Need advice..

[echo_mike]

Hi,

I've stumbled across this site and found a lot useful information, however I was hoping to get some expert advice on what choice to make...

I currently own '02 BMW 330i E46 (Steptronic) and since it's getting old I was planning to trade it in for a brand new Audi A3 Sedan 1.8 TFSI quattro. In terms of performance, Audi is 51bhp down, but it does weigh less than the BMW. On-paper the Audi accelerates faster by about 0.5sec (0-100km/h) than the BMW, however how does this translate into real-world figures? Would the Audi be noticeably slower during in-gear/rolling acceleration? Also will it feel slower than the 330i accelerating at high speed (100-200km/h runs)?

Performance is important to me, at least I'd like to be as fast or hopefully faster than the BMW, so I was hoping if someone would comment and let me know if I'm making the right move or will I get disappointed..

Anyone has any inputs?


Also, how easy are A3 8V 1.8TFSI's to tune? What kind of gains could to be expected when chipped?

**I apologise for any stupid questions/comments, I've owned BMW's for the last 10 years so I don't know much about Audi's.


Cheers

 

[DrTS]

If it's performance you're after Have you considered the S3?

 

[cuke2u]

You need to consider the differences torque for in gear acceleration, not power...

 

[Itguy]

I've got a 3.0i Z4 E85 which is the same engine as yours. We also have a mk5 golf gti which is. 2.0T 200hp.

Both cars are standard and I'd say the BMW is quicker in nearly every situation as long as you know how to drive it - ie what gear to get the best out of it.

The golf is easier to extract the power as it's a turbo engine, less frenetic and more lazy but just as effective.

I'd imagine the 1.8T would be just the same really. When I've driven the new S3 though that's a different league. Think of it like a cut down 911 turbo. Relaxing but abnormally fast for what you're sitting in.

 

[steeve]

Go for an S3

 

[echo_mike]

Thanks for the replies

I'd love to get an S3 and I know it's one hell of an awesome machine that would not disappoint however it's a bit out of my reach at the moment, at $70,000 AUD here in Australia, it's around $15-$20,000 more expensive than the top of the range A3 quattro

PS. If I did go for the S3, what's the recommended gearbox? Proper manual? or DSG?

 

[Itguy]

Are you buying on pcp? If so you might find little difference between A3 and S3 due to residual value

 

[echo_mike]

Are you buying on pcp? If so you might find little difference between A3 and S3 due to residual value

PCP?? Not sure what you mean by that..

 

[Itguy]

Sorry, personal contract plan. Where you pay a deposit, then x monthly payments then either hand the car back or pay the final payment price. So the costs are split in three, deposit, monthly payment, final payment.

You might call it something else??

 

[jsolo]

If you didn't option it up with things like the performance pack, premium paint, assistance pack etc, you could probably get one for $60K AUD. You'd need to do a factory order, as anyone who has stock of the S3 wants to get close to RRP for them because of the high demand here.

Are you factoring in that the base spec S3 here in Australia has lots of goodies that are normally optional on the various A3 variants? For instance xenons+LED DRLs, electric Nappa leather seats, comfort key, 18" alloys, satnav, MMI plus w/auto parking, and a whole lot of bling elements in the interior and exterior.

 

[OZAudi84]

I agree with Jsolo. It would be worth calling around to find out what you can get into an S3 for. I believe 8% off is a realistic discount. Even without the PP it comes pretty well equipped and you would need to option up a 1.8T to compare to the S3 specs. At the end of the day it probably also makes more financial sense to buy a base S3 rather than an optioned up 1.8T in terms of resale.

 

[echo_mike]

If you didn't option it up with things like the performance pack, premium paint, assistance pack etc, you could probably get one for $60K AUD. You'd need to do a factory order, as anyone who has stock of the S3 wants to get close to RRP for them because of the high demand here.

Are you factoring in that the base spec S3 here in Australia has lots of goodies that are normally optional on the various A3 variants? For instance xenons+LED DRLs, electric Nappa leather seats, comfort key, 18" alloys, satnav, MMI plus w/auto parking, and a whole lot of bling elements in the interior and exterior.

Yeah that's a good point. I was just looking at the RRP prices from audi.com.au and the S3 is about $10,000 more expensive. Since the sedan is about $3,000 more expensive, I'm assuming the S3 sedan should have about the same margin.

Originally I was planning to get A3 sedan 1.8 quattro with sport pack but since S3 sedan already comes with pretty much all the goodies (not to mention way better performance), I might have to consider getting PCP (or balloon payment as it's called in AUS).

OZAudi, the 8% discount sounds very good to me; could I expect that in W.Aus? I know the Eastern states have better discounts, might be worth the trip..

PS, what's the resalel value like for S3's after 5 years? (OZAudi? any ideas?)

Also, since S3 is offered in manual, should I go for manual? Or is DSG better?

Cheers

 

[Itguy]

Dsg!

Everyone has their own favourite but in my opinion the car has been designed around having dsg rather than manual. I say that because the adaptive cruise functions better with it, the car gear shift note can altered on the MMI etc etc. Just seems to suit the car really well.

 

[jsolo]

Mike, I don't suppose you work for a company who has a relationship with a novated leasing company? Great route if available... I was lucky enough to be able to combine novated leasing + the corporate program(3 years free valet service).

The S-tronic(Audi's name for DSG) is the same price as the manual AFAIK. If you're concerned about resale, there are plenty more auto-only drivers out there than manual capable ones(*stares guiltily at his feet*). The S-tronic gets paddle shifters to let you manually change gears if you want to. Also it's faster doing 0-100, 5 seconds vs 5.4 seconds for the manual.

To some extent it's actually liberating if you don't get the performance pack. I ticked it in the options list, but it meant I couldn't get the parade red interior that I wanted nor choose which alloys I got . If you have any room left in your budget after discounting, check out some of the pictures of the parade red leather, definitely something unique, IMO $1100 spent on that is better than a similar amount to choose a premium paint colour.

 

[0B1001001]

Manual!

Not a fan of autos and drove both manual and DSG, the manual box is really nice.

As Itguy says, everyone has their favourite :icon_thumright:

 

[echo_mike]

Mike, I don't suppose you work for a company who has a relationship with a novated leasing company? Great route if available... I was lucky enough to be able to combine novated leasing + the corporate program(3 years free valet service).

The S-tronic(Audi's name for DSG) is the same price as the manual AFAIK. If you're concerned about resale, there are plenty more auto-only drivers out there than manual capable ones(*stares guiltily at his feet*). The S-tronic gets paddle shifters to let you manually change gears if you want to. Also it's faster doing 0-100, 5 seconds vs 5.4 seconds for the manual.

To some extent it's actually liberating if you don't get the performance pack. I ticked it in the options list, but it meant I couldn't get the parade red interior that I wanted nor choose which alloys I got . If you have any room left in your budget after discounting, check out some of the pictures of the parade red leather, definitely something unique, IMO $1100 spent on that is better than a similar amount to choose a premium paint colour.

Nah I don't work for a company that does leasing with any other company unfortunately. The only concern I have with the balloon payment route is if I like the car so much and short on cash, I don't wouldn't want to be forced to sell it. Do they re-finance final balloon payments without purchasing a new car?

I prefer manuals, I've always enjoyed driving them and the feel of being in full control; the only crap thing is being stuck in the traffic jam, there's nothing fun about rowing the "boat" in the jam lol.

From what you guys posted here, I think S-tronic seems to be the way to go; however are they reliable in the long run?

Cheers

 

[OZAudi84]

Yeah that's a good point. I was just looking at the RRP prices from audi.com.au and the S3 is about $10,000 more expensive. Since the sedan is about $3,000 more expensive, I'm assuming the S3 sedan should have about the same margin.

Originally I was planning to get A3 sedan 1.8 quattro with sport pack but since S3 sedan already comes with pretty much all the goodies (not to mention way better performance), I might have to consider getting PCP (or balloon payment as it's called in AUS).

OZAudi, the 8% discount sounds very good to me; could I expect that in W.Aus? I know the Eastern states have better discounts, might be worth the trip..

PS, what's the resalel value like for S3's after 5 years? (OZAudi? any ideas?)

Also, since S3 is offered in manual, should I go for manual? Or is DSG better?

Cheers

Hey mate. I know Audi Centre Canberra is very willing to do great deals on cars. Even orders. PM me if you want the name of a salesman to talk to. Though I'm not sure how transport to WA would work. They do have several solutions for rego though.

Realistically I would expect the car to be worth 50-55% of it's new price in 3 years, averaging about 10-15K km per year. But this is granted you do not load the car with options, which is basically money you won't see again. Be very weary of redbook resale guides and the like when looking at resale.

If you come to the end of the lease and there is a balloon there are finance companies out there that will refinance the car for you, but most people hand the car back and start a new lease as they have the benefit of a new car with a new warranty. That said if your balloon payment is small your car may be worth more than the payout figure and you will have some equity in the vehicle. You could even sell it (privately usually means more $ in your pocket), retain some money and pay out the loan.

DSG all the way. It's easier and faster and makes nice noises. I believe it will also be beneficial at resale time as manual or DSG cost the same and most people would be after the DSG.

 

[steeve]

Dsg!

Everyone has their own favourite but in my opinion the car has been designed around having dsg rather than manual. I say that because the adaptive cruise functions better with it, the car gear shift note can altered on the MMI etc etc. Just seems to suit the car really well.

Sorry but this is tosh.
A company like Audi will make sure any variants of the car are as good as they can be, perhaps making minor changes to make sure everything is spot on.

 

[WillHarris2306]

Sorry to take the thread in a slightly different direction - I had a 330i Coupe manual a few years back and although i'm a firm fan of modern Audi's (of course) that is one of the finest engines you will ever come across my friend. As a true petrol head it's a shame you're selling it in a way as it's probably not worth much now (although E46's in Aus maybe slightly more sought-after), shame you can't keep it - stick in in a garage it'll be worth a fortune in 20 years. A future modern classic, and that straight-six sound!.

But like you say it's probably getting a bit old now. And man they're thirsty!

Back to Audi's....

 

[echo_mike]

Sorry to take the thread in a slightly different direction - I had a 330i Coupe manual a few years back and although i'm a firm fan of modern Audi's (of course) that is one of the finest engines you will ever come across my friend. As a true petrol head it's a shame you're selling it in a way as it's probably not worth much now (although E46's in Aus maybe slightly more sought-after), shame you can't keep it - stick in in a garage it'll be worth a fortune in 20 years. A modern classic, and that straight-six sound!.

But like you say it's probably getting a bit old now. And man they're thirsty!

Back to Audi's....

Yeah I do love my 330i, it truly is an amazing machine and you're right, the engine is one of best ever (hence why it won engine of the year few years in a row). However it is getting old and up until the release of S3 sedan, I couldn't really find a worthy (affordable) replacement. As much as I'd like to keep the BMW, maintenance to keep it at it's best performance can get expensive, and I never skip on maintenance; hence it's better to put that money towards the new Audi.

Since I'm also an Audi fan I think that once I opt for the S3 sedan; the 300hp that it has to play with will make me forget about the 330i

How race track 'friendly' is the S3? Does the S-tronic handle occasional track days without future problems?

Cheers

 

[WillHarris2306]

Not sure about the track credentials of the S3 mate, as i've just got a humble 1.8TFSI Sport.

Hopefully one of the more experienced members will chip in on that.

Best of luck with the new Audi, very jealous...