Taking the plunge!

J

Joe_H

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Hi all,

New member here after lurking for a week or so.

Spent many a night on Mini2.com after owning a Cooper S back in 2004 and more recently on Civinfo.com after owning my current car, a Civic for the last 3 years which was all good fun, but the time has come to look for the next car at work.

Now just this week, I have ordered my replacement car. A MY10 A3 Sportback 1.6TDI S Line :icon_thumright:

Had a choice of a few vehicles narrowing it down to the Golf and A3 but am sure I made the right choice. Not overly bothered about huge speed but wanted the car to look the part at least!

Did think about the 1.4TFSI but could get this in Sport trim as a maximum with only a couple of options. All to do with what the car is worth after 2/3 years and running costs and CO2 (in line with company green policy). So went for the S line 1.6 as even though its a few £k more on price, its cheaper for me??!!

As we get to buy the cars at the end of the term cheaply if we want to, I also thought a diesel S Line would be worth more to sell on (or keep!)

Spec (options) is as follows;

Condor Grey S Line Sportback
Privacy Glass
Aluminium Roof Rails
Folding Mirrors
Bluetooth Interface
Interior light pack
Xenon Plus Headlights (which I think look very cool)
Cruise Control

Audi seem to have taken quite a few orders for this new engine according to the dealer and so I've been told early Jan 2010 for delivery?

Bit of a shame as Im looking forward to it and all of a sudden have had enough of my Civic.

Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Joe
 
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:sign_welcome: to the forum Joe.
Do you have any photo's of your old cars? Bet you cant wait for the car, but thats a long wait mind. You get a good deal?
Thanks
Ashley
 
Wlcome to the forum Joe.

I'm sure you'll enjoy you new A3. Worth the wait!
 
benskin07 said:
:sign_welcome: to the forum Joe.
Do you have any photo's of your old cars? Bet you cant wait for the car, but thats a long wait mind. You get a good deal?
Thanks
Ashley
Click to expand...


Cheers Ashley

Certainly am looking forward to it. Got a couple of pics of the older cars I have had.

n576576410_427333_7482.jpg


n576576410_541287_2457.jpg


Both were good fun (esp the Cooper S) :eyebrows:

Not a bad deal on the Audi. Its a company car but not in the true sense of the word. More a Car Ownership Scheme whereby we sign the deal with the lease company and then pay a contribution for the running of the car.

I certainly could not have got a fully expensed Audi (inc all fuel) for what I am paying if I were doing it privately so I'm chuffed!

Cheers

Joe
 
h5djr said:
Wlcome to the forum Joe.

I'm sure you'll enjoy you new A3. Worth the wait!
Click to expand...

I hope so. I did have a 1.9TDIe (Sport) for a few days from the dealer a few weeks ago. Was impressed and it drove well.

I'm hoping the S line with the bigger wheels and slightly stiffer suspension is not too noticable. Although the Mini S was bloomin hard so I doubt anything will be that bumpy! :happy:

Obviously the new car won't be as fast as the Civic (with the Honda being a 2.2CDTi) but ample enough for me really. Had plenty of pull where needed, and I should keep my licence cleaner for longer.

Not tried the new 1.6TDI engine, but Im told it should be pretty similar and in fact more refined than the outgoing 1.9 unit as it's based on the 2.0TDI common rail unit.

Joe
 
Joe_H said:
Certainly tempting!! Not sure the new diesel unit has been out long enough to see what folk are recommending.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Click to expand...

I had my 2.0 TDI remapped by P Torque in Wolverhampton after 1,000 miles. Almost at 9,000 miles now and still going strong. Very noticable improvement and no negatives. This was in early March where I believe that CR unit had only been out for a few months. I'm sure it will take even less time for tuners to produce a good map for the 1.6 TDI if it's based closely on the 2.0 TDI.

Looking at your location, you're not far at all from Wolverhampton. May be worth giving Will @ P Torque a call when it's closer the time if you do wish to enquire about a remap.

P.S. I'm not affiliated with P Torque in any way. lol
 
scott1andrews said:
I had my 2.0 TDI remapped by P Torque in Wolverhampton after 1,000 miles. Almost at 9,000 miles now and still going strong. Very noticable improvement and no negatives. This was in early March where I believe that CR unit had only been out for a few months. I'm sure it will take even less time for tuners to produce a good map for the 1.6 TDI if it's based closely on the 2.0 TDI.

Looking at your location, you're not far at all from Wolverhampton. May be worth giving Will @ P Torque a call when it's closer the time if you do wish to enquire about a remap.

P.S. I'm not affiliated with P Torque in any way. lol
Click to expand...

No not far at all. I reckon that sounds like a plan. Might just do that. Thanks for the info. :icon_thumright:
 
I have no experience of the 1.6 TDi, but I can vouch for the general car and spec you've gone for. In 2.0T S-Line spec at least, the A3 really feels a cut above the rest and is a very mature car compared to the in-your-face offerings of some other brands.
 
Ben H said:
I have no experience of the 1.6 TDi, but I can vouch for the general car and spec you've gone for. In 2.0T S-Line spec at least, the A3 really feels a cut above the rest and is a very mature car compared to the in-your-face offerings of some other brands.
Click to expand...

My feeling also. Had a pretty good choice of car when it came to make a decision but the A3 did seem to stand out against the rest of 'the pack'
 
Noticed you ordered electric folding mirrors - if you're not aware, the folding mirrors do not fold in automatically and there's no way to do this. You must turn a switch every time you want them to fold in and out. Just something to take into consideration as you may be able to spend the £115 on something else, unless you need to fold your mirrors often. I must admit I was disappointed when I realised they didn't do this as it was the main reason I spec'd them but nevertheless I do still use them, just without the "cool" factor that I wanted.
 
audi upgrades
Cheers for that. I wasn't aware how they worked in reality as I've not seen them on an A3 yet. Sounds like they work in the same way as the ones on my current Civic though, in that I have to press a button.
That's fine by me.

They have been useful for me, esp around the narrow lanes near me, when you meet a slightly larger vehicle coming the other way. And in car parks etc. I noticed that the facelifted wing mirrors are larger so I am keen to protect them.

Not a cheap replacement with the heater element and now turning indicator also housed in them I wouldn't imagine!
 
Joe, welcome and sounds like a very good spec! (I would recommend the RNS-e install)

You will not be disappointed with this as they are gr8 cars to drive and the look good!

A cheeky question, but how much would you be able to sell your civic? (the reason for asking is friend is after one) :)
 
a_sagad said:
Joe, welcome and sounds like a very good spec! (I would recommend the RNS-e install)

You will not be disappointed with this as they are gr8 cars to drive and the look good!

A cheeky question, but how much would you be able to sell your civic? (the reason for asking is friend is after one) :)
Click to expand...

Hi and thanks!

I'll PM you on the Civic. Not 100% sure on the rules on selling stuff on here...yet
 
Joe_H said:
Cheers Ashley

Certainly am looking forward to it. Got a couple of pics of the older cars I have had.

n576576410_427333_7482.jpg


n576576410_541287_2457.jpg


Both were good fun (esp the Cooper S) :eyebrows:

Not a bad deal on the Audi. Its a company car but not in the true sense of the word. More a Car Ownership Scheme whereby we sign the deal with the lease company and then pay a contribution for the running of the car.

I certainly could not have got a fully expensed Audi (inc all fuel) for what I am paying if I were doing it privately so I'm chuffed!

Cheers

Joe
Click to expand...


Both cars look nice....And all are different. I do like cooper s wanted the missus to get one but went for the cooper instead. Sounds like you got a good deal! Bet you cant wait but it be worth it.

Joe_H said:
Certainly tempting!! Not sure the new diesel unit has been out long enough to see what folk are recommending.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Click to expand...


Also Revo would be a good one to try.
 
Just thought I would give an update as its been a while since I've posted on here.

The last few months have dragged a bit, but I have heard today that my new A3 is at last on route to the dealers!! :thumbsup:

I'm still being told that its unlikely I will get it this side of Christmas by the time it has been PDI'd and all the paperwork has been sorted though.

But its close. Very close, and I am now getting a little bit excited. I'm sure I will get some pics soon after it arrives.
 
audi upgrades
There's a small part of me that really likes the idea of a 1.6 TDI S-Line Sportback - to have the good looks and lovely interior of a top-spec A3, but with seriously good fuel economy and a clean eco conscience. Let's face it: roads are more jammed and more regulated by speed cameras than 10 years ago, so you might as well just take a smooth and efficient engine in the body of a nice car!

If we were to have two cars again, I'd definitely consider one - so I'm keen to hear your long-term review, in time.
 
Next update on this very very long wait....

Got a call today to tell me that the my new A3 is being delivered to my house on 23rd Dec :yahoo:

Made my Christmas! I know what I'll be doing Christmas Eve....:racer:

The chrimbo shopping will have to wait. :think:

Will get some pics up at some point.

Joe
 
Hi and welcome! I do have a black 1.8 ex honda civic and also an Audi A3 although its the 3.2 Sport. and there is a noticable difference in build quality between the two. The civic is a very clever design with lots of space inside, but just does not measure up to the Audi.

Good luck with your new car....
:salute:
 
Well, Santa finally visited today (despite the terrible weather) and delivered my new A3. :thumbsup:

Not had much of a chance to drive it too far yet, but so far so good. Just hope the weather pics up so I can take it for a decent blast. Well worth the wait though. Even if it was 4 and half months!! :ohmy:

:kissmyrings:

19141_246712206410_576576410_4914794_3270149_n.jpg


19141_246712236410_576576410_4914796_987922_n.jpg


19141_246712246410_576576410_4914797_3159854_n.jpg


19141_246712256410_576576410_4914798_2175648_n.jpg
 
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So far so good Scott. Unbelievably quiet. Unless the Civic was just very noisy. Not really given it too much at the mo (icy roads and a brand new engine), but from what I have picked up so far, it's got more than I thought. Picks up well and even 5th seems to pull well.

I never did actually test drive one. I had the older 1.9TDIe for a couple of days and the 1.6TDI seems smoother. I think it will do nicely.

Will do a longer term review once I am using it daily for both work and pleasure.
 
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