The Cad plated bits retaining their finish is one good telltale and the finish on the intake manifold ages pretty predictably and is what I would use to disprove low mileage on an S3.

 

All looked good and consistent, will post pic asap. I'm out of town now.

 

 

Here are some raw photos, I didn't clean anything, although I will get around to it.

 

Intake color is consistent with the mileage as it will turn beige and lose the silver tone completely by 60kish, Norma clamps still have their plating as do lots of other bits. Nothing in the engine bay screams "High Miles" to me.

 

Seems odd that the intake tube clamps are all mixed up, direction wise. Maybe the PO or someone replaced the CPS or fuel lines and just wasn't paying attention when they reassembled. Surely won't take much to rectify. Radiator looks to have been replaced at sometime or another.

Looks pretty clean, though, and will clean up nicely.

Also, I thought the 85.5 had the inverter valve mounted on the crossmember, like this one has, and the 86 had it mounted down along the passenger fender? Or maybe the other way around, DaveK9 would know...these years are in his "wheelhouse" of expertise.

Looking forward to more pictures.

Brian.

 

Most 85's have the diverter valve on the right side of the engine, but some time late in the run it was moved to the cross brace.

 

This is an 86 model. I can't wait to freshen up the engine bay, I.E. clean it. I am installing a new Genuine Porsche chin spoiler next week to freshen it up.

 

Looks excellent to me. Replace your fuel lines and drive the bitch.