Considering a Used 2016 S3 with 40k miles -- What should I look out for?

[smirk]

I saw a 2016 S3 prestige for sale with 40k miles that I'm really liking, but wanted to consult the community with some stuff I should be on the look out for. The car has 1 damage report on carfax, and according to the owner, it was due to a pothole strike and has since been fixed to brand new.

I'm going to have the car checked out by a mechanic, but other than mechanical things, are there any common problems or redflags to look out for with this year/mileage S3?

Thanks!

[a4000]

Check that the haldex is functioning. Do a launch control start and make sure the front tires don't spin like crazy.

[Grey3]

Water pump/ thermostat leaking coolant. Heard that alot

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[HBird]

Mine will be up for sale shortly if you’re interested.


- Hunter

Sent from somewhere in Texas

[incognino]

Water pump/ thermostat leaking coolant. Heard that alot

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Second, had mine replaced at ~38k on a 2016.


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[smirk]

so regarding the leaking coolant -- If i look at the car today and I don't notice anything dripping on the ground during idle, am I for the most part good?

[jared703]

check for a heavy coolant smell and check the coolant resevoir level.

[Makersmark]

Second the haldex.

[RelentlesS4]

Mine will be up for sale shortly if you’re interested.


- Hunter

Sent from somewhere in Texas

HBird, why are you selling your S3? I've enjoyed your build thread.

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[PhilS3]

so regarding the leaking coolant -- If i look at the car today and I don't notice anything dripping on the ground during idle, am I for the most part good?

Not necessarily, mine was leaking for a while and I never noticed, it was when the techs inspected the car during a maintenance appointment that they noticed it was leaking around the thermostat housing.

I also had the Haldex pump go. Test this like someone said, do a launch control start and see if you do a burnout. Also, with the wheel straight, do a full throttle start (no launch control) and it should not spin whatsoever.

[incognino]

I lucked out with mine in that the coolant was below the level in the tank and my sensor went off...they topped it off the first time and two weeks later same issue.

Had them check and confirm it was around thermostat, warranty should cover it


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[Cairo94507]

Aside from the water pump and thermostat housing, all replaced under warranty, my car has been bullet proof. I currently have about 41K on it and love it.

[HBird]

HBird, why are you selling your S3? I've enjoyed your build thread.

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Just moving on and trying to do the whole adulting thing


- Hunter

Sent from somewhere in Texas

[RelentlesS4]

Just moving on and trying to do the whole adulting thing


- Hunter

Sent from somewhere in Texas

Gotcha. Does adulting involve getting boring transportation? Haha or are you moving on to something even better than the S3?

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[HBird]

Gotcha. Does adulting involve getting boring transportation? Haha or are you moving on to something even better than the S3?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Audizine mobile app

I’ll most likely pick up a left over GTI before the new model years show up at dealers. Might slap an IS38 on it


- Hunter

Sent from somewhere in Texas

[NickBurns]

I have a 2015 version 1 - the version where they hadn't found all the bugs yet.

Mine has been extremely solid, especially considering all the things I've done to the poor girls. Stage 2 and extremely hard driving at all times (except during warm up - it's the only calm time my car sees other than parked).

Now, there is a decent list of things that have plagued large groups of people. Some can be fixed/avoided by "unconventional maintenance" (like the Haldex Pump screen cleaning) and others just need to be handled under warranty.

I'm assuming it's not a CPO, otherwise you probably wouldn't be asking. I would:
1. Look through the S3 posts in this forum and look for the MASSIVE threads about a single problem. No need to read them entirely- just note it down to talk to the dealer about.
2. Look for service bulletins in the threads. Make sure the dealer has addressed them.
3. The turbo was an issue with the 15's and it didnt blow up the turbo unless you drove it hard. Make sure this has been checked - I believe it was something out of balance or two pieces didnt align correctly when sandwiched together.
4. Look at ALL service records!!
5. On the accident report - does the dealer have info on the wreck at all (HIGHLY doubtful)? I actually hit a 2x2in hunk of steel that ravaged the bottom of my car including popping the gas tank and killing some wheels. It was 100% fixed and I've been solid ever since - this was about 1.5 years ago and ive even changed wheels since with full 3rd party inspection on the work - they couldnt tell.
6. Shakes/wiggles in your steering wheel, pedals or seat - ive had this a few times and it was always something different. Usually my own fault but weak parts nonetheless.

That's about all I can put together for ya.

Honestly, it's a solid car and any of these issues are pretty basic minus the turbo. And I havent heard of 16's having the turbo issues, so you're probably good there.

See if they will offer some sort of warranty with it so you can make sure the Haldex is OK, on your own time. That's the biggest one - check that thread out in depth.

Otherwise, I wouldn't sweat the small bump with the pothole - shit happens and it's an easy fix. I can say it's been one of my favorite cars I've ever owned- and I have a 2017 M4 with the competition package. They're about equal right now with the M4 only taking the lead because of the GT racing I watch that doesnt include S3's... :)

Good idea you asked. I would say you're fully aware at this point and educated enough with everyone's replies to make an educated decision. Try the launch control and make a call. If not CPO - GET A GOOD DEAL!!!! No more than $27,500 if its PERFECT.

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[Hites]

I assume the helped fluid should have been changed. Ask them if they cleaned the pump filter. Ensure they can provide documentation if they say they did. If they didn't clean the filter, but the haldex works, clean that filter as soon as you buy it. I suspect that blinded filters may be the culprit in these pump failures.

[smirk]

In case anyone wanted an update...

So I checked out the car the other night, and I loved it. The car drove well and felt solid, and for 40k miles the wear and tear seemed on par for the course and something I could live with. (rock chips on hood, a little curbage on wheels etc.) I was ready to buy then and there, but I wanted to check it out during the day so we met up today for one last look.

It's crazy how much stuff daylight brings out. Paint was in much worse condition than I was expecting, and the fit and finish was just off. Also, when doing a more thorough inspection of the engine bay, I found the car had a tuning module tucked hidden away pictured below.

If you zoom into the photo below and look at where the hood meets the fender, panels aren't lining up. Also, there seems to be a bit of a gap between the headlight and the hood. Is that looking normal to you guys?



And here is the module I found hidden in the engine bay. Anyone have any info on this?


I'm really worried this car will have more surprises if I were to buy the car, and even at $25k I think I'm probably going to walk.

Back to square one!

[yeedub]

Hood/Light gap looks OK

[a4000]

The module is a burger motorsports JB1, unless the internals are upgraded to a JB4.

I'd honestly rather find the JB1 in the car than a tune.

[Spinnetti]

What should you look for? Understeer! Doesn't seem anything worrying unless you worry about it being tuned. I got mine at 70k miles and 4k miles later no issues I'm aware of so far, even with launch control/Stage II and fat tires.

[Madspeed]

that JB1 is nothing to worry about. I bumped up the power a bit. If you pick it up you can send an email to Burger to inquire about upgrading it to the JB4. I have one and love it

[smirk]

Ok so i'm now looking at 2 s3s today from the same dealer.

Car 1:
2016 Premium Plus https://shift.com/car/c142486
47,401 miles
Led Headslights
Super Sport Seats
Black Optics
RS3 style grille
VMR Wheels
Lowering Springs


Car 2
2015 Prestige https://shift.com/car/c135630
45,156 miles
Advanced Technology Package


So I'm indifferent between gray and white so that's a wash. They're about the same mileage but the gray is a year newer, but much more heavily modded. However alot of the mods are things I was planning on doing anyway (lowering springs, rs3 grille, and i don't mind the wheels). But the white has the Advanced Technology Package which seems really cool, but is missing the sport seats and black optics.

What do you guys think? Is the Advanced Technology Package even worth it? Does lane assist work well and does the B&O sound system sound that much better than stock?

[Grey3]

Not sure about the features, but I'd get the newer one. Sounds like that's the one you're leaning towards. I guess they no longer have the stock wheels? Saving money on mods you would do anyway is always nice.

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[tritonic]

A couple notes based on my own research and experience:

-I haven't heard the B&O system but the consensus is overwhelming that it sounds much, much better. Wish I waited for a car with that package.
-Coolant leak is impossible to find unless you take off the plastic tray and look under the driver's side engine compartment. The coolant could've been topped off if recently serviced.
-JB1 module is a mild tune so it wouldn't concern me. Also doesn't void what's left on the warranty.
-The LED headlamps which both have aren't great. I wouldn't say it's a plus on the 2016.
-Sport seats are much better but aren't powered. It's the only downside.

Personally I'd go with the 2015 since it has better options and I like white better. The 2016 is a better choice from a reliability standpoint. Depends a bit on your priorities.

[a4000]

The gray one appears to have better service history, at least according to what was reported to carfax.

Looks like gray one also has an exhaust?

[a4000]

White one also looks lowered more than the gray.

White one passenger side side skirt is all scraped up.

[a4000]

You'll want to see this.

Gray one previous ebay listing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Audi-S....m43663.l10137

[smirk]

hm it looks like the enginebay is put back to stock. Intake is gone. I'll have to peek underneath for swaybar and exhaust. How can I tell if the tune was put back to stock or not?

[a4000]

hm it looks like the enginebay is put back to stock. Intake is gone. I'll have to peek underneath for swaybar and exhaust. How can I tell if the tune was put back to stock or not?

Easiest way would be to drive it!

Also check for a downpipe to see if it was also removed. My guess is if its a stock downpipe, the tune was probably put back to stock.

I can see the exhaust is still on from the dealer pics.

[Spinnetti]

IMO, better off doing your own mods on a stock car. You have no idea if they did stuff right or how hard they drove the car. Usually mods lower the value on the retail market. I'd take mine stock and do my own stuff than you very much! (or at least throw them a much lower offer)

[smirk]

So quick update:

Went to test drive the gray one. Exterior is in great condition. No signs on body work, car looked great. I did notice that one of the wheels was slightly bent on the outer lip.

Drove the car. Very harsh, but I unfortunately was test driving on really bad industrial roads that had lots of potholes. Even still, the lowering spring plus swaybar definitely made the ride the harshest S3 I've driven so far.

I did a launch test, and I noticed the front tires spin and and burnout a bit before taking off. So I'm assuming this means that the haldex is malfunctioning? I didn't notice any warning lights on the dash, and the car drove fine otherwise. Is this a dealbreaker? Would Audi fix this under warranty?

Thank you to everyone for the helpful advice so far and for coming along this car buying journey with me. Hopefully I find a car that I can call mine and post here soon!

[a4000]

So quick update:

Went to test drive the gray one. Exterior is in great condition. No signs on body work, car looked great. I did notice that one of the wheels was slightly bent on the outer lip.

Drove the car. Very harsh, but I unfortunately was test driving on really bad industrial roads that had lots of potholes. Even still, the lowering spring plus swaybar definitely made the ride the harshest S3 I've driven so far.

I did a launch test, and I noticed the front tires spin and and burnout a bit before taking off. So I'm assuming this means that the haldex is malfunctioning? I didn't notice any warning lights on the dash, and the car drove fine otherwise. Is this a dealbreaker? Would Audi fix this under warranty?

Thank you to everyone for the helpful advice so far and for coming along this car buying journey with me. Hopefully I find a car that I can call mine and post here soon!

You may get a little chirp on launch but anything excessive would worry me. It would be warrantied as long as the car hadn't been TD1'd from the previous owners mods.

[S3_Miles]

Get the Grey one! I want to be the only white one in town lol

[smirk]

Get the Grey one! I want to be the only white one in town lol

I should get a black one to balance things out completely

[a4000]

this one looks nice

https://www.ebay.com/itm/S3-2-0T-Qua...1:pf:0&vxp=mtr

[smirk]

Checking out both of these at the same dealership in a little bit. Will see if I can get the white one under 30k

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0588/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0197/overview/

Checked with audi service and they are both under warranty with remaining audicare left, fingers crossed!

[smirk]

I ended up going with a 2016 CPO S3! Thanks to everyone for the help and advice!

[normcaldwell]

I ended up going with a 2016 CPO S3! Thanks to everyone for the help and advice!

Looks good, congrats!
Mine was also a CPO; I picked it up in April of this year.

[S3_Miles]

I ended up going with a 2016 CPO S3! Thanks to everyone for the help and advice!

Looks great! Ill keep an eye out around town. Im over in SM Heights near Burlingame