Many different variants, many different powertrains
The A3 is a great success for Audi. This applies even more to the generation 8V described here, which was delivered between 2012 and 2020. The car was offered in different body styles and with a large number of engines. 1.0-litre three-cylinder, a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo and everything in between. In addition, there are various diesels, a plug-in hybrid and even a CNG variant. But were these Audis also able to please their owners?
Audi had its affairs in order with the A3 at the time. The sales figures, up to more than 8,500 copies in the year 2015, are partly due to various tax-friendly versions. For example, the A3 G-Tron equipped with natural gas tanks and various diesel versions were rewarded for some time with a 14 percent addition. Owners of such natural gas cars also share their experiences in the AutoWeek.nl review section. The A3 G-Tron is always a five-door Sportback, but this generation A3 is also available as a three-door hatchback, Cabriolet and Limousine.
Driving the Audi A3
Most owners are very pleased with the handling of their A3s. “Driving the A3 remains an absolute pleasure, especially with the sports suspension and the 18-inch wheels with 40-series tires. Sturdy, not overly hard and certainly not uncomfortable,” writes the owner of a 115 hp convertible. The Belgian driver of a 1.6 TDI writes: “It is a joy to drive. It is very quiet inside, even at its top speed. Suspension is sometimes a bit stiff.” His side note, when he takes stock after 154,000 kilometers, is as follows. “The car is certainly not sporty, so keep that in mind.”
If you opt for an S-line sports suspension, you will be dealing with a considerably sturdier car. “In the beginning I had to get used to the S-line chassis,” said one driver who opted for this. “I am now used to this and do not experience the chassis as uncomfortable.” It is extra careful at thresholds, someone else experiences. “The sports suspension is very unpleasant in a built-up area with thresholds, so you will have to brake well in advance.”
The A3 e-tron is fast with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, but according to this owner it is not a driver’s car. “The handling is very stable, but the car does not invite corners. It is too heavy for that and the brakes then have a hard time.” People are very pleased with the powertrains themselves, the S Tronic automatic transmission with double clutch also does its job properly. “The wonderfully shifting automatic transmission always chooses the right gear without a doubt, so that you quickly drive too fast if you don’t look at your counter, partly due to the silence in the interior.”
Alternative powertrains
The most special A3 is without a doubt the g-tron, equipped with natural gas tanks. What do you notice about that? “So far, after 7,500 km, I must admit that you don’t feel the difference between CNG and petrol when driving. At most, the engine reacts a little later to the accelerator pedal. You don’t even feel the switch from CNG to petrol when you run out of gas”, writes the owner of such a gas car enthusiastically.
Drivers of the g-tron drive an average of about 250 to 325 km on a full tank of 15 kilograms of natural gas. Range is also something to take into account for owners of the plug-in hybrid e-tron, because the petrol tank is relatively small. A shortcoming that an owner has not yet been able to get used to after 156,000 kilometers. “35 liters is really not enough, despite regular charging, because the petrol engine/electric ratio is 55%/45% over the entire duration.”
Space on board
German premium cars may be known as relatively tight, but that kite does not apply to the A3. “Recently sat in the car with four adults, the smallest of which was 1.85 meters long. Then it is a bit of a hassle for the front occupants,” writes the driver of an A3 Sportback e-tron, “but that is fine.”
It is less well off with the accessibility of the loading space of the A3 Limousine, where things such as a pram are difficult to fit in. “In April 2019 I exchanged the car for an Audi A5 Sportback,” writes the former owner of such a sedan. “I really enjoyed driving the A3 Limousine, but I wanted more space and a boot that is more accessible due to the expected arrival of a child.” Not only this A3 Limousine has to make way for family expansion, an A3 Sportback e-tron is also not spacious enough to accommodate a large pram.
Drivers with long legs also have to take into account a small inconvenience, this driver experiences: “The sitting position is not quite ideal for my 1.92 meter because the B-pillar obstructs your view, but you get used to it.” The seat itself pleases most owners, especially if the optional sports seats are chosen. “These are by far the best we’ve had to date. They are also electrically adjustable, the only thing missing is a memory for the correct sitting position.” The driver of a 1.0 TFSI agrees: “The sports seats are highly recommended. Even after longer journeys I get out of the car smoothly and fit.”
Interior and MMI system
Audis were, especially in the described period, known for their beautifully finished interiors. This generation A3 is no exception, according to the owner of a 2015 e-tron who previously drove a Ford Focus. “The finish inside is also clearly of a much higher level than we were used to, with little plastic to be found and everything feeling very solid.” The interior is not only beautifully finished, the design is also appealing. “Absolutely a very nice workplace here in the e-tron. The finish is top notch, beautiful materials and I also like the minimalist design. The multimedia screen can be slid into the dashboard and that gives a calm look.”
Now that we have arrived at the multimedia, how do you like that system? “All buttons are pleasant to the touch and easy to find by touch. Without focusing your eyes on the button cluster, you can change the radio station, set the navigation or adjust the temperature. The push/turn knob is the most important, you almost operate it with your thoughts.” The owner of a 2020 Limousine, one of the last copies of this generation, also thinks so: “The operation compared to the full touchscreen of my previous VW Golf 8 remains a relief, it just works very well.”
Maintenance and repairs Audi A3
The A3s with petrol and diesel engines have a maintenance interval of two years or 30,000 kilometers. In practice, this can be shorter, as the owner of a convertible with 1.5 TFSI experiences. “Suddenly my dashboard starts counting thirty days to “Oil Service”, while in April the two years (or 30,000 km) will be over. But I called, they said that this was due to my driving style…”
The maintenance interval is less for the A3 g-tron, these cars need fresh oil every year or 15,000 km. “The A3 has to go to the garage every year for, among other things, changing the oil. The bills for this are, compared to my previous cars, on the high side. The four-yearly inspection of the CNG tanks is carried out by the Audi dealer.” Such a maintenance interval also applies to the plug-in hybrid e-tron.
The engines that Audi uses in this generation A3 are not all known as problem-free. The owner of a 1.5 TFSI also experiences this. “The reliability is not bad, but I have had to go to the garage a number of times. There has been a problem with the turbo and it had to have a granulate cleaning. The valves were pitch black from carbon deposits.”
So far the user experiences of owners and drivers of an Audi A3 8V. If you are considering purchasing a car of this type, be sure to view the used car purchase advice for the Audi A3, including technical explanation.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl