Buying advice for 2003 AUDI A2 1.6 FSI please

[aw911]

Hi

I'm looking to get a little run around for my mum and currently tempted by the A2 as it looks to be the ideal size of car for her.

I am currently looking at 2003 A2 1.6 FSI (apparently it is a Storm edition or suchlike)and have made arrangements to go and view/test drive one this week.

Does anyone have any experience of these or general advice about common problem areas, etc...? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have access to VAG-COM so will probably take my laptop with me to check for any underlying issues with the car - but obviously any guidance from current owners/enthusiasts would be really handy.

Many thanks in advance.

[spartacus 68]

You're probably better off posting the same thing on A2OC. It's a dedicated forum just for the A2 and has a lot of experienced members with the same vehicles.

The Storm A2s were available in a range of bright colours including blue, red and yellow, etc. The A2 was in production from 2001-2005 so these are quite old cars now. No issues with bodywork (as aluminium), but high cost of repairs put a few of these of the road on what could have been repairable. If it has open-sky roof then beware. The running guides need lubricated and the mechanism can break. There's one or two places that can perform repair, but it's a £1,500 job as labour intensive.

Suspension wise the original shocks if on 100k will be tired, so a refresh with new springs and shocks is a must. Front has issue with front suspension bearings drying out which stresses the spring resulting in a sheared coil spring. Bit of a hassle to repair. Also needs drop links renewed and front ARB bushes.

Engine wise, the 1.4TDI (75PS) the better engine. The 1.6 FSI needed to be revved to get the best out of it. Also issues with misfire, which could be coil packs, etc.

[aw911]

Hi - thanks for the advise; I found the A2OC website around the same time as I put the post up and it is a wealth of information indeed.

Went with the 1.6FSI in the end - 68k on the clock; ideal around town runabout.

Just done a full service on it - oil change, oil, air, pollen + fuel filters and plugs; the car runs lovely - but I know what you mean about needing to rev the 1.6fsi. Think I will change the exhaust manifold for a stainless cat free one which would probably help.

Thanks for the advice