04/05 Audi A3 3.2 - Should I??!
Discussion
Hi All,
I've not posted on here for quite a while (since selling the MGB ive not needed as much technical support!) so please bear with me. This isnt another 'what car' thread, more of a 'can i justify this' thread.
I'm looking at selling the e46 touring and moving so something small and quick before the inevitable happens and I need to run a family car. I need something which looks acceptable (I know people on here will say that buy whatever you want and that other shouldn't judge, but honestly I look at the cars which others drive and judge in the same way everyone else does, so for now that means im not buying a Saxo VTS or Focus RS etc!). Budget is limited as I've given up my career to train to be a teacher...So anyway...
I've been tempted by a A3 3.2. There seems to be quite a few in budget (5k) with good mileage (about 65k). But is this really a stupid move? I only do about 10k miles PA, so feel the petrol cost shouldn't be too bad compared to the current car, but my concern is that when looking at performance the 3.2 isn't much better than the 1.8T - which would be cheaper to tax and insure. I just thought that not having the turbo would mean less hassle? My brother had a TT 1.8T when they were pretty new and it gave him so much trouble it put me off anything with a Turbo since. I also appreciate that the 3.2 looks no different to any other s-line Audi, but that doesn't worry me as then my non-petrol head friends will just see me as a normal a3 driver, whereas the ones who are interested will hopefully appreciate the car.
From what I can find on the internet the DSG is great, but does have a few faults, so for this reason i'm really looking for a manual.
One last question is that some are listed as 'sport' and some as 's-line' but they all seem to look the same??
Any thoughts would be appreciated, even if its a 'just buy the diesel' sentiment.
Thanks
Phil
I've not posted on here for quite a while (since selling the MGB ive not needed as much technical support!) so please bear with me. This isnt another 'what car' thread, more of a 'can i justify this' thread.
I'm looking at selling the e46 touring and moving so something small and quick before the inevitable happens and I need to run a family car. I need something which looks acceptable (I know people on here will say that buy whatever you want and that other shouldn't judge, but honestly I look at the cars which others drive and judge in the same way everyone else does, so for now that means im not buying a Saxo VTS or Focus RS etc!). Budget is limited as I've given up my career to train to be a teacher...So anyway...
I've been tempted by a A3 3.2. There seems to be quite a few in budget (5k) with good mileage (about 65k). But is this really a stupid move? I only do about 10k miles PA, so feel the petrol cost shouldn't be too bad compared to the current car, but my concern is that when looking at performance the 3.2 isn't much better than the 1.8T - which would be cheaper to tax and insure. I just thought that not having the turbo would mean less hassle? My brother had a TT 1.8T when they were pretty new and it gave him so much trouble it put me off anything with a Turbo since. I also appreciate that the 3.2 looks no different to any other s-line Audi, but that doesn't worry me as then my non-petrol head friends will just see me as a normal a3 driver, whereas the ones who are interested will hopefully appreciate the car.
From what I can find on the internet the DSG is great, but does have a few faults, so for this reason i'm really looking for a manual.
One last question is that some are listed as 'sport' and some as 's-line' but they all seem to look the same??
Any thoughts would be appreciated, even if its a 'just buy the diesel' sentiment.
Thanks
Phil
I was temped by these not so long ago, might be tempted again when I have £5k equity/ cash.
I was looking at figures, and learned the following:
All prices are per annum.
Insurance would be £1000, so well over 2x what I pay at the moment.
VED would be £460, £325 more than what I pay at the moment.
10mpg less than my current car, at 12000 MPA this works out at £850 more.
So quite a bit more expensive for me personally, and probably more expensive than your e46.
I stopped before looking at maintenance (Doubt it would be cheaper than my current car.), but in those three items alone it's £1775 more EVERY year. Or an EXTRA £150 per month just in those running costs for me.
If you're going into training to become a teacher I'm guessing this lowers or eliminates your current income?
If so and the e46 works fine, I'd stick with that. Could be better the devil you know, and a safer bet if your income is lowering.
I was looking at figures, and learned the following:
All prices are per annum.
Insurance would be £1000, so well over 2x what I pay at the moment.
VED would be £460, £325 more than what I pay at the moment.
10mpg less than my current car, at 12000 MPA this works out at £850 more.
So quite a bit more expensive for me personally, and probably more expensive than your e46.
I stopped before looking at maintenance (Doubt it would be cheaper than my current car.), but in those three items alone it's £1775 more EVERY year. Or an EXTRA £150 per month just in those running costs for me.
If you're going into training to become a teacher I'm guessing this lowers or eliminates your current income?
If so and the e46 works fine, I'd stick with that. Could be better the devil you know, and a safer bet if your income is lowering.
HBFS said:
Insurance would be £1000, so well over 2x what I pay at the moment.
VED would be £460, £325 more than what I pay at the moment.
10mpg less than my current car, at 12000 MPA this works out at £850 more.
So quite a bit more expensive for me personally, and probably more expensive than your e46.
Only if you buy one registered on or after 23/03/06.VED would be £460, £325 more than what I pay at the moment.
10mpg less than my current car, at 12000 MPA this works out at £850 more.
So quite a bit more expensive for me personally, and probably more expensive than your e46.
Cars older than this will be in band K.
Hi HBFS,
Thats a good answer, and tbh exactly where i am with my current thinking. I've been lucky enough (or unlucky with some of the cars!) to have had company cars for the last few years, with having a toy for the weekend. Those days are long gone, but it would be nice to run something reasonably fast for those early weekend mornings! But either way it means that a lower salary and lack of company car mean that i cant afford anything too pricey/unreliable. I can do the basics, but if the gearbox drops out on the M4 then thats game over for me and my wallet!
Insurance is an extra £200 PA from the BMW, which surprised me but seems correct, tax is £270 for the pre 2006 cars which is £55pa more, so its not too far away looking at those figures!
Thanks again
Phil
Thats a good answer, and tbh exactly where i am with my current thinking. I've been lucky enough (or unlucky with some of the cars!) to have had company cars for the last few years, with having a toy for the weekend. Those days are long gone, but it would be nice to run something reasonably fast for those early weekend mornings! But either way it means that a lower salary and lack of company car mean that i cant afford anything too pricey/unreliable. I can do the basics, but if the gearbox drops out on the M4 then thats game over for me and my wallet!
Insurance is an extra £200 PA from the BMW, which surprised me but seems correct, tax is £270 for the pre 2006 cars which is £55pa more, so its not too far away looking at those figures!
Thanks again
Phil
LiamB said:
We have one, amazing sounding cars.
Nothing like the Audi V6!
Tell me more please, I'm still keen despite the costs.Nothing like the Audi V6!
In my mind it's a perfect car for me:
Nice powerful N/A engine available with DSG
Not too big, not too small.
Refined on the motorway
solid build quality
Available with Bose system
Good handling, suspension not too firm.
Available for £5k!
But tell us more about what you think
I'm in the market for one. Just sold the gf's 2006 '56' TT 3.2 Quattro and down sizing to release some cash so she fancies a A3 3.2 Quattro at the £5k point. Seems like a lot of car for the money really. Very well built, reliable (in our experience), not too juicy (gf averaged 26mpg'ish over 6,000 miles of mostly short journeys), and reasonable styling. Not the last word in dynamics and quite understeery but all in all a reasonable package.
What's DSG like when you have to reverse up a hill and around a corner?
The Evo write up when they came out said it wasn't that much like an R32:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/4058...
The Evo write up when they came out said it wasn't that much like an R32:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/4058...
I had alone for 4 years and 50k miles.
Great car, in my opinion a very strong competitior for the R32. A friend had an R32 at the time and there was nothing in it pace wise. Yes the R32 felt faster and sporty but A-B we found they were bang on equal.
People moan about fuel economy, I found that pretty good getting an average of 28mpg of those 50k miles. That was mainly country lane stuff with abit of town driving. On a spirited drive it would drop off quite badly tho. But don't the all.
Reliability wise it was ok, but was the reason I moved it on... ESP light would come on every so often (and stay on until it had cooled down) and make it run like a pig. Dealer could not solve the issue..... They also have the risk of timing chain stretch which is 1k plus.
Any more Info let me know.
Great car, in my opinion a very strong competitior for the R32. A friend had an R32 at the time and there was nothing in it pace wise. Yes the R32 felt faster and sporty but A-B we found they were bang on equal.
People moan about fuel economy, I found that pretty good getting an average of 28mpg of those 50k miles. That was mainly country lane stuff with abit of town driving. On a spirited drive it would drop off quite badly tho. But don't the all.
Reliability wise it was ok, but was the reason I moved it on... ESP light would come on every so often (and stay on until it had cooled down) and make it run like a pig. Dealer could not solve the issue..... They also have the risk of timing chain stretch which is 1k plus.
Any more Info let me know.
Hello,
Sorry to resurrect this, but just a quick question about the DSG with paddles. Parkers says this has better economy and performance than the manual. Is it as good to live with though, and are the reliable? I'm not adverse to a auto as all, especially with the benefit of paddles to aid changing, but worried that if i buy the dsg i'll feel 'stuck' with it when the excitement of the paddles wears off?
Thanks
Sorry to resurrect this, but just a quick question about the DSG with paddles. Parkers says this has better economy and performance than the manual. Is it as good to live with though, and are the reliable? I'm not adverse to a auto as all, especially with the benefit of paddles to aid changing, but worried that if i buy the dsg i'll feel 'stuck' with it when the excitement of the paddles wears off?
Thanks
My Dad had one with the DSG - Though it was a brilliant gearbox, could really fly off the line when needed and very smooth changes. Interestingly the fuel consumption was identical to an E46 M3 over the same roads. With respect the the R32 comparison, I thought they had the same drive train and about the same weight but the audi a slightly better chassis, and nicer interior.
Edited by Mr Sparkle on Friday 8th June 22:04
hardcastlephil said:
Hello,
Sorry to resurrect this, but just a quick question about the DSG with paddles. Parkers says this has better economy and performance than the manual. Is it as good to live with though, and are the reliable? I'm not adverse to a auto as all, especially with the benefit of paddles to aid changing, but worried that if i buy the dsg i'll feel 'stuck' with it when the excitement of the paddles wears off?
Thanks
Some love them - I got bored after ten minutes and just left it in "D"; I didn't see the point since I knew I couldn't work the gearbox better than the computer could.Sorry to resurrect this, but just a quick question about the DSG with paddles. Parkers says this has better economy and performance than the manual. Is it as good to live with though, and are the reliable? I'm not adverse to a auto as all, especially with the benefit of paddles to aid changing, but worried that if i buy the dsg i'll feel 'stuck' with it when the excitement of the paddles wears off?
Thanks
I was very tempted to do this recently too, ended up being a coin flip between the A3 and an e46 330ci.
I went for the 330ci (facelift and manual) and haven't regretted it one bit. I drove both and each has their strengths but ultimately the A3 just came across plain boring in the styling department and spec wise they struggled in comparison, even finding one with xenons was an absolute chore.
I went for the 330ci (facelift and manual) and haven't regretted it one bit. I drove both and each has their strengths but ultimately the A3 just came across plain boring in the styling department and spec wise they struggled in comparison, even finding one with xenons was an absolute chore.
I am currently looking after a friends (up for sale incedentally!)
It is the DSG one, and to be honest its absolutely brilliant. The gearbox is phenomenal, in S mode it is ultra responsive, takes it right to the redline, gets downshifts perfect.
The downside is that if it breaks, its a bloody big bill.
Suprisingly economical too IMO
It is the DSG one, and to be honest its absolutely brilliant. The gearbox is phenomenal, in S mode it is ultra responsive, takes it right to the redline, gets downshifts perfect.
The downside is that if it breaks, its a bloody big bill.
Suprisingly economical too IMO
LiamB said:
We have one, amazing sounding cars.
Nothing like the Audi V6!
Except the Alfa Romeo V6... Nothing like the Audi V6!
I don't think the A3 will be the last word in handling finesse with that heavy unit out front, but it is a lot of car for the money - certainly better value on paper than the equivalent TT, if a bit less interesting visually.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff