1.4 TFSI A3 reliability

[ChrisG89]

Hey,

I'm looking for a winter knock about and have seen an A3 with the 1.4 tfsi 125bhp engine, had a little google and found they can suffer with timing chain tensioner failing? And slow to warm up?

Are there any other issues? Would you go for one of these or the 1.6 petrol for knocking around town?

I do mostly short journeys so I'm assuming the long warm up time could lead to issues?

Don't want diesel as had a 2.0 TDI mk5 Golf for the same thing and the type of driving I do kept blocking the DPF and throwing up warning lights

Thanks,

Chris

[Glosphil]

What year is the car.

[Gez79]

My wife had that same engine in a Golf MK6 09 plate.

No issues with the timing chain in the 7 years we owned it. It was on 88k when we sold it.

It was serviced properly though and I think the tensioners like regular oil changes.

It's quite a good engine for daily driving. Punchy low down but runs out of breath at high revs. But it's miles better than the NA 1.6. good on fuel too

[_Mja_]

I don't know much about the 1.4 tsi but I'm sure I read the 1.6 unit isn't E10 compatiable so might be worth discounting on those grounds if that is the case.
The 1.6 in the early geneation Mk4 platform cars doesn't like E10 and assume it is the same unit.

[Gez79]

_Mja_ said:

I don't know much about the 1.4 tsi but I'm sure I read the 1.6 unit isn't E10 compatiable so might be worth discounting on those grounds if that is the case.
The 1.6 in the early geneation Mk4 platform cars doesn't like E10 and assume it is the same unit.

It's the 1.6 FSi which can't run on E10, 115PS version from the MK5 golf. Pretty sure the old 1.6 with 103PS from the MK4 golf is fine.

I think the 2.0 FSi (N/A engine) can't run on it either. But that's quite a rare engine in most VAG stuff.

[_Mja_]

Cheers interesting. The only reason I thought it was the mk4 1.6 as well is becuase my neigbour has a post it note on their binnicle say "Super Unleaded Only"

So for the OP it sounds like the 1.6 115ps unit in the A3 might not be a good option re: E10 compatiablity.