Future S3 owner needing help please

[Alps]

Hey folks,

As the title says, I need your help please. BUT before I ask for it I think it only right to give you all a quick intro...

I'm currently driving an S2 (3B), which I've had for approx 4 years. Love it to bits (even though it's in a little bit of a sorry state right now), but recently I decided to give up my freedom and got engaged. Now, the wifey to be has started with the ol' "oooh I can't be driving this heap of junk! It's too big! Clutch is too stiff! Don't like the gear change! It only has 2 doors!" Blah blah blah blah blah.......!!!

I've considered a few cars (Civic type r, Seat Leon, R32 - new etc) but I've decided to stick to an Audi and thought in which case it has to be an S3 (it has 2 doors so the soon-to-be aint too happy... But I've told her we'll get a 4 door in about 3 years - aint told her yet that I got my heart set on an RS4, which costs £50k

I've searched all over the place for a buyers guide to an S3 but have had no luck... which is where hopefully you guys come in

Could anyone guide me in the right way?

I'm looking for an 02/03 model. It has has has to have the following though:

Noggy Blue (pref pearlecent!)
Sunroof (pref glass!) This is the one thing that hardly any s3's have. Why?
Chrome mirrors.

Added bonus would be heated alcantara seats

Did all S3's come with A/C and Climate? Or is climate an extra?

I know I'm being a touch picky, but if I'm to keep the car for 3 years why not hey!

I've seen the Noggy blue for sale on here and it's almost perfect. but I don't think it has a roof on it (sunroof that is for any of you smarty pants out there )

Hope you folk can help.

Thanks
Alps

[timba]

All S3's came with Climate as standard, and sometimes I think the original owner thought they did not need a sunroof, I have just PX'ed my noggy blue S3 (2001 Y) for an RS4 (B5) and never have missed the sunroof in 2 years of owning my S3. The Audi climate control is ace and you really don't need a sunroof IMHO

[DuncS3]

Sunroofs were £680+vat, thats probably why (plus they had climate already) that not many S3s come with one. I specced a sunroof on mine, have in all my cars actually - its nice to get some fresh air on a nice summer evening, plus, on a black car with black leather it also brightens up the interior somewhat.

Noggy Blue was pearl, the only base colours were Brillian Black and Absolute Red (more orange)

TBH I 'm sure this has been discussed on the S3 forum before, so try searching and good luck

Dunc

[Alps]

Thanks guys for the advice. I know the "want" of a sunrrof seems a touch weird seeing as the cars come with A/C and climate - but I agree with Dunc... tis good to have the fresh air (although living in London I should say "tis good to have AIR!!)

I think I may have sourced a nice Noggy WITH sunroof Only thing it doesnt have is the Alcantara. But I hear that I could buy this at a later stage of ebay of somewhere!

Timba, did you buy the new RS4? Or is it the old Avant RS4? I was seriously considering the Avant as I could do with an estate car for the surfboard. Alas, I couldnt justify the £25k just yet

Dunc, did you manage to sell yours? If not please say yes just to make my decision easier - I'm seriously tempted by it :-I

[timba]

Alps, in the process of buying the old RS4 (B5) Avant, as I kitesurf. Never had a problem with the full black leather with sand and you could always buy a roof rack !

[Alps]

Where do you kitesurf? I'm off to Sri lanka and Maldives on what my wifey thinks will be a honey moon... but I hear there's a good surf there too... what a coincidance

[timba]

South coast and will be de-badging my RS4 to stop the windsurfers looking thro the windows

[Alps]

The things you have to do cuz of those windsurfers!!!

PS Anyone know of a 225 S3 in Noggy with sunroof for sale??? I'm getting a touch desperate........... so darned hard to find!

[feeny]

Mine has a sunroof and I have to say that it is the NOISIEST sunroof I have ever been had! It is almost unusable. Lots of other manufacturers have a pop up air diffuser to reduce or even eliminate noise, and unless my s3 is missing this clever little functional part, audi dont seem to have one!

Until I find something to do the job my sunroof remains closed!
Although... I am yet to test it at really high speeds .