Back to the forum to take in everyone view and knowledge again :)

[mjh056]

About a month away from ordering my next vehicle, with my previous two being Audi A3 Sline 2.0 TDi 170 BHP Quattro - This is review made in early days of the second A3 http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-...6421-my11-a3-2-0tdi-170bhp-s-line-review.html

If anyone wants my eperiences on this model please just ask.

Again I have the choice of BMW VW Audi Mercedes and having already been to all dealers am back at the Audi, as they all just miss something the Audi has - So it has been between Q3 TT and the A3 and after much decision about what ticks most boxes for everyday use then the new A3 Sportback it is.

Order

1. 2.0 TDi Sportstronic S Line
2. Glacier White
3. Sat Nav
4. Interior Light Pack
5. Rear Camera or Rear Sensor
6. Folding Wing Mirrors
7. Sport Suspension Deletion

So I am pretty set on what I am ordering but do have a few comments and questions

1. The Quattro/Diesel combination is not available at present but may be tempted if it does, but can anyone tell me who has gone from Quattro to standard front wheel drive, how tangible is drop off in handling?
2. My 2.0TDi is 170BHP, so to anyone who has moved from this to the new standard 2.0 TDi how good is the performance, the acceleration? as it is still something I love even now.
3. Rear Camera or Sensors? Both to do same job, ensure that not going to bump anything! Views?
4. I have the S Line suspension at present and I do love the handling and on smooth roads its a dream but it does feel the pot holes and having been out in an SE suspension and seen the distance between arches and wheels then going for the standard - I realise losing the Quattro and deleting the S Line suspension might affect the handling, but from reading these forums it appears the car will still handle pretty damn well to not be a huge drop off?
5. Gone for Sportback over Hatch as though love lines it has proved more annoying that would think getting passengers in and out and trips with a load more than shopping such as to drop and fetch daughter from University has every crevice packed with stuff! so the extra space will be appreciated also.
6. Just make a note on colour, I have had Phantom Black and Standard Black and they both get dirty and dusty and do show marks, but always look great even with a standard wash, so for me would have no issue having a black again but saw the Glacier White and loved it, the tint of blue is tangible, so crisp, so Glacier White it is Though if it was a standard upgrade option Sepang Blue would win.
7. Also having seen the new A3 many times now I realise how different it is from my MY11, it makes mine look a little bulky and outdated in comparison, though in reality it is still a minor thing to note as I still love it really and will be a little sad to see her go though sure will love the new Sportback.

So thats it, as it stands now, with caveat that may get the Quattro 180+ BHP combination if becomes available, though will take on board any comments on the standard drive/2.0TDi combination.


Great forum guys, so valuable at times like these in getting a true understanding of what is best to order.

 

[Vertigo1]

1. Can't answer that one.

2. Had two 170PS A3s and now the 150PS. It's slower - there's no getting away from that. The performance is perfectly decent and it's a close thing but the 170PS was noticeable nippier.

3. Didn't even know they did a rear camera option. Sensors are more than adequate for me tbh and they come as part of the Comfort Pack which is good value.

4. S-Line comes as standard now with the Sport suspension. My last two A3s were S-Lines and I know what you mean about the suspension. The new S-Line on standard Sport suspension is good. Noticably more compliant and less "jiggly" than the old car but still decently firm and handles well. It's a good compromise.

 

[hittchy]

I've had a few Quattro models - A4, TT and S3. Whilst there's no denying the grip is immense, I've never ordered it on my 'oil burners'. After driving both variants in the past, I've always felt the weight penalty of the Quattro set up outweighs the handling improvement on lower powered engines. There's also the fuel consumption difference to consider and extra c.£1500 cost.

I've come from a 170bhp A4, so others will be able to give you a better idea of how performance compares to the 8P. As Vertigo says, you may notice some difference, but I'd guess some will be offset by the 80kg or so weight loss in the 8V. My A3 feels far more sprightly and nimble than the A4 I've come from, but they're obviously different cars.

Audi have done lots of work with their suspension set ups. Sport suspension seems to be a really good compromise for most people, but there's no substitute for driving them.

Couldn't agree more on the colours. Sepang Blue or Suzuka Grey would look fantastic if you can justify the premium. Glacier White also looks great, although Glacier and Daytona seem to becoming the popular options..... not much good for exclusivity!

 

[mjh056]

Good Afternoon

Thanks for replies guys

Think the first thing I need to keep in thought is not to overly compare to the 8P as essentially this is a completely new car that is retaining its A3 persona.

Suspension We are essentially from these comments saying the experience of the standard Sport on the S Line is comparable to the standard set up on the A3 8P - Mine is lowered to S Line so with the change of models and improvements in weight and focus on suspension in general just staying with the standard Sport selection on the new S Line would be the best compromise in improving my present experience yet retaining a Sport look & feel?

Performance My mindset is falling into just sticking with the 150 PS 2.0 TDi and foregoing the Quattro/180 PS that could be in the offering simply as accepting there will be a drop off all around in performance it will not be in any way be huge and once adjusted to performance will still be pretty secure and lively. Will miss the Quattro badge though! Little things

STRONIC Do have one additional question in how the STRONIC performs in a Turbo Diesel opposed to a Petrol given how different they can deliver the power? My 170 BHP delivers power in a slightly delayed rush when kick down so how does the STRONIC manage that? Do intend to have a full test drive before final order but all thoughts now add to the process of getting it as right as possible when press the confirmation on order.


Rear View Camera Found out since posted that the camera is an option to the park assist pack only, so given it was mainly a gadget option the sensors will be more than fine and that is something easily decided.

Colour Understand the exclusivety factor with the many Daytona and Glacier being ordered, but aside from Black these are my personal favourite colours on Audi in general, except for the Sepang which I adore, but really hard to justify as heavily paid for upgrade - Personal preference is that I think Scuba Blue is too dark and lacks the Sepang lustre. But remember when we discuss options in these forums we talking at detail level, none of us would be really disappointed with owning an A3 no matter colour of this and that at end of the day

TECH Pack Have added a dilemma and question to forum to original post, the Tech Pack! I like the idea of the larger screen and the extension of the SAT NAV to the DIS and HDD for music is not something too bothered about and neither for films, as music will come via the standard fit DAB, CD, Iphone or SD Card in spare slot - So is it worth it over the SD Sat Nav to which I was opting?

My Order at present is now

1. 2.0 TDi 150 PS Sportstronic S Line
2. Glacier White
3. SD Sat Nav or Tech Pack
4. Interior Light Pack
5. Rear ParkingSensor
6. Folding Wing Mirrors
7. Retain Sport Suspension

I know I have thrown out some questions, but courtesy of this forum I pretty much had a good understanding of what would be ordering and was straight into finer details so thanks again for all who post.

 

[hittchy]

I couldn't agree more with your logic.

In terms of the SD Nav versus tech pack, I guess it really depends on how often you use the navigation features. Both display through the DIS and are very good systems. The display is undoubtedly nicer on the tech pack, but other than that I struggled to justify it as I only use nav a few times a month. If I spent most of my day in the car, I'd have opted for the tech pack.

A 64Gb SD card takes care of all the music I need so the HDD was overkill.

 

[squiretolley]

I've been really impressed with the SD sat nav, granted its not a huge screen and the resolution isn't up there with the Tech pack but I'm glad I didn't pay an extra £1k! You'd be better off adding the pano roof or B&O and having a bit left over.

 

[mjh056]

Getting there!

Did not realise the SD Sat Nav fed to DIS also and that was one of aspects that added to Tech Pack thoughts. But given DAB is standard addition also now the Tech Pack is abandoned and standard SD Sat Nav it is.

BUT! Was looking at Rear Sensors and seen it was part of the Comfort pack and that most I see on here have the Comfort Pack! So thoughts on Comfort Pack, been worth adding? I am getting sensors anyway so might be worth adding?

Cannot see me using the Pano Roof and I have the BOSE set up in present A3 and as much as it is great when I can fire it up properly there are so many times that cannot due to passengers (Daughters with Iphones who not like Dad taste in music or listening to Radio) My previous Audi had the standard audio set up and I always thought it was quite decent so going back to the standard audio 8 speaker set up.

Order

1. 2.0 TDi 150 PS Sportstronic S Line
2. Glacier White
3. SD Sat Nav
4. Interior Light Pack
5. Rear ParkingSensor or Comfort Pack
6. Folding Wing Mirrors
7. Retain Sport Suspension

Again thanks for comments and hopefully will get some more on what mentioned through this thread - But feel have quite good clarity now in going to strike a great balance of getting a great car with good value options.

 

[squiretolley]

The comfort pack is really good value especially if you're looking to spec parking sensors separately. Personally I wanted the cruise control and dimming rear view mirror, the other bits are just nice to haves.

 

[Daveotto]

comfort pack is great value if you are going to order 2 out of rear parking sensors, cruise control and light and rain sensors as you end up getting the 3rd one for a few extra pounds and they throw in the acoustic glass, which might help with some of perceptions of road noise from other threads but might cause some problems when replacing a damaged screen due to chips that are not repairable. I was going to order parking and rain/ light sensors so got cruise control for next to nothing even if I don't use it.

 

[Vertigo1]

The tech pack is undoubtedly expensive for what it gives you over the standard SD Nav. I love the larger, higher resolution screen but then mine's a company car so it wasn't my money. Had it been then I may have thought twice. I'll also say that, had it been a choice between B&O and the Tech Pack, the B&O would have won.

The Comfort Pack is definitely worth it. The parking sensors are very handy and the dimming rear view mirror is one of those things you just can't live without once you've had it. Cruise is only really useful if you do a lot of driving at night or at very off-peak times as otherwise the speed of traffic varies too much to make it useful. That said it's a godsend when you're in those roadworks with average speed cameras!

 

[mjh056]

Good Afternoon

Checked today and the Comfort Pack is in as given getting sensors anyway then the difference in what else receive makes it a very good value upgrade.


Think most kind enough to reply have covered everything and so pretty solid and clear on most things though if there are some thoughts on this question it would be appreciated.

I have never personally had anything but manual but have driven a Petrol Golf with DSG and if honest quite liked it, so must be getting lazy in old age But how is it in combination with a Diesel and the Turbo Rush? How does it handle this delivery of power?


STRONIC Do have one additional question in how the STRONIC performs in a Turbo Diesel opposed to a Petrol given how different they can deliver the power? My 170 BHP delivers power in a slightly delayed rush when kick down so how does the STRONIC manage that? Do intend to have a full test drive before final order but all thoughts now add to the process of getting it as right as possible when press the confirmation on order.

Suspension Took on board the comments that this is a very different car, lighter and with focus having been placed on Suspension over 8P and that 'Sport' will likely represent an 8P SE set up, but is this a view shared? At present 70-30 in keeping the Sport option over the standard set up, but ...

Order at present

1. 2.0 TDi 150 PS Sportstronic S Line (184PS?)
2. Glacier White
3. SD Sat Nav
4. Interior Light Pack
5. Comfort Pack
6. Folding Wing Mirrors
7. Retain Sport Suspension (Standard Suspension?)

 

[squiretolley]

I really wanted to wait for the 184ps diesel, but to my knowledge its still not been released. If I was a patient man (which I'm not!) I'd probably hang fire and ordered the 184. Notwithstanding it depends how much more it is than the 150.

 

[hittchy]

I've always gone for the highest powered variants in offer in the past, and like you considered waiting for the 184ps model. Mind you, a few considerations went through my mind which made me have second thoughts.

Firstly, I've often found that drivability was better in the lower powered version with a much smoother power delivery. In normal day-to-day use, they seemed the better option. Secondly, fuel consumption seems to be quite a bit better in the lower powered model judging from past experiences.

I'm not sure how much this'll bear out on the new A3, but it was enough to convince myself! However, if I though for a moment I'd regret getting the 150ps, I'd have waited it out. So I guess it depends on how much you'd miss the extra power.

 

[mjh056]

The power in my present 170BHP does come in a rush and is put to ground by the Quattro and manually managed by me, so was just wondering how the STRONIC manages Diesels opposed to petrols?

Think the question ask is why would want that extra power and acceleration? For me its just to know it is there in situations where have to get past anyone, on any road, be it A B or Motorway readily, or on a roundabout when BMW driver is accelerating at you

My Hatch MY11 170 BHP Quattro is 7.6 sec 0-60 by the book and the MY13 150 BHP STronic is 8.3 sec - Given the comments received from previous owners of 170 who are now in 150 BHP then, though there is a drop off (0.7) the 150 BHP STRONIC Combination is still lively and will get you in and out of situations pretty readily still and with 60 + MPG also and as much as you would love to ignore such things consumption does make a difference these days.

Walking through this process over and over does help and leaning towards the 150 BHP given the balance of performance/fuel and abandoning thoughts of Quattro/184 BHP though as nice to point at, the additional ££ for the extra it gives that rarely gets full use day to day.

Ok, little clearer now again Though given what I have seen here there has been a few head rushes at time of order for all the shiney stuff, so still potential yet to heart over head

 

[mjh056]

Getting close to ordering now and as we all seem to do here, have created myself a dilemma of the 1.4 TFSi variety as going for this over the 2.0 150BHP basically loads my purchase as below

Know some here have the 1.4 TFSi so views please on this engine and performance? - Realise I am going for comforts over performance but how much so? Do not want to drive something gutless still nice to have some kick when needed? My mileage was higher but more in the 12k range as it stands now ..

Does it have twin exhaust still?

1. 1,4 TFSi S Line Sportback Sportstronic
2. Glacier White
3. Comfort Pack
4. Tech Pack
5. Interior Light Pack
6. B&O Sound System
7. Hill Hold
8. Extended interior elements mono.pur
9. Folding Heated Wing Mirrors
10. SE Suspension

Opposed to original order

1. 2.0 TDi 150 PS Sportstronic S Line
2. Glacier White
3. SD Sat Nav
4. Interior Light Pack
5. Comfort Pack
6. Folding Wing Mirrors
7. Retain Sport Suspension

Bit of a nightmare really as go from the sporting extreme of 184 BHP and Quattro to a more comfort opposite of greater options and lesser performance!!

 

[BigD289]

I've tested both, the 150 TDI has some serious pull but I was pleasantly surprised with the 122 1.4. It definitely is no slouch, it has pull when you need it (although not as much as the 150). In the end I ordered a 1.4 CoD thinking the extra power and torque would make it a great car.

I'm pretty sure the 1.4 122 had twin exhausts.

 

[mjcourtney]

Getting close to ordering now and as we all seem to do here, have created myself a dilemma of the 1.4 TFSi variety as going for this over the 2.0 150BHP basically loads my purchase as below

Know some here have the 1.4 TFSi so views please on this engine and performance? - Realise I am going for comforts over performance but how much so? Do not want to drive something gutless still nice to have some kick when needed? My mileage was higher but more in the 12k range as it stands now ..

Does it have twin exhaust still?

1. 1,4 TFSi S Line Sportback Sportstronic
2. Glacier White
3. Comfort Pack
4. Tech Pack
5. Interior Light Pack
6. B&O Sound System
7. Hill Hold
8. Extended interior elements mono.pur
9. Folding Heated Wing Mirrors
10. SE Suspension

Opposed to original order

1. 2.0 TDi 150 PS Sportstronic S Line
2. Glacier White
3. SD Sat Nav
4. Interior Light Pack
5. Comfort Pack
6. Folding Wing Mirrors
7. Retain Sport Suspension

Bit of a nightmare really as go from the sporting extreme of 184 BHP and Quattro to a more comfort opposite of greater options and lesser performance!!

Your 1.4TFSI spec is almost identical to mine, and yes it has twin exhausts. The 2.0Tdi just wasn't worth the extra money, in my opinion, and I preferred to spend some of the money on the gadgets instead - don't regret it one bit! I also found that putting the car into dynamic mode sharpens the throttle response significantly and I can't believe how quick the 1.4 flies in this mode - seriously impressed! Stick with the 1.4 - you won't be disappointed

 

[mjh056]

Thanks again guys

Ok, after much debate I am pretty settled on everything now including the engine

This is having specced the 1.4 TFS1 2.0 TDi and 1.8 TFSi and balanced out the pros and cons, whilst also abandoning all thoughts of the coming Quattro/184BHP option.

The engine however is none of the above, it is one that is not at present available with the Stronic option, the 1.4 TFSi 140BHP COD

Having read many a Golf 1.4 140 BHP ACT DSG Review this seems the perfect compromise engine for retaining genuine performance with economy.

Patience is a virtue apparently and will wait till end of May to see if appears (as has been indicated) and if not it will be back to square one of the 3 engine choices above - But it is nice to have some clarity at last as it all driven me nuts!

Parked my 8P S Line Quattro next to a debadged Sportback this evening (with a cracked screen will add) and difference is so noticeable, mine looks truly bulky and dare I say old compared to the 8V - Though will counter that by saying driving home I still love it quite a bit

Ok, so thats me, with help of forum rationalised it all out and just ready to order, so will update when order is eventually in and delivery date given to when finally received photos and review.

1. 1.4 TFSi 140BHP (COD) S Line Sportback Sportstronic
2. Glacier White
3. Comfort Pack
4. SD Sat Nav
5. Interior Light Pack
6. B&O Sound System
7. Extended interior elements mono.pur
8. Folding Heated Wing Mirrors
9. SE Suspension

 

[mjh056]

Given I am likely to order in May it was brought to my attention that there will be yet another option to choose from! The Saloon!

But my worry at being back to choosing again was shortlived as my initial take from photos is that it would have to really wow me in the flesh to have me move away from Sportback which I just feel wins the styling battle easily!

So still just waiting on one thing the 1.4 TFSi 140 Stronic option before pressing the order button - Can only get a vague 'May time' from searching the net, does anyone here know a more definitive date?