squashmanontour
Registered User
Well, its been nearly a week now since picking up my Glacier S-Line flying machine, pictured below on its way home.
The last 700 miles have given me a chance to appreciate the pro's and con's of the 8V verses my previous 8P (2.0 TDi, S-Line Black Edition) so I thought I'd share my thoughts.
Comments welcome.
First of all there's the cabin:
8P - Superior to most other cars in its class, with quality materials throughout.
8V - Stunning and classy compared to even the 8P.
Controls:
8P - DIS - Basic but sufficient.
8V - MMI - Complex but through. Just hope it never fails when out of warrantee.
Layout:
8P - Typical Audi layout. Pity about the useless 'cubby hole' in front of the gear lever and the lack of bottle holders.
8V - Simple ergonomic layout, minimalist and easy to use. Just hope I get used to not having a hand brake lever
Ventilation:
8P - No issues and works well, quality design.
8V - Even better, especially like the 'jet' nozzles.
Space:
8P - OK for 6'+ driver.
8V - OK for 6'+ driver and now for rear passengers as well.
Driver Aid:
8P - Never had one, never missed it.
8V -
is this all about? Just leave it in dynamic and enjoy.
Sound system:
8P - Glad the bose system came as standard.
8V - Audi system just as good.
Mirrors:
8P - Perfectly proportioned.
8V - Both rear view and wing mirrors seem undersized, but you do get used to them.
Misc:
8V - Hill hold assist - should be standard as its so convenient.
8v - Should have retained 'smokers pack' as I don't see how the little chrome blanking plug costs the same as the versatile Ashtray/Container. Pity the 12v supply isn't constantly active. Much prefered the 8P version so that you could charge up mobile etc even without the engine running.
Steering:
8P - Bit wooley, especially when driven hard.
8V - Nice and precise with a wonderful 'chunky' S3 style steering wheel. Yet to be driven hard, but can't wait.
Engine:
8P - Best in class.
8V - Very quiet (still not used beyond 3000 rpm) with superior start/start that actually seems reliable.
Economy:
8P - Final consumption after 80K miles - 45.8 mpg
8V - First 700 miles - 47.7 mpg (yet to be driven in anger)
Gearbox:
8V - Much slicker than the 8P with a shorter shift pattern and a more mechanical feel.
Handling:
8P - Crash, bang, wallop
8v - Sports suspension is excellent. Taut yet comfortable and still offering superb handling.
Wind noise:
8P - Some wind noise from around the doors at speed.
8V - What wind noise!!
Boot:
8P - Perfect size for all my purpose made storage boxes.
8V - 25mm shorter than the 8P, purpose made storage boxes no longer fit
Washing:
8P - Nice set of curves but pain in the ar*e keeping the Alloys clean. Good looks but dated.
8V - Classy, modern look. Front bumper looks good but pain in the ar*e to keep all those slots clean. F38 alloys much easier to maintain. Door panels clearly not as thick as the 8P. Water still runs into the boot area when you open the boot.
Overall:
8P - My favourite A3 to date even though it needed several (read expensive) replacement sensors during the warrantee period.
8V - Forget the above, I've just found my favourite A3 to date :thumbsup:. Just hope that with all its complexity it doesn't fail just out of warrantee!
The last 700 miles have given me a chance to appreciate the pro's and con's of the 8V verses my previous 8P (2.0 TDi, S-Line Black Edition) so I thought I'd share my thoughts.
Comments welcome.
First of all there's the cabin:
8P - Superior to most other cars in its class, with quality materials throughout.
8V - Stunning and classy compared to even the 8P.
Controls:
8P - DIS - Basic but sufficient.
8V - MMI - Complex but through. Just hope it never fails when out of warrantee.
Layout:
8P - Typical Audi layout. Pity about the useless 'cubby hole' in front of the gear lever and the lack of bottle holders.
8V - Simple ergonomic layout, minimalist and easy to use. Just hope I get used to not having a hand brake lever
Ventilation:
8P - No issues and works well, quality design.
8V - Even better, especially like the 'jet' nozzles.
Space:
8P - OK for 6'+ driver.
8V - OK for 6'+ driver and now for rear passengers as well.
Driver Aid:
8P - Never had one, never missed it.
8V -
is this all about? Just leave it in dynamic and enjoy.Sound system:
8P - Glad the bose system came as standard.
8V - Audi system just as good.
Mirrors:
8P - Perfectly proportioned.
8V - Both rear view and wing mirrors seem undersized, but you do get used to them.
Misc:
8V - Hill hold assist - should be standard as its so convenient.
8v - Should have retained 'smokers pack' as I don't see how the little chrome blanking plug costs the same as the versatile Ashtray/Container. Pity the 12v supply isn't constantly active. Much prefered the 8P version so that you could charge up mobile etc even without the engine running.
Steering:
8P - Bit wooley, especially when driven hard.
8V - Nice and precise with a wonderful 'chunky' S3 style steering wheel. Yet to be driven hard, but can't wait.
Engine:
8P - Best in class.
8V - Very quiet (still not used beyond 3000 rpm) with superior start/start that actually seems reliable.
Economy:
8P - Final consumption after 80K miles - 45.8 mpg
8V - First 700 miles - 47.7 mpg (yet to be driven in anger)
Gearbox:
8V - Much slicker than the 8P with a shorter shift pattern and a more mechanical feel.
Handling:
8P - Crash, bang, wallop
8v - Sports suspension is excellent. Taut yet comfortable and still offering superb handling.
Wind noise:
8P - Some wind noise from around the doors at speed.
8V - What wind noise!!
Boot:
8P - Perfect size for all my purpose made storage boxes.
8V - 25mm shorter than the 8P, purpose made storage boxes no longer fit
Washing:
8P - Nice set of curves but pain in the ar*e keeping the Alloys clean. Good looks but dated.
8V - Classy, modern look. Front bumper looks good but pain in the ar*e to keep all those slots clean. F38 alloys much easier to maintain. Door panels clearly not as thick as the 8P. Water still runs into the boot area when you open the boot.
Overall:
8P - My favourite A3 to date even though it needed several (read expensive) replacement sensors during the warrantee period.
8V - Forget the above, I've just found my favourite A3 to date :thumbsup:. Just hope that with all its complexity it doesn't fail just out of warrantee!
