Test drive today

[ellie43]

Will be test driving the 1.4 tfsi s tronic today to see how it runs and to see if I get on with it .... I'm sure I will be tempted to order one, but I'm going to try and resist (at least for a week or two) and check out the opposition like the new Golf etc
(who am I kidding?)

 

[deci]

Golf is defo worth a test drive. Lovely car.

 

[h5djr]

Make sure you try the s-tronic in manual mode. It's much more fun than just driving in D or S.

I agree the new Golf VII is well worth trying as well. The main difference is whether you prefer the MMI control and pop-up screen in the A3 or the touch screen and buttons on the Golf VII.

 

[noidea]

What is the difference between D and S modes? I take it manual mode is where you shift up and down yourself

 

[hittchy]

What is the difference between D and S modes? I take it manual mode is where you shift up and down yourself

Sport mode generally holds the revs longer before changing up to keep the car in the optimum power range.

Your description of manual mode is spot on. If you love this mode, just buy a manual and spend £1500 on something else! :icon_thumright:

 

[hittchy]

The main difference is whether you prefer the MMI control and pop-up screen in the A3 or the touch screen and buttons on the Golf VII.

Make sure you try in on a bumpy road and try changing radio station or controlling sat nav..... that ought to put you off the touch screen.

Do the same in the A3 to compare how easy it is.

 

[noidea]

Thanks Hittchy

 

[viperfire]

The golf is slightly lower quality and a bit more grandad like inside. You can get the 1.4 cod though!

 

[h5djr]

Sport mode generally holds the revs longer before changing up to keep the car in the optimum power range.

Your description of manual mode is spot on. If you love this mode, just buy a manual and spend £1500 on something else! :icon_thumright:

You still don't get it do you. The manual mode gives you an even better reponse that a manual gearbox BUT WITHOUT HAVING TO KEEP PUSHING THE CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN. With the s-tronic you just use your fingers to click a paddle without even having to take them off the steering wheel for instant gear change. The s-tronic also gives the best of both worlds - auto in a traffic jam - manual when driving normally. Try creeping forward slowly in a traffic jam in a manual and what do you have to keep doing - pressing the clutch pedal every few minutes. With the s-tonic you just use the accelator to crept forward and if you have a new A3 fitted with Automatic Cruise Control you don't even have to do that. The car will do it for you. £1500 well spent and it's the one option you get at least half back when to sell the car.

Far enough to buy an A3 with a manual gearbox if that is what you prefer, but don't try and say that using manual mode on a s-tronic is the same as using a manul gearbox. It's not. It's gives fast clutch-less gear changes and the option of fully automatic when required. I have driven both for many years and in my opinion the s-tronic is much much better than any manual gearbox I ve ever driven.

As far as changing station on the radio is concerned I manage quite well on all sort of roads and that's in an A3 WITHOUT the MMI and personally I never 'play' with my Sat/Nav when I'm driving. Most of the time it's only there to warn me of speed cameras.

 

[Trev241]

You still don't get it do you. The manual mode gives you an even better reponse that a manual gearbox BUT WITHOUT HAVING TO KEEP PUSHING THE CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN. With the s-tronic you just use your fingers to click a paddle without even having to take them off the steering wheel for instant gear change. The s-tronic also gives the best of both worlds - auto in a traffic jam - manual when driving normally. Try creeping forward slowly in a traffic jam in a manual and what do you have to keep doing - pressing the clutch pedal every few minutes. With the s-tonic you just use the accelator to crept forward and if you have a new A3 fitted with Automatic Cruise Control you don't even have to do that. The car will do it for you. £1500 well spent and it's the one option you get at least half back when to sell the car.

Far enough to buy an A3 with a manual gearbox if that is what you prefer, but don't try and say that using manual mode on a s-tronic is the same as using a manul gearbox. It's not. It's gives fast clutch-less gear changes and the option of fully automatic when required. I have driven both for many years and in my opinion the s-tronic is much much better than any manual gearbox I ve ever driven.

As far as changing station on the radio is concerned I manage quite well on all sort of roads and that's in an A3 WITHOUT the MMI and personally I never 'play' with my Sat/Nav when I'm driving. Most of the time it's only there to warn me of speed cameras.

Talk about a dog with a bone.

 

[hittchy]

You still don't get it do you. The manual mode gives you an even better reponse that a manual gearbox BUT WITHOUT HAVING TO KEEP PUSHING THE CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN. With the s-tronic you just use your fingers to click a paddle without even having to take them off the steering wheel for instant gear change.

Oh, I get it perfectly well. Pushing the clutch down is about as tedious for me as turning the steering wheel. If you offered me an iPad to steer my car, I'd turn you down on that too.

The s-tronic also gives the best of both worlds - auto in a traffic jam - manual when driving normally. Try creeping forward slowly in a traffic jam in a manual and what do you have to keep doing - pressing the clutch pedal every few minutes. With the s-tonic you just use the accelator to crept forward and if you have a new A3 fitted with Automatic Cruise Control you don't even have to do that. The car will do it for you. £1500 well spent and it's the one option you get at least half back when to sell the car.

This is absolute nonsense. It's all subjective and down to opinion. There's absolutely no way an S-Tronic is as good as a manual if you want a manual. I'm afraid it's a purist thing for us manual drivers. Please stop this 'best of both worlds' nonsense. It's a good COMPROMISE if you'd like features of both.

Far enough to buy an A3 with a manual gearbox if that is what you prefer, but don't try and say that using manual mode on a s-tronic is the same as using a manul gearbox. It's not. It's gives fast clutch-less gear changes and the option of fully automatic when required. I have driven both for many years and in my opinion the s-tronic is much much better than any manual gearbox I ve ever driven.

As far as changing station on the radio is concerned I manage quite well on all sort of roads and that's in an A3 WITHOUT the MMI and personally I never 'play' with my Sat/Nav when I'm driving. Most of the time it's only there to warn me of speed cameras.

You're right, using manual mode in an S-Tronic car is nothing like a proper manual - it's far less engaging and a poor experience. I want a car, not a PlayStation. You shouldn't really need warning of speed cameras either. If you're driving within the limit and appropriate for the conditions there'll never be an issue.

Does the 8P A3 actually have a touchscreen panel? If not, that's a pretty poor comparison. Not one of my 8P A3s had one. My brother's Golf GTD did, as did his Touareg and I hated both. They're impossible to use on the move by either driver or passenger, even to do a simple radio station change.

The OP had already booked a test drive in a S-Tronic, so has probably already made up their mind on the gearbox. I'd hazard a guess that very few S-Tronic or DSG owners use manual mode more than auto/sport. The S-Tronic is a fine car and has its place.... just not as a MANUAL!

You seem to have some difficulty with forum members who differ in opinion to you. The replies were advice to the OP on their test drive and 'noidea' who asked a perfectly reasonable question. If you want a S-Tronic versus manual thread, please start one.

Please get over it.

 

[hittchy]

Will be test driving the 1.4 tfsi s tronic today to see how it runs and to see if I get on with it .... I'm sure I will be tempted to order one, but I'm going to try and resist (at least for a week or two) and check out the opposition like the new Golf etc
(who am I kidding?)

So how did it go?

 

[ellie43]

So how did it go?

Well, after the Audi drive, I called in at a VW garage, had a quick test drive in more or less same spec Golf and - well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I felt more at home in the .......Golf!!
Yes, the A3 is gorgeous - slightly better quality interior etc but I felt the Golf ride was slightly better. I'm not even going to talk about the pros and cons of the s tronic/DSG - don't want to open that can of worms again but the DSG seemed to be slightly smoother than the s tronic....
To be honest, they are both great cars and I'd be more than happy with either of them - will have to decide soon, but I am now veering towards the Golf - do you think I'm crazy?!!

 

[hittchy]

To be honest, they are both great cars and I'd be more than happy with either of them - will have to decide soon, but I am now veering towards the Golf - do you think I'm crazy?!!

Not at all. The Golf is a cracking car, and the ride quality has always been better than Audi. The difference between the two has never been closer, but neither has the price!

If you can live with the lack of badge/kudos it's a great car. When I owned a Golf, I loved it but did find it boring. People never commented on it like they always have on the Audis. There would have to be a few thousand pounds difference like-for-like for me to go back, although the new GTI may tempt me.

 

[hittchy]

I'm not even going to talk about the pros and cons of the s tronic/DSG - don't want to open that can of worms again but the DSG seemed to be slightly smoother than the s tronic....

I believe the ECU software for the engine and gearbox are slightly different for the A3 and Golf, hence the differences you experienced.

The A3 can be specced with different suspension as well depending on the model and your requirements - standard, sport or s-line. If it was an SE Golf and a Sport A3, you'd notice a big difference in ride. Ride quality is also affected by wheel/tyre size.

 

[ellie43]

Yes, the A3 was with sport suspension .... and the Golf was an SE
It's such a difficult decision as I do fancy the idea of being an Audi owner but I did feel a bit more at home in the Golf!

 

[hittchy]

Yes, the A3 was with sport suspension .... and the Golf was an SE
It's such a difficult decision as I do fancy the idea of being an Audi owner but I did feel a bit more at home in the Golf!

You would have noticed quite a difference. Everyone has their own ideal suspension setup. The Golf GT suspension is firmer than SE, but still a little softer than Audi sport suspension. The Golf SE would have felt very comfortable in comparison.

Suspension aside though, the Golf has a far more traditional interior which is where you'll be spending most of your time. If the A3 doesn't hit the mark for you here, that's a pretty serious consideration.

 

[h5djr]

The OP had already booked a test drive in a S-Tronic, so has probably already made up their mind on the gearbox. I'd hazard a guess that very few S-Tronic or DSG owners use manual mode more than auto/sport. The S-Tronic is a fine car and has its place.... just not as a MANUAL!

You seem to have some difficulty with forum members who differ in opinion to you. The replies were advice to the OP on their test drive and 'noidea' who asked a perfectly reasonable question. If you want a S-Tronic versus manual thread, please start one.

I have no difficulty with anyone who goes for a manual clutch and gearbox if that is there preference, but what I do object to is others saying if you want to drive 'manually' you might as well have a manual gearbox. The s-tronic offers the driver more than a normal manual can ever offer.

My point was for the OP to make sure he tried the s-tronic in manual mode on his test drive because it is so much more engaging than D/S mode. If the s-tronic only offered D/S mode I would not be driving one.

As far as the touch screen in the Golf is concerned the icons to change radio station are, if I remember correctly, about 25mm square so when I cannot touch one of those would be time to give up driving! The screen on the new Golf is very different to previous systems VW have used. The great thing about a touch screen is not necessarily when you are moving but doing all sorts of other things, like making changes to the car set-up etc and to be looking and touching the screen you are looking at. After all the touch screen seems to be quite common these days on all sorts of things and seems to be quite logical. Personally I don't listen to the radio whilst I'm driving so would never have the need to change stations anyway!!