Used car buying guide: Audi S3

Overall, it combines elements of rally car-like hot hatch with GT car – and that’s a good recipe for an all-rounder. Add to that some classic, late-’90s charm, such as its subtle yet hunkered-down looks, and the undoubted appeal shines through. 

When looking for your dream S3, you might assume that late examples are the most valuable, but it’s actually the overall condition that’s the dominating factor in price. You’ll find a fair few used and abused models, so well-kept ones – regardless of age – will fetch the highest premiums.

What we said then

18 August 1999: “Its turn-in is sharp and it can be coaxed into oversteer by lifting off mid-bend. The S3 is not perfect, but it is an enticing proposition. It’s fast, practical, stylish and an exciting drive.”

An expert's view

Alex Green, Fontain Motors: “The Mk1 S3 has proven to be a real ‘I told you so’ moment for Audi, with competitors today all building conceptually identical cars. Tellingly, 20 years on the original S3 remains a remarkably modern package. As an ownership proposition it’s key to remember that good upkeep and even light restoration will be essential to ensure not just reliability but also that the car drives as sharply as possible. Worn-out suspension and a lazy engine are no fun, but parts availability is excellent. There’s also an enthusiastic community of owners and specialists, and prices are still fairly sensible – although honest examples are becoming harder to find.”

Buyer beware

Engine: Check the breather pipes at the inlet manifold and ideally replace them and the vacuum pipes. Watch for uneven idling or lumpy running, which can be signs that the diverter valve, mass airflow meter or ignition coils have failed. If the temp gauge is all over the place, suspect the thermostat or temperature sender. If the low coolant level is indicated on start-up but the reservoir is full, the coolant level sensor in the header tank may have failed. 

Transmission: Assess the clutch operation. On high-mileage cars, consider replacing the slave cylinder, clutch and flywheel. 

Suspension and steering: At this age, budget to replace all the suspension bushes if there is no evidence of recent new parts. Check the front and rear anti-roll bar sheaths – they’ve been known to break. Corrosion can cause springs to break, so inspect them as well. 

Brakes: Check operation of the brake sensor behind the brake pedal and the brake servo pipe, both known trouble spots. 

Body: Check behind body strips where rust can form. Affected areas include the door bottoms, while easier to spot is rust on the roof rails and gutters. It’s a performance car, so check for fresh paint and filler and that the tyres match all round and are worn evenly. 

Interior: Check if the digital display has lost its pixels. Make sure that the air conditioning blows cold and that the glovebox hinges aren’t broken.

Also worth knowing

You get more power if your S3 is a 2002 or 2003 model, but do you get anything else if you go for a later example? Well yes, indeed you do, because the facelift of 2002 also included new one-piece headlight/ indicator units, different tail-light clusters and some minor upgrades to the interior trim.

Standard equipment across all model years includes 17in alloy wheels, electrically adjustable Recaro leather seats, climate control, electronic stability control and traction control.

How much to spend

£3000-£4999: High-mileage cars (often north of 150,000) from private sellers. Previous accident history, rough conditions and/or questionable modifications are likely, so pay attention and choose carefully.