Whenever a car manufacturer launches a new car its worth taking a look at the outgoing model.  Because more often that not cars at the end of their production life are about as well built as any car you can buy.  Just such a car is the Audi A3.

 

Launched in September 1996 the Audi A3 was positioned as an up market alternative to the VW Golf.  Sharing many of the same components as the VW Golf the car nonetheless managed to justify its higher price through a combination of superb build quality and careful marketing.  Even today these early cars fetch close to £5,000 and still look good thanks to Audi’s understated styling.

 

Initially available with three doors and petrol engines only, Audi soon added diesel models to the range and in August 1999, Audi responded to customer demand adding the five door A3 to the range.

 

Choosing which engine to power your used Audi A3 is perhaps the first choice.  All the petrol engines are characteristically reliable and capable of high mileage, cheapest are the normally aspirated 1.6litre (101bhp) and 1.8litre (125bhp).   The 1.6 does have to work hard if the car is loaded up, so the bigger engine is a better buy.

 

The addition of a turbo charger to the 1.8litre in the T Sport model boosts power to 150bhp.  The extra power and torque makes this the most sought after petrol engine car, but beware of used examples that have been modified with revised engine management systems to eek out extra power.  They may give good performance but usually at the expense of the life expectancy of both the engine and turbo charger.

 

More powerful is the A3 T Sport with quattro four wheel drive, with 180bhp as standard.  The extra power is partly to compensate for the added weight of the quattro system, so acceleration is only marginally quicker and you pay a heavy penalty at the petrol pumps, where economy falls by 5 mpg.

 

For ultimate performance Audi also offer the S3. Again with quattro four wheel drive, but this time with 210bhp from the 1.8 litre engine.  It reaches 151mph and hits 62mph in 6.6seconds.  A tribute to the cars desirability is that early 1999 examples still fetch around half what they cost new, so expect to pay £12,500 for a decent example.

 

If fuel economy is important the diesel models are impressive.  Despite being available in only one engine size, but four power outputs, the 1.9 litre unit is both frugal and refined.  Audi use VTG (Variable Turbine Geometry) and different ECU’s to achieve 90bhp, 100bhp, 110bhp and 130bhp from the same basic engine.  All will return over 40mpg and many will nudge the magic 50mpg.

 

Prior to July 2001 you will find either 90bhp or 110bhp units.  The more powerful engine will cost you about £500 extra on a used car but its money well spent for the better performance.  In July 2001 Audi increased the power of both these units to 100bhp and 130bhp respectively.  Again buyers will find a £500 differential exists on used examples, and again it’s worth paying the extra.

 

The A3 comes in three trim levels, an unbadged base model, an SE and a Sport.   All come with alloy wheels, alarm, ABS and front airbags.  The more luxurious SE gains climate control, front armrest and a useful split folding rear seat.  Sport models are distinguished by larger alloys, lowered suspension and sports front seats, the climate control being replaced with a factory sunroof.

 

With the new Audi A3 now in the showrooms, the dealers are bound to be handling more of the old model A3’s in part exchange.  It’s worth visiting your local Audi dealer as now could be just the time to pick up a bargain on a used A3.

     

 

Check the following

 

• Climate Control – A desirable option, standard on SE models

• Alloys – standard on all models, Sport derivatives get larger rims and lowered suspension

• Rear seat – folding seat standard but split fold seat not fitted on base models

• Turbo’s – Check for smoke from exhaust under hard acceleration, s sign of wear

• Quattro – Audi four wheel drive system increase tyre wear and hurts fuel consumption. Expect to pay £1,200 extra for quattro models

• Bodywork – Galvanised body must be repaired using genuine Audi approved panels, un-galvanised panels will corrode

• 1.8 – water pump prone to failure on early cars

• Facelift - Post September 2000 cars have revised bumpers and headlights

• ESP – Electronic Stability Program standard on facelift cars (post Sept 2000)

• Door lock – cars built after July 1998 can be distinguished easily after the deletion of the passenger side door lock barrel

• Security – Central locking, engine immobiliser and alarm system standard but check the deadlocks work properly

• Safety – 4 star Euro NCAP rating on post August 1997 cars when side airbags became standard

 

The one to buy 

 

• Audi A3 1.8T Sport  3-door

• Manual gearbox

• 2000 ‘X’ with 40,000 miles

• Pay £10,395 at a dealer with a 12 month warranty - £9,500 privately