I am considering buying an A3 TDI sport - 2001. I have been told by the dealer that the car was chipped from the factory 110 bhp to 140bhp. I has the car overnight for a test draive and actually did not feel the car had any noticable addtional power compared to the 306 HDI (90) that I have. I know the 306 is quite niblle partly due to is weight but I thought you would feel a difference in a 140 bhp engine. It's not a deal breaker as the car is very nice and cleann otherwise. THere is no writted confirmation fo the upgrade only the dealer owner says he remembers this being done to the car by its first owner. ( the car was traded into the same dealer bewteen the 1st and 2nd onwer the 2nd owner and probably me).

Perhap s i could get an AUdi dealrer to 'plug the car in' ansee what the compluter reads?

ANy other views on the A3 TDI sprt woudl be good to know. Although i reckon i may be signing the deal in the next few days!


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Did the Easter break Uni run to collect daughter from Bristol yesterday and a very pleasant run it was to. Both the A34 & M4 were free running and relaxed. No idiots, no 'close ones', no aggression, no incidents. No one flashing their lights behind me 'cos I dared to overtake in the fast lane at 'only 80!'. I know it was Sunday but previously the traffic has been very heavy and jammed up on the return trips during late afternoon. This time , nothing. In fact the A34 was almost empty!
This may be boring but it felt like what motoring ought to be like, or was like years ago. It really was as if everyone that was out was enjoying themselves.
Just thought I'd mention it as so often there is only stress and aggression. Bet the Easter hols at home won't be so stress free! -- ifn fact I already know it won't! -- the head gasket has blown on daugher's golf and guess what, that's my fault!
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The ( suggested) definition for this thead being,

* Design inadequacy that the manufacturer reasonably knows about but has let continue in production for more than 1 year*

To give focus, starting with current production cars and working back to the olden days.

For example,
I`m thinking of the cars that are known to blow their headgaskets at certain mileages and continue in production year after year. Where it seems the cost is left to the customer rather than redesigning the engine.
It seems the 1.2 Fiat Punto may fit this category.
Also the remaining ungalvanised cars such as seemingly the Ford KA, where new owners every continuing year seem shocked that it rusts.

Some thoughts,
You would think that the internet and the possibility of web searches incorporating the model name of the proposed purchase of car and the words `problems, faults, rust` would show the true picture, but despite internet in most homes, it seems that many do not bother to do this.

If we look at a design fault that typically occurs out of warranty and then multiply the customer costs in the thousands of cars purchased, it seems a grim situation when the faulty or inadequate design responsibility lies with the manufacturer.....

So, what do you know?

Regards







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Heard a quick report on the radio yesterday but nothing since or in todays' papers that three motorcyclists were killed on the M25-car driver helping police with their inquiries. Read more

I have been looking at cars on ebay and autotrader and some of them having done up to 90k miles can be described as "mint". Is this possible? Surely even a 6 month old car will have at least a few stonechips? Have they just called the chips away folks and then described it as mint? Read more