Faults:

I brought my Audi A3 2.0 TDI DSG Sport in July 2007.

After about two months of owning it, the problems started. The car won't start when the engine is cold; it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to start. It will tick over but won't fire up, so I took it back to the Audi dealership (down south in the UK) and they had it for 3 days.

They cleaned the wires, which up didn't work, and they tried all sorts. The sixth time they changed the ECU, which still didn't work.

I am now taking legal advice a year later after the problem started. The dealership manager will not accept the rejection, he has not been no help whatsoever. The rudest man I've ever known.

General Comments:

Apart from the problem, it's a nice car but I would never pay for another Audi.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

The car was immaculately presented when new, and after 1 year still looks the same as it did that day.

The interior is comfortable, classy, and well put together.

The engine has plenty of torque. Overtaking is accomplished swiftly and safely, and many other so-called performance cars are left in it's wake.

The DSG gearbox - all cars should be like this. Somewhat faster and just as economical as manual, but smoother, and a lot less effort. If you want to play at Formula 1, there are the "flappy paddles" on the steering wheel! So far totally reliable. Definitely recommended!

The combination of cruise control and the DSG gearbox works particularly well.

Economy - well, an average of 52.4 mpg over 14,000 miles says it all! If you play at Formula 1, you can get down to the low thirty's if you really try!

Servicing - the computer tells me that I'll be due the first service in another 4,500 miles. At 18,500 miles. I don't expect it will be cheap, though. So far I've used 3 litres of Audi's expensive special oil (£13.40/litre). Audi will provide a free insured courtesy car when mine is in for service, I believe.

The downside? Well, it's expensive to buy, but should hold on to its value much better than average.

Left to its own devices, at maximum throttle the DSG geabox will change up at about 4,500 revs which is about 1000 revs too high for this diesel. No performance advantage, just more noise.

But my main complaint - road noise and harshness. Audi say my car meets specification, but I think this partially spoils an otherwise excellent machine. Fortunately, Audi's excellent Concert radio / CD comes to the rescue!

Faults:

After nearly 2 months with the car now, nothing has gone wrong.

General Comments:

The car is seriously quick, the 6-speed gearbox is brilliant.

140BHP is great for pulling away and overtaking on the motorway, this car is great for motorway cruising.

I added the option of an stereo upgrade to the BOSE sound system and trust me, this is great.

The dealer was very helpful when I took the car for its 1,500 mile check, only problem was with the price £155 for a check.

I am 22 and the insurance is pretty cheap for my age.