1.6 vs 2.0 vs 3.2

[Woob]

So as some of you, for a while i have wanted an A3 (8P) but i am going to medical school in october so couldn't really afford it. But i have just found out the first year is only going to be 2.5 days of studying a week so i can still get a part time job and maintain the car. some may say it's a waste of money but i'm not here to be conviced out of getting an A3.

I would like to know though which of the A3's you would get?

I was looknig at the 2 litre FSI for ages but while surfing i found the 3.2 quattros aren't all that much more to buy. Ofcourse running costs are higher but you must get some perks too.

So what pros and cons have you guys found with the 2.0 vs the 3.2 (and 1.6 if you wanna add that)?

 

[Wai-Fan]

I'm a student myself and bought my A3 last June, I recommend getting a 2.0 TDi as opposed to the FSI or the 1.6 as the TDi is a much better all rounder.

Main advantages of the 2.0 TDi over the 2.0 FSi is that the TDi can be remapped with larger gains and it's more economical. The TDi is also a bit clattery when idling at a stand still but at 70mph you can barely hear the engine at all, so it's quite good for cruising.

However, the 3.2 would be awesome! I haven't driven one myself but personally if I can afford to buy and run one, then why not!

 

[APL TDi]

3.2 all the way mate! 2nd choice would be 2.0tdi and remap. 3rd choice would be walk 4th and 5th would be 2.0 and 1.6.

Happy hunting:thumbsup:

 

[edition]

Yup i would vote 3.2

 

[10blazin]

if your buying second hand alot of the 3.2s are cheaper from audi used cars with good specs i was gonna get one myself but the insurance was stupid so got a 2.0tfsi which im very happy with its pretty fast to and with a remap would probably be a tad faster than a 3.2 because of the engine weight you can seriously mod 2.0tfsi for ok money and to mod a 3.2 is expensive so this was another reason i went for 2.0tfsi so i vote for 2.0tfsi but for sheer sound the 3.2

 

[Khufu]

My take on things:

3.2 will be fun but costly to run on petrol, seems reliable. TDi has reasonable performance as standard, can be chipped nicely but if buying older model be wary of dodgy cylinder heads, egr valves & turbos. 2.0 FSi isnt totally gutless, less to go wrong (so far) & mpg isnt too bad I get about 35mpg kicking about, driving like nun have had 44mpg on Motorway.

 

[HotboxDeluxe]

I've got a 2.0 diesel but would choose a 3.2. Six-pot petrols WIN

 

[gixxer600k4]

you got to think about what u want, if you want raw power/torque, get the 3.2 but u gotta think bout all the running costs, not just petrol, but tax, servicing etc, but it would be a great car to drive, the 2.0tfsi/tdi are good if you want a bit off speed and power and the tdi is good if you do the long miles to justify geting a diesel, if you dont do many miles then you will not benefit from getting a diesel, i got the 2.0fsi because it is much cheaper to insure, im not fussed about speed as i have a motorbike for when i want to go fast, its a great eager little motor n is happy on motorway, just lacks a bit more power. on motorways im getting around 40mpg. if you are going to tune it, get the tfsi or tdi as their tuning capabilities are much higher, and the fsi is a rare engine and it is very hard to find an aftermarket exhaust, air filter for them.

 

[tony-b-3.2-v6]

hi woob ive had my 3.2 a year today one word AWESOME im 40 i live in bolton just been to my dads in brighton 600 mile round trip on £80 insurance renewed last week £370 with LV fully comp and guaranteed no claims protected its black and got everything all the toys full leather,cruise con,dsg,rnse,6 disc changer, votex body kit,heated seats,auto dimming mirrors,auto lights,auto wipers,tip tronic,rs4 wheels and more had a 1.9 tdi loved it but am in love with my 3.2 would only swap it for an rs4 but cant afford one yet but keep dreaming hope this helps

 

[kaz219]

Im a student and tbh, my bursary pays for my petrol and i just scrape up for mods and insurance.

I'd get a 2.0 TDi - good mpg, quick, quicker with remap and to insure its not too bad.

 

[Woob]

To be honest i hadn't considered the diesel but there seems to be a lot for love for it.

If i did get the 3.2, i wouldn't be tuning it at all as the insurance is already going to be more than a joke. But i did worry that will all that weight at the front, that handling would be awful? but i that worth giving up for the sound of a V6. hmmm.

 

[HotboxDeluxe]

The 2.0 TDi is the sensible choice. Good mpg and good performance. I drive one because I do loads of miles a week and I'm happy with it. Plus it was cheap and very-well specced.

But like all diesels, it's got a gay rev counter and sounds ****. Plus, I can't help feeling, that once the very complex turboweasel is up in the miles, it means big bills. And I can't take it apart myself because it's an Audi you need to take a wheel off to change an indicator bulb so god knows what the rest of it's like. I know what the wing mirror is like....still not working after I changed it

Get the V6

 

[APL TDi]

The 2.0 TDi is the sensible choice. Good mpg and good performance. I drive one because I do loads of miles a week and I'm happy with it. Plus it was cheap and very-well specced.

But like all diesels, it's got a gay rev counter and sounds ****. Plus, I can't help feeling, that once the very complex turboweasel is up in the miles, it means big bills. And I can't take it apart myself because it's an Audi you need to take a wheel off to change an indicator bulb so god knows what the rest of it's like. I know what the wing mirror is like....still not working after I changed it

Get the V6

Ha ha. Agreed!

I think at the end of the day, if you dont need to get a diesel, then dont! No one gets a diesel because they want one. IF you can get the 3.2 then do. Anything else will be a bit of a let down in comparison.

It will handle just fine too.

Soooooo GET THE V6 MATE!!!

 

[Woob]

Is there anything esle i should know about the 3.2's?

theif magnets? any extra special care?

i can't get the TFSI as it's too new

 

[aythree]

I've got a 2.0 fsi and I think it gets a bit of a raw deal on here.
Compared to the 2.0 tdi I'd take it all day. But that is for my needs.

I don't do many miles, I like to have an engine where I can take the revs past 4000 if needed, and I'm never going to start moddin/remapping the engine so will only have a car with it's standard factory performance.
So for me, the quicker 0-60 of the fsi over the tdi (even if it is only about half a second quicker), the cheaper cost of fuel, and no fears of a turbo going wrong, an FSI fitted the bill for me.

In terms of performance I think it's pretty good as well. Stretch the gears a bit and I find it has good pull and acceleration. And unless I'm up against a real "performance car" I'm never left feeling embarrassed.
Motorway driving I also found to be very good as well. Took mine on a 200 miles M1 drive the other day and I found it sufficiently responsive right up to 110, where I decided i would break the law no further!!

So to sum it up...... My order of choice would be 3.2... 2.0 fsi.... 2.0tdi.... 1.6 fsi

 

[Chewy 05 1.6FSI Sportback]

I second aythree to an extent as I've got a 1.6 fsi, and I know it's the weediest thing on here compared to anyone else it nippy enough, and as i've got a young family I don't really have the money for big tuning or forking out on large insurance premiums (& I'm 26 so still have to consider insurance) I think as long as u find a good tidy car u like I'll make the most of it and enjoy it

 

[Chewy 05 1.6FSI Sportback]

Sorry meant to say ull enjoy it!

 

[Woob]

Insurance will be a slight issue but i'm currently doing loads of overtime at work to pay for all of this. I wsa planning on the 2.0 FSI for ages but then found out the 3.2 wasn't all that much more expensive.

Any other pro's of cons or reasons for picking one over the other. I'd rather not go for the 1.6 as i'd like a bit more power.

 

[gixxer600k4]

Thee is plenty of grunt with the 2.0 fsi the 3.2 will be great but what quote have you got on insurance, what's it's tax price? What about the 1.8 turbo?

 

[10blazin]

personally you should get a 1.8 turbo and a remap it would be rapid pretty good on feul better insurance and would eat a 2.0fsi ive had a 1.6 and can totally say dont get one there the worst cars in the world ... a 3.2 and your gonna be sorry once your used to the car and your still working your **** off to pay for it so the 1.8 turbo with map is definatly your best bet....

 

[aythree]

personally you should get a 1.8 turbo and a remap it would be rapid pretty good on feul better insurance and would eat a 2.0fsi ive had a 1.6 and can totally say dont get one there the worst cars in the world ... a 3.2 and your gonna be sorry once your used to the car and your still working your **** off to pay for it so the 1.8 turbo with map is definatly your best bet....

You talking about a 1.8 tfsi, right??
Don't think that's an option for the OP. He said that he will not be modding the engine because of insurance, and the TFSI is too new = expensive.

Woob, what is your price range if you don't mind me asking? And do you have a rough idea of the year you are looking for? Spec maybe??

As I said before, I have a 2.0FSI and at the moment can't fault it. It's not the fastest thing in the world, but it's quick enough (quicker than most of the cars I generally come across on london roads. Not like my old vauxhall nova that was slower than everything, bicycles included!). It's pretty good on fuel, and very nice and quiet to drive.

I guess it depends on where you are in your driving mind at the moment. For me, my renault 5 gt turbo "boy racer" days are gone for the moment. I wanted a car that was well built, quite fuel efficent, ok on insurance, reliable, but still quick enough to safely shoot on to roundabouts and in and out of traffic when needed. My fsi does all of this perfectly.

 

[Woob]

Budget is around £6k. i know some are gonna say that's a big stretch for the car i'm asking for but they do come at that price for the high milage older ones.

 

[10blazin]

sorry aythree i didnt realise ....

 

[aythree]

Budget is around £6k. i know some are gonna say that's a big stretch for the car i'm asking for but they do come at that price for the high milage older ones.

£6k cash and you might get lucky.
Might need to go for the basic model though.... non SE/Sport.
Found the base model to be very basic though. Very plastic inside, no digital aircon, no leather steering wheel, etc.

Just for an example, I've got a Dec 2003, 2.0fsi, Sport, 33k miles, one owner, electric sunroof, parking sensors, bose system, looking pretty much as good as new. Cost me £4.5k cash plus a part ex valued at £3k, although it was really only worth about £2k. Dealer just got the car in the day before so accepted my offer and less of a profit, rather than possibly having it sit on his forcourt for weeks/months.

So £6k is do-able, just depends how quick the dealer wants a sale and how good your timing is.