・Great original un-modified condition

・1800cc 225 bhp petrol engine with 6 speed manual gearbox

・Leather electric Recaro seats with lumbar support

・Recent service with new cam belt and water pump

The major change to the Audi S3 occurred in early 2002 when they did the decent thing and gave the S3 Quattro 225bhp. With five valves per cylinder, the revised S3 was good for 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds though this perhaps understates the performance a little as the first three of the six gears are quite short.

Accompanying the racier engine were revised chassis settings to improve handling and create a great driver’s car. With a top speed just shy of 150mph the Audi S3 was one of the most potent hot hatches of its day. Using the same 1.8-litre 20-valve turbo engine found in the range-topping Mk1 Audi TT, it was, and remains a wolf in sheep’s clothing. 

A good service record from Audi main dealers and specialists comes with this very nice S3. There are a few gaps over the years, but the overall condition of this car tells you that it has always been well looked after. 

It’s a regretful sale by the current owner who, due to a change in circumstances, has decided to sell. 

It has recently received a full service, the all-important new timing belt and water pump and a complete service of the Haldex four-wheel drive system, all using the genuine Audi service kits.

The car was well looked after in its early years. All the manuals and the service book are present, with the records showing main dealer stamps every year for the first six years and independents thereafter, when it becomes slightly less frequent. 

Fortunately, the previous owner did insist on genuine parts for the cambelt and the Haldex service as indicated by the receipts. 

One remote key and the original ‘master key’ remain with the car. The locking wheel nut key and space-saver wheel is also present.

The current MOT expires in March 2022.

The lovely, electrically adjustable, leather Recaros remain extremely comfortable. Although showing a few signs of wear, there are no rips or stains present. 

Original black floor mats are present and in good condition, as are the rear seats. The black headlining is clean with no sagging.

The switchgear is all in place and fully working as it should, the Audi Concert hi-fi in fine order and ready to provide a rich and full soundtrack to complete the driving experience. For a car approaching twenty years, this cabin is in good shape and offers the usual comforts for driver and passenger alike, whatever your driving style. 

The only reported issue is a non-functioning driver’s door window, which will need attention and a missing lug on which to locate the nearside parcel shelf cord. 

The boot is clean and houses an unused space saver spare wheel under the floor.

 

The black paintwork is in good condition, with a recent blow-over of the front end dealing with some stone chips on the bonnet. 

The owner informs us there are no rust bubbles and crucially there is no sign of rust under the roof rails, which can be a problem on A3’s of this age. 

All the window trims are all finished in black adding to the car’s general stealth appearance. Headlights are good and clear with no misting.

Parking the car next to a few overly enthusiastic shoppers mean this car has a few tiny dents to the doors, but nothing that a local dent-removal service couldn’t deal with. There’s also a minor one just visible in the photos on the tailgate, but they are all quite minor.

Two of the wheels are generally in good condition. The other two have kerb marks ranging from slight to significant and they could probably do with a refurb to really finish off the car nicely. The tyres are all Bridgestone with plenty of good tread left. 

Underneath there is some surface rust as you would expect on a car of this age but nothing more.

 

Things look clean under the bonnet. You are instantly reminded of how many valves per cylinder your engine houses in big red writing just in case you should forget. It’s mainly plastic coverings keeping it all neat and tidy looking.

The engine starts first time every time and the current owner reports that the car drives beautifully and handles superbly well. The smooth and responsive drive produces no untoward noises from the engine, transmission or suspension. 

Mechanically, this S3 Quattro is good to go and ready to entertain its next happy owner. 

The S3 Quattro with the 225 bhp engine and four-wheel drive has long been under-appreciated. 

This well cared for example is mechanically ship-shape and, although it needs a few minor items attended to in order to bring it up to the standard of the very best, it can be enjoyed straight away. 

Unlike many hot hatches of its time, the S3 was smooth and civilised to drive around town. There was no unnecessarily heavy clutch, overly twitchy steering or back-jarring hard ride meaning it could be driven with a fluidity that belied its more hard-edged capabilities. 

It’s rare to find such an original and unmolested example of this model. All too frequently these were tuned up or lowered.

The S3 is a terrific luxury and high-performance hatchback that was one of the best cars of its era. Almost certainly a future, if not a current, classic.

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