G'day folks, been a while since I started a thread here. Bought a s3 380 about 12 months ago and everything has been hunky-dorey until now. Car is going in for a service (major service minus belt which has already been done) and I just want to be armed with some possibilities for my mechanic.
In the last few days the car has developed a clunk or knock type noise whenever there is load applied for the first time. For example, reversing the car then shifting into D the car will make the noise either upon shifting or once I take off. It also does this Going from D to R. Once it has done it in one direction it won't do it again until the load changes direction.
Does anyone have any ideas?

On a semi-related note does the warranty extension to 6 years that mitsu applied a while back cover something like this if I'm not the first owner?

Get him to look for torn driveshaft boots and play in the joints, and play at the diff. Then engine mounts.

Warranty question needs to be answered by someone else.

a clunk or knock type noise whenever there is load applied for the first time. For example, reversing the car then shifting into D the car will make the noise either upon shifting or once I take off. It also does this Going from D to R. Once it has done it in one direction it won't do it again until the load changes direction.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I just wanted to add a comment, but first off let me say that i understand that my car is completely different to the OP's car so ppl please don't flame me.

Your description above is exactly the same as mine, word for word.
I'm currently suspecting a faulty ECU which may be failing to retard the timing during shift operation (which is a feature to reduce these shocks).
Several people have looked at the mounts and tail shaft and not found anything.
I've replaced the TPS and ISC without improvement.
Probably just a weird co-incidence, but there ya go.

I highly doubt its electrical based on how it feels nothing has changed it just makes the noise. Today i played around with it a little and the noise outside comes up from under the engine bay fairly loudly.

Could the clunk be the noise when the gear box has taken the weight of the car before the hand brake?

The extended 6 year warranty was only given to the vehicle's original owners, and it can't be passed on to next owners. You might still have part of the standard 5/10 year warranty which should cover this.

Could the clunk be the noise when the gear box has taken the weight of the car before the hand brake?

Handbrake has nothing to do with it. Im fairly certain MadMax has outlined what it most likely is. I was originally just wondering if there was anything common that could cause this in these cars.

What condition are your engine and gear box mounts in?