Hey all,

 

Whilst still looking for an Octavia L&K in the local area, I was offered a 2004 A3 from a friend. It's done 122k miles though, and while it has full Audi service history - I'm nervous of the 2.0 PD engine! Can anyone offer any advice with regards to this car in particular, and also whether £2800 is a reasonable price for it?

 

Thanks

£2800 sounds a reasonable price if the cars in average or above condition.

Check rear wiper function, boot release button a few times, numberplate lights etc.

A common problem with the early a3's is the rear washer hose to the back window splitting inside the boot. Itll fill the boot up with water and corrode everything insight, including playing hell with your immobiliser.

So thats worth asking about.

Some a3's dont have working rear wipers because of this, as a motor isnt cheap

£2800 sounds a reasonable price if the cars in average or above condition.

Check rear wiper function, boot release button a few times, numberplate lights etc.

A common problem with the early a3's is the rear washer hose to the back window splitting inside the boot. Itll fill the boot up with water and corrode everything insight, including playing hell with your immobiliser.

So thats worth asking about.

Some a3's dont have working rear wipers because of this, as a motor isnt cheap

Agree with the rear wash feed !

The 2.0 pd140 is dpf free and a solid engine.

The pd170 has a few more issues around the fact they have piezo electric injectors and a dpf which are not fitted to the pd140.

Just thought, remember to check it's not losing coolant. Very early engines (audi got them first) had some issues with pours heads. Solved by a replacement under warranty.

What do you mean 'pours heads' mate?

Is this just on the 2.0 pd?

My brothers got a 2005 1.6 petrol n that keeps losing coolant!

Cost him plenty the last few months. Its had a new radiator, sorted the boot problem n just had a new cat and O2 sensor. Not cheap.

I think he means 'porous head' whereby the cylinder head cracks. It happened to my mates Audi A3 2.0 diesel (140bhp) and is quite a well known fault.

However, it only happened to certain engines built within a certain time frame. Have a look at this link, it should make things a bit clearer.

Also, visit the VW / Audi forum. They're quite a good bunch on there and should be able to assist you.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/248038-porous-cylinder-heads-how-common/?hl=porous+head#entry2917984

I think he means 'porous head' whereby the cylinder head cracks. It happened to my mates Audi A3 2.0 diesel (140bhp) and is quite a well known fault.

However, it only happened to certain engines built within a certain time frame. Have a look at this link, it should make things a bit clearer.

Also, visit the VW / Audi forum. They're quite a good bunch on there and should be able to assist you.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/248038-porous-cylinder-heads-how-common/?hl=porous+head#entry2917984

Top man

Its always interesting to know these things.

Brother is thinking of trading his 1.6 petrol for a 2.0 pd140 a3. So ill bare this in mind .

I did mean porous, but autocorrect got me.