resu1951

Driving a Lexus ES300 and deciding to get an A3 TDI, which is good on the pocket book for costs of fuel and good pickup for a small car.

I am planning to order a 2012 A3 with progressive package and would like to know if I should be taking the extended warranty package since i plan on keeping this vehicle for at least 10 years and driving approx 15K to 18K a year.

In addition what should I be looking for when buying a new A3, I would also welcome reliability comments from folks who have been driving A3's for years.

Thanks in advance.

kayubassist

as for extended warrany, you don't have to decide to purchase it at the time of signing the deal.
you can wait till your original factory warranty to end, and before it ends you can purchase extended warranty.

as for reliability, I have no experience with TDI engines.

but based on my previous experiences with VW's (1.8 and 2.0 turbo engines) if you do maintenance regularly you should have no problem. ie. frequent oil changes, inspection of the vehicle every once in a while.

after warranty expires, I usually go to a VW/AUDI specialty shops for repairs. cheaper than dealer. I guess the extended warranty is just for peace of mind.

however, vw's do tend to rattle a lot especially after a few years I get that feeling as if the whole car is shaking. feels and sounds like every part, sills, junction is shaking. It will be interesting to see how audi holds up. I hope the build quality is better than vw's.

resu1951

Joe, Appreciate your updates and disappointed to hear about the VW rattling and really hope the Audi ages more gracefully.

I'll post my updates if I proceed with my acquisition.

Many Thanks

Jude

a3newbie

Kayubassist,

I didn't know that we can wait up to 4 years before purchasing the extented warranty, that's good news! Did you discussed the price of these warranty with your dealer?

thanks.

kayubassist

Hi

No, I never buy extended warranty on my cars lol.
most of the times, they are from a third party and I've heard about so many bad experiences about extended warranty.
I mod my car a lot and they usually void warranty too. So extended warranty means nothing to me.

And, I am not sure about the time frame that you can purchase your extended warranty.
I am sorry if I gave you wrong information by not putting it in correct words. I believe you have like one year to buy extended warranty, not 4 years.

kayubassist

alright.
talked to my dealer about the warranty.
you can buy anytime before your factory warranty ends, BUT! it's a lot cheaper if you buy it sooner.
and it is from Audi, not from a third party.

resu1951

Non Negotiated prices from the dealer are $2700 for 60 months and 80,000K and go upto $7800 for 96 month and 200,000k

Thanks

a3newbie

Outch! $2700 for an additionnal year??

I should receive my car this week (!!) so I'll ask about the warranty.

kayubassist

oh man.
one more week for me.
it sucks having to stay home with no car while weather is so good!!!

kayubassist

just picked up my car today.
didn't buy the extended warranty.
just bought Audi Care for $750