Audi A3 TDi Diesel

[m110]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the A3 Diesels?

I need to get a smallish commuter car for the girlfriend that I can tolerate. Yes, I am a German car snob although a hot Impreza crossed my mind. I wanted to go for a 1968 Mercedes 200 D Heckflosse but she vetoed that.

[platas]

dont knwo if this is the right place, but any way.
they are great cars, specially the diesels, i have one, A6 2005 all road, 220 k kilometers, and it still has an entaire life. Will not sell it for any thing.
my 2 cents

[algs911]

I just bought (2 months ago) a 2012 Jetta Sportwagon TDI. It's the same car under the skin. Pretty fun to drive, suspension is a good compromise. I like the DSG tranny, esp. for the commutes. The diesel engine is really nice. Great torque which provides a nice kick in the pants when passing on the freeway.

The A3 is smaller than the Jetta, which was an issue for me. Sure, the A3 is a little nicer, but really not that much on the inside. Plus, I simply cannot stand the new Audi "I ran in to a tree" front ends (my opinion, of course). That's why I went with the Jetta.

45 mpg is pretty darn cool!

Al

[peppy]

My wife has a 2011 Jetta TDI no issues with the engine, but she has the 6 speed. She is getting about 44mpg and has 16K on it.

[nostatic]

The A3 isn't the same as the Jetta Sportwagon. The JSW has more storage room and is closer in size to the A4. The A3 is equivalent (roughly) to the GTI wrt room.

I had an '07 GTI, an '06 A3 (both gas), and now a JSW (TDI). I liked the Audi best wrt fit and finish and interior design (wth a few niggles), but prefer the room, TDI (and lower price) of the JSW. If I had extra money to burn and didn't want to keep my amp setup in the back all the time, I'd buy the TDI A3 in a heartbeat.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Just picked up my 2010 GTI and love it so far. I drove the TDI JSW with the DSG and was very impressed. If I could only have one car, it would probably be that. The interior in the new VW's is very nice.

[Schumi]

My girlfriend has an A3 1.8 non-diesel with the sportline package. I really hate to admit this, but it makes a great commuter car. 10,000 miles and zero problems. Fuel mileage isn't bad, it's mildly quiet, nice ride, handles OK, and isn't too slow unless you have a lot of people or cargo in it. I even took it off-roading while camping in Mojave a month ago and it did surprisingly well .

I would never own one, because it's a stupid, soulless meat hauler. But it does that job very nicely.

[vash]

i love the A3 Tdi.

it looks good and gets great mileage. my contractor, his #2 is a woman that drives one. she loves it.

[rrental]

The wife is driving the Golf Wagon TDI and its an amazing little car. Over 50K km in about 18 months and no issues. Absolute great fuel millage and a comfortable ride.

And as far as I know its build on the same platform as the A3.

[t951]

2011 VW Jetta TDI
30k miles. all perfect. 40mpg with mostly fast driving...
we love it. love the torque, the dsg.

the seats suck....your butt will go numb after 4hours.....not the case in our mdx...that's our only complaint.

[Stutzdriver]

A few clarifications:

1. the A3 and the Vw start on the same platform but it ends with the platform.
2. The audi used multi-link front suspension, VW struts
3. Both have transverse engines, TDI used s-Tronic transmission in the A3
4. Full glass roof available in the A3
5. Full leather interior in the A3
6. All of the current hatchback A3s are in the US as the build out is complete and the A3 changes to a more "conventional" sedan in its next iteration.

More can be found at audiusa.com

These are Great cars, just under appreciated in the US, many people pay a little more to move into an A4.

BTW I am an Audi Brand Specialist in Ohio

[dyhunter]

Is the A3 TDi available in quattro? I thought I read it was only 2wd.

[Dottore]

I recently had one for three weeks as a rental and loved it. Beautiful fit and finish. Very gutsy engine. Lots of room inside for a compact.

Also the best and most intuitive navigation unit I've ever come across.

[Macroni]

Love my 09 TDI sportswagen.... have a deposit on a Golf R but am seriously re-thinking. Average around 33MPG in very spirited driving love the DSG. Theer is no doubt the A3 is the better looking of the two but the Jetta is easier to live with given two teens....

[Stutzdriver]

A3 TDI is only in FWD and s-tronic transmission. 2.0T Gas in Quattro, s-tronic or 6 speed

[Schumi]

is the S-tronic and DSG n the cars synonymous? Or is the S-tronic just a sporty torque-converted slushbox and the DSG a separate option?


My girlfriend's A3 is s-tronic, and while the gearbox in manual mode isn't too bad, it is far what I would consider fast shifting as far as other DSG's I have driven go (read: Porsche PDK)

[m110]

Not many negative comments.

If they made it 6 speed and quattro I'd buy it today. If there was a Baur convertible version with factory roofrack then I would trade the girlfriend.

[enzo1]

for 2013 Audi is going to bring back the Allroad...