Synthetic oil is HIGHLY recommended for a turbocharged car like the 2.0T because of much better performance at high temperatures. Audi and VW specify oils that meet VW's 502.0 (or 503) specification, which, I believe, are only certain synthetics, of which Mobil 1 0W-40 is one of the few readily available types. Not all Mobil 1 weights are so certified. BTW, Mobil 1 0W-40 is the factory-fill for Porsches.

The A3 is waaay different from a Ford Escape in many ways beyond the obvious.

 

Yes indeed. If i end up getting the car i will definitely switch over to synthetic and trust me many other questions will follow.