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Premium quality was the concept behind Audi's original A3 range. The Ingolstadt company have never subscribed to the fact that small car equals small status, and the A3 has the quality feel of a far larger car. Everything is firmly screwed together and high quality materials are used throughout. For this privilege the A3 commands a higher price than its VW Group siblings, which brings it into competition with far larger opposition. However, we all know what comes in small packages.
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What you get
Call it chic, arriviste, unruffled, whatever, the Audi A3 exudes effortless cool. The interior is not that spacious, but buyers will put up with that to sport the four interlocking rings on the grille. That symbol has come to represent independent thinking and an insistence on spare, thoughtful design. The A3 range typifies this approach. All models wear stylish alloy wheels, and are supplied with driver, passenger and front side airbags. The first impression is that there's a lot of plain black applique dashboard on display, but look closely and all of the controls are apparent, tidily clustered and dripping with quality. Flick any switch, press any button and Audi's investment in the A3 stands out clearly. Even the grab handles are silicon-damped for a smooth return.
Sport models are perhaps the most attractive, with their tastefully dynamic appeal. The SE models will have all but rear seat passengers checking twice to make sure they're not in a far bigger A6. Luxurious touches run to twelve-spoke alloys, Alcantara upholstery, electronic climate control and remote central locking. Even the key is beautifully designed, a chunky black transponder into which the key blade slots like a flick knife.
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What to look for
It's a testament to the quality of modern Audis that most used guides have little to report. Reliability of the A3 has been excellent so far but if you want to nitpick, some higher mileage models suffer from suspension problems, there are issues with the ignition coils on the 1.8T engine and the TDi cars have been known to experience expensive catalyst failure. Generally speaking though, just look for main dealers service stamps, a sheaf of receipts and check for the usual accident or misuse damage.
On the models fitted with low profile tyres, check the expensive alloy wheels for kerbing damage, and insist on locking wheel nuts. Other than that, buy with confidence.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on an A3 1.6) Potential buyers will be cheered to know that premium pricing does not stretch to Audi's parts prices. A replacement headlamp unit is £110 and a starter motor a comparatively inexpensive £150. An alternator costs in the region of £130, and front brake pads should cost £50. An exhaust system is circa £170 and a clutch assembly around £130. Not too painful is it?
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On the road
Packing all that quality into the A3 had a slight drawback. Quality weighs, and the A3 is far from the lightest car in its class. The horsepower figures won't serve to fling the car up the Queen's highway with quite the abandon of its more lightweight counterparts. For instance the range-topping Audi S3 weighs more than the original Audi Quattro, and makes some Volvo estates appear positively anorexic.
That said, the A3 has a great reassurance to its controls. The 1.8T manages 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, yet can still achieve over 45mpg on a run, and feels bulletproof. The familiar Audi characteristic of very firmly servoed brakes is still there and the steering insulates a lot of road feel, but these are minor points.
Of the diesel engined models the 90bhp variant is perhaps most perplexing. Somewhat dull to drive, it raises the question that if somebody is so concerned about penny pinching, why buy an Audi? The TDi 110 is a far more pleasing unit, doling out its great reserves of torque generously, and a modest right foot will return 57mpg. The 130bhp option is better still, it's a unit that cropped up all over the VW-Group product range around the turn of the century and is characterised by a sudden punch of acceleration when the revs hit the meat torque band. It's great fun.
Of the sports models, the S3 could have been the quickest point-to-point car in Audi's range at the time it was on sale. The 1.8T Quattro Sport represents a capable, and significantly cheaper, alternative.
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Overall
The bulletproof build quality of the Audi A3 has resulted in it becoming an almost foolproof used car purchase. With the added versatility of the five-door, the A3 makes a great compact choice if interior space isn't too much of an issue.
You could certainly buy more metal for your money from other manufacturers, but given the choice of an A3 on the drive, most people can't resist the big-boned baby Audi. It's a feel-good car that can justify itself in the bends and on the balance sheet.
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