VW to Audi

[Audi buyer]

Hi everyone,

New member here and first post so pls be gentle!

After a string of VWs and some lesser, its time to move across to the Audi camp.

So far I've narrowed down to A3 and diesel. Please tell me your must haves and don'ts.

Then mr stealer can take my order (and money!)

 

[Ash B]

Hi

First of all :sign_welcome: to the forum!
If i was getting an A3 and it had to be diesel the 140 or 170 models are both great engines. And quite a few forum members have them so they will be able to comment on them better than i can, but the 170 the more powerful engine. Also depends on your budget what model you can get.
I'd get an Audi A3 S-line or Black Edition as they are the better looking A3 out of the ranage! Which include Standard, Special Edition (SE), Sport, S-line & Black Edition.
The interior much better aswell standard leather seats in S-line & Black Edition. The exterior has different front and back bumpers.

If you go to the dealer im pretty sure they can explain or show you the difference between all the models. Sorry if i've not explained every thing right.
Anyway here some photo's wel link's to some A3's.
S-line http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600542331
Sport http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600618155
Special Edition http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600637773

Couldnt find any Standard sorry lol
But anyway im guessing your ordering new? So here some of the facelift A3...

Black Edition http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600650265
S-line http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600632097
Sport http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600606512
Special Edition (SE) http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600663712

You will be able to see the difference in exterior & interior and im pretty sure you will pick whats best for you and in your price ranage. Hope this information is able to help you in some way. But go for a test drive and you will find out which engine/model best for you.

Thanks

Ashley

 

[h5djr]

Hi everyone,

New member here and first post so pls be gentle!

After a string of VWs and some lesser, its time to move across to the Audi camp.

So far I've narrowed down to A3 and diesel. Please tell me your must haves and don'ts.

Then mr stealer can take my order (and money!)

Will you be buying new or used?

 

[davemk]

Firstly, welcome.

The biggest advice (whilst obvious) is whatever model you decide on, go for a test drive first. A few people find the S-line ride too harsh.

I've got a Sport model with the 170 2.0TDI unit. Really pleased with my choice. The S-line would have been aesthetically better but the ride of my Sport is perfect for me.

Dave.

 

[10blazin]

first question do you have a budget as this is massivly important ...lol

if i was going a3 then it would be a 170 dsg phantom black , meteor grey or sprint blue sportback , sline qauttro if you can get qauttro in diesel that is....

loaded to the hilt with mods or if you want, retrofit em which will be cheaper do it yourself...

sline package has the black roof lining and leather and other stuff that makes it much more luxury than sport but the sline springs are harsh so get the springs changed as soon as , id change it to eibach or h&r which are lower and more comfortable and will make you car look much nicer with the standard 18inch wheels or 19inch if you want to look really nice....

 

[Audi buyer]

Thanks Ashley,

I've got a Golf V 140tdi which I guess is much the same. The 170 is tempting but real world mpg might take the shine off that.

Either way, I really fancy a S-tronic box and the brochures drawing me towards a black edition.

 

[Audi buyer]

I really want new or very nearly new.
The budget is my 06 Golf GT TDi 140 plus about £18k.
There's no problem with the Golf or imminent outlay (service, etc) so waiting for new build is no prob.

 

[h5djr]

The great advantage of going for new is that you will be able to have exactly what you want. Also it means you will be able to have the new common-rail version of the 2.0TDI in either 140 or 170 format.

I've has both a 140PD and a 170PD in the past and the new common-rail versions are so much smoother and much quieter as well. My previous 2 A3s have both had the DSG gearbox so when I wanted to change again I wanted to test drive both a 140cr and a 170cr with a DSG gearbox. It meant quite a bit a travelling but it was worth it to be sure which I wanted. I went for the 140 in the nd because it was a little quieter than the 170 and better on fuel and also I seemed to have to change down less in the 140 than the 170. Strange I know but the Master Tech at my local dealer explained that the 140 has a slightly small turbo which gives it better pick at lower speeds.

If you do decide to go for a new one, pay very careful attention to the options list as it's generally (with the exception of the Sat Nav) much cheaper to have things fitted from the factory that try to add anything afterwards.

I have over £5000 of options including the DSG/S-tronic on my A3 and I personally would not want to be without any of them.

If you have any questions about the options please come back and ask.

 

[Audi buyer]

Based on the Black Edition I'm quite fancy adding -
Misano red
Black/crimson exclusive line interior
Cruise
USB
Auto wipers and lights
Interior lighting pack
Heated front seats

I guess thats gonna blow my budget!

 

[Ash B]

Thanks Ashley,

I've got a Golf V 140tdi which I guess is much the same. The 170 is tempting but real world mpg might take the shine off that.

Either way, I really fancy a S-tronic box and the brochures drawing me towards a black edition.

Thats ok. Yes the 140 engine in the A3 be more or less the same as the one in your Golf. Yeah that probably the only down fall but think 170 model still gets better MPG than the 2.0t fsi or 3.2 lol.
S-tronic was on my 2.0tfsi loved every minute of it!! Made me enjoy driving a lot more. But its love or hate with S-tronic!
Black Edition did have a deadline for placing orders which i believed was 30th June but now been extended till end of September So you got enough time to decide what your doing and if you want to order one.

Based on the Black Edition I'm quite fancy adding -
Misano red
Black/crimson exclusive line interior
Cruise
USB
Auto wipers and lights
Interior lighting pack
Heated front seats

I guess thats gonna blow my budget!

Misano Red is a lovely colour check out the link for a black edition in that colour http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600629010
Have you checked to see how much it cost new? And then seen what discount you can get off your dealer?

 

[h5djr]

Thats ok. Yes the 140 engine in the A3 be more or less the same as the one in your Golf.

If your Golf had the 140PD engine you will find the new common-rail 140 a vast improvement. Much smoother and much much quieter and slighly better on fuel consumption.

I've had a 140PD and then a 170PD and the 170PD was better than the 140PD. I now have a 140CR and personally I think with the new common-rail versions it's the other way round. When I test drove them both I prefered the 140 and it gives 6-8mpg more than the new 170.

 

[Audi buyer]

Misano Red is a lovely colour check out the link for a black edition in that colour http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600629010

Great link, I've been looking for some good pics.

Cheers

 

[Ash B]

If your Golf had the 140PD engine you will find the new common-rail 140 a vast improvement. Much smoother and much much quieter and slighly better on fuel consumption.

I've had a 140PD and then a 170PD and the 170PD was better than the 140PD. I now have a 140CR and personally I think with the new common-rail versions it's the other way round. When I test drove them both I prefered the 140 and it gives 6-8mpg more than the new 170.

Ahh i had a slow moment Dave forgot to mention the new common-rail aswell! He Golf will have the older engine! Just for my own information when did the common-rail come out Dave? Was it in the new facelift?

Thanks

 

[Ash B]

Misano Red is a lovely colour check out the link for a black edition in that colour http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=600629010

Great link, I've been looking for some good pics.

Cheers

Thats ok. Does look good and the alloys and black grill finish it off! Anyway let us know how you get on with the hunt or if you have any more question just ask :thumbsup:

Thanks

Ashley

 

[h5djr]

Ahh i had a slow moment Dave forgot to mention the new common-rail aswell! He Golf will have the older engine! Just for my own information when did the common-rail come out Dave? Was it in the new facelift?

Thanks

It came out and was used in the A3 Cabriolet when it was released and used in 'normal' A3s from the latest facelift. The 170 was released a bit later than the 140 around September 2008.

I actual went out in my friend's new Honda Accord the other day and I think the new Audi engines are even quieter than the Honda.

 

[Matt]

Standard = boring
SE = boring
Sport = boring with a jelly ride

Black Edition is a good spec. I would go with any colour but Black as its overkill with the other black bits and bobs you get with the Black Edition. The Misano one looks good.

Think I'd go for a Ibis White or Monza Silver Black Edition, full leather with silver/white stitching, 170 CR engine & manual gearbox if I was to buy again.

Happy hunting.

 

[h5djr]

Standard = boring
SE = boring
Sport = boring with a jelly ride

Black Edition is a good spec. I would go with any colour but Black as its overkill with the other black bits and bobs you get with the Black Edition. The Misano one looks good.

Think I'd go for a Ibis White or Monza Silver Black Edition, full leather with silver/white stitching, 170 CR engine & manual gearbox if I was to buy again.

Happy hunting.

That might be your choice Matt, but it certainly wouldn't be mine!!! I certainly don't find my SE 140CR with S-tronic in any way boring to drive.

Each to his own, as long as it's an Audi.

 

[Audi buyer]

To s-tronic or not? Her indoors has a petrol TT with s-tronic and loves it.
Clearly something for the test drive, but I appreciate hearing ur opinions.

Anyone know much about the new AMI?

 

[Ash B]

To s-tronic or not? Her indoors has a petrol TT with s-tronic and loves it.
Clearly something for the test drive, but I appreciate hearing ur opinions.

Anyone no much about the new AMI?

S-tronic i love an will get my next audi with it. Give it a test drive mate and see how you get on? I dont know much myself regarding the new AMI hopefully some one else be able to help you out with that.

 

[Audi buyer]

Test drove a diesel Stronic now and yes thats still on the cards.
Also had a close up on a BE and liked it v much.

Now the tricky bit:
- finalising the options
- getting a dealer to match broadspeed or similar

 

[SteveTDCi]

hmmmmm I have dsg and i'm now bored with it, the novelty will soon wear off

 

[Ash B]

When i went from S-tronic back to Manual i found it quite difficult wwell not difficult but i got use to it changing gears it self and my left foot just relaxing most of the time lol! But i did love the S-tronic in my old 2.0tfsi when i'd stick my foot down always bought a smile to my face ha

 

[Audi buyer]

I want the DSG mainly for the lazy driving style of an auto - but with the option to play now and then.

I must be getting old, traffic jams with a manual can be tough.

 

[h5djr]

hmmmmm I have dsg and i'm now bored with it, the novelty will soon wear off

Which mode to you use when your driving? The only time I drive in Auto is in a traffic jam or slow moving town traffic. The rest of the time I drive in manual mode and find it just as enjoyable and involving as a manual gearbox but with the extra benefits of not have to use the clutch pedal, being able to change up with full power on and being able to change up or down with a click of the paddles.

I occasionally drive my wife's manual Polo and I soon get used to it but it is a pain having to keep using the clutch. The one thing I do forget to start with is that a manual gearbox does not select first gear for you when you stop at a junction or roundabout.

I've only ever driven a manual or an S-tronic, never a conventional auto. For me the 'novelty' of a manual gearbox and clutch wore off years ago. I much prefer driving with the S-tronic than with a manual gearbox especially on longer journeys.