S3 Imports - verdict?

[Bez]

Evenin' all - Having just sold my beloved Fiat Coupe 20VT, am now going for the S3.

I've test drove a few now and like the car a great deal.

However I've found one that is an '02 model that the guy bought directly from an Audi dealer in Germany.

It's a full UK spec'd car but obviously classed as an import.

I've done a search on the forum and found it mentioned slightly, but wanted to ask b4 I make an offer on it, a few questions to ya with some experience on this:

Main concern is the re-sell, are people put off by 'so called' imports and will it be difficult to sell on?

Do you still get recall notices?

What are Audi dealers attitudes with repairs and servicing to imports - have heard mixed reports?

Looking forward to another fast car but with the added style...

Thanks for your help.

- Bez.

[Riz_RS4]

Welcome to RS246.com [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

Personally ive had no problems from the dealers regarding the car being a import, just remember the warranty is usually 2 years on a imported car after november 2001 and not the 3 years offered by UK dealerships.

I sold mine about 3 weeks ago and the owner didnt seem to care it was a imported car but i suppose it depends on how you feel, me personally didnt really care it was imported when i bought it, afterall since when are Audi`s made in the UK?? they are ALL imports, just via different channels.

I would expect you to buy cheaper in comparison to a similar spec UK supplied car, the more you save now the less you lose on resale, or so the theory goes. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

How long are you going to keep it? I think that once the new S3 comes out the old shape S3 prices will drop alittle more before hitting a rock bottom price where they will stay more or less.

Riz [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[sitas3]

Welcome Bez.

i have a UK spec import - 2nd one i've had and i've had no problems - as long as the car is full uk spec then there is nothing to worry about. Make sure the car is registered on the Audi UK warranty database (do it yourself by faxing a v5 off to them).

there does seem to be a stigma with these cars but lets not forget they are built on the same production line...

don't be put off and you can sometimes get a better deal by purchasing one.

all the best.

[Bez]

Thanks for that guys - I totally agree with you, it's not really an import but just cos you bypass the dealers over its classed as one.

Is the new S3 coming out soon ie. is it worth holding on a short while...then again can't really wait to get it/one!

Is there a rule as such on how much less you would sell an 'import', just think he's asking slightly too much?

Cheers,

- Bez.

[sitas3]

new S3 hasn't been officially announced yet so i wouldn't wait. (and it may not have turbos!!)

price wise, when I sold mine a couple of years ago, an Audi dealer offered me 5k less than a UK one so i suggested what he could do with that. Strictly speaking the importer saved money by importing, however the only 'Real' difference comes down to the warranty period and the costs of extending this to match the UK Official supplied ones.

how much is it going for?? Mine is for sale soon so it would be good to compare. I was told by an indie Audi dealer recently that I could expect to get circa 18.5k for mine!

BTW, regarding repairs/warranty work, the only problem you'll have is the occasional person 'Spitting' the words 'Ah its an import' when you go to book the vehicle in for work but you can normally shut them up by telling them how much you've saved on the car in the first place [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Bez]

ok cheers, need a turbo and definately can't wait! [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

It's up for just over 18k - over average miles tho.

It drove very well today - a completly different ride to my coupe. A very smooth turbo and a quicker pickup compared with mine, when mine kicks in its very explosive - kinda like that, sorry did like that!

[sitas3]

well because of the uncertainty over the next S3(?) the indie dealer I spoke with stated that S3 prices are starting to hold steady now. Mine has done 34k miles in nearly 2 years...

Only thing that may affect price stability is the increasing amount of R32s that are appearing for sale.

[wazza]

Welcome to RS246 Bez [img]images/graemlins/bigwave.gif[/img]
Nice to see another local on the forum [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Bez]

Cheers Paul! Oh yes the lovely magic roundabout we all just love...

[DuncS3]

I have an import S3 too. I have been told by two different Audi dealers that an import should fetch approx 1.5-2K less than the UK equivalent.

I find no problems whatsoever with dealers (except as Sita said "i see its a personal import sir" - considering we use the same dealer...), warranty etc. Audi dealers will even take your 'import' in as PX.

Just expect to pay slightly less for an import than a uk car within the first 3-4 years is my opinion. Some of us saved 5-6K by importing against a UK car.

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

Just expect to pay slightly less for an import than a uk car within the first 3-4 years is my opinion. Some of us saved 5-6K by importing against a UK car.

I totally agree. Whilst it may be the same as a UK car, the simple fact is that the original purchaser saved money and it is reasonable that some of this should be passed on. After all the up front savings (9K in my case) are still far higher than the UK-import price difference a few years later.

Don't forget that by law the owner of a 'personal import' must retain the VAT receipt for 4 years. That means if you buy an import which is less than 4 years old, make sure you are given the VAT receipt too!