A3 TDI owners?

[Placemotorsport]

Looking at a cheaper daily that gets good on gas. I had an '06 A3 with the 2.0t a few years back and thought it was pretty much the perfect size for a daily. Anyone have any feedback about the TDI one?

[M0ve0ver]

I've got both a TDI A3 and a TDI Sportwagen. They share the same engine, though the A3 has an internal balancer that the VW doesn't.

I absolutely love this motor and transmission provided you do a few changes:

-the DPF is a weak point. While it is covered under the VW/Audi Dieselgate extended warranty, there's usually a backorder
-the fuel pump is a weak point, though better in later years. It can implode and send metal fragments through your fuel system. This is also covered under the dieselgate extended warranty.
-The DCT transmission is fantastic, however you want to be strict about changing the fluid and filter every 40k miles.

If you chose to get one, consider the following:
-Rawtek DPF delete
-Malone stage 2 tune
-Malone DCT tune
-Darkside Developments Racepipe/EGR delete
-CP3 fuel pump

That will give you a rather bulletproof daily driver.

[Placemotorsport]

Great info, thanks! I'm familiar with the deletes as I almost picked up a deleted X5 a few years ago. Figured the later the years the better, tempted on the newer A3 sedan but actually prefer the look of the sport back.

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[lucvv23]

I have an 2012 A3 TDI and with the rawtek dpf delete is it worth the money?


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[M0ve0ver]

I'd say absolutely.

There's cheaper options for a downpipe, but I love Rawteks quality and service.

When I picked up my A3 I immediately went from stock to Malone Stage 3. Going from stage 2 to stage 3 isn't necessarily worth it however.

[lucvv23]

I still have extended warranty and I’m waiting to do all the cool stuff. So you went from stock to stage 3 right away then? How much more power did that give you?


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[M0ve0ver]

I had the extended warranty as well, but based on lessons learned about backordered parts with my Sportwagen TDI, I went and replaced/upgraded all the problem areas right off the bat.

As far as power, Malone Tuning claims 183WHP and 310WTQ. I don't have any before/after dyno numbers for my car though.

here's some more info on what I did:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...Big-quot-Turbo

[lucvv23]

I have 6,910 miles till my warranty goes away what should I do first? Any suggestions?


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[M0ve0ver]

I have 6,910 miles till my warranty goes away what should I do first? Any suggestions?


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If you're looking for something to do now that won't void the warranty, a DCT tune is a good first start. Otherwise, A nice set of coilovers.

Are you familiar with the problem areas of the CBEA diesel engine?

[lucvv23]

No I am not actually. What is a DCT tune?


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[M0ve0ver]

So off the bat, the A3 has a CBEA 2.0TDI engine, which is almost exactly the same as the VW CJAA 2.0TDI engine found in MKVI VW diesels.

the transmission is a dual wet clutch... think of it as two manual transmission strapped together in a tub of fluid.
They're amazing transmissions, but you need to take care of them.
You've been doing the 40k mile fluid/filter changes on the transmission right?

A DCT tune is a dune for the transmission that increases the clamping power of the clutches as well as makes some changes to when the car shifts. It's a prerequisite to any engine tunes.
https://tunezilla.com/catalog/Audi/2...une-for-CR-TDI

The diesel particulate filter is covered under the warranty, but commonly back-ordered for weeks/months. It can either crack, clog, or just need to be replaced because it's filled with ash.
The most common "fix" for this is to replace it with a down-pipe and a tune. This will also significantly increase your fuel mileage.
https://www.rawtekinc.com/collection...xhaust-eco-kit
https://tunezilla.com/catalog/Audi/2...2-2014/Stage-2

The CP4 fuel pump (covered under warranty) has had issues where it can fail without warning and send metal fragments throughout your fuel system. This requires you to replace pretty much everything from then injectors back. The fix for this is to replace it with a CP3 fuel pump which is a much simpler design.
https://www.darksidedevelopments.co....l-engines.html
(there's other places to get this kit, I just like darkside)

There's also a P2015 fault code that shows up when a stopper on the intake manifold breaks, but that's a $65 fix/preventative fix from dieselgeek.
https://www.dieselgeek.com/collectio...d-03l-129-711e

For more info, check these places out:
https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php (you'll want to primarily reference the VW MKVI section, it's got a lot more info about your engine)

https://www.myturbodiesel.com/forums/

[lucvv23]

As of right now, my DPF has been replaced since it was clogged, my turbo is new because it had a bearing go out, I have a brand new intake manifold because it was bad as well that was replaced by Audi, and I haven’t got my 40k miles service yet I just bought the car last year and have only put 25-30,000 on it. All in all I’ve had a great experience with the car.


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[alpine4]

As of right now, my DPF has been replaced since it was clogged, my turbo is new because it had a bearing go out, I have a brand new intake manifold because it was bad as well that was replaced by Audi, and I haven’t got my 40k miles service yet I just bought the car last year and have only put 25-30,000 on it. All in all I’ve had a great experience with the car.


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Is your A3 tuned? I have been conseriding tuning mine but the warranty keeps sticking in my mind. I just turned 100K and having the timing belt replaced soon. Should I tune or keep saving for RS3. Used RS3 prices are so high maybe I should just tune my A3 with Malone or Kerma tune. I am thinking stage 2 Malone but don't know if I have to delete the ERG and DPF. Thougth I thought read somwhere you no longer have to delete anything for Malone stage 2 tune.

[M0ve0ver]

Malone can do a tune that allows for keeping the EGR and DPF.

If you're going to keep the car, you may as well do a full delete and Malone stage 2 + DCT tune. Then when you do the timing belt, upgrade the fuel pump to a CP3.

[alpine4]

Malone can do a tune that allows for keeping the EGR and DPF.

If you're going to keep the car, you may as well do a full delete and Malone stage 2 + DCT tune. Then when you do the timing belt, upgrade the fuel pump to a CP3.

You find your Tune with CP3 fuel pump make for a next level of power? You get a faint smell of diesel fuel with DPF gone?

[M0ve0ver]

You find your Tune with CP3 fuel pump make for a next level of power? You get a faint smell of diesel fuel with DPF gone?

Stage 3 is pretty quick, and emits a lot less smoke when going wide open throttle than my Stage 2 CR140 sportwagen does. I had the tune adjusted for the CP3, but didn't notice any noticeable gains. I went with the CP3 for reliability.

You get the full on diesel smell when removing the DPF. Keeping the catalytic converter helps a bit.