2000 Audi S3 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Both sidelight lamps blew. Awkward to change.

Rear brake light bulb blew, again awkward to change.

Traction Control/ABS sensor went at 51,000 miles.

Rear spring snapped at 55,000 miles.

Fuel gauge started playing up.

The power delivery is just so smooth, no turbo lag at all.

If driven carmly it can still do 30mpg around town and 38mpg on motorway, not bad for a car producing 210bhp.

Interior is spot-on, everything is perfectly layed-out, feels like your driving a much bigger car than an S3.

Handling is fantastic, very well balanced.

Insurance group 17. Your won't find another car with this much power and prestige in group 17.

It is interesting to note that my Leon Cupra R which shares the platform of the S3 and has a more powerful 225Bhp variant of the familiar 1.8T engine, is insurance group 16.

Of course the brand name is the main reason as Audis are considered more prestigious and hence more desirable (to thieves and vandals) culminating in the higher insurance rating.

I was also surprised to hear of the problems you have experienced, particularly the broken spring which, assuming you were not jumping a hump back bridge at the time, is a serious issue.

I have owned an S3 for a year now and have had no problems at all!!

My car has been chipped to 270 hp with also a massive gain in torque.

The Cupra R shares really only the engine and floor pan and is based on the Golf not the A/S3 being front wheel drive etc. With in my opinion not as good interior.

I think my audi s3 would run rings round a cupra R thing round a back road.

The early S3 and Cupra R had 210BHP, later models 225BHP.

Astra vxr, ford st2 both group 17. higher powered.

Might have more power, but no-way do they handle as well as an S3...

My s3 is coming to its fourth year of service now and its has only had minor adjustments needed. ie the door latch was setting off the alarm and I broke the plastic cap on the top of my suspension (front right.) all under warranty, I suggest extending the three year as all my claims were in the fourth year. Apart from that my car is amazing and corners, with lowered springs, like a go cart. But why don't they get it on Top Gear.

Torque-steers half the fun. I've driven both and the VXR is a lot more entertaining, and looks a hell of a lot better.

I had my Audi S3 for 3 years and in my opinion its the best car I've owned and I've gone through the range of hot hatches.. Nova GTE, Escort RS Turbo, VW Golf GTi 16v, Audi S3, VW Golf R32... The day I sold the S3 and replaced it with the R32 I regretted it. I now own a 2yr BMW M3 which is an amazing car, but lacks the quirkyness and character of the S3...

Hi all my s3 fuel gauge is string to play up does anybody know what the problem is I know that there is half a tank of fuel in there, but it says its empty.

Vxr suspention was done by lotus the grip the car has is amazing I have one and it has far better handling than the civic type r I used to own however it will understeer round tight bend if you put your foot down at the wrong time, but the handling is brilliant when you learn how to drive it read my review for an explanation 2006 astra vxr very fast and very stylish.

Hi I've just got an 1999 S3, its had had a few probs, an the latest is that the fuel gauge has just packed up, does anybody know whats up with it??

Hi all, my S3 is the best car I will ever own... Because I'm never going to own another car, if something breaks I'll fix it. If the engine fails at 250000 miles, I'll get it re-built... I'm in love with my S3, and I'll take it to the grave. LOL.

2000 model, imola yellow, superchipped to 285bhp, 18 inch wheels with 225 40s. What a beast... all you other car owners trying to say your car is better, has more power etc??? This is an S3 review page, the fact you're here and trying to compare your cars to an S3 speaks volumes for the S3... ENVY I say no more...

Unless you have replaced the turbo, the standard turbo in the S3 won't produce 285bhp. It's at maximum flow at about 270bhp. No disrespect intended, it's just the figure the forums seem to agree on (S3 owners).

Would just like to add I owned a remapped S3 for about 8 months, running at about 260-270bhp, and I really didn't like it. Mine had every single optional extra apart from sat nav. I had the cream coloured alcantara/leather seats in mine, which I must say I rather liked, and the Bose stereo is great.. .but! And it's a big but, the engine runs out of puff at 5500rpm, the gearbox is the usual VW notchy rubbish, the car is FAR too heavy, seriously blunting the handling of this car.

Don't let anyone ever tell you it's a good handling car coz it ain't! It might be compared to an old 90's Astra, but in modern car terms it wallows far too much in the corners. Yes it grips quite well (had Toyo Proxes all round), but when you reach the limit... and you will quite quickly, it rolls and complains and understeers very badly. Most people don't realise it's not permanent 4wd, and the rear wheels only get power when the front wheels slip.

The engine produces a good amount of torque, but fails to inspire any fun. The exhaust note is rather too quiet for my liking, and the fuel consumption was terrible. I really like the look of these cars and I always wanted to own one, wish I hadn't bothered now.

If you just wanna put your foot down in a straight line every now and then, and cruise in comfort, it's great, but if you are a serious driver, stay away from this car and this boring boring engine. Glad you are happy with it tho.

Thinking of buying my friends '2000' model S3. It has all extras except sat nav, full Audi history every 10 thousand miles, re-mapped (250-260bhp) approx, Porsche upgrade brakes, very lovely car but has covered 116,000 miles :-( Is this mileage anything to be concerned about? It is a truly looked after example of what an S3 should look and feel like! Any advice would be appreciated...