AUDI A3 TFSI E

geek84

Hi Folks

I am thinking of buying a used model - my budget doesn't stretch far enough to buy a nearly new or a brand new one !

However, I keep on hearing that a lot of owners of this model experience a lot of issues.  

What are your thoughts?

Is it worth buying?

 

Thank You

Stubod

From what I understand you should not get any VAG car (eg Audi,Skoda Seat), which has the 1800cc petrol engine as they are prone to early cam chain tensioner failures.....(shame as it really is a cracking engine otherwise.......)

https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=118

MattMattMattUK

geek84 said:

Hi Folks

I am thinking of buying a used model - my budget doesn't stretch far enough to buy a nearly new or a brand new one !

However, I keep on hearing that a lot of owners of this model experience a lot of issues.  

What are your thoughts?

Is it worth buying?

 

Thank You

What year, how much mileage and does it have a full service history? 

Personally I would stay away from hybrids, my first choice would be a proper purpose built electric, my second choice would be petrol, diesel third and hybrid only as a last resort.

MattMattMattUK

Stubod said:

From what I understand you should not get any VAG car (eg Audi,Skoda Seat), which has the 1800cc petrol engine as they are prone to early cam chain tensioner failures.....(shame as it really is a cracking engine otherwise.......)

https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=118

The car the OP mentioned appears to have the 1.5L engine. If one was concerned the easiest thing would be to factor in getting the chain and tensioners replaced. 

born_again

Far better to find a Audi forum & ask owners for opinions. 👍

sheslookinhot

geek84 said:

Hi Folks

I am thinking of buying a used model - my budget doesn't stretch far enough to buy a nearly new or a brand new one !

However, I keep on hearing that a lot of owners of this model experience a lot of issues.  

What are your thoughts?

Is it worth buying?

 

Thank You

Have you looked at reviews on Parker’s, What Car and Honest John ?

You will get a far broader insight into this car, or any car than on this forum, which may just provide some prejudice from owners of this car or others.

ididgetwhereiamtoday

If its an Audi, check the front bumper is ok with all the tailgating it will have done.

SaverRate

I have an Audi A3 TSFI E 2021 plate. 

From buying it with under 10,000 miles and now having just over 60,000 miles I have had the following issues:

- Rear passenger window faulty requiring replacements of guides (under warranty)
- Leather seats wearing with only around 10,000 miles
- Gearbox Selector Faults (Repair cost £1000+)
- Has to be serviced every 8000 miles rather than the former model (and other Audi models) being 18,000 miles 
- Faulty Child Lock requiring replacement (under warranty)
- AC Control panel buttons faulty requiring replacement (under warranty)
- Hybrid charging fault meaning battery drained and car unable to start - Software issue fixed this £160.00 

This is by far the worst car I have had use of and wouldn't buy another VAG car. 

flashg67

SaverRate said:

I have an Audi A3 TSFI E 2021 plate. 

From buying it with under 10,000 miles and now having just over 60,000 miles I have had the following issues:

- Rear passenger window faulty requiring replacements of guides (under warranty)
- Leather seats wearing with only around 10,000 miles
- Gearbox Selector Faults (Repair cost £1000+)
- Has to be serviced every 8000 miles rather than the former model (and other Audi models) being 18,000 miles 
- Faulty Child Lock requiring replacement (under warranty)
- AC Control panel buttons faulty requiring replacement (under warranty)
- Hybrid charging fault meaning battery drained and car unable to start - Software issue fixed this £160.00 

This is by far the worst car I have had use of and wouldn't buy another VAG car. 

You should still be able to have this set to long life (think it's called 'flexible') servicing by the dealer on request.

jimjames

Also on the early TFSI engines watch out for oil consumption. Very hard to tell from a test drive as it happens over hundreds of miles but it can be excessive even within the Audi tolerances.

oldagetraveller1

ididgetwhereiamtoday said:

If its an Audi, check the front bumper is ok with all the tailgating it will have done.

And the direction indicators function as they should. Could be wrong, but I suspect the stalk is somewhere under the rear seating?