3.0 vs 1.8T??
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1
3.0 vs 1.8T??
Newbie here from portland.
I am in the market for a good used vehicle for my daughter (20 y.o. college student). Priorities are 1. safety, 2. comfort and style (tired of looking at cookie cutter camry and accord), 3. economy and (hopefully) reliability. Got about a $12-13k budget.
Research and drives have brough me to a 2003-4 A4 Quattro as a top candidate. Hopefully less than 70k miles.
Can anyone share the merits of the 3.0 V6 vs the 1.8 turbo- gas mileage, power, reliability? Is the factory Bose a big upgrade over the Symphonic stereo?
Any hot items to look for?
Thanks!!
I am in the market for a good used vehicle for my daughter (20 y.o. college student). Priorities are 1. safety, 2. comfort and style (tired of looking at cookie cutter camry and accord), 3. economy and (hopefully) reliability. Got about a $12-13k budget.
Research and drives have brough me to a 2003-4 A4 Quattro as a top candidate. Hopefully less than 70k miles.
Can anyone share the merits of the 3.0 V6 vs the 1.8 turbo- gas mileage, power, reliability? Is the factory Bose a big upgrade over the Symphonic stereo?
Any hot items to look for?
Thanks!!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11
From: Ontario, CA
Hey, Fish. I'm a noob, but I've gathered a few things here and there.
If you're going to keep everything stock, which I assume you're going to do, the 3.0L is the one I would recommend. It has more power than the stock 1.8T, and although gas mileage is worse, insurance rates are lower (for me at least). The 3.0L has a few luxury features that the 1.8T does not, i.e. Memory Seats, Wood Trim (l'm a fan) etc. I would assume they are more reliable because without the turbo, less to go wrong, but I have no idea how accurate that assumption is. Hope this helps!
EDIT: I've heard there's little difference between the Bose and standard sound systems. I've listened to both, and they both sounded good to me. My car has the Bose and I love it.
If you're going to keep everything stock, which I assume you're going to do, the 3.0L is the one I would recommend. It has more power than the stock 1.8T, and although gas mileage is worse, insurance rates are lower (for me at least). The 3.0L has a few luxury features that the 1.8T does not, i.e. Memory Seats, Wood Trim (l'm a fan) etc. I would assume they are more reliable because without the turbo, less to go wrong, but I have no idea how accurate that assumption is. Hope this helps!
EDIT: I've heard there's little difference between the Bose and standard sound systems. I've listened to both, and they both sounded good to me. My car has the Bose and I love it.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,413
if u want to stay stock go 3.0. If u want great gasmileage and want to save some bucks 1.8 they route to choose. the 3.0 has sum plus's that the 1.8 dosent have. And if u want to have alil more on the car get the usp and definatly get quattro for saftey and stablilty. IF i woulda known in the begging i woulda gone 1.8 usp quattro. If u get the 1.8 make sure the timing belt has been changed as these go bad around 70 to 80k. https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=108932
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=128740
http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=104
Some helpful links
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=128740
http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=104
Some helpful links
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 95
From:
As stated stock for stock I would choose the 3.0 any day, it makes 50 more HP to the crank that the 1.8T (220 V.S. 170) and I ran a 15.3 in the quarter with mine stock, the 1.8T runs around a 16.5 in the quarter stock, see here for more info http://www.mjbmotorsport.com/sitebui...medatabase.htm
A chipped 1.8T will run about what a 3.0 runs stock, which again is low to mid 15s depending on the driver and with supporting mods it might get you into the high 14s. I like to mod my cars and I personally do not regret getting the 3.0, because honestly if you want the 1.8T to be fast (run 13's) then you have to go Big Turbo, even a K04 is only going to get you low or mid 14s.
Besides speed goes the 3.0 generally comes more well equipped that the 1.8 T and has a few things exclusive to it such as mirrors that fold down in reserve so you can see the curb.
Summary if you plan to mod get the 1.8 if you plan to keep it stock get the 3.0
A chipped 1.8T will run about what a 3.0 runs stock, which again is low to mid 15s depending on the driver and with supporting mods it might get you into the high 14s. I like to mod my cars and I personally do not regret getting the 3.0, because honestly if you want the 1.8T to be fast (run 13's) then you have to go Big Turbo, even a K04 is only going to get you low or mid 14s.
Besides speed goes the 3.0 generally comes more well equipped that the 1.8 T and has a few things exclusive to it such as mirrors that fold down in reserve so you can see the curb.
Summary if you plan to mod get the 1.8 if you plan to keep it stock get the 3.0
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,738
From: Holland MI
I went through the same process last summer and bought a 2003 A4 3.0 MT6 with 69k miles ($13k, original sticker at $37k) for my 17-year old spoiled rotten daughter. The 3.0 package is much nicer than the 1.8T -- better interior features, gauges, trim. The 3.0 engine provides excellent low end torque and cruises effortlessly, without the surge of a turbo (that concerned me since she drives in the winter in snow). I also knew she'd be taking short trips which are hard on an turbo -- the oil does not get hot and lubrication may suffer; turbos are $$$ to replace.
Since then I've had it flash a few misfire codes that cleared up on their own. I replaced the brakes (which I baked into my offer) and will have to replace the OEM battery this summer. The headlight washers leaked and I cut them off, but I am now having problems with no windshield washer. I just haven't had time to investigate, but suspect fuse or pump failed.
Other than that she has had it since August, put about 3k miles on it, and it runs fine.
Since then I've had it flash a few misfire codes that cleared up on their own. I replaced the brakes (which I baked into my offer) and will have to replace the OEM battery this summer. The headlight washers leaked and I cut them off, but I am now having problems with no windshield washer. I just haven't had time to investigate, but suspect fuse or pump failed.
Other than that she has had it since August, put about 3k miles on it, and it runs fine.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,738
From: Holland MI
Forgot to address mileage. It seems to get ~20 in town and for the few highway trips, 24-25 mpg. By comparison, my A6 is 18-19 town and 23-25 highway. The 1.8T will get better gas mileage. I have heard claims of close to 30 on the highway....not sure I believe them. But if I drive my A6 at 55-60 the computer shows 27-28 mpg which calculates real world to 25-26, so it is possible with the 2/3 size engine and 400 less pounds.
