vw connection

hey folks,

seriously considering the A3.  Went for a test drive today and was seriously impressed with the car.

While driving I noticed the 6-speed manual and longer clutch throw and thought, "hmm.. that's just like the volkswagens".

While reading through the info on this site and a few others, apparently the A3 is a VW gti?  I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, it was an Audi/VW dealership I went to.  That should have been the first clue. 

So, my question is, how much exactly is the A3 based on the VW?  Is it like the Acura CSX/Honda Civic where it's really just differernt interior bits and headlight mouldings, where all the mechanicals are identical?  Or is it just the same chassis?

Thats a good question! After owning 2 VW's and test driving the A3 I really dont see how they are the same? The A3 is just such a better ride everywhere than a VW...anyone?

I actually test drove a GTI and an A3 before i made the choice to go with the A3.  Gti was nice but the a3 blew it away in my opinion.  Im pretty sure VW Audi and porsche are linked together in a way im not sure who owns who so aspects of the cars are probably similar.  Ive seen many VWs that have similar dashboards to the audi.

VW and Audi are the same company these days. Essentially, Audi's relationship to VW is analogous to Cadillac to Chevy or Infiniti to Nissan, etc. VW has worked closely with Porsche for a long time, but recently Porsche has purchased a 30% stake in VW and is pursuing a complete buyout (There are legal obstacles being sorted out currently-- Germany has a law preventing a buyout of VW). Ironically, Porsche has only been profitable in the past year or two because of their stake in VW. A recent example of the collaboration between VW and Porsche is the Toureg/Cayenne.

Looking at the A3 vs the GTI, they do share the same platform. Mechanically, a 2.0T A3 is identical to a GTI, and the R32 GTI is essentially the same as a 3.2 A3. The entire body shell is different though. Few, if any, body pieces and interior pieces are interchangeable between an A3 and a GTI. Most engine, transmission, suspension, etc parts ARE interchangeable. The only differences that I've found performance-wise are that the GTI with DSG (automatic) transmission has launch control while the US-spec A3 does not; and that the A3's ride height is slightly lower which theoretically should mean a lower center of gravity and result in better cornering. I am fairly sure that the GTI's suspension is stiffer than the A3's though.

Ultimately, the A3 just looks nicer (IMO), is outfitted with more features, has a nicer interior, and is more 'unique' (not seen as often as a GTI / Golf). I'd guess that the A3's insurance rates are probably lower too, the GTI definitely has more of a 'boy racer' image.

This reminds me of the old days when I had a VW beetle. Porsche 356 guys would buy VW parts to save money. I put in a Porsche mechanical advance distributer for better performance. Same as it ever was.

quote:

I put in a Porsche mechanical advance distributer for better performance. Same as it ever was.

 
Yeh, I just put a Porsche fuel pump in my bug. Should've done it a long time ago.
 
BAMF, you are right on the money (again). The only other difference I know of is that you can get a two door GTI (still the same chasis,wheelbase, etc.), while here in the US, the A3 only comes with four.
 
Like fusionx, I also test drove the GTI and the A3, was actually going to buy the GTI, but after the options I wanted (DSG, four door, leather, sunroof...) the GTI was almost the same price as the A3.  The looks, material quality, comfort and yes, the name were all a step above and made it an easy choice. Well worth the extra $.  

Also take into consideration that if you get the GTI, you'll be dealing with the VW service department for routine maintenance. Out here in So. Cal, I hear horror stories from VW owners. I've noticed with Audi you get a lot better service.

I usually hang around the Audi A6 forum because I had 2 of them and a 200QT. One of the A6's died a horrible death when a cam bearing siezed, a cam broke, and the timing belt broke. It is hard to believe the amount of damage that can do to a motor.
 
Through a serries of circumstances I am getting a 98 Jetta for my daughter. I haven't seen the car yet but have been told that it is in good condition.  All I have been able to learn so far is that it is called a Mark 3 and is on the VAG A3 platform. I am hoping that my VAGCom will work with it and some of my Audi knowledge will transfer to it.
 
I realize this is a general question -  but is there anything I need to be aware of to stay out of trouble??

My sister has an old jetta which is probably from the 90's and has had truckloads of problems with it.  It might just be a bad luck car but other than that ive heard jettas were great cars.

I know quite a few people who have had VW's, and every single one had numerous problems with their cars.  These were rabbits, golfs, jettas from all sorts of years.

an example, One guy was so desperate to get rid of his VW that he traded down with another private buyer to get rid of it, he also had to lie about the cars problems to get rid of it (he was an outside salesmen).

Another one was a lady who traded away her Jetta b/c of numerous problems as well.  One thing about this that I remember, is her dash lights didn't work.  The cost to repair/replace for this was way too much, so she said she did the only thing she could, sell it during the daytime.

But these are just 2 small examples.. I know of 2 more people with new VW's and i'm just watching and waiting to see what problems they'll come up with.

Which leads to why I started this thread in the first place.  What I'm really curious to know is how the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' will hold up over time as I'm looking to use my next car for 10 years minimum.  I also don't buy the 'it's German, just accept it' excuse.  Audi bills itself as a luxury car line, the least it's loyal and new clientele could expect is a car that doesn't outperform Ford for all the wrong reasons.

I've owned about every kind of VW that they've made.   All of them were very reliable and didn't cost a lot of money, save the last one.   It was a 2002 TDI that ran like a dream, but had a few costly repairs just out of warranty.   I loved the car, but sold it for the A3.   I just talked to the guy that bought it from me and he has driven over 50k miles in the last 2 years without a problem.   Go figure!   Glad I could fix everything up nice for him.   lol
 
 
 
Cheers!

I don't know if this makes any difference but almost all the VW's (with the exception of the GTI, Passat and Toureg) are assembled in plants in Mexico. Where as all Audi models are assembled in Germany.

VW (Group) is like the GM of Europe. They own Audi, Porsche, VW, Bentley, Seat, Bugatti, and I think Skoda. Audi owns Lamborghini so by association VW owns Lamborghini. You can see the connection between each company in the majority of their cars. Audi based the 5.2 V10 of Lambo's 5.0 V10, Audi and VW interchange engines and mechanics, and VW is the reason Bugatti rose from the dead and the Veyron was built. You can also see the Audi/VW motors like the 1.8 and 1.9TDI used in Skoda's and the Passat platform was used to make the Skoda Superb.
 
Little history lesson, this is what I do during my Chemistry for Engineers lecture

I had a VW Golf and T'reg. The Golf was a great little car. The T'reg, while a cool SUV had alot of bugs. I spent many a days at VW service here in SoCal, not fun. It also ate rotors , pads and tires every 18k or so, painful.....Looking forward to my new Audi experience!

I had a VW Golf and T'reg. The Golf was a great little car. The T'reg, while a cool SUV had alot of bugs. I spent many a days at VW service here in SoCal, not fun. It also ate rotors , pads and tires every 18k or so, painful.....Looking forward to my new Audi experience!

PS I sold the T'reg and got a Ford F150 Lariat, that thing was amazing, never needed anything and full service package costs $49! (you even get tire rotation for that!)

I owned a 2003 Jetta for 2 years. Never had any problems with the car. Not 1. Car was a tank! Got a 05 Mercedes C230. had the rotors changed 3 times (out of round), air bag sensors replaced or plugged back in (they fell out wtf?) 4 times, windows once rolled down and would not come back up, seat belt chime would go off randomly even if you had the seat belt on, Leather on armrest cracked and pealed, Center armrest top broke off, Electronic key broke at the gas station so I could not turn the car on and had to have it towed, plastic cap on set belt ratteled to all hell,  sigh... I could go on. I guess some cars really are built on a Friday.
 
Point being. you never know what kinda car your going to get!

It seems this thread took a turn to the VW side so I thought I'd jump in.  I had 4 VW's before my A3: Scirrocco, 2 Jettas, and Touareg.  As said above the Jettas were rock solid.  Also, ditto on the Touareg - biggest POS I've ever owned.  Tons of bugs. I just traded it for an A6. I agree about VW service (at least in L.A.) - horrible.  Carry on.

FWIW:  Audi is top ten for reliablity just within the last few years. I've spoke with my mechanic who is friend of mine.  No BS, up front sort whom I've known for the past 10 years.  I'd trust my kid with his family.
 
A generalization I know, but one thing he said which stuck with me:  "With a BMW or V.W.; if some thing is wrong it usually a well known problem, a common one.  With Mercedes, Honda or Toyota and even Subaru, if a problem happens it could be a number things, when they're broke, sometimes it's not obvious what needs to be fixed."

I got the 98 Jetta home and have a few problems after replacing the starter.
 
The car has been sitting for about five months after the starter stopped working. Before that it was used every few weeks for about 4 months. We bump started it and I drove about 100 miles to get it home. At first it drove very nicely, but after about 50 miles it began to hesitate and skip when I pressed on the gas too far. It had about a half tank of gas. I suspected bad gas - or a clogged filter. Finally it stalled when I slowed for the tool booth in NH and I had to have it towed the last 5 miles.  (Sometime I'll tell you about my problems with AAA)
 
After I did the starter it seemed fine but the starting problem came back. (I didn't drive it on the highway.) I then replaced the gas filter (it was the first time in 170K miles) and everything was OK again for about an hour. Then it would not start easily. It will start after a long time and will only catch when I take my foot off the gas. I suspect bad gas and maybe more crap in the tank. Tonight I will drain the tank and see what I find. Might have to replace the filter again.....
 
Any other ideas?     I hope it's not a sensor cause my VAG Com will not connect.
 
Don't mean to hijack an AUDI forum -- Is there a good VW forum with friendly helpful people like Audi?
 
 
 
 
 

There is a good VW forum, but I'll give it a whack.   After sitting that long, there is a lot of things that I would do.   First, the gas may be bad after sitting that long if there wasn't any conditioner added.   Drain the fuel, then pull and check the plugs, and replace the fuel filter.   Add fresh gas and conditioner.  
 
I would also check the electrical side.   Check the battery level and use a multimeter to check the alternator's output.   Make sure that you don't have any items causing a drain on the battery.  Also check for corrosion on the cables and connection, especially on the battery and main contact terminals.
 
Obviously, check all other fluids and such.   Basically, the car needs a service.
 
 
Hope that helps.
 
 
Cheers!
 
 
 
 

Thanks for the reply -  I learned a few other things last night.
 
Although the gage said 1/4 full, I think the gas tank was empty. I was attempting to check the fuel pump by removng the gas line at the filter. When I turned the ignition on I got very little gas out of the hose. Just to be sure I added a few gallons to the tank and tried again. It had no flow with the ignition on and a reasonable flow when I engaged the starter. This is a bit strange but I suspect there is some kind of interlock (when the motor isn't running the pump engages only when the starter is running) but my repair manual dosen't give enough detail to confirm this. Can someone confirm this?
 
I put it back together and it runs, but I am concerned that I might be missing something. Tonight I'll check power at the pump to see what that tells me.
 
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: NH_USA

(when the motor isn't running the pump engages only when the starter is running) but my repair manual dosen't give enough detail to confirm this. Can someone confirm this?

I put it back together and it runs, but I am concerned that I might be missing something. Tonight I'll check power at the pump to see what that tells me.

 
You'd be correct on the 98 Jetta that the fuel pump will only work with the crank turning, whether it be from use of the starter or the engine running.  The newer 2.0T engines on the A3 will prime the fuel pump when the driver's door is opened. 
 
You might be very correct about the car being out of fuel, which I consider a good thing because you can get clean fuel running through it right away.   How does the fuel gauge work now?   Did it "stick" for a while before reading the correct volume? 
 
All in all, if the car is running well, then everything is peachy.
 
 
 
 
Cheers!

Thanks Chief -
 --Knowing that the pump dosen't run unless the crank is turning is great information. It helps me understand the problem and stops me from changing a bunch of stuff that is OK. I am beginning to feel better about the car.
 
I'm not sure about the gage. It showed just below 1/2 when I picked the car up and I drove about 100 miles to get it within 5 miles of my house. It was at 1/4 tank when the car stopped running. My current guess is that the gage is messed up and your probably right about it sticking. I'll fill the tank, add some injector cleaner, dry gas, and see what happens.  I'll assume 25 MPG to be on the safe side and hopefully the gage will free up. If it dosen't I can always pull the pump assembly and really mess things up!
 
 
Thanks again!!