New 3.0 A4 Cab Owner

[summerisle]

Hi all

Im new to the forum and I have just bought an 03 3.0 Cab with a high spec and only 41,000 miles, but only 5 speed manual. I looked at a few cars and all were 5 speed. Until last night I didn't realise there was a 6 speed. Deposit paid and collecting tuesday so too late now. Am I missing out on anything. My daily commute is from Sheffield to Matlock, via Chatsworth which is mainly country and A road. How ever I go upto Penrith once or twice a month on the M6. Also any other owners with a 3.0 who could tell me what their average MPG is. Can't wait to get the car though.

Thanks

Nick

[nickynibbles]

Welcome to the forum! Is the car an SE or Sport model? There was some differences in specs giving reason for a 5 speed box instead of the 6 speed. In fairness though if you have a 5 speed in a non-quattro 3.0 this might actually be a good idea, always thought squeezing 220bhp through the front wheels would give take-off wheel spin moments or a busy traction control. The 6 speed will have a lower 1st gear than the 5 so this will help moving away from standstill in a hurry! Crusing speed revs will be a little higher from the 5 speed but not lot a lot. I probably wouldnt be bothered over having a 5 speed, the rest of the car makes up for it by miles!! My 3.0 is a saloon quattro so would weigh about the same as your non-quattro cabriolet i'd say, i can achieve 28-30mpg with casual driving on a mix cycle, more on a run, and a lot less when you boot it!! Its not bad for such a big engine in reality if you take it easy. Enjoy, the summer will be here soon!!

[summerisle]

Welcome to the forum! Is the car an SE or Sport model? There was some differences in specs giving reason for a 5 speed box instead of the 6 speed. In fairness though if you have a 5 speed in a non-quattro 3.0 this might actually be a good idea, always thought squeezing 220bhp through the front wheels would give take-off wheel spin moments or a busy traction control. The 6 speed will have a lower 1st gear than the 5 so this will help moving away from standstill in a hurry! Crusing speed revs will be a little higher from the 5 speed but not lot a lot. I probably wouldnt be bothered over having a 5 speed, the rest of the car makes up for it by miles!! My 3.0 is a saloon quattro so would weigh about the same as your non-quattro cabriolet i'd say, i can achieve 28-30mpg with casual driving on a mix cycle, more on a run, and a lot less when you boot it!! Its not bad for such a big engine in reality if you take it easy. Enjoy, the summer will be here soon!!

Cheers for the info, it's a sport. If I can get 28-30 that would be ace!

[paul b]

5 speed is a good thing. Previously people have said the way that the 6 speed is set up means you have to do really, really frequent gearchanges. The 5 speed is more flexible, and there's less gears to change anyway. MPG is the same as a 6 speed, so you're not losing out. It's just my opinion though...
Paul