JimmyRB5PRO

Sos guys i know this has been done bfeore but am stuck with the following looking at about 16K ish ideally - maybe 18K for right car.

Looking for pace, reliability , reasonable running costs (previous RB5WR!)
so 2/3 year old S3 -
2004 - A3 3.2
2004 - Leon 225R

ok which is worth more in 2/3 yrs - obviously i wil get warrenty with 22R and 3.2 not so much on S3 cos it will have expired.

Really want S3 but feel suddenly they are demanding very high money at the mo so give me some ideas pls people ...........................
Will be small amnount of finance on car - about 10-11K deposit cos dont want huge monthly costs??????

Others that might be worth looking at Golf GTI- R32 Cooper S (residuals)??? what esle .................
Cheers....

NWMark

All three will have pace and be reliable, there is very little in it between the 3 pace wise, until you chip the S3 or Cupra R, then they have the advantage over the 3.2.

Servicing for the S3 & Cupra R will be the same, Cupra R will go through front tyres twice as fast as the S3 or 3.2 if driven hard, S3 / 3.2, just dont wheel spin at all even with ESP off.

3.2 will use more petrol, as the S3 / Cupra R actually do very good mpg, for the bhp you get. 3.2 still not that bad and wouldnt expect it to be worse than your previous car.

Im suprised you can get a 2004 3.2 for 16k though, so would expect this to be worth the most in 2/3 years time. list price of about 24k versus Cupra list of 18k both the 2004 cars would be very suprised if it wasnt worth more at the end.

Although S3 prices hold up well, just dont know whether they will still command the premium they currently do when more lower priced RS, VXR, R32, New Golf Gti, Cupra R's come to the market.

Mark

RS Grant

As long as you buy from a dealer, you wont have a problem getting warranty for an S3... However, you will pay a few k more than you would if you picked the same car up privately, Audi Dealers know how to charge!!

If you picked up a Private example of any of these cars, then surely the Warranty is transferrable to you....... I managed to do this when I sold my old MY99 Turbo to a friend. This would save you thousands, I have seen low mileage, newer 225R's for 14k and S3's for around the same in Autotrader/Pistonheads.

The 3.2 DSG does come with a 'mild type' of Launch Control, which is cool, but the scope isnt there for further mods as it is with the other 2 Turbo'd cars on your list. I'd probably go for an S3 out of the choice given.


Cheers,
Grant

NWMark

Really does come down to what you want from a car heres the pluses and minus from how i see it.

S3
plus
- 4WD
- Turbo engine (chipability)
- Quality Interior and comfort
- pretty rare
- good residuals (currently)

minus
- expensive for age
- brakes if you plan to track day (they are excellent but do fade quickly)
- rear space is limited if you regularly have adults in the back

Cupra R
plus
- turbo Engine
- cheap for performance and year
- 5 doors
- warranty
- holding price well atm

minus
- 2WD
- Cheaper interior, few options
- very popular

3.2
plus
- V6 engine
- 4WD
- warranty

minus
- thirst
- expensive compared to other 2
- unknown residuals, if they are 16-18k now, thats a 6-8k lloss in 12-18 months.

^Qwerty^

I think the choice has to be the S3, as you won't get a 2004 3.2 for that kind of money, and the Leon turns into a bit of a mare (so I'm told) if you chip it.

Cupramax

Not unless SEAT dealers have started charging Audi service rates... The engine may be the same but the prices are approx half to 2/3rds what Audi charge in my experience.

NWMark

Actually thats probably true i was thinking of servicing outside of warranty hence not at a dealers at a specialist where servicing is the same.

Apart from the haldex oil change which is every 20k and only £40 anyway.

Mark

paulcupra r

get the right chip and its far from a mare it'll be smother and a lot faster then standard and 270 ish bhp is not to much for the lcr imo just have to be sensible in the wet

Rollers

I have a s3 and can recommend them,quality interior and build quality,decent pace in chipped form and not bad looking,it's a great compromise.

Bakerman

Mr bro had a 275bhp LCR and it was absolutely not a mare, very smooth and very fast..............OK in the wet you can get yourself into trouble but only if you want to. Around 30mpg and OK servicing.

Very very impressed with the overall package for the money he paid.