I have a 2014 A3 1.6 tdi with a coolant leak. My mechanic took a look and was puzzled by finding 3 radiators behind the grille. He thought one was the aircon rad, another the engine coolant rad and the 3rd one an intercooler rad. However this small one at the bottom is water cooled so can't be a turbo intercooler.
I rang Audi who confirmed it's called a secondary rad, basically to supplement the main engine cooling rad.
So...a) what's the point of having a larger rad with a smaller one RIGHT underneath it doing the same job? b) can they be removed without taking the front bumper, grille etc off the car?
My only thought is it's a money-making ploy from Audi making us have to buy 2 radiators instead of 1.