Audi A3 (Second hand), Yay or Nay?

chris_ie

Hi,
So I'm another user looking for a new (second hand) car. We currently have a Qashqai, which the wife drives most of the time. We're replacing an 07 Swift, which I end up driving most of the time. Yearly mileage wouldnt be too high, mainly due to using the Qashqai for longer journeys, that would change if I got a decent car.

I've been looking at the Audi A3, hatch or saloon. I've seen a load of different opinions on them, some places praising them while others saying to avoid.

Really like the S-Line styling but not too keen on the lower suspension as many have said it makes an uncomfortable drive. I'm a sucker for tech, but mainly would like auto lights/wipers and front/back parking sensors with camera if possible.

Would be looking at 151 onwards. Originally had planned going petrol as yearly distance may still be under 20k km. However, heard the petrol engines aren't that great and diesels were better?

So whats the opinion on here on 151 - * A3s?

Is it much hassle fitting reverse camera/senors to those which dont have them?

colm_mcm

Have you tried the hatchback for size? I found it quite small, even compared to a Golf which is already relatively small.
Saloon feels a lot bigger.

Most of the hatchbacks I saw for sale were very basic spec wise.

chris_ie

colm_mcm wrote: »

Have you tried the hatchback for size? I found it quite small, even compared to a Golf which is already relatively small.
Saloon feels a lot bigger.

Most of the hatchbacks I saw for sale were very basic spec wise.

Yeah test drove one. I found it alright, but that was going from Swift! Saloon would be preferable though.

colm_mcm

I personally don’t think that the A3, which was once THE premium hatchback to have (for at least 10, more like 15 years) has the margin on more humble cars anymore, and with the popularity of crossovers just doesn’t have the audience it once had. (Outside of the S3 or RS3)
The saloon makes a lot more sense. Sadly they’re mostly 1.6 diesels.
Don’t pay over the odds though as an A4 is probably similar money to a decently specced A3

bazz26

You will be doing well to find most of that tech on an A3. Many of those things would have been optional extras on an A3. Also best stick to petrol with you mileage.

Dardania

Have you considered an EV? If your mileage isn't high (and you have the Qashqai to fall back on for longer journeys), and you like tech, a 2015 onwards Nissan Leaf has a good amount of tech in it.

chris_ie

Had looked at a few A4's too. Would take a bit getting used to a longer/wider car at the start Although they seem to have more tech as standard.

To be honest the mileage would be more balanced between the two cars if we got a decent car. At the minute we use the Qashqai the majority of the time as its bigger / more comfortable.

Had a look at a few EV's, personally I don't like the look of the Leaf's unfortunately! Also looked at Hybrids.

Would be looking to spend max around 17k maybe.

almostover

chris_ie wrote: »

Had looked at a few A4's too. Would take a bit getting used to a longer/wider car at the start Although they seem to have more tech as standard.

To be honest the mileage would be more balanced between the two cars if we got a decent car. At the minute we use the Qashqai the majority of the time as its bigger / more comfortable.

Had a look at a few EV's, personally I don't like the look of the Leaf's unfortunately! Also looked at Hybrids.

Would be looking to spend max around 17k maybe.

You'll get a 14 plate Lexus IS300h or CT200h for that money. With the way the environmental regulations are shaping up buying a diesel to do 20k km a year won't make sense. I have a 300h and it is a tidy saloon car, not too big or small. Faultlessly reliable so far and the spec is very good. One word of warning though, the Lexus sat nav system is a bit naff.

Example below on this island but better value for money to be had importing from the UK as VRT on hybrids is very low.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-is300h-finance-29e-week-300h-executive-ed/22967640

Wildly Boaring

If you're looking at a3 I'd seriously consider a nicely speced golf.

V little between them and golf is better value.

As for petrol v diesel

You've been told typical barstool generics.

I'd prefer the 1.4 or 1.5 petrols to any VW diesel.
We have the 1.0, it's a little lacking TBH but does my wife fine.
No insight on the 1.2.

You are not doing the mileage for diesel

Look at EV too.

tabby aspreme

What mpg are you getting from the 300h

almostover

tabby aspreme wrote: »

What mpg are you getting from the 300h

45mpg ish on average, I drive it in normal mode. I've managed to get 51 or 52 in the summer using eco mode but life is too short for that!

honeybear

Had an A3 for 10 years and loved it!

chris_ie

Cheers for the replies folks. Will check out the Lexus too. I’ve seen and been in plenty Golfs. I prefer the look of the Audi. It’s a personal thing, I know plenty will say it’s ridiculous, they’re the same, you’re paying for the badge etc. but it is what it is!

Found very few EVs I liked the look of, the new ones are nice but of course cost quite a bit.

Difficult getting the balance between nice on the outside, nice on the inside and decently specced, along with being a petrol/hybrid/ev!

DaveyDave

If you're happy enough with the A3 size then stick with it. No point looking at an IS300h if you don't want a bigger, heavier car. At that rate throw the Passat and A4 into the mix.

The issue with the A3 is that you don't get a lot of luxury or spec at that price point and a lot of the stuff that's standard on a Golf are convenience features that people aren't necessarily going to spend extra on. The Golf is also fairly well specced for the small car segment, you don't have to add a whole lot to them.

I can't comment on 151 spec but I imagine it will be the same story. The new A3 as an example doesn't have ambient lighting, an auto dimming rear view mirror, folding mirrors, auto climate, adaptive cruise control or the digital dash as standard. Is someone going to pay €900 for auto climate or €1,000 for a reversing camera? Probably not.

If you really don't want a Golf then maybe have a look at a Civic, they seem to be in a similar boat as the Golf with offering decent spec. Although if you're willing to get sensors and camera fit then maybe just up the budget to find an A3 that has them already?

In terms of comfort, the sport suspension and 17/18" wheels offer a firm but comfortable ride. VW/Audi suspension soaks up the bumps pretty well, it won't rattle your fillings out. It's actually less harsh than cheaper cars I've driven in that segment.

almostover

DaveyDave wrote: »

If you're happy enough with the A3 size then stick with it. No point looking at an IS300h if you don't want a bigger, heavier car. At that rate throw the Passat and A4 into the mix.

The issue with the A3 is that you don't get a lot of luxury or spec at that price point and a lot of the stuff that's standard on a Golf are convenience features that people aren't necessarily going to spend extra on. The Golf is also fairly well specced for the small car segment, you don't have to add a whole lot to them.

I can't comment on 151 spec but I imagine it will be the same story. The new A3 as an example doesn't have ambient lighting, an auto dimming rear view mirror, folding mirrors, auto climate, adaptive cruise control or the digital dash as standard. Is someone going to pay €900 for auto climate or €1,000 for a reversing camera? Probably not.

If you really don't want a Golf then maybe have a look at a Civic, they seem to be in a similar boat as the Golf with offering decent spec. Although if you're willing to get sensors and camera fit then maybe just up the budget to find an A3 that has them already?

In terms of comfort, the sport suspension and 17/18" wheels offer a firm but comfortable ride. VW/Audi suspension soaks up the bumps pretty well, it won't rattle your fillings out. It's actually less harsh than cheaper cars I've driven in that segment.

I know I'm plugging the hybrids hard here but buying a diesel for 20k kms a year is asking for trouble. The 1m6d VW engine is notorious for EGR issues. A CT200h can be got well in your price range with a high spec if something more compact is required.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-ct200h-mc-200h-executive-2-years-warranty-h/23626889

It's likely that in the near future that the only drivers for which diesel will make sense will be people doing big mileage, 50k kms plus per year. With NOx VRT rules after taking effect and the governments plan for emissions reductions between here and 2030 and hybrid is the best bet if you envisage holding onto a car for a decent time period.

DaveyDave

almostover wrote: »

I know I'm plugging the hybrids hard here but buying a diesel for 20k kms a year is asking for trouble. The 1m6d VW engine is notorious for EGR issues. A CT200h can be got well in your price range with a high spec if something more compact is required.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-ct200h-mc-200h-executive-2-years-warranty-h/23626889

It's likely that in the near future that the only drivers for which diesel will make sense will be people doing big mileage, 50k kms plus per year. With NOx VRT rules after taking effect and the governments plan for emissions reductions between here and 2030 and hybrid is the best bet if you envisage holding onto a car for a decent time period.

I didn't mention diesel, petrol all the way. I actually forgot to mention the CT200h, although I don't know much about them they're a lovely looking car inside and out. F Sport is nicer looking but don't know what sort of spec they have.

anewme

Drove a beautiful 1.5 petrol dsg A3. With a pack on it, comfort and sound, Inc. Bose stereo. Was a beautiful luxury little car and very nippy.

I too prefer the Audi over the Golf and I prefer hatch back over saloon.

Agree not very big car if you've kids etc.

chris_ie

Spotted this one :
http://www.cammiamotors.ie/car-details/2461505/

Mileage bit high though. More I think about the auto lights and wipers, I’d manage without them. Just realized I end up manually switching them on quite a few occasions anyways. Sensors would be good though. Pretty set on petrol, won’t be going diesel.

bazz26

That's not a S Line, its a Sport with silly oversized aftermarket alloy wheels put on it.

DaveyDave

Is it really worth getting an Audi if it's missing the spec you wanted? You'll be kicking yourself if you don't get it.

chris_ie

I know that one isn't an S-Line. I'm still hoping for one to come up for sale close by, will be keeping an eye out for another while. I mentioned the auto lights/wipers and sensors as things I'd want. I would be ok without the auto lights/wipers for reasons I've mentioned, but are they in the same pack as the sensors? There was another for sale down the country but it was the sport back and 4k more, it was an S-Line though with all the bells and whistles, lower mileage too.

anewme

What is the history of that car and that Garage? Don't like the alloys either. Very cheap looking.

Heres Johnny

anewme wrote: »

What is the history of that car and that Garage? Don't like the alloys either. Very cheap looking.

The alloys actually look like the ones on the A6 C7 Black edition which suit that car perfectly and I do like them, but they just dont work on that A3 anyway.

chris_ie

anewme wrote: »

What is the history of that car and that Garage? Don't like the alloys either. Very cheap looking.

Not sure, I just saw the car last night I'm holding out for one closer to home, I'm not in a mad rush but would like to buy in next 3 months. Alot fewer petrols available than diesel at the minute, hopefully a few more come in shortly.

colm_mcm

Would you not have a look in the UK?

You might as well get a Jetta if you want an underpowered saloon with no spec. That particular A3 is mutton dressed as lamb.

(to be fair it’s probably 150PS so scratch the underpowered bit!)

chris_ie

The only concern I have with the S-Line is the comfort of the drive (the suspension) but thats only based on opinions I've seen on forums. Obviously I'd be taking whichever for a test drive but have only haven't had the chance to do that so far. Based on spec I'd have thought the 150PS A3 Saloon would have been alright (in general, not the one I linked to)? Would prefer higher spec and still keeping an eye out for it. I'm not a car expert like many of you on here

anewme

chris_ie wrote: »

The only concern I have with the S-Line is the comfort of the drive (the suspension) but thats only based on opinions I've seen on forums. Obviously I'd be taking whichever for a test drive but have only haven't had the chance to do that so far. Based on spec I'd have thought the 150PS A3 Saloon would have been alright (in general, not the one I linked to)? Would prefer higher spec and still keeping an eye out for it. I'm not a car expert like many of you on here

I had the S Line A3 with the S Line suspension in the 1.5dsg petrol model. It was beautiful to drive when you selected the sport option. 1.5 petrol 150 ps was responsive enough. It was heavy enough on fuel though, especially with Sport selected.

A lot of people buying the S Line from new deselect the sport line suspension, so check that as you are buying.

Comhrá

anewme wrote: »

I had the S Line A3 with the S Line suspension in the 1.5dsg petrol model. It was beautiful to drive when you selected the sport option. 1.5 petrol 150 ps was responsive enough. It was heavy enough on fuel though, especially with Sport selected.

A lot of people buying the S Line from new deselect the sport line suspension, so check that as you are buying.

Deselecting the sports suspension leaves the A3 sitting very high with big gaps between wheels and arches. Really spoils the S Line appearance imho.

I had a loan of an S Line A3 Saloon recently and was happy enough with the sports suspension. Granted it was pretty firm but I wouldn't say it was harsh or uncomfortable. I'm used to the SE set-up in my A4 and expected the A3 to be harder than it actually was.

anewme

Comhra wrote: »

Deselecting the sports suspension leaves the A3 sitting very high with big gaps between wheels and arches. Really spoils the S Line appearance imho.

I had a loan of an S Line A3 Saloon recently and was happy enough with the sports suspension. Granted it was pretty firm but I wouldn't say it was harsh or uncomfortable. I'm used to the SE set-up in my A4 and expected the A3 to be harder than it actually was.

I didn't bother de selecting so don't know about out the big gaps, makes sense. I actually liked the firm suspension too.