Audi A3 3.2 V6 high mileage
Discussion
Looking to switch up my 2.0 tdi was looking for a Tfsi and came across a 3.2 for 5.5k the mileage is 147000 only one previous owner car looks like it’s been looked after comes with a full service history.
Since I have no idea about this car and can’t find much online is this a good purchase or is it priced way too high or just downright not worth investing in such a high mileage car
Since I have no idea about this car and can’t find much online is this a good purchase or is it priced way too high or just downright not worth investing in such a high mileage car
I think the general view is good engine but a hard ride. I don't know whether the 3.2 suffered from early VAG direct injection issues like the valves coking-up.
There's a readers cars' thread on one: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There's a readers cars' thread on one: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I had an Audi A3, 3.2 I enjoyed it and had no major problems other than the timing chain tensioner failing which, luckily was done under warranty so, apart from a bit of a thirst was reasonable to run.
Mine was a good spec: DSG, leather, FSH etc. with 90k on the clock and in excellent condition when I traded it in to an Audi dealer for my S4 back in 2016. I was offered £1.5k but managed to get that up to £2k, now I appreciate that was a P/X from a dealer but on that basis £5.5k sounds a bit steep to me? (though you don't say how old it is).
I would definitely be enquiring re. the timing chain/tensioner as it is a known weak point - mine was actually out of warranty at the time and the dealer initially quoted me around £1700 to do it but in the end offered me a goodwill gesture of including it in the price of a service - I had bought it new and had it serviced by them hence the goodwill (I don't think that sort of goodwill is around any more?). You don't mention what gearbox, if DSG you might want to be wary, if manual has the clutch been changed? not direct injection BTW.
Mine was a good spec: DSG, leather, FSH etc. with 90k on the clock and in excellent condition when I traded it in to an Audi dealer for my S4 back in 2016. I was offered £1.5k but managed to get that up to £2k, now I appreciate that was a P/X from a dealer but on that basis £5.5k sounds a bit steep to me? (though you don't say how old it is).
I would definitely be enquiring re. the timing chain/tensioner as it is a known weak point - mine was actually out of warranty at the time and the dealer initially quoted me around £1700 to do it but in the end offered me a goodwill gesture of including it in the price of a service - I had bought it new and had it serviced by them hence the goodwill (I don't think that sort of goodwill is around any more?). You don't mention what gearbox, if DSG you might want to be wary, if manual has the clutch been changed? not direct injection BTW.
Edited by catso on Sunday 16th January 11:09
catso said:
I had an Audi A3, 3.2 I enjoyed it and had no major problems other than the timing chain tensioner failing which, luckily was done under warranty so, apart from a bit of a thirst was reasonable to run.
Mine was a good spec: DSG, leather, FSH etc. with 90k on the clock and in excellent condition when I traded it in to an Audi dealer for my S4 back in 2016. I was offered £1.5k but managed to get that up to £2k, now I appreciate that was a P/X from a dealer but on that basis £5.5k sounds a bit steep to me? (though you don't say how old it is).
I would definitely be enquiring re. the timing chain/tensioner as it is a known weak point - mine was actually out of warranty at the time and the dealer initially quoted me around £1700 to do it but in the end offered me a goodwill gesture of including it in the price of a service - I had bought it new and had it serviced by them hence the goodwill (I don't think that sort of goodwill is around any more?). You don't mention what gearbox, if DSG you might want to be wary, if manual has the clutch been changed? not direct injection BTW.
Timing belt was done at about 142k and it’s a 2006 comes with full service history and a 3 month warranty Mine was a good spec: DSG, leather, FSH etc. with 90k on the clock and in excellent condition when I traded it in to an Audi dealer for my S4 back in 2016. I was offered £1.5k but managed to get that up to £2k, now I appreciate that was a P/X from a dealer but on that basis £5.5k sounds a bit steep to me? (though you don't say how old it is).
I would definitely be enquiring re. the timing chain/tensioner as it is a known weak point - mine was actually out of warranty at the time and the dealer initially quoted me around £1700 to do it but in the end offered me a goodwill gesture of including it in the price of a service - I had bought it new and had it serviced by them hence the goodwill (I don't think that sort of goodwill is around any more?). You don't mention what gearbox, if DSG you might want to be wary, if manual has the clutch been changed? not direct injection BTW.
Edited by catso on Sunday 16th January 11:09
Spark plugs last done at 120k
Dsg oil and filter done at 101k
Haldex was last done at 73k
I've not had a 3.2 A3. I don't think there are that many about as they weren't that popular. the engine's quite a heavy lump and the car was regarded as quite understeery as a result (even more than the typical Audi understeer).
I'd personally look out for a decent 2.0 TFSI. A simple map can make it more powerful than the 3.2 and it will be more nimble and better economy. Also, lots more of them about, so easier to find a good one.
The DSG service should be done every 40K miles so the car you're looking at will be overdue.
I had a 2.0 TFSI DSG from new (2006) ran up to 103K miles, and the engine and gearbox were faultless for me. I know the internet will throw up stories of faulty DSGs and heavy oil use though
DE1975 said:
The DSG service should be done every 40K miles so the car you're looking at will be overdue.
As is the Haldex I believe?With regards to the DSG, I never had any problems other than when I had a weak battery and then sometimes on startup it would 'cycle' warnings; low coolant, ABS, EPC etc. these would then go out but shortly afterwards the DSG would gradually lock down until there was no drive.
Did it a couple of times but once a new battery fitted was fine, I don't know if that was a sign of impending mechatronic failure or just a boot-up brain fart?
Edited by catso on Monday 17th January 10:05
The 3.2s don't have timing belts, they are chain driven, ask them for a receipt, if it's actually the chain that's been replaced then that's a positive!
You really need Vagcom of similar software to check for timing chain stretch, the tensioners and guides wear, more common above 100k miles
DSG and Haldex oil every 40k miles or 4 years so overdue.
You really need Vagcom of similar software to check for timing chain stretch, the tensioners and guides wear, more common above 100k miles
DSG and Haldex oil every 40k miles or 4 years so overdue.
si_xsi said:
The 3.2s don't have timing belts, they are chain driven
The dealers don't always seem to know that, I had a reminder from them that my cambelt was due for replacement, I called them up and eventually they managed to tell me that it was indeed a chain and as such was good indefinitely.Then, a year or so later the chain/tensioner failed and at quite a low mileage, 40 - 50k IIRC.
There's a gentleman on here with a red one, he also has an SD1 I think. Seems to be very reliable. Reliability king is the 1.9 but obviously slow. I've had a K03S TFSI and they are flexible and fun and not horrendous on fuel, don't hold your breath, I got 13mpg out of a mate's VR6 MK3 Golf!
trevalvole said:
I think the general view is good engine but a hard ride. I don't know whether the 3.2 suffered from early VAG direct injection issues like the valves coking-up.
There's a readers cars' thread on one: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This is the chap I was thinking of.There's a readers cars' thread on one: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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