Tell me about Audi A3s

ringo747

ringo747

ringo747

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Looking to get rid of my 07 Fiesta ST and have been looking at a few options including Focus ST but the A3 seems a really nice motor.

I am stuck between the 2.0 TDI or the 1.8 petrol. I think there is a 2.0 petrol but not sure on the specs. I take it the 1.9 TDI isn't worth looking at? I wan't something that still has a fair bit of 'go' in it but easish to run also which makes me think go for the diesel.

Anyone here own one? I think the S-line or the black editions look lovely but depends really on what I can get for the money. Looking to spend up to absolute max of £17k.
 
1.8 petrol will feel a fair bit slower than the Fiesta ST I imagine. The 1.9 TDI is worth avoiding, a dated engine these days and not as refined as the 2.0 TDIs...

Two questions firstly -

How old car are you willing to consider? £17k goes a long way and buys something a bit more special than a 1.8 A3. Easily get a nice 2.0T FSI S-line in that budget, or a V6.

How many miles do you do? I understand most used A3s will be Diesels but if you do low mileage then a petrol will be nicer to drive and often will cheaper on the used market for equivalent spec/age (less desirable for those doing high mileage).
 
IMO the A3 is expensive for what it is.

The best engine is the 2.0T petrol - 200PS, but will do 40mpg on the motorway if you keep the speed down.

Thing is, you might as well get a Golf GTI.
 
I looked at A3's before I bought my Focus ST. But nothing really set me alight, they're nice motors, one of my workmates had one before it was stolen, and it was nice even if it was a tugboat.

In the end, I still liked the ST much more and got more car for my money, the Audi premium price was still there for the ones I was looking at, so I ended up buying the ST and haven't regretted it since, and definately aint regretted it since I've had it remapped, lol. One of my workmates has just got a 3 month old ST-3 the exact same as mine for £17k, albeit 3 years younger, lol.

£17k could get you a decent S3 if you want an A3, or a very decent ST-2 or ST-3 if you want a Focus.
 
IMO, the 2.0tfsi is the best engine in the range, good performance and decent economy considering. 0-62 in the DSG variant takes 6.8s, i think it's 7.1 for non dsg. I average about 33mpg with mixed driving and i'm no slouch, but i don't hammer it everywhere either. Basic spec does look a bit boring inside, but add options and it does look quite nice, 17k should get you quite a nice 1-2 yr old one. The DSG (multitronic now) is great too. I'll add more later if i remember.
 
The A3 is a relic from 2003. Lord knows what Audi think they are doing still making the damn thing.

As a sub £10k buy it's good value and a decent amount of premium hatch for the money.

At £17k then, well, just lol.
 
Am on my second. Won't get into the "A3 vs alternatives" debate as it's pointless and down to personal preference anyway. Suffice to say that, if you're looking for a well built, good looking premium hatchback that doesn't look like a shoe, the A3 is it. I'll just stick a few points down...

  • Engines: Steer clear of non-turbo petrols, they couldn't pull a greased stick out of a pig's behind. 1.8T and 2.0T petrols are the best bet but latter can get thirsty if driven hard. As for diesel, 2.0 140PS is the sweet spot here - more refined than the 1.9 but not as thirsty or expensive as the 170PS.
  • Spec: Base spec models look very bland and are poorly equipped, go for SE or preferably Sport trim if you possibly can. S-Line is obviously more desirable still and comes with different external trim & 18" wheels to distinguish it a bit more. Make sure you test-drive an S-Line before buying as the suspension is rather solid and takes some getting used to.
  • Kit: The SE, Sport & S-Line models come with the usual bits you'd expect, incrementally more as standard on each trim level. Beyond that it's the usual German marque tactics where everything's an option. Worthwhile things to look for here are xenons, light/rain pack, BOSE sound, Symphony stereo, iPod connection. Nav unit is very desirable but will be harder to find - they can be retrofitted relatively easily.
  • Gearbox: This is important - test drive a DSG (or S-Tronic as they now call it) car before you buy one. I was convinced I was going to have it on my current car but, a two-hour test drive later, hated it completely. Some love it though - it's a very personal thing so you need to decide for yourself.

HTH. Can't speak to running costs and so forth as I don't pay them. Any other questions just ask :)
 
[TW]Fox;16971940 said:
The A3 is a relic from 2003. Lord knows what Audi think they are doing still making the damn thing.
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Says the man driving a relic from 2001.

So the model is seven years old and will be eight by the time it's replaced - who cares? I believe your beloved E39 had the same life span.

Regardless of how old the model is, Audi have done a good job keeping it fresh with reasonably frequent facelifts and engine updates and additions, which is more than you can say for BMW with the ghastly 1-series. If you're in the market for a small but well specced, well built, solid hatchback then there's still very little in the way of credible competition IMO.
 
SEVENTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS on an Audi A3? Really?

Wez130 got an awesome, well not awesome but very nice A3 with all the kit including the Bose sound system and it's the 2.0T for £10k.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Says the man driving a relic from 2001.

So the model is seven years old and will be eight by the time it's replaced - who cares? I believe your beloved E39 had the same life span.

Regardless of how old the model is, Audi have done a good job keeping it fresh with reasonably frequent facelifts and engine updates and additions, which is more than you can say for BMW with the ghastly 1-series. If you're in the market for a small but well specced, well built, solid hatchback then there's still very little in the way of credible competition IMO.
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The point if there is one, is that Fox is not contemplating spending 17k on an e39 now is he.
 
The consensus seems to be that 17k is too much for an a3.. So he could either get an a3 for 10k or spend 17k on.......no idea, anyone?
 
Think £17k is a bit daft if all you want is some nice hatchback. I'd just spend less.

If you must spend £17k then maybe its time to move on from hatchbacks.
 
iaind said:
The consensus seems to be that 17k is too much for an a3.. So he could either get an a3 for 10k or spend 17k on.......no idea, anyone?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking and there's definatley a £7000 gap for something sensible in that price range.

It's either a nicely worn in example for £10k or a nearly new one which is just throwing money away imo at £17k.

At £17k i'd want a car that was also nicely worn in so your looking at cars in the £25,000-£35000 price range when new. No idea on the prices on E90/E92 BMWs and not sure on the condition. Also an Audi A4 fully specced or even Audi A6?

Even a Golf R32 at £14k-£15k? Dunno....
 
It's difficult really, I stopped short of stuff like R32's because if you look at his requirements he seems to think a 2.0 FSI (Not even the T) A3 has enough poke. Therefore obviously big power (And the accompanying big costs) are not really what he's after.

The A4 would be a good shout but only if you can get a current shape model for the money - the older A4 is in an even worse place than the A3 at £17k given it came out in 2000 originally!
 
Not everybody wants a performance car.
Whilst I agree £17k is a lot to blow on an A3, I'd be looking at BMW 1s instead.
 
[TW]Fox;16972190 said:
I would post exactly the same thing about anyone considering paying £17,000 for one of those as well.
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Well of course you wouldn't pay £17k for a nine-year old E39 any more than you'd pay £17k for a seven-year old A3.

All depends what you're after. £17k would get you a three-year old S3 or a three-year old 530i Sport. No doubt you'd choose the latter of these but plenty would choose the former and I'd contend it's no less "sensible" a choice.
 
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