Audi A3 diesel

ATC110

I'm looking for a 2008 Audi A3 diesel - Are car auctions still the cheapest place to buy?

A recent auction price for a 2008 Audi A3 Sportback 5 door with 51000 miles was £8500

Could anyone advise whether there's a significant difference between the Audi 1.9 and 2.0 litre diesel engines in terms of reliability, economy, refinement etc?

In terms of reliability, apparently there are significant oil pump drive problems with some of the 2.0 litre engines apart from the CR. Is there any way of ascertaining whether it's a CR apart from checking the engine number on the registration document? I'm hoping to buy from a auction through a third party

If it was a CR would you have any hesitation or is the 1.9 an all-round safer bet?

I also read that the A3 2.0 TDI PD with the BKD engine doesn't suffer from the oil pump drive problem.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Notmyrealname

ATC110 wrote: »

I'm looking for a 2008 Audi A3 diesel - Are car auctions still the cheapest place to buy?

They're becoming less and less cheap as more and more Joe Public go there and pay through the nose. Remember there is no warranty to speak of and you have no rights under sale of goods act so if it blows up 3 days later, tough.

Could anyone advise whether there's a significant difference between the Audi 1.9 and 2.0 litre diesel engines in terms of reliability, economy, refinement etc?

Not enough to make one worth buying over the other.

I'm hoping to buy from a auction through a third party

Oh. Dear. There's something doomed to failure. If you're not even prepared to go to the auction yourself to look at it or bid on it, you shouldn't be buying from an auction. You seem to want auction prices with the convenience and back up of a dealer. That doesn't happen.

mikeyg77

hi,

some 1.9 owner feedback...

i have a 2006 A3 sportback which i've owned for the past 18 months. i had the same thoughts as yourself regarding 1.9 or 2.0 tdi. The 1.9 while older in design is generally regarding being 'bullet proof' IF well serviced (I change oil every 10k). As I was looking to buy ex high mileage comany car I went with the 1.9. Now some 23k miles later (110K miles) I have had one problem... a blown headlamp bulb (touch wood!). 2.0 (PD) is imo no smoother than the 1.9, and it goes get some bad press for turbo, cylinder head and oil pump problems.

The 1.9 is slower than the 2.0 and only has a 5 speed gearbox, the 1.9 is heavy de-tuned from the factory and can be re-mapped to 2.0 performance levels. I have mine re-mapped to 140bhp (at 97K miles), better performance, still averages 51 - 54mpg (actual working out, not based on computer), re-map adds around 15% loading to my insurance premium. 2.0 tdi (140) can be re-mpped to around 175 bhp which I'm sure would make it a rapid car.

Best thing to do test drive both and see what you think, audi-sport.net and honestjohn websites are excellent sites for feedback. The only other comment I'll make is a I'm not sure if a 2008 model year A3 is fitted with a DPF, I think it was around this year that DPF's were fitted as standard and the 2.0 (CR) engine was introduced, though the 2.0 (PD) 170bhp from 2006 were fitted ith DPF's.

Good luck!

ATC110

mikeyg77 wrote: »

hi,

I have mine re-mapped to 140bhp (at 97K miles), better performance, still averages 51 - 54mpg (actual working out, not based on computer), re-map adds around 15% loading to my insurance premium.

Thanks. How much did the re-map cost and where did you get it done? Also, are there any pitfalls with it? Does the insurance premium always increase after a re-map?

The only other comment I'll make is a I'm not sure if a 2008 model year A3 is fitted with a DPF, I think it was around this year that DPF's were fitted as standard and the 2.0 (CR) engine was introduced, though the 2.0 (PD) 170bhp from 2006 were fitted ith DPF's.

Do you mean it's an advantage not to have a DPF fitted?

mikeyg77

ATC110 wrote: »

Thanks. How much did the re-map cost and where did you get it done? Also, are there any pitfalls with it? Does the insurance premium always increase after a re-map?

Do you mean it's an advantage not to have a DPF fitted?

£200, loads of places around do re-maps, I'm North East based so use 'PD Tuning' in Bolton. Alot of people pay extra for a 'custom' remap (+£100), I opted for a tried and tested generic remap, after all, new cars out of the Audi factory do not come with individual remaps, they all have the same engine map applied!

The only real pit fall is clutch wear, no problems on mine yet, just treat the car with respect and it's be fine. Yes insurance does increase, though some people decide not to inform their insurance, but legally you need to inform them.

DPF's need 'recharging', which if you do alot of long drives is fine, but alot of short trips can cause them to fail ('clog up') - £'s to fix. Also, DPF's as they recharge can lower the MPG. I think anything pre 2008 (or CR engine) does not have a DPF fitted.

Ranger8

mikeyg77 wrote: »

DPF's need 'recharging', which if you do alot of long drives is fine, but alot of short trips can cause them to fail ('clog up') - £'s to fix. Also, DPF's as they recharge can lower the MPG. I think anything pre 2008 (or CR engine) does not have a DPF fitted.

DPFs `Regenerate` and many pre 2008 VAG do have them fitted.;)

mikeyg77

Ranger8 wrote: »

DPFs `Regenerate` and many pre 2008 VAG do have them fitted.;)

Thanks for confirming

gord115

Whichever you buy,check the timing belt has been changed,every 4 years or 60,000 whichever comes first. Budget £400 to have it done if need be.
I wouldn't risk not doing it,they do fail.