Faults:

Thermostat and handbrake wire failure, both replaced after purchasing the car.

General Comments:

After some 15000 km, I can say that this car is in pretty good shape. The engine pulls very well, and oil consumption is within reasonable limits. The gearbox is very smooth and quiet as one would expect from a German car.

I use this car for a daily commute in an urban area, and weekend travels on the open road; it has been very reliable so far.

With 125 bhp, this is the most powerful car that I've owned so far, and in my mind it's very quick. On curvy and narrow Bosnian roads, it overtakes effortlessly, even with four persons inside, and you don't need to rev it too high, it feels almost like a diesel car.

The strongest point of this car is, without a doubt, superb build quality; even after so many years, there are almost no sounds within the cabin, only the occasional squeak. Everything you touch inside feels rock solid, and the exterior bodywork is excellent as well; every part you touch feels like a tank, it is so firm and robust.

One negative point is steering, which is pretty numb and unresponsive. Also I feel like the clutch pedal and gear lever travel for too long; in this view, it's the same as the Bravo that I previously owned. It spoils a little the sporty image of this car. I hope that later models were improved in this area.

Faults:

Regular maintenance includes:

- Timing belt replacement (was in perfect shape but just to be on the safe side).

- 4 new brake pads.

- Oil changed twice and soon the third time.

- Air filter cleaning.

- Fuel filter replacement.

- Oil filter replacement.

Others:

- Front left side window motor failed. Had it replaced.

- Brake pedal too soft, solved by mechanic fixing the handbrake cylinders.

General Comments:

Car is very quick. Zero to sixty in early 8 seconds.

The turbocharger has a nice whiz sound that adds more excitement to the 20V engine.

The boost is nice. You can feel it from around 2500 RPM, which is why the car has a very responsive and fast acceleration.

Brakes are magnificent, handling is superb for a front wheel drive. The sensitive and responsive steering is amazing.

Interior looks sporty, the seats could grab you more however.

Gear throw from 2nd to 3rd is rapid and fast, however from 3rd to 4th is weird compared to my old Audi 90. The gear could be better positioned.

Fuel consumption is good, it is a 1.8 after all, but of course you must not forget the turbo which lets the car squeeze a little more fuel

Build quality is amazing, it feels like a very robust vehicle.

Conclusion, I'm an Audi fan and freak, and I definitely do not regret buying an A3, its sports body kit lets it look even nicer than it is. And it's fast enough for now, I kept up with a 2005 Seat Leon Cupra 1.8T (he has 180bhp, I have 150bhp) and trust me, it put a huge smile on my face.

Faults:

Mass Air Flow Meter failed at around 88000km, service from Audi dealer wasn't as good as expected and very expensive.

General Comments:

Handling is great, drives like a go kart.

Apart from Air Flow Meter very reliable.

Bought at very good price for the km it has done.

Comfortable on long trips.

Faults:

The rear wiper has broken down.

Apart from that nothing else so far.

The interior is still in very good condition & everything still fits & functions correctly.

General Comments:

This car in my opinion is fast enough for safe overtaking etc.

It is nice to drive, but there could be a better feedback from the steering & feel of the car.

There is a very solid feel about the A3 and it does make you feel safe.

Visibility could be better, be aware of blind spots when at T junctions turning right although I believe you do get used to this.