Audi A3 Thoughts

jamesfreddie

jamesfreddie

jamesfreddie

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Joined
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I am currently looking at upgrading from a Polo 9N3 (2009) 1.4 to something a little larger. I am quite limited in my choices due to having 1 years NCB and 1 years experience.

What are people's thoughts on the Audi A3 from 2011?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...searchad=new,nearlynew,used&logcode=p&adPos=6

That's the one I am currently looking at, are there any major issues with that model that i should be aware of? Or anything specific to look out for? That dealer said he would have the cambelt and water pump done if i decided on it (at full asking price)
 
The engine is utterly horrible. I've also always found the a3 with standard seats deeply uncomfortable after any more than 20 minutes, others I've spoken to have said the same

We had one like that, but a manual, in one of my last jobs as a pool car. We also had a mazda 3 1.6D and the mazda was the better car in every way, except interior quality. That one is very expensive for the spec and mileage compared to other similar cars
 
If you've only had the Polo a year, why not keep it for another year or two, by which point your options will be less limited. I don't think a marginally newer, high-mileage diesel A3 is the best use of the budget here either way.
 
chaparral said:
That mileage seems very high

After just looking for just a few minutes I found this one with only 42k mileage

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a3/audi-a3-1-6-tdi-s-line-3dr/6153086?v=c
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You've found a more expensive car with an inferior gearbox (Thus worth a bit less), what point are you making?

Unless you are trying to buy an Audi warranty or something then provided the price reflects the mileage I'm not entirely sure why 42k is some sort of amazing plus point.
 
iaind said:
The engine is utterly horrible. I've also always found the a3 with standard seats deeply uncomfortable after any more than 20 minutes, others I've spoken to have said the same
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Engine being horrible as in underpowered? When you say standard seats they're not the same as the s line ones in the car I linked are they?
 
[TW]Fox;29975680 said:
You've found a more expensive car with an inferior gearbox (Thus worth a bit less), what point are you making?

Unless you are trying to buy an Audi warranty or something then provided the price reflects the mileage I'm not entirely sure why 42k is some sort of amazing plus point.
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I did wonder what his point was
 
jamesfreddie said:
Engine being horrible as in underpowered? When you say standard seats they're not the same as the s line ones in the car I linked are they?
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Horrible in many ways. Gutless but that's expected, but the fuel economy does not live up to the lack of guts and it's rough with a tiny power band. It makes driving any distance a really frustrating experience, but I guess an auto box would help a bit.

The s line seats are different but I don't know if they're better as I've never spent time with them. My friend who complains about his has an S line though
 
Sounds like Op just wants a premium German Whip with mega torque and mega mpgzzzz regardless of how it drives.
How many miles you do op? Have you not considered better value for money cars?
 
Dav4 said:
Sounds like Op just wants a premium German Whip with mega torque and mega mpgzzzz regardless of how it drives.
How many miles you do op? Have you not considered better value for money cars?
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Around 15k a year.

Mpgzzzz isn't my main concern but something slightly better than the polo would be advantageous :)
 
The biggest problem here is buying one from 2011, a year before they changed to the current 8V shape, but a whopping 8 years since the start of the 8P.

If you really want an A3, get a 2005-2006 one (facelift) and it'll be 98% the same car.
 
paradigm said:
The biggest problem here is buying one from 2011, a year before they changed to the current 8V shape, but a whopping 8 years since the start of the 8P.

If you really want an A3, get a 2005-2006 one (facelift) and it'll be 98% the same car.
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That's the earliest they did the 1.6tdi by the looks of it :(
 
jamesfreddie said:
Around 15k a year.

Mpgzzzz isn't my main concern but something slightly better than the polo would be advantageous :)
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Golf, Focus, Mazda3, Leon, Civic, Mondeo, Octavia, Mazda6, Accord - lots of options here without paying badge premium. What other cars have you looked at, considered, ruled out etc so far?
 
TheVoice said:
Golf, Focus, Mazda3, Leon, Civic, Mondeo, Octavia, Mazda6, Accord - lots of options here without paying badge premium. What other cars have you looked at, considered, ruled out etc so far?
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Golf - a Without getting a GT one I can't get the seats I want and insurance makes that impossible.

Focus -Quite like them but only the 2015+ ones which are out of the budget unfortunately.

Mondeo - Would love one once again insurance makes that impossible the same with the Octavia
 
iaind said:
The s line seats are different but I don't know if they're better as I've never spent time with them. My friend who complains about his has an S line though
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The full leather S-Line seats were pretty comfortable in the A3 I had. The S-Line suspension and 18" wheels.... not so much :)


jamesfreddie said:
I am currently looking at upgrading from a Polo 9N3 (2009) 1.4 to something a little larger.
Click to expand...
jamesfreddie said:
Mpgzzzz isn't my main concern but something slightly better than the polo would be advantageous :)
Click to expand...

Which engine is in your polo at the minute the N/A one or the Turbo? If it's the N/A, then have you considered the 125bhp 1.4TFSI A3 e.g. something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608307251510



paradigm said:
The biggest problem here is buying one from 2011, a year before they changed to the current 8V shape, but a whopping 8 years since the start of the 8P.

If you really want an A3, get a 2005-2006 one (facelift) and it'll be 98% the same car.
Click to expand...

Or if you must go fairly new, then the 09 onwards versions have the colour display, slightly different grill and DRL's.
 
Armageus said:
The full leather S-Line seats were pretty comfortable in the A3 I had. The S-Line suspension and 18" wheels.... not so much :)


Which engine is in your polo at the minute the N/A one or the Turbo? If it's the N/A, then have you considered the 125bhp 1.4TFSI A3 e.g. something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608307251510
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the 1.4TFSi is stupid on insurance quotes so the only engine i can get is the 1.6TDi :(
 
jamesfreddie said:
Unfortunately the 1.4TFSi is stupid on insurance quotes so the only engine i can get is the 1.6TDi :(
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Buy a £1500 Fiesta (or keep the Polo), then change cars when insurance isn't such a deal breaker for you.

It's pointless buying expensive cars whilst you are still heavily insurance limited. You end up with something crap.
 
[TW]Fox;29976054 said:
Buy a £1500 Fiesta (or keep the Polo), then change cars when insurance isn't such a deal breaker for you.

It's pointless buying expensive cars whilst you are still heavily insurance limited. You end up with something crap.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's kinda what i'm thinking.

I wanted something a little more comfortable inside as well as being an automatic rather than manual really.
 
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