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Overall reader verdict 4 out of 5 stars

  • What's it like to drive
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Running costs
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Quality, practicality and equipment
    4 out of 5 stars

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84 reader reviews for Audi A3 Hatchback.

  • 1.6 S line 3dr

    Mark Caldwell , Lanarkshire . Date: 18/11/2008
    • Overall verdict
      4 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      35

    My car

    This was bought as a second smaller car for the household the other car being a 5 year old A4. Went for the A3 as we were so please with the A4 which has been faultless for its 5 years. Generally a good competent all round car with reasonable specification. With the 1.6 engine its certainly no race car and push it past 75mph on the motorway and things get noisy so it could really do with a 6th gear. Its not been as reliable as the A4 as it has required a new clutch with less than 10,000 miles but was covered by warranty, also the finish on parts of the centre console began to flake but again this was replaced under warranty. Fuel economy is diappointing with our 2.0 fsi A4 easily managing more MPG but this might be due to the 1.6 having to be worked harder to get it moving. Would probably recommend going for at least the 1.6fsi instead. Overall though a good alternative to the astra, golf and focus.

  • 1.9 TDI 3dr

    Ryan Mutch , Aberdeenshire . Date: 10/11/2008
    • Overall verdict
      1 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      1 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      1 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      3 out of 5 stars

    My car

    Having changed my job I needed to get a small practical diesel as I would be travelling over 500 miles every week. I traded my 328 BMW Coupe in for a 1.9TDI A3 which was a huge mistake. The car has never been right since I bought it with more rattles and squeaks appearing every week. The ESP light has stuck on and the steering has got gradually more unresponsive with every drive, the suspension bobs round corners in a terrible way and the wheels shudder. Audi dealers are idiots as far as I’ve dealt with, even being unable to give me a courtesy car. I really wish I had never bought the car and should have just kept my fuel guzzling BMW, I would never advise anyone to buy an Audi as by far this is the worst car I have ever owned. Audi owner ship has made me angry, and my drive to work every day makes me think ever more "WHY DIDN'T I JUST KEEP MY BMW"

  • 1.9 TDI 3dr

    susan mgovern Date: 03/11/2008
    • Overall verdict
      1 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      2 out of 5 stars

    My car

    Re: Matt Barratt's comment on the diesel particulate filter system. I have had my A3 TDI 1.9 for two months now. I use the car for my job which has me covering a large area and average 4 - 6 motorway journeys per day. Regardless of this the warning light for the particulate filter comes on every 200 miles(every few days). It is not easily unblocked, taking third gear at high speeds on the motorway for upwards of twenty minutes, sometimes even that does not cause the light to go out. I have driven two other A3 models and two A4's which I have had as courtesy cars in the few unpleasent weeks since gtting my new A3. Despite the fact that they also had diesel particulate filter systems, none of them caused the same problem so I wouldn't suggest that the problems are due to diesel pariculate system's as a whole, but specifically to the 1.9 TDI. Additionally there was no mention to methat thecar was not suitable for many short journeys when I visited the showroom earlier in the year, this has only come to light since the purchase of the car. As I do not fal int this catagory and instead do daily high speed high rev motorway driving which it seems the car is also not coping with I am left wondering what exactly the car is suitable for.

  • 2.0 TDI 140 Sport 3dr

    jason young Date: 22/10/2008
    • Overall verdict
      2 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      38

    My car

    i have a Audi a3 reg feb 04 tdi 2.0 dsg since aug 2006. I have had nothing but problems with this car. during my first year it has been back to audi 6-7 times for one thing or another. going in to limp mode being the most common problem, having to pull over and turn off vehicle so the computer can reset. Its broke down twice this year, same kind of problems, complained to audi. they wasnt intersted. My climate control now doesnt work, electrical apparently. some £500 to fix, last straw yesterday broke down again and was towed to audi in brighton, was told my gear box eletric control unit is now faulty and it will cost £1700 to replace plus labour which is approx £300. All of these problems since i had it and its only 4 years old at 380000 miles. i would never recommend audi to anyone and please if you are thinking about getting one, i would seriouly consider getting something else.

Audi A3 Hatchback

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