After a couple of years without a dedicated daily driver, I’ve finally taken the plunge and added a plug-in hybrid to the fleet. This week, I flew to Southern California to pick up a 2018 Audi A3 e-tron, and I’m feeling pretty good about this purchase. From a reasonable distance, it looks fantastic, and all the imperfections appear to be minor cosmetic issues. I’m confident it will handle the 2,300-mile journey back home without any problems. Let’s dive into the details and see what’s right (and what’s slightly wrong) with my new Audi A3 e-tron.
For the past few months, I’ve been casually searching for an Audi A3 e-tron. My criteria were simple: I wanted a plug-in car with a premium feel that wasn’t dull. However, my search hit a snag because every A3 e-tron I encountered was either silver or white with an uninspiring black interior. I simply couldn’t bring myself to drive a grayscale car. When this Misano Red example with a Nougat Brown interior popped up for sale, I knew I had to act fast. And so far, I’m really happy I did.
Interior Inspection: Patina and Minor Wear
The interior of this Audi A3 e-tron exhibits a level of patina that’s typical for a car with around 65,000 miles on the clock. The driver’s seat shows some wrinkles and wear, but thankfully, there are no cuts or tears in the leather. I believe a good leather conditioner will significantly improve its appearance. It’s worth noting that these imperfections are more pronounced in photographs than they are in person. Similarly, the lower door panels have some scuff marks from shoes, which is another area that appears worse in photos. I’m optimistic that I can clean up most of these minor issues.
Exterior Imperfections: Sun Damage and Stickers
On the exterior, it’s evident that this Audi A3 e-tron has spent six years under the intense Southern California sun. The most significant flaw is a small section of clear coat damage, about three or four inches in size. Judging by its shape, I suspect this was caused by a patch of acidic bird droppings that wasn’t cleaned promptly and was left to bake onto the paintwork.
Clear coat damage from sun and bird droppings on the red Audi A3 e-tron paint
The car also sports four CalDOT high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access stickers, which will need to be removed. The one on the front bumper is particularly weathered. I’m hesitant to peel it off completely right now, fearing further paint damage. However, with some heat and Goo Gone, I anticipate a relatively straightforward removal process. I’ve dealt with these stickers before on my old Nissan Leaf project, and they can be quite stubborn.
California HOV lane access sticker on the front bumper of the Audi A3 e-tron
Wheel Condition and Front Plate Mount
Do the stock wheels have curb rash? Absolutely, they do. Curb rash is unfortunately a common sight on used cars, and the wheels on this Audi A3 e-tron are no exception.
Curbed and scratched stock wheel of the Audi A3 e-tron
The front license plate mount is another element that definitely needs to go. The fact that such a visually intrusive feature is tolerated on cars is quite surprising. Removing the front plate will significantly clean up the front end of the Audi A3 e-tron.
Planned Modifications: Wheels and More
Being someone who can’t resist tweaking a perfectly good car, I already have a list of modifications in mind for this Audi A3 e-tron. Before even picking up the car, I secured a set of used Fifteen52 Tarmac wheels from Facebook Marketplace for a great price of just $400. While I had considered more unconventional wheel styles, the Tarmacs were too good of a deal to pass up, and they will be a definite improvement.
Fifteen52 Tarmac wheels planned for installation on the Audi A3 e-tron
Fuel Efficiency and Charging Expectations
According to the car’s computer, it has averaged 36.4 miles per gallon over its lifetime. I suspect the previous owner didn’t utilize the plug-in capability very often to achieve these numbers. I fully expect to see this MPG figure increase considerably under my ownership. The Audi A3 e-tron even came with a Level 2 charger, which I’ll install at home to take advantage of daily charging and electric-only driving.
Audi A3 e-tron charging cable and plug in the trunk
To test public charging, I plugged the A3 e-tron into a Level 2 charger while stopping for lunch. The onboard charger is limited to 3.2 kW, so it’s not a fast charging system. This added a few miles of electric range, but it’s not an efficient use of time. Unless I find convenient overnight charging at hotels during my drive home, I don’t anticipate doing much charging on the road. As a smaller battery PHEV, the Audi A3 e-tron doesn’t have DC fast charging capabilities, so quick charging during stops isn’t an option.
Clever Charging Port Design
One detail I appreciate is the hidden charging port behind the Audi rings in the front grille. It’s a neat and subtle design element of this plug-in hybrid that I find quite appealing.
Initial Verdict and Future Plans
Overall, I’m really enjoying this Audi A3 e-tron so far. It seems like it will be an excellent daily driver for getting around town. I’m planning to give it a bit of a tarmac rally-inspired look. To handle the roads in Cleveland, Ohio, it will need some robust tires and improved suspension. I’m considering a mild set of lowering sport springs, sway bars, new wheels and tires, and a few cosmetic enhancements. I think this Audi A3 e-tron will be a great car for my needs, and I might have just gotten lucky with this purchase.
