Audi A3 - A3 1.9 tdi pd

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Fri 14 Apr 2017 12:21
Audi A3 - A3 1.9 tdi pd - Joseph Holt

Hello Everyone, I am very tempted with a locally advertised A3, it has the well respected 1.9 tdi/pd lump in it, 56reg, lowish 58kmiles.

Research has told me that it is non DPF...138 k/gm,... approx late 07 Audi offered the same

engine with a DPF...119 k/gm...I obviously prefer the earlier one (non/dpf), but would just like to ask are there any differences in performance etc between the two?

Also, generally what do people think of a 56 reg era A3 sportback?

Cheers.

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Fri 14 Apr 2017 13:14
Audi A3 - A3 1.9 tdi pd - SLO76
Generally good news as long as it's pre-DPF. Both have an identical 104bhp which isn't huge but they've loads of torque, in excess of 180lb/ft which means there's plenty of mid-range pull for overtaking. You can chip them up to 180bhp but for longevity and resale I wouldn't.

Buy only with a full service history with proof of fresh oil EVERY year and bear in mind they're due a timing belt every 4yrs or 75k which is unlikely to have been done so you'll need to factor this in when offering. It'll cost £300-£400 to do the belt, tensioner and water pump. I'd price up the job then see if your local Audi dealer will price match. My VW dealer did on my wee Polo recently.

They do also suffer from the same ABS control module failure the Mk V Golf does so watch out for the ABS light coming on and make sure someone hasn't been tinkering behind the display to stop the light displaying. Check it comes on with the ignition then goes out when the car is started. There are firms who offer a realitively cheap fix for this if it happens so don't let your dealer freak you out with a £1,200 plus quote if the worst happens.

Look also for crash damage. These resist rust well but any poor quality repairs will rot through in no time. It's common on these as sadly Audi's do attract all too many hard driving individuals. No insinuation about yourself of course...

Edited by SLO76 on 14/04/2017 at 13:14

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Fri 14 Apr 2017 13:53
Audi A3 - A3 1.9 tdi pd - Joseph Holt

Thanks SLO76, I asked on the phone about service history, and was told...4main dealer, but i will find out about the T/belt, maybe it has been done on a service?,

That is really valuable advice regarding the ABS problem, I will check this out next week.

Cheers.

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Fri 14 Apr 2017 14:11
Audi A3 - A3 1.9 tdi pd - SLO76
Possibly has, if it has a full main dealer history but I'd want a receipt to prove it. It's likely to have been dodged with such a low mileage. Plus be wary of faked histories, it's easy to make up a stamp and fill the book. Any doubts then call the servicing garage to see if they exist or have seen the car. You'll be amazed how many backstreet cowboys do this.

Also check how many owners it's had. With this low mileage I'd expect one maybe two. How long has the last owner had it? Less than two years and you can almost guarantee something's up.
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Fri 14 Apr 2017 18:40
Audi A3 - A3 1.9 tdi pd - FoxyJukebox

If you have the registration number ( yes --of course you have !) -You can also check lots more on this actual vehicles MOT history, mileage, condition and advisables by visiting the official MOT History site-GOV.UK.

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