How many A3 TDIs had ABS?

[curioustdi]

I am strongly considering purchasing an A3 TDI, but I consider ABS a necessity, so what are my chances of finding one with it? Is there any quick way to tell, besides slamming on the breaks or popping open the hood?

I think I am looking a car that isn't out there - A3 TDI, <70k mi, ABS, moonroof, and any color but red or that light blue.

Michael

 

[Steve Addy]

It was optional on 98 TDI's probably on the early 99 A3's too. Not available on the 97's. There are some out there, there's a black A3 98 on Ebay right now with ABS but I ran a carfax on it and it came up with a front end accident (police reported) but otherwise clean.

You do have a fairly good chance of finding one with ABS. Personally I would rather have four wheel discs over rear drums with ABS, but that's just from a dyi maint standpoint. I dont know much about the ABS system except that it's more costly to maintain. I dont know about failure rates on the pumps either so I am kind of happy that mine got the basic brakes.

good luck to you!

steve a

[ February 21, 2003, 21:51: Message edited by: Steve Addy ]

 

[Steve Addy]

There was another 98 on Ebay that sold just a few minutes ago, listed for less than a day, a 1998 with 44k miles and with ABS, too bad it was in the bright blue, it looked pretty sharp. It sold via "buy it now" for $7900.

steve a

 

[Diesel Dude]

My 97 A3 does have ABS. I bought the car second hand and the original owner told me it was part of a package that included the sunroof, metallic paint, ABS and premium sound system. The car is Canadian and that may be another difference. I have seen other 97 Canadian A3's with ABS. I am not sure what was offered in the U.S. Easiest way to identify if it has ABS, is an ABS light that illuminates on the left side of the dash when you first start the car as the ABS system does its selftest. Hope this helps.

 

[bowlerman]

i have a 1998 without abs and its so much easier to fix. if you know how to pump brakes or dont drive on top of people then you dont need abs. i think its just another thing to fix. so are auto trannys but this is my opinion.

 

[Andrei Rinea]

My 1994 Passat 1.9 TDI (1Z engine) has ABS.
I got it for 6200$ at 110.000 km
dual airbag and no other options (not even A/C)
I think it was a good deal!

 

[dzcad90]

ABS on an A3 TDI is rare. I'm talking ULTRA rare.

If you got ABS, you had to get every option package below it: Air Conditioning, Premium Sound, Power Moonroof, Convience Package (Power Windows, Orlando Alloy Wheels, Heated Mirrors/Washer Nozzles) and then finally you could get ABS. I guess you did have the option of getting Metallic Paint

I wish my car would have came with those options, but I bought it used and took what I could get. I'm almost there though! I've added Orlando Alloy Wheels and Power Windows! I just have to do the power mirrors and nozzles and I think I will be content. ABS is totally out of the question as an add-on mod.

[ February 22, 2003, 22:08: Message edited by: dzcad90 ]

 

[tomo366]

I have seen 2 Jetta A-3's with ABS I have a Passat with ultra rare ABS

 

[Dieselgeek]

ABS/EDL isn't too bad as an add-on mod. The A3 ABS from a VR6 Golf/Jetta 96-99 (don't bother with the rarer '94-'95 system or any system without EDL)will all bolt right in and you use the front hubs from any four cylinder car that had ABS. Use the rear disc setup from any four cylinder car with rear disc And ABS. There are only four or five wires to plug in and it may just save your you know what some day. I've done ABS swaps twice and it saved me once and it save a stupid pedestrian once. Worth it.

Michael D.: To see if a car has ABS, open the hood and look at the master cylinder. If it has two lines coming out of it it has ABS and if there are four lines coming out of it then it has regular brakes.

Jim
dieselgeek.com
'90 Corrado TDI with '93 Corrado VR6 ABS/EDL

 

[Dieselgeek]

Even my motorcycle has ABS. If you read the tests about motorcycle stopping distances in the wet you'll see that even professional riders can't come close to the efficiency of ABS. Of course we're talking about cars here so it's a little different but if you use it once it paid for itself. I also serviced cars for a long time and ABS is no more hassle than regular brakes. Sample size is greater than 30...Cost/Benefit is Way in favor of ABS.

I still feel alright driving a car with great non-ABS brakes and low vehicle weight since the braking threshhold is so high but for a heavier vehicle I think ABS is a good idea. I also think that autocross should be mandatory for drivers under 20 (or all drivers)since you can learn what the threshhold is. Threshhold braking in the dry can be as fast as ABS but it takes real practice.

Jim
"make mine caffeinated!"
dieselgeek.com


Jim
dieselgeek.com

 

[jck66]

Originally posted by tomo366:
I have seen 2 Jetta A-3's with ABS I have a Passat with ultra rare ABS

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Bah! It's not that rare on Passats! Or maybe mine is a rare car as well...