The Audi A3 8P arrived in 2003 on the PQ35 platform shared with the Volkswagen Golf V and immediately raised perceived quality in the segment. It was more serious, more disciplined and better finished than many rivals, which quickly made it a natural choice for anyone wanting a German premium hatch without moving into a larger saloon. The 5-door Sportback followed in 2004 and widened its audience even more.
Early cars mainly revolve around the `1.6`, `2.0 FSI`, `1.9 TDI`, `2.0 TDI 140 BKD` and the `3.2 V6 quattro` with the `6-speed DSG DQ250`. The `2.0 TDI` is the most common version, but also the one that demands the closest watch on cooling, cylinder-head health and timing-belt history. The `DQ250` is more reassuring than the later dry-clutch DSG units, provided it has actually been serviced.