Advice on buying a 3.0tdi

[Mikemc]

As title, what's the service schedule on these engines? Are they good solid reliable engines? Haven't read anything about cons as of yet.

How often should the haldex be serviced?

What's the clutch life like with the serious torque?

Are these cam chain or belts?

Expected life of a looked after engine?

Sorry for the amount if questions just trying to get clued up so I can go into a dealership armed, haha.

Thanks in advanced, and is there anything else worth knowing about these?

 

[kanecullen89]

As title, what's the service schedule on these engines? Are they good solid reliable engines? Haven't read anything about cons as of yet.

How often should the haldex be serviced?

What's the clutch life like with the serious torque?

Are these cam chain or belts?

Expected life of a looked after engine?

Sorry for the amount if questions just trying to get clued up so I can go into a dealership armed, haha.

Thanks in advanced, and is there anything else worth knowing about these?

I've had my 3.0 tdi for about a month now as did some research before buying too. I'll try to answer some of the questions and I'll be corrected if I'm wrong ha.

I'm not sure about service schedule but it's seems to yearly or variable mileage I think. If you buy used approved from audi you get your next 2 services free (minor and major).

As far as I can tell they're really reliable. No reoccurring or common problems with them other than the usual DPF problems that every modern diesel faces.

The quattro system is a 'true' quattro so is a torsen T3 permanent 4 wheel drive system. It's fully mechanical and doesn't need servicing like the Haldex.

Clutches seem to last really well however look out for clutch judder when pulling away in 1st or reverse. That can indicate premature clutch wear and early replacement required. This can be at any mileage.

They're a chain engine so no need to worry about a belt

The engines will last many hundreds of thousands of miles if looked after and serviced. They will probably outlasts the body!

Just one last note.... They're awesome in my opinion! Great mpg and massive power. If you get one with the audi drive select make sure you set it to dynamic for the test drive!

 

[Mikemc]

Cheers for taking the time to write your post. It's answered a lot of questions. What's it like to drive? I've just spoke to my insurer and they'd want an extra 1300 ontop of what I've already paid recently for the year (1150). I'll have to test drive one to see if its worth shelling out the extra!

 

[kanecullen89]

Cheers for taking the time to write your post. It's answered a lot of questions. What's it like to drive? I've just spoke to my insurer and they'd want an extra 1300 ontop of what I've already paid recently for the year (1150). I'll have to test drive one to see if its worth shelling out the extra!

Wow that's a serious amount of money! What's making it so expensive for you? I'm 24 and it's £550 a year for my insurance (fully comp of course).

I love driving it. It's hard to explain. It's so quiet and relaxed that it encourages you to drive slow but when the time comes and you have to flatten that pedal, it flies. It comes alive. That v6 sounds so smooth and sweet and the torque is just unbeatable. Licence loosing speeds in no time at all.
The quattro system keeps it all in check and even if you floor it from a standstill the isn't an ounce of wheel spin.
Around bends it just grips and grips. Feels so safe and reassuring.

I'd 100% say go for one. The only thing is that your insurance is mental!

 

[Mikemc]

Wow, I'm 23, but currently have 3 points on my licence from going through a traffic light. And last December somebody reversed infront of me and still waiting for it to all go through so it can go down as non fault.

 

[kanecullen89]

Do you have any no claims? Have you been driving since 17?

If you're willing to spend that money for insurance, I'd go for it. Test drive a 3.0 tdi and a 2.0t (petrol) to see what you prefer. I just loved the diesel but I am a bit of a dirty power fanboy

 

[dts439]

Note that most of the B8s 3.0TDIs are autos. IMHO it suits the car really as well. Early cars have the ZF torque converters 20090 (ish) on have the DSG.

Its a great car, I just love the effortless way it builds up speed. Will be replacing mine soon with another 3.0TDI having toyed with the idea of getting a 2.0 TDIq instead.

Ours has now done 44k and has been rock solid. Apart from routine servicing I had the engine mounts replaced under warranty and just had the front disks replaced.

Its also great to be different and that its not another 2.0....

Down side of the 3.0 is poor depreciation, higher insurance and fuel economy compared to a 2.0. Can still get 40+ out of min if I try hard enough and 450-500 miles/tank.

 

[ex911driver]

I had a 57 plate 3.0 tdi in the other day and was very impressed by the auto box,went like a rocket.

 

[dts439]

That would be a B7.

I had one of these before the B8. Felt more lively than the B8 and a great car in its own right (and prettier?) but I've preferred the ride/handling with the B8 - longer wheelbase helps I think, its definitely a much bigger car.

 

[Mikemc]

Do you have any no claims? Have you been driving since 17?

If you're willing to spend that money for insurance, I'd go for it. Test drive a 3.0 tdi and a 2.0t (petrol) to see what you prefer. I just loved the diesel but I am a bit of a dirty power fanboy

I've got 4 years no claims and yea passed when I was 17, I've always wondered why people my age can get insured on S3's etc for cheaper than what I pay

 

[Jamie-S]

I've bought just one on a '57 and it's a b8

Insurance fully comp is £1300

Been driving since 17, 21 now with 3 years ncb

Picked mine up start of the week, had day insurance to pick it up. Made the most out of driving because now im waiting for my insurance policy to end on my other car.

Look out for what looks like the engine management light but isn't which may indicate the common swirl flap problem

Other than that haven't heard of any other common problems!

Try and get one that has the B & O sound system, reverse camera, audi side and Lane assist etc there are some cool extras available on these, I found one that has pretty much them all

 

[Mikemc]

I've bought just one on a '57 and it's a b8

Insurance fully comp is £1300

Been driving since 17, 21 now with 3 years ncb

Picked mine up start of the week, had day insurance to pick it up. Made the most out of driving because now im waiting for my insurance policy to end on my other car.

Look out for what looks like the engine management light but isn't which may indicate the common swirl flap problem

Other than that haven't heard of any other common problems!

Try and get one that has the B & O sound system, reverse camera, audi side and Lane assist etc there are some cool extras available on these, I found one that has pretty much them all

Cheers for the info, what's the side and lane assist?

 

[Jamie-S]

Cheers for the info, what's the side and lane assist?

Lane assist is if you drift out of a Lane on a motorway for example the steering wheel vibrates to warn you.

Side assist is 3 LED lights that appear on your wing mirror when someone is in your blind spot.

Handy stuff if you spend most of your time on the motorway like me

 

[dts439]

I've bought just one on a '57 and it's a b8

Try and get one that has the B & O sound system, reverse camera, audi side and Lane assist etc there are some cool extras available on these, I found one that has pretty much them all

Hi Jamie, I'm, guessing yours is a saloon and was perhaps a dealer demonstrator given its spec/age. When was it registered?

Dave

 

[Jamie-S]

Hi Jamie, I'm, guessing yours is a saloon and was perhaps a dealer demonstrator given its spec/age. When was it registered?

Dave

It is a saloon, registered in February 2008

 

[dts439]

It is a saloon, registered in February 2008

Earliest B8 I've seen. I think Audi ran some early RHD press cars at start of 2008. UK Avant came 6 months later.

Are Lane Assist / Side Assist worth having?

 

[Jamie-S]

Earliest B8 I've seen. I think Audi ran some early RHD press cars at start of 2008. UK Avant came 6 months later.

Are Lane Assist / Side Assist worth having?

One of the first b8's maybe?

I tried hard to find one with most optional extras available (wander if there's a full list of extras somewhere?)

I wanted the lane assist due to the amount of motorway driving I do at early hours in the morning so for me its a good safety measure, Side Assist is handy and nice to have but you could live without it easily.

 

[dts439]

I have an early brochure, so on an S-line you could pay extra for:

- 19" wheels
- Drive select (dampers and/or steering)
- Bang & Olufsen audio
- DAB radio
- TV
- AMI
- Mobile phone prep Low and High
- SatNav Plus (DVD initially then HDD), became part of Technology Pack
- Voice Control
- Rear Seat Entertainment
- Elec adjust front seats (also as part of Comfort pack)
- Elec lumbar
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Parking System Plus
- Parking System Advanced (rear camera)
- Side Assist
- Lane Assist
- Folding mirrors
- Adaptive lights
- Homelink
- Hill hold assist
- rear side airbags
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Advanced Key
- Storage Pack
- Ski bag
- Blind
- Cruise (became std later)
- Adaptive cruise
- Interior Light pack
- Reversible load mat
- load area fixing kit
- elec sunroof
- tow bar
- power tailgate
- wood inlay
- Leather/Alcantara or Milano or Valcona leather
- metallic/pearlescent paint

One expensive option on SE not available on S-line was climate seats (£3940 !!)

 

[Jamie-S]

Not much I'm missing out on there really!

Climate seats?

 

[dts439]

Climate Comfort seats.

(Climate-controlled front seats can be heated or cooled according to the driver and passenger’s requirements. Includes electrically-adjustable front seats and memory function for driver’s seat. Door mirrors – electrically folding and auto-dimming with memory function, and auto-dimming rear view mirror. Only available in Milano leather.)

 

[Jamie-S]

Found out it was a dealer demonstrator at Hitchin Audi, another bonus; found some documents that show Hitchin Audi had a tracker fitted too :thumbup:

 

[gr4z]

One expensive option on SE not available on S-line was climate seats (£3940 !!)

Crazy money for climate seats considering Ford throw it in for free on the Mondeo!