Audi A3 road tests and consumer car reviews

Audi A3 2.0 TDI DSG S-line 2005

I bought an A3 3dr after owning a 2005 1.9 tdi Golf (which had loads of engine gearbox and clutch problems). I must say that the car is comfortable, the acceleration and torque are very satisfying. The two tone leather and cloth interior is of quality. The plastics and cockpit have a nice feel to them and the Bose sound system is excellent. I’ve put just over 50k miles on the car in 18 months and now has 95k on the clock. Drove it from London to Italy and back without a problem and use the car every day. Just had a timing belt change which was fairly expensive. I love the looks and with 18 inch wheels and S-line suspension, the ride is sporty/tight but smooth at the same time. I have to be careful of those horrid pot holes and high curbs. If you are buying an A3, I highly recommend one with the armrest option! Recently have started to have some engine shake between 1,500-2,000RPM in 4th/5th/6th gear which seems to be quite common on the pre-facelift DSG (according to Audi). Quote to repair transmission problem is £500?!

Audi A3 2011

It’s really good.

Audi A3 1.6 TDI sportsback 2011

I bought A3 2011 1.6 TDI sportsback. I have the same problem. The average after 2 months of driving I have 5.9 l/100km which is the same figures of my old car VW Touran with 2.0 engine and 140 HP. Very disappointed so far.

Responses to this review

Have a look on eBay for a tuning chip for your diesel. There are lots available for VW/Audi are quite cheap, easy to fit and make a vast difference. My 1.9 Passat returned 65.5 mpg on trips to Durham over 345 miles, and gets 57 mpg on local hilly trips to Eastbourne. It has more power too! Go on, what you waiting for? - Phil Pickering from Sussex

Audi A3 2009

I rated this car low because of excessive tyre road noise. Although a comfortable, well made and efficient car, the noise from the tyres and alloys make any long journey unpleasent. It is difficult to have a conversation with any one in the car, especially a back seat passenger. I will not but another Audi unless I am given assurances about the noise and ways to reduce it.

Responses to this review

Maybe test drive your next car first eh? - Ned from Warwickshire

Audi A3 1-6tdi s-line 2010

Purchased this car because of the excellent mpg figures and green measures, however after driving for a month noticed the average mpg at 42. Went back to the dealer who said this should improve. Have just left the car back after 1 year to have checked again, average mpg of 44 compared with the official 68mpg. very disappointed, never expected it to be close to 68mpg however being 24mpg below is terrible. Garage said it was down to my driving, although they loaned me a A4 2l tdi, official 48mpg, which I happened to reach on driving for 2 days - their excuse for this was that this car is better suited to my driving. Audi are using these figures to sell this car as a top fuel efficient car, which just doesn’t do close to what it claims. Other than that a fantastic car to drive, looks excellent and handles really well.

Responses to this review

Thanks for posting this report... I have exactly the same problem! I took delivery (26th July 2010) of a brand new Audi A3, 1.6 TDI, S-Line (7-speed S tronic). The advertised MPG for the car are supposed to be: Fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) Urban: 62.8 (4.5) Extra Urban: 72.4 (3.9) Combined: 67.3 (4.2) I was told by the sales and service team at the dealership that I would get mid 50’s to early 60’s MPG doing real world driving... This information was the prime reason for me buying this car. However I am only getting a range between 35-41 mpg on average, (mostly it’s about 38.5 mpg) which is approximately only 58% of advertised combined fuel consumption. Can you recommend anyone who can produce an official "real world driving" MPG test report for normal driving of my car? (so I can back up my position with some independant verrification). I’ve been back to the dealer and they are just fobbing me off, they have done a couple of in-house tests and say their is nothing wrong with the car. They said their experts drove the car and got 55-61MPG and when their expert sat in the car with me to drive it... I only got 41mpg even though the expert said I drove it the same way he did. I need an impartial real world report. Any help will be appreciated, Regards Scotty :) Scott Clacher from England

Hi there, I have good news for you both, you obviously purchased the wrong cars. I purchased an A3 TDIe 2009 model in January 2011 having driven a Mercedes E320 CDI Estate for 10 years with an MPG in the range of 35/37. My Audi is doing a regular 68/72 MPG, we have covered 1,800 miles since purchase at an average of 64.5 MPG. I am over the moon with only £30 road tax also. I am laughing all the way to the garage, problem is I have forgotten where the garage is - Derek Carroll from Warwickshire

Audi A3 A3 S line 170ps 2008

I’ve owned the A3 S line 170ps for 18months now. The car returns 44mpg on average. I bought the car from brand new and had it built to my spec, choosing: hands free blue tooth, bose sound system, 18" alloys etc. The car eventually arrived after I did the chasingas the Audi dealer was rubbish. The PDI must have been carried out in the dark as the S line badges and wheel centres had to be replaced due to tarnishing. 1 day later the side mirror glass broke. A new oil pump had to be fitted after about 9 months, the centre console catch smashed after about a year and the rear view mirror still rattles. All in all it has poor build quality, and how the hell do you check the oil on a black dip stick? What were Audi thinking about? But the good points are the car is fast, the DSG gearbox is classy, the handling is not fidgety at all, the ride quality is up there with Mercedes, the paint quality is Brill, (got mine in solid Red) and it is definitely a car you want to drive. It is a bit on the pricey side, but running costs are very good with 18000 miles between services. I’m still not sure if i should have gone for the BMW123d though. Would i recommend the A3? Yes, if you can find a good dealership.

Audi A3 A3 1.8T SPORT 2003

The most unreliable car I have ever had. Here are the list of faults most of which I’ve had to pay for after the warranty expired: 1. Boot lid pistons fractured x2 2. Heater and ventilation system fan broke and blew fuses leaving me stranded on the motorway - &pouund;800 3. Windscreen fluid pipework leak £200 4. Halogen lamp ballast failure £400 5. Water pump failure (new timing belt at same time changed) £700 5. Dials on fascia - paintwork rubbing off 6. Water leak into cabin from door seal x2 - warranty 7. Anti-roll bar creaking/cracked - £300 8. New batteries x2 - £200 9. Lambda probe x4 - approx £400 total over 7 years 10. Plastic seat lever broken twice when letting friends out of the back of the hatchback x2. 11. Cruise control stalk temperamental and often doesn’t work but too expensive to repair/replace... 12. The ride is harsh and uncomfortable; looks flash and trendy but as expensive as a Mercedes to fix but without the reliability... very disappointing.

Audi A3 2.0 TDI Automatic 2008

Bought an A3 2.0 TDI Automatic 9 months ago and think it is a great car to drive - no teething problems at all. Only issue is that it is a bit firm over the road humps but on normal roads it is great to drive - highly recommended.

Audi A3 A3 SPORTBACK 5D 1.9tdi 2007

Arrived Oct only 6weeks late due to all add ons asked for leather dis fogs cruise control extra safety system. Delighted with car. Car broker (car club) abandoned contact after fee paid to them: poor customer service. Evolution finance delighted with their deal. Average mileage 44.4mpg.Have had 69.9mpg from Penrith to East Kilbride. Has some good oomph when you need it.

Audi A3 1.9 TDI Sport Sportback 2007

I used to run a VW Golf, decided on the 3 door Sport when I saw it in the window of an Audi garage. To be honest the A3 is not that different to the Golf and I believe there are quite a few mechanical similarities between the two. The usual Audi quality is here and the performance is very fluid and strong. A joy to drive, corners well and suspension makes the ride very comfortable. One of the main selling points the salesman at the garage used was the 62mpg fuel economy that the 1.9 could achieve. This was the clincher and I have to say that the A3 has lived up to my expectations and given me stress-free- enjoyable motoring for the past 7 months and 14,000 miles.

Audi A3 2.0 TDI S Line Automatic

The car is a really smooth and relaxing drive, mainly because it is an Automatic. The car has power, speed and looks. Although the 18" Alloys look great, I have had to replace the tyres numerous times! and watch the high curbs. The sport gear setting is an eye opener when you want to accelerate quickly, although it drinks more fuel so use it sparingly. (Comes in handy at round-abouts and entering Motorways). All you need if you want a business executive look or whether you want a sporty weekend car to attract the Ladies. Great Car, but I wouldn’t recommend it if your a family man. In this case I would recommend the A4.

Audi A3 1.9

The A3 is OK but I wished I’d gone for a BMW 1 series or a Volkswagen Golf instead. It has been pretty cheap to run though but manybe a bit boring. 4 stars in total though due mainly to economy and reliability.

Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 Sport 3 dr

I love driving this car! Audi have got it so right; style, comfort and just first class to drive. Exceptional!

Audi A3 A3 1.6 FSI

I chose this car as I wanted something good looking and nippy enough to get me around town during the week for work but also a comfortable family car at the weekends. We regularly make long journeys to the in-laws in Cumbria so fuel consumption had to also be a factor. The wife also stipulated ISOFIX for our 10 month old’s car seat, which comes as standard on this model. So far this car has delivered all our requirements, I’d definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone needing a good all-rounder.

Audi A3

I bought the 5 door Sportback version in 2005 and have been very happy with my choice. The choice I had was between the Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Golf. Although pricier than the Golf, the better engine dynamic shift gearbox clinched the deal for me! A good, reliable car.