2005 Audi A3 2.0T DSG

[Jimmy Recard]

What's made you fall out with the Audi? Just the frustrations of all the problems?

[LiamB]

TheLordJohn said:

Don't know your taste but I can recommend a Renault Sport Clio, too.
I've had a couple of 200's and they were properly great.

I have been looking at some sort of Renault Sport Clio either a 182 Cup or a 197 but it's the interior that puts me off really! Silly reason but I drive an awful amount so like a nice interior (he says as he considers a Corsa VXR.. I like the seats though )

problemchild1976 said:

what a topic!! such bad luck

firstly.... what the hell is a PH worthy car??

i was gonna say that all cars are worthy and if you had a 1.2 clio and did your own services etc you would have become a PH'er and thus has a PH car.

I'd say a PH worthy car is something that isn't dog slow! The Audi has 200hp as standard and gets to 60 in less than 7.5 seconds rather than the 70 odd (I don't know or care) the Clio had. I wouldn't really call it underpowered tbh.

Out of interest what would you suggest with a 4K budget? Please don't say a bloody smart car

Jimmy Recard said:

What's made you fall out with the Audi? Just the frustrations of all the problems?

Yeah which is a shame really as I'd love to keep it as it's perfect for me but I'll just be living in fear of a huge bill so I think it's for the best. By driving my Corsa again it gives me time to find the right car rather than having to find a car straight away like when the Clio went.

[Jimmy Recard]

I know I sound like a stuck record (I'm biased because I have one), but these are overlooked:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Though you do miss out on the nice seats (these are comfortable but plain) and stereo in the Audi, and the tax is high

[anonymous-user]

Liam,
Have you considered this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/secure/signin?after-s...

[LiamB]

Jimmy Recard said:

I know I sound like a stuck record (I'm biased because I have one), but these are overlooked:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Though you do miss out on the nice seats (these are comfortable but plain) and stereo in the Audi, and the tax is high

Nice cars but not for me I'm afraid! I've got a friend with a 1.4 version and I'm not too keen on the interior (im such a fussy bd) but I'm sure they drive nicely! If I'm going to get another Vauxhall to go alongside my erm.. other Vauxhall, it will have to be a Corsa VXR!

I notice I did say I wouldn't get another Vauxhall earlier in the thread but after seeing I can get a decent VXR in budget that went right out the window

sleepera6 said:

Liam,
Have you considered this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/secure/signin?after-s...

What? Signing in to auto trader?
Link doesn't seem to work I'm afraid mate!

[Jimmy Recard]

What is it?

The link goes to a log in page on Autotrader

[anonymous-user]

LiamB said:

Jimmy Recard said:

I know I sound like a stuck record (I'm biased because I have one), but these are overlooked:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Though you do miss out on the nice seats (these are comfortable but plain) and stereo in the Audi, and the tax is high

Nice cars but not for me I'm afraid! I've got a friend with a 1.4 version and I'm not too keen on the interior (im such a fussy bd) but I'm sure they drive nicely! If I'm going to get another Vauxhall to go alongside my erm.. other Vauxhall, it will have to be a Corsa VXR!

I notice I did say I wouldn't get another Vauxhall earlier in the thread but after seeing I can get a decent VXR in budget that went right out the window

sleepera6 said:

Liam,
Have you considered this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/secure/signin?after-s...

What? Signing in to auto trader?
Link doesn't seem to work I'm afraid mate!

D'oh!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Jimmy Recard]

I thought it was worth a mention after you said you wanted a Corsa VXR. Non sporty but bigger engined hatches like the A3 and Astra are a little oddball so I wondered if it appealed as an alternative

[anonymous-user]

Much cleaner one, albeit older and previous gen, with lower mileage and should be cheaper to insure.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[anonymous-user]

Jimmy Recard said:

What is it?

The link goes to a log in page on Autotrader

Don't want to spoil the suprises would I?

[LiamB]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps!

I've kept my eye on BMWs of every flavour I almost bought an e36 328i touring before the Audi and I'm always looking out for a decent 330ci maybe even a clubsport I didn't however know the e90 shape was in budget but I imagine they will all be a bit leggy?

Id say the only ideas I have at the moment are a VXR, any 330ci or 330 touring or a 328i sport but they're rare to find and big bills wouldscare me away from any that are in budget

I'm so confused!

ETA: That second 330 you posted has a lovely spec! That's going on the Auto trader list..

Edited by LiamB on Saturday 7th January 17:28

[problemchild1976]

LiamB said:

I'd say a PH worthy car is something that isn't dog slow! The Audi has 200hp as standard and gets to 60 in less than 7.5 seconds rather than the 70 odd (I don't know or care) the Clio had. I wouldn't really call it underpowered tbh.

Out of interest what would you suggest with a 4K budget? Please don't say a bloody smart car

thats not PH, thats just fast in a straight line

nah - 200bhp/tonne smart would be under that haha

how new?
how big?
how driveable?

JJ

[problemchild1976]

why not get a focus ST if you like the RS?

if your mate upgrades you can have bits

JJ

[_Rich_]

I had the same car as yourself, like you it turned out to be a right lemon (suspension needed replacing, 2x ECU's, as well as something on the engine (can't remember at the minute)). really frustrating after spending money having the gearbox service, cambelt, new brakes, service and 4x tyres as well, only keeping the car for roughly 8 months. Think it racked up about 3k in bills.
An expensive mistake and tbh a very boring drive has put me off Audi.

Regarding the corsa VXR, I had one when they first came out. Kept it for 3 years and still one of my favourite cars I've owned, the clio will be the better drivers car but like yourself i found the interior is much better in the corsa, and if you go for full leather you'll get heated seats.
Things to look out for are split a/c pipes (I'm sure theres pictures online to help find there location). Also wheel bearings tend to go (my rears went once in the 70k miles i did). I changed the exhaust to a remus exhaust which was great fun, a bit more noise and pops and bangs on gear change when hooning was great fun. Also in the grand scheme of things dirt cheap to run for a hot hatch.

[anonymous-user]

The Blue 330i M Sport, WU06 FMX, has been doing a steady 10-15000 miles a year, which means it's probably genuine motorway. It has also never failed an MOT.

Worn the miles very well too.

However,
£1k insurance assuming
- you are a Marketing Consultant from Pinner
- is a full UK resident with a UK driving licence
- are 25 years old today and have held a driving licence since becoming 17 on 07/01/2009
- rent your home ( I used a random address, and this house is worth £680000
- have no children
- want £350 excess
- prefer to pay annually
- own no other cars
- no crashes before, 8 years NCB
- are called Janine Alexandria

I know my "assumptions" are extremely well off but the car is in group 34 so insurance is going to be quite high.

[LiamB]

_Rich_ said:

I had the same car as yourself, like you it turned out to be a right lemon (suspension needed replacing, 2x ECU's, as well as something on the engine (can't remember at the minute)). really frustrating after spending money having the gearbox service, cambelt, new brakes, service and 4x tyres as well, only keeping the car for roughly 8 months. Think it racked up about 3k in bills.
An expensive mistake and tbh a very boring drive has put me off Audi.

Regarding the corsa VXR, I had one when they first came out. Kept it for 3 years and still one of my favourite cars I've owned, the clio will be the better drivers car but like yourself i found the interior is much better in the corsa, and if you go for full leather you'll get heated seats.
Things to look out for are split a/c pipes (I'm sure theres pictures online to help find there location). Also wheel bearings tend to go (my rears went once in the 70k miles i did). I changed the exhaust to a remus exhaust which was great fun, a bit more noise and pops and bangs on gear change when hooning was great fun. Also in the grand scheme of things dirt cheap to run for a hot hatch.

Thanks for your reply, it's a shame about the Audi as it's put me off them too. Regarding the VXR I think your post has swayed me towards them, with a 4K budget I'll be getting a higher mileage 2007/08 car so hopefully all the niggles will have been sorted but even so wheel bearings aren't an expensive fix anyway. Thanks for the heads up on the AC pipes too, I'll have a little read

I've also seen a couple of videos with the Remus 3 piece fitted and I really like the sound! Definitely something I'll be doing if I get one.

sleepera6 said:

The Blue 330i M Sport, WU06 FMX, has been doing a steady 10-15000 miles a year, which means it's probably genuine motorway. It has also never failed an MOT.

Worn the miles very well too.

However,
£1k insurance assuming
- you are a Marketing Consultant from Pinner
- is a full UK resident with a UK driving licence
- are 25 years old today and have held a driving licence since becoming 17 on 07/01/2009
- rent your home ( I used a random address, and this house is worth £680000
- have no children
- want £350 excess
- prefer to pay annually
- own no other cars
- no crashes before, 8 years NCB
- are called Janine Alexandria

I know my "assumptions" are extremely well off but the car is in group 34 so insurance is going to be quite high.

It does seem like a nice example for once!

I've just got a quote for £1200 as a 20 year old Landscape Gardener with 2 years no claims and passing at 18 which is all correct info so it's definitely do able, I'm currently paying around £1050 for my A3 for comparison

[anonymous-user]

Nice.
Do it! You won't regret it. Practical, fast, beautiful sound, looks the part, a bit more grown up on the outside. The 330i was evo mag's all time favourites, in E90 generation
I like the Corsa VXR, but this is a million times better both the Corsa VXR and Corsa 1.0 combined!

Are you still driving the Corsa? Do you still have it and SORN'ed it or did you sell it long ago?

[LiamB]

sleepera6 said:

Nice.
Do it! You won't regret it. Practical, fast, beautiful sound, looks the part, a bit more grown up on the outside. The 330i was evo mag's all time favourites, in E90 generation
I like the Corsa VXR, but this is a million times better both the Corsa VXR and Corsa 1.0 combined!

Are you still driving the Corsa? Do you still have it and SORN'ed it or did you sell it long ago?

It's definitely a contender for the next lemon I buy! I wanted one when I bought this but every single one that was near me was either chavved up or had a really bad MOT history which put me right off. If I can find the right one I'll go and view it 100%

Regarding the Corsa, I gave it to my sister when I went and swapped for the Juke I had for a while but she still hasnt started driving (she's bloody useless) so it's just sat at my mums farm sornd so I'll just use it as a stop gap while I find something else, I might try and steal it back and stick it in the garage to do something stupid to it when I'm done with it haha.. red top conversion maybe?

Due to not leasing a car anymore I can finally start swapping and changing my cars which I'm loving so what ever I get, if I don't fall in love with it will be changed within the year so why not try both!

[anonymous-user]

LiamB said:

sleepera6 said:

Nice.
Do it! You won't regret it. Practical, fast, beautiful sound, looks the part, a bit more grown up on the outside. The 330i was evo mag's all time favourites, in E90 generation
I like the Corsa VXR, but this is a million times better both the Corsa VXR and Corsa 1.0 combined!

Are you still driving the Corsa? Do you still have it and SORN'ed it or did you sell it long ago?

It's definitely a contender for the next lemon I buy! I wanted one when I bought this but every single one that was near me was either chavved up or had a really bad MOT history which put me right off. If I can find the right one I'll go and view it 100%

Regarding the Corsa, I gave it to my sister when I went and swapped for the Juke I had for a while but she still hasnt started driving (she's bloody useless) so it's just sat at my mums farm sornd so I'll just use it as a stop gap while I find something else, I might try and steal it back and stick it in the garage to do something stupid to it when I'm done with it haha.. red top conversion maybe?

Due to not leasing a car anymore I can finally start swapping and changing my cars which I'm loving so what ever I get, if I don't fall in love with it will be changed within the year so why not try both!

You started off with a Corsa that gave you back pain
Sad about the Juke, I remember reading that it had been written off by some knobber in a Roomster.
Then you bought a Clio. Which you hated.
Next you bought an Audi A3, which was a lemon.

Thoughts are with you

Jokes aside you really need a reliable car.. maybe a Honda Type R with leathers?

[LiamB]

sleepera6 said:

You started off with a Corsa that gave you back pain
Sad about the Juke, I remember reading that it had been written off by some knobber in a Roomster.
Then you bought a Clio. Which you hated.
Next you bought an Audi A3, which was a lemon.

Thoughts are with you

Jokes aside you really need a reliable car.. maybe a Honda Type R with leathers?

I haven't had much luck the best car I've had so far has been the Juke probably, it was so comfortable and was very good on fuel, it only had the 1.5 Diesel engine but it went well enough too, I'd probably still have it if it wasn't written off!

I'd love a Type R but I really really hate where the gear stick is located and DC2 Integras (one of my favourite cars) are too far out of budget for me