2019 Audi A3: 35 TDI Sport 5dr S Tronic | Peter Vardy (2023)

FAQs

Is Audi A3 TDI a good car? ›

Impeccable build quality inside and out puts the A3's rivals to shame. Standard specification levels more generous than some of the competition. Rewarding to drive - for an Audi - and blessed with an impressive engine line-up, especially the diesels.

Best Audi A3 Sportback engine

Despite the availability of fuel-sipping diesels and high-tech plug-in hybrids, the best engine in the Audi A3 range is the straightforward 1.5-litre petrol one found in the 35 TFSI models, as even this is pretty good at the fuel pumps, offering claimed fuel consumption of nearly 50mpg.

The proven 2.0-litre diesel engine is the best in this test. Its 320Nm of torque peaks at only 1,750rpm, and that means the Audi is ideal for overtaking. The six-speed transmission is excellent and maximises the TDI's power, so it's punchy and urgent low down in the range.

And assuming mostly motorway driving car should be good for 250,000 plus miles with any reasonable servicing and care. "Unless you are buying a brand new diesel you don't know how it's been driven previously."

Engines. The Golf and A3 have the same engines available, including a turbocharged 1.0 litre petrol engine that will even give Ford's Ecoboost engine a run for its money! For the faster models, the Golf R has 300bhp, while the S3 has 310bhp, though the Golf is actually quicker off the mark.

Cost. The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Audi A3 is $741, compared to an average of $801 for luxury compact cars and $652 for all vehicle models.

Audi A3 Maintenance Costs

An Audi A3 will cost about $9,035 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury sedan models by $2,926. There is also a 26.81% chance that an A3 will require a major repair during that time.

Similar to other Audi models, the A3 may last up to over 250,000 miles if you take care of it well by following its maintenance and service schedule. The Audi A3 is a reliable luxury sedan popular for its high-tech features and impressive engine power.

Dollar for dollar the 2017 A3 is the best deal of the bunch. You get to enjoy substantial dollar savings while also enjoying the advanced technology and safety features that were offered in 2017 models. There is no major difference in fuel economy nor the powertrain, unless you consider the lack of the RS 3 models.

Which car is better Audi A3 or BMW 3 Series? ›

The best Audi A3 Sportback for performance

Audi A3 40 TFSI e hybrid Sportback – the hybrid model of the A3 offers a whole lot of power, with a 1.4-litre engine paired with the electric motor. Expect 210hp for a nippy drive.

In the simplest terms, the smaller the number, the less powerful the engine. So while a 35 TFSI is a 1.5-litre petrol engine and the 35 TDI is a 2.0-litre diesel engine, they both produce a similar amount of power... still with us?

TDI stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection. Direct injection is when fuel is sprayed directly into a car's cylinder rather than delivered through an intake manifold. Direct injection diesel engines tend to be more efficient and produce less soot than older types of engines.

A gasoline-powered vehicle can typically operate for around 200,000 miles before it needs a serious overhaul, or be replaced with a new vehicle. But an amazing fact is that diesel engines can run for 1,000,000-1,500,000 miles before needing any major diesel repairs.

The 35 TFSI petrol (with a manual gearbox) averaged a very respectable 42.5mpg in our real-world test, which is a lot better than the BMW 118i managed. Unsurprisingly, the 35 TDI diesel is more fuel-efficient, and it's also RDE2 compliant, helping to keep company car tax down.

A well-maintained TDI engine can actually last up to 400,000 to 500,000 miles.

While both models are compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space. The Audi A3 has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.

Is Audi basically Volkswagen? ›

Yes. Audi is a member of the larger Volkswagen Group headquartered in Bavaria, Germany. The Volkswagen Group owns a wide array of additional automotive brands, including Bugatti, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, and more!

Putting 93 Octane fuel in your Audi will allow it to perform just as well as if you put in premium fuel. 93 Octane fuel is more expensive than premium fuel, so you only need to put in your Audi if you have a high-performance model.

Why are Audi oil changes so expensive? Like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Audi has the reputation of being a luxury car. So, the car requires high-quality synthetic oil and specialized filters. So if you want to drive your Audi car for a long period, you need to provide proper maintenance, which will cost high.

The average cost for an Audi A3 Oil Change is between $164 and $189. Labor costs are estimated between $56 and $71 while parts are priced between $108 and $118.

It is recommended that you change your cambelt every 40,000-60,000 miles.

The fuel tank capacity of Audi A3 is 50 litres approx.

The 2023 Audi A3 has a predicted reliability score of 77 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

The EPA estimates that the 2023 A3 should deliver 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway when equipped with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive models are rated for 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

How far can a Audi A3 go on a full tank? ›

Focus on the prize

Not far behind it are the VW Golf and Audi A3, which can both achieve 1,046.12 miles at a cost of £70.40.

The difference between S and S-Line

S-Line models receive a different body kit consisting of front and rear bumpers, exhaust tips, side skirts, and alloy wheels in a larger, wider design. This helps improve the handling somewhat as larger, wider tyres are fitted as opposed to the Standard or Advanced lines.

Audi frequently beats out rivals if you want to put appearances above everything else. BMW is the best option if you want a joyful, exciting driving experience. Mercedes remains the king of power, safety, and speed.

Petrol engines

The least powerful A3 on offer is the 30 TFSI, which is powered by a 1.0-litre 116hp engine with a 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds. Next up is the 35 TFSI, which gets a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 150hp and 250Nm of torque. This one feels more than fast enough for most situations.

Powered by a 201-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the A3 is quick to respond from a standstill, with plenty of grunt at lower speeds. Some of that eagerness is lost, however, once the A3 gets up to cruising speed.

S Tronic is a dual clutch, direct-shift gearbox (DSG) that allows your Audi to combine and/or switch between automatic and manual transmission.

Sport adds dual-zone climate control, sports seats and sports suspension, while S-line brings a host of styling enhancements, such as larger alloy wheels and a bespoke front bumper, rear diffuser and side sills. It comes with even firmer sports suspension. Wed stick with the SE.

Early last year, Audi India removed the A3 and the Q3 from its official website. However, the Q3 was one of the most selling models and the A3 was the most affordable from the German carmaker's portfolio in the Indian market. The reason why Audi discontinued the cars is that the A3 and the Q3 were not BS6 ready.

Audi TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) engines are considered to be reliable. These engines are known for their efficient use of fuel, high torque output, and low emissions. Audi TDI engines have been used in both passenger cars and SUVs, and are known for providing good fuel economy and strong performance.

What is the range of A3 TDI? ›

In the meantime, the Audi A3 diesel gives you the superb flexibility to travel up to 834 miles on a single tank of only 13.2 gallons of diesel. At $4 per gallon, that's $52.80 -- taking you one-third of the way across the lower 48 United States.

2.0-ltr diesel versions of the A3 have a reported issue with some drivers experiencing massive engine failure after less than 60,000 miles. It's caused by excessive wear to a sprocket on the oil pump and can happen at almost any time. You'll have to order a replacement oil pump from us and replace the worn one.

Audi A3 Mileage

The Automatic Diesel variant has a mileage of 20.38 kmpl. The Automatic Petrol variant has a mileage of 19.8 kmpl.

Audi A3 30 TDI: With just 115hp, the lower-powered version of the two available diesel models is a little breathless on the motorway or when overtaking. Better to stick to the 150hp version if your heart is set on a diesel.

Direct diesel injection (TDI)

On an engine with direct diesel injection, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at a pressure which sometimes exceeds 2,000 bar. TDI engines are extremely efficient and therefore offer maximum fuel economy.

Audi TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) engines are considered to be reliable. These engines are known for their efficient use of fuel, high torque output, and low emissions. Audi TDI engines have been used in both passenger cars and SUVs, and are known for providing good fuel economy and strong performance.

A well-maintained TDI engine can actually last up to 400,000 to 500,000 miles.

Diesel engines generally need less frequent maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles. But when service time comes, diesel usually costs more to repair or maintain.

How long can an Audi TDI engine last? ›

A gasoline-powered vehicle can typically operate for around 200,000 miles before it needs a serious overhaul, or be replaced with a new vehicle. But an amazing fact is that diesel engines can run for 1,000,000-1,500,000 miles before needing any major diesel repairs.

It is recommended that you change your cambelt every 40,000-60,000 miles.

The overall quality of the interior is much nicer than that of rivals, especially on more expensive models, which makes the A3 a comfortable place to be for long-distance drivers.

Our verdict on the Audi A4 2.0 TDI Avant

It's a known quantity, but better in ways that can't be doubted. It cruises quietly, boasts economical engines and feels well made. It faces stiff competition but represents a good option for people who prioritise refinement over sporting pretentions.

The 2.0 TDI engine was a replacement for the popular and acclaimed 1.9 TDI engine. And although much more contemporary than its predecessor, the general opinion is that it is much less durable. Material savings and technical errors - are the main reasons for most of the problems faced by 2.0 TDI engines.

NEW WORLD RECORD A3 AWD IS20 RUN

He had already set an impressive record run of 11.69 at 116.99 MPH, but that wasn't enough for Javier as he headed back to the track and smashed his previous run setting multiple times ending with the new AWD IS20 quarter-mile record of 11.57 at 116.9MPH! -Congrats, Javier!