A3 FWD versus AWD fuel economy and miles per gallon

[Five Cylinder]

Hey Audizine,
I'm a 2.5 5 cylinder VW guy considering an A3 2.0T wagon. I get pretty good miles per gallon, a 12 gallon tank averaging 400 miles, approx. 33miles/gallon. I understand I might not get that with an A3 and that's okay. Right now I'm debating between an A3 AWD or FWD but there's many more AWDs for sale. Can anyone post their average miles per gallon in their FWD or AWD?

[CavEsk1337]

MPG Should be similar as MQB uses a Haldex/Borg Warner unit which essentially stays in FWD until power is needed to the rear wheels.

[Five Cylinder]

Interesting, so the difference in MPG might be due to the difference in weight? IE Transfer case, drive shaft, differential and rear axles?

[zircular]

There’s the weight and also a little bit of extra drivetrain loss because the driveshaft is always turning the input side of the haldex unit on the rear axle. But it isn’t much. I’ve owned a haldex version and a FWD version of essentially the same Volvo vehicle and I didn’t notice a significant difference in fuel economy when I switched. A few percent at most. The improved grip on slick roads is immediately noticeable and absolutely worth it to me.

[evo v]

I had 09 Audi A3 FWD and it gave me 32 highway / 26 city. Then I got 09 A3 quattro. That car was tuned and it was making 36 highway / 26 city. The dealer de-tune it while working on Takata and ABS recalls. The gas mileage went to 31 highway / 26 city. Now I'm stage 1 IE and it gives mo 30-32 highway / 25 city of it depends how hard I'm driving. Overall I think haldex drops 1-2 mpg compared to FWD. I have A3 8V also that's about 32-33 highway / 26-28 city. Hopefully this helps you decide. I'm choosing a quattro over FWD because I'm in New England and the quattro gives me little more control in the harsh climate.

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[Five Cylinder]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I went ahead and picked up a 2010 A3 Automatic Quattro SLine wih CCTA engine.

So far I replaced the water pump and flushed the cooling system.

Next I'll be replacing the upper timing chain tensioner with the latest revision. I did find something odd. VCDS reports a -6.28 for the Phase position 1 sensor at startup. (Tomorrow I will check this number after warm up.) Most consider this an indication the chain is stretched and should be replaced. But, when inspecting the tensioner through the timing cover plug I counted only 4 ridges exposed. I would think if only 4 ridges are exposed, the chain is still taught, nearly to what a new chain would show when the tensioner is first released. Any thoughts?

[evo v]

Is it the new style tensioner? 2010 would be with old one.

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[MikTip]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I went ahead and picked up a 2010 A3 Automatic Quattro SLine wih CCTA engine.

So far I replaced the water pump and flushed the cooling system.

Next I'll be replacing the upper timing chain tensioner with the latest revision. I did find something odd. VCDS reports a -6.28 for the Phase position 1 sensor at startup. (Tomorrow I will check this number after warm up.) Most consider this an indication the chain is stretched and should be replaced. But, when inspecting the tensioner through the timing cover plug I counted only 4 ridges exposed. I would think if only 4 ridges are exposed, the chain is still taught, nearly to what a new chain would show when the tensioner is first released. Any thoughts?

Your asking in the wrong forum...this is the 8V 2015 and above forum

Look here:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/56-8L-8P-A3-S3-RS3

[Five Cylinder]

Is it the new style tensioner? 2010 would be with old one.

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The tensioner appears to be the older revision. Since the lower cover will be open I'm deciding to open the upper cover and replace the chains and guide rails at the same time.

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Whoops, I will post more in the other A3 8P forum.

[evo v]

The tensioner appears to be the older revision. Since the lower cover will be open I'm deciding to open the upper cover and replace the chains and guide rails at the same time.

- - - Updated - - -

Whoops, I will post more in the other A3 8P forum.

I suggest you move this to 8P section as you will get more support there. I have both 8P and 8V they are pretty similar.