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Can anyone please tell me the differences with the s3 and the 1.8t engines apart from the obvious hp. As I am unsure whether to spend the extra getting an s3 or just tune the 1.8t.
Thanks.

Hello

I think the S3 has larger turbo and inter cooler.

Dave

Thanks
Still unsure, i would much rather have an s3 but if its possible and cheaper to mod a 1.8 quattro then it might be worth while. Hard tho.

TBH, the S3's are cheap now You may beable to get similar performance, but you wont be able to get the same rear arches;) (just incase you dont know, the S3 shell is different to the A3. Has larger rear arches!)

Dave

From what i was told at Audi wolverhampton when i was looking, the only difference is what dave has said, turbo and intercooler.

Dunc

From what I remember all those years ago when I bought my S3 the crank is stronger and probably the whole bottom end,probably more info on the "TT" forums as the 225 bhp engine and S3 are the same unit.

chunky79 wrote:From what i was told at Audi wolverhampton when i was looking, the only difference is what dave has said, turbo and intercooler.

Dunc

You didn't buy one from those <beep> did you? I looked at a Yellow and Misano Red one there about 6 years ago, they had both been heavily damaged and repaired poorly. When I pointed this out, they tried to make out I was picking faults and couldn't afford it Idiots!

Dave

There are a lot of cars in the VAG 1.8T range e.g. SEAT/VW that can be modified to be as quick or quicker than an S3; take my Ibiza Cupra for example. That said, the S3 is a better all-round car (we didn't buy our Ibiza to be an all-rounder, mind you!) There's nothing worse than an A3 that wants to be an S3...

If you are in the market for a new car, weigh up the pros and cons of having an S3 to an alternative 1.8T and take it from there. S3s are going cheap now (seen some online for around 5K) and they are reliable, they have Quattro and they are a practical but equally sporty/luxurious luxury car as oppose to the other VAG alternatives. This, of course, comes at a premium when servicing, insuring and so on, so it depends on what you want and your unique circumstances.

david7m wrote:

chunky79 wrote:From what i was told at Audi wolverhampton when i was looking, the only difference is what dave has said, turbo and intercooler.

Dunc

You didn't buy one from those <beep> did you? I looked at a Yellow and Misano Red one there about 6 years ago, they had both been heavily damaged and repaired poorly. When I pointed this out, they tried to make out I was picking faults and couldn't afford it Idiots!

Dave

When me and the wife looked at the cars there 4 years ago we didn't really like the look of them and the sale's lady was the same with us, tried to make out that we couldn't afford them. Took a wide berth from them since then. A mate's girlfriend works there now and say's all the idiots have gone.
That won't make me take it there instead of MRC though!!


Dunc

As most have already mentioned, the main difference between the A3 1.8T and the S3 is that the S3 has a K04 turbo as opposed to the K03 on the A3, it has twin side intercoolers - the A3 only has 1, inlet manifold is in a different orientation, slightly larger injectors in the S3, S3 engine is stronger than the normal A3 (good for up to 380bhp on stock internals - A3 is good for about 340 on stock internals).

Sounds like the S3 is the only option then!!!

Suppose its down to $ and insurance. From your user name, if you are 24 and have a clean licence etc, you'll be suprised how cheap the insurance is! Get some quotes, I'm with Green Light (I think/hope). The site sponsors are sh1t IMO.

Dave