22nd Jan 2006, 09:02

Hi.

Thanks for your reply.

I would agree with you that the rattling could be a heat shield or something to do with the exhaust system. Easy enough to put right I think (I am not a mechanic).

The turn-signal (indicator) is still working OK, it happened a couple of times on the first day, I am sure I turned the wheel enough 90 degree left turn. Anyway it is OK now.

I understand what you are saying about the full turn will make a noise. However this noise is as soon as I turn the wheel to the left at all from a straight line at very low speeds, such as parking. I have heard that this could be a known Audi problem with the steering rack.

In effect there would be no difference if the car was sitting out, it had practically no mileage. It just concerns me why it wasn't sold previously, as VW and Audi are ordered into Ireland for either stock (very low quantities as far as I know) or customer order. Anyway if they can fix the problems in the car in an agreeable time frame (1 week) I will be happy to keep the car, even though I thought I was getting a two month old (max) car.

The idle problem is that the revs are jumping up and down slightly (a couple of hundred RPM) when the car is at a stop. Possibly nothing to worry about!

The Volkswagen had a long list of (different) problems, but all in all it was quite a good car, but it is a complete pain having to go back to the dealer time after time.

22nd Jan 2006, 15:48

I presumed an Audi would be better built and more reliable. I also presumed that the problems I had my golf were only with my golf and not all golf's! The problems were, door seals had to be replaced, front passenger seat broke and took numerous trips to the garage to fix it (leaving the seat slightly damaged with pieces falling off it afterwards), drivers window kept going back down after I put it up, rear wiper arm catching when I tried to lift it up off the window, the car lost all power twice and then miraculously fixed iteslf both times, etc etc etc.

23rd Jan 2006, 12:09

No it appears to me VW and AUDI have a reputation for quality that is undeserved. I'm the guy whose wife has the tdi a couple of posts up the car was off the road for a month,got the car back still not fixed. Don't worry about the grinding steering they all do that top build quality these cars you know!!!

3rd Feb 2006, 15:49

I HAVE PURCHASED A USED AUDI A3 2.0 fsi 2003 reg, since I have the car the water pump has stopped working and had to be replaced. warning lights on the display have come on to indicate engine fault. the oil appears to need constant replacing. help.

11th Mar 2006, 12:35

I own a 2.0 fsi Octavia. Stop laughing.

Since picking it up it has idles poorly, not noticeably on the rev counter, but you can 'feel' it, almost like it's running lumpy. Sometimes on pulling away on heavy throttle it dies, then picks up causing almost Kangaroo type pull-offs. Skoda are unable to rectify this and I'm now 3 months down the line from reporting it.

17th Mar 2006, 05:55

I bought an Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 FSI SE Automatic in August 2005, and have also noticed the grinding noise when turning the steering to the left at slow speed. I took the car to the dealer yesterday, and the service guy said it's probably the steering rack. The engineer came out with me, so I could demo the noise, and when we went back into the showroom, said to the service guy, yes, as you thought, it needs a new steering rack. Clearly a known problem, and from reading the comments above, quite widespread. I have also found comments on other sites regarding Golfs with the same problem. The dealer has ordered the part, but I am now less confident that this will fix it, unless they have re-designed the rack?

Other problems I have found with my A3, which on the whole I love, is that firstly, the engine frequently sounds more like a rattly diesel engine than the smooth noise I was expecting. Secondly, after having driven about 20-40 miles or so, the car will suddenly get noisier, either from the wheels, or engine, I'm not sure which, and I can feel vibration though the pedals. This continues for the whole of the rest of the journey, but is gone when I start the car again the next day. Has anyone else noticed either of these problems or had them resolved?

4th Apr 2006, 17:58

Hi to all, I am the owner of an Audi A3 Sport, a little older than the models you mention. I think it would be fair to say that I have owned many cars over the years.

Guys don't be too dispondent with your choice of vehicle. I too have had little problems with my Audi. That said, they are little, and it is 8 years old now. It seems like it is comparable to a vintage wine, the car gets better with age. You know the old saying, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, it's true!

Maybe it's not the car which is the problem, but your dealer/franchise, after sales service is very important when buying a luxury car! Expect it.

The general build quality of Audi is next to none, compared to its German rivals. I doubt every car is quality tested off the production line though! I was once a Merc, BMW and Alfa Romeo owner! Say no more! Oh and I'm not employed by Audi, just in case you were wondering.

9th Apr 2006, 12:49

I bought an A3 2.0TFSI DSG in July 05 and started having the "grinding" noise on left turns after 5 weeks. The rack was replaced and lasted 2 weeks before the noise started again. The dealership then told me Audi knew about the fault and I must wait for a modified steering rack. This was finally fitted 3 weeks ago (7 months later!) and guess what happened today - the noise is back. Anyone got any advice on rejecting the car and getting my money back?

27th Jul 2006, 07:57

I have an Audi A3 TDI Sport 2004. So far I've had problems with the engine management light coming on, which they tried to fix, but couldn't, but then the car seemed to fix itself! Now the car won't start after being left overnight, and it has coolant loss nearly everyday.

The fan was staying on permanently, so Audi told me they would replace the fan unit, which would fix the problem. £750.00 later I still have the same problem. Now I'm wondering what else they are going to charge me for!!

11th Aug 2006, 14:37

I have a six year old Audi A3 1.6, and overall the car is not too bad.

I've had to have a new water pump, engine water sensor, inlet manifold sensor, and had to have the exhaust keeper bracket welded up under neath several times.

My biggest gripe is the level of service from Audi dealers and the chip on their shoulder they have. My car ran out of oil less than a thousand miles after a service, which obviously wasn't done. After writing to the dealer concerned, Audi UK and Audi in Germany about the issue, I can say that Audi cars are as good and bad as any body elses, but it is Audis attitude that gets me.

They are not the car company they would like to think they are.