Discussion
Other half is considering a new Audi A3. Her current car is also an A3 (I know) but the older 8P. She’s become an Audi fangirl somehow.
We’ve been looking at the 1.5 and 2.0 petrols. Does anybody have any experience of them? The 2.0 in particular seems quite rare and apparently isnt just a detuned S3 engine. The S Lines look very nice but is the ride too harsh?
Appreciate helpful responses as always.
We’ve been looking at the 1.5 and 2.0 petrols. Does anybody have any experience of them? The 2.0 in particular seems quite rare and apparently isnt just a detuned S3 engine. The S Lines look very nice but is the ride too harsh?
Appreciate helpful responses as always.
We’ve had both... albeit the 8P a basic 3 door 1.6 SE in 2007 (kept for three years and around 40k. miles) and the 8V a high spec 2014 e-tron sportback. The newer one is quite a bit lighter
than the 8P, albeit all offset by the batteries in the e-tron, and a nicer drive. It handles better, and doesn’t have the understeer that the 8P had. The interior is also far better.
But, I’m comparing 2 very different spec of cars. The SE was on standard suspension and 17” wheels and that was about it. The 8V had LED headlights all round, the full blown MultiMedia system plus, a panoramic roof, Alcantara interior etc etc. But strip all that stuff off, as I experienced in a few hire cars, and it was still a better car than it’s predecessor.
Let me know if there’s anything specific you want to know!
than the 8P, albeit all offset by the batteries in the e-tron, and a nicer drive. It handles better, and doesn’t have the understeer that the 8P had. The interior is also far better.
But, I’m comparing 2 very different spec of cars. The SE was on standard suspension and 17” wheels and that was about it. The 8V had LED headlights all round, the full blown MultiMedia system plus, a panoramic roof, Alcantara interior etc etc. But strip all that stuff off, as I experienced in a few hire cars, and it was still a better car than it’s predecessor.
Let me know if there’s anything specific you want to know!
Thanks PSRG.
I echo your comments about the 8P being overall a poor drive. I replaced my mine with a Mk5 GTI lately and surprised how much better it is even though both cars share the same platform and many common parts.
I wonder if the Mk7 Golf is better than the 8V. Not that she’ll care anyway haha it’s more about the looks for her as expected.
I echo your comments about the 8P being overall a poor drive. I replaced my mine with a Mk5 GTI lately and surprised how much better it is even though both cars share the same platform and many common parts.
I wonder if the Mk7 Golf is better than the 8V. Not that she’ll care anyway haha it’s more about the looks for her as expected.
8v is a nice car. Not a brilliant drivers car, but it’s well made, well finished, and very comfy.
I have a facelift S3 with many bells and whistles, most of which I could do without. Beware the lure of the options list. All you really need is the upgraded sound system (as the bog standard system is truly awful). Matrix headlights, virtual cockpit and bang & Olufsen are lovely to have, but not essential. (Although, matrix lights are unbelievably good)
I had a basic entry level 1.4 as a courtesy car for a while, as well as a 1.5, and a 2.0 tdi, and noted several things that may be of interest when compared to an S3;
The standard, non dynamic steering (without the variable ratio and assist function) is much better than the dynamic setup that’s standard on the S3 and optional on the rest of the range. There’s actual feel on the stock steering that the dynamic system removes.
The non sport suspension is more complaint, more comfortable and more entertaining than the sport suspension or the magnetic ride set up on my car. It’s more composed over speed ramps, and feels more natural when going quickly.
All the seats, whether they are entry level, s-line, or the super-sports seats, feel exactly the same. Honestly, I’d challenge anyone to take a blindfold test and tell me they could say what version of the car they are in...
The 1.4 and 1.5 petrol engines are superb. I wasnt left disappointed with the sudden loss of half my S3’s power when I drove them which on its own is a credit to them, but they truly are very good little engines, with plenty of power. Diesel is not my cup of tea, so I won’t offer a negatively biased opinion on the overwieght overblown polluting old cement mixer engines that I’ve driven.
I have a facelift S3 with many bells and whistles, most of which I could do without. Beware the lure of the options list. All you really need is the upgraded sound system (as the bog standard system is truly awful). Matrix headlights, virtual cockpit and bang & Olufsen are lovely to have, but not essential. (Although, matrix lights are unbelievably good)
I had a basic entry level 1.4 as a courtesy car for a while, as well as a 1.5, and a 2.0 tdi, and noted several things that may be of interest when compared to an S3;
The standard, non dynamic steering (without the variable ratio and assist function) is much better than the dynamic setup that’s standard on the S3 and optional on the rest of the range. There’s actual feel on the stock steering that the dynamic system removes.
The non sport suspension is more complaint, more comfortable and more entertaining than the sport suspension or the magnetic ride set up on my car. It’s more composed over speed ramps, and feels more natural when going quickly.
All the seats, whether they are entry level, s-line, or the super-sports seats, feel exactly the same. Honestly, I’d challenge anyone to take a blindfold test and tell me they could say what version of the car they are in...
The 1.4 and 1.5 petrol engines are superb. I wasnt left disappointed with the sudden loss of half my S3’s power when I drove them which on its own is a credit to them, but they truly are very good little engines, with plenty of power. Diesel is not my cup of tea, so I won’t offer a negatively biased opinion on the overwieght overblown polluting old cement mixer engines that I’ve driven.
^ great reply very helpful thanks.
I’m intrigued by the virtual cockpit; originally saw it as a gimmick but it does look kind of cool and actually helpful to the driver.
I know petrol TFSI Audis of years gone suffered with oil and chain issues, has all of that been finally fixed on the newer cars (8V included)?
I’m intrigued by the virtual cockpit; originally saw it as a gimmick but it does look kind of cool and actually helpful to the driver.
I know petrol TFSI Audis of years gone suffered with oil and chain issues, has all of that been finally fixed on the newer cars (8V included)?
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