Is a 94...

[OZT]

Is a 94 Thema turbo alot better than a 92.
From what I understand the engine management system is different.
2 chips on a 92 and 1 bosch motronic on the 94 ?

[kassus]

the last thema was serie III equipped with catalyst.

in this way all the electronic system is different betwen them. this car is less harnessable, so you can obtain less hp because the turbo is minor. but in general is best finished

[OZT]

As far as I know the horsepower is the same. 205 hp

[kassus]

the horsepower is NOT the same. serie III has 205 hp and serie II just 185, but the aceleration rates are more or less the same, even better in the older because this one have not Viscodrive.

[peter]

The serie 2 came also with cat. (mine is a serie 2 with cat)
Serie 2 has bochs KE2- jetronic fuel ecu and Marelli Microplex ignition.(controls also overbost) and a Garret T3 turbocharger (185hp)
Serie 3 has bosch Motronic M2.7 ecu (fuel/ignition in one) 205hp

[leo capaldi]

Definitely - Yes!
The S3 version has most of the nuisances sorted (except for the door handle trim coming loose). The wiring is different, there is more power (both Turbo and Non-Turbo) the V6 being especially nice. The better equipped cars have same instrument panel as the 8.32. The Turbo and V6 have limited slip differential and viscous coupling. The front discs and pads are bigger so the brakes are well up to the job. The HRW works as the radio aerial, the interior light has a delay and comes on with the remote unlock/lock.
The V6 is the one to go for although none were made in UK spec. The Turbo is awesome and the non-Turbo (VIS) is a great car (although the VIS mechanism can jam - like the FIAT Barchetta).

The Bosch Motronic integrates the fuel, ignition and boost whereas the earlier cars have Bosch injection and Weber-Marelli ignition and boost control.

Only prob with the S3 is that the spare is a space saver!

[Rolf R.]

Hi,

it depends when the car was delivered. You can have an series II early in 92 and a series III later in the same year.

Look for the differences especially at the front to find out what 92 model it is.

Regards

Rolf

[Lindsay]

No matter what anyone says, the S3 cars are a mile better than the S2s. In every way aside from the rubbish door handle trims as leo says! If you can, go for an LX model. I had one and they are he best. The V6 is a stronger engine than the turbo but doesnt have the same performance. Get one with a manual box and it is good enough. 175 bhp and loads of torque. Anyway, who cares about the performance when you have an interior like the LX?

[pol]

Engine management on S3 is claimed to be better. Otherwise i guess they wouldn't have changed it to motronic.
In performance it makes not much difference, because the S3 wheigs more.

V6 = Alfa 164

Pol

[Mike]

I agree with most of the above, but in the defence of the non turbo S2 I have to say that the pre VIS engine of the S2 has, in my experience, always delivered a smoother torque and power curve than the S3 engine.

Its all subjective I guess, but if you aren't going for a turbo version then I'd choose the S2 over the S3 for throttle response, power delivery and handling.

Having said that, there is no doubt that the build quality of the S3 is the best, if you don't mind glueing the door handle trim back on...