I'm considering an A3 2.0 TDI Quattro sportback, 5 dr.

I need a hatchback, preferably with 4x4 (because I like it before you all start!)with reasonable mpg & winter/sat nav/ipod/phone spec.

I might put this through my own company, if it proves more tax efficient. Budget approx £6K - more if needed.

Reviews so far suggest an awful suspension, which could be a problem on fen roads! I'm assuming this is with the sport model but I'm stuggling to identify the different specs and I'm always keen to have a car which performs well (standard suspension may not be great either!). My limited research suggests the SE model may be more suitable than the sport & S line.

It seems unatural to look for a non-sports model! Perhaps I won't mind the suspension as I am used to the S2K & and Impreza.

Will it feel amazingly slow? I looked at higher bhp 2.0 TDI's but it seems you lose 10mpg...

Does anyone have experience of the A3 & know about the different specs? Suggestions of alternatives also welcome. Not keen on the golf version, most other hatches are FWD only.

Car looks a bit dull but it will be a daily commuter.

 

Can't comment on the quattro version, but I ran a FWD 2.0 TDI Sport (140hp not 170hp) as a company car from August 2011 to November 2012, covering around 22,000 miles.

The Sport has lower suspension than the SE, bigger alloys, fog lights, "sports" seats, brushed aluminium effect trim inside, aux in socket (no USB) and a better stereo...can't think of any other differences. S-Lines have lower and stiffer suspension, bodykit and sportier seats, if I remember correctly.

The suspension in the Sport is firm but not hard, nowhere near as hard as an S2K.

It was a pleasant, if not particularly exciting car; felt well built and solid, plenty of torque. It did 47mpg while I had it, of mixed town and motorway driving, usually quite spirited as I wasn't paying for the fuel. New front tyres at the first service (19,000 miles).

Downsides were that it didn't look as sporty as an S-Line, and that there are soooooo many A3s about, it felt like everybody had one. And as I said, it wasn't the most exciting car about.

I read loads of horror stories about VAG unreliability, turbo problems, DPF problems etc, but it was faultless while I had it, and still is with the guy who has it as his company car now.

 

I ran a 2005 sportback (55 plate) 140 2.0tdi for 12 months, it was a lovely car in most regards (expect dead steering / over servoed brakes like all audi's) right up until it became apparent that it has a cracked cylinder head. I would strongly suggest you have a 'google' for audi cracked / porous cylinder heads before committing.

Ours showed early signs with a coolant leak (that I am pretty sure supplying indy dealer masked with rad weld or similar) which got progressively worse until it was guzzling the entire contents of the reservoir in a 15 mile round trip commute.

£2k job to replace head if you catch it before HGF when it boils dry. Check for the correct colour coolant (VW specific is orangey-pink) in reservoir, I have a gallon can here if anyone wants it, I got through a fair bit!

Also if it is smokey at all on start up, walk away... quickly. Is a very obvious white smoke as is just the coolant vapour, not blue / black smoke.

I always considered getting the 170 as these do not suffer same trouble, but the dual mass flywheel failures on these is equally rife and reassuringly expensive to put right. It's a great shame as I liked everything else about the car but would never have another, or anything with that lump under the bonnet.

Of course, I am sure many have run them successfully, this is just my experience, much like the '09 S2000' scare mongering, I am sure it is the minority.

 

Of that particular company struggle buggy ilk, I think only the M135i thing would obviate the need to contemplate ending it all.

 

I agree with Nick, get a GT86. Those diesels are only worth it if you do mega miles.

Its more pricey fuel now by a chunk too. They rattle at tickover, stink, are really noisey when cold (imagine a skellybob having a wank in a dustbin). And a 4x4 will just dust the mpg.

Or get a stupid car like a c63 or M3, live with shit mpg and love it for its blastability.

 

I'm guessing the 6k budget could be issue here with GT86, C63 or M3...

I genuinly cannot think what car I would want for around that sort of money to churn out the miles, perhaps the A3 but in 1.8T guise? I get the Audi appeal (visual and perceived quality), but am very wary of running anything at the moment.

Our civic is very un-glam and dull, but it's surprisingly fun to drive, is under warranty, cost £13k new and gets us all from A-B safely.

 

Ah... Didn't notice that, I'll get my coat

 

Me three.

Mind you, for the company BIK the 135 would probably cost the same!

 

JDP suggests that '10 model A6s are rather reliable old barges (like a lot of German tanks) whereas Titties (& presumably A3s since they come from Gyor & are off the same plank) are (as is well-known) bags of shite.

Better buy a barge, then.

 

I'm doing at least 25K miles a year, could even be 30. I'm spending £120 per week on petrol at the moment.

I have the S2K to play with at the weekend or for sunny days, but need a diesel 4x4 hatchback for work. I have a dog, hence hatch back.

Lovely suggestions apart from the budget issue!

I'm going to have a look at the 2.0 TDI (170) Quattro / sport. I think the s-line suspension will be too hard.

Since I have considerd this car, they seem to be the most common car on the road!!! Common as muck! Hopefully this is because everyone likes them!

I'll consider the rattle Nottm - love your description of this, by the way!

A3 - You don't seem to get much for your money...but I can't find anything better that ticks all the boxes.