Audi A3 TDI Quattro advice ?!?

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sainte986

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Hi guys,

I just wanted to know if anyone has the Audi A3 1.9TDI 130bhp Quattro?
And just to get some advice on them, just general opinion, etc.
What it has been like to live with?


any comments welcomed :D
 
Hi there, as a happy TDiQ owner of quite a few miles, maybe I can help. Have a look at my sig to see what I have done to mine so far...

What do you want to know?

I took a reasonably well specced run out model and have gradually been adding to it. Glens info in the stickies up top of here give loads of advice on how to improve things...

Generally, very happy. An S3 beater its not, but a fair compromise. Mine is wearing well despite killing a fox which went through the radiator last Sunday, all has been fine.

Have you bought or thinking of buying?
 
i got my TDI quattro, and love the torquey power it gives. like Rickquattro said it aint a S3 beater but gives u a good kick in the back and the power is nice enough...and we get decent MPG for the performance!
just i got a Blown ballast at the min and temp gauge prob...soon to be fixed tho.
no major probs on mine since buyin 3 years ago..
 
I also got a A3 TDI Quattro sport and with s-line ;), and after buying this one a year ago, i previously owned a A3 1.9 Tdi sport 110 bhp, and it worth it a lot!.
 
beeitch said:
I also got a A3 TDI Quattro sport and with s-line ;), and after buying this one a year ago, i previously owned a A3 1.9 Tdi sport 110 bhp, and it worth it a lot!.
Click to expand...

Your car is a TDI!? wow youd should call it the S3d looks wicked mate:respekt:
 
Ibzzzzz said:
Your car is a TDI!? wow youd should call it the S3d looks wicked mate:respekt:
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the idea, but not only apperance, in a few months it may be closer to 195-200 bhp (right now, is chipped with Unitronic stage 1+ (184,2 bhp @ 418 Nm) )

My news mods cooming soon:

XO2 FMIC, oil cooler, diesel cooler, new suspension, front brembo gt's , rear lucas brakes update (256x22), etc.
 
hello buddy, I have also been looking at the 1.8t non quattro and the 1.9tdi 130bhp non quattro. All in the A3 shape. I know you wont beat a S3 in a TDI, lol. However, I can imagine that the quattro gives you that planted feeling allowing you to feel more confident. I also feel that the A3 is much better built than the VW Golf, thus worth the extra money. So, its reliable, and all that can be expected of a Audi.
The only problem I have found, is that is a hard model to find, but is it worth the extra money and effort over the standard a3 1.9TDI 130bhp?

Patrick

QUATTRO_REP said:
i got my TDI quattro, and love the torquey power it gives. like Rickquattro said it aint a S3 beater but gives u a good kick in the back and the power is nice enough...and we get decent MPG for the performance!
just i got a Blown ballast at the min and temp gauge prob...soon to be fixed tho.
no major probs on mine since buyin 3 years ago..
Click to expand...
 
It is worth it? Well thats your choice, I have no regrets about not buying a fwd one. Living in Scotland with the crappy weather its a reassurance. If you want the quattro system, they do drive differently. It took me a bit to adapt from a fwd car to get the best out of it. And yes they are hard to find.. Later 52 plate/53 plates will be a roll out model before the 8P and may be fitted with extra stuff...

As for changes, the remap gives more power but the ARB's are fantastic in changing the whole balance and drivability of the car....

Have a search for "driving a quattro" to see peoples opinions of the difference...

HTH
 
Chalk up another TDI quattro owner that feels all warm and squishy. The car's an absolute trooper, gobbles up miles without thinking but can still put a grin on your face when you give it the beans away from a junction and the quattro kicks in and launches you away. It feels incredibly solid and never drops below 40mpg no matter how I drive. It's no getaway car but still moves and is wonderful to live with.

Be prepared to travel to get a decent one. I went to Liverpool to get mine. Twice. That's about 700 miles all in. I must be insane :)
 
Hi Batwad,
Lol, nah I dont think you insane, just know what you want. :)
I havent driven either, Once I have driven both a quattro and a non, I will be able to decide if its worth it or not. I cant see why it wouldnt be. :p
I know what its like with a RWD car, and they are loads of fun, lots of tail out fun.
Is the quattro full time like a subaru or part time like a pretend 4x4?
I have looked at the 1.8t quattro, but the mpg would mean I couldnt keep it very long, but a quattro tdi, would mean I could keep it forever.

Did you drive both?
How long have you had yours?
Is it worth the extra hassle and cost?

batwad said:
Chalk up another TDI quattro owner that feels all warm and squishy. The car's an absolute trooper, gobbles up miles without thinking but can still put a grin on your face when you give it the beans away from a junction and the quattro kicks in and launches you away. It feels incredibly solid and never drops below 40mpg no matter how I drive. It's no getaway car but still moves and is wonderful to live with.

Be prepared to travel to get a decent one. I went to Liverpool to get mine. Twice. That's about 700 miles all in. I must be insane :)
Click to expand...
 
Sainte..

The quattro is part time and depends on how much torque is being applied as to how much power is going to the rear. Most of the time its a fwd car. This is why cornering is a bit different as the car needs to be driven round corners to make the rear drive work properly. When it does it just feels like it digs in and starts pushing. Unless the ARB mod is done then there wil be still understeer, though a lot less I think.

You wont be able to get the tail out except in snow with the ESP off, nor be able to spin the wheels on the road, wet or dry. It just grips too much. Once you have got the hang of the different driving technique though its very different...and supprising.

I wanted an S3 but not the mpg so the TdiQ was a good compromise...

The only hassle is finding one, there is no extra hassle in maintaining one. Is it worth it, well thats personal. Like Batwad, I travelled from Edinburgh to Grimsby to get the one I wanted. I love mine, more so now I have followed Glens tweekage tips in the sticky threads up top......it does drive a lot better than as standard.

If I bought again I would have a 2.0 TdiQ 140 and remap it rather than the 170 from reading the boards on here..

Get a drive of both or if possible a run in a mates q car. This may show you more than driving both yourself if your driving a quattro for the first time..

Pity your miles away or you could have had a shot in mine.

HTH
 
Hi Rickquattro,
The only person I know with a quattro, is someone with a S3, and they are no quite the same, as a TDi quattro.
Will have to see if I can try and track one down a bit closer to home.
The only problem I could be faced with is that I am looking to buy around September this year, when my insurance is up for renewal, I just feel this early would be a waste, But will be looking a lot harder come July/August.
Did you drive both fwd and quattro?
 
The S3 will drive similar to a TDiQ though the actual running gear is a little different but would help with the 4wd/2wd difference. The TdiQ has lower suspension as a Sport spec too.

I didnt drive 2wd as I believe it is not so different from any other FWD car. The 4wd has independant suspension all round which is a big improvement from the rear axle of the 2wd A3 so I was sure on what I wanted.

As I said, it did take a bit to drive my car properly to engage the rear drive effectively, since then it all makes much more sense.

As for waiting, these are older cars so they are just geting more miles till september.... and its a long way off. Is an early 8L model out of your budget? Both the 2wd/4wd cars are quite a step up. I would have waited for the newer model but a diesel quattro was not a current model when I bought.

Have you tried Audi UK used car finder? They sometimes come up on there.
 
Hi Rickquattro,
My budget is about £6,000. But that is likely in increase. I think the only way to justify the extra money on one is to feel what you mention about the quattro system. Next time I see my friend I will ask about the quattro in his S3.
If you have read my other posts, you will see what im doing, I want a new
car, I have narrowed it down to either;
VW Golf GT TDI 130bhp 5dr
Audi A3 TDIQuattro 130bhp 3dr
Audi A3 1.8t sport 150bhp 3dr facelift
Audi A3 1.9TDI 130bhp 3dr facelift
Saab 9-3 1.9TiD saloon 150bhp 2002>
BMW 320d saloon 1999>
Audi A4 1.9TDI 130bhp saloon 2001>

Just an idea for you what else appeals to me.
I know its still early days, but I am trying to look at a few a month, just so I have a good knowledge of what to look for and what is common problems with them.
Once I start test driving, and have driven each one of them, I can start to lose a few cars off the list. When it comes time to get it, I want to be down to 3 or so. Also taking into consideration costs, I have got a spreadsheet to help.

Also I have only found 3 on autotrader tdi quattro under £8000
 
sainte986 said:
Did you drive both?
How long have you had yours?
Is it worth the extra hassle and cost?
Click to expand...
I never bothered with testing a petrol because I always knew I was going to get a diesel, simply for the economy over an S3 (which I'd have got if I was going petrol). I did drive a couple of 2WD TDis and they were nice enough but the quattro just gives it that bit of "edge" if you know what I mean. I spent some time thinking about it, and I wouldn't bother with a Sport spec non-quattro because the ride's a bit too firm at times, but with quattro it makes more sense. As Rick says, once you get the hang of it you can really chuck it into corners and it just grips and goes.

I've had mine nearly 18 months now and I can easily see me keeping it for that long again. I'm getting the Alfa Romeo bug at the moment, but for financial reasons (damn) that will just have to wait :)

As for it being worth it, it's completely subjective and personal choice. It's a great compromise between practicality and fun though :)
 
I have driven that 130bhp engine in a 2001 bora, and think its the best engine, gives you best of both worlds, good mpg and good bhp.
I can only imagine that the quattro makes the car handle like a dream. It is going to be tough to get one for under £8000 even later in the year.
I also like the a3 1.8t quattro, but the mpg puts me straight off, 29mpg. not for me thanks :p

If you dont mind me asking batwad how much did you pay for yours, as I have seen pics of it in your other posts and looks very nice :hubbahubba:
 
audi upgrades
S986..

Sorry to dive in here... good to hear that you have had a drive of the 130 Tdi.. As you mention, quattro handling is different but not really the dream you describe as standard (but dont be put off), its different. Ess3's ARB and suspension mods do transform things a lot. Read up on the info in the stickies, its invaluable.

Also as Glen says elsewhere, you cant bend the laws of physics and there is a good chance a 2wd will be slightly nippier and/or more economical. There are more friction losses in the quattro. Where is my dyno chart from Star.....

As standard 6th gear felt flat and it would struggle to pull, remapped again, its a different story and it does offset the friction losses. It wont go faster but it does accelerate harder.

I guess with the milage on these cars now it may be wise to check the suspension as mine went off at about 65k and was dreadful on the old standard stuff. I could guess that a diesel would be remapped, worth asking too if your buying.

Heres mine:
Dolomites169.jpg


And yes, the Lexus lights are long gone. As are the wheels. Its on new RS4 reps plus spacers. Same height though. (dropped from "Sport" spec).

And this stayed on all the trip to the Alps, even 120+ on the Autobahn....till some Scrote nicked them in Cortina.

Dolomites210.jpg


Currently averaging 38-42mpg. No new pics as it is in for fox collision damage repair...its due back tomorrow and I miss it..

HTH
 
sainte986 said:
Buckas,

Very beautiful car, I loveeee the look of that.
When are you thinking of getting rid of it and what is it like on fuel, I cant imagine a 180bhp 4wd is going to see the 30s too often.
Click to expand...

thanks matey :sm4:

thinking of getting rid of it soon as poss to be honest, need to get an estate for my dogs and i'm not letting them in the A3 :) MPG average is about 27 ish if driven normally, otherwise normal driving with the odd overtake looking about 25 ish, no motorways around here so can't cheat on the petrol, heh - motorway MPG is about 30/31

cheers

drew
 
sainte986 said:
If you dont mind me asking batwad how much did you pay for yours, as I have seen pics of it in your other posts and looks very nice :hubbahubba:
Click to expand...
Thanks :) It was 12k, and that was for an Audi Approved specced-up absolute minter.
 
Ouch that is double my budget, lol. I could get a newer shape one for that sort of money. :p ive seen some nice examples for about 8 grand, which would be as far as I could go.

batwad said:
Thanks :) It was 12k, and that was for an Audi Approved specced-up absolute minter.
Click to expand...
 
I think that might be a tad too thirsty for me, I would prob only get 200miles for a tank, lol. I am looking to buy later in the year ie August, but will defently keep you in mind :happy:
As your car is sooooo perttyy :hubbahubba:

buckas said:
thanks matey :sm4:

thinking of getting rid of it soon as poss to be honest, need to get an estate for my dogs and i'm not letting them in the A3 :) MPG average is about 27 ish if driven normally, otherwise normal driving with the odd overtake looking about 25 ish, no motorways around here so can't cheat on the petrol, heh - motorway MPG is about 30/31

cheers

drew
Click to expand...
 
Sainte...

I may be tempted in August, possibly to change to an A4 Avant.. keep me in mind.

1.9TdiQ Sport 2003 with Superchip remap
Bilstein Suspension, R32 ARB kit
RNS-E DVD navigation 2007 software with active TMC
Bose
Heated Leather + fabric seats
Cruise Control
18" New Style RS4 reps + Avon ZZ3 all round
Climate control with new compressor fitted
Drilled/grooved discs and harder pads all round
Custom full size bootliner (I always have the rear seats down)
Full service history

Relatively high milage from several trips to the wifes family in Germany

HTH
 
sainte986 said:
I think that might be a tad too thirsty for me, I would prob only get 200miles for a tank, lol. I am looking to buy later in the year ie August, but will defently keep you in mind :happy:
As your car is sooooo perttyy :hubbahubba:
Click to expand...

you'll always get about 280miles to a tank minimum, anything extra is a bonus ;)

no worries fella :sm4:

drew
 
fitting front ball joints my self i need a leg up any help for a new pup ? my car is a 2002 tdi quattro A3
 
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