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D3 - Common Faults Quick links to all known common faults and their solutions

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  #1  
Old 4th January 2016, 02:17 AM
maj maj is offline
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Default Newbie questions

Hi folks, Newbie here.

(Before I start, this question has probably be repeated on numerous occasions, so apologies in advance). I am currently in the market for a D3 3.0TDI Sport, looking to get suggestions as to what I should look out for it terms of common issues. I know that the Sunroof drains can have issues. Is there anything mechanical or electrical that I should definitely look out for.

I am looking to get a facelift model, preferably 2007 onwards, and really would like one with B&O system which I know are few and far between but I have seen a couple for sale in my price range. Being a more complicated system, are their any know issues with the B&O System I should be aware of?

Although I have already stated I am after a Sport model, what are the main differences between the Sport and an SE, other than the Sport sits lower and has a Sport steering wheel? My plan is to change the steering wheel in future regardless to a modern Audi wheel.

Does the 3.0TDi have a timing chain or belt? If its a belt then how often must it be changed?

I will also give the engine Terraclean before its remapped, would like to get a map to improve the economy. Has anyone had their remapped and what sort of bhp/mpg gains are there to be had?

Generally, how reliable are these cars?

Apologies again for the loads of questions, but having never owned an Audi previously I like to know what i'm buying into. I currently drive a BMW 530d e39 which I have owned for the last 7 years and is now approaching 200k miles. This car has never missed a beat and mostly just cost me on wear and tear items which i cant complain about. If it wasn't for the common rust areas and rest of the car slowly but surely starting to creak then i'm sure this mighty engine could happily do another 200k miles but alas all good thing must come to an end. Its been an awesome companion but would rather let it go before it starts costing me money. Plus the fact that my car being covered in rust does me no favours in my occupation as a Detailer in which i'm pretty good but my beemer doesn't reflect this lol.

Look forward to your replies

Thanks in advance

Maj

Last edited by maj; 4th January 2016 at 02:22 AM.
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  #2  
Old 4th January 2016, 10:40 AM
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Conquistador Conquistador is offline
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Welcome Maj

I believe the differences are the sport suspension, small bootlid spoiler, sport seats, xenons as standard(?), heated front seats and DAB radio also standard. LED DRLs standard on the facelift sport too iirc.

The DPF blocking may be a concern. Remapping can increase performance to near 4.2TDI levels but the gearbox is very strong. You won't have to worry about rust on your A8 either!

I don't know of any common issues with the B&O system, just turn it up and enjoy!!
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Last edited by Conquistador; 4th January 2016 at 11:36 AM.
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  #3  
Old 4th January 2016, 11:34 AM
centurion centurion is offline
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welcome Maj .

These are large vehicles so [generally] won't be molested but ensure that you buy one that's not been neglected. Service history is a must have incl. documents/receipts to prove the work done.

i have done a lot of work on mine and don't won't to scare you off but ensure you have some £££/£'s on a side for repairs as cost to own is significantly higher that 5-series [having owned couple in the past myself]. Equally, and to finish on positive note, they are great cars to drive, very comfy on long journeys, ample of space, excellent build, lots of great features and if you could find one with B&O it is just amazing.

have fun...
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  #4  
Old 4th January 2016, 05:00 PM
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IT IT is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maj View Post
Being a more complicated system, are their any know issues with the B&O System I should be aware of?
The center dashboard speaker seems to blow itself regularly. I think a later firmware update helped negate this, but its not a big job to change.

Otherwise, the B&O is a joy.

My old 3.0 Tdi with B&O was on autotrader a few days ago - I was going to post a link on here but it vanished again.... That was a car worth having...

Swirl flaps is the only issue you'll see on the 3.0 Tdi. Over time, at about 120K+ the plastic components will eventually wear. Budget circa £400 per bank to resolve, but that is about the only 'common' fault to mention in an otherwise bulletproof engine.

The difference between Sport and SE is basically seats, steering wheel, suspension and wheels. There are no real spec changes between the two. Spec difference is more geared towards the engines.

Happy hunting
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The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones.

The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff......

The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous.....

The First 20 Audis:

2001 D2 4.2 QS Silver, 1997 D2 S8 Silver, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2002 D2 S8 Dolphin Grey,
2003 C5 RS6 Blue, 1998 D2 S8 Black, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue, 2003 D3 4.2 Ming Blue,
2005 B7 S4 Blue, 2006 D3 3.0 Tdi Black, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2003 D3 4.2 LPG Crystal Blue,
2000 D2 S8 Silver, 2007 3.0 Tdi Q7 Black, 2009 B8 S4 Black, 1998 D2 S8 Agate Grey,
2006 D3 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2006 D3 S8, 2007 Q7 3.0 Tdi, 2006 C6 S6,

The Second 20 Audis:

2011 A7 Sline, 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2002 A2 1.4 Tdi Silver, 2006 A8 4.2 Tdi Blue,
2007 4.2 Tdi Q7, 2006 S4 Cab Silver, 2010 RS6 Saloon Black , 2007 TT Roadster,
2010 A8 D4 4.2 Silver, 2006 C6 A6 2.7 Tdi Quattro, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue (again), 2008 Q7 4.2 Black,
2009 C6 RS6 Saloon Daytona Grey, 2001 Fully Loaded A2 Tdi, 2006 Avant S6 Black, 2007 VW Caravelle Exec Black (almost an Audi)
2009 TT Roadster Daytona, 2015 Q7 4.2 tdi lava grey, 2002 GmbH D2 demonstrator, 2006 D3 A8 LWB 4.2 Tdi Black

Most Recent Audis:

2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2007 4.2 FSi Q7 ABT Blue, 2016 S5 Coupe Launch model, 2004 S4 B6 Cabriolet, 2016 Q7 Sline White, 2006 Q7 4.2 FSi Black, 2012 Q7 Sline+ 4.2Tdi White, 2008 Blue Audi S8

Everything Else

1989 Subaru Justy, 1986 Vauxhall Cartlton 2.0 GL, 1985 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2 CDi, 1987 Ford Sierra XR4x4, 1983 Vauxhall Senator, 1985 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i, 1997 Polo Saloon, 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 TDi, Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E, 1990 Subaru Justy, 2000 Subaru Impreza, 2000 Subaru Impreza RB5, 1993 Range Rover LSE, 2005 VW Bora, 2003 Skoda Superb, 2003 VW Passat V6 4 Motion, 1996 Peugeot 106, 2000 Range Rover 4.0, 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
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  #5  
Old 4th January 2016, 08:50 PM
maj maj is offline
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Thanks for the feedback back thus far...

Quote:
Originally Posted by centurion View Post
i have done a lot of work on mine and don't won't to scare you off but ensure you have some £££/£'s on a side for repairs as cost to own is significantly higher that 5-series [having owned couple in the past myself]
This is the crux of my post. What kind of work are you referring to which you have had done? Something concerning or just wear and tear?

I appreciate that owning of car of this stature comes with its risks and expenses, but hey, if my beemer turbo goes tomorrow that thats best part of £1500. Comes with the territory of buying a used car.
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  #6  
Old 4th January 2016, 08:56 PM
maj maj is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IT View Post
Swirl flaps is the only issue you'll see on the 3.0 Tdi. Over time, at about 120K+ the plastic components will eventually wear. Budget circa £400 per bank to resolve, but that is about the only 'common' fault to mention in an otherwise bulletproof engine.
Not the dreaded swirl flaps again!! I was heavily advised to have the swirl flaps removed on my 530d aswell. After 7 years of ownership, I invested in a Stainless steel down pipe, d EGR bypass valve and few other bits and pieces, but swirl flaps are still there. Engine still going strong.... *touchwood*
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Old 5th January 2016, 10:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maj View Post
Thanks for the feedback back thus far...



This is the crux of my post. What kind of work are you referring to which you have had done? Something concerning or just wear and tear?

I appreciate that owning of car of this stature comes with its risks and expenses, but hey, if my beemer turbo goes tomorrow that thats best part of £1500. Comes with the territory of buying a used car.
Take it to Audi and it'll be £££ every time. Use an independent and used parts from a8 parts and everything is quite affordable.

Air suspension is probably a cost that scares some people, with new pumps running into 4 figure territory from Audi, but can be sorted for a fraction of that with ease.

Engines and Gearboxes are robust.

Electric parking brake motors can fail, but easy fix.

Generally speaking, the D3 is a pretty solid piece of kit....
__________________
For parts enquiries and Forum User Administration please contact customer services directly, not me - enquiry@a8parts.co.uk, www.a8parts.co.uk, or call 01642 783537

The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones.

The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff......

The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous.....

The First 20 Audis:

2001 D2 4.2 QS Silver, 1997 D2 S8 Silver, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2002 D2 S8 Dolphin Grey,
2003 C5 RS6 Blue, 1998 D2 S8 Black, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue, 2003 D3 4.2 Ming Blue,
2005 B7 S4 Blue, 2006 D3 3.0 Tdi Black, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2003 D3 4.2 LPG Crystal Blue,
2000 D2 S8 Silver, 2007 3.0 Tdi Q7 Black, 2009 B8 S4 Black, 1998 D2 S8 Agate Grey,
2006 D3 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2006 D3 S8, 2007 Q7 3.0 Tdi, 2006 C6 S6,

The Second 20 Audis:

2011 A7 Sline, 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2002 A2 1.4 Tdi Silver, 2006 A8 4.2 Tdi Blue,
2007 4.2 Tdi Q7, 2006 S4 Cab Silver, 2010 RS6 Saloon Black , 2007 TT Roadster,
2010 A8 D4 4.2 Silver, 2006 C6 A6 2.7 Tdi Quattro, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue (again), 2008 Q7 4.2 Black,
2009 C6 RS6 Saloon Daytona Grey, 2001 Fully Loaded A2 Tdi, 2006 Avant S6 Black, 2007 VW Caravelle Exec Black (almost an Audi)
2009 TT Roadster Daytona, 2015 Q7 4.2 tdi lava grey, 2002 GmbH D2 demonstrator, 2006 D3 A8 LWB 4.2 Tdi Black

Most Recent Audis:

2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2007 4.2 FSi Q7 ABT Blue, 2016 S5 Coupe Launch model, 2004 S4 B6 Cabriolet, 2016 Q7 Sline White, 2006 Q7 4.2 FSi Black, 2012 Q7 Sline+ 4.2Tdi White, 2008 Blue Audi S8

Everything Else

1989 Subaru Justy, 1986 Vauxhall Cartlton 2.0 GL, 1985 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2 CDi, 1987 Ford Sierra XR4x4, 1983 Vauxhall Senator, 1985 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i, 1997 Polo Saloon, 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 TDi, Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E, 1990 Subaru Justy, 2000 Subaru Impreza, 2000 Subaru Impreza RB5, 1993 Range Rover LSE, 2005 VW Bora, 2003 Skoda Superb, 2003 VW Passat V6 4 Motion, 1996 Peugeot 106, 2000 Range Rover 4.0, 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
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  #8  
Old 5th January 2016, 11:52 PM
maj maj is offline
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^ Encouraging!!

Will keep you posted on my search.

Thanks again.
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