Just put a deposit down..but

[L80EWY]

Just put a deposit down on an A3 2.0 Tdi (2004) with 60k on it. When i jumped in for a test drive it had a 'Low Coolant Level' on the dash so he topped that up for me. But now ive had a look on here ive seen theres problems with that engine with the cylinder head etc.. Unsure what to do now.

 

[tku]

You put a deposit down before you test drove it??

 

[rickparmar]

You put a deposit down before you test drove it??

i dont think he did..

i think he put deposit down after test driving it... but now realises it may be a another fault

 

[L80EWY]

No i got to the garage had a look at it seen that warning so he topped it up, then went out for a test drive. I liked it so put down a deposit etc, then had a look on here and seen about the problems.

 

[tku]

I see...Maybe would be a good idea to maybe get onto phone to them NOW! Tell them to fix the problem otherwise your gone....with your deposit of course.

 

[L80EWY]

I dont know if there is a problem or not though, it could have just had low coolant not because of a broken cylinder head. What could i say if i rang him up...

 

[Tommy]

Just ring him up saying that youve heard a few problems with that particular light coming on, how much warrenty does the car with?

Id deffo find that out mate..

 

[Scott]

I'd be careful. If you have doubts, walk away. Tell him your concerns and ask for your deposit back - imo - I had a similar problem looking at used A3's, always had a doubt of some kind but would've still bought them, luckily had someone to talk me out of each one, eventually thought f- it and bought a new one lol.

 

[Lee_R]

I'd be really concerned mate, that coolant has gone somewhere thats for sure.

Could be something simple like a split pipe, in this weather easily done but could also have a problem with the head, the radiator etc. Did you check the oil cap to see if there was any water in it?

Also there are loads of people about including me who P/X cars in when they develop problems.

I'd walk away, theres loads of A3 TDi's for sale, take your time.

 

[Pauljamescaton]

Hi there Lewy_h.

My advice would be to walk away from this car unless you have the head replaced by the garage....

My uncle has a 2004 54plate 2.0TDI A3. owned it since February of this year. Every 6 weeks of 100 miles a week journey's, his coolant level goes from max to min. The car has Full Audi Service History.

He is ready to admit that it is a cracked head seeing as well the symptoms all point towards this and our local mechanic has told him to get rid.

So onto Audi, they want to pressure test the head, £105 + VAT, to tell us what we already know. Then Audi UK have said if as expected it does have a cracked head, they will not contribute to the costs.

A cracked head isnt wear and tear when every other car of this engine has the same problem......

What is the point in having Full Audi Service History?

So £2000+ for a new cylinder head is what i have been quoted, as many others on the forum have also be quoted.

I even got the response from Audi Stockport to buy another head from a scrap yard, but as you will be aware as you have read the threads on here, almost every car of this age and engine will crack.....

Sorry to burst the excitement of the new car but as you can see from this you could end up with a

Sorry to hijack the thread but can any one else offer any advice for us. I also have a A3 2.0 TDI and am kacking myself about mine going....

 

[karbonk]

You could always get an AA or RAC inspection. It costs around £100+ but worth it if you are having doubts.

 

[karbonk]

In addition... I was in the same position, went to view 2004 2.0 TDI 65k and walked away wanting it, phone them back next day and he told me it had a head gasket problem.

I said if you sort it call me, otherwise not interested as I spoke to Audi and they said walk away could cost near £2000+.

3 Weeks later I saw it up for sale and called again and they had it fixed. Head gasket, cylinder head and cambelt. They brought the parts from Audi then got it fitted by a private mechanic cost of parts were around £600 and labour £300.

 

[Lex]

I would steer well clear bud

bought my a3 nearly 2 years ago and more than half of that time i have had a leaking coolant

my specialist pressure tested it and so did out and found no sign

we went through every possibility of leak including egr valve needed replacing, several pipes ect

The leak went away for like 2 weeks then it returned and it has only just been fixed with a new cylinder head! but luckily the garage i used are awesome lads and did the job labour free so it cost me only £700

now it needs a new duel mass flywheel

i honestly think the earlier a3 tdi's are utter **** compared to the new engines
the owner of the garage told me to just sell it sooner than later and get 1 afew years younger
mine is a 54 reg and i think the main problems stopped with 06 on models??.. i think