So how good is the A3 2.0 Diesel? Potential new owner here

[stonesfan]

Hi folks

Hope you are all doing well.

Its going to be change my car time soonish. A few models have caught my eye, and probably like most of you on here, it has to be something I like the look of, not what Which Car recommends!

The 3 door A3 has caught my eye. Am interested only in the 2.0 140hp Diesel model, and really, would like something thats half decent riding than tuned for performance. The SE version looks good, as I like wood and maybe a bit of leather too. Main questions:

How good are the diesel versions, and does the SE ride better than an S Line?

How do they handle mileage? Budget is around £10k, so would be looking at an 06 with about 60k on.

Servicing costs? Have never owned and Audi.

Thanks for any help

 

[N8]

Welcome. SE is more comfortable than S-Line, but S-Line will handle better. Servicing costs are resonable if you use a specialist, and they handle mileage well!

 

[stonesfan]

Anyone know any of the servicing required for the 2.0 diesel lump?

Does it need EGR cleaning and PCV valve changing amongst the usual items? These 2 items are sometimes not on the service check list. Well they arent for my ZT Cdti!

 

[Boydie]

for £10k I would be looking an s-line

with that you get more options with the car, better suspension, better looks (bumpers and trim), hold value better etc...

The 140 engine is good but it can suffer a few problems.

early models suffered with porus heads but with an 06 onwards car I think you will be fine

Flywheel issues hounded the early TDI's where the car would judder annoyingly at idle

Clutch slipage is also common so when testing sit at 40mph and floor it in 6th and see what happens

Test the glove box to see if the lid slowly lowers itself

The throttle bodies tend to go on the 140's as well - £175 from Eurocarparts and will take about 15mins to replace, easy fix.

if you are looking at a TDI around 60k miles, I would look to see if the timing belt and water pump has been changed. other servicing is easy just with regular oil changes.

Another thing to look at is under the passengers side of the engine. there are 2 air ducts in the sump cover. dont worry if you see a good bit of oily stains on the cover, this is normal but if it looks excessive, it may suggest a fault.

 

[A_C4mby]

Speaking from experience, I would stay well away from the 2.0 TDI 140 - unless you mean one of the new common rail diesel engines.

A brief summary of known engine faults are, and are not limited to:

Dual Mass Flywheel Failure
Turbo Failure
MAF sensor failure
Charge Temperature/Pressure Sensor failure
Tandem Pump Failure
Cylinder head cracking
Injector wiring loom intermittent connections
Injector faults
Fuel Filter housing fault
Intermittent Lumpy Idle
Miss-firing / total power loss / unable to drive

Of course have spoken to VW technicians, all can be within specification but it's there combinations that give the faults.

I wish I'd never bought mine - I've been a VW/Audi fan for more than 10 years, and will now never buy another!!

 

[stonesfan]

At what date did the common rail engine enter service?

 

[N8]

New shape A3 08> more than £10k!

 

[madluke]

i got 04 sport with s line spec and enjoy it. a bit of mileage on and so far no problems whatsoever. only wheel bearing needs to be done (but i bet thats due to me changing suspension settings, spacers or something) just keep servicing every7-10k, do cambelt and waterpumps on time and you will be fine. i got some rattling but some of them i fixed myself some i just dont bother also i dont drive like a maniac (well sometimes) and like keep my car in good condition. i do aprox 50-60 miles a day motorway so i presume thats easier life for engine and other parts compare to town killing conditions once you got it you will be infected with N8's modding addiction very good addiction

 

[N8]

Thanks for the reference Luke, and its not an addiction! As I've nearly finished modding!

 

[madluke]

it is. its like never ending story always find something new that could put in the car

 

[flying oyster]

ive got a tdi 2.0 on a o4 plate been brill do about 30k a year just keep it service at the right intervals looking forward to mod mine

 

[N8]

it is. its like never ending story always find something new that could put in the car

There plenty I COULD do, but whats in my sig is it now man!

 

[madluke]

Your to be done list is changing often

 

[V6Pete]

as I like wood

That's 2 wood lovers in as many days! What's the world coming to... I guess these are people that would have bought Rovers in another life!?

 

[DJM1982]

I have a 2.0TDI 140 in my A4 s-line (i know its not a a3). But i have done 8500miles in just under 2 months and it has been as good as gold. Enough torque for motorway driving (which i do), plus i get over 700miles per tank and i do 800miles a week. Could ask for a better compromise between performance and economy imo. But saying that i will be getting it remapped very soon.

 

[N8]

Nice one DJM.

 

[flying oyster]

teak is the new piano inlays and dont forget to put the straw hat in the back top mod and i hear saga do a wicked deal on insurance lol

 

[Andy88]

make that 3 wood trim lovers in 2 days!

 

[stonesfan]

That's 2 wood lovers in as many days! What's the world coming to... I guess these are people that would have bought Rovers in another life!?

Guilty!!! A 1990 820 SLi

Plus Soarer TT, Accord Coupe, both of which had loads of timber inside. Glad they do an A3 with wood n leather, and hopefully a little chrome too!!!

 

[flying oyster]

i just checked the garage and omg the vitesse has got loads of wood in it i never noticed it under the dust better get the pledge out

 

[kanecullen89]

Hi,
I've got a 2006 A3 sport 2.0 TDI. Its coming up to 60k and I havent had any problems except 1 wheel bearing (common fault I think).
Drives well, enough power for every day use and good with a remap
Check the thread about cylinder heads cracking. There is a code on the head with the last letter as A, B, or C. The latter are much less prone to cracking heads. Luckly mine in C!

 

[kanecullen89]

This is the thread:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?76277-[2-0-TDI]-How-to-know-if-your-cylinder-head-will-Crack-(if-it-hasnt-yet)

 

[stonesfan]

I guess then, that you are safer going for an 06 plated model on.