Audi A3 - 4 door hatchback - Diesel

[red-beard]

Anyone have one? Thoughts?

[Don Plumley]

I'm pretty sure Nostatic had one (maybe not the TDI). I love they way they look, but am concerned about rear seat space.

[craigster59]

I didn't have the diesel, had the 2.0 turbo. Great car, fast, lots of room in back. Drove for 175k and traded it. Had no problems. Friend had one and CV joints needed replacing at 60k, otherwise no other problems.

[70SATMan]

Just started looking at those for my new DD. Haven't driven one yet though.

[matthew-s]

Sort of a highjack, but I wish BMW would bring the 5 door 1-series here.

The relevance to this thread is that if you are looking for an upscale smallish yet versatile car, it seems like you have few-to-no choices outside Audi.

I like the diesel option on the A3, but I just wish it could be had in RWD.

[scottbombedout]

I've got one James, but it might be a version you don't get over there. Small diesel, manual with stop/start and battery regen.

I love it. Fuel economy is incredible, bags of torque, servicing cost works out at £100/year compared to our Merc at £400/year, just perfect for us.

I know there is a bit of anti Audi feeling on PP, but its never let us down, nothing has ever fallen off or broken and it is beautifully made.

Only downside is the particulate filter can be a pain if you are only doing town driving.

[RedBaron]

I'd seriously consider buying one in the future if they had a manual transmission option.

[aigel]

I have a Golf TDI with 6 speed manual. It has been a great car (1 year 25k miles so far). Fuel economy is great - over 40 mpg in mixed driving with mid 30s in town and 40-50 mpg on highway trips, depending on speed. I realize this is not the A3 but closely related. Definitely take a look as the fit / finish and interior are very nice on the Golf - some people think they need to buy the Audi to get that - definitely not necessary.

Nostatic has the TDI Jetta wagon with the DSG trans and may comment. I am not sure if he had a TDI A3 - I doubt it.

G

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by matthew-s

Sort of a highjack, but I wish BMW would bring the 5 door 1-series here.

The relevance to this thread is that if you are looking for an upscale smallish yet versatile car, it seems like you have few-to-no choices outside Audi.

I like the diesel option on the A3, but I just wish it could be had in RWD.

Not a hi-jack, this is actually what I want, but cannot get here. The A3 is pretty much the same vehicle.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by scottbombedout

I know there is a bit of anti Audi feeling on PP, but its never let us down, nothing has ever fallen off or broken and it is beautifully made.

Laugh. I think it was mostly from a bunch of crusty old people who were so irritated over a picture...

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by aigel

TDI Jetta wagon with the DSG trans and may comment. G

Got 1.... fantastic car...... the A3 is a bit more $...

Drove my son to camp this weekend; 900 highway miles 13 hrs / 27 gallons of fuel...

I do not drive for mileage.

[crb07]

I drove an A4 diesel for about a year, great car.
A3 is a bit small for me, when the A4 diesel is imported to US I will consider one.

[Paco Anton]

I used to have a VW Passat with a diesel engine (basically the same engine as the A3) and it was great in terms of power and fuel economy. The A3 hatchback diesel is pretty common sights here in Europe and most soccer moms drive one.

FWIW you are getting the new A3 sedan later this year. Not bad looking, in my opinion.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Laugh. I think it was mostly from a bunch of crusty old people who were so irritated over a picture...

It was people like Tim Hancock who had tons of issues with cars they owned

My personal Audi had $13,000 in warranty work before 100K miles

A decade ago, they had real issues. Whether they still do is for you to risk and find out

Buy what you want. You'd really buy a A3 ONLY because available as a diesel??

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by kaisen

It was people like Tim Hancock who had tons of issues with cars they owned

My personal Audi had $13,000 in warranty work before 100K miles

A decade ago, they had real issues. Whether they still do is for you to risk and find out

Buy what you want. You'd really buy a A3 ONLY because available as a diesel??

And Tims A6 was mine before that so you can lump our experiences together. I was not impressed with ours but that car is 13 years old now, who knows.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by kaisen

It was people like Tim Hancock who had tons of issues with cars they owned

My personal Audi had $13,000 in warranty work before 100K miles

A decade ago, they had real issues. Whether they still do is for you to risk and find out

Buy what you want. You'd really buy a A3 ONLY because available as a diesel??

I really want the BMW 1 series 4 door in a Diesel, but they don't sell those in the USA. Maybe the Golf TDI is the way to go. I'm just looking for a fun/small 4 door hatchback for running around Houston.

OTOH, I just had the door pillars replaced on my wife's X5 at 6 months old! The seat belt likes to chip/scratch them.

[zotman72]

I have a 08 A3 2.0 Sline gas 6 speed manual that was bought new. APR Stage 1 flash. The car is an amazing competent DD with a consistent 25 mpg in town. TDI manual is not an option for US A3s. Love mine.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I really want the BMW 1 series 4 door in a Diesel, but they don't sell those in the USA. Maybe the Golf TDI is the way to go. I'm just looking for a fun/small 4 door hatchback for running around Houston.

There are lots of fun/small 4 door hatchbacks

You want a diesel hatchback? Or just a good hatchback?

[red-beard]

Yes, I want a diesel. But I can be talked out of it.

I may be selling my F250 and buying a 6 cyl. 150! (Hint, who gave me that idea!) With the "savings" I may get cheap to run hatchback.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Laugh. I think it was mostly from a bunch of crusty old people who were so irritated over a picture...

No, it is mostly from those who have suffered thru years of Audi unreliability. LS-100 anyone?

No specific info, but some general thoughts:
What is really different in this A3 that you cannot get in a VW? VW will have cheaper repairs, I'd bet.

And... what is on the Euro versions that you could import and then swap in if you got a US version?