Hi, first time poster here, I’m trying to add a picture but I’m not sure now to.

Before I start, I absolutely love this car, it’s my second and I was down at Audi every other week sitting in once before I was able to afford one.

It is due to go back to Audi next month and I have a £13 000 payment to make if I want keep it.

For a car of this quality and spec in this current market it is a bargain. It has only done 50 000 miles since new and I’m the second owner (2019 reg). It has all the upgrades from Quattro and Bang & Olufsen sound system to panoramic sun roof, virtual cockpit & heated seats. Only an engine short of an S3

I absolutely love it, so enough said and decision made for some. It’s the perfect mix of efficiency, comfort and performance. It’s my second 8V and I regretted letting my first one go. I am very bias to say I don’t think Audi will make another car like it, the exterior but especially the interior it has. I still enjoy looking at it and find myself in awe sometimes looking at it from different angles.

My mechanic believes they are very very good and reliable cars if looked after properly, he said the engine has a history of very little issues. I am by no means a car enthusiast, I like my cars, I know a little about them but that’s as far as it goes. I’ve, touch wood, had absolutely no issues with this or my previous model.

If I keep it, it will in total have cost me £33 000 by 2029, when it will be 10 years old. It was for sale for £26 000 when I bought it in 2023.

Has anyone in here had any dealings with similar car or engine?

Should I/could I keep this and run it into the ground?

There is something I don't understand here. Why, if you bought it three years ago, are you now having to pay another £13000?

No idea on your financial set up. I’ve always bought my cars, so not constrained by PCP or hire purchase deals. I understand about the final balloon payment though. Often cars on finance tend to be 3-4 years old and have GFV (guaranteed future value). Stay within limited mileage, and hand back in good condition, etc.

Just looked at the price of a new petrol A3 Sportback. You can easily pay £35k and it has halogen rear lights. It’s 2026!

At the end of the day, it’s your money. Keep on top of servicing and oil changes and it should do you a good few years.

Any comments Paolo?

Regards,

Gareth.

I have a 2018 S3 and 2019 A3 1.5 TFSI. I do all my own servicing and change the oil at 8000 miles. The A3 has done 91000 and the only thing we have done is change the DSG clutch pack. The mechanic showed us the one that came out and reckoned it had a lot more life in it but we had a fault message and juddering in the low gears. It has been a great reliable car as has the S3. Having done some research these engines can go for 150K plus. I run my cars into the ground so hope this is the case. FYI I saw a 2018 Toyota Prius hybrid with 330000 on the clock. This chap had the car from new and changed the oil every 8000 miles. Not sure on the finance bit as I buy the cars outright but I feel confident they have plent of miles in them.