Looking at a used Audi A3--would you own one out of motorplan?

[werewolf2]

Specifically looking a couple with the 1.8T petrol engine...early 2010s/2011s

Questions for the group
1) Would diesel be a better option? This is for city driving
2) Ideally I would like a Stronic - are these reliable transmissions?
3) If I got a manual, how much should I expect to get out of the clutch? (kms)
4) Anything important (good or bad) that I forgot to ask?

Thanks in advance

 

[Necropolis]

Be very wary of 2nd hand turbo charged cars.

Those turbos are expensive to replace if they decide to pop...

 

[Cray]

Currently own an A3 1.9TDi out of motor plan, 2009 model which I bought new at the time. Been out of motor plan for one year so far, no major complaints. I did have both the turbo and the clutch replaced under warranty, so am half expecting to replace those again over the next 3-4 years.

Very happy with the diesel (although I wish it had a 6 speed rather than a 5 speed gearbox).

 

[PostmanPot]

Specifically looking a couple with the 1.8T petrol engine...early 2010s/2011s

Questions for the group
1) Would diesel be a better option? This is for city driving
2) Ideally I would like a Stronic - are these reliable transmissions?
3) If I got a manual, how much should I expect to get out of the clutch? (kms)
4) Anything important (good or bad) that I forgot to ask?

Thanks in advance

1. That depends, diesel is more costly to maintain so the perceived fuel saving is countered by the higher cost of more regular maintenance. I would only go petrol.

2. They are reliable, you only hear of the bad cases. Hundreds of thousands of cars now use DSG/S-tronic. Can be costly to repair, usually the mechatronics unit goes.

3. 120,000 - 150,000km.

4. Doubt it, you're buying a VW with more bells and whistles, very reliable cars.

*edit*

A third party aftermarket warranty will give you a lot of peace of mind if you're worried.

Suggest reading the first few pages of this thread, you'll see that you always get the naysayers saying no - mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/550775-The-Audi-Thread.

Be very wary of 2nd hand turbo charged cars.

Those turbos are expensive to replace if they decide to pop...

Nonsense.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I drive a MK5 Golf GTI DSG.

Basically an A3 S-Tronic for all intents and purposes.

Bought at 98000km and now at 156000km it hasn't even cost me half of what the extended service (not motor plan) would have cost me.

So yes I would buy one without a motor plan. It's a marketing "fear" struck into people and short of really bad luck almost never necessary. Rather make your own motor plan by putting some money away for maintenance.

Or up your debit order and use the extra money on your finance agreement over time to pay for services that surprise you.

 

[pjjdp]

Yes

I have owned a 2004 2.0 TDi before. Bought on 190k and sold at around 240k. Excellent car. Very solid. I actually miss it.

I traded it in for a low mileage Golf 6.

 

[far2000]

its a bit risky, you would have to have a savings (kitty) if something has to break. the problem with 3rd party warraties they dont cover everything, and each part has an alocated amount, so sometimes u still have to pay in extra from your own pocket with the m.plan.
In would say it would be a good 2nd car, and not your main everyday car.

regards

farouk

 

[silent_wolf]

If you get it and you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, go look for a program called elsawin. It has all the how-to on Audi's, step by step guides on how to do everything. You'll need to download about 60gb though but its really useful if you need to more technical stuff.

 

[dlk001]

I have A3 1.4TFSI 2010 Manual with 140 000kms. I bought it second hand while it was still on motorplan.

3) If I got a manual, how much should I expect to get out of the clutch? (kms)

My clutch was replaced at 99 000kms before freeway plan expired. They also replaced rear shocks.

4) Anything important (good or bad) that I forgot to ask?

Since 100 000kms, I had to replace Waterpump, front shocks.

Audi oil service +-R1800, Major Service +- R4000.

 

[Rouxenator]

Rather yet an Auris or something else. The A3 is as boring as a big sheet of paper (hence the name).

 

[far2000]

Rather yet an Auris or something else. The A3 is as boring as a big sheet of paper (hence the name).

 

[PostmanPot]

Rather yet an Auris or something else. The A3 is as boring as a big sheet of paper (hence the name).

Ergo all Audi A*s are boring, except S and RS etc. variants. Which you say are boring and just badges.

You're a walking contradiction.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Rather yet an Auris or something else. The A3 is as boring as a big sheet of paper (hence the name).

And the A5 is just a really small sheet, huh?

And the A8 is the smallest of em all?

I agree though, I wouldn't buy an A3 for one incredibly important reason: people who buy A3s feel that they're too good for Golfs or 'regular' hatchbacks, so they drive their cars like they're entitled ponces. Every. Single. Time. I'm sorry bud that you're paying so much for your car, but it doesn't buy you a right to be a douche about it.

 

[Paul_S]

Be very wary of 2nd hand turbo charged cars.

Those turbos are expensive to replace if they decide to pop...

Only if you're dumb enough to do the repairs through a stealership.
An after market turbo charger (often the same as OEM) typically costs less than R5000 but a stealership will most likely charge at least four to six times that price.

Take a look at the prices on http://www.mrturbo.co.za (I'm not affiliated in anyway).
Most of the complete turbo chargers are in the R3000 to R4000 range or you can do core replacements too.
There is no need to make the stealerships any richer.

 

[Rouxenator]

Not all A cars are boring. The A2 is still the pinnacle of Audi A cars. As for the A3 being something you buy when you are too good for a Golf, no, they are equally good, equally common and equally bland.