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I am thinking of getting an Audi A3 2.0tdi on a 04 plate. Are Audi's really as well built as most people say? Is an A3 really a cut above current golf? Worth the premium? Where are Audi's made these days??!
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I currently have an 04 plate 2.0TDI A3 Sport. I've done 39000 miles in it since 1/3/04 and in that time it has never let me down. I've had the following work done:
* Air Con Compressor (replaced under warranty due to a faulty batch... mine was only knowingly failed for about a week after they advised me of the issue - affected the Golf too)
* Dual Mass Flywheel (replaced under warranty - affected all cars with 2.0TDI engine and 6 Spd Manual box)
* Dash panel (replaced because they thought the Rev Counter was flickering more than it should at idle)
Everything else is stock. I'm on set 3 of front tyres, they lasted 14400, 11400 and still going miles. Rear Tyres I changed at 36000 miles and 3mm tread left. Fuel Economy is 39mpg at the lowest and 66mpg at the highest with a life average of 51.45mpg. I bought it for £19k and have a confirmed p/ex offer of £11400 for September when it's going in exchange for the new car.
I went round looking at replacement cars and I tried a Golf GT TSI and a GTI. In all honesty the GT was a nice car but it felt like just a family hatchback. The GTI felt quick and responsive but didn't really drive massively differently to my A3. Neither of them felt 'special' whereas my A3 still feels special now. It feels like a more expensive car than it is, and that to me is worth the money. I've had one cabin squeak (they didn't tighten the new dash panel properly so I did the two bolts up instead) and that's it.
Would I buy another Audi? Yes, in fact I ordered a TT 2.0T FSI Coupe to replace the A3. Would I buy another A3? Yes, but probably an S3 instead. The 2.0TDI is brilliantly quick and economical but can be a little loud on a cold morning. They are still made in Germany for the A3, and I for one think it is worth more than a Golf because of the way it makes you feel. It's a classy car not an expensive fleet car, even if it is the same core.
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Would I buy another Audi? Yes,
My own sentiments also, I have an A4 Avant now and was looking around at the alternatives as follows :-
BMW 3 series touring - several grand more for the equivalent car, forced to have run-flat tyres and no spare, higher overall service cost me-thinks and a spoilt interior compared to the last model.
Merc C class estate - overly expensive in every respect, bad reputation for poor build quality and longevity
Volvo - Not realy !!
Audi - Pros : Superb build quality improved and quality interior, good residuals, high efficiency diesels and pleasing though staid styling and low overall service costs on longlife regime.
Cons : No much really other than a poor range of colours
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Where are Audis made these days??
"Production of the Audi A3 began at the Ingolstadt plant in 1996. The second generation of the A3 followed in 2003, and June 2004 saw the launch of the five-door A3 Sportback. At the moment, more than 800 units of the A3 leave the production halls each day and are sent out to customers all over the world. "
I've just part exchanged an '05 MKV Golf GTI for an Audi albeit an A6. I experienced a number of problems with the Golf , most of which VW failed to rectify during my ownership despite repeated visits to dealers.
Comparing the Golf to my current A6, and with some experience of colleagues A3's, my view is that Audi is a 'cut above' VW and worth the premium.
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As I'm sure you're aware, the A3 shares very many components with the VW. The Audi's are all built in Ingolstadt, however many components and sub-assemblies are brought in from Eastern Europe, Italy and Spain.
At the end of the day you are paying a premium for the badge and the trim - so a lot depends on your personal psychology; are these things worth the money to you? Personally I would not buy an Audi over a VW.
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It seems that on the whole, people are impressed with the Audi quality. I must say that the Mk5 golf felt very tacky compared to the mk4 golf let alone the A3.
I also think the difference in price between the golf and the audi is very little- and the Audi is a rarer site on UK roads, which does make it more attractive to me. I have had a mk2 golf, mk3 golf, and a mk4 but i do tend to think vw killed the quality status they had with the mk5. Which is what led me to thinking about an A3, as i still like the feel good factor about a car thats been well screwed together. Just wanted opinions on people who owned either of those cars really. many thanks for what as already been posted.
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We all have differing opinions/experiences, but mine with Audi not been good. Had one new A2 which dealer eventually agreed to replace with another new A2 which was just as bad and Audi UK washed their hands of the matter.
Both neighbours have new Audi-an A3 and A4. The A3 has been back due to an oil leak and the A4 has been off the road for 6 weeks waiting for gearbox repairs.
But then my current Toyota Avensis hasn't been 100%........
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"The Audi's are all built in Ingolstadt,"
I beg to differ some are produced in Spain while others in Hungary namely the TT
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"The Audi's are all built in Ingolstadt," I beg to differ some are produced in Spain while others in Hungary namely the TT
Sorry, I didn't express myself very well, I meant the A3 variants. You are correct about the others.
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I beg to differ some are produced in Spain while others in Hungary namely the TT
Hmmmm...which Audi models are built in Spain? The Audi UK website lists only Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Györ as the European factories.
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In Germany it is said if you want a class act buy a BMW if you have more money than sense buy a DB,if you want to be a good German buy VAG and if you want to keep going buy Japanese.
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I have an A3 2.0TDi, 6 months old. Because of our scheme at work, I change my car every few months, so have had many VAG products: 2 Boras, Ibiza, old shape A3, Superb, Fabia vRS, old shape TT and my current A3.
Of all the cars I've had my fave was probably the old A3 as it had half-leather and multispoke alloys and a manual box. If I could have that same spec on my current A3 it would definitely be my fave! I have the DSG box that I have rapidly gone off, can't wait for a proper gearbox again. Also, and obviously a personal thing, I prefer multispokes which are now an option on the sport, the standards are a bit staid IMHO. However, on the positive side, I love the interior and controls, I love the looks and the colour (Liqiuid blue) and it DOES feel better quality than the other VW Group products I've had. I am having (to save money for summer hols etc!) an Ibiza FR next. I have no doubt it'll be fun, fast and frenetic (and with a proper gearbox) but I'll miss the A3.
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I've an 03 A4 Avant with 41K miles (it's for sale actually - I'll be reposting on the 'Classifieds' here shortly). It's had the aircon control unit replaced under warranty but other than that it hasn't missed a beat. Build quality IMO is very good - good materials, interior looks as new and doors shut with a lovely thunk; mechanicals seem robust.
I've replaced it with a BM 3 simply because I fancied a change. I'd have another Audi no problem, especially a new TT or S3.
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I have an A3 2.0TDi SE. 30,000 miles and only two minor warranty jobs. The car has no rattles or squeeks and is very well built. I have not been in a new Golf, but when compared to a Seat Toledo you can see where Seat find the savings from over the price of an Audi. Front tyres did 22,000, rears have plenty left.
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I am leaning towards the audi. In terms of looks, no contest, the audi wins hands down. Its just the the golf is quite a bit cheaper and does a similar job!! Anyone own a mk5 golf?? Let me know how you've got on etc... What is exactly the same from the audi and the golf? I know engines are the same, but are electrics, etc?
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I can remember the the bmw1 audi a3 and golf having side by side tests when they came out in 2004(ish).
If i remember rightly the golf beat both of them overall but the bm was a better drivers car.
So there you go,better interior just not as comfortable or as good a drive as the same platformed golf.
better rubber bits or better drive?
Your choice,choose what makes you happy.
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Yet for the price of the german mobile you could have a Lexus IS. Now there IS no comparison. The lexus is a class act in every way.
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