Audi Q3 first generation - how to choose a good crossover

With a budget of 1,5 million in your pocket, you can safely buy a new one car budget class. Only due to the sharp jump in the exchange rate the search range has noticeably narrowed today. For this reason, many of those who previously simply looked at used crossovers that were far from budget class have turned their attention to them again.


So what can you buy with this money? I want something “fresh”, not very expensive and expensive to maintain. BMW X5 disappears - you can’t call it budget, even though it has much more external charisma than its cost. The most pragmatic buyers will choose the new Renault Duster if they can find it for this price in a simple package. And what if you pay attention to the Audi Q3?

The crossover from the famous German brand was created on the Volkswagen Tiguan chassis, which implies about the same problems and maintenance costs. But the new owner will receive a real premium Audi, and not a popular Volkswagen, and for almost the same money.

Brief history of the model

To make a compact crossover, the Audi team did not take much time. The scheme has already been worked out several years ago - when the Volkswagen Tiguan was created in 2007. The car turned out to be successful - the Audi Q3 was made on the same basis.



It was not necessary to spend money on the development of a new model, and it cost the manufacturer inexpensively. The PQ35 platform was used as the chassis, on which the well-known models of the Volkswagen AG concern - Golf, Yeti and Tiguan were produced.

The Audi crossover debuted in 2011. The car cost more than a single-platform Volkswagen Tiguan, but now the prices on the used market are almost equal. However, models after restyling in 2015 are unlikely to be bought for less than 1,6 million rubles, and even then, you will have to bargain.

But pre-styling crossovers for 1,5 million are offered in a wide range and condition. You can look for the same "almost new" car.

Visual inspection

Outwardly, it is unlikely to find rust even on old Audi Q3s if you do not know where to look for it. The paintwork here cannot be called thick, but the brand obliges to keep the brand. Scuffs can be found at the junctions of plastic bumpers with metal.



There will definitely be no rust on the hood and on the tailgate - they are made of aluminum, for which the manufacturer must be thanked. And chromium does not differ in durability - it often peels off or simply becomes cloudy.

But you can find pockets of corrosion - the main thing is to know where to look. Hidden cavities are the most problematic place on the body of the Audi Q3. More "bugs" and "spiders" can be found under the plastic sills, arch linings and moldings. As for the bottom - everything is within the normal range if it has not been damaged, and this happens often - some believe that they have an SUV.

In terms of body parts, not everything is as scary as it might seem. Before the jump in the euro and dollar rates, original spare parts were not very shocking, now everything should be multiplied by two, and this applies to both analogues and used parts from numerous showdowns. The front wing can be purchased in the range from 12 to 35 thousand rubles. The cost depends on its "originality" and this applies to new parts.
Of course, in the light of recent events, it is not recommended to get into an accident, otherwise you will have to study the range of showdowns.

Suspension, brake system and electric power steering

You should not expect any unpleasant surprises from the Audi Q3 walker - it is from the PQ35 platform. Suspension front - MacPherson strut, rear - multi-link. Despite the “fresh” years of production and hints of a premium model, the repair will not ruin the owner, especially compared to the Q7.



An aluminum L-shaped lever in front costs up to 15 rubles, and everything is steel in the back, plus silent blocks are changed separately. If you carefully check the suspension of the car before buying, and it turns out to be in good condition, you can drive for a long time, changing only what will fail.



The brakes of the car correspond to the brand - they are enough in all ranges of motion, and at the prices of consumables - at the Volkswagen Tiguan level. If everything works, you can proceed to the next stage of vehicle inspection. The main thing when braking is to check that the discs do not “beat” - the original ones will cost 10 rubles apiece.



But with the steering rack you need to be careful. If, when buying, it knocks or wedges, this is a reason to throw off 150 thousand from the price, no less. You should not believe the assurances of the seller if he says that you need to reflash the system, and everything will be fine.

Four-wheel drive

When buying an Audi Q3, most owners prefer the 4x4 layout. Considering that before the restyling, front-wheel drive options were not delivered to Russia, this is not surprising. After the update, too, few people wanted to have an “under-crossover”, and they rarely bought options with one leading axle.

Front-wheel drive means less fuel consumption and a minimum of problems in operation. But when our drivers were stopped by possible difficulties? Only 4x4! Here the scheme is implemented due to Haldex couplings. Before restyling, there were fourth-generation units with a hydraulic accumulator, after 2015 an electric pump appeared.

The main task of the owner of the Audi Q3 all-wheel drive crossover is to change the oil on time and start less from traffic lights with slippage. Pre-styling Haldex require replacement of lubricating fluids every 40 km, after 000 you need to do this twice as often. If we assume that the clutches are maintenance-free - one day an all-wheel drive car will become front-wheel drive.

Gear boxes

There are two types of gearboxes on the Audi Q3 - these are mechanics and a robotic DSG. The first option can be immediately written off - it is difficult to find it. But a few words are still worth saying - the unit is trouble-free and reliable.



A robotic gearbox is the most common option for the Audi Q3. They are found in two types - DQ250 or DQ500. The first is six-speed, the second is seven. Both units are reliable and nursed from 200 km with proper maintenance. It consists in changing the oil every 000 km.

If this is not done, then the solenoids will fail first, then the clutches and the remaining mechanics. So the diagnosis of a robotic box before buying a car is a must.

Engines

The main engine for the Audi Q3 will be a two-liter power unit with the EA888 index. After restyling, the engine was finalized, saving it from a number of "childhood diseases", such as problems with the timing chain, cylinder-piston group and increased oil consumption at high mileage.



It is found under the hood of the Audi Q3 and a unit with a displacement of 1,4 liters. Oddly enough, but it is believed that these engines are more reliable than 2,0. Although, Russian drivers choose a powerful motor - let there be more problems in operation, but the resource is also higher.

Diesel Audi Q3 of the first generation on the used market are found literally in single copies, you should not consider them for purchase. But we inform you that these are EA189 series engines - two-liter engines with 177 hp. With.

Choosing the Audi Q3, the front-wheel drive copy with a 1,4-liter gasoline turbo engine will be the most reliable and hassle-free. But is it possible to compare its dynamics with a two-liter 4x4? Therefore, you need to take what you like, checking all the problem areas and nuances at the service station.