Finding the correct model to buy

[djunderwood]

HI People

I am soon hoping to become the owner of an A3 but having trouble trying to pick the right model... I am looking at the A3 2.0 S Line and also the sport but not entirely sure what all the differences are between them...

Also, what are the differences between the DSG and Quattro?

Hmm, also, how common is this problem with the Mass Air Flow sensor? I am seeing on quite a few sites and seems a little concerning...

last thing... Is there anything particular to look out for on an A3 when buying one?

Hope I haven't asked too many questions on my first visti...

Thanks

D.

[prolfe]

HI People

I am soon hoping to become the owner of an A3 but having trouble trying to pick the right model... I am looking at the A3 2.0 S Line and also the sport but not entirely sure what all the differences are between them...

Also, what are the differences between the DSG and Quattro?

Hmm, also, how common is this problem with the Mass Air Flow sensor? I am seeing on quite a few sites and seems a little concerning...

last thing... Is there anything particular to look out for on an A3 when buying one?

Hope I haven't asked too many questions on my first visti...

Thanks

D.

I too was deciding to either get the sport or the S-Line - I went for the Sport in the end as the ride quality was twice as good as the S-Line.

The S-Line over the sport essentially comes with a bodykit and 18" Alloys. (S-Line trim, black headlining, and Leather seats)

The DSG is Audi's dual clutch automatic with paddleshift.
The Quattro is the 4wd system Audi uses.

You can't get the DSG gearbox with the Quattro system.

Use www.whatcar.co.uk to directly compare the A3 Sport and A3 S-Line.
Or use Audi's own comparison page:
http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/ne...re_models.html

There is also the engine choice to take into consideration. 2.0 Turbo Petrol, 2.0 Tdi (140bhp and 170bhp)

I have no experience or knowledge about the MAF, but other people here are and will let you know.

[djunderwood]

Thanks for that.... Interesting that you thought the sport was a nice ride than the s-line. I do like the body kit on the s-line.

Having fun at the moment locating the cars locally that are specced right...


Thanks gain for your reply

[prolfe]

Thanks for that.... Interesting that you thought the sport was a nice ride than the s-line. I do like the body kit on the s-line.

Having fun at the moment locating the cars locally that are specced right...


Thanks gain for your reply

They both have the sports suspension, but the ride was half as harsh as the S-Line.

I had both for a weekend each on an 'extended test drive'. I was spoilt because the S-Line was a quattro with Bose and Bluetooth. I did worry that I had made the wrong decision as the ride was so bad. Then when I had the Sport it was much much better and that's when I knew.

It was down to the wheels/tyres. The S-line has 18" with 225/40/18's and the Sport has 17" 225/45/17's. So had more give in the sidewalls.

The iPod connector is £175 as an option, but if you buy it afterwards, it is £100 and you can easily fit it yourself. Just plugs into the back of the Concert II


Which engine do you think you'll get?

[djunderwood]

I am used to sports suspension... Can be a little harsh..

That must have been great to have both cars over the weekend... I might see if I can get that... You are making me go towards the sport. I thought the Bose was in quite a few of the sports too.

I do like the Audi's wide spokes on the alloys... Much easier for cleaning and I think they look smarter..

I think I will look at the 170 2.0 TDi I think... What's the noise like for a diesel as I am an early starter and don't want to wake everyone up...

I have seen the iPod extra on VAG and might go for that if it isn't already on when I get it.

You had any problems with your car?? Always a bit apprehensive when changing cars especially as mine has been kind to me.... Just a bit old now..

[prolfe]

I am used to sports suspension... Can be a little harsh..

That must have been great to have both cars over the weekend... I might see if I can get that... You are making me go towards the sport. I thought the Bose was in quite a few of the sports too.

I do like the Audi's wide spokes on the alloys... Much easier for cleaning and I think they look smarter..

I think I will look at the 170 2.0 TDi I think... What's the noise like for a diesel as I am an early starter and don't want to wake everyone up...

I have seen the iPod extra on VAG and might go for that if it isn't already on when I get it.

You had any problems with your car?? Always a bit apprehensive when changing cars especially as mine has been kind to me.... Just a bit old now..

The bose is an expensive option. As standard it comes with 9 speakers and a bass in the boot (10 all together). It can be very loud. The bose i listened to was not that different, but then i'm no expert.

The alloys - steer clean of any that have little corners or cut outs in them as they collect dirt and are difficult to clean - the std sport alloys look great:
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/photopo...ze=big&cat=529
and
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/photopo...ry.php?cat=529

I've had no problems at all. Had it since 1st feb and done 14k already. get a quote from drivethedeal.co.uk for the model you want - print it off and show it the the salesman at Audi - walk away if he can't match it. Another dealer will.

I have a 170 and love it. Sure it can be noisy on startup but once your going, you just don't notice. I know i would of regretted getting just the 140.

Oil for it is £14 a litre every 7000 miles or so.

Get the servicing option from Audi as it is £28month and covers all servicing and fluids for 3 years. £1008 in total.

The Sport will also retain more of it's value after 3 years 51% to the S-Line's 49%

As i said - get the iPod adapter afterwards - £75 cheaper - and it is easy to fit.

[GezT]

Personally I would recommend you steer well clear of the 2.0 TDI (140) sportback. We test drove one back in March ('2007 spec') and loved it: torquey, nippy, not too noisy - felt a bit like our old 2.3 V5 Toledo we've got. We ordered it and after much much hassle (another story on another thread) eventually got it last weekend (4/8/2007). In 2008 spec form it is the most disppointing car we have ever owned (we were even considering getting rid of it after 4 days!) A completely different car to the the one we test drove:

Noisy:
Really noisy.. embarassingly noisy - comparable to our next door neighbour's old diesel Transit.

Sluggish:
Gutless, absolutely gutless. Driving in town is dangerous. First gear, squeeze the accelarator, nothing, give it another half inch, nothing, give it an inch, nothing, slam it to the floor, nothing... revs finally hit 3000, bang, you're off, only to hit the red line (and finally catch up with the car in front, and run into the back of it if you're not careful).
Similar experience on the open road. 5th gear, 2000 revs, floor it, nothing, absolutely nothing.

Economy:
54 mpg on mostly open road carefully drive ride to work. OKish, but not good enough to compensate for the appalling performance.


Maybe it needs to 'run in' but the turbo seems to be kicking in at 3000rpm which is far too high. You'd never guess there was a diesel under the bonnet, the car is torqueless... well, except of course for the noise which is sooo invasive.
I'm going to post this elsewhere to see if anybody else has experienced this problem with the car in 2008 spec form.


If you're going to go for one make sure you test the 2008 spec car, because if I haven't got a dud then they have strangled it compared with the 2007 one.


Gez

[prolfe]

Personally I would recommend you steer well clear of the 2.0 TDI (140) sportback. We test drove one back in March ('2007 spec') and loved it: torquey, nippy, not too noisy - felt a bit like our old 2.3 V5 Toledo we've got. We ordered it and after much much hassle (another story on another thread) eventually got it last weekend (4/8/2007). In 2008 spec form it is the most disppointing car we have ever owned (we were even considering getting rid of it after 4 days!) A completely different car to the the one we test drove:

Noisy:
Really noisy.. embarassingly noisy - comparable to our next door neighbour's old diesel Transit.

Sluggish:
Gutless, absolutely gutless. Driving in town is dangerous. First gear, squeeze the accelarator, nothing, give it another half inch, nothing, give it an inch, nothing, slam it to the floor, nothing... revs finally hit 3000, bang, you're off, only to hit the red line (and finally catch up with the car in front, and run into the back of it if you're not careful).
Similar experience on the open road. 5th gear, 2000 revs, floor it, nothing, absolutely nothing.

Economy:
54 mpg on mostly open road carefully drive ride to work. OKish, but not good enough to compensate for the appalling performance.


Maybe it needs to 'run in' but the turbo seems to be kicking in at 3000rpm which is far too high. You'd never guess there was a diesel under the bonnet, the car is torqueless... well, except of course for the noise which is sooo invasive.
I'm going to post this elsewhere to see if anybody else has experienced this problem with the car in 2008 spec form.


If you're going to go for one make sure you test the 2008 spec car, because if I haven't got a dud then they have strangled it compared with the 2007 one.


Gez

The turbo on the 140 cuts in at 1650rpm and at 2000rpm on the 170.

40-60 and 50-70 in the 170 is quicker than a bmw530i. The 140 I drove felt 3 or 4 seconds quicker than the current car i had, despite it being the same 0-60 and top speed.

The 140 is not slow either at 5.2 40-60

In my 170 I cannot floor it completely in 1st or second as the traction control cuts in, and this is in the dry!

The thing I would say is that all Turbo cars suffer from lag, petrol or diesel, and it's not a problem if you have had the car for a while. the exception to this is twin turbo cars and the new 1.4TFSI VAG engine. Turbo and a Supercharger.

I have had a diesel car now for only six years and wouldn't go back.

Maybe your A3 has something wrong with it if the acceleration is as bad as you say it is

[GezT]

Thanks for the info: the straw I'm clutching at is whether it needs 'running in' for a few thousand miles before it starts delivering its full performance? I had an MX5 from new and it ran the same the day I bought it as the day I sold it 40k later, but I hear diesels need some 'loosening up time'?!?!

G

[prolfe]

Thanks for the info: the straw I'm clutching at is whether it needs 'running in' for a few thousand miles before it starts delivering its full performance? I had an MX5 from new and it ran the same the day I bought it as the day I sold it 40k later, but I hear diesels need some 'loosening up time'?!?!

G

If your coming from a petrol to a diesel then it will feel different as you're used to power all the way through the revs.

The recommendation is to not run it in and to use it normally. however, I took the decision to run mine in. I ran it in for 1500 miles. I did this by not going over 3000 revs.

As I said, it might be worth getting yours check out, as it doesn't sound right.

I'm not sure if modern cars do loosen up any more, as the tolerances that they are made to are far more accurate these days.