New car on the way...

[Basil Hume]

After quite some time searching for the "right" car, I've finally settled on a 5-door replacement for my Clio 197.

I've plumped for a '56 plate Audi A3 2.0T Quattro S-Line in Garnet Red. Options include dark Vienna leather, Bose, xenons, armrest, roof bars and a few other bits I've forgotten about. I'm collecting it this coming Saturday.

I've always been a bit sceptical about the A3 and I've sometimes thought that it represents a triumph of marketing over sustance. Having now properly driven a high spec one, I'm very pleased to report that I was wrong. I'd still argue with anyone who thinks that an A3 is at a dynamic level with the best hot hatches, but I am very very impressed with the aura and spread of capabilities in this little Audi.

The Audi dealer sent me off on a long, unaccompanied test drive and my main impressions were: smooth, luxurious, nimble and grippy. I was also pleased to find that the ride and handling were a cut above what I was expecting.

The icing on the cake was an excellent trade-in value of £10k on my Clio 197, meaning that I can afford the cost-to-change from savings alone.

The bodywork looks pretty much unblemished, but it could do with some detailing attention to get it to my standards - I'm considering using a professional for the first time. I'll get some photos in due course. Finally, I'm also considering an ECU re-map - any recommendations?

[Simond001]

For simple ECU remapping it's hard to beat the simplicity of the Superchips Bluefin system.

Plug and play. Remove for service. Look up fault codes and clear them yourself.

All for £399

[Dr G]

My experiences with Superchips were less than positive.

MTM, AMD, MRC, Revo...

[Defcon5]

To get the most out of it you want a proper remap on the rollers from one of well known places, Jabba or Awesome GTI etc

[va1o]

Great choice on the A3, sounds like a very good spec.

Edited by va1o on Saturday 1st August 14:39

[VAG1]

Nice indeed, pics please

[Flibble]

Got a chipped UK ST3 on my 2.0T - not dissimilar to bluefin, you get a switch box so you can remove for servicing and the like.

Edited by Flibble on Saturday 1st August 22:03

[Basil Hume]

A few recent pics:

Edited by Basil Hume on Thursday 17th September 20:42

[North West Tom]

The best Audi alloys at the moment in my opinion.

[baz1985]

Very nice car.

I'd start with suspension: KW V3

[dontfollowme]

They seem rare too, I hardly ever see 2.0T A3s. They all seem to be dervs. How much was it?

[baz1985]

dontfollowme said:

They seem rare too, I hardly ever see 2.0T A3s. They all seem to be dervs. How much was it?

Yep, the 2.0TFSI & 3.2 are quite sparse.

[Matt_N]

Flibble said:

Got a chipped UK ST3 on my 2.0T - not dissimilar to bluefin, you get a switch box so you can remove for servicing and the like.

Edited by Flibble on Saturday 1st August 22:03

Chipped UK has had an awful lot of bad press across many forums though.

[Basil Hume]

dontfollowme said:

They seem rare too, I hardly ever see 2.0T A3s. They all seem to be dervs. How much was it?

I "think" I paid £15k. It was advertised at £16k and I did a cost to change of £5k against a 57-plate Clio 197 (notional trade-in of £10k). Seemed ok considering it was from a franchise, under 3 years old and has less than 10k on the clock. The Audi used programme gave me an MoT, fresh service and breakdown cover for a year.

I'm guessing that this car was a private purchase for the 1st owner, given the low mileage, colour, engine choice and options. I was looking on and off for 6 months before finding this one - most are grey diesels!

[Basil Hume]

A quick interior shot too:

[ROSSGR]

A grey deisel may have gone better with the GREY interior