kz
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
User status: Offline
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Which one?
I'm thinking of getting myself a cheap run around later in the year and it seems both A3's and Golf Mk4's are entering the realm of the infamous £1,000 mark! The A4 and Ibiza's are other options.
Never owned VAG before, and I'm a huge Japanese car fan, but reliability should be near on the same? As long as it hasn't been cained around by some chav obviously.
As far as tuning goes, I hear mapping is the one... what kinda of bhp can these reach without having to upgrade brakes and suspension? Wouldn't go all out on it anyway, just map, exhaust and air filter change.
Feel free to recommend any alternative that won't push me about that £1,000! 
Or...
PS: I noticed that the A3 URL is actually from this forum so I hope I haven't annoyed anyone by linking to it!
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fazza
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 08
Location: Plymouth
User status: Offline
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an a3 T will be a nail for 1k.
there slow as shit in standard form but very smooth and nice to drive. I had an A3 1.8T Quattro(4wd 180 Version) and that was proper slow, but could be mapped upto 210 with ease.
The 150 version only maps to 180 iirc
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adiohead
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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Save a bit more and buy my car from me
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Jake
Member
Registered: 24th Jan 05
User status: Offline
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any vag for 1k will be a piece of shit
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Jake
any vag for 1k will be a piece of shit
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corsacalvin
Member
Registered: 18th Nov 05
Location: gloucester
User status: Offline
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n high miles
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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barely run in for a vag engine mate - 216k
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andys sxi
Premium Member
Registered: 19th Jan 06
Location: Chester Drives:Scirocco tdi bluemotion
User status: Offline
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I have got an Ibiza cupra 1.8t it's 156 bhp standard it's the same engine as the golf with a stage 1 remap, air filter and exhaust your looking at 180-190 bhp
If the engine are looked after they go on for ages
April 08 feature car
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stan_the_man
Member
Registered: 14th Feb 07
Location: Perth, Western Australia
User status: Offline
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I have a 1998 Audi A3 1.8T. Remapped, full exhaust and induction kit and it goes very well. I got it very cheap and i do like it lots.
Reliability is nowhere near as good as Jap though.
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Alex_Rally
Member
Registered: 6th Sep 09
Location: Tyne and Wear, gateshead
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by pow
quote:
Originally posted by Jake
any vag for 1k will be a piece of shit
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Bonney
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 04
Location: St Helens
User status: Offline
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All well and good that a car is "Just run in" at say 150k, But what about the other components like brakes, suspension etc?
That will be where all the problems start!
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stan_the_man
Member
Registered: 14th Feb 07
Location: Perth, Western Australia
User status: Offline
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Mine has done 140K and ive just had to replace a load of track rod ends, bushes and balljoints.
Coilpacks and other engine electronics are junk.
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kz
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
User status: Offline
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There's quite a few to choose from on Pistonheads... but I didn't realise there's a non-turbo version on the engine too  that's messed me up a bit.
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Bonney
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 04
Location: St Helens
User status: Offline
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I only realised that when I looked at one. I seen a mk4 golf, The only thing that put me off was how badily they seem to wear. Most of the interior panels were badily scuffed up, and various trim peices were broken. Was the same case on about 5 others I had seen.
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Dave
Member
Registered: 26th Feb 01
Location: Lancs
User status: Offline
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Mines getting on for 10years old now but inside you'd really struggle to tell.
Engine wise in the time I've had it it's dropped a coil, but all of these have now been replaced by Audi for free a couple of months ago, and a split breather hose. Other than that nothing much to report, the cambelt went but that is soley my fault for going way over the service interval for it.
If your budget is 1k though you really are going to be getting a nail, maintenance is vital with turbo engines, they need regular oil changes with good quality oil, chances are one so cheap won't have that.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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Whichever you choose, get vagcom & a lead. Best tenner spent if you own a vag.
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kz
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
User status: Offline
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Few examples, I guess some of these are non-turbos then?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2630453.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2778524.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2837338.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2753240.htm
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RichR
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Oct 01
Location: Waterhouses, Staffordshire
User status: Offline
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it'll also be a pre facelift A3, You're better with a 2001 onwards IMO
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whitter45
Member
Registered: 15th Nov 02
Location: Norton
User status: Offline
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great engines - coils suffer from failure
Any VAG around that era are prone to electrical faults
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adiohead
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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I have replaced my ignition coils.
Also replaced EGT sensor, speed sensor and a motherfucking window regulator.
Apart from those it's been ok.
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LeeM
Member
Registered: 26th Sep 05
Location: Liverpool
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Bonney
I only realised that when I looked at one. I seen a mk4 golf, The only thing that put me off was how badily they seem to wear. Most of the interior panels were badily scuffed up, and various trim peices were broken. Was the same case on about 5 others I had seen.
5 of my mates have them, ranging from 60k up to 150k. on all of them all the door handles are badly worn as well as dash pieces and drivers side bolsters.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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None of my interior is badly worn, apart from the drivers carpet because I don't have any mats down. Only had to replace temp sensor and a plastic thing that holds the window. That's 2yrs ownership, but take the stories how you will.
[Edited on 23-05-2011 by loafofbrett]
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RichR
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Oct 01
Location: Waterhouses, Staffordshire
User status: Offline
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Driver's Mat was the only worn thing in mine after 125k
Infact, it was in great condition considering it had done 125k, paint was so deep and reflective
Interior (Only the matt worn)
Exterior
Only bit of corrosion was the wheel finish on all four wheels
[Edited on 23-05-2011 by LiVe LeE]
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adiohead
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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My Audi A3/S3 interior is doing well 
Only things worn are the steering wheel, gear knob and driver's side mat
[Edited on 23-05-2011 by adiohead]
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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Ah yes, my gearknob was worn, but I replaced and shortened that for a nicer one anyway 
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