I am looking to buy my first Audi and I am looking at 2006-2007 A3s.

From what I can deduce, only the 3.2 is AWD, and the 2.0 is FWD. Then I read about the Haldex traction and from what I can tell this is basically something that kicks in when the front tires are slipping - suggesting (to me at least) that this would only be added to the FWD version of the A3. Is this correct?

If so, is the Haldex standard in all A3s, or is it an optional thing? If it is optional - how do you tell if it is installed on the car when looked at a used vehicle?

I ask because I travel in the snow enough to want an AWD vehicle, or at least the option for AWD/4WD to kick in if the tires are slipping.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Random side question - anyone have any roof racks they suggest for the A3? Looking to toss a few snowboards on the roof and I've seen some crappier roof racks chip the paint or scratch the car fairly easily.

 

A3 and TT... if they say "quattro," it's Haldex, not a true torsion quattro permanent AWD like the other Audi vehicles.

If the model isn't quattro, it's just FWD.

 

look under the car from behind. If you see the rear wheels connect to a driveshaft/differential (instead of connecting to nothing), then it has haldex.

If you can't tell, you can easily find out by test driving it by putting it in drive, turn off ESP and stomp on the gas. If you get more than a chirp in wheelspin, then you have only FWD.

 

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.