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Audi A3 1.6TDi - 2010 onwards

  • 31-03-2014 1:51pm
    #1
    shamwari
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭


    Anyone any first hand opinions based on actual ownership or regular driving of these things? Am asking for someone who is keen on buying one in the UK and bringing it here.

    In particular, learned comments on performance, economy, reliability would be appreciated! :)


Comments

  • #2
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,480 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    It's pretty much a facelifted version of the model that was launched back in 2003. Platform and running gear are from the MkV Golf. 1.6 TDi engine is the familiar VAG unit that replaced the old 1.9 TDi. Has roughly the same bhp, has a wider power band but less torque. Dodgy EGR valve is the most common issue on that engine. Not sure if the 1.6 TDi in the A3 was 5 or 6 speed.


  • #3
    shamwari
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭shamwari


    bazz26 wrote: »
    It's pretty much a facelifted version of the model that was launched back in 2003. Platform and running gear are from the MkV Golf. 1.6 TDi engine is the familiar VAG unit that replaced the old 1.9 TDi. Has roughly the same bhp, has a wider power band but less torque. Dodgy EGR valve is the most common issue on that engine. Not sure if the 1.6 TDi in the A3 was 5 or 6 speed.

    Thanks for that Bazz.

    Again, anything you can offer based on ownership or regukar usage?

    The prospective purchaser has used the 2.0TDi before but wants to downsize to the smaller engine for use here.


  • #4
    Sobanek
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭Sobanek


    2.0 TDI is miles better.

    Words of an owner of a 2011 A3 1.6 TDI who recently switched to a Golf 2.0 TDI.

    Not me though.


  • #5
    shamwari
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭shamwari


    Sobanek wrote: »
    2.0 TDI is miles better.

    Words of an owner of a 2011 A3 1.6 TDI who recently switched to a Golf 2.0 TDI.

    Not me though.

    Again, what was the opinion of performance / economy / reliability of the 1.6? I know the 2.0 is a more desireable beast - and for obvious reasons, but the prospective buyer has their reasons for not going the 2ltr route here.


  • #6
    Sobanek
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭Sobanek


    Sent the owner a PM and will get back to you.


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  • #7
    Sobanek
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭Sobanek


    Okay, performance wise - this engine may produce the same amount of power as the 1.9 TDI, but the lower torque makes it a bit less frugal. It's not too bad, but the 2.0 TDI is light years ahead, while the economy isn't much worse.
    Nothing broke on the A3 while he had it, so from reliability perspective it's good.
    If you're buying a 1.6 TDI, do it only if doing colossal mileage since the fuel consumption difference with the more powerful and "elastic" 2.0 TDI is so low, it's not worth it to buy it.

    Overall, it's not a bad car.


  • #8
    shamwari
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭shamwari


    Many thanks for the feedback - much appreciated! :)


  • #9
    Sobanek
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭Sobanek


    If I may suggest one thing - try both, and see which one fits your needs more :)


  • #10
    shamwari
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭shamwari


    Sobanek wrote: »
    If I may suggest one thing - try both, and see which one fits your needs more :)

    The 2.0 140BHP is already a know quantity to the prospective purchaser (she previously had one as a company car in the UK but has since moved home here) but the preference was for the smaller engined car. Future road tax, insurance costs, day to day running costs, adding a learner to the policy, desirability when selling on later are all considerations in the mix. Incidentally the company car wasn't without its reliability gremlins either. It died twice on separate occasions due to a defective injector, and an immobilser problem. The injector and instrument cluster were replaced under warranty. IIRC the car was a 2009 model. The 1.6 model seems not to have big reliability issues reported, which has been noted.....

    Anyway, I'm gratefully just passing on the advice of your friend who is someone who's thankfully owned the 1.6, and not regurgitating an opinion piece from a car mag... ;):)


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