barryo2002
02-09-2013, 10:29 PM
Hi Guys, I recently had some probs with my 2001 A4 and dropped it into my local main Audi Dealer for repair, there was an oil leak after getting the job done so it had to be dropped in again and I got a loan of a brand spanking new, 26,000€ S-line A1 for the weekend with just 400km on the clock, yayyyyyyyy??
Nay........ It was a nightmare. I was planning on travelling from Midleton to Galway and decided to go this weekend and try out this nice new shiny toy. Results: Suspension was terrible, My girlfriend and I were bounced all over the place on every minimal bump on the road, and anyone who has driven in Ireland can testify to the fact that we have a lot of bumps and lumps on the roads! We arrived at the hotel with neck aches and general all over back probs, Ok, I'm getting old but it WAS the car this time....
Road noise in the interior was appaling, we couldn't hold a comfortable normal level converstaion at 60mph on the motorway due to the road noise. Also there was a whistling wind noise from the passenger side door mirror, more apparent with the window open, that would drive anyone nuts.
The seats were the most uncomfortable I have ever experienced in any car, That, given that I have been driving for 23 years and have owned over 20 cars from clunkers to luxury models. The seats have a "dip" at the lower lumbar area which seems to bend the spine and is forces one to sit too straight on the seat; your nalgar region just kind of slides into the space and it seems to force an uncomfortable posture on any seat inclination setting that you might choose.
Overall, had I known the uncomfortable and general "tinniness" of the A1, I would have waited and travelled with my 12 year old A4. given that the fuel consumption wasn't all that great either, The model I had was the 1.4 TFSI and I spent around 45€ on the round trip in petrol. My own would have done the same journey with around 55-60€ in petrol and its a 1.8T. Also, as is to be expected given the engine size, acceleration was lacking, overtaking was a nightmare and resulted in a constant squabble between myself, third and fourth gear. Thank God I had the little dash indicator to tell me when to shift gear, don't know what I would have done without it........:confused:
I couldn't check the fuel consumption average in the A1 as the darn thing doesn't have DIS, unlike my A4 which gives full info.........??? I find it disapointing and a bit annoying that such an expensive car is so uncomfortable and so basic on many levels. I think that DIS would be a lot more useful than an indicator telling me to change gears or how many seats are unoccupied in the rear, that neat little feature saved me having to turn around and check if someone had hopped in for a free ride..... ?? Would have appreciated a cruise control option aswell, these days its pretty standard, even a six year old SEAT Ibiza comes with CC as standard. Granted, its a few classes below my A4, but 12 years younger and newer should make for a more decent ride even taking into consideration the class difference. Any thoughts or similar experiences anyone?
Nay........ It was a nightmare. I was planning on travelling from Midleton to Galway and decided to go this weekend and try out this nice new shiny toy. Results: Suspension was terrible, My girlfriend and I were bounced all over the place on every minimal bump on the road, and anyone who has driven in Ireland can testify to the fact that we have a lot of bumps and lumps on the roads! We arrived at the hotel with neck aches and general all over back probs, Ok, I'm getting old but it WAS the car this time....
Road noise in the interior was appaling, we couldn't hold a comfortable normal level converstaion at 60mph on the motorway due to the road noise. Also there was a whistling wind noise from the passenger side door mirror, more apparent with the window open, that would drive anyone nuts.
The seats were the most uncomfortable I have ever experienced in any car, That, given that I have been driving for 23 years and have owned over 20 cars from clunkers to luxury models. The seats have a "dip" at the lower lumbar area which seems to bend the spine and is forces one to sit too straight on the seat; your nalgar region just kind of slides into the space and it seems to force an uncomfortable posture on any seat inclination setting that you might choose.
Overall, had I known the uncomfortable and general "tinniness" of the A1, I would have waited and travelled with my 12 year old A4. given that the fuel consumption wasn't all that great either, The model I had was the 1.4 TFSI and I spent around 45€ on the round trip in petrol. My own would have done the same journey with around 55-60€ in petrol and its a 1.8T. Also, as is to be expected given the engine size, acceleration was lacking, overtaking was a nightmare and resulted in a constant squabble between myself, third and fourth gear. Thank God I had the little dash indicator to tell me when to shift gear, don't know what I would have done without it........:confused:
I couldn't check the fuel consumption average in the A1 as the darn thing doesn't have DIS, unlike my A4 which gives full info.........??? I find it disapointing and a bit annoying that such an expensive car is so uncomfortable and so basic on many levels. I think that DIS would be a lot more useful than an indicator telling me to change gears or how many seats are unoccupied in the rear, that neat little feature saved me having to turn around and check if someone had hopped in for a free ride..... ?? Would have appreciated a cruise control option aswell, these days its pretty standard, even a six year old SEAT Ibiza comes with CC as standard. Granted, its a few classes below my A4, but 12 years younger and newer should make for a more decent ride even taking into consideration the class difference. Any thoughts or similar experiences anyone?