Older Audi A3s, ok or not?
Discussion
Guy I work with has decided to call time on his relationship with his S-reg 1.4 Peugeot 306.
His head has been turned by a Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 with 107,000 on the clock for about £1500.
What should he be looking at in terms of problems? Are these generally a good purchase, or a lemon that makes your lips purse?
His head has been turned by a Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 with 107,000 on the clock for about £1500.
What should he be looking at in terms of problems? Are these generally a good purchase, or a lemon that makes your lips purse?
Can't comment on the 1.8T engine, but my other half has a 2000-X A3 1.9TDi on 170,000 miles and, so far, the only problems have been the clutch at 160,000 miles and the middle/rear exhaust section at around the same time. Oh, and a duff oil level sensor in the bottom of the sump.
Other than that, it's just been routine servicing and cam belt etc.
I've had some fairly reliable cars in my time, but that A3 takes the biscuit!
Other than that, it's just been routine servicing and cam belt etc.
I've had some fairly reliable cars in my time, but that A3 takes the biscuit!
vladcjelli said:
Guy I work with has decided to call time on his relationship with his S-reg 1.4 Peugeot 306.
His head has been turned by a Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 with 107,000 on the clock for about £1500.
What should he be looking at in terms of problems? Are these generally a good purchase, or a lemon that makes your lips purse?
Probably not very fast (1.8T is ok'ish), not very much fun, not really much of a looker, not really that comfy.His head has been turned by a Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 with 107,000 on the clock for about £1500.
What should he be looking at in terms of problems? Are these generally a good purchase, or a lemon that makes your lips purse?
Sure it's fine for a hatch, but can't really see it being much of an upgrade from a 306 tbh, not unless it's in way better condition.
Even £1500 can buy you better or more fun rides though.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 4th July 17:39
300bhp/ton said:
vladcjelli said:
Guy I work with has decided to call time on his relationship with his S-reg 1.4 Peugeot 306.
His head has been turned by a Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 with 107,000 on the clock for about £1500.
What should he be looking at in terms of problems? Are these generally a good purchase, or a lemon that makes your lips purse?
Not very fast, not very much fun, not really much of a looker, not really that comfy.His head has been turned by a Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 with 107,000 on the clock for about £1500.
What should he be looking at in terms of problems? Are these generally a good purchase, or a lemon that makes your lips purse?
Sure it's fine for a hatch, but can't really see it being much of an upgrade from a 306 tbh, not unless it's in way better condition.
Even £1500 can buy you better or more fun rides though.
He does seem to buy into the VAG is best propaganda, don't have the heart to tell him it won't make all that much difference. If it's going to break, it just will more expensively.
A driving enthusiast he ain't, he's strictly an A to B merchant, but if for £1500 you have spotted any more suitable hatchy options...
(I know you have, but I like to play along)
Generally so long as the 1.8T engine has received regular oil changes it should last many miles. There are a few which have suffered from sludge in the oil pick up pipe which starts making them sound a bit rattly an can eventually kill an engine.
In general terms a lot of A3s are getting to the age now where bushes an suspension components are wearing out so perhaps new shocks, new axle bushes, new lower arms, engine mounts will be needed or could have been done. Electrically they are pretty good, coil packs an MAF sensors can fail an these are £100-200 to put right and air con controls can play up but beyond that they are pretty good. Bodywork wise check the arches for signs of rust, bottom edges of the tailgate and the roof where the plastic rain strips are. I think all audis have 12 year anti corrosion warranty which can be useful, a mate of mine had his entire roof an boot repainted not long ago!
On the whole a A3 isn't expensive to run as most parts can be got from GSF/ECP so there really is no need to go to a Audi Dealer.
In general terms a lot of A3s are getting to the age now where bushes an suspension components are wearing out so perhaps new shocks, new axle bushes, new lower arms, engine mounts will be needed or could have been done. Electrically they are pretty good, coil packs an MAF sensors can fail an these are £100-200 to put right and air con controls can play up but beyond that they are pretty good. Bodywork wise check the arches for signs of rust, bottom edges of the tailgate and the roof where the plastic rain strips are. I think all audis have 12 year anti corrosion warranty which can be useful, a mate of mine had his entire roof an boot repainted not long ago!
On the whole a A3 isn't expensive to run as most parts can be got from GSF/ECP so there really is no need to go to a Audi Dealer.
vladcjelli said:
The Peugeot has definitely seen its best days go by. Recently been bumped into, and not worth straightening.
He does seem to buy into the VAG is best propaganda, don't have the heart to tell him it won't make all that much difference. If it's going to break, it just will more expensively.
A driving enthusiast he ain't, he's strictly an A to B merchant, but if for £1500 you have spotted any more suitable hatchy options...
(I know you have, but I like to play along)
I think there are loads of "better" (however you want to define it) hatches for £1500. But in truth I suspect the A3 is ok, it certainly isn't bad. And if all they want it for is "white goods" motoring then it fits the bill perfectly.He does seem to buy into the VAG is best propaganda, don't have the heart to tell him it won't make all that much difference. If it's going to break, it just will more expensively.
A driving enthusiast he ain't, he's strictly an A to B merchant, but if for £1500 you have spotted any more suitable hatchy options...
(I know you have, but I like to play along)
aka_kerrly said:
Generally so long as the 1.8T engine has received regular oil changes it should last many miles. There are a few which have suffered from sludge in the oil pick up pipe which starts making them sound a bit rattly an can eventually kill an engine.
In general terms a lot of A3s are getting to the age now where bushes an suspension components are wearing out so perhaps new shocks, new axle bushes, new lower arms, engine mounts will be needed or could have been done. Electrically they are pretty good, coil packs an MAF sensors can fail an these are £100-200 to put right and air con controls can play up but beyond that they are pretty good. Bodywork wise check the arches for signs of rust, bottom edges of the tailgate and the roof where the plastic rain strips are. I think all audis have 12 year anti corrosion warranty which can be useful, a mate of mine had his entire roof an boot repainted not long ago!
On the whole a A3 isn't expensive to run as most parts can be got from GSF/ECP so there really is no need to go to a Audi Dealer.
^ As above.In general terms a lot of A3s are getting to the age now where bushes an suspension components are wearing out so perhaps new shocks, new axle bushes, new lower arms, engine mounts will be needed or could have been done. Electrically they are pretty good, coil packs an MAF sensors can fail an these are £100-200 to put right and air con controls can play up but beyond that they are pretty good. Bodywork wise check the arches for signs of rust, bottom edges of the tailgate and the roof where the plastic rain strips are. I think all audis have 12 year anti corrosion warranty which can be useful, a mate of mine had his entire roof an boot repainted not long ago!
On the whole a A3 isn't expensive to run as most parts can be got from GSF/ECP so there really is no need to go to a Audi Dealer.
Jw Vw said:
aka_kerrly said:
Generally so long as the 1.8T engine has received regular oil changes it should last many miles. There are a few which have suffered from sludge in the oil pick up pipe which starts making them sound a bit rattly an can eventually kill an engine.
In general terms a lot of A3s are getting to the age now where bushes an suspension components are wearing out so perhaps new shocks, new axle bushes, new lower arms, engine mounts will be needed or could have been done. Electrically they are pretty good, coil packs an MAF sensors can fail an these are £100-200 to put right and air con controls can play up but beyond that they are pretty good. Bodywork wise check the arches for signs of rust, bottom edges of the tailgate and the roof where the plastic rain strips are. I think all audis have 12 year anti corrosion warranty which can be useful, a mate of mine had his entire roof an boot repainted not long ago!
On the whole a A3 isn't expensive to run as most parts can be got from GSF/ECP so there really is no need to go to a Audi Dealer.
^ As above.In general terms a lot of A3s are getting to the age now where bushes an suspension components are wearing out so perhaps new shocks, new axle bushes, new lower arms, engine mounts will be needed or could have been done. Electrically they are pretty good, coil packs an MAF sensors can fail an these are £100-200 to put right and air con controls can play up but beyond that they are pretty good. Bodywork wise check the arches for signs of rust, bottom edges of the tailgate and the roof where the plastic rain strips are. I think all audis have 12 year anti corrosion warranty which can be useful, a mate of mine had his entire roof an boot repainted not long ago!
On the whole a A3 isn't expensive to run as most parts can be got from GSF/ECP so there really is no need to go to a Audi Dealer.
Y reg for £1500 with 104k miles is actually quite cheap for an A3,
make sure it has FSH check vosa mot history, HPI clear, at this price seems too cheap for a Y.
Nothing specific to look for, check elec windows and door locking works ok, any signs of rust probably been in a bump at some point. Dull to drive but quite nice inside, bland in almost every respect!
make sure it has FSH check vosa mot history, HPI clear, at this price seems too cheap for a Y.
Nothing specific to look for, check elec windows and door locking works ok, any signs of rust probably been in a bump at some point. Dull to drive but quite nice inside, bland in almost every respect!
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