98-99ish Audi A3 1.8T 150bhp; anything to look out for?
Discussion
I posted this in the GG -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just wondered if any guys in here may have anything else to add (I know not everyone reads all of PH!)?
Oh and is there anywhere I can find a list of the original spec and what Sport included?
I've googled to no avail... I could only find tech specs or the spec for newer cars!
Thanks!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just wondered if any guys in here may have anything else to add (I know not everyone reads all of PH!)?
Oh and is there anywhere I can find a list of the original spec and what Sport included?
I've googled to no avail... I could only find tech specs or the spec for newer cars!
Thanks!
Cambelts need doing by 80k And a clutch change is gonna be ~700 quid. MAF sensors and on the earlier cars the ignition amp can be troublesome. Chipping opens up a new world though, flat before hand.
My MK4 GTI with the same engine, chipped and running LPG is on 166k now, still on the original clutch and no real troubles in 9 years of ownership.
My MK4 GTI with the same engine, chipped and running LPG is on 166k now, still on the original clutch and no real troubles in 9 years of ownership.
Many thanks for your help guys.
I was aware of some of those problems, but not all of them!
If I do end up getting one, I shall certainly consider investing in a remap!
Oh and is there anywhere I can look for a list of what was optional/standard equipment?
I quite fancy leather as I don't like the look of the cloth... I presume electric (not bothered)/heated (would quite like) were optional on top as per current Audis?
What about Cruise?
Oh and on Sport models, was the 'premium' (from as far as I can tell, it's just a 6-disc multichanger?) hifi and climate standard?
TIA.
I was aware of some of those problems, but not all of them!
If I do end up getting one, I shall certainly consider investing in a remap!
Oh and is there anywhere I can look for a list of what was optional/standard equipment?
I quite fancy leather as I don't like the look of the cloth... I presume electric (not bothered)/heated (would quite like) were optional on top as per current Audis?
What about Cruise?
Oh and on Sport models, was the 'premium' (from as far as I can tell, it's just a 6-disc multichanger?) hifi and climate standard?
TIA.
LukeBird said:
I quite fancy leather as I don't like the look of the cloth... I presume electric (not bothered)/heated (would quite like) were optional on top as per current Audis?
What about Cruise?
Oh and on Sport models, was the 'premium' (from as far as I can tell, it's just a 6-disc multichanger?) hifi and climate standard?
TIA.
CD multi-changer and climate were both options on the Sport model.What about Cruise?
Oh and on Sport models, was the 'premium' (from as far as I can tell, it's just a 6-disc multichanger?) hifi and climate standard?
TIA.
Early ones like 98-99 had different coil packs (bolt on) to the troublesome ones. My car did 165k without coil pack failure. It did need an ignition module though (as mentioned) which was £100 from independent supplier. They also had cable throttle rather than fly by wire.
Mike
seight said:
CD multi-changer and climate were both options on the Sport model.
Early ones like 98-99 had different coil packs (bolt on) to the troublesome ones. My car did 165k without coil pack failure. It did need an ignition module though (as mentioned) which was £100 from independent supplier. They also had cable throttle rather than fly by wire.
Mike
Aaah right.Early ones like 98-99 had different coil packs (bolt on) to the troublesome ones. My car did 165k without coil pack failure. It did need an ignition module though (as mentioned) which was £100 from independent supplier. They also had cable throttle rather than fly by wire.
Mike
I guess most are specced with climate & multi-CD then as most I've looked at have had them.
So is an earlier car a better bet?
I'd struggle to get into an '00 or later car anyway, although there are a few in budget.
I have a 2000 A3 1.8T Sport and its a great car.
Things to look for when you are buying is a good history and make sure the cambelt and water pump has been changed.
The only problem I have had is a faulty temp sensor and a window regulator packing up. Its a nice car to own though for the money. Mines full black leather, climate, BOSE stereo etc and its lovely inside. No rattles or squeeks and its just tipped 70K miles and still looks brand new inside.
The only thing I would say is that the ones you're looking at have the AGU engine so have a KO3 turbo. The later quattro sports have the KO3S turbo which is 180bhp as standard. If you wanted to remap a KO3 turbo engine you wont get over 200BHP, if you remap a KO3S engine you'll be looking at 225bhp....thats S3 power Plus the later ones have the 'facelift' front and rear lights, much nicer looking than the older ones.
Mines only a KO3 turbo for now but I've had a remap from Custom Code and it flies now. I'll look into a KO3S turbo to stick on it over the next year or so when I get bored.
Make sure there are no knocks and bangs when you drive it. The antiroll bar bushes go on them which can cause a clunk. Suspension bushes need changing at about 70K, diverter valve can split so get a Forge 007P to replace it too. Look out for smoke etc when under load and on start up. If you hear a 'ticking' noise from the front right of the engine bay dont worry...its supposed to do that Charcoal filters on the fuel return.
The suspension as standard isnt great though, considering its a 'Sport' its very soft. I've changed all of mine for Wietec stuff and put on much thicker KW anti roll bars. It handles so well now, add that to the remap and its a quickish good handling car. Budget a grand for the suspension work though if you want to go down that route. Worth it though, there's no such thing as understeer on mine now
All in all I'm happy with mine now but its taken a remap, some gucci suspension, a decent exhaust, green cotton panel filter, FORGE 007, Forge intake pipe and better discs and pads.
Great cars though... I'm dead happy with mine after 2 years of ownership.
Things to look for when you are buying is a good history and make sure the cambelt and water pump has been changed.
The only problem I have had is a faulty temp sensor and a window regulator packing up. Its a nice car to own though for the money. Mines full black leather, climate, BOSE stereo etc and its lovely inside. No rattles or squeeks and its just tipped 70K miles and still looks brand new inside.
The only thing I would say is that the ones you're looking at have the AGU engine so have a KO3 turbo. The later quattro sports have the KO3S turbo which is 180bhp as standard. If you wanted to remap a KO3 turbo engine you wont get over 200BHP, if you remap a KO3S engine you'll be looking at 225bhp....thats S3 power
Plus the later ones have the 'facelift' front and rear lights, much nicer looking than the older ones. Mines only a KO3 turbo for now but I've had a remap from Custom Code and it flies now. I'll look into a KO3S turbo to stick on it over the next year or so when I get bored.
Make sure there are no knocks and bangs when you drive it. The antiroll bar bushes go on them which can cause a clunk. Suspension bushes need changing at about 70K, diverter valve can split so get a Forge 007P to replace it too. Look out for smoke etc when under load and on start up. If you hear a 'ticking' noise from the front right of the engine bay dont worry...its supposed to do that
Charcoal filters on the fuel return. The suspension as standard isnt great though, considering its a 'Sport' its very soft. I've changed all of mine for Wietec stuff and put on much thicker KW anti roll bars. It handles so well now, add that to the remap and its a quickish good handling car. Budget a grand for the suspension work though if you want to go down that route. Worth it though, there's no such thing as understeer on mine now
All in all I'm happy with mine now but its taken a remap, some gucci suspension, a decent exhaust, green cotton panel filter, FORGE 007, Forge intake pipe and better discs and pads.
Great cars though... I'm dead happy with mine after 2 years of ownership.
Hello Lukebird, Im new here but saw your post.
I have a 98 A3 1.8T Sport AGU Engine. I paid £3650 for it in Oct 08 with 79,000 miles on the clock. Leather, heated seats, bose etc. It is the best car i have owned and I would recommend one,
In 8 months I have had to replace the waterpump (HEPU £50 + new cambelt £35) at 86,000. The cambelt was changed at 71,000 but they didnt bother to change the waterpump which should be replaced at the same time and is known for failing.
OS tie rod end was shot so replaced both at £19 each.
All of the work I did myself saving alot! I hate to think how much I could have been charged in a garage.
After 2 months, the fuse on the ECU blew, replaced it and it blew again. Turned out to be a dodgy lambda sensor, another £65
Definately agree with Greendubber above, standard suspension is a bit soft, upgraded to Bilstein B14's with a strut brace. On the engine, all stock bar Forge 007P and Carbonio Cold Air Kit.
Remap is my next stop, definately getting Custom Code. Also thinking powerflow Sports Cat & Stainless Pipes
I have done 96,000 now and since sorting the problems and fitting the ugrades, my car feels great.
If you decide to buy, Best of luck finding one you like.
I have a 98 A3 1.8T Sport AGU Engine. I paid £3650 for it in Oct 08 with 79,000 miles on the clock. Leather, heated seats, bose etc. It is the best car i have owned and I would recommend one,
In 8 months I have had to replace the waterpump (HEPU £50 + new cambelt £35) at 86,000. The cambelt was changed at 71,000 but they didnt bother to change the waterpump which should be replaced at the same time and is known for failing.
OS tie rod end was shot so replaced both at £19 each.
All of the work I did myself saving alot! I hate to think how much I could have been charged in a garage.
After 2 months, the fuse on the ECU blew, replaced it and it blew again. Turned out to be a dodgy lambda sensor, another £65
Definately agree with Greendubber above, standard suspension is a bit soft, upgraded to Bilstein B14's with a strut brace. On the engine, all stock bar Forge 007P and Carbonio Cold Air Kit.
Remap is my next stop, definately getting Custom Code. Also thinking powerflow Sports Cat & Stainless Pipes
I have done 96,000 now and since sorting the problems and fitting the ugrades, my car feels great.
If you decide to buy, Best of luck finding one you like.
Thanks chaps, just the sort of info I was looking for!
I would quite fancy a 180bhp one, but I reckon (although I haven't checked!) insurance would probably be a lot more expensive, given my age...
Hmmm definitely looking at them, but I reckon a change could be afoot carwise!
Just need to find one in a decent colour with leather (heated, hopefully!), the 6-disc changer (and bose if possible), climate and hopefully cruise!
Have to see if something like that falls in budget!
If anyone else has anything to add, please do!
I would quite fancy a 180bhp one, but I reckon (although I haven't checked!) insurance would probably be a lot more expensive, given my age...
Hmmm definitely looking at them, but I reckon a change could be afoot carwise!
Just need to find one in a decent colour with leather (heated, hopefully!), the 6-disc changer (and bose if possible), climate and hopefully cruise!
Have to see if something like that falls in budget!
If anyone else has anything to add, please do!
Nothing else to add, but here's what you need to do to the suspension....
And now just plain whoring now its finally done
back on topic though, make sure you have a really good look at as many as you can. There are loads out there, just a case of finding the right one. I found mine after looking at about 20, worth waiting for a fully loaded one without starship miles on.
And now just plain whoring now its finally done
back on topic though, make sure you have a really good look at as many as you can. There are loads out there, just a case of finding the right one. I found mine after looking at about 20, worth waiting for a fully loaded one without starship miles on.
Looks very nice!
I'll have to steer clear of modifying for a while though, my insurance company would have a fit!
Will definitely keep an eye on the PH Classifieds & Autotrader.
I did look on eBay, although most seemed very optimistically priced or in shoddy condition; e.g. Perfect condition except... the door fell off; or some such...
I'll have to steer clear of modifying for a while though, my insurance company would have a fit!
Will definitely keep an eye on the PH Classifieds & Autotrader.
I did look on eBay, although most seemed very optimistically priced or in shoddy condition; e.g. Perfect condition except... the door fell off; or some such...
LukeBird said:
Looks very nice!
I'll have to steer clear of modifying for a while though, my insurance company would have a fit!
Will definitely keep an eye on the PH Classifieds & Autotrader.
I did look on eBay, although most seemed very optimistically priced or in shoddy condition; e.g. Perfect condition except... the door fell off; or some such...
I Feel your insurance pain.I'll have to steer clear of modifying for a while though, my insurance company would have a fit!
Will definitely keep an eye on the PH Classifieds & Autotrader.
I did look on eBay, although most seemed very optimistically priced or in shoddy condition; e.g. Perfect condition except... the door fell off; or some such...
Talk to the insurance companies about mods. Some insurers will not charge you for "non performance" modifications but some will. The only one of my mods that has raised the insurance is the cold air kit. I am paying £1400/year fully comp with no NCB as is my first policy. Because of my age, I have a £400 compulsory excess on top of my voluntary.
Unfortunately if you are young and have your sights set on something on even a bit powerful, you are going to get shafted!
I had a 99 A3 1.8T Sport for a year, fairly good car, not much fun to drive but go fairly well and return good mpg, also very reliable.
With regards spec, mine had sunroof, climate, 6disc, Audi concert which I believe is Bose and get's the 2, 5 inch subs in the boot, also mine had electric lumbar adjustment and an arm rest (very important). With regards cruise I donn't think the 8L shape which you're looking at was available with it or Sat Nav. Both I believe were available with the 8P facelift, noticable by the round lights in the same cluster at the front and the Red and white lights at the rear. Also different dash if memory serves.
As others have said, Cambelt and water pump!
Get yourself onto Audisport.net(I think) was loads of help to me.
With regards spec, mine had sunroof, climate, 6disc, Audi concert which I believe is Bose and get's the 2, 5 inch subs in the boot, also mine had electric lumbar adjustment and an arm rest (very important). With regards cruise I donn't think the 8L shape which you're looking at was available with it or Sat Nav. Both I believe were available with the 8P facelift, noticable by the round lights in the same cluster at the front and the Red and white lights at the rear. Also different dash if memory serves.
As others have said, Cambelt and water pump!
Get yourself onto Audisport.net(I think) was loads of help to me.
missing the VR6 said:
I had a 99 A3 1.8T Sport for a year, fairly good car, not much fun to drive but go fairly well and return good mpg, also very reliable.
With regards spec, mine had sunroof, climate, 6disc, Audi concert which I believe is Bose and get's the 2, 5 inch subs in the boot, also mine had electric lumbar adjustment and an arm rest (very important). With regards cruise I donn't think the 8L shape which you're looking at was available with it or Sat Nav. Both I believe were available with the 8P facelift, noticable by the round lights in the same cluster at the front and the Red and white lights at the rear. Also different dash if memory serves.
As others have said, Cambelt and water pump!
Get yourself onto Audisport.net(I think) was loads of help to me.
If you get a later 8L cruise can be fitted but you have to have the 'drive by wire' car, so what that means is if an A3 has a throttle cable going to the throttle body you cant fit it. The kit costs abotu 120 quid and is fairly easy to fit.With regards spec, mine had sunroof, climate, 6disc, Audi concert which I believe is Bose and get's the 2, 5 inch subs in the boot, also mine had electric lumbar adjustment and an arm rest (very important). With regards cruise I donn't think the 8L shape which you're looking at was available with it or Sat Nav. Both I believe were available with the 8P facelift, noticable by the round lights in the same cluster at the front and the Red and white lights at the rear. Also different dash if memory serves.
As others have said, Cambelt and water pump!
Get yourself onto Audisport.net(I think) was loads of help to me.
The 8L was facelifted, the 8P is the shape afterwards. All Mk1 A3's are 8L's (both facelift and pre-facelift)
The facelift was newer syle 'projector' style heaadlamps, the rear light clusters with the clear bits in (as per mine above), different seats but the dash stayed pretty much the same apart from some minor changes and different side repeaters I think
Aaah right, thanks for the clarification chaps!
I've been scouring plenty of ads and have a couple of questions regarding the hi-fi.
On my dad's Audi the CD changer was an option and then Bose was extra on top of that, is that the same case as the A3?
Plenty seem to have the Bose listed but I'm not entirely sure that they have it?
Oh and was a sunroof standard? It seemed to suggest it from something I was reading, but I wouldn't have thought it'd be the case!
Oh and I'll look out that Audi forum!
I've been scouring plenty of ads and have a couple of questions regarding the hi-fi.
On my dad's Audi the CD changer was an option and then Bose was extra on top of that, is that the same case as the A3?
Plenty seem to have the Bose listed but I'm not entirely sure that they have it?
Oh and was a sunroof standard? It seemed to suggest it from something I was reading, but I wouldn't have thought it'd be the case!
Oh and I'll look out that Audi forum!
Stereo is symphony as standard, cd option and then bose was again an option - same head unit but should say bose on speakers and on display when you turn it on. Post facelift cars have jaguard satin (stripes) instead of check interior. Sunroof seems to be standard on most.
I have owned both a 98 A3 1.8t sport and a couple of 1.8t golfs of the same sort of age and always found the Golf to be a much nicer drive and much nicer interior / visibility. I am sure others will disagree but this was just my experience.
Rear axle bushes, juddering clutch (dual mass flywheel) and climate problems are common. Turbos are very long lived, unless abused / not serviced and in general 140k miles is easy on a well looked after car. Exhaust centre box is a weak point as mounting bracket fails but replacement is fairly cheap.
Beyond body damage abuse, drooping doors are a common problem, and again the VW door / seal design is better than the Audi.
There are some nice examples around if you look carefuly but most pre-facelift ones are now becoming very ropey.
I have owned both a 98 A3 1.8t sport and a couple of 1.8t golfs of the same sort of age and always found the Golf to be a much nicer drive and much nicer interior / visibility. I am sure others will disagree but this was just my experience.
Rear axle bushes, juddering clutch (dual mass flywheel) and climate problems are common. Turbos are very long lived, unless abused / not serviced and in general 140k miles is easy on a well looked after car. Exhaust centre box is a weak point as mounting bracket fails but replacement is fairly cheap.
Beyond body damage abuse, drooping doors are a common problem, and again the VW door / seal design is better than the Audi.
There are some nice examples around if you look carefuly but most pre-facelift ones are now becoming very ropey.
Edited by JKY on Thursday 9th July 17:59
Edited by JKY on Thursday 9th July 18:00
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