A3 3.2 V6 quattro or 2.0T FSi quattro?

[Consultant]

Hi, I'm looking into getting an A3 sportback and looking at a few engine options.

I'm not sure which engine to go for as one can tune the 2.0T at AMD to return almost 45-55bhp extra along with 60-80lbs of torque which makes it as quick as the 3.2 V6.

This would mean I can get a newer 2.0T compared to an older 3.2 for a similar price. (pre 06 cars have better VED rates)

Would it be better to go for the tuned 2.0 turbo, for the better mpg, insurance (after declaring all mods), VED & re-sale potential or go for the 3.2 for the smooth V6 engine with no turbo lag?

Also would there be any difference in the handling of the car when comparing both engine sizes considering they are both quattros?

Cheers

[Consultant]

thanks for the replies

would Miltek's on the 2.0T improve the sound anymore but guessing it will never be good as the 3.2 V6?

[Consultant]

brisel said:

I'd go for the 2 litre - the A3 3.2s depreciate very quickly and will be much more thirsty.

The 4 pot won't sound nearly as good but will be much more nimble and will have way better performance if you go for a stage 2 tuning package.

For tuners look up AMD/Big Boys Toys, Awesome GTI or Jabbasport to name but a few.

cheers for the tuners, one is very close to where I live

[Consultant]

baz1985 said:

3.2.....but I'm biased.....if you thrash them both there's not much in it fuel wise imo......but you get a better throttle response and a nice noise with the 3.2 imo

I'm swaying towards the 3.2 now as I am keen on a car with quattro and an autobox.

I've got a testdrive booked for a 2.0T, quattro Manual next week and have also booked a test drive with a 3.2 DSG a few days later.

Will see how they compare and will decide.

[Consultant]

I looked into a R32 but was after something a little understated hence the audi.

[Consultant]

Kane_ said:

Now you want a DSG? What's your budget...

after thinking about it, I'm keen on a DSG + quattro car. Budget is 15K tops.

Will see how the DSG box is after the test drive next week.

I've seen some good sportbacks on audi.co.uk but out of the few cars they have on sale they don't have the specs I am looking for.

I'm in no rush to buy so can wait for the right car, unless its a bargain.

Hopefully some more will be available when the new reg comes out.

Edited by Consultant on Thursday 15th January 09:18

[Consultant]

Pentoman said:

What a great position to be in. The 2.0T is a great engine but... a 3.2 petrol is always nice, but especially crammed into a nice little A3.

I've no experience of these but I have driven the Mk1 TT 225 (1.8t...) and Mk1 TT 3.2 both with manuals.
The 3.2 was, no question, pretty epic. The whole car felt closer to a Porsche and less like a jumped up fancy pants golf. That is due to sound, response, feel, delivery, and so on. The 3.2 engine felt big enough to be exciting but (though I only had a 20 minute drive alone) never felt like it defined the car or overwhelmed it with its weight or capacity.

The 1.8T on the other hand felt very adequate, in a VW/Audi kind of way. It was as quick, and the car handled no differently, but... thrilling it wasn't. Effective for sure, but I don't think that I would really get excited about my own car were it powered with such a 'sensible' engine.

I used to look at TT 3.2 drivers and feel sorry for them, "you naive idiot you know the four cylinder turbo is just as fast and has better MPG?" However now I look at them with renewed enthusiasm and feel they've made a much wiser choice.

Still a big step to take when you know it's the least sensible of the options (esp in a recession).

true, thanks for the comments, I agree, I am looking for something that is more than the sensible option, 3.2 is the way forward. I will hopefully be test driving a 2.0T next week along with a 3.2

baz1985 said:

Kane_ said:

If your budget is 15k top have a look at Mk5 R32s, even the ones you see at 17-18k can be haggled and the handling is much better.

The only difference in respect of handling in the A3 is that it has slightly different (firmer) spring/damper rates.......both cars ideally need KW V3 or Koni FSD/Eibach Pro-Kit to get the best out of them. The 8P build quality and interior is superior to the MkV too.

I'm still not keen on the R32, just checked some out on autotrader, I'm after something a little subtle, I may even de-badge the 3.2.

The only mods I am thinking about are Milteks at the moment for the 3.2. How much would these handling mods set me back?

[Consultant]

jasong1987 said:

i own a Golf r32 now used to own a 1.8T cupra ... love it to bits the noise is amazing and the handeling is different class . im sure the a3 3.2 will be more or less the same car. The v6 is gutsy dont let any1 kid u on ... i get 24 mpg around the town but can get 32 mpg on the motorway doing 75-80. Hope tats of any help.

cheers for the info

Auditdi said:

As the 2.0T will be tuned and therefore have similar bhp to the 3.2 I would choose the 2.0T any day of the week.

I'm driving a 2.0T, manual, quattro next week but interested in a DSG + quattro car so 3.2 is my only option if I want this combo as I am looking at 55 & 06 plate cars

[Consultant]

I'm waiting for the right spec 3.2 but had a chance to drive an S3 manual this week as the sales guy said to give it a go, its a nice car.

He is getting a 3.2 in so will give it a test drive next week sometime, can't wait!

[Consultant]

still waiting for a call from the dealers for a test drive

also not seen many good 3.2 auto sportbacks for sale recently with the spec I am after

there is this one

but its a bit over my budget of 15K but has all the spec I want, will keep an eye on it for the time being

[Consultant]

this car has appeared after looking for a longtime!

http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=6005128...

but hasn't got BOSE or Bluetooth, which I was after on a car

I spoke to the dealer he said they can add bluetooth for £500 and will be fully integrated with the car as a factory option but maybe I could get this done elsewhere?

What would be a sensible bid for this as its over my budget of 15K but could stretch this a bit

the dealer kept on telling me that this is a cheap car...

Edited by Consultant on Friday 6th March 15:30

[Consultant]

va1o said:

TBH considering the miles I don't think you will be able to haggle a massive ammount off. Maybe £500-£1000 max, but not a lot. Rememember theres currently a shortage of used stock and dealers are working at very small margins. With just 7,448 miles its only had about 8 months worth of use, and would be barely run in, basicly nearly new. The OU56 prefix suggets that it would have been an ex-press car.

thanks for the input will see what they say

[Consultant]

called them up they are not moving on price only offering free tax!

decisions decisions

[Consultant]

Andyuk911 said:

Craig can fit the BT OEM

http://www.tclsatnav.com/

thanks will look him up if I get the car.

also called about this car http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=6005155...

they not moving either on sale price only offering free tax, saying they have had 2 enquiries, priced to sell etc, etc!

What do you guys reckon as tried everything to get money off? worth the punt or waiting to find another good spec car at a better price?

Edited by Consultant on Tuesday 10th March 12:53

[Consultant]

catso said:

Consultant said:

but hasn't got BOSE or Bluetooth, which I was after on a car

In my 3.2 I have a Bluetooth Nokia kit which is very good and integrates with the stereo and DIS etc which was considerably cheaper than £500 and (I believe) more 'future proof' as for the Bose, I really don't think it's that much better than the standard kit and certainly not as good as a decent aftermarket setup.

Just my 2p......

which model Nokia Bluetooth have you got?