Been Offered a swap

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Nutkin

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My A4 1.8T Quattro S Line Avant for a A3 3.2 Quattro 2004.

Just wondering what the problems and niggles with the A3 are.

My A4 is on 76k miles and the A3 is on 28k so mint tbh.

Whats the deal with aftermarket bumpers and stuff too dunno whats popular to make it a bit mroe modern looking as its not an s line.
 
you can do a first facelift upgrade relatively easily. if you're sticking with Sport > Sport all you'll need is a bumper, bonnet and rad grill.

personally i'd go for the S-Line front (for which you'll also need the fogs and fog surrounds), and then the '09 S-Line rear.

the 3.2 had some problems with hesitation, which required a reflash of the ECU to control. others are having problems with timing chains, which is a £10k repair. if you do a search there's pages and pages on both.

i've test driven the 3.2. it's a lovely motor, but the 2.0T gave me almost all the thrills without any of the drawbacks of reliability or fuel costs etc. if the 3.2 was more reliable and i had a bit more spare cash i'd have definitely gone for one
 
Well the 3.2 will make you smile. Yes some have had the hesitation issue, mine did, but a simple ecu flash sorts it out straight away. Easy to test if it has it, put the car in neutral and see if it will hold 2k revs without the needle darting around.

Chains, well not many have had to have these done. Its not 10k to do even at Audi, more like 4K. They can be checked using VCDS to see if they have stretched. Mine were showing possible change needed but did an oil change and re tested anf they are ok. The engine seems to get a lot of rubbish in there so doing extra oil changes does help.

All in all I love my 3.2 as most on here will tell you. Ok so there are a few issues but so does the 2.0 tdi engine. The only draw back is the fact it cant really be mapped but tbh Im happy with the power output so not an issue for me.

Changing the bumpers is an easy job, I did both of mine and really happy with the results.

TBH, with the mileage on the one you aer offered, it shouldnt really be an issue.

Good luck choosing
 
the 10k wasnt for the repairs after the accident, it was all done before that. Paddy had a misfire issue and Audi were investigating it, they just couldnt find the cause.
 
sub39h said:
you can do a first facelift upgrade relatively easily. if you're sticking with Sport > Sport all you'll need is a bumper, bonnet and rad grill.

personally i'd go for the S-Line front (for which you'll also need the fogs and fog surrounds), and then the '09 S-Line rear.

the 3.2 had some problems with hesitation, which required a reflash of the ECU to control. others are having problems with timing chains, which is a £10k repair. if you do a search there's pages and pages on both.

i've test driven the 3.2. it's a lovely motor, but the 2.0T gave me almost all the thrills without any of the drawbacks of reliability or fuel costs etc. if the 3.2 was more reliable and i had a bit more spare cash i'd have definitely gone for one
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My chains were £10k because it took Audi 3 weeks to diagnose the problem so they were talking nearly £5k before they started the fix ! to do the job properly you could be looking at another £5k because while the chain is cheap you really need to change tensioners and sprockets. the back tensioner is part of the timing cover and that is £500 alone. mine needed cam position sensors and solinoids as well etc. It would be cheaper if you take it to an independent but bear in mind its a gearbox out job which is not easy on a DSG. I was lucky that audi picked up half the bill but you cant count on that. first signs of trouble are a mis fire after starting for a short time and a fault code and engine light for Cam position set point not reached. V6Pete had the same issue and i think his bill ran to about £4.5km. The trouble is that at £150 an hour thats £1k a day so just looking for the fault can run you into a lot of money before they even start a fix....as i found out :)
 
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Hold on a minute, you have a 2009 A4 and thinking of swapping for an A3 5 years older?! Personally I would keep the A4, it's a much nicer car, more refined and Avants rock!
 
Oh I see! Still wouldn't swap it for a 3.2 A3 to be honest. I loved my Avant and they feel much more solid cars than the A3.
 
Nutkin said:
My A4 1.8T Quattro S Line Avant for a A3 3.2 Quattro 2004.

Just wondering what the problems and niggles with the A3 are.

My A4 is on 76k miles and the A3 is on 28k so mint tbh.
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Are you planning on modding the 3.2 V6 or leaving it as is?

Turbo cars are far cheaper to see gains from performance wise if you ever wish to go down the line of more power. I assume the change down from the A4 to A3 means you won't be looking to be growing your family any time soon, so are you hoping the A3 will be a more focussed drive?

As you just hoping to shift the A4 because of it's mileage?

3.2 is going to sound sweet as, but I'd test drive one before you make your mind up as they deliver their power in a very different way. I drove a 4.2 V8 S4 (2007) the other day, and whilst it is every bit as quick as my car it felt slightly lazy (all illusion).

Tough call, but I'm a great believer that if it makes you happy when your behind the wheel then your onto a winner, so only you can decide. Best of luck.
 
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beanoir said:
Hold on a minute, you have a 2009 A4 and thinking of swapping for an A3 5 years older?! Personally I would keep the A4, it's a much nicer car, more refined and Avants rock!
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He bought it in 2009 Nick, pretty sure it's an 02 plate when i last saw it

Nutbag, from what i've seen on here the 3.2 has a few design flaws which leads to some problems, but it's like any car. You either get a good one and are very lucky or you get a right dog from the start

I'd keep with the A4 Avant in all honesty
 
3.2 (or larger) all day long :)

I've had an 8L S3, a Mk1 TTR 3.2 manual and now a 2004 A3 Sportback 3.2 DSG Sport, it's probably the best of the bunch...

Col
 
smudge_don said:
He bought it in 2009 Nick, pretty sure it's an 02 plate when i last saw it

Nutbag, from what i've seen on here the 3.2 has a few design flaws which leads to some problems, but it's like any car. You either get a good one and are very lucky or you get a right dog from the start

I'd keep with the A4 Avant in all honesty
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Its an 04 so same year. TBH my turbo causes all end of problems so i was hoping a switch to a v6 would get rid of boost hoses and the like giving me head aches

From what I've read though i'd be better off with the A4, its just the milage is working its way up, although now I hardly do any miles as I drive company cars most the time, just cause they are more fun tbh.

Drove to oxford today from birmingham and got out very relaxed and fresh as if id just driven to the shops. Jag XJ btw.

So not fussed about mpg anymore which was why i ended up with the 1.8T Avant as it offers performance and 36mpg when needed.
 
Nutkin said:
Its an 04 so same year. TBH my turbo causes all end of problems so i was hoping a switch to a v6 would get rid of boost hoses and the like giving me head aches
From what I've read though i'd be better off with the A4, its just the milage is working its way up, although now I hardly do any miles as I drive company cars most the time, just cause they are more fun tbh.
Thats the same reason I bought my V6, my last car had loads of turbo issues and went through 4!and even that one was sounding ropey so I wanted a non turbo and dont regret it at all!

Dont be put off by what 'could' go wrong, chances are nothing will, esp with such low mileage on the car. Remember when you ask a question, you will always get the bad points that could/may go wrong but thats the case for any engine/car. Everyone runs the risk of buying a pup!

Drive the V6 and see how you feel then. Give it a fair chance. :yum:
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Some people prefere turbo'd cars some prefere bigger c.c. ( I prefere C.C.).

I would say the 3.2 is a lovely car and just about right performance wise for the roads. I like the relaxed way you can get from A-B and the feel that you are driving something grunty that you dont get with a turbo's car.
 
edition said:
Some people prefere turbo'd cars some prefere bigger c.c. ( I prefere C.C.).

I would say the 3.2 is a lovely car and just about right performance wise for the roads. I like the relaxed way you can get from A-B and the feel that you are driving something grunty that you dont get with a turbo's car.
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You wont get as much 4x2 in the back as you would in the Avant ;)

I do wish people wouldn't make out the 3.2 is some kind of monster engine, it's just a pony little excuse for a V6 to be honest, I've had them in the past and they don't have any more "grunt" than a 2.0l with a turbo, they just have a smoother power delivery thats all.

Everybody knows the 3.2 was a poor man's S3 ;) (ooohhh see what I did there!)
 
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beanoir said:
You wont get as much 4x2 in the back as you would in the Avant ;)

I do wish people wouldn't make out the 3.2 is some kind of monster engine, it's just a pony little excuse for a V6 to be honest, I've had them in the past and they don't have any more "grunt" than a 2.0l with a turbo, they just have a smoother power delivery thats all.

Everybody knows the 3.2 was a poor man's S3 ;) (ooohhh see what I did there!)
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:laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
beanoir said:
You wont get as much 4x2 in the back as you would in the Avant ;)

I do wish people wouldn't make out the 3.2 is some kind of monster engine, it's just a pony little excuse for a V6 to be honest, I've had them in the past and they don't have any more "grunt" than a 2.0l with a turbo, they just have a smoother power delivery thats all.

Everybody knows the 3.2 was a poor man's S3 ;) (ooohhh see what I did there!)
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Id say it was an impatient mans S3 as it was out for a few years before hand.

Im gonna go have a drive of it and see what I think.
 
audi upgrades
beanoir said:
I do wish people wouldn't make out the 3.2 is some kind of monster engine, it's just a pony little excuse for a V6 to be honest
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Now look here Beany old chap....for someone who seems proud to have owned an XR2 your getting way out your depth :) :)

Most people who buy a S3 need to chip it within days they feel so let down !! Most people who buy a 3.2 are happy with what the bought :) this pony little V6 produces the same power as a turbo'd 2ltr ! without the hassle, it gives a smoother power " Without" turbo lag, sounds a lot better and doesn’t eat clutches....People with 3.2's are decidedly better looking and generally more intelligent and go on to become destined for greater things….S3 owners can look forward to a life of misery and vandalising bus shelters.. the S3 is the devils work and if it was too wet for God to take his Ducati to work he would use his 3.2…..just like me..See what I did there ;)
Now….run along J
 
AND................how can it be a poor mans S3....mine has cost £4000 a year on Average just to keep it running over the last 3 years :) beat that !!
 
Brilliant, I know I cast the bait, but I didn't expect 3 fish on one hook! ;)

Right, I'm off to batter some grannies.
 
paddy said:
AND................how can it be a poor mans S3....mine has cost £4000 a year on Average just to keep it running over the last 3 years :) beat that !!
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Ermm you are meant to be talking me into this!!!
 
Nutkin said:
Ermm you are meant to be talking me into this!!!
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Paddy's case is just unreal, might as well have scrapped it and bought a new one. Would've been less

Join the club Nutbag, but you'll only be as good as i was....and even worse, you'll only be as good as Navajo!!!!
 
haa haa on yeah! I prefer a mans car as alot of you know, no flimsy girly pretty s l o w cars for me! or were you hinting im a guy lol!

Beanoir, mind those grannies dont beat ya back lol! Although they are probably driving around in an S3 haa haa!!!! See the 3.2s just too much and manly for them ...............lol..... (i'll get my coat!)
 
beanoir said:
More likely the granny, watch out for S3s!! haha ;)
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Oh yeah I forgot, grannies will need to watch out for those S3s, they wont be able to afford all those clutch and turbo issue costs on their pensions! Well pointed out Beanoir! lol......... (come 'er little fishy!)
 
Sarah's A3 said:
Oh yeah I forgot, grannies will need to watch out for those S3s, they wont be able to afford all those clutch and turbo issue costs on their pensions! Well pointed out Beanoir! lol......... (come 'er little fishy!)
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Perhaps they could use their bus passes and hitch a ride in your 3.2!
 
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