Looking for info on 2015 A3

[Tweakophyte]

Hi-

Current B8 S4 owner looking for an A3 for my son. Are there any issues I should know about any particular vintage (bugs, issues, etc.)? Because of price I am focusing on a 2015. The 1.8T is preferred... do they do this with quattro or is that 2.0T only?

Our "minimum" feature is the blind-spot monitoring, which looks like is an option the premium plus trim. Are there other years where this is standard?

Am I right to observe this thread does not go very far back? Is there a better forum to ask questions?

Thanks!

[Spinnetti]

Hi-

Current B8 S4 owner looking for an A3 for my son. Are there any issues I should know about any particular vintage (bugs, issues, etc.)? Because of price I am focusing on a 2015. The 1.8T is preferred... do they do this with quattro or is that 2.0T only?

Our "minimum" feature is the blind-spot monitoring, which looks like is an option the premium plus trim. Are there other years where this is standard?

Am I right to observe this thread does not go very far back? Is there a better forum to ask questions?

Thanks!

Quattro has the 2.0 engine. Given where you are, I'd probably go quattro, which means no 1.8. No real bugs. The subframe of all FWD based VAG cars makes noise sooner or later, and there are inexpensive fixes for it. I just put in a fix on mine (034 Motorsport locating collars) yesterday. Blind-spot monitoring is nice. Best bet on what is standard or not by package is just to google it. It does vary by year and package. I have a 15' S3 and was surprised how nice it was "out of the box" and how really nice it is after $4k of suspension and engine mods lol.

[liljonny16]

I would say look into/out for the water pump. I don't know if it's a widespread issue but mine started leaking around 30K miles. Also, my Haldex(AWD) recently went out. That also, may or may not be something very widespread. I suggest you buy CPO or make sure there's still some warranty that way you can get the dealer to look it over for free. I drive a 2015 S3. Basically the same drivetrain, just a different turbo.

[INYAUDI]

The haldex issue weirdly plagued the S3 not the A3 even though the same. Must of been a manu-batch from the factory. What the A3 got was a bad turbo but only in very early models. Have them check the last letter on the model number. I believe “R” was the bad one but don’t quote me. With a cpo it would be replaced for free because it was a recall. Even more important look at maintenance services. DSG, haldex, & diff flush are around 40k miles. 3 years in and I’m still convinced it’s best car for the money and you will not be disappointed. Your main concern will be your son’s speeding ticket that is due in time lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rawrmcrawrrawr]

Honestly, having driven both the quattro 2.0t and the FWD 1.8t, I prefer the 1.8. The 6 speed DSG in the prefacelift models is much better matched and less jerky on the 1.8 than the 2.0. The 2.0 also engine brakes and downshifts much more aggressively. If you need AWD or the 50 more horsepower, obviously go 2.0t but if you don't, I recommend the 1.8

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[mroberte]

Try to avoid very early build of 2015 models. You can know they are early by the last 4 digits of the Vin. If closer to the 1000, keep looking as the engines tend to have more issues.

Otherwise, if looking for specifically blindspots, you might want to look at 2016+ years. Hit and miss for 2015 since it was an option.

Have you looked into the GTI's which are virtually the same car, lower insurance most of the time and far more plentiful?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Mark1024]

I just recently purchased a 2015 Audi A3 1.8T. For myself, being 18 years old; pretty quick car for the road! Handlings good, premium plus package is what it is equipped with and the car is amazing, your son will definitely be contempt with this vehicle. I have 50,000 miles on mine and a couple shops I have taken it to say it is in pristine codition, I am somewhat a spirited driver :)

[Spinnetti]

I just recently purchased a 2015 Audi A3 1.8T. For myself, being 18 years old; pretty quick car for the road! Handlings good, premium plus package is what it is equipped with and the car is amazing, your son will definitely be contempt with this vehicle. I have 50,000 miles on mine and a couple shops I have taken it to say it is in pristine codition, I am somewhat a spirited driver :)

I had one as a loaner, it it is quite nice at any age. My first car was a run down Toyota. That said, I think you meant "content" rather than "contempt" :)

[Tweakophyte]

Thanks for all of the responses.

Mama says quattro... and so do I. On the snow days it matters, it matters.
That 2.0 is pretty quick. Too bad I can't de-tune it. I've driven these as loaner cars and was surprised at how quick they are!

It looks like the "drivers assistance package" was an option starting on the "premium plus" trim. The 2013 and earlier generation does not offer that on any trim (while the A4 does on Prestige). Any major issues to be aware of on the 2012/13s? They are slightly slower, which is good. :-)

[Tweakophyte]

Try to avoid very early build of 2015 models. You can know they are early by the last 4 digits of the Vin. If closer to the 1000, keep looking as the engines tend to have more issues.

Otherwise, if looking for specifically blindspots, you might want to look at 2016+ years. Hit and miss for 2015 since it was an option.

Have you looked into the GTI's which are virtually the same car, lower insurance most of the time and far more plentiful?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I love GTis I drove one for 10 years and almost got an R vs my S4. That said, it's too small for mama to allow. We need AWD, and the R is way quicker than the A3s.

[phroenips]

Until very recently, I had a GTI (upgraded to an RS 3). With good winter tires, it was perfectly safe and capable in the snow and ice. I wouldn't necessarily say quattro should be 100% required. For safety's sake, I would say winter tires should be 100% required (whether it's FWD or AWD).

Also, keep an eye out for the winter/ice driving training that Audi Club Rocky Mountain Chapter puts on. It's generally in mid Jan to mid Feb on lake Georgetown. They had to cancel the entire season this past year due to poor ice conditions, but they design it to be a safety class, first and foremost. They even have a specific teen driving focus. This is where I discovered that the GTI with winter tires (and all the traction control nannies turned on), was just as safe and capable as my RS 5 (again, with all nannies turned on). When you start turning those nannies off, that's where the RS 5 becomes more fun, but that's an entirely different focus. :P

[Tweakophyte]

Until very recently, I had a GTI (upgraded to an RS 3). With good winter tires, it was perfectly safe and capable in the snow and ice. I wouldn't necessarily say quattro should be 100% required. For safety's sake, I would say winter tires should be 100% required (whether it's FWD or AWD).

Also, keep an eye out for the winter/ice driving training that Audi Club Rocky Mountain Chapter puts on. It's generally in mid Jan to mid Feb on lake Georgetown. They had to cancel the entire season this past year due to poor ice conditions, but they design it to be a safety class, first and foremost. They even have a specific teen driving focus. This is where I discovered that the GTI with winter tires (and all the traction control nannies turned on), was just as safe and capable as my RS 5 (again, with all nannies turned on). When you start turning those nannies off, that's where the RS 5 becomes more fun, but that's an entirely different focus. :P

I lived in Tahoe and Vail with my '89 16V GTi, so I understand... however my wife has complete veto power on non-AWD cars. There's no getting over that.
:-)

Good call on the ice driving. I'll have to look into it.

[Tweakophyte]

Good news... my wife drove the A3 for the first time. She kept saying it felt very "sturdy", so that is good.

The one we drove did not have Nav. When we used the backup camera, she (and I) noticed the rear-view feed did not fill up the screen. I've driven loaners of these over the years and never noticed that. Any thoughts? Does that seem strange?

Also, when is the DSG service due and what is the expected cost?

Thanks!!

[liljonny16]

DSG service is due at 35K

[Tweakophyte]

DSG service is due at 35K

How much is it? Is it every 35K miles?

Thanks!

[rawrmcrawrrawr]

How much is it? Is it every 35K miles?

Thanks!

35K, then every 40K thereafter. So 75K, 115K...etc. I paid for AudiCare so I'm not sure what the real cost for the DSG service is. My local Audi dealership said they charge 1000-1100 for the whole 35K service which includes the DSG flush but that seems pretty high.

[INYAUDI]

How much is it? Is it every 35K miles?

Thanks!

I paid about 400 for mine at a euro performance shop. To diy it’d be about $250 in materials so for $150 more you’ve got a guarantee that it’s done right


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tweakophyte]

Other than side assist (and heated seats) are there any features I should try to get or avoid?

We think with a little luck we can get one for ~$18K. Thoughts?

[Tweakophyte]

Still looking... any thoughts to above?

Thx

[Tweakophyte]

Are there any VCDS codes you can use to unlock certain features? I am thinking Drive Select. What if I add a steering wheel with paddle shifters? Thanks!

[Tweakophyte]

Are there any VCDS codes you can use to unlock certain features? I am thinking Drive Select. What if I add a steering wheel with paddle shifters? Thanks!

Also... NAV retrofit?

Thanks!

[Spinnetti]

I'd just wait for the right car rather than try to retro stuff. Some things may work, some not. Getting a used A3 for $18k should be easy. I got a 15' S3 for not much more than that.

[mroberte]

Audi drive select and navigation cannot be added with vcd, you need Odis (dealer). Paddle shifting steering wheel can and is an easy swap.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[liljonny16]

Retrofitting Nav isn't worth the cost. Check out this site rsnav.com I purchased one but I don't have it installed at the moment. Definitely not worth trying to look into Drive Select.

[A3_2.0TQuattro]

Purchased a 2015 A3 myself about 1 month back. Low miles. Just the premium trim, but has back up camera, heated seats, etc. Paid under $20k. Great car. This was my first introduction to an Audi and love every single aspect of the car.

[Tweakophyte]

Retrofitting Nav isn't worth the cost. Check out this site rsnav.com I purchased one but I don't have it installed at the moment. Definitely not worth trying to look into Drive Select.

I was just checking RSNAV out... This one. I've been following a few threads on this for my '12 S4, but it seems a bit of a mixed bag. Looking forward to your review (hint hint).

[INYAUDI]

I have drive select on permanently, takes some work but IS possible. Was posted on audiworld i believe. Steering ratio got tighter and heavier

[Tweakophyte]

Retrofitting Nav isn't worth the cost. Check out this site rsnav.com I purchased one but I don't have it installed at the moment. Definitely not worth trying to look into Drive Select.

I was just checking RSNAV out... This one. I've been following a few threads on this for my '12 S4, but it seems a bit of a mixed bag. Looking forward to your review (hint hint).

Any updates?

[S3DUDE]

I test drove a A3 1.8 FWD and I am not going to lie it was a quick car. We then decided to get the 2.0 A3 with the Quattro. the extra 50hp and AWD was well worth. If you are buying for your soon you might want to consider the 1.8l.

[liljonny16]

Any updates?

Sorry, no updates. It doesn't seem to work on cars with the factory Nav. So I've been waiting for them to see if they can come up with a solution to get it work on those cars.

[A3_2.0TQuattro]

Try to avoid very early build of 2015 models. You can know they are early by the last 4 digits of the Vin. If closer to the 1000, keep looking as the engines tend to have more issues.

Otherwise, if looking for specifically blindspots, you might want to look at 2016+ years. Hit and miss for 2015 since it was an option.

Have you looked into the GTI's which are virtually the same car, lower insurance most of the time and far more plentiful?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

So the early models of the the 2015 have issues? I think my vin is like under 1000 🤔

[Tweakophyte]

Quick update. We got him a '15 with Nav, Driver's assistance (blindspot monitoring), and heated seats. The Nav is really because I couldn't stand the smaller screen in the larger bracket. The screen does not seem to have much value without Nav.

It's CPO and is a little under 3 yrs old, so we have 2 full years of warranty coverage.

Now to add a dashcam (to cover his tush). Which fuse are people using for the hardwire connection? Where is the fuse box anyway? Any things to avoid when hooking one up?

Thanks!

[mroberte]

Quick update. We got him a '15 with Nav, Driver's assistance (blindspot monitoring), and heated seats. The Nav is really because I couldn't stand the smaller screen in the larger bracket. The screen does not seem to have much value without Nav.

It's CPO and is a little under 3 yrs old, so we have 2 full years of warranty coverage.

Now to add a dashcam (to cover his tush). Which fuse are people using for the hardwire connection? Where is the fuse box anyway? Any things to avoid when hooking one up?

Thanks!

I used this one. Power is available when key is on.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Tweakophyte]

Thanks!

[Tweakophyte]

Any suspension mods to get the standard ride-height closer to the sport-suspension height? We are in CO, so I am not looking to materially lower the car. At the same time, the wheel gap in its current config is ginormous.
Also how stiff are the sways that come with the sport suspension? Again, in CO we get potholes in the winter. Since this is is for my son I want to avoid anything too stiff and wheel-skip.

Thx