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I'm new. About to buy mt first A3 and wanted some advice form the experts
I'm starting off easy and fairly cheap, as I'll be a student for a year, but want a reliable car for commuting (working too!). Will part ex for newer model next year...
I'm thinking a 99 - 2001. Have found several on the net between £1500 and £3000 with various mileages. Its this that's bugging me... Obviously most this old are over 100K, but what are the pitfalls of one this old and mileage? Is the high mileage a problem??
Have seen a couple with low mileage (58K and 74K), but these get snapped up quick!
Sorry for stupid questions! Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
if you're buying high mileage (although if your buying a 10 year old car, anything up to about 120k is "average"), I would definitely recommend diesel, they're much more robust... it's not the only factor to consider though, away from some of the stuff under bonnet petrols and diesels are essentially the same car... you need to consider wear and tear on the rest of the car, brakes, shockers, even electrics... look for a decent service history and evidence of new parts and maintanence and to buy off someone a little older, 100k by a 70 year old who never takes it over 70mph and 100k by a boy racer are not compariable milages....
lot of factors to consider, just take your time looking round the car, turn it over, kick the tyres, take it for spin, make sure it picks up properly and all the gears are in the right place and stuff... Audi's are pretty robust cars so you should be able to get yourself a little gem that will see you a good few years if you look after her
Ok, try and grt a 1.8 turbo if you can, the 1.6 is underpowered, the 1.8 is ok but the 1.8 T is 150 BHP and gives the same MPG as the other two. Cambelt change is a must, look for evidence, should have been done no later than 80K.
The waterpumps have a habit of letting go, but this should have been changed by now as the steel impellered pumps have been around for a while should be fitted to most if not all A3's by now. The breather pipes get weak at around 100k, the MAF (mass air flow meter) can give up and ensure the oil and filter has been changed regularly and also the correct grade of oil has been used, the wrong grade/lack of changes will result in oil pump failure.
Front suspension can get tired but is easily and cheaply replaced, the front wishbones are around £75 a side for genuine Audi ones, look and listen for knocks and creaks, don't dismiss this as I have said, its simple to replace.
Rear trailing arm bushes can wear, but not obvious.
Front wheel bearings can grumble after 80k. Rust isn't a major issue except for the bottom of the doors, it gets hidden by the plastic mouldings so look hard around there.
Rear washer jet hardly ever works, so if you find one that does, bonus, however a little digging will have it solved.
They are a good car though, mine has done 165K and (touch wood) is fine still.
Good luck
Si.
_________________ 2002 TT Coupe 225
2001 A3 TDi
1998 A8 2.8 Sport
haggis Newbie
Joined: Oct 07, 2010
Posts: 2
Posted:
Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:16 pm
just stuck my 150hp a3 in the for sale section
just had the rear bushes done, 4 new tyres and serviced.
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