On the verge of buying an A3 Black Edition 170 Quattro

[The Governor]

Hi all,

I'm very close to a deal on a 61 plate A3 Black Edition 170 Quattro, I'd be really interested to hear hints and tips on anything I need to consider/look for.

Any known issues with that car that I should factor into my thinking?

It seems that this variant doesn't come with a space saver and the parts guy at Southampton seemed to think a space saver won't fit in the boot due to the Haldex setup... is this correct?

 

[3DTDi]

On the older 170 engines that were PD rather than CR there were injector issues but with a 2008- model you will be fine. They have a dpf which will get clogged up easily if all your driving is done around town however if you use a motorway or dual carriage way often then you wont get much trouble with that either. Not sure about the space saver/haldex question but someone will be able to answer this im sure

 

[Sandra]

Hi all,

I'm very close to a deal on a 61 plate A3 Black Edition 170 Quattro, I'd be really interested to hear hints and tips on anything I need to consider/look for.

Any known issues with that car that I should factor into my thinking?

It seems that this variant doesn't come with a space saver and the parts guy at Southampton seemed to think a space saver won't fit in the boot due to the Haldex setup... is this correct?

Hi, Welcome to ASN. Have a look over in the A3 8P section. There are sticky threads at the top with lts of faqs and useful nformation, there may be some relevant info for you in there. Enjoy the forum.

 

[boroboy41]

I've got a 12 plate BE 170 Quattro and it has a tyre re-inflation/puncture repair kit not a space saver. I expect a 61 plate will be the same

 

[Brodster]

Dont think its got anything to do with the Haldex sysytem as my S3 has a space saver in the boot. Probably Audi trying to save a bit of cash by giving you the 'squirt and go' option.

 

[Adam.]

No wheel in my 61 non quattro.

Don't believe the hype with the DPF. I've done 8k in 2 months of town driving in my 170 and I've not had the DPF light on.

My previous 170 was the older PD and I got the DPF light on after 10 mins of town driving.

Less thinking more buying!

 

[The Governor]

Thanks for the all the replies, really nice to find an active forum

It was the parts guy at Southampton, he seemed pretty helpful, who told me it doesn't fit. The salesman also told me he'd put a space saver in and the boot floor didn't close properly, which kind of backed up what the parts guy said...

 

[MattBE]

My 11 plate 170 Quattro sportback definitely has a space saver in the boot so i don't believe that the haldex system gets in the way. Cost cutting by Audi for 61 plate onwards i think.

Also, 1 year and 11000 miles in i wouldn't even be able to tell you what the DPF light looks like, let alone seen it whilst driving. I only do a 16 mile each way commute as well. Keep meaning to give it a good run on the motorway TBH. Might get the fuel consumption north of 40 mpg!!!

 

[The Governor]

Does it make a difference that I'm looking at a 3 door I wonder...?

 

[h5djr]

My new 2012 2.0TDI-170 SE does not come with a space-saver, but with the compressor and tyre sealant kit. My last three A3s did come with a space-saver but some time ago I purchased a 16" steel wheel and a 205/55x16 tyre together with some foam parts from Audi to give me a level floor and carry this full size wheel as my spare.

As I take my car to Germany and/or Austria at least a couple of times a year I don't fancy the idea of getting a flat tyre half way across France on a Sunday morning and having to go the rest of the way at 50mph!!

 

[boroboy41]

No its probably just cost cutting. When I was filling out the paperwork for my reg transfer the Sales guy said they don't fit reg plate holders anymore and you only get a half tank of fuel in your new car. I expect the puncture kit is cheaper than a space saver. Ruthless efficiency :icon_thumright:

 

[The Governor]

My new 2012 2.0TDI-170 SE does not come with a space-saver, but with the compressor and tyre sealant kit. My last three A3s did come with a space-saver but some time ago I purchased a 16" steel wheel and a 205/55x16 tyre together with some foam parts from Audi to give me a level floor and carry this full size wheel as my spare.

As I take my car to Germany and/or Austria at least a couple of times a year I don't fancy the idea of getting a flat tyre half way across France on a Sunday morning and having to go the rest of the way at 50mph!!

I don't suppsoe you know what bits you bought, where from, how much etc etc?

 

[h5djr]

Yes I still have some details and also a copy of the parts catalogue. All items except the tyre were bought from my local Audi dealer. They had to order them in specially but it only took a few days.
Here is a link to my website with a copy of the parts catalogue pages concerned...
Luggage compartment spacers
Each of these pieces cost around £24.00 now (incl vat).

The other items were an A3 steel wheel - 6.5Jx16" and a 205/55R16 tyre. Although my A3 is fitted with 17"x 7.5J wheels with 225x45R17 tyres the diamenter of the steel wheel and tyre and the alloy wheels and tyre are the same at 620mm and this fits fine in the well in the luggage compartment. If yours is a quattro you may need to check to make sure that size will still fit. At the time I paid around £43 for the wheel but that was about 7 years ago. But your dealer should be able to give you current prices.

A space saver wheel and tyre seems to be somewhere between £120 and £170 according to eactly which one is the correct one for your car.

Here is a photo with the spacers and spare wheel fitted in my car...

 

[The Governor]

That's brilliant thanks Dave I guess my challenge is going to be getting a straight answer as to what wheel fits my car (if any)... I thought I'd be done with this messing about now that I'm leaving my BMW behind...

 

[andy1acars]

DPF as far as I know should be ok as guy at work just bought exactly the same car 21k on an 11 plate and he was told the newer common rail diesel doesnt suffer the same issues as earlier ones. He does think it lacks grunt compared to his 130bhp golf he had but he will go round bends quicker!

 

[eddyd]

Just be careful, there was a spacesaver in the older quattros and as above it fits in the new FWD's, but its possible Audi have lowered the floor to increase the boot space in the new quattro because there is no spare.
There are very few problems with the dpf now and they're in nearly every diesel now anyway.

 

[audicruiser]

Just be careful, there was a spacesaver in the older quattros and as above it fits in the new FWD's, but its possible Audi have lowered the floor to increase the boot space in the new quattro because there is no spare.
There are very few problems with the dpf now and they're in nearly every diesel now anyway.

There is no way Audi will have lowered the floor of a model which is on it's way out in the next year.... The reason why there is no spare is cost saving. Simple as...

 

[eddyd]

There is no way Audi will have lowered the floor of a model which is on it's way out in the next year.... The reason why there is no spare is cost saving. Simple as...

Not a massive feat of engineering to set some carpet stuff on thinner foam as there is no spare. Boot in my quattro is tiny, I would find it more unlikely that they left it the same and all that's under the carpet is a load of foam where the wheel should be. Audi make small changes to these cars every year.

If someone has old and new stats for boot capacity it would answer it, I would hate to see someone go out and spend money on a spacesaver and it not fit, because of people on a forum who are basically only taking a guess.
Personally I just don't know, try before you buy!

 

[The Governor]

Thanks chaps, eddyd I share your caution The trouble is getting a definitive answer on these things is horrendously difficult because in the parts system all it usually says is "not for Qauttro" and doesn't explain why and it could be something really daft and cosmetic.

I had this similar experience with BMW and my space saver, even BMW themselves couldn't definitively tell me which wheel fitted my car, which is astonishing really considering they make them... it all seems to be about finding a knowledgeable individual and they seem to be a very rare beast!

If the Quattro used to have a space saver, then clearly someone somewhere knows what part that is and presumably someone somewhere knows what they did (or didn't) do to the boot floor/wheel well, but finding that person that knows...

This is what cracks me up about the marketing blurb about specialist, highly trained technicians who know your car inside and out, that's true if you want to know how to turn the radio on, but ask a genuinely technical question and they're all at sea...

 

[warren_S5]

I hoped to win more boot space back in my 3 door when I heard the rear tyre had been replaced with a repair kit - of course my thoughts were misplaced, the space was just filled in with more polystyrene!

 

[Minstadave]

That's really skimping! It's a premium hatch, you'd have though a spare tyre and a tank of petrol wouldn't break the bank.

 

[audicruiser]

I hoped to win more boot space back in my 3 door when I heard the rear tyre had been replaced with a repair kit - of course my thoughts were misplaced, the space was just filled in with more polystyrene!

And so there is the answer! The floor is the same just filled with polystyrene to fill the hole where the space saver wheel would be.

I can't believe the OP started this thread about whether to buy a 170 Quattro or not and the main topic has been the spare wheel?!

 

[audicruiser]

That's really skimping! It's a premium hatch, you'd have though a spare tyre and a tank of petrol wouldn't break the bank.

Audi produced 189,068 A3's last year so no spare wheel costs equals a big saving for Audi and that's only one model!

 

[The Governor]

I can't believe the OP started this thread about whether to buy a 170 Quattro or not and the main topic has been the spare wheel?!

I think that's my fault because as a soon to be ex-bmw driver who has suffered for years with run flats and no spare it's an issue close to my heart.

I just got a bit more info, apparently the details of the Quattro Space Saver is model 1G9 with a part number of 5K0601011 at a cost of £226 . I guess my challenge is to find wsomeone with a quattro of about the same vintage (i.e. a 2011 ish model) that has a space saver that can tell me what numbers are on it, that way I'd know it should a) fit the car and b) fit in the boot!

By the way, despite all this detailed talk, I've just put a deposit down on a Black Edition TDi 170 Quattro in Phantom Black all being well will take delivery next Wednesday!

 

[h5djr]

That's really skimping! It's a premium hatch, you'd have though a spare tyre and a tank of petrol wouldn't break the bank.

It may well save Audi some money by not supplying a spare wheel but based on the prices in their parts catalogue the compressor and tyre sealant supplied cost £94 and £40 respectively. So even the space-saver spare does cost £226 that's only a saving of £92 per car.

At one stage I did read several articles that put the lack of a space-saver down to the fact of Audi being unable to find a suitable supplier. To me a space saver spare is a useless as a the tyre sealant kit. The only real option for me is a full size spare and tyre that enables you to continue your journey at normal speeds and not be restricted to 50mph and I'm prepared to sacrifice a few inches of boot space to achieve this

 

[h5djr]

I think that's my fault because as a soon to be ex-bmw driver who has suffered for years with run flats and no spare it's an issue close to my heart.

I just got a bit more info, apparently the details of the Quattro Space Saver is model 1G9 with a part number of 5K0601011 at a cost of £226 . I guess my challenge is to find wsomeone with a quattro of about the same vintage (i.e. a 2011 ish model) that has a space saver that can tell me what numbers are on it, that way I'd know it should a) fit the car and b) fit in the boot!

By the way, despite all this detailed talk, I've just put a deposit down on a Black Edition TDi 170 Quattro in Phantom Black all being well will take delivery next Wednesday!

That part number is the current one listed in the parts catalogue for a 3.5Jx18H2 ET25 wheel which is fitted with a T125/70 R 18M tyre.

 

[The Governor]

That part number is the current one listed in the parts catalogue for a 3.5Jx18H2 ET25 wheel which is fitted with a T125/70 R 18M tyre.

Thanks Dave R, I wonder does that mean it actually fits the Quattro then... I also wouldn't mind haivng a full size wheel that sits proud of the well if I could buy the foam inserts to level it out for the sake of a few inches of boot space as you say.

The problem is, according to the parts guy, if you order it and it's wrong Audi won't take it back, which for a company of that size is frankly ridiculous as a policy, especially when you can't get a straight answer as to whether or not it would fit the car anyway!

 

[eddyd]

This is what cracks me up about the marketing blurb about specialist, highly trained technicians who know your car inside and out, that's true if you want to know how to turn the radio on, but ask a genuinely technical question and they're all at sea...

"Technicians" I've found come in two types fitters and mechanics. The first uses a computer and starts replacing parts and the second uses experience, common sense and a bit of intelligence to actually understand and then fix the problem(not usually found in a dealership).
I think Audi and BMW are thinking more about safety than cost though, they don't think it's safe to change a wheel at the side of the road and also the weight saving which is a big thing for economy these days. Can't believe they've left the tiny boot though with a load of foam underneath, definitely cost cutting there!

Enjoy the car anyway, they are the best diesel you can get imo, smooth, quiet, economical, good in the wet/snow and very quick for a diesel when remapped. Excellent choice:icon_thumright:

 

[The Governor]

Thanks Eddyd, there's always that trepidation when you finally settle on a new car...

As an aside, I've had a search about but I can't find any info, is it possible to have the doors auto-lock when driving away? Is that a driver option or does the dealer need to do it?

 

[h5djr]

Thanks Eddyd, there's always that trepidation when you finally settle on a new car...

As an aside, I've had a search about but I can't find any info, is it possible to have the doors auto-lock when driving away? Is that a driver option or does the dealer need to do it?

It is certainly possible to have the doors lock above 15mph and I think that will be set as standard on a 2011 model. If not your should be able to do it through the DIS menus. You could always ask the dealer to check for you before you take delivery. I know when I order a new car I always get the dealer to set instrument lighting so that the scales and needles are always on, the doors lock at 15mph and the locking is set to open all door and the luggage compartment on a single press on the remote. This is mainly because, being now on my 8th A3, it is the way I have always had them.

On her A1, my wife prefers to have the door locking set so that the single press on the remote only unlocks the drivers door and a second press is required to unlock the passenger door. Better from a safety point of view in her case.

 

[The Governor]

Thanks DaveR, is all that stuff configurable via the key and DIS or is some of that dealer only changes?

 

[audigex]

Auto-lock above 10/15 I haven't seen in the DIS, but it definitely happens automatically on my MY12 model (I think a 61 plate is MY12 too?)... it keeps catching me out when I pick people up, they go to open the door while I'm fiddling with the satnav and I don't spot them: they knock on the window, they don't get a lift for putting knuckle marks on the window, etc

Instrument lighting seems to be always-on, too. I've got a dial near my headlight switch to adjust it, but I don't recall seeing it off ever. Again, not seen it in the DIS.

Drivers door only vs all doors is definitely in the DIS.

 

[h5djr]

Thanks DaveR, is all that stuff configurable via the key and DIS or is some of that dealer only changes?

The door locking at 15mph and the single or all door locking can be done through the DIS, but the instrument lighting would need to be dome by the dealer or someone with a copy of the VCDS computer program and cable.

 

[audigex]

As for the boot, I'm no expert but I think you could fit a spare in if you removed the foam. I'm not sure how wide it would be, but there's definitely room for some sort of wheel. They still include the nut to lock it down, and the foam looks about the right thickness to my eye.

 

[The Governor]

Thanks guys again. The salesman has put a space saver in the car, I will obviously need t check it is the correct part when I get it and I'm going to need to sort the foam in the boot myself.

Roll on Wednesday

Incidentally, for my 3 series I have a PDF of all the possible key funcitions, does something like that exist for the Audi keys?

 

[h5djr]

Thanks guys again. The salesman has put a space saver in the car, I will obviously need t check it is the correct part when I get it and I'm going to need to sort the foam in the boot myself.

Roll on Wednesday

Incidentally, for my 3 series I have a PDF of all the possible key funcitions, does something like that exist for the Audi keys?

As far as I know I've only ever seen details in the Owner's Manual that comes with the car. The air-conditioning sets itself depending on which of the two keys opens the door and that, together with the single or multiple door opening, a separate button that only opens the luggage compartment and keeping your finger on the normal lock button will closed any open windows if it's been set-up that way.

With the separate button for the luggage compartment, be careful with this, because if you use this function to open the luggage compartment, it automatically locks when you close it, so don't put you keys down in that area.

There are several pages in the Owners Manual dealing with just the keys. The blade part of the key can also be used for things like switching off the passenger air-bag, setting the child-proof locks on the rear door and mechanically locking the doors if the central locking system should fail.

Looks like you will be having some bedtime reading!! Enjoy the car on Wednesday.