New and Looking For An A3

[Sarah79]

Hello All,

First post, Audi virgin, please be kind :Blush:

I've been spoilt by driving Pumas for the past few years but am now looking for something a little more economical and the Audi A3 has been mentioned a few times, the 1.9 TDI version. Now, I have, at a push, about 4k to play with so we're looking at the lower end, but whilst I could walk a Puma newbie through what to look out for when buying second hand, I've got absolutely no idea what I should be looking for/asking about as I embark on this l'il journey. I've seen that quite a few ads state that they've had cambelt changes circa 70-80k. How often do they need that changing? I've also heard that the steering rack can be vulnerable. How economical do you find them? I've got a 70 mile round commute, 5 days a week, so am looking for more than the 35mpg that the Puma gave.

So many questions, really, but if anyone could give me some advice about what to look for when kicking the tyres of various A3s this weekend, that'd be much appreciated

Cheers

Sarah

[Crasher]

Be kind, humm. In that case I won’t tell you that an Audi is a VAG product.

Whatever you find, unless it is from an Audi dealer (not at the price), please please get it HPI checked and establish that the mileage is correct, they are so easy to clock it is daft. Try and get any prospective purchase checked over by a VAG specialist, if the seller refuses that is the easiest and cheapest check you can have.

[MalcQV]

Sarah,
Are you on Pumapeople? I did join a little while ago as I was considering a Puma (though I have gone off the idea now).

I think the information Crasher gave you is a sound one in general. He will probably mind me saying he is an expert. He does it for a living and what he does not know is not worth bothering with when it comes to VAG and aeroplanes too :p.

Try asking the question in the A3 section if you have not already. I myself know nowt about A3's but can talk all day long about bailing out Passats :D

Your MPG on a 1.9TDi will be far in excess of the Puma 1.7 or 1.4. T'is why I decided to forget a Puma too.

[Crasher]

Expert, an ex is a has-been and a spurt is a drip under pressure, describes me perfectly.

[Sarah79]

Hi MalcQV,

I was on Pumapeople and also Project Puma. I'm still tempted by the Puma, to be honest!

Okay, I'll go onto the A3 site - ta for that! :Blush2:

Sarah

[MalcQV]

Kept seeing a reference to project puma was that part of the aforementioned site or one of it's own?
I was PastyQV over there and not many posts at all.

Good luck with the search.

[Lis]

I've no idea how you work out MPG but out of the 50litre tank i get roughly 500miles before the light comes on if that helps? :D

Mine is the 1.9TDI

[MalcQV]

I've no idea how you work out MPG but out of the 50litre tank i get roughly 500miles before the light comes on if that helps? :D

Mine is the 1.9TDI
500/50= 10miles/litre, 4.54 litres in a gallon = 45.4mpg ;)

To do it properly Lis, fill up until the pump stops then reset your trip. When you next fill wait for it to stop (you assume it stops at about the same point). Note how much in litres you put in and how many miles you have done on the trip.
Divide litres by 4.54 = gallons then divide miles travelled by the gallons you added.