Anyone have/had an Audi A2?

[Chris_D]

So the lovely client-supplied Skoda Superb lease car is going back as my contract with ABB is due for completion at the end of March.
It's been a fantastic motor, taking me between Holland and Germany on a regular basis in relative comfort and for the year or so I've had it I've clocked up over 25k kilometres

Rather than sign up for a throw-your-money-away lease plan I'm now on the lookout for a cheap-as-chips runabout that I can use to nip to the woods with the MTB or carry the bales of A0 size tech drawings around and other general duties, rather than using the zed.

The A2 has always impressed me, both from a technological perspective and as a potential cheap ownership prospect. I got to borrow one while I was in Hamburg while the Skoda was having a new wheel fitted and balanced and I was sold on it. It was the 1.4 diesel version and had had a remap apparently so it had a bit more poke than usual.

However, I'd be keen to find one of the legenday 1.2L '3L' D3 versions. These were capable of 3L/100km (80mpg) fuel consumption which is pretty bonkers! They were only sold in Germany so that would be like finding a needle in a haystack imo.
The 1.4L diesels are pretty common and I've spotted a few over here in NL.
I should be able to bag a tidy sub 200k km one with toys for Eu2-3k. Pocket money and if it goes pop, whizz, bang or gets tw@tted it won't be any major loss.

Anyone have any ownership experience? Would love to hear from you.
Not that interested in any negative, inappropriate opinions from non-owners although I already know Fred's fingers will be twitching to tap out something derogatory.

Going to have a butchers at this one tomorrow. Asking Eu 2750, serviced, full history, pano roof, airco, 200k km, cruise.

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[GuidoK]

However, I'd be keen to find one of the legenday 1.2L '3L' D3 versions. These were capable of 3L/100km (80mpg) fuel consumption which is pretty bonkers! They were only sold in Germany so that would be like finding a needle in a haystack imo.

Afaik the 3L version with the 1.2 diesel were sold in quite decent numbers in the Netherlands as far as A2's go (it was a very expensive little car on launch being an all aluminium car from a premium brand)
Marktplaats:
https://www.marktplaats.nl/l/auto-s/aud ... +474/#q:3l
(12 for sale)

Gaspedaal:
https://www.gaspedaal.nl/audi/a2/diesel ... a&trefw=3l
(11 for sale)

I believe all 3L's had automatic gearboxes (old fashioned 5 speed ones)

I also like to get one at a certain point because of the all aluminium construction and it was the first car that defined a segment.
However the lack of power, certainly compared to modern cars holds me back.

Maybe a 90Hp 3cyl 1.4TDI or a 110Hp 1.6FSI petrol one.

Road tax for the diesels is decent due to the low weight, especially the 3L (only 830kg listed I think)

[Chris_D]

Thanks for your input Guido!
I did spot those 3L's on mplaats but most of them are a bit leggy at 3-400k km. Many seem to have had new gearbox/clutch kits after 200k.
I didn't know they were sold in NL. I had assumed they were DE imports. Good news maybe.

The lack of power doesn't really bother me as long as it goes, it's straight and not hiding anything evil.

Search goes on...

[True-Blue]

Hi,

I’ve owned a couple of Tdi 90 versions and with a reputable re-map they are surprisingly capable little machines and have a similar power to weight ratio to the original mark 1 golf Gti, but with turbo diesel torque.

If you run lightweight, sensible sized alloys they are pretty agile too.

I think there’s a strong possibility these will achieve classic status at some point, quirky looks, all aluminium etc... there’s already a little bit of a cult following in the uk.

Be aware that most are only four seat, but these is a 5 seat option. The ‘sky roof’ or what ever it was called is very unreliable, so check it works if it has one!

The body work where the front door hinges attach is prone to cracking, so check this carefully too.

Check out A2OC.com

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[Chris_D]

Thx TrueBlue,
I heard about the roof issues. It would be a nice-to-have if working but not essential. What was the cause with them failing?

[True-Blue]

Honestly can’t remember, the skyroof is nice, but adds loads of weight as you can imagine.
Quite a number of people on A2OC travelled to a dealer in Germany to get them fixed, I’m sure there’s a thread on there about it somewhere in the archives.
I avoided the skyroof versions!

My mapped Tdi had no problem showing up my mates standard 320d at the time (2008). I had opted out of the company car scheme for cash, and he had a brand new 320d.

[Chris_D]

Honestly can’t remember, the skyroof is nice, but adds loads of weight as you can imagine.
Quite a number of people on A2OC travelled to a dealer in Germany to get them fixed, I’m sure there’s a thread on there about it somewhere in the archives.
I avoided the skyroof versions!

My mapped Tdi had no problem showing up my mates standard 320d at the time (2008). I had opted out of the company car scheme for cash, and he had a brand new 320d.

Blimey! I keep a 320d cabrio in the UK and thought that had a decent bit of poke!
Really sold now if what you claim about the remap is true!
Did you see any negative difference in fuel consumption? I heard you can map for increased performance and economy in the same map..?

[GuidoK]

I didn't know they were sold in NL. I had assumed they were DE imports. Good news maybe.

Actually I don't know if they were sold from new. What I ment was that you do see them around regularly.
They could be imports. Does that matter?

Indeed all the ones you see for sale have quite high mileage and are therefore a bit tatty, but then again, that's the purpose for a 3L model isnt't it? Drive a lot of miles for little money
(and probably when the point is to cost as little money as possible, maintenance will suffer too I guess.)

[True-Blue]

Honestly can’t remember, the skyroof is nice, but adds loads of weight as you can imagine.
Quite a number of people on A2OC travelled to a dealer in Germany to get them fixed, I’m sure there’s a thread on there about it somewhere in the archives.
I avoided the skyroof versions!

My mapped Tdi had no problem showing up my mates standard 320d at the time (2008). I had opted out of the company car scheme for cash, and he had a brand new 320d.

Blimey! I keep a 320d cabrio in the UK and thought that had a decent bit of poke!
Really sold now if what you claim about the remap is true!
Did you see any negative difference in fuel consumption? I heard you can map for increased performance and economy in the same map..?

I had mine mapped by a Company called Stealth in the UK, from memory the power was 117BHP but I cant remember what the torque figure was now. The non-skyroof car on lightweight alloys is.... pretty light!

This was a live map on a rolling road, not a generic download.

Also, as this is a 3 cylinder turbo diesel, pre DPF’s it’s a simple long lived engine if looked after.

This was against a four door, non-mapped 320d rep-mobile... which I think was about 170bhp... but far heavier.

The 90BHP version is the one you want as it had a different turbo to the 75bhp version.

I remember mine fondly, great little cars

Re MPG... it was amazingly economical, even driving it hard.... but it’s like anything, the more you push on the lower the MPG

[Chris_D]

Indeed all the ones you see for sale have quite high mileage and are therefore a bit tatty, but then again, that's the purpose for a 3L model isnt't it? Drive a lot of miles for little money
(and probably when the point is to cost as little money as possible, maintenance will suffer too I guess.)

Would still be nice to find a low km's example if possible. By low I mean 100k km lol

The 90BHP version is the one you want as it had a different turbo to the 75bhp version.
I remember mine fondly, great little cars
Re MPG... it was amazingly economical, even driving it hard.... but it’s like anything, the more you push on the lower the MPG

I know I'm going to get distracted by a power/economy increase strategy if I'm not careful.
It just really has to cost buttons and get from A to B tbh. I will still have the zed for tooling about in.

[firebobby]

Actually Christopher, I have always admired the A2, quirky little things. Fill your boots boy

[djstan]

I bought my ex-wife a 1.6FSI, which was a lovely little car. We had a problem with the exhaust manifold which was replaced under warranty but other than that, it was a great car! You can fit a *lot* of stuff in them, especially if you remove the back seats (which is really easy). Very light and nimble

[Chris_D]

Actually Christopher, I have always admired the A2, quirky little things. Fill your boots boy

Well I thoroughly intend to Frederick old bean!

I bought my ex-wife a 1.6FSI, which was a lovely little car. We had a problem with the exhaust manifold which was replaced under warranty but other than that, it was a great car! You can fit a *lot* of stuff in them, especially if you remove the back seats (which is really easy). Very light and nimble

They are cavernous inside aren’t they!
Well big enough for 2 bikes and camping gear as well as serving as a little runabout for the business.

[True-Blue]

I’d definitely go with a mapped tdi over the 1.6 FSI

[Chris_D]

I’d definitely go with a mapped tdi over the 1.6 FSI

I'm inclined to agree but the Dutch govt are coming down hard on diesels now.