Newbie looking to buy first S3

[scoobyra]

Hi, just registered on your site. Currently own an impreza wrx and looking to buy an S3. Can anyone point me in the right direction and tell me the bad points so as I know what to look for?? Ive only got about 8k to play with so I guess it'll be an early one

[david7m]

Welcome

£8k will get you a MKI, 210 bhp model...still VERY nice

Can't think of any S3 specific problems, just the usual when buying, ie normal 4WD checks, normal turbo checks, finance, accident damage etc.

Good luck.

Dave

[david7m]

A private, max £8k, national, S3 search on Auto Trader (not from my post code ) here!

Dave

[quattrokid1]

we had an air mass meter fail on ours, 90k miles when sold, no probs at all with the engine. Great car as well. We had 2 sets of front anti roll bar bushes in 6 months, perhaps because it has a plastic insert on the roll bar and isnt up to Leeds roads.(the second set was changed under warranty as parts have a 12 month cover) No probs with electrics either. We had a fault on the steering angle sensor and at 264 quid we didnt bother to change it. Other than that its should be a sound investment. It was agreat wee pocket rocket. Often get near 450+ miles to the tank on motorway trips.

Looks great in nogaro blue with ally wing mirrors. I have S300CAR reg plate for sale if you buy the car!!

Welcome to the forum

[scoobyra]

Ok chaps, still havent bought an S3 yet. Getting confused over early ones and face lift models?? I know about the lights, bhp etc ( do face lift lights not fit on early models??) but what changes were there to the interior? Ive seen quite a few early cars for sale ranging between 6k and 8k but the facelift models seem to jump up in price quite a lot!! I need some more advice

[david7m]

I've never seen inside a MKI, but I think the gear knob, seats and centre console for stereo are different. Can you not view a few and compare?

Dave

[scoobyra]

They all look the same Dave, and people get funny when u try taking pictures!! LOL

[david7m]

They all look the same Dave, and people get funny when u try taking pictures!! LOL

In that case, you may aswell get a MKI and the money you save, you can get it chipped by REVO etc

Dave

[DuncS3]

Pre facelift cars do indeed have different steering wheel, different dials, gear knob, center console and air con unit. On the exterior its the front and rear lights as you know. Personally the post facelift looks much nicer inside imo but you can fit the later lights to the older cars, the rears are very easy and lots have them already done, but the fronts cost a fair bit more (early fronts are two piece, later ones are one piece units).

Dunc