A3 1.6sport. Is this a joke on us? (Audi A3 in general)

Name: JMD

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Product:	Audi A3 in general
Date:	19.04.08 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well assembled, image. Drives well

Disadvantages: Lacking in life, unreliable

My car ownership has been largely split between Rover and Audi.
I love the history of Audi and the cars they have created from the great Auto unions upto to the R8.
But the quality of the cars I have used have been dire. Infact i struggle to find a good thing to say about there normal models.

So the A3? Mine has a head gasket failure at 50k. All the trim is falling off. Oh, a wheel bearing is on its way out to.
And dont try to work on one. I can see why it cost so much to take one to a garrage. I have done some work on them myself and they are awful.
And not only is the engine apparently unreliable its a bit flat in 1600 form.

There are good bits, The way its put together is impressive. Its all very sturdy and cost no object.
The chassis feels rigid to. But that said for a car of these dimensions i found the handling a bit unpredicatable. It feels responsive but start to lean on it and it gives you little idea of when the understeer is to be swapped with oversteer. If you lean on it i recomend avoiding using the ESP. This not only useless but dangerous in the dry. In ice or the wet it swings the other way and can keep the car pointing where you want it to!


AND WHY do they have to make the doors weigh 3 tons and swing shut on you? Both me and my partner have many bruises from where the stupid doors have attacked us.

Bad:
Slow
Firm ride considering inconsitent handling
Unreliable
Poor economy considering lack of performance
plastic bits prone to dropping off
Dont use the jack, its dangerous.
Very difficult to work on.

Good:
Rigid shell, midly uprated dampers give acceptable handling
I like the steering wheel, good hadling position.
Materials, fastners, general assembly is superb
Wont rust like my Rover is!

Summary: Overengineered peice of tin. Over rated.

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