A day with an A3 2.0TDI-184 quattro s-tronic

[h5djr]

I had a A3 2.0TDI-184 quattro s-tronic for the day earlier this week. It was the first time I had ever driven a car with quattro and I was very impressed. The performance was very similar way to my existing 170 but obvious the handling was better because of the quattro and with more 'go' than the 150s I have tried.

The car was an S-Line on the standard 18" wheels and Sport suspension which was a little harder than I would like but certainly OK for testing. The car was quite basic with hardly any of the options I personally would choose. The only real problem was my wife and I both found the sport seats harder than we would like for our long journeys, but whilst I could choose to have normal rather than sports suspension, it has to be a Sport model as that the only version Audi UK offer with the 184 engine.

I still have a couple of further test drives booked, one in an 2.0TDI-150 SE s-tronic and one in a 2.0TDI-150 Sport s-tronic. Both of these will now be in the new years. I must say I do enjoy test driving the various cars.

My slight problem at the moment is that, with the exception of the 184 quattro, nothing has quite matched the performance and comfort of my existing 2.0TDI-170 Sportback SE s-tronic so it seems that I may decide to keep it longer. They suspension setup on the new A3 is certainly better than my existing and there are a lot more 'toys' to be had. The only other option may be to have a 150 and have it remapped which I had done to the 140 I had before my current 170.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I wouldn't worry about the seats. I'm sure that someone will be interested in a swap with the regular ones.

 

[arad85]

Sport and S-line share the same seats (you may already know this but... ). It's just the covering material that is different.

Also, I don't know of anyone who has managed to crack the ECU. You can add a tuning box, but not map the ECU yet. It seems there are some pricey versions in Germany which may be Audi-approved as they seem to be offering a proper remap (but at a few k euros...) but that could just be google translate throwing me off the scent.

 

[cemerson]

It's strange, some people say the 150s are better in performance than the old 170s, others say they aren't as good.

 

[h5djr]

Sport and S-line share the same seats (you may already know this but... ). It's just the covering material that is different.

Also, I don't know of anyone who has managed to crack the ECU. You can add a tuning box, but not map the ECU yet. It seems there are some pricey versions in Germany which may be Audi-approved as they seem to be offering a proper remap (but at a few k euros...) but that could just be google translate throwing me off the scent.

Yes I was aware that the Sport and S-Line share the same seats.

As far as remapping the 150 is concerned I had a previous 8P 2.0TDI-140 remapped to around 170 back in 2009 for £295 and I was very pleased with the results. I have recently spoken to the same chap and he says the 8V now requires the ECU to be removed to be remapped but he can still that for around £300-400.

The website is Vehicle Tuning Specialists | Performance Torque | P-Torque and the chap to speak to is Will Spooner. If you look in the news section on the website you will see that mention is made of remapped to the latest VAG EDC17C64 ECU used on VW/Audi 2013 Diesels.

 

[h5djr]

It's strange, some people say the 150s are better in performance than the old 170s, others say they aren't as good.

The 150 I drove for the day was in a Golf rather than an A3 so that could have made a difference. I will be driving two more 150s, an SE and a Sport in January, so I will see what I think after that. It's good that I have a excellent A3 at the moment so their is no great rush to change.

The problem seems to be Audi UK again. If I was buying an A3 in Germany I could have a 2.0TDI-184 quattro s-tronic in any of the three trim levels. But Audi UK have decided no-one in this country can have the same options. It's the same as a few years ago when they decided everyone would want the 3-door A3 so decided not to import the Sportback. Eventually they had to change their mind. Perhaps they will do the same with the 184 quattro.

 

[arad85]

Cool. Thanks for the info on the remap.

 

[h5djr]

I wouldn't worry about the seats. I'm sure that someone will be interested in a swap with the regular ones.

I don't really fancy spending £30k on a car and having a mis-match of the seat covering materials. I may look into the possibility of the foam seat pad under the covering being changed from the one used on the Sport to the one used on the SE.

 

[arad85]

PS:

The website is Vehicle Tuning Specialists | Performance Torque | P-Torque and the chap to speak to is Will Spooner. If you look in the news section on the website you will see that mention is made of remapped to the latest VAG EDC17C64 ECU used on VW/Audi 2013 Diesels.

Unless I'm missing something, it doesn't mention a remap, just a retune. The news site says:

"Performance Torque are now offering tuning on the latest VAG EDC17C64 equipped vehicles".

Given this was a year ago, and there's been lots of discussion on here about it not having been done, I would want to understand what they did a bit more before parting with my cash.

 

[h5djr]

PS:

Unless I'm missing something, it doesn't mention a remap, just a retune. The news site says:

"Performance Torque are now offering tuning on the latest VAG EDC17C64 equipped vehicles".

Given this was a year ago, and there's been lots of discussion on here about it not having been done, I would want to understand what they did a bit more before parting with my cash.

I emailed Performance talk yesterday specifically asking if the could remap the latest 2.0TDI-150 and the cost. I will let you know as soon as I receive a reply.

 

[arad85]

OK. Thanks

 

[PilotAudi]

I emailed Performance talk yesterday specifically asking if the could remap the latest 2.0TDI-150 and the cost. I will let you know as soon as I receive a reply.

How do you get on with Insurance after a remap ?

 

[CraigI]

How do you get on with Insurance after a remap ?

You tell them about the map and they tell you how much extra it will cost.
Fairly simple to sort.

 

[PilotAudi]

You tell them about the map and they tell you how much extra it will cost.
Fairly simple to sort.

Does it make much difference? I can see the appeal but was told if you didn't tell your insurer about changes of any sort your insurance could be invalid.

Just wondered as new S3 arrives in the New Year 300PS, folks on here say 370PS is achievable for not a huge amount of money. Just wondered what Insurers generally charged extra. Had quote for circa £200 on standard car which seems cheap.

 

[CraigI]

All insurers are different with modifications.
Wouldn't think it would be any more than 10% of the total cost of insurance.

 

[PilotAudi]

Thanks Craig will think on that one when car arrives.

 

[Daz Auto]

My wife test drove a A3 Sportback Sport 2.0L TDI and a Golf SE 1.6L TDI in the same week. She hated the A3 and loved the Golf. Audi nearly lost a sale. I had to persuade her that the A3 SE should be just as comfortable as the Golf SE.

It almost looks like Audi only want to sell sporty cars that are too firm for commuters like us.

I was looking at the A3 Quattro. But I need a good size boot for my work. And I do big miles so need comfortable seats and suspension. I may have to go for the 150ps engine - just to get the setup I need.

Edit: maybe they will change the specs after the new A4 is released? I won't be changing until then anyway.

 

[h5djr]

My wife test drove a A3 Sportback Sport 2.0L TDI and a Golf SE 1.6L TDI in the same week. She hated the A3 and loved the Golf. Audi nearly lost a sale. I had to persuade her that the A3 SE should be just as comfortable as the Golf SE.

It almost looks like Audi only want to sell sporty cars that are too firm for commuters like us.

I was looking at the A3 Quattro. But I need a good size boot for my work. And I do big miles so need comfortable seats and suspension. I may have to go for the 150ps engine - just to get the setup I need.

Edit: maybe they will change the specs after the new A4 is released? I won't be changing until then anyway.

You're comment about Audi only wanting to sell sporty cars applies to Audi UK rather than Audi in general. In Germany your can purchase their equivalent of an SE with the 184ps engine in either manual or s-tronic quattro.

I have been trying to organise test drives in SE and Sport versions of the A3 and nearly every dealer I contacted can only offer the S-Line. I know the seats are the same between the Sport and the S-line but most have sport suspension and the 18" wheels. I've not had the same problem getting test drives in the Golf SE or GT. I have at last found an SE and a Sport which I will be driving after Christmas but both are around 100 miles away. My dealer has been in touch with Audi UK headquarters are even they cannot or will not help.

If I had complete freedom to purchase what I liked it would be the current equivalent of my existing A3. A 2.0TDI-184ps Sportback SE S-tronic either normal or quattro. I could purchase one of these in Germany but Audi UK have decided not to ask Audi AG to make any RHD versions. The nearest I can get is a Sport but when I had a S-line for the day last week my wife in particular found the seats too hard for long journeys.

 

[PembsA3]

I can totally sympathise with u over the unavailability of the desired spec... I wanted a TDI S line quattro MANUAL. U can have a 150PS quattro manual in Germany but not in UK. I've had to accept the S tronic in a 184 TDI quattro.

 

[h5djr]

I can totally sympathise with u over the unavailability of the desired spec... I wanted a TDI S line quattro MANUAL. U can have a 150PS quattro manual in Germany but not in UK. I've had to accept the S tronic in a 184 TDI quattro.

A couple of years ago when I went on a factory tour at Ingolstadt with an English speaking guide I asked him about some models being available in Germany but not in the UK. His answer was that it was all down to what Audi UK asked the factory to make available so that they could have the necessary components made available. He said that the factory can make whatever combination of engine, gearbox, drive train and finish trim is ordered in either LHD or RHD. Audi UK decide what drivers in the UK want and ask for an allocation accordingly. Remember it was Audi UK who said there would be no demand for the 5-door Sportback in the UK. Now they sell far more Sportbacks than 3-door models.

If I have not placed an order before I next go to Germany, I am going to ask a German dealer if they are allowed to order a new car to one of their specifications but in UK RHD spec. I would be quite happy to buy one and collect it from Germany to get what I wanted.

 

[Daz Auto]

If I had complete freedom to purchase what I liked it would be the current equivalent of my existing A3. A 2.0TDI-184ps Sportback SE S-tronic either normal or quattro. I could purchase one of these in Germany but Audi UK have decided not to ask Audi AG to make any RHD versions. The nearest I can get is a Sport but when I had a S-line for the day last week my wife in particular found the seats too hard for long journeys.

Glad to hear it's not just us then.

The dealer asked us what we thought of the Sportback Sport. Told him straight, we didn't like the car - far to firm for the miles we drive on mostly bumpy B roads.

Hopefully in a year there will be a A3 saloon, 2.0TDI-184 SE S-tronic FWD for me to change to. Though I think the 150ps would have enough poke for 99% of my driving. But I do want the SE spec saloon.

What is the boot space like in the Quattro saloon? Someone told me that the A6 boot is the same size for both FWD and Quattro?

Any word on the A3 TDI Ultra 88mpg car coming to the UK? It's the same as the new Golf Bluemotion. It's available on the Audi German website (thank you google translate) Not available with S-tronic thought. Apparently S-tronic weighs too much (30kg?) and affects fuel consumption. :/

 

[PilotAudi]

I would be quite happy to buy one and collect it from Germany to get what I wanted.

Do you really want to pay German prices... Audi is cheaper in UK than much of Europe!

 

[cuke2u]

What is the boot space like in the Quattro saloon? Someone told me that the A6 boot is the same size for both FWD and Quattro? :/

No the S3 has 35 litres less in the boot with the seats up...

 

[h5djr]

Do you really want to pay German prices... Audi is cheaper in UK than much of Europe!

There is not that much difference in price (approx £1,000) and the options are a similar price but I would not mind too much paying a bit more if I could get just the car I wanted. Getting a discount might be a bit more difficult, but it would mean I would have to sell my current car privately rather than just trade-in.