After 4.5 years and 278010km (172747msl) it was time for a change... and today I picked up my brand new S3 after a 4 months wait!!
So I thought I gave a quick recap over some of the issues and wearables..
Car was a 2010 (May) GSW TDI DSG Highline. I changed to Bluetooth myself to 9w7. I also change the interior lighting to LED (from ECS). I was not satisfied with that mod since the Led light was very 'cold' and had a hard contrast.
I did all the necessary services at the correct km's. Including DSG oil changes every 60000km and the Timing Belt at 180000km.
General impression: I loved the car, the low end torque was fantastic. The sound system sucked (no sub) and the seats were too tight for my rear (185cm 100kg)
- Wearables: I went trough 2 sets of all seasons, 2 sets of winter tires, and one set of summer tires
- came stock with some Bridgestones... were so so
- first winter tires (included in the price) were some crap Marrangoni Italian winter tires.
- second all seasons Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread, promised were 130000km had to replace them after 90000km as I started to slide over the front in almost every corner.
- Finally I bought some Continental DW High Performance Summer tires and oh boy... now were taking road holding. No more All Season tires for me.
- the second set of Winter tires were Continental TS 830 and I was very impressed. Never had a real problem on snow or ice.
- I replaced the brakes (pads, rotors, fluids front and back) around 270000km. The fluid for the second time though.
- I got a new battery at 265000km
- I changed the wipers about 4 times
- Front window twice, back window once
- Fuel consumption: Highway Summer: 5.8 l/100km Winter 6.5, City: Summer 6.7 l/100km Winter 8.5!!
Issues:
- I was one of the first drivers with the iced up intercooler in Canada so I got a new one
- the a/c fan was replaced before 80000km (warranty)
- The a/c compressor valve was changed twice before I had to replace the whole compressor around 260000km
- the exhaust valve hat to be changed twice.. around 197000km (just out of the extended warranty!!) and around 270000km
- the EGR Valve (intake side N18) had to be replaced as well last summer 265000km...
- all recalls were performed
- All repairs and services after 180000km were performed by a local TDI Guru from Ottawa (Gord from Advanced Autowerks)
- And yes, after 250000km I had to spend around 3000CAD for all the repairs... Should have sold it before but had no choice at the time.
Why the S3? First of all I cannot afford an 911... and a fully loaded A3 TDI DSG is in Canada 46300CAD... a similarly loaded S3 you can get for 49700CAD... and since my commute went from 340km a day to 12 km a day it was a no brainer...
I would like to say a big thanks to all the members that commented on my questions over the last four years. You guys were a great help! Keep it up!
Cheers from Ottawa
Olivier
So I thought I gave a quick recap over some of the issues and wearables..
Car was a 2010 (May) GSW TDI DSG Highline. I changed to Bluetooth myself to 9w7. I also change the interior lighting to LED (from ECS). I was not satisfied with that mod since the Led light was very 'cold' and had a hard contrast.
I did all the necessary services at the correct km's. Including DSG oil changes every 60000km and the Timing Belt at 180000km.
General impression: I loved the car, the low end torque was fantastic. The sound system sucked (no sub) and the seats were too tight for my rear (185cm 100kg)
- Wearables: I went trough 2 sets of all seasons, 2 sets of winter tires, and one set of summer tires
- came stock with some Bridgestones... were so so
- first winter tires (included in the price) were some crap Marrangoni Italian winter tires.
- second all seasons Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread, promised were 130000km had to replace them after 90000km as I started to slide over the front in almost every corner.
- Finally I bought some Continental DW High Performance Summer tires and oh boy... now were taking road holding. No more All Season tires for me.
- the second set of Winter tires were Continental TS 830 and I was very impressed. Never had a real problem on snow or ice.
- I replaced the brakes (pads, rotors, fluids front and back) around 270000km. The fluid for the second time though.
- I got a new battery at 265000km
- I changed the wipers about 4 times
- Front window twice, back window once
- Fuel consumption: Highway Summer: 5.8 l/100km Winter 6.5, City: Summer 6.7 l/100km Winter 8.5!!
Issues:
- I was one of the first drivers with the iced up intercooler in Canada so I got a new one
- the a/c fan was replaced before 80000km (warranty)
- The a/c compressor valve was changed twice before I had to replace the whole compressor around 260000km
- the exhaust valve hat to be changed twice.. around 197000km (just out of the extended warranty!!) and around 270000km
- the EGR Valve (intake side N18) had to be replaced as well last summer 265000km...
- all recalls were performed
- All repairs and services after 180000km were performed by a local TDI Guru from Ottawa (Gord from Advanced Autowerks)
- And yes, after 250000km I had to spend around 3000CAD for all the repairs... Should have sold it before but had no choice at the time.
Why the S3? First of all I cannot afford an 911... and a fully loaded A3 TDI DSG is in Canada 46300CAD... a similarly loaded S3 you can get for 49700CAD... and since my commute went from 340km a day to 12 km a day it was a no brainer...
I would like to say a big thanks to all the members that commented on my questions over the last four years. You guys were a great help! Keep it up!
Cheers from Ottawa
Olivier
