2003 Audi A3 Sport 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An excellent value practical hatchback with a wild streak for those who like to drive

Faults:

Absolutely nothing to date.

7000 Miles of trouble free motoring.

General Comments:

For a 1.8 non-turbo version of the A3 it is surprisingly nippy.

With 125 bhp on tap, and the main grunt coming in between 3 and 5000rpm it demands to be driven.

As it is the latest spec, you get the 17" wheels and on the 1.8 and 1.8T you also get the lowered widened Quattro Gmbh suspension setup, which coupled with the ESP programme nails the car to the road, especially on bends.

The interior is a vast improvement on the previous model, with trendy half leather, CD player, three head rests and a central three point rear seat belt, handy for the little ones, all as standard.

The build quality is superior to most cars of similar value and although it looks sporty with its' 45mm profile tyres it is also subtle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2003

3rd Aug 2004, 06:51

This is just an update on the review of my car above now it has done a few more miles.

The car has now covered 51K.

All that has gone wrong with the motor is the clutch pedal was on the floor one day when I got in it due to extreme weather conditions. The RAC advised me to lift it with my foot, which did the trick. It has never done this again. The electric rear boot release kept popping open on it's own while driving. A quick visit to Audi for them to clean it out and that fixed that. No problems since.

I do read other reviews on this car, which appear to be negative. You can only speak as you find and in my case this car has been everything I thought it would be.

It doesn't squeak, it doesn't rattle, it's still absolutely solid.

In 6 months I've got to order a replacement (My wife wants this one!)

That'll definitely be a nip down to the local Audi dealer.