2004 Audi A3 SE review from UK and Ireland

Nothing.

The car was immaculately presented when new, and after 1 year still looks the same as it did that day.

The interior is comfortable, classy, and well put together.

The engine has plenty of torque. Overtaking is accomplished swiftly and safely, and many other so-called performance cars are left in it's wake.

The DSG gearbox - all cars should be like this. Somewhat faster and just as economical as manual, but smoother, and a lot less effort. If you want to play at Formula 1, there are the "flappy paddles" on the steering wheel! So far totally reliable. Definitely recommended!

The combination of cruise control and the DSG gearbox works particularly well.

Economy - well, an average of 52.4 mpg over 14,000 miles says it all! If you play at Formula 1, you can get down to the low thirty's if you really try!

Servicing - the computer tells me that I'll be due the first service in another 4,500 miles. At 18,500 miles. I don't expect it will be cheap, though. So far I've used 3 litres of Audi's expensive special oil (£13.40/litre). Audi will provide a free insured courtesy car when mine is in for service, I believe.

The downside? Well, it's expensive to buy, but should hold on to its value much better than average.

Left to its own devices, at maximum throttle the DSG geabox will change up at about 4,500 revs which is about 1000 revs too high for this diesel. No performance advantage, just more noise.

But my main complaint - road noise and harshness. Audi say my car meets specification, but I think this partially spoils an otherwise excellent machine. Fortunately, Audi's excellent Concert radio / CD comes to the rescue!