Hi guys, new guy needing a bit of advice.

[matt8586]

Hi guys, just registered to your forum - hope this is the correct section to post in. I currently drive a Clio 182 in Racing Blue, but its up for sale and am looking for an A3 2.0 tdi (140) as need something cheaper to run.

Any advise would be fantastic in terms of what to look for etc

P.s looking for one around 2003 to 2005 as on a budget lol

 

[antmax7]

if you do a quick search on here for 140 tdi. you should find what your looking for fella.
one thing i know about is some cylinder heads are prone to cracking!.
you will find the relevant engine codes on here for this problem

 

[Smoothie]

yea this is the right section to post in mate....someone with more experience in the 2003-2005 area will be along soon enough! What exactly are you looking to know though?

 

[matt8586]

yea this is the right section to post in mate....someone with more experience in the 2003-2005 area will be along soon enough! What exactly are you looking to know though?

Just the basics really, what to look for in a used one with around 80K miles. Also, coming from a Renault are they generally reliable, heard the TDI's are quite expensive to fix when they go wrong?!? lol

 

[Sarah's A3]

Hiya Matt, glad you found it!

Cylinder heads on the 140s were prone to being porous from 2004 - 2005 and even a few later ones too. Audi wont admit a manufacturing problem but a few of us have had issues with them and when not under warranty is costly to fix.

Check for full service history and that cam belts have been changed when due inc water pumps. If you get a DSG, check its had its oil changes done too!

Dont be put off by the above, there are some good cars out there and the ones already fixed will be great!

Good look getting yours sold and finding your Audi!

 

[Smoothie]

Well mate unlike the Renault, build quality is second to none! That of course brings with it excellent reliability and big prices where parts are concerned! I can't speak of any thing that I know to go wrong apart from the flywheel which is the same in most modern cars anyways

 

[matt8586]

Lol thanks Sarah and Smoothie.

I suppose you can get good and bad cars no matter the make/model.

Full Audi S/H is a must then I guess?

 

[sub39h]

specialist at least. some specialists know more than dealers.

 

[matt8586]

Yeah I've definatly come across this with my Clio (the cambelt is around £1000 with Renault compared to quite abit cheaper with a specialist)

Just been reading up on the cracking cylinder head problems with early 140 TDI's, should this be something to put me off one. I dont have thousands spare to repair?!? lol

Thanks

 

[Sarah's A3]

Unless you find one thats had the repair already done.

 

[nally]

i have an 06 140tdi whens the am belt due ? and what you mean about the water pump they get changed before they go? how do you know if the head is gone

 

[antmax7]

your 2006 A3 is due its cambelt shortly it is 5 years or so many miles don't know the figure for the 140 tdi, but fot my 2.0t it's 60k
i paid £333 for cam belt and water pump + tensioners to be done. absolute bargain if you ask me!

 

[b19ctr]

Cambelt is 80k or five years if I remember correct check the service book as there is a cambelt check at 60k so if it worn it could have been done earlier.

Cambelt at a specialist will cost you about £300. If your based in the midlands I can highly recommend Midland VW I've been going to them for years and Jody the owner seriously knows his stuff.