A3 3.2 Quattro

[Speed addicted]

I'm looking for a replacement for my BMW 330ci, and since I recently found that the 911 I wanted didn't fit, today I test drove an A3 3.2 Quattro. The power delivery and grip available made me laugh and I was genuinley shocked at the performance (I had a sore neck afterwards!!!!).

Does anything much go wrong with these?
I would only consider a manual car (I'm a luddite and dont want paddle shift) and I notice the TT is available with the same engine, is the 3.2 TT available in manual? And is the main difference between the A3 and TT practicality?

Cheers folks.

[catso]

Speed addicted said:

I'm looking for a replacement for my BMW 330ci, and since I recently found that the 911 I wanted didn't fit, today I test drove an A3 3.2 Quattro. The power delivery and grip available made me laugh and I was genuinley shocked at the performance (I had a sore neck afterwards!!!!).

Does anything much go wrong with these?
I would only consider a manual car (I'm a luddite and dont want paddle shift) and I notice the TT is available with the same engine, is the 3.2 TT available in manual? And is the main difference between the A3 and TT practicality?

Cheers folks.

I've got a DSG 3.2 A3, had it over 3 years, a few minor (electrical) warranty issues but otherwise been very good, I think the engine is understressed and as such should last well.

Overall a quick, comfortable car that gets on with the job of moving you from A to B with maximum efficiency whilst having a very understated appearance, only downside is that it is a little thirsty.

I would reccomend it

[somouk]

The 3.2 is a nice engine, not overly powerful compared to 3.2's from other manufacturers and it does drink a little..

It is the same engine as the TT and yes the TT can be had in a manual but PLEASE PLEASE drive a DSG box before buying. As fun as manual is, the DSG is really something else for cruising and for fun!

Regards
Mart

[croxsons]

I can only comment from a good friend's point of view.

He loves his, though thinks that he should have got the S-Line Spec.

His is manual, and gets at best just udner 30mpg, if he is pushing on a bit across motorways, he will get 22mpg ... !! If you can stomach that, it is a cracking car.

[Speed addicted]

The fuel economy (if you can call it that!) isint really a problem, I don't do many miles and currently have a 3 litre BMW.

The DSG just dosen't appeal to me at all, I rarely drive in traffic and find changing gear quite satisfying!

I've been reading up, is the Halidex 4wd just front wheel drive untill things start to slip? And is the system in the A4/S4 different?

I think I need to try a TT if I can find one with a manual box. I might as well try to find an S4 too....

[Ranger 6]

Speed addicted said:

I've been reading up, is the Halidex 4wd just front wheel drive untill things start to slip? And is the system in the A4/S4 different?

Yes the haldex system is fwd until slip is detected then the power is distributed rearwards to balance things. It is very different to the A4/S4 system which is a permanent 4wd with a torque biased centre diff.

[FUBAR]

somouk said:

but PLEASE PLEASE drive a DSG box before buying. As fun as manual is, the DSG is really something else for cruising and for fun!

Funny this. Whilst my A4 DTM is in for a partial gearbox rebuild (victim of the Nurburgring ) Ive got an A3 1.8T S Line 'loaner' with the flappy paddle gearbox/normal auto/Sport auto (is this the DSG box?). Whilst I admit it was great fun to play with for, oooh, the first hour, I soon got bored with the low speed 'hunting' of the gearbox. The on/off throttle at low speeds/pulling out of junctions is damn annoying. Squeeze the throttle...nothing...nothing...then WOOOAHH THERE BOY!

Maybe Ive got a car with a duff box?

Give me a manual anytime (although granted the flappy paddle box round the Ring would have been easier than my manual)

[Dr G]

I plastered one of these around Combe at Audi driver international (hello to the couple of PHers I spoke to on the day, forgotten your names!).

Turn the ESP off to let it slither a teeny bit and the grip really does make you laugh out loud! They're an absolute ball to drive in a sort of punchy, muscular grab it by the scruff of the neck sort of a way. Loads of fun

Our demonstrator has a Milltek so fuel economy is even worse! (induction noise at WOT is utterly addictive)

[Sussex_Paul]

Hi,
I'd concur with the DSG vs Manual comments.
I tried both out when test driving the MKII TT and after a while the DSG felt too much like an automatic for my liking. I could see it being fun for a while but not enjoying it as much as a manual in the long run.
The manual box is excellent, I got mine with the factory fit short shift, and it's really direct and good to use (although mine is a 2.0T not a 3.2q).
Some people also report problems with the accelerator on the TT 3.2q being very sensitive, making it difficult to drive it smoothly at low speeds. Not sure if the A3 suffers from this though?
Handing wise, I think you'll deffo notice a difference between the A3 and the TT (especially if you go for the Mag Ride option).

[Speed addicted]

TT is out, cant get in comfortably due to steering wheel and roof being too low.
The A3 looks a little sensible as I really wanted something loopy, but I do agree about the handling of the A3, I did find it really fun.
If I can get over the stealth looks the A3 might be about ideal as a practical fun car.

I'm trying to find a V8 S4 to have a look at, I think they fit into the totally daft catagory!

[Marki]

Ranger 6 said:

Speed addicted said:

I've been reading up, is the Halidex 4wd just front wheel drive untill things start to slip? And is the system in the A4/S4 different?

Yes the haldex system is fwd until slip is detected then the power is distributed rearwards to balance things. It is very different to the A4/S4 system which is a permanent 4wd with a torque biased centre diff.

The Haldex 4x4 is a brilliant system

[baz1985]

I am biased. It is a great car imo. My concerns: S Line shocks do not have enough rebound capacity, and it is too stiffly sprung. This means that on a typical B road, the car remains unsettled (constant skipping) which makes it difficult to extract its true potential; and in normal driving it's too harsh.

I think that Koni-FSD Shocks with Eibach Pro-Kit springs will make it more progressive than the OE setup. So, I'm currently investigating this.

The other issue is that the Xenon Plus are frankly cr*p when compared to my E87, E46, E90 experiences. Either that or mine have a problem- 'the diagnostics say that there is no problem'- the dipped beam range is poor especially when compared to the standard lamps (it's worse).

[Dr G]

baz1985 said:

I am biased. It is a great car imo. My concerns: S Line shocks do not have enough rebound capacity, and it is too stiffly sprung. This means that on a typical B road, the car remains unsettled (constant skipping) which makes it difficult to extract its true potential; and in normal driving it's too harsh.

That's a good point actually, ours is on adjustable coilovers From Nothelle :s

The sensitive throttle pedal is not an issue - I was driving completely smoothly after about 3 minutes.

[Speed addicted]

I found the throttle to be fairly sensitive, as the BMW one is damped. I went for a gap in traffic as I left the showroom and just about ended up in the back seat!
I can't really fault theway they drive though, the only things I had problems with would just take more driving time to get used to and forget.

[Ballistic Banana]

I have recently purchased and 2.0T Fsi s-line Quattro manual gearbox.

Havent given it loads of stick yet but first 2 weks feelings are that its great, Pretty quick of the mark, handles loverly and fun without the esp on :drive: mpg whats that.

I imagine the 3.0 is a hoot..go for it

BB

[catso]

Speed addicted said:

I found the throttle to be fairly sensitive

as are the brakes but you soon get used to it.