first post - A3 3.2 Quattro DSG buying advice

[ml]

Hi all - my first post!

Im hoping to get an A3 3.2 Quattro DSG S-Line (2004) 3 door 58k miles at the weekend.

Im getting it for £8495 (ive already had a quick look round the car and agreed the price - it looks pretty good and I think thats a good price).

I'm used to the VR6 engine, as Ive got one in my golf, but im guessing that the new 3.2 lump is very different.

What i'm after is things I should be aware of, especially regarding the engine, DSG & Quattro systems to ensure that im not buying a lemon. Especially how the DSG should behave.

I went for a quick spin in it and it felt awesome, pulled very strongly right through the gears, so it all seems good.

Its got full Audi history, and I might be able to take my mates VagCom along to check for fault codes.

The car looks good, 2 owners, HPI all clear etc. It appears to be a genuine car.

Any thought or key things to look out for greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Martin

 

[edition]

Hi,

Did you post up on Clubgti about this also?

I,ve got a 3.2 a.t.m and its been really good so far and the fuel useage isn't as bad as people make out!

Mines a manual so can't help out on the DSG bit of it.


Looks a good price but without seeing the car its hard to tell!!!

 

[DaveS3Turbo]

Well somone else has just posted around the same money for the same animal.

David

 

[ml]

Hi,

Did you post up on Clubgti about this also?

I,ve got a 3.2 a.t.m and its been really good so far and the fuel useage isn't as bad as people make out!

Mines a manual so can't help out on the DSG bit of it.


Looks a good price but without seeing the car its hard to tell!!!

Ye i did post on there - im looking at the car again tomorrow. That figure looks about right - just got to make sure its all in good nick then.

cheers guys

 

[stugolf]

Hi ml, I have a 3.2 DSG, amazing car with bags of subtle performance

Keep an eye on the DSG and maybe request it to be VAG COm'd before buying to show up any error's. Mine almost drives perfectly apart from a wobbling rev needle, turns out its the mechatronic control unit, costing £1,750 to replace! Luckily mine under warranty but I assume the majority won't be.

With DSG also check the way the car changes gears on the paddles and how it kicks down in D mode, any jerkiness and its best to walk away.

Check when the haldex oil was change, should be every 20k ideally

Other than that I find the engine and other parts pretty bullet proof!

 

[ml]

Thanks for that Stu,

Ill check the operation of the box as a priority. My main concern is if anything goes wrong with the gearbox, as its one complicated piece of kit.

I'll look for your fault with the rev counter, and also try and scan the car first.

I dont want a £1700 repair bill as soon as I get it!

I had assumed that the A3 used the full Quattro system - Does it actually use the Haldex system as in the TT and the Golf R32?

Im guessing the oil hasnt been changed, because I didnt think Audi/VW specified a change for that originally did they - wasnt it something they have recently revised?

Thanks again,

ml

 

[stugolf]

I find for the cost of the Haldex change (about £65 at a specialist) its worth doing for your own piece of mind, it does use the Haldex system, same as the R32 and TT, so its still Quattro, but a lot of people say its not "real Quattro" like an S4 for example