Audi A3 1.6, opinions please

[Key Walshe]

I've just been offered an Audi A3 1.6, on an R plate very, very cheap. It's in good condition, though has a small scrape on the nearside front wing, has 6 weeks MOT and a couple of months tax, needs a tyre and has an ABS light on. Milage seems high at 170,000 (mainly motorway) miles but interior looks very tidy, no rips or scrapes or noticable wear. Had a cambelt 2yrs ago, and been serviced annually with a known history of car & owner.

It's a blue/purple colour, with OE Audi multispoke alloys in a black/gunmetal colour with dark grey cloth seats. Looking at replacing my partners VW Polo with it as she wants an upgrade as its her first car but had it for 4yrs now.

So, does anybody have any experience and opinions on these cars? Hopefully the ABS light is just a broken sensor. How strong are these engines, what's the biggest problems they have, and at this age/milage what should I expect to go wrong?

Thanks for any info

[WabTheKing]

Gear boxes are very week, I've done 3 in the past couple of months, and you have to ring their necks to do 70 on the motorway, best one I've sone so far was a 1.8 20v that I put a diesel box in, 1,2,3 are the same from memory, 4th n 5th higher but 70 at bout 2,200rpm in 5th

[BRY]

Rear ABS sensors are quite cheap and usually are the ones to go. Vagcom will confirm which it is.

[baltiboyS2]

Gear boxes are very week, I've done 3 in the past couple of months, and you have to ring their necks to do 70 on the motorway, best one I've sone so far was a 1.8 20v that I put a diesel box in, 1,2,3 are the same from memory, 4th n 5th higher but 70 at bout 2,200rpm in 5th

Have to agree here pretty poor car with that engine typical audi trying to appeal to the massive's the engine was crap in the 80 as well i have also done 2 gearboxes quite a week point try and get a TDI im not a fan of the 1.8 either

cheers Raj

[Key Walshe]

Cheers Bry, was thinking rear sensors as both mine have been done so I guess pretty common fault across the family.

Thanks Wab & Raj, so weak boxes? Any indications or warning signs with a knackered box? How much would it cost to replace (stepfathers a mechanic so no labour charges as we do it all ourselves). And is there any other problems with these cars.

It'll only be for town use too so getting to 70 won't be a worry, and I imagine it'll manage it just as good as a 1.0L Polo if needed.

[WabTheKing]

Usually the diff that gives up altho last one I did had 2 broken gears too, any noises/wines from the box in any gear, stiffnes going into gear, nothing scientific just common sense stuff really, exchange box is between 450 and 600 depending on the casting of the box to be exchanged etc.

Oh rear beam bushes are a fav on them and you need a tool to pull the new ones in other than that they are a good safe car, abs sensors you pretty much have to destroy PITA for what they are

Regards
Will

[Key Walshe]

Cheers Will, very helpful of you

I'll check the 'box out tomorrow by giving it a good test drive. Hopefully all should be well as it really is a bargain