Audi A3 Quattro 1.9 tdi 2003

Galvinoel

Hi guys and gals
I'm new to boards.ie but your advice would be appreciated
I'm thinking of purchasing a audi a3 quattro tdi 2003. The
Car is in england with 140k miles and is 4000 pounds.
I'm wondering as to the reliabiliy of this car and if it is
Over priced and how economical it is compared to standard
Tdi A3? Finally is there any common problems in this
Model of car I need to be aware of? The service history
Has four stamps up to 112 miles.
Thanks, Galvinoel

coolbeans

That's massive money! €5000 excluding VRT and shipping. Not worth more than €2500.

Galvinoel

Thanks for your quick reply. I thought it
Was expensive but they are like hens teeth
To source and all high mileage with
That particular model. The one I am looking at is very high spec and a five door which is even harder to source?
But I will take your opinion on board,
Noel

-Chris-

I didn't think they did 1.9tdi with a quattro

meathstevie

coolbeans wrote: »

That's massive money! €5000 excluding VRT and shipping. Not worth more than €2500.

Yeah right, saw someone looking for €4500 for a 2004 petrol Nissan Almera with 80k on the clock and you reckon an A3 TDI Quattro is only worth €2500.
You know what, let me know if you find one with similar mileage and in good order and I'll buy it of you for 2,5K without haggling.

-Chris-

meathstevie wrote: »

Yeah right, saw someone looking for €4500 for a 2004 petrol Nissan Almera with 80k on the clock and you reckon an A3 TDI Quattro is only worth €2500.
You know what, let me know if you find one with similar mileage and in good order and I'll buy it of you for 2,5K without haggling.

This is not the same as selling price, or value.

Skuxx

Galvinoel wrote: »

The service history
Has four stamps up to 112 miles.

Thats a service every 28k miles....I'd stay away from it for that reason alone!

lomb

I have an 02 tt 225bhp quattro. Reports are that quattro isnt necessary on low bhp cars, in fact the mk2 tt base line up have no quattro even at 211bhp.
Quattro is useful to apply full power half way around a bend and lashes all the power down whereas a 2 wheel drive high performance car would use traction control to pull back the power. I doubt a 1.9 tdi would need quattro. Remember there is also a reliability and weight/fuel consumption handicap with quattro. The haldex filter and oil needs changing every 40000 miles at the latest.

-Chris-

The 1.9tdi probably never needed quattro unless the driving conditions require it. It doesn't have the power.
On the other hand, I would think the Mk2 TT definitely requires quattro, it's very skitty with the 2.0TFSI engine.

taintabird

coolbeans wrote: »

That's massive money! €5000 excluding VRT and shipping. Not worth more than €2500.

What comic were you reading If you can find any 03 Audi diesel in reasonable condition for €2500 fair play to you

colm_mcm

Look at the prices people will pay for 1.6 a3s and toledo tdis.
Combine the tedium of Audi envy and a tdi engine and people will pay anything. Especially if it has such exotica as air conditioning or electric windows in the back.

coolbeans

colm_mcm wrote: »

Look at the prices people will pay for 1.6 a3s and toledo tdis.
Combine the tedium of Audi envy and a tdi engine and people will pay anything. Especially if it has such exotica as air conditioning or electric windows in the back.

Christ you're right. Even if it's knackered, and it will be at that mileage and with no servicing over the last few years. I'm actually shocked. I can't see the point in quattro in a TDi though. As previously mentioned doesn't a haldex system need a bit of power to be worthwhile?

Galvinoel

Thanks again for all the advice.... Will stay clear i think....

GTE

-Chris- wrote: »

I didn't think they did 1.9tdi with a quattro

The 130 PD TDI saw the introduction of quattro in Audi's at least.

lomb

bbk wrote: »

The 130 PD TDI saw the introduction of quattro in Audi's at least.

Yeh but today fewer and fewer audis have quattro. Even the 2.0 tfsi tt manual 211 bhp doesnt have it. This is for lower carbon output, lower manufacturing costs and the fact that modern traction control systems are very good and negate the need for it. Like i said before quattro is so you can lash down ALL 200+bhp down mid corner and the car just pulls through in the dry like its glued to the road. In a 2 wheel drive car the traction control wont allow you to do that and even if you floor it it will pull back the engine power. This is especially useful on modded cars that have say 300 bhp!
OP you dont need quattro in an A3 so forget it, its not worth the cost!

GTE

lomb wrote: »

Yeh but today fewer and fewer audis have quattro. Even the 2.0 tfsi tt manual 211 bhp doesnt have it. This is for lower carbon output, lower manufacturing costs and the fact that modern traction control systems are very good and negate the need for it. Like i said before quattro is so you can lash down ALL 200+bhp down mid corner and the car just pulls through in the dry like its glued to the road. In a 2 wheel drive car the traction control wont allow you to do that and even if you floor it it will pull back the engine power. This is especially useful on modded cars that have say 300 bhp!
OP you dont need quattro in an A3 so forget it, its not worth the cost!

Thats all fine. I was just saying when the system was introduced on the 1.9 TDI.

tossy

lomb wrote: »

The haldex filter and oil needs changing every 40000 miles at the latest.

There was a tech update on this in come countries to reduce it to an oil change every 20k and filter every 40k this is what i did on my old bora.

lomb wrote: »

ALL 200+bhp down mid corner

Yes but with haldex like on your TT or a quattro car you don't get all the horse power down you lose a lot of power via drive train loss.pedantic point but one worth making as a 130bhp 1.9 quattro A3 would have about 80bhp at the wheels that leaves it one weak car.

i think haldex and quattro are great set ups,im on my 2nd 4wd vag car and wouldn't be without it,if you want a fast 4wd car you really need an engine with high horse power to over come the drive train loss and still leave it a fast car (if that makes sense) if you want a capable daily driver you need an engine with moderate horsepower to overcome the drive train loss and not leave it an underpowered car.

lomb

tossy wrote: »

There was a tech update on this in come countries to reduce it to an oil change every 20k and filter every 40k this is what i did on my old bora.



Yes but with haldex like on your TT or a quattro car you don't get all the horse power down you lose a lot of power via drive train loss.pedantic point but one worth making as a 130bhp 1.9 quattro A3 would have about 80bhp at the wheels that leaves it one weak car.

i think haldex and quattro are great set ups,im on my 2nd 4wd vag car and wouldn't be without it,if you want a fast 4wd car you really need an engine with high horse power to over come the drive train loss and still leave it a fast car (if that makes sense) if you want a capable daily driver you need an engine with moderate horsepower to overcome the drive train loss and not leave it an underpowered car.

Which power unit have you got? Mine is possibly remapped to 260bhp from how quick it is. Shockingly good fun/ fabulous car for what it cost me. Its a roadster to boot! Had the top down today while hammering around in an industrial estate:D

tossy

lomb wrote: »

Which power unit have you got? Mine is possibly remapped to 260bhp from how quick it is. Shockingly good fun/ fabulous car for what it cost me. Its a roadster to boot! Had the top down today while hammering around in an industrial estate:D

The Haldex car i had was a supercharged V6 now have a quattro diesel

Who remapped the car? 260 is possible from the 225 but only with the latest maps from a reputable tuner.Great car just keep on top of the haldex oil change every 20k like i said.Also depending on the milegae no harm to change the rear diff oil VAG say the oil is good for life but that is nonsense i had mine changed at around 60k and it was pretty dirty.

lomb

tossy wrote: »

Who remapped the car? 260 is possible from the 225 but only with the latest maps from a reputable tuner.Great car just keep on top of the haldex oil change every 20k like i said.Also depending on the milegae no harm to change the rear diff oil VAG say the oil is good for life but that is nonsense i had mine changed at around 60k and it was pretty dirty.

No idea! I bought it second hand its heavily modded with a 3k bodykit on it. It may or may not be mapped. But it is very quick so hard to say. It doesnt have a stage 2 remap anyway as it looks original under the bonnet and stock exhaust system etc. The quattro and ESP definately work which cant be said on all audi quattros of this age.
I must have a look at the diff and manual gearbox also and change all the fluids while im at it. The power steering pump is whiney so thats probably on the way out , perhaps a fluid change would help Ill see anyway.

tossy

lomb wrote: »

The power steering pump is whiney so thats probably on the way out , perhaps a fluid change would help Ill see anyway.

What wheels? factory wheels or heavy reps?

lomb

Def not factory wheels, they are quite heavy actually, 18s rs4 reps. I took one off today as there is a wobble at speed and the tire is mounted inside out on the right rear. If they didnt get this right there is no way they are balanced properly so thats the next thing to do .

You think the heavy wheels are causing the pump to be noisy. Its only noisy when driven hard for a short time after (probably when hot?) Whine is getting more common now and worse in last week. Ive only owned it for a fortnight or so.

tossy

lomb wrote: »

Def not factory wheels, they are quite heavy actually, 18s rs4 reps. I took one off today as there is a wobble at speed and the tire is mounted inside out on the right rear. If they didnt get this right there is no way they are balanced properly so thats the next thing to do .

You think the heavy wheels are causing the pump to be noisy. Its only noisy when driven hard for a short time after (probably when hot?) Whine is getting more common now and worse in last week. Ive only owned it for a fortnight or so.

Well if you hear a whine check your PS fluid level straight away and hope its not too late. Definitely put it down to heavy reps yes.