Should I buy an S3?

[8turbos]

I am looking for a bit of advice on whether or not I should purchase an Audi S3.

I have had an Audi A4 1.8t in the past and had a lot of trouble with it. I must have had a 'bad apple' the suspension was continually going wrong, replacement bushes, control arms at every service, new shocks and springs in the first year. I ended up spending several thousand pounds on it in two years before giving in and selling it.

This has put me off Audi's but I must admit - I love them, I love the S and RS cars, Audi have the most exiting range out of any of their competitors.

I have budgeted an amount of money to spend on a car to buy and use before I move abroad in two years time and I want to decide on what to get. The main thing is that the car has strong residuals so I dont lose much money on it. The money I have left after selling it in two years will be going towards a house I buy overseas.

I was going to spend 15k and get a Porshe Boxster S but my friends have talked me out of it because of the poncy image.

I was then considering an Impreza or an Evo but I thought if I spent £15k on one of those I'd be bound to lose a lot of money on it.

I then thought about a b6 S4 but this would be pushing my finances too much. So I thought about a B5 but I think these cars are really starting to show their age now.

So I am finally considering an S3 as a decent 2002-3 one can be picked up for around 11.5k. And I dont think I will lose much money on that in 2 years will I?

How good is the performance on a chipped car? Is it wise to buy an already chipped car or not?

What about purchasing a car with the MTM conversion done? Is it safe to say these have been thrashed and should be steered clear of?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[spiker]

I am on my third S3 and had a great deal of trouble finding one - although your pricing suggestions seem about right

My 2002 cost under £11000 with 46k and the car has been very well looked after - how do I know ? - well driving a dozen others in the space of a week gives you a pretty good feel for how well they have been looked after

From experience - dealer cars are not necessarily better - they simply come with an overpriced warranty and you will PAY heavily for that peace of mind - maybe 3K+ on average so avoid unless you have money to burn or really need that protection.

My advice - get yourself a 2002+ model but shop around and test drive as many as possible.

As regards chipping - I personally wouldnt buy a chipped car - although I usually have mine chipped after buying - strange logic perhaps but its just my opinion and how I like to do things - I find it easier to judge a car based on standard setup than one thats been modified. I then know I have a good foundation to work from.

Would recommend a car wih BOSE it makes a big difference but other options - mirrors/wheels etc down to personal taste. If you have chromed mirrors you may have them stolen

Check for cambelt / haldex / regular oil servicing / mileage verification / water pump issues / door locking mechanisms / steering racks / acceleration sensors and give customer care at Audi a call and speak to the original dealer for info on history and of course HPI stuff

Colours a little emotive - just bare in mind resale values

Just my two penneth - pretty much all of which is based on what I have experienced

Would I buy another S3 - sure - they are not perfect but they make me smile - simple as that

[david7m]

I love my S3, without adding some serious £'s, I can't imagine what would be any better

HERE is my S3 ownership report from January this year.


My car is chipped, but not sure I would buy one already done. My car sits in the traffic and is highly maintained and not thrashed, but unless you know the seller, this can not be guaranteed. Now the prices have dropped, I'm not sure I would go to a garage for it, but as already suggested I would test a view privately and then decide.

I like red cars, but if I had the choice I would go for a Misano red rather than my Absolute red. Would also avoid the chrome mirrors, but they look the business the metallic grey S3's!

Depreciation is a tough one. If you spend £11k, this is less than 50% of a base spec when new, so I would say most of the depreciation has been paid by someone else. But, on the other hand, the release of the new S3 won't help things when selling....

Welcome and good luck

Dave

[8turbos]

Thanks guys. The S3 definatly sees to be adored by its owners.

I was swinging back towards buying the Porshe Boxster last night after speaking to my Dad. ( He reckons the Boxster is better depreciation wise). If I bought the right one I could almost not lose any money on the car.

What do you think about the depreciation of the S3?

Say if I bought a 2002 model with 50k miles for about £11,500.

What would it be worth in one year with 60k?

What would it be worth in two years with 70k?

[david7m]

A Boxster would stand out for potential thieves, where as a chipped S3 is a street sleeper and prob quicker than a Boxster (please correct me if wrong!). Chipped S3's are 0-62mph 5.8 sec IIRC.

Not sure about prices because of the new model, but as a guide, why dont you look on Autotrader for a 2001 with 60k (like mine, approx. £10k I hope) and look for a 2000 with 70k (although this is none facelift, but approx. £8.5k I reckon).

Dave

[8turbos]

I think the boxster 3.2 is about the same 0-60.

I live in a village where the crime rate is about 0.

It may stand out for potential theives I suppose but it will also stand out for potential shags. As I am new to the area this is important too.

Oh, I dunno, decisions decisiond decisions. S3 , S4 or Boxster. Life can be cruel sometimes.

[david7m]

Good call, never over look the birds Where abouts are you? (this is not a chat up BTW! he he)

Crime at home may be zero, but how about when you go out etc.?

Dave

[Drool]

For what its worth, I bought a Boxster in 2001 for £28950 and sold it three years later for £20000. Not bad depreciation I'd say. Not sure how an S3 would fare over a similar period. Anyway, they might have a 'poncey' image but I defy anyone to not have seriously big grin on their chops when they come back from a long drive. Lastly, it was much cheaper to run than the 2.8 A6 I've got now!

[DuncS3]

Well really I dont think the two compare too well - If you have no need for rear seats or a hatchback then the Boxster S would be the better car, in terms of having fun and defenitely be the better drivers car. Boxster S is aloso a touch quicker than a chipped S3

[hamski]

If your main concern is to impress the opposite sex, forget the boxster and get a labrador puppy! Instant success