Why A Used Audi S3 Is An Absolute Bargain

These days, if you want a hot A3, you’re pretty well catered for. If the 297bhp S3 isn’t enough, there’s now a new version of the RS3, packing an almost ludicrous 362bhp, which we drove recently. However, while both possess a tempting blend of refinement and ballistic pace, they’re not cheap: the RS is just under £40k before you started ticking options boxes, while the S3 will set you back £31k. So, if you want something similar and are on a budget, how about a first-generation Audi S3?

With a 1.8-litre 20-valve turbo four-pot, these early S3s are decently quick. Earlier models come with 210bhp, while later versions are good for 225bhp. In its most powerful guise, it’ll dispatch 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and top out at 151mph. With a Haldex four-wheel drive system it’s capable too, no matter how rubbish the weather is outside.

Want more poke? Around £300 and a trip to somewhere like AMD Tuning can add 35bhp via a Stage 1 remap without doing much harm to reliability.

The best part is these cars are now very cheap, with prices starting as low as £2500. This one is a little more at £4495, but has a full service history (an important thing to have with an S3) and looks to be in good condition. It’s the pre-facelift 210bhp version, but it makes up for that by having a reasonably low 82,000 miles on the clock.

Tempted?