The great interior debate...

[Chester Draws]

My bear Bob ,

You seem like an angry man to me and i can't quite see what you aim to achieve on this forum apart from getting under people's skin .

You just seem to want to argue the toss with anybody that does not hold your view .

The bottom line here is that neither Audi or VW will change their designs to suit your taste. I wish you well on your search but presume that since neither car seems to suit your taste you will be looking elsewhere .

 

[Gweneira]

I too narrowed my choice to the A3 and the Golf. The Audi won for me and that was due to both the interior and exterior styling. The Gplf was in my opinion quite staid. That said its interior was its strongest feature. I am far fron 17, though I will admit my children, of that age group preferred the Golf and were disappointed at my choice.

 

[deci]

To address some of your points Bob.

What someone said about not having to look is not nonsense, it's absolutely true. After only a few days with the car I can generally find most things I need without looking or with only the smallest of glances at the screen (I can also put the screen away and use the vastly improved trip computer). This is something I couldn't do after 3 years with the MMI on my 8p. One of the biggest problems that plagues touchscreen technology is the lack of tactile feedback - hence why so many tech companies are investing millions into solving it. The golf's touch screen irritated me immensely in the short time I spent with it. I can't imagine how that would be over 3 years.

Your point that VW just improved the Golf while Audi didn't improve the A3 is subjective and, as someone else pointed out, contrary to what every review has said. In fact, I can't find a single review that didn't wax lyrical about the 8v interior. To my mind its improved in almost every way - obviously that's my subjective opinion. My BMW owner friends loved the interior.

I don't get how you find the super-slim, auto folding screen to be 'dated.' What other car in its class has something better? What is more modern than what the A3 offers as standard? The 1 series' fixed screen looks archaic in the A3's company. I wasn't aware that you could spec HUD on the 1 series... I'm sure if it's available then its an expensive option? All in all, the 1 series cabin didn't exude the quality of the A3 in my opinion. There's those old opinions again...

I don't think his point on Golf Owners is sophism either. The Golf has steadily evolved and has never upset the apple cart. It is a very sober and sensible car. VW don't and won't take chances with it. They do this because, well, the public get what the public want. Steady improvement is well and good but sometimes you need revolution.

You still haven't explained what is remotely teenager-oriented about the interior?

 

[bobwilson]

My bear Bob ,

You seem like an angry man to me and i can't quite see what you aim to achieve on this forum apart from getting under people's skin .

You just seem to want to argue the toss with anybody that does not hold your view .

The bottom line here is that neither Audi or VW will change their designs to suit your taste.

I'm quite happy

We're all here to offer opinions, sorry if mine differs from yours. As many posters have said, the interior of the new a3 looks dated,. Nothing to get angry about, it's personal taste. Another poster said earlier, 50% of people who go to his dealer don't like the interior of the a3, 50% do.

I wish you well on your search

thanks

but presume that since neither car seems to suit your taste you will be looking elsewhere .

Nope, we're definitely choosing one of them. Which one remains to be seen . Golf GT or A3 sportback... Golf GT or A3 sportback... Since they're both the same price and there's no clear winner, we're going to do some more test drives.

 

[bobwilson]

The Audi won for me... my children... preferred the Golf and were disappointed at my choice.

My parents prefer a sportier young style too, we personally prefer a classier executive style for interior... the question is, which is more important, exterior or interior of a car? It's hard to decide but I guess one should go for interior since they'll be sitting in it more often than looking at the outside... it's a hard choice

 

[deci]

I'm quite happy

We're all here to offer opinions, sorry if mine differs from yours. As many posters have said, the interior of the new a3 looks dated,. Nothing to get angry about, it's personal taste. Another poster said earlier, 50% of people who go to his dealer don't like the interior of the a3, 50% do. .

Many? Really? I've not seen many posters describe it as 'dated.' Even those who've been disparaging towards it haven't said 'dated.' Please tell me how its dated. I can understand that the interior isn't to some people's tast but I'm really missing something in your argument - the dated, kiddie interior view.

 

[bobwilson]

Many? Really? I've not seen many posters describe it as 'dated.'

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-8v-chassis/158398-post-pics-your-a3-8v-here.html (scroll half way down)

Ryes3 "This is just plain nasty "

tcardio: "I wasn't even born in the 70's but that looks like the interior of a FORD Pinto"

voorhees "I could never buy one of these...them air vents..."

glasgowaudi "I think this looks horrendous"

artimus "How could they get it sooo wrong? the new centre console layout and air vents..."

s3mad_dude "They say what goes around comes around! I agree, it looks awful."

There's also a selection of images I think Artimus posted that seems to have inspired the A3
View attachment 12394 air vents
pop up screen
drive select?

 

[PjDali]

If its so badly designed why still consider buying one?

 

[bobwilson]

If its so badly designed why still consider buying one?

there are pro's and con's, for us, the interior is a big con for the a3 unfortunately

 

[PjDali]

A fairly significant con based upon your posts to date.

 

[bobwilson]

A fairly significant con based upon your posts to date.

indeed

Just read a post somewhere that there might be a mistake on the blurb and the golf might not have the option of seat memory despite being advertised - and a number of other tech we wanted... if this is the case and the a3 definitely does come with these options then it could be the deciding factor...

 

[Toadoftoadhall]

Also all that piano black in the Golf surrounding the screen in the golf is dreadful. If you've had piano black before you'll understand. Scratches and dust galore!

To add some of my views to the "Great Interior Debate" ! As a current Mark 6 Golf owner - I was dead set on getting a new Mark 7. Before I purchased my current car almost 3 yrs ago, I considered and test drove an A3. The Golf mark 6 won that time around and overall I have been really pleased indeed. A great car.

So last autumn my thoughts turned to 2013 and decided I would be changing car. My mind was so set on the Mark 7 Golf but in researching that I also saw some favourable reviews on the new A3.

In January I test drive a new Golf GT. I have to say I was disappointed with the interior and in particular the dash trim - the fairly expansive shiny black backing piece that makes up the main centre section and spreads towards the instruments. I think there was also that shiny black stuff in the steering wheel too? To me it felt cheap and it let the car down. In other ways the interior was good but I couldn't help being quite disappointed - I really didn't expect that at all. (NB Although not interior - the other notable let down for me was the smooth flat plastic front centre grill VW badge which has always been a proper badge with gaps around the VW logo).

When I got into a new A3 I had such a good feeling from it, it really felt top quality and the different design was very pleasing indeed (to my eyes). I did think the rear view mirror seemed small - but perhaps my current one is quite big! I haven't ordered anything yet as I want to see more of both cars but at present for these reasons alone - my pendulum has very much swung considerably towards the Audi.

I fully respect that it is all down to individual views and perspectives and my philosphy is that it's a good job we don't all like the same things in life otherwise how boring a world would we live in!

 

[Ruthus_1]

Oh dear oh dear! Lol!

remember getting into the a3 last year when the 3 door had just come out and feeling quite excited about its interior! Loved the screen, vents, seats and especially the s-line steering wheel! Feels comfortable to me but then are other vehicles in the house at the moment are a VW lol a van and a highly modified focus rs mk1 which bangs like mad on the roads but my god it's fun to drive lol!

 

[magura2002]

Hi all

I am a new user having recently found this site as I have ordered an A3 SB which is due for delivery this wednesday

I have previously owned a volvo C30 R Design and my soon to be PX car is currently a BMW 1 Series.

Having owned these previously when I looked at the A3 I fell in love with it I love the styling and the interior.

For me I had no doubt I had to order the A3 SB but I do agree with alot of people on here.

For me cars are a big thing and I agree its either love it or hate it.

For me I loved it so ordered one. Simple.

 

[Nardies]

I've come from a Scirocco GT to the A3 8V, I also had an 8P prior to the Scirocco.

Going from the 8P to the Scirocco, I felt that the interior was largely the same. The Scirocco has a nicer flat bottomed wheel, but the plastics were of a nice quality, and it was just a decent place to be, but obviously with the Scirocco there was cost cutting measures, i.e the dash was from the EOS, the climate control was a mix of mk5/6 Golf parts, as were the instruments clusters. The touch screen was ok, but buggy, slow and as people have mentioned, meant you spent time looking at the screen, rather than the road as it was set in the dash.

The A3 8V cabin in my opinion feels like a real step up from the Scirocco, the wheels is tactile and premium feeling, the plastics feel pretty much the same, but the design is clean and contemporary. The Tech Pack though expensive is really very good, and carries on the premium feel.

The design might not be to everyone's tastes, but friends who've just bought the Golf and the 1 Series have commented that they'd made the wrong decision...

 

[dubdemand]

I like the new interior much more than the last one! The last A3 seemed very cheep and bland compared to the rest of the Audi range and I would have never considered owning one because of that!

IMO the new A3 is leagues ahead of the new Golf and the BMW 1 Series - which I have to say I find really dull and the materials very cheep compared to the previous 1er (which I owned).

Its all down to personal 'good' taste at the end of the day - some people have it, some poeple dont. Doesnt bother me either way so long as I have what I like and enjoy driving it!

Let the Golf boys enjoy their cheep and poorly designed rip off copy of the B8 A4 dash... lol

 

[viperfire]

I think half the vw fan boys are on here to wind us up. I'm ignoring them knowing I've got an prestige marque and they haven't

 

[Ruthus_1]

I think half the vw fan boys are on here to wind us up. I'm ignoring them knowing I've got an prestige marque and they haven't

its my first audi and defo feel I'm going up in the world from my VW lol

 

[steven04]

I much prefer the MK6 Golf to the new MK7 to be honest, both interior and exterior.

After test driving an 8v A3, BMW 1 Series , Alfa Gullietta & MK7 Golf , the Audi was the clear winner for me.
The interior was the biggest selling point for me, simply gorgeous.

Can't wait to take delivery, definately made the right choice.

 

[hittchy]

I much prefer the MK6 Golf to the new MK7 to be honest, both interior and exterior.

After test driving an 8v A3, BMW 1 Series , Alfa Gullietta & MK7 Golf , the Audi was the clear winner for me.
The interior was the biggest selling point for me, simply gorgeous.

Can't wait to take delivery, definately made the right choice.

I prefer the look of the MK6 dash but with the quality of the MK7.

 

[Vertigo1]

Nonsense, of course you have to look to know what you're selecting.

Not all the time. My point is that the basic functions such as selecting the mode (radio/media/nav/phone) are done with switches and the main sub-functions within each are done using the four surrounding buttons and you quickly learn where everything is and can operate it without looking down at the controls or even, in some cases, the screen. With a touch-screen, you need to be looking at it for every function that requires a screen press - you can't feel your way around - and when the screen is set low in the dashboard, this requires taking your eyes off the road far more. It's akin to texting on old phones where you could feel the buttons and, with practice, do it without even looking at the screen. Contrast that with a smartphone where it's impossible as you can't feel the buttons.

In your opinion. The BMW has heads-up display like in military aircraft, so you literally don't look away from the road.

No, not my opinion. You said the screen in the A3 blocks your view, when it doesn't. That's a simple fact. They've designed it in such a way that it doesn't impede on your view.

Sophistry.

The way to come up with successful designs is to learn and improve, not to change what ain't broke.

This is a matter of opinion. What you call not changing what isn't broken I might call a reluctance to risk any kind of change. Given the incremental changes made to each recent iteration of the Golf, I still contend that they're scared to make any kind of radical change, for whatever reason. Possibly because they feel they got it right a while ago but possibly because they're scare of alienating their core market.

How would you know this, have you done a survey? Doesn't look like it if you check around here... there are plenty of threads where people are complaining they've bought audi's for the past 15 years for example, but the new a3 interior has put them off so much they have to look at finding another brand. Myself and my friends went for test drives in the golf and a3, since they're both going to be the same price - but we were dissappointed with the interior design of the a3. We're still considering the A3 though because the exterior is better than the golf. BUT people that don't like it, don't seem to be in such a minority as you claim.

As I said, from what I've seen here and on other forums, in reviews and talking to people in person. Yes there are those who dislike it, here as well as elsewhere but I've seen far more positive comments than negative ones.

 

[bobwilson]

I think half the vw fan boys are on here to wind us up. I'm ignoring them

You've said this several times now, and I for one have told you I'm not a VW fanboy and never owned a VW, in fact it would appear from your inability to tolerate debate, that the only fan boy on here is yourself, so all I'm going to say is:

You do that, hope it'll make you feel better

 

[hittchy]

Also all that piano black in the Golf surrounding the screen in the golf is dreadful. If you've had piano black before you'll understand. Scratches and dust galore!

Piano Black is a nightmare to keep scratch free. However, after looking back at the Golf pictures, the silver dash in SE spec is plain nasty. It reminds me of the time Ford introduced silver trim across their dashboards. There's just too much of it. I think I'd rather live with the Piano Black which isn't so 'in your face'.

One of the reasons I don't do 'poverty spec' cars.

 

[bobwilson]

One of the reasons I don't do 'poverty spec' cars.

Which is why you bought a car that costs less

 

[viperfire]

You've said this several times now, and I for one have told you I'm not a VW fanboy and never owned a VW, in fact it would appear from your inability to tolerate debate, that the only fan boy on here is yourself, so all I'm going to say is:

You do that, hope it'll make you feel better

wum haha

 

[bobwilson]

the basic functions such as selecting the mode (radio/media/nav/phone) are done with switches and the main sub-functions within each are done using the four surrounding buttons and you quickly learn where everything is and can operate it without looking down at the controls or even, in some cases, the screen.

what do you mean by switches vs four surrounding buttons.. can you go into detail or take a quick video?

With a touch-screen, you need to be looking at it for every function that requires a screen press

I don't think this is necessary, you can use voice control whilst driving.

No, not my opinion. You said the screen in the A3 blocks your view, when it doesn't. That's a simple fact. They've designed it in such a way that it doesn't impede on your view.

No you're talking cross-purposes; when I said it's your opinion, I was referring to your opinion that you don't need to take your eyes off the road, not that it blocks the view. In the BMW 1 series there is a headsup display like on aircraft, you literally don't take your eyes off the road because it displays in mid-air in front of your field of view, in the windscreen.

 

[Vertigo1]

what do you mean by switches vs four surrounding buttons.. can you go into detail or take a quick video?

There are two rocker switches for selecting the mode - left one does nav/phone, right one does radio/media. Around the central control wheel there are four buttons which change function according to the screen you're in. Each screen has an option at each corner and you use these buttons to select it. You quickly learn where everything is. If I want to enter a nav destination, it's left rocker switch up to select nav, then bottom left button to select destination. If I want to select music source, then it's right rocker switch down for media, then bottom left button then use the wheel to select Playlist/Album/Artist/etc.

Yes you have to look at the screen at some point but you can do the initial function selection without looking down or even at the screen. If these functions were all on a touch-screen, you'd have to look at it just to select the basic functions you wanted.

It's a very intuitive system and you learn it quickly, but then I've been using it for over six years now in various forms so maybe I'm just used to it.

 

[bobwilson]

This is a matter of opinion.

No actually, it's proven by natural evolution & has always been the way all successful technology is created.

 

[Chester Draws]

Bob , how many aircraft have you flown then ?

 

[hittchy]

Which is why you bought a car that costs less

Costs less? You've lost me.

I wouldn't buy anything less than sport or S-Line spec. If a black edition was available, I'd have bought that.

 

[bobwilson]

wum haha

very mature haha

 

[hittchy]

I don't think this is necessary, you can use voice control whilst driving.

Well, I've got voice control in my current car and it's absolute rubbish. I haven't driven a car yet where it works properly.

What car do you currently drive?

 

[bobwilson]

If I want to select music source, then it's right rocker switch down for media, then bottom left button then use the wheel to select Playlist/Album/Artist/etc.

Can you just use voice control whilst driving like on siri on the iphone? e.g. ''play music'' or ''play [artist name]''

 

[bobwilson]

Costs less? You've lost me.

How much did your A3 cost?

 

[hittchy]

I was referring to your opinion that you don't need to take your eyes off the road, not that it blocks the view. In the BMW 1 series there is a headsup display like on aircraft, you literally don't take your eyes off the road because it displays in mid-air in front of your field of view, in the windscreen.

Aircraft and cars are completely different. Tried a heads-up display in a 5 series and I found it very distracting. If I look out of the windscreen, I want to see the hazards of the road. I'll decide when it's safe to check the dashboard.

The Audi/Mercedes/BMW jog-wheel style controllers only require a 'glance' at the display before you operate the wheel to navigate. The VW system requires a longer look and more concentration to plant your finger on the correct button.

 

[bobwilson]

Aircraft and cars are completely different. Tried a heads-up display in a 5 series and I found it very distracting. If I look out of the windscreen, I want to see the hazards of the road. I'll decide when it's safe to check the dashboard.

The Audi/Mercedes/BMW jog-wheel style controllers only require a 'glance' at the display before you operate the wheel to navigate. The VW system requires a longer look and more concentration to plant your finger on the correct button.

Many people swear by the heads up display. But we digress..

 

[Chester Draws]

Bob , I notice you declined to answer the question with regard to your own transport . Do you actually drive and own a car ?

 

[Vertigo1]

No actually, it's proven by natural evolution & has always been the way all successful technology is created.

Nonsense. Whilst you always look at what's gone before and learn from it, many of today's successful technologies were not a result of just polishing what went before but of thinking radically or laterally and seeing if there's a different and better way of doing things. Facebook wasn't successful because they just copied MySpace or Friendster and added a few improvements but rather because they took the basic problem and came at it from a fresh perspective to create something fundamentally different and better. Google+ did the opposite and just tried to copy Facebook and add a few bells and whistles and look where that got them. The same can be said of Apple. If you look at all their key products, such as the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad, all of these were successful because they came up with something genuinely new and better than what had gone before.

If you settle for just polishing what you already have and never stopping to think whether there's a better way of doing things then you'll never make real progress. Yes it's risky but you have to do it now and then if you want to break new ground. You won't always get it right and may end up going down totally the wrong path but I applaud any company in any field that is prepared to take a chance on something different in the hope it could be an improvement rather than just polishing what went before or copying other's ideas and trying to add a few bells to it.

 

[hittchy]

How much did your A3 cost?

You've still lost me... or you just didn't understand the point. If it interests you so much, you can work out how much my A3 cost from the spec in my sig.

'Poverty Spec' is a term used to denote the base models in a range. Here you go: Urban Dictionary: poverty-spec

I'd rather drive a top of the range A1 than an SE spec A6. Nothing wrong with SE models, just not for me.

If you're referring to your own situation, spending £30k on an optioned-up VW wouldn't class it as poverty spec.... neither would a GT spec car in the first place. However, one could question the sanity of loading a VW with 25% of its value in options, which will have a residual around £12k in 3 years time.... but that's your choice. :thumbsup:

 

[hittchy]

Bob , I notice you declined to answer the question with regard to your own transport . Do you actually drive and own a car ?

Maybe you're on to something.

I remember going out test driving cars as a late teen that I couldn't possibly afford, just for fun. Those were the days.... Peugeot 205 GTi, Citroen Saxo VTR, Fiesta RS Turbo. Ragged to within an inch of their lives!