A3 Purchase

[RobbieB]

Hey guys,

Ok I am a little nervous about posting this to be honest with you as PHers always end up worrying me. I have agreed (only verbally) to buy a 2000 A3 1.8 Sport. 50k miles on the clock, drove like a dream, engine bay and interior were immaculate. It is from a guy who buys a resells cars and has had 2 owners. HPI clear, service book up to date etc, MOTd and taxed.

It has a few scuffs on the body work but nothing I can't sort out and I bartered the price down a fair few hundred quid as a result. However, I am a little worried. I've always heard that 50k miles for a hatchback is where everything starts going up sts creek and it hasn't had much done to it yet.

Am I going to buy it and despite how excellently it runs, the cambelt is going to need replacing the clutch is going to start slipping and so on?

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

50k on a 2000 car? Wow that's good.

Is it a 1.8 or a 1.8t ?

I did 165k in my '99 1.8t with very few problems so I don't know where the '50k and things start going wrong' comes from. IMO the only things you need to check are those that could go wrong due to age rather than use - like seals and stuff.

Mike

[Dr G]

Other than a few bushes my 99 A4 is rapidly nearing 100k and nothing serious gone wrong yet.

In the time I've had it I should add I suppose that it's had a service, an aircon service and 2 tyres.

Edited by Dr G on Monday 19th October 15:33

[RobbieB]

It has had the starter motor changed 6 months ago. It is just a 1.8 sport.

I've heard A3s are infamously well built, maybe I have just heard this rumour from Ford / Alfa owners!

Thanks guys.

Edited by RobbieB on Monday 19th October 16:53

[Dr G]

They're not bad other than some wear and tear stuff, we've a few customers with well over 100k now and even some S3s with moon mileage.

With 50 on it I can't imagine it wanting for very much.

[missing the VR6]

I'd do the cambelt and water pump as a matter of course otherwise as everyone else has mentioned they're pretty damm reliable.

[Flibble]

My old '99 A 3 was on 80k when I sold it with old normal consumables really (brakes, timing belt etc.) It certainly didn't fall into a pile of parts or anything at 50k.

[missing the VR6]

Forgot to mention check along the rain gutter for rust as they're prone to it, Audi will fix FOC under the bodywork warrenty.