audi s3 quattro 225 ps review

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Picture courtesy of Kevin Miller.

Average Ratings

Performance	8.7/10
Practicality	8.7/10
Reliability	8.2/10
Value for Money	7.6/10
Reviewer Rating	8.3/10
Overall Rating	8.2/10

86% Recommended6 out of 7 Reviews

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By spliff1star on 13th Jan 2007

spliff1star's Ratings

Year Manufactured	2002
Length of ownership	Recently Purchased
Doors	3
Performance	8/10
Practicality	8/10
Reliability	8/10
Value for money	8/10
Overall value	8/10
spliff1star's recommendation

Good Points

Quattro system. Rare car. 225bhp smooth engine. Good on fuel. Highly tuneable. Class 1 build quality inside and out. One of the best looking cars you can buy. Luxury performance hot hatch. Holds its value

Bad Points

Audi servicing is expensive.

General Comments

Where do I start? Well performance wise it uses the same 1.8 turbo 225bhp found in its cheaper cousin the Seat Leon Cupra R, but the Audi has the quattro system and therefore a far better grip in the dry but even better in the rain. It's quicker than the Cupra R - 0-60 for the cupra is 6.8sec and the s3 is 6.4sec, even though the Audi is slightly smaller it's a heavier car than the Cupra R - this puts the S3 with cars like the Astra VXR. The VXR has 15bhp more than the S3 evan though it uses a 2.0 turbo compared to the 1.8 turbo in the S3, but it's still not a faster car and the vxr is outclassed by the sheer quality of the S3. You can also tune the S3 past its standard 225bhp very easilyy and depending on the chip fitted you can bring it up to 260bhp and if you want to really start modifying for serious performance you can get 380+bhp maybe more. There are two S3 models - the early models have 210bhp and do 0-60 in 6.6sec as opposed to the 225s 6.4sec and the top speed on the 210 S3 is about 5mph slower than the 225 S3. Audi also made slight changes to the suspension on the 225 S3 so it handles better than the 210 S3 as well as a few other small changes. This shouldn't put you off the 210 S3 model as it's still as good but you will have to pay more for the 225 S3 as they are the later model cars and most will have lower milage compared to the 210 S3. I recommend the S3 as it's a better option to go for in the A3 range than say the 1.8 T Sport Quattro 180 as the S3 has more power, is faster and looks better thanks to the exclusive flared arches, S3 bodykit and excellent sport seats. One more thing the S3 is not easily replaced like the Golf R32 as you can not go into an Audi dealership and just buy an S3 bumper or skirts without a logbook showing you own a s3. There are maybe some dealers that let you but I was told none do and I'm glad because there's no need to have a fake when the genuine thing is 10 times better.

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