I've been looking at getting an A3 8P as my second car, but from what I've heard and seen, picking an engine seems to be a bit of a minefield, I'm currently looking at the regular 1.6 non TFSI or FSI. I'm also looking at 1.2-1.4's but I'm not sure which is the best option. I'm unable to go above 1.6 due to insurance and I'm not considering a diesel as I will rarely travel further than 10 miles. I'm looking for the 2008 face-lift variant in manual. Apologies if this thread has been made many times before.
What's the best engine for an 8P?
- Thread starter matt_g02
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2nd car and reliable and bulletproof that will last well into 300k then the one and only 24v VR6!!!!!!
I mentioned it being 1.6L or below, the VR6 is wayyyyyyyyy out of my insurance budget.
yeah i know BUT I LOVE THAT ENGINE. good luck with search and post pics once purchased. Insurance is a minefield
1.4 out of those 3. My a3 has that engine, can't fault it. Decent power for engine size, quiet, can move when pushed.
Driven loads of 1.2tsi polos on zipcar, not a bad engine in a small car. Have to rev it quite a bit to get it up to speeds though, so not sure how it'd be in an a3 sized car. Not very refined, a lot more noisier than the 1.4.
1.6, i didn't consider at all. Older engine with timing belt (other 2 have a chain). Roughly same power as the 1.2.
Driven loads of 1.2tsi polos on zipcar, not a bad engine in a small car. Have to rev it quite a bit to get it up to speeds though, so not sure how it'd be in an a3 sized car. Not very refined, a lot more noisier than the 1.4.
1.6, i didn't consider at all. Older engine with timing belt (other 2 have a chain). Roughly same power as the 1.2.
Have you looked at getting a 1.8T quattro 8L?
I know it’s bigger engine size than you want but I’d guess seeing as they’re around 20 years old you’d probably get cheap insurance for them?
I know it’s bigger engine size than you want but I’d guess seeing as they’re around 20 years old you’d probably get cheap insurance for them?
Seems that the 1.4 TFSI is also a little too expensive on insurance unfortunately, which is a shame because I always hear good things about that engine. The 1.9 and 2.0 litre diesels seem to be cheaper on insurance, so I'm now considering one of those, would they be okay if I took it out on the motorway a couple times a month to regen the DPF? Or is it just not recommended for me?
If your're considering a diesel look at the 2.0 common rail over the PD. My mileage has significantly reduced over the last couple of years and my '09 2.0 common rail hasn't caused me any problems at all. Like you said i just take it for a run up the dual carriageway from time to time.
Sweet spot for a derv is the 2006 2.0 BKD engine, no DPF or oil pump problems. No idea of insurance cost for you but worth asking your broker.
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- Joined
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- Messages
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- Reaction score
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I own the A3 once owned by SootySport and went for the 2006 2.0 BKD for exactly the reasons he specifies, a chain-driven oil pump (so no oil pump balance-shaft catastrophe waiting to happen like on the A4 etc) and no DPF.
I bought it just over 3 1/2 years ago at just over 110K miles and is now on 188K, although I do pamper it (oil & filter every 9K, air & diesel filter every 20K).
The engine has never given me a moments trouble , I’d have another BKD (well maintained) in a heartbeat .
