i could hear poeple veiws of the car if they've owned driven one or know the differences between the models it will be greatly appreciated.

Saaamon

iTrader: (2)

The 1.8t turbo engines in VAG's are the sh*ttest i've driven. There a very boring and unenteraining engine. Full stop.

steve252

share any light why you feel that way about them? are they not torqey or not fast? as i see they easily remap to 240/265 repectevely which i should imagin is quite abit of serious poke.

what 1.8t engine did you drive as they do have 150/180/210/225bhp versions?

Madbradz

Ignore that comment....

Bloody brilliant engines, the s3's come alive with a good remap. Feel a little slow only because they hold the road so well.

Id have another!!

Adam.

Agree and disagree, 150bhp 1.8ts are wank in standard trim, missus had hers remapped, de-catted- and a panel filter and it has been transformed into a very quick car which can keep up with alot of decent sports cars (Type r`s subarus). the S3 seems alot of car for the money....

CossieRob

My mates girlfriend has a silver facelifted s3 is on pistonheads, i think she wants 8k for it with low miles, black leather recaros and satnav screen and s3 plate, she's recently replaced the coils as they are prone to failing and also the n95 valve too! apart from that the car has been 100% reliable and i was very impressed when i went out in it. we took it to Le Mans and it was better on fuel than my mates M3 and my freelander. would be very quick with a remap, exhaust and filter. IIRC the facelits came in in 2000.

steve252

yea theres some top spec ones out there for a great price. think i may have spotted that one on pistonheads so its just waiting for my car to go first and ill be intouch with some of them on pistonheads.

see you say the facelift came in in 2000 yet some of the 2001 cars are advertised as 210's?? is there any way of telling? as id rather the 225 version IIMHO

uruk hai

There should be a sticker in the boot stating the power output of the engine although it will be in KW's

Saaamon

iTrader: (2)

I know my comments about them were alittle harsh put i feel they just lack in the grin factor. I've driven a standard golf mk4 gti 150bhp and i've also driven a seat ibiza with k03s conversion FMIC, exhaust, re-map etc and that was around 220-230 and both of them feel boring to drive. As an everyday car to go back and forward to work in in my eyes they would be great, but going out at weekends for a thrash not as good. Maybe if your budget can stretch far enough i'd recommond an Audi RS6, you wont find one of them boring!

Don't take my comments to seriously about the 1.8t engines there reasonably quick for what they are and they do pull well in all gears, i just personally don't like them.

uruk hai

Considering he's looking for a S3 I think suggesting RS6 is a bit off topic

steve252

considering im 21 and the fact its like a 20,000 grand car which complettely stupid running costs id agree with you.

dunno how a s3 compares to the handeling of the focus rs as ive only driven the rs but cant imagine that there boring to drive with 265 and 4wd???

uruk hai

I know someone who had a S3 and he loved it, cracking little motors with a build quality that Ford couldnt even dream of

Fil

take a look on www.rs246.com for loads of info

Robs Frst

Very good cars, very good build quality. alot of car for the money.

Harris.

This is my gf's one, For everyday use this car is excellent , not the fastest car in the world but it would show most cars up round the bends, handle's really well . when she fills it up it shows 400 miles per tank , and the average i get when i drive it is 38 mpg which is cool . But she now wants an evo so its going to go

On and to answer your questions , its really nice to drive and it has all the toys.For around 8k you should get one with low miles like we did . this ones only got 53k on the clock

steve252

thanks for that mate, i just didnt want to end up with a car thats dull in the corners as i cant exactly batter one on test drive can i

just a quick question is yours the 210 or 225 version?

Harris.

210 mate 2001 . Im sure they have the same floor/4x4 set up as a lamborghini too .

steve252

seeing as a lambo is mid mounted im not to sure tbh

been reading up on the 4X4 arrangement and the helix clutch transferes the power to the back only when the front wheels lose grip so its not perm 4wd. so you get best of both worlds of grip when you need it and ecconomy.

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

You get facelift 210bhp cars and facelift 225bhp cars... they both re-map to c265bhp so if you're planning to do that then I wouldn't be bothered which base car you use as a starting point as long as the mileage, history, condition, colour combo is what you're after.

If you're wanting a daily drive thats nippy but not mega involving to drive then the Audi is defo the way to go... if you want something to blast down the lanes, take on track occasionally, dont mind a slightly rougher daily drive then I'd go for the Focus.


Cheers,
Grant

Farmer Giles

Hope you don't mind bring this back up.

How do the S3s cope with the miles ?

I am looking at one this w/e, FASH, one owner, great condtion etc, etc.. but it has 107K miles on it...

Is there anything specific I should be looking out for with those miles or are they pretty solid if looked after properly ?