Audi A3 facelift 1.8t help please

[sainte986]

Hi Guys,

I wanted to ask for some advice on the Audi A3 1.8t 150bhp facelift 3door. I have narrowed my choice to this or a Golf mk4 GTTDI 130bhp 5dr(as it doesnt suit 3dr). I have been looking everywhere and at everything trying to see which is better, they are both very nice to look at, both have nice engines, one better on fuel than the other. Im looking at spending £6000 on one, so I really dont want a dog, the thing that worries me is that someone is likely to rag a 1.8t petrol than a 1.9tdi.

But my main question is what other people with this particular model A3, how theirs going, what sort of MPG its doing, what its like to live with everyday, is it as good as people make it out to be and the most important question is would you recommend it.

For my 6 grand I would like, climate, alloys, under 100,000miles, decent stereo, the full screen computer, bose stereo would be nice, leather seats would be nice, but would prefer the sports seats, which i think is standard. fog lights.

This car is going to have to last me about 3 years, while im saving for a house, which is why the tdi option appeals, but the power and 0-60 time of the 1.8t also appeals

I know you can get the a3 in 1.9tdi with 130bhp, but they are hard to find for £6000, and usually all over 100000miles, and a lot are 5dr, which i think 5dr only suit golfs.

Patrick

 

[edward_harris]

id go for the golf, and get it remapped! it will be quicker than the 1.8t! + i think they look better as well, especially in white 5dr with rs6 wheels! Was temped to get one as a run around!

 

[1animal1]

I can only vouch for the A3, 1.8T will give you 30mpg for average driving(bullet proof engine), great torque and 0-60 is better than the 150 TDi if my memory serves me..... although i havent driven the TDi, i know that the 1.8T engine is running well within its limits and so any power increase would be safer (in theory).... again im not up on the diesel models, although im sure someone will correct me if im wrong. Wont be too hard finding that spec on a 1.8T, im selling one with leather etc but with 126k on the clock.

Good luck with the search

Tim

 

[AudiSport]

I've had both, and for the size of car my money would be on the A3 as it feels more sporty inside and out!

I'll do you a good price on mine, see below link. It has 'all' the extras and only 49,000 miles with 2-owners.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/312355.htm


James.

 

[sainte986]

Hello mate, just a question, why would you choose the a3 over the golf?
What is the 180bhp model like on fuel over the 150bhp audi a3?

I've had both, and for the size of car my money would be on the A3 as it feels more sporty inside and out!

I'll do you a good price on mine, see below link. It has 'all' the extras and only 49,000 miles with 2-owners.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/312355.htm


James.

 

[Mr OCD]

Hello mate, just a question, why would you choose the a3 over the golf?
What is the 180bhp model like on fuel over the 150bhp audi a3?

I am in the same boat as you... considering the Golf and the A3... having driven the Golf GT TDi I wasnt particularly impressed - very narrow power band, dull looks and rather bland inside. The A3 looks much nicer and seems to be built better which is saying something as the Golf is excellent in that respect too... handling on the Golf isnt too hot either...

If you want the Golf I'd go for the 1.8T 20v 180bhp version.

180bhp Quattro is thirsty from my knowledge... you'll rarely get more than 30mpg combined... more likely 28-29mpg... the 150bhp 2wd version will do mid 30's ...

Its why I'm on the look out for a 2001 onwards 1.8T Sport 2wd 150... got to be black though...

Having said that I havent driven the 1.8T sport yet... that will change this weekend though with luck

Although be warned finding one with options AND leather is pretty tough...

 

[sainte986]

lol, I think I like the looks of the A3, I think the golf gti is more a yob car, while the a3 turbo is more mature.
I do agree black is a good colour to have it in
I would like the options, but the main ones for me is a good stereo, nice alloys(the 5 spoke ones) also I think i will go for the 150 as its cheaper to insure and run, while still giving under 8 seconds to 60mph

I love the look of the 200sx, I can see you really looked after it.

Let me know how you get on with looking for a A3.

I am in the same boat as you... considering the Golf and the A3... having driven the Golf GT TDi I wasnt particularly impressed - very narrow power band, dull looks and rather bland inside. The A3 looks much nicer and seems to be built better which is saying something as the Golf is excellent in that respect too... handling on the Golf isnt too hot either...

If you want the Golf I'd go for the 1.8T 20v 180bhp version.

180bhp Quattro is thirsty from my knowledge... you'll rarely get more than 30mpg combined... more likely 28-29mpg... the 150bhp 2wd version will do mid 30's ...

Its why I'm on the look out for a 2001 onwards 1.8T Sport 2wd 150... got to be black though...

Having said that I havent driven the 1.8T sport yet... that will change this weekend though with luck

Although be warned finding one with options AND leather is pretty tough...

 

[sainte986]

Just a update, I went up the road to look at a Audi A3 1.8t 3dr. I have posted a pic below.

I think the Audi idea has over taken the VW Golf one.

The Car : September 2000(X), 1.8t 150bhp, full black leather, a purple/red wine colour, xenon headlights, headlight washers, 68k miles, full DIS, sports seats, 16" 5 spoke alloys, tinted windows all round, climate. £5,995

It was very nice, the colour although different to the usual silver or black, was nice and suited the car well, my mrs said its a girl car and quickly gave it a name "shirley", lol. But everything about it was lovely, It is the 1st audi for my to look at I would like to get as new as possible, and this is only so expensive as it has below average miles, but will be in the £99/£180 tax group instead of the £205 cause its pre emmisions. I didnt get it on a test drive, but when we sat in it, the doors gave a nice solid clunk which my 16yr old honda doesnt have. the white on red dials is a nice touch.

The only things is MPG, insurance, tax. but looking into all of these, and insurance and tax not a problem. just MPG I want to know.

When I gave it a good rev, ie 3000 - 4000rpm you could hear the turbo, I liked that.

The only thing the golf has over this is those nice blue/red dials, which are so nice to look at. apart from that, you can really feel where the extra money to go from VW to Audi is going.

any comments welcomed

 

[Stan1.8T]

Very nice car! Never seen one in that colour but I really like it!

 

[sainte986]

thanks stan, I have never seen that colour before, my mrs thought it was more of a girly car. lol, I just think its a cool colour different from the usual silver/black

 

[Stan1.8T]

Yeah definately! You going to go for the A3 then?

I was in a similar situation as you between the A3 and the Golf, but I went for the A3 and don't regret it at all. Had mine a couple of weeks and love it! Mines very similar to the one in your picture although its a gunmetal grey colour.

 

[Clach]

Nice car, looks like it has been well taken care of...

Defo. the A3...no question for me, having owned both.

Good luck

 

[sainte986]

Hey stan, can you please tell me a bit more about your A3 experience. As I loved the look of that, its just hoping its there later in the year. A bit of nosing about has seen that the tax ran out may last year, so he has had it for nearly a year, and also said hes going to drop it by £500.
Any help you can offer will be really useful, as the think im scared of is that it is going to drink fuel and I wont be able to keep it because of that.

Patrick

Yeah definately! You going to go for the A3 then?

I was in a similar situation as you between the A3 and the Golf, but I went for the A3 and don't regret it at all. Had mine a couple of weeks and love it! Mines very similar to the one in your picture although its a gunmetal grey colour.

 

[os360]

ive just bought a a3 1.8t 150 about a month ago after owning a gttdi golf for 2 years. got to say the audi is a much better car, the handling on the golf is rubbish!! although i was getting about 55mpg and about 37mpg from the audi doing 40 miles a day.
I haven't looked back at selling the golf, go for the audi

 

[jcs356]

Hi Patrick,

It's not the colour I was thinking of when we spoke earlier. Never seen one that colour before. Audi do an option where you can have your car any colour you want (lifestyle colours??) - providing you are prepared to pay and to wait. I'm sure someone on the forum has a correct Ferrari red S3 which was ordered as a one off.

As I said, if you want any help 'in the flesh' looking at cars then I'm happy to help. Unfortunately I can't answer your specific questions on MPG as the S3 is a bit thirstier.

I've still got those 17inch wolfrace wheels and tyres in the shed for when you buy and if you fancy changing your wheels!

 

[Stan1.8T]

Hey stan, can you please tell me a bit more about your A3 experience. As I loved the look of that, its just hoping its there later in the year. A bit of nosing about has seen that the tax ran out may last year, so he has had it for nearly a year, and also said hes going to drop it by £500.
Any help you can offer will be really useful, as the think im scared of is that it is going to drink fuel and I wont be able to keep it because of that.

Patrick

Has he definately had the car nearly 8 months just sat there? Seems like a long time. I'd give it a thorough check over, test-drive and make sure its HPI clear before hand your cash over.

As for MPG, on mine I'm averaging about 36mpg, but I am not really driving conservatively haha. I think if you can get about 38-40mpg out of them if you want to, so not to bad!

Hope it goes well for ya!

 

[sainte986]

Yeah I would get all the stuff done, ie HPI, AA check. Its only the first A3 I have looked at. your 36mpg, is that purely around town or a road / town?
You could really feel the quality over a golf, if only it had the blue/red dials it woulld be the clear choice. I also know they are a sterdy little car, as from the "S3 gone" post. I have seen people walk away un harmed from mk4 golfs also. Which is something that is important to me.
I think I am going to have a look at a A4 1.8t 1999 model saloon to see if I like the slighty bigger car or not tomorrow or the next day.

Patrick

Has he definately had the car nearly 8 months just sat there? Seems like a long time. I'd give it a thorough check over, test-drive and make sure its HPI clear before hand your cash over.

As for MPG, on mine I'm averaging about 36mpg, but I am not really driving conservatively haha. I think if you can get about 38-40mpg out of them if you want to, so not to bad!

Hope it goes well for ya!

 

[klepto]

If it's got a good history then I wouldnt worry about it being driven hard, I drive mine quite hard time to time but I also make sure I get the oil changed every 5k and get it serviced by local vag specialist. I bought my car (It's a V(99) 1.8TQ) when it had done 18k for 6.5k, spent about 1k on it with major service inc cambelt, remap and a new sound setup. Only had it a year but i'm sure there must be similar cars out there! all be it probably quite hard to find, feel quite lucky to have got the one I did, done 30k now, dont think I will sell for a few years though!

 

[sainte986]

what i the quattro like on fuel?

If it's got a good history then I wouldnt worry about it being driven hard, I drive mine quite hard time to time but I also make sure I get the oil changed every 5k and get it serviced by local vag specialist. I bought my car (It's a V(99) 1.8TQ) when it had done 18k for 6.5k, spent about 1k on it with major service inc cambelt, remap and a new sound setup. Only had it a year but i'm sure there must be similar cars out there! all be it probably quite hard to find, feel quite lucky to have got the one I did, done 30k now, dont think I will sell for a few years though!

 

[klepto]

Not great! full tank costs over £60 these days and if i'm filling up from reserves it cuts out before its full due to £60 limit on pumps! mpg on work run (mainly dual carriage) gets me about 90 miles to a 1/4 at best, with heavy accel here and there and general speed around 70-80 I get about 70 miles per 1/4. The lowest I have got from a tank was 260 miles. Long distance get around 380 miles if mainly crusing around 70-80, 450 miles if driving 60-70 with grandad acceleration. I dont really pay too much attention to the mpg figure on the dash just prefer to see what I get per 1/4 as you have probably guessed!

 

[sainte986]

I didnt know there was a £60 limit on pumps, is that due to the high costs? or does the garage you go to think the fuel is about to run out?

Not great! full tank costs over £60 these days and if i'm filling up from reserves it cuts out before its full due to £60 limit on pumps!

 

[klepto]

Hmm might just be like that at my local tesco when I pay at the pump, which I always do if available as I detest waiting for people to go to the counter!

 

[sainte986]

yeah that is only pay at pump, £60 limit

Hmm might just be like that at my local tesco when I pay at the pump, which I always do if available as I detest waiting for people to go to the counter!

 

[sainte986]

I went for a VW Gold GTi (1999V 1.8t 150bhp 20v) I picked it up yesterday and loving it. I know it’s only the 150bhp model, but it’s so nice, I averaging mid 30s, but I love the sound of the turbo spooling up and then the dump/blow off valve.

The dealer didn’t do the most amazing job of cleaning her, but I would prefer to do it myself, that way I know it’s done properly.
Also the passenger front door doesn’t seem to be locking properly, I think there is a micro switch in it has gone, I am going to wait until Tuesday to have it looked at to get the work done since it’s got 3months warranty.