'62' Reg Audi A3 Sportback S Line
Discussion
Hi all,
Back in my post introducing our little fleet I mentioned that the Volvo was soon to be replaced by an Audi A3 (http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1158959&mid=219725)
Well today was the day of delivery – And since Dad would be getting his car at the office I had to drop him off in the trusty Micra. Just before lunchtime the car was delivered, and we were excited to say the least!
The car’s spec is as follows:
• A3 Sportback (62 reg)
• 1.4 TFSI S Tronic
• S Line Spec
• Navigation
I should mention that this is Dads company car, and was limited on spec so couldn’t go for a larger engine, but could go for a better trim (S Line). Surprisingly, performance is pretty good from the little engine. It produces just over 120bhp, getting it to 60mph in under 10 seconds – not electrifying performance, but gets itself along nicely.
On the motorway it sat at higher speeds perfectly fine. Although it doesn’t pick up as well as the V70 it replaces, its engine is quite a bit smaller, and it is petrol, so I didn’t expect it to pull as easily in top gear. In traffic the Stop/Start got on my nerves a little especially as the car seemed to take a little while getting away from the lights with this – though you can turn this function off
The ride also is very nice – if a tiny bit firm due to being a little lower, but is still very comfortable, at lower speeds the car is very quiet – I could barely hear tick over when stationary.
I must get onto the interior. Granted it’s not the most exciting interior known to man, but in its favour it’s very well put together. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is a definite quality to the plastics and trim in the interior. The seats are superb and hold you just right. Seating position is just right too, the steering wheel has a nice feel to it, and the paddles mounted behind the wheel will Dads commute through the twisty lanes to work a bit more fun that the big Volvo.
Space in the back is actually not as bad as I expected. In Dads quite shall we say 'relaxed' driving position I still had enough room to be comfortable, and the boot is a decent size too, big enough for the two dogs to be happy in..
The Navigation – I have to say this is an excellent optional extra that we would recommend without doubt. The display is nice and clear, and even brings up a little illustration of the upcoming exit/ roundabout, very useful for those of us who weren’t blessed with a sense of direction
(see picture below)
The iPod connection is fantastic. Its a simple thing I know, but having never had anything like this before (first 'proper' new car in 10 years) its a great idea. All our music is on Dads ipod, and it now sits plugged in (in the glovebox tucked away) and we can access all music on the screen, brilliant!
First impressions: Very impressed with the car – Its feels like a quality product – can handle motorways with ease, but can lag a little when needing all power. More than capable of completing the 20k-25k miles it will be doing each year!
I must admit its sad that the Volvo will be leaving us - Seems like yesterday Dad bought it home the first time. But 10 years and 135,000 miles later there are some costly faults occuring which ultimatley mean its not financially viable to keep her. In Dads words "I've got my money's worth"
Anyway, I’ve probably bored you to death so have a look at these pics (apologies they were taken on a HTC and I’m not much of a photographer!)
Thanks for reading
Back in my post introducing our little fleet I mentioned that the Volvo was soon to be replaced by an Audi A3 (http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1158959&mid=219725)
Well today was the day of delivery – And since Dad would be getting his car at the office I had to drop him off in the trusty Micra. Just before lunchtime the car was delivered, and we were excited to say the least!
The car’s spec is as follows:
• A3 Sportback (62 reg)
• 1.4 TFSI S Tronic
• S Line Spec
• Navigation
I should mention that this is Dads company car, and was limited on spec so couldn’t go for a larger engine, but could go for a better trim (S Line). Surprisingly, performance is pretty good from the little engine. It produces just over 120bhp, getting it to 60mph in under 10 seconds – not electrifying performance, but gets itself along nicely.
On the motorway it sat at higher speeds perfectly fine. Although it doesn’t pick up as well as the V70 it replaces, its engine is quite a bit smaller, and it is petrol, so I didn’t expect it to pull as easily in top gear. In traffic the Stop/Start got on my nerves a little especially as the car seemed to take a little while getting away from the lights with this – though you can turn this function off
The ride also is very nice – if a tiny bit firm due to being a little lower, but is still very comfortable, at lower speeds the car is very quiet – I could barely hear tick over when stationary.I must get onto the interior. Granted it’s not the most exciting interior known to man, but in its favour it’s very well put together. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is a definite quality to the plastics and trim in the interior. The seats are superb and hold you just right. Seating position is just right too, the steering wheel has a nice feel to it, and the paddles mounted behind the wheel will Dads commute through the twisty lanes to work a bit more fun that the big Volvo.
Space in the back is actually not as bad as I expected. In Dads quite shall we say 'relaxed' driving position I still had enough room to be comfortable, and the boot is a decent size too, big enough for the two dogs to be happy in..
The Navigation – I have to say this is an excellent optional extra that we would recommend without doubt. The display is nice and clear, and even brings up a little illustration of the upcoming exit/ roundabout, very useful for those of us who weren’t blessed with a sense of direction
(see picture below)The iPod connection is fantastic. Its a simple thing I know, but having never had anything like this before (first 'proper' new car in 10 years) its a great idea. All our music is on Dads ipod, and it now sits plugged in (in the glovebox tucked away) and we can access all music on the screen, brilliant!
First impressions: Very impressed with the car – Its feels like a quality product – can handle motorways with ease, but can lag a little when needing all power. More than capable of completing the 20k-25k miles it will be doing each year!
I must admit its sad that the Volvo will be leaving us - Seems like yesterday Dad bought it home the first time. But 10 years and 135,000 miles later there are some costly faults occuring which ultimatley mean its not financially viable to keep her. In Dads words "I've got my money's worth"
Anyway, I’ve probably bored you to death so have a look at these pics (apologies they were taken on a HTC and I’m not much of a photographer!)
Thanks for reading
With regards the Stop/Start, it doesn't take long to get used to, it tends not to kick in with very light pressure on the brake pedal, and if it has, just pre-empt the lights, lift up before the lights change and after a few times, the hang of getting it to start creeping at the right moment becomes second nature. I had an S-Tronic equipped 2.0TDI last week, picked it up pretty quickly.
Waugh-terfall said:
With regards the Stop/Start, it doesn't take long to get used to, it tends not to kick in with very light pressure on the brake pedal, and if it has, just pre-empt the lights, lift up before the lights change and after a few times, the hang of getting it to start creeping at the right moment becomes second nature. I had an S-Tronic equipped 2.0TDI last week, picked it up pretty quickly.
Agreed. Just a thing we need to get used to in due course okie592 said:
petrol win
sat nav win
no xenons fail
Well thats 2 wins at least! sat nav win
no xenons fail
Xenons were probably an optional extra knowing Audi
TheBigUnit said:
Surely you can put your finger on it, and that's how you found out about the quality of the plastics? 
Perhaps not best explained properly. I couldnt best explain how the quality of the interior is so good!zedx19 said:
You must have your front seats pushed forward for the back seat shot! The A3's I've had all had woeful rear legroom and not huge boots, really well made cars though and lovely to knock about in.
In that shot the drivers seat is in my Dads seating position, whilst the passenger seat is in the seating position is was delivered in - I had sat in the back for a little while behind Dad whilst we dropped the delivery guy back off and found it ok for legroom in the back OK (and Dad isnt exactly short either )Defcon5 said:
Tow bar?
Dad had this put on because despite the boot being quite large, we still need to use the trailer once in a while (As MGZRod pointed out!)Plus in the past when we've had someone drive into the back of the Volvo in a carpark they hit the tow bar and our car suffered no damage
Xenons have always been optional on 8P A3 S-Lines, but standard on Black Editions as someone stated earlier.
The legroom in the photo above is fairly representative and the boot is useful as much for its good shape as for its overall capacity. It's like a mini estate once you remove the parcel shelf - with roof rails for a roof box, it's got all the space I've needed for a family with 2 kids (S3 Sportback with only 300-odd litres to the parcel shelf, due to quattro drivetrain).
I had a 1.2 TSI S-Tronic on loan earlier this year and it was a surprisingly decent motor - see my Garage "history" write-up where I compared it to my S3.
The legroom in the photo above is fairly representative and the boot is useful as much for its good shape as for its overall capacity. It's like a mini estate once you remove the parcel shelf - with roof rails for a roof box, it's got all the space I've needed for a family with 2 kids (S3 Sportback with only 300-odd litres to the parcel shelf, due to quattro drivetrain).
I had a 1.2 TSI S-Tronic on loan earlier this year and it was a surprisingly decent motor - see my Garage "history" write-up where I compared it to my S3.
Basil Hume said:
Xenons have always been optional on 8P A3 S-Lines, but standard on Black Editions as someone stated earlier.
The legroom in the photo above is fairly representative and the boot is useful as much for its good shape as for its overall capacity. It's like a mini estate once you remove the parcel shelf - with roof rails for a roof box, it's got all the space I've needed for a family with 2 kids (S3 Sportback with only 300-odd litres to the parcel shelf, due to quattro drivetrain).
I had a 1.2 TSI S-Tronic on loan earlier this year and it was a surprisingly decent motor - see my Garage "history" write-up where I compared it to my S3.
Just had a read of your comparison. I think you've hit the nail on the head with your description here as well. It is sort of a mini estate. We no longer need the big Volvo estate, my brother has his own car, and I with mum drive the Micra. As a younger family the Volvo was very practical, no doubt, but it isnt needed now.The legroom in the photo above is fairly representative and the boot is useful as much for its good shape as for its overall capacity. It's like a mini estate once you remove the parcel shelf - with roof rails for a roof box, it's got all the space I've needed for a family with 2 kids (S3 Sportback with only 300-odd litres to the parcel shelf, due to quattro drivetrain).
I had a 1.2 TSI S-Tronic on loan earlier this year and it was a surprisingly decent motor - see my Garage "history" write-up where I compared it to my S3.
Should have mentioned we do have a roof box, probably need to see if it will fit, and get some roof rails
Have to say your S3 looks stunning
Great combination of 300bhp, 4wd and practicality all in one package.18FAN said:
So much want and imagine.
Shame there are no xenons, they really help the car to stand out during the day with the LED DRLS.
Defo win on the shock absorbing tow bar.
Holy thread resurrection Batman! Shame there are no xenons, they really help the car to stand out during the day with the LED DRLS.
Defo win on the shock absorbing tow bar.
It was a nice enough car, sadly it went after only a couple of months as my Dad changed jobs.
It was a company car and optional extras were limited (without exceeding the budget). We chose to have the sat nav unit instead of xenons - tow bar proved very useful, good at towing our little trailer, as well as a bit of protection should someone (slowly) bump into the back of us
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