Audi S3: Still The Bargain You’re Looking For?

18 September 2023 Redazione Budget Cars, News

Words by Carlo Brema / Photos by Audi

In 1999 Audi Sport decided that the time had come to get its hands on the A3 hatchback, transforming the better refined and less economical alternative to the VW Golf into something that would profoundly change the concept of everyday performance. In fact, keeping its practical qualities unchanged, the S3 stands out for a look that manages to combine the sobriety so dear to the brand with some details that make it immediately recognizable to an attentive eye. 12 mm lower, 28 mm wider and wheel arches that wrap nicely around the new 17 or 18-inch wheels. The final touch is left to matt silver details, such as the rear-view mirror caps and obviously the double exhaust pipe at the rear.

Inside we have some interventions that enhance the driving experience as well, such as the three-spoke sports steering wheel and the fantastic Recaro bucket seats, very supportive when the pace gets interesting. Yes, because ultimately, although the S3 8L, produced from 1999 to 2003 and with a mid-life restyling introduced in 2001, maintains the essential characteristics for everyday use, it is when we turn to the performance side of the story that the work done by Audi engineers is appreciated. Under the bonnet we find a 1.8-litre 5-cylinder, a turbo engine which for the time raised the performance needle with a maximum power of 210 hp that would later become 225 hp. Manual gearbox and Haldex-type all-wheel drive, which despite favoring the front axle – equipped with self-locking diff – offer interesting numbers even by current standards, with a 0-100 kph sprint in 6.8 seconds and a maximum speed of almost 240 per hour.

The first generation Audi S3, regardless of the year of production, is an analogue sports car, the kind that needs to be driven in the right way to offer large doses of healthy fun. Moreover, despite the 270 Nm of torque and the approximately 1,400 kg of weight, it is important to keep in mind that if over twenty years ago it seemed like a rocket on wheels with a large trunk good for a traditional family, the effectiveness of a contemporary engine could make you think twice. In reality, the point is precisely that an S3 (stock) in good mechanical condition is still capable of entertaining, even around the bends. In fact, if there is an inevitable hint of understeer, an aspect that could make purists turn up their noses, the overall handling demonstrates that the work carried out by Audi Sport has fully achieved the objective of transforming a very normal hatchback car into a sports car that justifies the great success achieved at the time, despite a purchase price that was certainly not affordable for all pockets.

The Audi S3 thus created a precedent, paving the way for a new generation of compact sports cars and starting an incessant race for power, especially given the fact that with all-wheel drive it would have been possible to manage an increasingly large number of horses. Today, if you can’t afford a brand new S3 or RS3, there’s no need to despair, because by looking at the second hand market and being careful to find an example that is as healthy and original as possible, you could find an S3 ready to give great satisfaction behind the wheel for less than €10,000. My advice is to focus on the condition of the model and only secondly on the possible restyling that offers those 15 extra hp.