A3 1.0tfsi for commuting?

[mhocking]

Hi

Anyone have any experience using the A3 1.0tfsi for motorway commuting. I have a 60 mile round trip each day (70% is motorway) and there are some really good deals on the A3 Sport through salary sacrifice at work but...although the reviews are generally excellent, few mention what its like at motorway speeds. I realise economy won't be as good as the 1.6/2.0 tdi but the deal & BIK saving would offset that.

Just wondered if it will feel a bit stretched & should opt for the 1.5 tsi which has 150/130bhp over the 116 in 1.0,

Any experience of either this engines in the real world would be most welcome.

cheers

Mark

[J4CKO]

Will do the job adequately, wont be fast with 94 bhp but it wont be turgid like Superminis of old, the bhp figure is half the story, its the torque of 118 lb/ft delivered low down that will dominate how it drives, will feel similar to the Fiesta Ecoboost we have I expect, which was pretty good as standard but woke up with a remap and went from ok to actually decently brisk.

You will find it feels quite gutsy low down, then it peters out fairly soon, no point in hanging on to the gears.

[mhocking]

cheers, it has 116bhp in the A3 so should move along ok. Still undecided as it won't be as competent as my 330d but that is getting expensive to keep on the road.

[nickfrog]

Should be fine depending on gearing. Have a test drive perhaps.

Check that the deal is indeed such a good deal though compared to the lowest lease deals for that car or other cars with that engine. I also assume there is still a BIK liability over the 20% threshold so is it fiscally that smart compared to a private lease?

www.contracthireandleasing.com is a good benchmark or WhatCar leasing section.

[Nickbrapp]

I recently took a test drive in a 1.0tsi 95 bhp Ibiza with a 5 speed box

The thing I was worried about most was engine roar and refinement on the motorway

At 70-85mph the engine was utterly silent. It was like being a much bigger car

Can only imagine the a3 would be better with the same engine.

It was pretty damn slow though but it kept up with traffic and cruised along at 80 just fine.

Defo take one for a drive though.

[Pica-Pica]

I don't know about that new (3 cylinder?) engine, but a similar-sized, Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSi 4-cylinder 89 hp copes adequately with that kind of journey, and can take two adults in the back. Make sure you get all the heated screens, heated mirrors, air-con goodies for damp and misty mornings.

[codenamecueball]

Got the 110hp 1.0 triple in a seat toledo, which is a similar weight. With smooth driving it'll do 40-50mpg indicated, the gearing means it's about 3k revs at 75 and I've never found the engine noise a problem. The only time it makes itself known is with the radio off or when you redline it. It can go 65 to 80 in a sensible time and it's never short of breath on a slip road

[tektas]

I have the 1.0TSI with 102hp in the VW Caddy(!) and it handles everything thus far absolutely fine.

I would also say it will suffice for the task you have for it.

[Parisien]

Running one since March, done about 6k miles in it, bought for Madame Parisien, performs very competently on all fronts bar outright grunt, but she doesn't need outright grunt!!!

Does about 55mpg, refined even under hard acceleration, had no issues to report whatsoever .

P