Steve-O Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Morning Gentlemen This weekend saw the end of our peugeot 306 - it was taken away to be recycled into a climbing frame and crash mats probably. I was almost a bit sad... until i went and picked up its replacement Audi S3 Quattro 1.8 Turbo. Its history is presently somewhat unknown but drives great. Got it for a good price. However i am treating it will suspicion until its had a full service and a poke about underneath. Got a couple of questions : 1) What sort of adjustability do these have in terms of geo? 2) Are there any reputable VAG/Audi specialists in Herts that can service this properly? I want to change the haldex oil (4wd system) and all the other fluids and filters etc. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Your a rascal aren't you .......... Does the rear have a beam or is it interdependent suspension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Very nice, was a huge fan of these growing up! Didn't realise the S3 had a haldex system, thought all the quattros were permanent 4WD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I cant say i am 100% on this right now but i believe its a haldex system becuase the engine is transverse. Longitudinal mounted angines use the traditional quattro setup. I think they both behave the same way so classed as quattro but the haldex is the actual way it computes where the traction is and adjusts through some kind of hydrolic/mechanical system. Could be completely wrong though. Tone : i think its independent all round - give its all wheel drive.I will try and find out 100% though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Looks tidy mate Shame you had to scrap the 306, what did you get for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Its no minter by any means - its in line with being a 13 year old car so its got a few chips and marks here and there and the paint has swirls and marks. I think a decent machine mop and polish will bring it up nicely without going mad. That pic above isnt great but that was with a rub down with greased lightning after the seller ran it through an eastern europeam car wash. GL is good as its got stuff in to fill in scratches etc - so its a bit of a cheat. That said though its good enough to protect the paint for a couple of weeks until i can really give it some TLC. I drove the pug the other day to check on it and it was just f**ked so i got ASM to come and get it. £137. I think it would need 3-400 spent on it to get it back on the road - just doesnt make financial sense. I stripped the 5 month old battery out of it though which happens to be the right size for the a3 so going to swap that for the hell of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 If it's independent then it will have front/ rear toe, independent rear camber and optimized front camber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 I cant say i am 100% on this right now but i believe its a haldex system becuase the engine is transverse. Longitudinal mounted angines use the traditional quattro setup. I think they both behave the same way so classed as quattro but the haldex is the actual way it computes where the traction is and adjusts through some kind of hydrolic/mechanical system. Could be completely wrong though. Tone : i think its independent all round - give its all wheel drive.I will try and find out 100% though! Interesting as that means the S3 was slightly different to other quattros - am I right in thinking that Haldex is FWD in normal use with power going to the rear when traction is lost, while the quattro standard is a rough 50:50 split at all times, with power shifting front/rear as required? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHAHZ Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 looks a nice motor that mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Its no minter by any means - its in line with being a 13 year old car so its got a few chips and marks here and there and the paint has swirls and marks. I think a decent machine mop and polish will bring it up nicely without going mad. That pic above isnt great but that was with a rub down with greased lightning after the seller ran it through an eastern europeam car wash. GL is good as its got stuff in to fill in scratches etc - so its a bit of a cheat. That said though its good enough to protect the paint for a couple of weeks until i can really give it some TLC. I drove the pug the other day to check on it and it was just f**ked so i got ASM to come and get it. £137. I think it would need 3-400 spent on it to get it back on the road - just doesnt make financial sense. I stripped the 5 month old battery out of it though which happens to be the right size for the a3 so going to swap that for the hell of it. Would you not of got more driving the car to them and weighing it in, I thought you normally get around £200 or has scrap metal gone down in price? So when you lowering the S3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Bet it won't be long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Parth the Haldex drives the fronts mainly until it detects slip and starts to transfer to the rear. I believe our can still deliver true 50/50 drive if necessary. Rich I looked at driving it in and out was such a small amount of was better to get them to come and get it than go down there and get a taxi/lift back! And there was the small risk of not making it there and having to use my RAC and lose my NCB lol Tony this little thing week be staying original. I can see already that finding one completely stock on low miles is almost impossible. Plus I think audi got the ride height spot on from the factory in the S3! And the mx5 is satisfying my modifying habit! I might do some work on the paint though. Namely some smart repairs and detailing. Anyone knows of any smart repairers that are good let me know please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 The S3 trim height is very sporty as you say so i think belaying any more lowering is wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Yep - now i have 2 cars that can get over speedhumps with no issue - the joy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Yay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Love a bit of value. Dropped car off at an audi specilaist this morning to fix the engine management light that kept coming on after i cleared it. I used this to knock the seller down significantly on the purchase price. In my mind i knew whatever it was wasnt a major issue and took a calculated risk. Turns out my hunch was right - new mass airflow sensor (MAF). Other than the diagnosis swapping that out takes all of 15 minutes. Not entirely sure why that warranted the engine management light as the car was pefectly drivable - i think it scared the owner a bit though. This is why i paid well under the market price for the car. His loss my gain Driving home should be a touch more spritely! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Awesome result! Reminds me of that boxster on wheeler dealers that the previous owner thought needed a new gearbox but turned out it just needed an oil change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 not seen that particular one - i do love a bit of WD! I was looking for the right S3 for a few weeks in terms of mileage and colour etc and when this popped up it ticked all the boxes other than it needed some TLC - having had similar issues on previous cars it didnt deter me that much and used it to my advantage. Another bonus was the service history came through the post last night - turns out it has full audi history up until 2011. I bought it on the basis there would be no history (chap was moving and fully expected the paperwork to 'go missing'). Happy chappy today. Thats one car back in rude health - now i have to turn my attention back to the mx5 and try and sort the exhaust leak and run it through its first MOT since i had it supercharged. Fingers crossed the emissions are ok!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Excellent result.......You never set-out to deceive or do the seller over, you took a calculated gamble and won, simples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Excellent result.......You never set-out to deceive or do the seller over, you took a calculated gamble and won, simples No not at all. in actual fact i think HE 'tried' to decieve me. He had obviously reset the warning light and made out it was intermittent and would come and go. That is not the case now i have owned it for 2 weeks. I am sure the MAF connector was seated just loose enough it looked connected but wasnt which made it drive better than it had right to. When i reseated it, thats when the real symptioms reared their head (occasional hesitation and boost going up and down)and normally some people would panic but it made me feel better as i could see the problem now and it matched the symptoms i would expect. Only thing now is the misses is eyeing the car up. Shes taken the A4 from me and shes not content. I despair. I think she needs a word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Buyer beware......... Call me an old git but one thing that i always drum into my kids is then you buy something second-hand always ask if it's so good why is it for sale? I would consider myself a gentleman seller?...... When i showed buyers around my house i told them everything the estate agents would leave out.... Tell it like it is and get a good nights sleep for doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Agreed Tone. There are exceptions to the rule of course but that is best left to those who like to take a chance. Sometimes what first appears to be cheap can work out costing in excess of a straight one at a sensible price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted February 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Theres a first for everything....in this case my first breakdown! Problem : Clutch pedal snapped! Upon inspection it wasn't actually the pedal but the metal/plastic behind it that pushes in the master cylinder. I was briefly stranded on the fast lane of the Hemel M1 exit slip (coming from london). I had the misses and my 3 year old daughter in the car and i could see people speeding round the bend towards me and the cars pitching forwards under braking when they realised i wasnt moving. I thought it would be a matter of time before someone hit us at speed. Engine off - into first and bump started. Then some slightly naughty driving stuck in first to get around the roundabout without stopping. Pulled over at a safe spot and got RAC out who came in 15 minutes! The bloke was superb - put a temp fix in by way of a bolt to press the cylinder rod in and got me going again. We were driving on some fairly narrow lane hills coming out of hampstead just earlier - if it had gone there things would had been significantly more stressful having to deal with blocking traffic and raging motorists (myself would be reciprocating probably as it couldnt be helped!!) Never had that happen before - lets hope it doesnt happen again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Not good....... I have to confess i drove a car though Watford with no clutch.... Obviously drive and then knock into neutral approaching the traffic lights, put it into second gear and bump start on the starter motor to move off..... It must have looked comical but i got to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Sounds pretty scary but well done on your reactions and thinking clearly to get the car to a safe spot. I would expect most would just panic and sit there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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