S3 quattro question

[maix27]

I'm struggling with which car to buy next.

Currently drive a 1.6 A3, but i need more power!

Also, I don't really want another front-wheel drive car.

So i though great, get an A3. Untill i read about the holdex (i think that's right?!) 4 wheel drive system, which, to be honest, upsets me.

Why would you want a front driver that will put power to the back wheels ocassionally?! I understand economy, transmission losses etc but where's the fun??!!

Does anyone know if you can make it permanent 4 wheel drive? (Like you can with the Skyline GT-R)

If not, I want a hatchback, with a turbo and non-front wheel drive. Any suggestions??!!!

Cheers, MH

[Fidgits]

yes, you can get the Haldex system reprogrammed for a few hundred quid..

but its still going to be front heavy, and a 'hot hatch' rather than a sports car..


If you want a new experience, head for RWD, a MX5 or Z3 would be a much more enjoyable experience for your money..

[Robatr0n]

Have a drive of an S3 and see what you think. It'll be light years ahead of your A3 and may well float your boat.

[julians]

I think you're wrong with your description of how haldex works. It doesnt send drive to the back occaisionally, it is very nearly permanent 4wd, its constantly varying how much it sends back from 0-50%, I think the only time it sends zero to the back is under braking.

I've got a current model s3 , and the 4wd is really very very good, feels nothing like a fwd car, no torque steer or wheelspin, just instant thrust in pretty much any conditions, apart from snow or if you deliberately provoke it in the wet from a standing start when you get all 4 wheels to spin.

What it doesnt have, is a limited slip diff on front or back, which I think would be a useful addition.

Go and try one and see what you think, I still wouldnt describe it as fun though, you need rwd and large power for fun.

Edited by julians on Friday 29th August 12:51

Edited by julians on Friday 29th August 12:53

[maix27]

Robatr0n said:

Have a drive of an S3 and see what you think. It'll be light years ahead of your A3 and may well float your boat.

I'd actually booked to do this but my local Audi sales guy couldn't sell cake to a diabetic.

julians said:

I think you're wrong with your description of how haldex works. It doesnt send drive to the back occaisionally, it is very nearly permanent 4wd, its constantly varying how much it sends back from 0-50%, I think the only time it sends zero to the back is under braking.

I've got a current model s3 , and the 4wd is really very very good, feels nothing like a fwd car, no torque steer or wheelspin, just instant thrust in pretty much any conditions, apart from snow or if you deliberately provoke it in the wet from a standing start when you get all 4 wheels to spin.

What it doesnt have, is a limited slip diff on front or back, which I think would be a useful addition.

Go and try one and see what you think, I still wouldnt describe it as fun though, you need rwd and large power for fun.

Edited by julians on Friday 29th August 12:51

Edited by julians on Friday 29th August 12:53

TBH, i quite enjoy my 1.6, as long as you're pushing it, it's quite fun, however it does understear A LOT, and there's only so much ass-out action you can get out of a FWD.

But i did understand the haldex diferently to how you explained it, your explanation does seem to ignore the point of a haldex tho, as it's primary purpose is to tackle transmission losses, therefore the car would be FWD only 90% of the time? I may be wrong and you do own one :-)

In real terms, how fast is it?

And how comes it isn't fun to drive?

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

[Fidgits]

maix27 said:

In real terms, how fast is it?

And how comes it isn't fun to drive?

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

Its fast enough to lose your license, though the powerband is fairly narrow - its just a heavy car for its size.

And i wouldnt say it isnt fun to drive - i had a fair bit of fun in mine - even took it to the 'ring...

however, it still is a hatch, and a well built/insulated one at that, so it lacks the feel and sense of occasion you get with a sports car.

[julians]

I didnt think the point of the haldex was to minimise transmission losses (that just happens to be a fringe benefit, ie worse losses than pure fwd, but better losses than 'regular' 4wd), I figured they use it because its a neat way of getting 4wd out of a tranverse engined configuration, as opposed to longditudinally mounted.

The veyron uses haldex, but because the engine is in the back its constantly varying the power it sends to the front.

I drive the current 8p S3, so cant comment on the old one, but the 8p is very fast, excellent at covering ground, but it wont power oversteer, always goes to understeer, but the limit where understeer happens is very high. Not sure how much of that is down to 'setup', ie toe,camber etc, and therefore you maybe able to dial it out to a degree.

I havent driven an evo/scooby etc, but I would hazard a guess that they'd be more fun to drive, but not necessarily faster over your average b road (assuming they're similarly powered of course).

Seriously, go and try one, you'll change your perception of what haldex 4wd is even if you dont actually like the car. The mags like to trot out the 'its front wheel drive most of the time line', but in my experience of the 8p s3 thats complete toss.