Audi A3 2.0 FSi Review

“This is now my second Audi A3 2.0 FSI Sport Car and I...”

Written on: 28/06/2004 by pmcnamar

Good Points
Design; materials; image; FSI engine; options list; performance

Bad Points
Iffy reliability; oil consumption; easy-access front seats (not); cramped rear seats

General Comments
This is now my second Audi A3 2.0 FSI Sport Car and I had a 2.0 FSI SE for a couple of months also. I changed a new Celica for the first A3, and was impressed with the quality and finish, but not the performance.



After 3 months, the steering failed on the A3 (on the road - scary). That car also used large amounts of very expensive oil. The engine was good, very economical and smooth (must have been all that oil then). The Sports suspension is very firm, to the point that on a B-road you'd be hard pushed to adjust the radio thanks to your arm bouncing away. I found that the steering wheel adjustment was never quite right, despite playing with it for ages.



Once my first A3 was off the road (steering), I had a green A3 SE for a time. This came with a lovely 'white' interior which was vile! I had that for a couple of weeks before the rear bumper started to hang off, followed by the engine packing up thanks to faulty ECU components. Last seen being towed away in London.



My latest A3 Sport is going well (touch wood) with 1,000 miles on the clock. It seems more economical than the others, and uses much less oil. As before, sports suspension and larger wheels means it provides a solid but harsh ride. The image, in fairness, is everything. I'd rather be an Audi driver than a BMW driver (and I've had both, in the past). Despite some early problems, I'd recommend an Audi A3 to anyone thinking of buying one.