CTC Review: 2009 Audi A3 2.0T

[Turbo Bob]

I don't know how Audi get their sports suspension so wrong, it's been ridiculously harsh for years and they can't seem to solve it, although BMW had a poor set up too with the run flats.  Maybe it's because the German roads are just too bloody smooth!

[Mitlov]

Let's just say that I would spend 44k differently.  Just about every VW / Audi owner I know - including a couple in my family - has a tale of grief to tell: poor reliability, costly and time-consuming repairs, indifferent sales and service staff, etc.  Paying good money to buy that kind of grief does not add up for me.

I remember when my Dad was shopping for a midsize sedan and asked his next door neighbour if he could take his Passat out for a spin.  The guy said "Sure, as long as you promise that when you're done, you'll drive it off a cliff!"  He then proceeded to regale my Dad with all the various and and sundry things that have gone wrong with the vehicle, and how almost nothing could be repaired same-day, but most often required several days in the shop.  Pops now drives an '08 Accord - boring as hell, but he's not living at the dealership.

VW gets way too much of a pass from the automotive press for their horrible reliability, IMHO.  Just because nothing broke for the week the writer had the car is no reason to ignore what could be a real negative issue for potential buyers.  

Jaeger

This is a test-drive review, not a reliability survey.  I'm glad that the reporters talk about what they witnessed first-hand instead of repeating second-hand horror stories from owners with sample sizes of one.  The problem with putting second-hand anecdotal evidence in a test-drive review is that it's all over the board.  For example, after having spent 15,000 miles and 14 months in an out-of-warranty MkIV Jetta, I would not hesitate to buy another VW.  My wife's uncle had a Passat for a number of years, and when he was in a wreck, he went right out and bought another.  Most reliable car he'd ever owned, he said, and yes he has owned Toyotas too. 

Once you step outside of the anecdotes and look at Consumer Reports, it's really not that bad.  I think that the modern Jetta/Rabbit/A3 is rated at average reliability overall...maybe someone with a copy could confirm?

Regardless, this is a drive report.  The reviewer didn't experience any mechanical problems, so they didn't report any.  That's the way a drive report should be IMO.

[vdk]

IIRC
The Rabbit was above average
Jetta and Passat were average
and I think the EOS was below average


@Wing: You mentioned you couldn't tell the difference between the old taillights and the new ones. It's dark now, go turn on the lights, and then take a look at the taillights. You'll notice it for sure

They've added some 'tubes' a la BMW's angel eyes, but for taillights. Look good, kinda like the bigger A6 Avant's taillamps.


Anyways, my question is, does it drive noticeably better than the FWD A3? Also, this thing's got the Bose stereo n'est-ce pas? 10 speakers and all of that..

[Jaeger]

Let's just say that I would spend 44k differently.  Just about every VW / Audi owner I know - including a couple in my family - has a tale of grief to tell: poor reliability, costly and time-consuming repairs, indifferent sales and service staff, etc.  Paying good money to buy that kind of grief does not add up for me.

I remember when my Dad was shopping for a midsize sedan and asked his next door neighbour if he could take his Passat out for a spin.  The guy said "Sure, as long as you promise that when you're done, you'll drive it off a cliff!"  He then proceeded to regale my Dad with all the various and and sundry things that have gone wrong with the vehicle, and how almost nothing could be repaired same-day, but most often required several days in the shop.  Pops now drives an '08 Accord - boring as hell, but he's not living at the dealership.

VW gets way too much of a pass from the automotive press for their horrible reliability, IMHO.  Just because nothing broke for the week the writer had the car is no reason to ignore what could be a real negative issue for potential buyers.  

Jaeger

This is a test-drive review, not a reliability survey.  I'm glad that the reporters talk about what they witnessed first-hand instead of repeating second-hand horror stories from owners with sample sizes of one.  The problem with putting second-hand anecdotal evidence in a test-drive review is that it's all over the board.  For example, after having spent 15,000 miles and 14 months in an out-of-warranty MkIV Jetta, I would not hesitate to buy another VW.  My wife's uncle had a Passat for a number of years, and when he was in a wreck, he went right out and bought another.  Most reliable car he'd ever owned, he said, and yes he has owned Toyotas too. 

Once you step outside of the anecdotes and look at Consumer Reports, it's really not that bad.  I think that the modern Jetta/Rabbit/A3 is rated at average reliability overall...maybe someone with a copy could confirm?

Regardless, this is a drive report.  The reviewer didn't experience any mechanical problems, so they didn't report any.  That's the way a drive report should be IMO.

Yes, I get that this is a test drive - my comments were directed to the automotive press in general, not this review in particular.  And I think that reliability is an important factor for comment. There is certainly no reluctance among automotive scribes to comment of the past good reliability of a particuar model  - how many Corolla reviews have you seen where this factor wasn't mentioned? Yet it seems that when reliability is a question mark, it is ignored or glossed over.

Jaeger

[carcrazed]

I knew this model had the LED DRLs the moment I saw them in the picture!
Are the taillights LED now too? Looks like it in the picture.

Oh and about the "window trim", I think wing said "black styling grille and window trim" -
it's a black window trim and front grill trim 'package' instead of the standard chrome trim.

I guess it makes them more understated and sporty, rather than flash.

[lebowski]

On the subject of Audi reliabillity: As I am starting to look at used Audi A4 wagons, I'm wondering if the reliability of Audi's current models has not improved noticeably. I am only considering the B7 A4 models (from 2006 on), which is essentially the same platform as the B6 (introduced in 2002). I'm thinking that Audi must have worked out a lot of the quality issues and kinks in the 4 years since the intro of the platform in 2002, so would it not stand to reason that the newer B7's would be significantly more reliable, and at least the equal of, say, a similarly aged BMW 3-series?

[BeacherYYZ]

The issue with recent Audis is reliability. Speaking from experience, my 30,000kms  2006 A3 while not exactly a total lemon has come pretty close with a large number of minor gremlins affecting electrics, mechanics and build quality along with two major component failures. Judging from the comments of some owners, I'm one of the lucky ones.

Given the premium aspirations of the 4 circled brand, and its pricing policy, am I the only one who thinks they should do a heck of a lot better?  It is going to take more than a neat teutonic interior with good quality materials and a tidy up on the outside to convince me.

So, as my car is now due for replacement, Audi have lost this customer for good, as he heads into the land of Bayerische Motoren Werke...

[Turbo Bob]

Thanks for the input beacher. It's good to hear from an owner's point of view.

[Mitlov]

On the subject of Audi reliabillity: As I am starting to look at used Audi A4 wagons, I'm wondering if the reliability of Audi's current models has not improved noticeably. I am only considering the B7 A4 models (from 2006 on), which is essentially the same platform as the B6 (introduced in 2002). I'm thinking that Audi must have worked out a lot of the quality issues and kinks in the 4 years since the intro of the platform in 2002, so would it not stand to reason that the newer B7's would be significantly more reliable, and at least the equal of, say, a similarly aged BMW 3-series?

I never buy the first year of a new model.  I don't like being an involuntary beta tester.  So yes, I would expect less bugs from a 2006 A4 (near the end of a model cycle) than a 2006 3-series (beginning of a new model).

You might want to start a new thread on this topic, as the A4 is unrelated to the A3 platform-wise, though they do share a turbo four.

[Giant Dwarf]

I dunno... I had a similar mentality ("well, the B6 has been out for 4 years... surely all the problems are worked out")... ha.  The BIG problems had been worked out (the 1.8T coilpack issue had at least been resolved), but there were still CEL's, bad sunroof motor, bad glovebox latch, bad driver's door handle, bad seatbelt sensor.... and all that was within the first 18 months of new-car ownership. 

The dealership experience was great (and service / maintenance didn't cost a thing at that time), but too many nit-picky problems and an uncooperative financial arm mean I won't be going back any time soon.

I like the A3's functionality, but as others have said, the so-called prestige of the 4-ringed badge don't out-weight the potential for gremlins.  At least with BMW you get the sheer joy of driving an exhilarating machine while you're battling the electrical go-wrongs.     I find Audis to be comparatively bland (and Bob, my sport-suspension-equipped car was not too firm at all -- it was quite pleasant). 

[lebowski]

Sorry for going off-topic re: the A4. I will post future comments in a new thread topic. Thanks, former and current Audi owners, for your feedback. Perhaps it is, then, wishful thinking on my part and Audi still has a ways to go in terms of reliability.

On the subject of BMW's, i can attest that my '05 330ci with 62k km's has been problem-free and a joy to drive - only looking to change because i need something a bit more practical and snow-friendly (i.e. an AWD hatch / wagon), and used 3-series wagons are rarer than a snow-less winter.

[safristi]

..hey BIGGIE.............form a coalition with 2 neighbours...................One wagon owner,one Flash-GIT car(showoff stuff   CTS-V et al) fer opening nights atc...and a LAMBO fer whateffer strikes yer fancy....

 He's back.he's smack and the 4 rings under his eyes...........don't ask!!!!!....

[Giant Dwarf]

Sorry for going off-topic re: the A4. I will post future comments in a new thread topic. Thanks, former and current Audi owners, for your feedback. Perhaps it is, then, wishful thinking on my part and Audi still has a ways to go in terms of reliability.

On the subject of BMW's, i can attest that my '05 330ci with 62k km's has been problem-free and a joy to drive - only looking to change because i need something a bit more practical and snow-friendly (i.e. an AWD hatch / wagon), and used 3-series wagons are rarer than a snow-less winter.

Be careful what you wish for.  I went from a 3-series (that was mostly problem-free until after 120,000 kms) to an Audi and regretted doing so pretty quickly.  The Audi Quattro system is fun (particularly in the snow), but in my limited experience, Audi just doesn't have the same energetic driving experience as a Bimmer.

[lebowski]

Giant Dwarf, I sent you a PM.

[ovr50]

Sorry for going off-topic re: the A4. I will post future comments in a new thread topic. Thanks, former and current Audi owners, for your feedback. Perhaps it is, then, wishful thinking on my part and Audi still has a ways to go in terms of reliability.

On the subject of BMW's, i can attest that my '05 330ci with 62k km's has been problem-free and a joy to drive - only looking to change because i need something a bit more practical and snow-friendly (i.e. an AWD hatch / wagon), and used 3-series wagons are rarer than a snow-less winter.

Be careful what you wish for.  I went from a 3-series (that was mostly problem-free until after 120,000 kms) to an Audi and regretted doing so pretty quickly.  The Audi Quattro system is fun (particularly in the snow), but in my limited experience, Audi just doesn't have the same energetic driving experience as a Bimmer.

Agreed, I have driven several Audis and actually owned one a long time ago. As much as I might want to like them, being German and all  , I find I do not like them as much as any BMW. Just feel different to me, and it is a subjective call, I know.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Save for a quick speedo, my '07 GTI was perfecto over the 30,000kms I owned it.

Like the A3's styling and substance, but find it quite confining inside. It's about time Audi added Quattro for the 2.0T FSI/TSI.

[Turbo Bob]

Weird thing is GD I found the lotus to be more forgiving.

[safristi]

..wot did ya DO ta the poor wee thing...................she's barely 96lbs.............

[onearmed]

On the subject of Audi reliabillity: As I am starting to look at used Audi A4 wagons, I'm wondering if the reliability of Audi's current models has not improved noticeably. I am only considering the B7 A4 models (from 2006 on), which is essentially the same platform as the B6 (introduced in 2002). I'm thinking that Audi must have worked out a lot of the quality issues and kinks in the 4 years since the intro of the platform in 2002, so would it not stand to reason that the newer B7's would be significantly more reliable, and at least the equal of, say, a similarly aged BMW 3-series?

View the moan and whine forum about the 2006 Audi A4 my dad owns.  I will update the thread with a comment. Cheers!

[Loudpedal]

Here's Road and Track's Long Term Test of an Audi A3
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=5529