Buying a used 99/2000 S3

[JCsA3]

Hi guys, going to look at one tonight... Any special things i should keep and eye out for?

Its the first one i'v had a chnce to look at and looks lovely in the pics with FASH and 80k just wondering if there are any problems i should be aware of?

Thanks in advance

[omegadirective]

Just the usual I think.

1. Check the FASH through.
2. Check the timing belt, waterpump and tensioner have been changed.
3. Check the Climate Control/AC works correctly and doesn't smell fousty (sp?).
4. Check the gears all change smoothly. (If not it could be clutch wear, clutch pedal wear, or synchro-mesh problems.)
5. Check it accelerates smoothly with no jerks.
6. Check the turbo kicks in smoothly and cleanly - again, no jerking provided you have a smooth right foot.
7. Check the steering is smooth and no knocks apparent.
8. Check the ESP switches on and off - DO NOT DO THIS WHILST DRIVING! (You will see the ESP light come on in the dash.)
9. Check brakes are braking smoothly with no major pulling.
10. Check that the idle speed is smooth, possibly a little rough if started from cold with the compressor on. (You can switch it off by pressing the ECON button to see if it smoothes out.)
11. Check the exhaust isn't loose or rusted through.
12. Check there is no signs of rust on the car.
13. Check the Electric seats.
14. Check the lights, including the fog lights. (Apparently something can affect the fogs, not sure what though.)
15. Check the stereo works ok, changes CD's, plays radio stations.
16. Check the alarm if the person will let you. The alarms are prone to fail. (still need to check mine! )

I know many of these are basic things and fairly obvious, and I've undoubtedly missed out some really important ones, but when you're thinking of spending a lot of money on an S3 then I think it's good to be thorough.

Also, a point of note - I've heard recently many S3's have alternator problems the same as mine did. It can cause some major problems but you should notice it if it's that bad. The battery light will be on.

Get HPI checks done on the car too. If there is a sunroof, check it opens and closes in all directions if it's dry weather!

Obviously forgotten things, and I'm sure some people will correct me, or pick up on things I've missed.

Cheers,

Odie.

PS: Headlight washer units are prone to stick open. Check them. They activate from water pressure after ~ 2 seconds of spray from the windscreen wash. They should drop back down if there are no problems.

Heated seats too, if spec'd, should heat up nicely.

[JCsA3]

Cheers for that Odie!.. Big help, will have to print off that little list and take it with me as i'm bound to forget half of it!.. Was thinking of getting the HPi check done on it too if i'm really keen. Don't know of any good/cheap places do you?!..

Thanks again dude!

[omegadirective]

You're welcome mate! I hope the S3 turns out to be a good one!

What colour is it and what year? 99 or 00? Facelift or not?

http://www.hpicheck.com/newfrontend/hpi_check.jsp

Thats supposed to be good but I haven't used them. Recommended by Pistonheads if I remember correctly. My Dad was good enough to do all the checks on the car from me so saved me a long trip to do the checks on my S3.

I'm sure someone else will post in a little while, people normally post about lunch time. Nothing like experience to show you what to look for!

Some things there sound really basic and obvious but when you're caught up in the mood and really excited you can forget these things! Somethings aren't all that important but I think it's better to make sure you're happy with the car before you buy!

I have a superb 50,000mile car so I don't have much wrong with my car. A couple of rattles, but thats life.

Someone with a little more mileage may be able to tell you what to look out for!

[JCsA3]

Quality!.. May have to do a check after i've seen it. Its a 99' Non-facelift in black with the grey leather interior. Its up for 5.5k and only down the road from where i work so defo worth a look!

Just curious, other than the front and rear lights what other differences has the facelift got? Did the 6 speed box come on them all?

Think your right about getting caught up in the excitement actually can't wait to get one now been driving a big gay rover around for the last couple of months!

[mrleeS3]

3rd year of owning mine [2001-x-s3]..

& i still love it!

i think omega's dealt with the main/obv things to check

the only thing you need to watch on that range of s3/a3's is the damn ingition coils, they're very cheap & fairly easy to fit... just a recouring pain in the ****!

other than that [imo] they are awesome cars!

dont be silly & body kit it all up etc, theres a guy round the corner from me who's spoiled his with bumper extentions that nearly hit the ground & skirts that look like they are glued on lol...
i just put some copy s4 18's on mine & it looks tidy... [see pics in the gallery bit ]

happy hunting bud!

[i *think* the pre-facelift ones only had 5 speed, someone more into the history will be able to tell you for defo... its worth getting the facelift one imo, they look much 'butcher' haaa!]

if you look on t'autotrader, you should see them from about £6k for a good 2000 facelift one

[JCsA3]

Nice one!.. Cheers for the heads up on the coil, you had any problems with yours atall? Don't worry i'm not into chavvy mods!.. Contemplating putting some porsche wheels (probs 17s) on it just unsure if you can put wider rears on a quattro?... Also saw one with porsche brakes which i though looked smart!..

Other than that may get it remapped with an intercooler etc on it, see how i feel once i actually get one!.. Defo no gay body mods, think OE is that way forward!

[JCsA3]

Cheers for all your help guys... much appreciated and felt much more confident checking the car over, dare i say it but the car was pretty much faultless and the interior was the cleanest i've seen! Plus it had been remapped less than 1000 miles ago so happy days!

Picking it up before the weekend and actually can't wait!... Sure you'll be seeing alot more of me around here now!!

[omegadirective]

Nice one!.. Cheers for the heads up on the coil, you had any problems with yours atall? Don't worry i'm not into chavvy mods!.. Contemplating putting some porsche wheels (probs 17s) on it just unsure if you can put wider rears on a quattro?... Also saw one with porsche brakes which i though looked smart!..

Other than that may get it remapped with an intercooler etc on it, see how i feel once i actually get one!.. Defo no gay body mods, think OE is that way forward!

Don't need the bigger rear arches. The S3 already has them compared to an A3.

Porsche wheels are nice but I never like seeing a different badge in the middle of the alloys... looks like the owner is mis-matching things. Even if they are, don't publish it even more!

Remap would be nice, but the intercooler upgrades look a bit weird, esp. if installing a FMIC. You have to replace the fog lights for a lot of them. I like the fog lights so thats a no-no in my eyes.

Only things I'd like is a LiquidS3 display gauge (see my post in this forum somewhere on it!) and a new gear lever as the outer silver surround is chipping away and stabbing me if I'm a bit too quick going to change gears. All cosmetics though!

The DV is supposed to be a good upgrade as the OEM one is plastic and can be prone to little problems. I'd like a metal high quality one and some new turbo hoses would be nice to increase a little bit of boost pressure, but I'm reluctant to do anything because of insurance.

Cheers for all your help guys... much appreciated and felt much more confident checking the car over, dare i say it but the car was pretty much faultless and the interior was the cleanest i've seen! Plus it had been remapped less than 1000 miles ago so happy days!

Picking it up before the weekend and actually can't wait!... Sure you'll be seeing alot more of me around here now!!

Very nice! I'm happy for you! Make sure you get the HPI check before you part the cash now! I read someone bought a car then found out it was a mis-mash of different pieces. Not good.


Make sure you get a camera too! Pics are always nice!

Which reminds me, mine needs a wash and then some pics!

[JCsA3]

Definatel some fair point there buddy... I appreciate your honesty!

Was aware the arches are bigger, but with the quattro running gear i don't think your supposed to have a wider rim on the back.. could be just an urban myth though! Haha

Found out it had a dump valve and new hoses put on when the remap was done so one less thing to add on to it!

Just had a HPi check down and all is sound so thanks for your advice, just nice for peice of mind i think!

I'll get some piccies of her up in the very near future!... This S3 liquid display thing sounds pretty sweet, you go a link to the page at all?