Final decisions, Audi A3
Discussion
Audi A3 2003+
Now, I know I have made many threads in the past about what car I want blah blah blah you don't need to tell me,
I've finally come to the conclusion, and one that I will stick to, which is to get an Audi A3...
Now let me run up the facts, I have £3000-3500 to spend on the car alone, now I know this isn't much, but the engines are pretty reliable and solid as you a know, so it doesn't necessarily matter if the mileage is above 100K..
Now here are the options :
1.6 Petrol Audi A3 // the insurance: £1100
1.9 TDI Diesel Audi A3 // insurance: £1100
2.0 TDI Diesel Audi A3 // insurance: £1400
Now, it looks like the best option would be the 1.9 TDI? Please correct me if I am wrong..
Due to the fact that the 1.6 petrol will cost too much to run, and also that for the budget I have, the mileage will be quite high so a diesel would probably be better..
So then it would come between the 1.9 and be 2.0, now to me the 2.0 is much quicker due to the BHP etc and from looking at the facts and figures, which is tempting me despite the insurance price..
Has anyone got any suggestions or could give me some sort of guidance to which car I should choose and if it would really matter if I got one for that budget..
Please do not suggest any other cars, I just want some guidance on an Audi A3 from you pistonheads, this is the final thread as an A3 is my choice.
Please don't bite my head off
Now, I know I have made many threads in the past about what car I want blah blah blah you don't need to tell me,
I've finally come to the conclusion, and one that I will stick to, which is to get an Audi A3...
Now let me run up the facts, I have £3000-3500 to spend on the car alone, now I know this isn't much, but the engines are pretty reliable and solid as you a know, so it doesn't necessarily matter if the mileage is above 100K..
Now here are the options :
1.6 Petrol Audi A3 // the insurance: £1100
1.9 TDI Diesel Audi A3 // insurance: £1100
2.0 TDI Diesel Audi A3 // insurance: £1400
Now, it looks like the best option would be the 1.9 TDI? Please correct me if I am wrong..
Due to the fact that the 1.6 petrol will cost too much to run, and also that for the budget I have, the mileage will be quite high so a diesel would probably be better..
So then it would come between the 1.9 and be 2.0, now to me the 2.0 is much quicker due to the BHP etc and from looking at the facts and figures, which is tempting me despite the insurance price..
Has anyone got any suggestions or could give me some sort of guidance to which car I should choose and if it would really matter if I got one for that budget..
Please do not suggest any other cars, I just want some guidance on an Audi A3 from you pistonheads, this is the final thread as an A3 is my choice.
Please don't bite my head off
jamieduff1981 said:
The 1.6 is dog slow, the 1.9 is reliable~ish but about as refined as a trawler engine whereas the 2.0 is the choice of sunglass wearing cocks all over the country with prices to match and all the usual risks of old common rail diesels.
Does that help?
If you could put it more clear then it may help Does that help?
And common problems, such as?
1.9 is a very good engine, just a little noisy but you learn to live with it. Its not too bad inside the cabin.
Power delivery is a little all or nothing though but not unpleasant to drive.
2.0 is a lot more refined and quiet, after owning both id always go for the 2.0 even if it is dpf equipped etc.
We currently have a 2010 Audi A3 with the 140 bhp engine and i find it pulls strongly throughout the rev range.
Power delivery is a little all or nothing though but not unpleasant to drive.
2.0 is a lot more refined and quiet, after owning both id always go for the 2.0 even if it is dpf equipped etc.
We currently have a 2010 Audi A3 with the 140 bhp engine and i find it pulls strongly throughout the rev range.
Edited by ch427 on Tuesday 10th February 06:54
ch427 said:
1.9 is a very good engine, just a little noisy but you learn to live with it. Its not too bad inside the cabin.
Power delivery is a little all or nothing though but not unpleasant to drive.
2.0 is a lot more refined and quiet, after owning both id always go for the 2.0 even if it is dpf equipped etc.
We currently have a 2010 Audi A3 with the 140 bhp engine and i find it pulls strongly throughout the rev range.
Thank you, the 2.0 sounds more promising, but it's just the mileage will be highPower delivery is a little all or nothing though but not unpleasant to drive.
2.0 is a lot more refined and quiet, after owning both id always go for the 2.0 even if it is dpf equipped etc.
We currently have a 2010 Audi A3 with the 140 bhp engine and i find it pulls strongly throughout the rev range.
Edited by ch427 on Tuesday 10th February 06:54
A pre-2008 2.0 TDI wil be the PD engine rather than the common-rail unit. It's rough and ready, but goes pretty well. They are prone to head gasket failure, as the engine is effectively a bored out 1.9, so the gasket is alarmingly thin in places.
They also suffer from the VNT mechanism gunking up on the turbo (as does the 1.9). With the engine warm, find a long straight piece of road, slow down to about 20 mph and select 3rd gear. Boot it, and keep the throttle pinned, allowing the engine to work right through to 4500 RPM. If the engine goes into limp mode, the vanes on the turbo are stuck, and the turbo needs a strip and clean, or replacement.
You will read about oil pump failures on 2.0PDs, (a very real problem caused by poor design and engineering) but this only affects versions of the engine with balancer shafts, which were never used in the A3. An A4 with this engine is a ticking time bomb, but the A3s are OK.
For reliability, you won't do much better than a well looked after 1.9 PD TDI.
They also suffer from the VNT mechanism gunking up on the turbo (as does the 1.9). With the engine warm, find a long straight piece of road, slow down to about 20 mph and select 3rd gear. Boot it, and keep the throttle pinned, allowing the engine to work right through to 4500 RPM. If the engine goes into limp mode, the vanes on the turbo are stuck, and the turbo needs a strip and clean, or replacement.
You will read about oil pump failures on 2.0PDs, (a very real problem caused by poor design and engineering) but this only affects versions of the engine with balancer shafts, which were never used in the A3. An A4 with this engine is a ticking time bomb, but the A3s are OK.
For reliability, you won't do much better than a well looked after 1.9 PD TDI.
I cant speak for the diesels but my advice would be to avoid the 1.6
We rushed into buying a 1.6 A3 for my fiancee a few years ago, nice car, horrible engine. Slow and unenthusiastic.
I know you say you have settled on an A3 but have you driven them? Ours was full Audi service history with no money spared but still understeery and non at all fun. On the flip side, good quality, decent image, fairly comfortable etc
We rushed into buying a 1.6 A3 for my fiancee a few years ago, nice car, horrible engine. Slow and unenthusiastic.
I know you say you have settled on an A3 but have you driven them? Ours was full Audi service history with no money spared but still understeery and non at all fun. On the flip side, good quality, decent image, fairly comfortable etc
thole that has a 'refer to insurer' postcode rating, that seems quite steep!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff