Things to look out for A3 1.6 SE
Discussion
Honest John website said:
What's Bad
Apparently around 4% of new RHD A3s initially suffered wiper failures and replacement parts were in short supply.
What to Watch Out For
Radiator leaks a common problem after 18 months. Can lead to head gasket failure and failure of head itself. If buying used, check expansion tank.
Black metallic paint doesn't seem to be very robust and at 18 months can show a few scuffs and was marked very quickly by bird droppings (cleaned off almost straight away but still left ghost marks.
Fresh spate of ignition coil failures on 2005 build 2.0 FSIs.
Dual mass flywheel and clutch problems possible after around 40k miles. If still under 3 year warranty Audi will replace FOC, as is a known problem. Failure of alloy transmission casing also not unknown.
On 2.0TDCI diesels, timing belts can fail at between 60k and 70k due to tensionert failure, so wise to ignore Audi's 112k mile belt change and change belt, tensioner and all pulleys at 4 years or 60k miles whichever comes first.
Recalls
29-9-2003: On 21,694 cars shatter cracks may occur on vacuum pipe to brake servo, leading to loss of servo assistance to brakes. April 2004: "On A3 Quattro models, in rare cases there is a possibility that the left rear brake pipe may become damaged. In extreme cases this could result in failure of one brake circuit" 01/03/2005 R/2004/213: AUDI A2,A3 AND A4 (WITH 2 VALVE PUMP INJECTOR ENGINE) bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break build dates 01/03/2004 to 31/08/2004.
Apparently around 4% of new RHD A3s initially suffered wiper failures and replacement parts were in short supply.
What to Watch Out For
Radiator leaks a common problem after 18 months. Can lead to head gasket failure and failure of head itself. If buying used, check expansion tank.
Black metallic paint doesn't seem to be very robust and at 18 months can show a few scuffs and was marked very quickly by bird droppings (cleaned off almost straight away but still left ghost marks.
Fresh spate of ignition coil failures on 2005 build 2.0 FSIs.
Dual mass flywheel and clutch problems possible after around 40k miles. If still under 3 year warranty Audi will replace FOC, as is a known problem. Failure of alloy transmission casing also not unknown.
On 2.0TDCI diesels, timing belts can fail at between 60k and 70k due to tensionert failure, so wise to ignore Audi's 112k mile belt change and change belt, tensioner and all pulleys at 4 years or 60k miles whichever comes first.
Recalls
29-9-2003: On 21,694 cars shatter cracks may occur on vacuum pipe to brake servo, leading to loss of servo assistance to brakes. April 2004: "On A3 Quattro models, in rare cases there is a possibility that the left rear brake pipe may become damaged. In extreme cases this could result in failure of one brake circuit" 01/03/2005 R/2004/213: AUDI A2,A3 AND A4 (WITH 2 VALVE PUMP INJECTOR ENGINE) bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break build dates 01/03/2004 to 31/08/2004.
More or less the same as a MK5 Golf TBH.
As with any car have a good look arround and check everything, under the wheel arches etc and take it for a test drive and check it drives correctly. As you already have a Golf you will probably know what to expect.
As with any car have a good look arround and check everything, under the wheel arches etc and take it for a test drive and check it drives correctly. As you already have a Golf you will probably know what to expect.
Edited by va1o on Thursday 12th March 00:58
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