Audi A3 2.0 TDi SE 5dr 2007 plate

[Mid Wales welder]

Hello all, bit of a random question but here we go.
What are peoples opinions of this car? As in, is it reliable & are there any common faults?
I'm about to become a dad & my wife & I only have small cars for work, so looking to get a decent one lol. I live in quite a rural village in mid wales so so though the 4 wheel drive would be better.....or maybe something else to go wrong lol!
Any help would be great cheers!

 

[AndyStobbs]

Is it actually a Quattro?
Are you looking at a model with a PD engine of had they been phased out completely by 07, in favour of common rail?
Does it have a diesel particulate filter?

 

[Mid Wales welder]

Thanks for your reply!
I don't think it's a Quattro, it says electric diff lock so am I right in thinking it's 4wheel drive? Not sure what a PD engine or rail is lol?! I no pretty much nothing about mechanics. It's 1968cc 16v diesel, not sure if it's got a particulate filter as I havnt been to see it yet.

 

[matt1978]

I had a A4 5dr Avant of simerla age and was very nice to drive but definitely not that big and that was a model up size wise to the one your talking about.

I don't know what you class as small regarding your work cars but an A3 isn't going to give you loads of extra room.

I have 2 small kids (3-4) and my mrs looked at an A3 when the kids were 1 and newborn and we found we couldn't get the double pushchair thing in the boot of the A3.

 

[zx9]

........I don't think it's a Quattro, it says electric diff lock so am I right in thinking it's 4wheel drive?
.......

Electic diff lock or EDL is Audi's traction control, they pulse the ABS to control or limit wheel spin (on the front wheels), works well but only up to 30kph.

 

[AndyStobbs]

PD engines are VAGs (not their idea but they developed it quite nicely) alternative to common rail which is the new standard in diesel technology. However the PD has been phased out. They suffer slightly more issues than CR, but not completely useles. When you go to see it, try and get the engine code - always stamped or printed somewhere really obvious on VAG engines.

If it has DPF you might be better to look at something older, as they can get expensive. Quattro is desirable and you'll pay more - pretty reliable though.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Bits I have heard about the engine: The injectors need to be looked at before 200K miles, as they do not mist so well and wash the oil off the cylinder walls, leading to premature wear. The loads on the cam from running the injectors lead to increased wear. The water pumps have a rep for failing at around 200k too(personal experience here). I doubt it is 4x4. (QUATTRO = 4x4 and is written on the grill, small badge)
KF

 

[Mid Wales welder]

I had a A4 5dr Avant of simerla age and was very nice to drive but definitely not that big and that was a model up size wise to the one your talking about.

I don't know what you class as small regarding your work cars but an A3 isn't going to give you loads of extra room.

I have 2 small kids (3-4) and my mrs looked at an A3 when the kids were 1 and newborn and we found we couldn't get the double pushchair thing in the boot of the A3.

Useful info thanks! I was thinking it might be a bit small too. Our work cars are a Clio & corsa so it would have a bigger boot than those & it seems quite safe. I only looked at it as it's got low miles for a good price, but I think you might be right & go for next size up!

 

[normspanners]

The loads on the cam

lobes and they dont if it is CR which it probably will be being 2.0 not the 1.9

 

[Mid Wales welder]

Electic diff lock or EDL is Audi's traction control, they pulse the ABS to control or limit wheel spin (on the front wheels), works well but only up to 30kph.

Doh !! I see, I'm guessing this will still be better than standard front wheel drive? It also says traction control, anti skid & ESP, so is this all achieved through the brakes?

 

[Mid Wales welder]

Bits I have heard about the engine: The injectors need to be looked at before 200K miles, as they do not mist so well and wash the oil off the cylinder walls, leading to premature wear. The loads on the cam from running the injectors lead to increased wear. The water pumps have a rep for failing at around 200k too(personal experience here). I doubt it is 4x4. (QUATTRO = 4x4 and is written on the grill, small badge)
KF

This model only has 48K on the clock & I would only keep it for 3years anyway.

 

[zx9]

Doh !! I see, I'm guessing this will still be better than standard front wheel drive? It also says traction control, anti skid & ESP, so is this all achieved through the brakes?

I have EDL on the A4 (B5 1.8T), we have some quite steep side roads which are never gritted, when its cold the spring water freezes into a sheet of ice the car can cope with the ice but the rattling from the front discs as the brakes pulse is quite alarming, I can hear the money for a new set of pads draining from my wallet.

 

[Paul99]

The parents have had this very car for the last 3 years, I'm not sure on year but would be around that. My brother also had a newer S-line Black edition (same engine) at the same time and only replaced it last week.

Both have been reliable though a sensor failure on the parents 18 months ago I'm told was expensive to sort. I can't tell you what it was - by the time I got around to asking them they'd forgotten and had three different suggestions each time the topic came up in conversation I gave up asking. Repair bills are it seems one of the few downsides to Audis.

Their not huge cars and can be a bit tight in the back seats with three adults on long journeys but it definitely wouldn't be a problem for children. Interestingly the parents and my brother both test drove VW Golfs independently of one another before considering the Audi A3 and all three came home saying the same thing the Golf was very poor (not the words any of them actually used ) compared to the Mk3 we had some years back.

If you can afford the Audi over cheaper French or worse options then go for it - like anything you get what you pay for.

 

[Mid Wales welder]

I have EDL on the A4 (B5 1.8T), we have some quite steep side roads which are never gritted, when its cold the spring water freezes into a sheet of ice the car can cope with the ice but the rattling from the front discs as the brakes pulse is quite alarming, I can hear the money for a new set of pads draining from my wallet.[/

That's exactly what I needed to know thanks!!

 

[Mid Wales welder]

Their not huge cars and can be a bit tight in the back seats with three adults on long journeys but it definitely wouldn't be a problem for children. Interestingly the parents and my brother both test drove VW Golfs independently of one another before considering the Audi A3 and all three came home saying the same thing the Golf was very poor (not the words any of them actually used ) compared to the Mk3 we had some years back.

If you can afford the Audi over cheaper French or worse options then go for it - like anything you get what you pay for.

Very useful info thanks! That's what my step dad says lol 'always buy German' & yes I agree u get what u pay for. As the one I am looking at only has 48K miles on it I will just say touch wood it will be fine, had lots of good reviews but the bad ones always make me uneasy. I will wait & see about the size when I see it, as long as we can get a baby pram in the boot then that will be fine & if we have another one then I'll have to get a bigger car lol! Thanks again

 

[Paul99]

Very useful info thanks! That's what my step dad says lol 'always buy German' & yes I agree u get what u pay for. As the one I am looking at only has 48K miles on it I will just say touch wood it will be fine, had lots of good reviews but the bad ones always make me uneasy. I will wait & see about the size when I see it, as long as we can get a baby pram in the boot then that will be fine & if we have another one then I'll have to get a bigger car lol! Thanks again

I wouldn't have thought a pram in the boot would be any problem at all - it's a decent size - bigger than you would expect looking from the outside. 48k miles sounds good so long as it all adds up. The parents one had 90k I think it was when they got it and it was hardly run in even now everything's still tight. The mondeo they had before that was falling to bits by this point.

 

[Mid Wales welder]

Yeh I thought it looked pretty big in the pictures. I'm sure it all add up, had one lady owner from new & full service history! Yeh even 90k isn't a lot on a diesel, just gota look after it. lol I've never rated ford much.
Where in mid wales u from? I'm near Newtown.
Thanks again for your input!!

 

[Paul99]

Yeh I thought it looked pretty big in the pictures. I'm sure it all add up, had one lady owner from new & full service history! Yeh even 90k isn't a lot on a diesel, just gota look after it. lol I've never rated ford much.
Where in mid wales u from? I'm near Newtown.
Thanks again for your input!!

Sounds like you're onto a winner. I'm a bit further south nr Brecon - still most definitely in mid Wales though