OMC (Oh My Cod!)

moonlight

moonlight

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Hi people,

So...it's now been nearly 7 days since the love affair started ....a very short review of the COD engine.

The A3 itself ..as it's been well threaded on here is a quality vehicle...there is no doubt about that...mine is no different to the rest in that respect so no need to harp on about that.

The engine:

The first thing I noticed is that it's so so quiet...when idling it's silent (haha and yes without the stop start)...ok it's a petrol and maybe I have forgotten how quiet petrol engines are (came from a tdi) but its a joy to listen to (or not)...I managed to sneak up on someone at the gym car park and let out an almighty honk...oh how I laughed (still a big kid)...though he managed to have the last laugh by asking almost in list form of what extras I had....mostly "no" was my replies....the ""$$%! lol

It's astonishingly quick....I'm no speedster (honest officer)...but I like to stretch it's legs every now and then....and it really does catch me by surprise....plenty of punch and from a 1.4 unit it's quite remarkable...the power is very smooth (and again quiet)...no need to change down ..the power and torque just seems to be there all the time....6th gear was a concern of mine after driving the 122 version (though itself a great engine) .well maybe not a concern but maybe a trade off compared to the torqueyness(think I've just made that word up..if not most certainly misspelt) ..of a tdi.......I thought I'd have to work the box a little like I did on my test drive ...no...could leave it in 6 all day long on the motorway and still have plenty of grunt to get out of any trouble (and in!)

The gears are slick and just seem to fit with the engine...harmonious in fact!

I look forward to my drive to and from work...a cabin to be at peace in during rush hour...a control dial to fiddle with and listen to (is it just me or is that click of the dial just beautiful?)...a chance to have the odd fleeting glance of a Daytona reflection in shop windows...and knowing there's enough power on tap to get out of the way of that BM who decides to turn right at a roundabout from the left hand lane.

In my book its a winner...it's won me over I am back to being a 'petrol' head.

On a more boring note:....I drive it in dynamic mode....I have only clocked up 200 miles...and averaged 36mpg....I've just filled her up and the OBC is showing 390 miles before filling up....will have to monitor how that pans out....not quite what the stats say but its early days!..and my right foot may become lighter...I said MAY.

Any question welcome I shall do my best to answer them!
 
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moonlight, great review. Ours arrives next week so very excited.

Obviously the question to ask is what is like deactivating the cylinders? Does it drive okay on only just two???
 
I'm on the 122 obviously but i cant get it over 36mpg either. Best mpg on a journey was to Leeds at 45mpg. I mainly drive local as work is only 5 miles away so my average is stuck at 36

ps. In dynamic the 122 is rapid and pulls all the way up to 5th. 6th you lose pull on a hill but it still goes quickly on a flat piece of road. Not sure what Audi have done to the engine but its a lot quicker than my wife's 1.4 a1 although that doesn't have dynamic mode. Ill maybe do some 60 times soon and get it dyno'ed.
 
I'd forgotten about that.....honestly cannot tell the difference....maybe over time I might be able to but I popped the hood to see if there was any identification to make sure it was COD!

So it's either seamless....or I've just been too excited too notice...I'll monitor that now that you have brought it to my attention!...Any excuse to drive it.!

You'll be over the moon with it..took me a couple of days to get rid of the nerves before the real enjoyment kicked in
 
viperfire said:
I'm on the 122 obviously but i cant get it over 36mpg either. Best mpg on a journey was to Leeds at 45mpg. I mainly drive local as work is only 5 miles away so my average is stuck at 36
Click to expand...

Just for the record viperfire...I was impressed with the 122 which is why I ordered it....my thinking the 140 would be at least as good as the 122 which I would have been happy with!

Hmm interesting (stroking chin)...admittedly 60% has been in slowish traffic.(same as you ...but works approx. 8 miles)...and I did have a traffic jam for a couple of hours last week...
 
Thanks for the review. I think I'm going to be very happy with my engine choice. I do hope the MPG improves a bit. I get 36 from my current car and that's not got any fancy efficiency features.

moonlight said:
I'd forgotten about that.....honestly cannot tell the difference....maybe over time I might be able to but I popped the hood to see if there was any identification to make sure it was COD!
Click to expand...

So is there any way to tell by looking in the engine bay?
 
RossR said:
Thanks for the review. I think I'm going to be very happy with my engine choice. I do hope the MPG improves a bit. I get 36 from my current car and that's not got any fancy efficiency features.



So is there any way to tell by looking in the engine bay?
Click to expand...

Popped the hood and thought...yep that's an engine..stroked my hand across it...and then admired the thud as it dropped....no COD ID

The 4 to 2 is suppose to kick in when you don't need 4...so I guess it would be difficult to tell...I have been 'pumping out some tunes' also....I'll have a go tonight with no music and keep an ear and foot out!
 
viperfire said:
I'm on the 122 obviously but i cant get it over 36mpg either. Best mpg on a journey was to Leeds at 45mpg. I mainly drive local as work is only 5 miles away so my average is stuck at 36

ps. In dynamic the 122 is rapid and pulls all the way up to 5th. 6th you lose pull on a hill but it still goes quickly on a flat piece of road. Not sure what Audi have done to the engine but its a lot quicker than my wife's 1.4 a1 although that doesn't have dynamic mode. Ill maybe do some 60 times soon and get it dyno'ed.
Click to expand...

I've got the 122 also but I'm averaging long term 41mpg. On trips over 10 miles I've had it up to 51mpg. My usual commute is less than 3 miles, but it gets longer drives in the evenings and weekends. I leave the drive select in Auto mode, but with the Dynamic heavy steering (personal preference). But yes, it's definitely quick in Dynamic throttle mode - puts a grin on my face every time :)
 
moonlight said:
Popped the hood and thought...yep that's an engine..stroked my hand across it...and then admired the thud as it dropped....no COD ID

The 4 to 2 is suppose to kick in when you don't need 4...so I guess it would be difficult to tell...I have been 'pumping out some tunes' also....I'll have a go tonight with no music and keep an ear and foot out!
Click to expand...

Great review Moonlight ... thanks!!

I thought the DIS indicated when the engine was in 2 cylinder mode?
 
cussycod said:
Great review Moonlight ... thanks!!

I thought the DIS indicated when the engine was in 2 cylinder mode?
Click to expand...

hmmm..not that I've noticed but then I have the mph on display...wonder if it shows in other modes
 
I can find out myself....I'm off for a spin!...
 
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ha indeed....I cant see anything on my display that shows the 4-2 etc...lots of fairly pointless green efficiency symbols.....

Bob on youtube refers to the display several times..but what that is I don't know!.....I like his quote..."plenty plenty plenty of poke...plenty of poke"

I need to investigate further...........not sure if there's anything in the manual...left it at home on my bedside cabinet(lol seriously!)
 
..lol..Sandra ..don't tempt fate I'm sure there's a line in that song about having a little knock!

The Beatles had a song out 'baby you can drive my car' ...but noooooooowwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy
 
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must confess..its more comfortable in efficiency mode....but Dynamic is my middle name (well it used to be in my stage years...)
 
Found this

When the driver of the A3 pushes the pedal for fast acceleration, the cam units retract, and the shut-down cylinders are reactivated. The entire switchover operation takes 13 to 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed; switchovers are smoothed by interventions in fuel injection, ignition timing and the throttle valve.
The two-cylinder status is displayed to the driver in the driver information system, when the driver calls up the momentary fuel economy display. Otherwise, the driver would hardly notice the change—

Strange that I haven't seen this yet. Will be taking a gander !
 
moonlight said:
Hi people,

So...it's now been nearly 7 days since the love affair started ....a very short review of the COD engine.

The A3 itself ..as it's been well threaded on here is a quality vehicle...there is no doubt about that...mine is no different to the rest in that respect so no need to harp on about that.

The engine:

The first thing I noticed is that it's so so quiet...when idling it's silent (haha and yes without the stop start)...ok it's a petrol and maybe I have forgotten how quiet petrol engines are (came from a tdi) but its a joy to listen to (or not)...I managed to sneak up on someone at the gym car park and let out an almighty honk...oh how I laughed (still a big kid)...though he managed to have the last laugh by asking almost in list form of what extras I had....mostly "no" was my replies....the ""$$%! lol

It's astonishingly quick....I'm no speedster (honest officer)...but I like to stretch it's legs every now and then....and it really does catch me by surprise....plenty of punch and from a 1.4 unit it's quite remarkable...the power is very smooth (and again quiet)...no need to change down ..the power and torque just seems to be there all the time....6th gear was a concern of mine after driving the 122 version (though itself a great engine) .well maybe not a concern but maybe a trade off compared to the torqueyness(think I've just made that word up..if not most certainly misspelt) ..of a tdi.......I thought I'd have to work the box a little like I did on my test drive ...no...could leave it in 6 all day long on the motorway and still have plenty of grunt to get out of any trouble (and in!)

The gears are slick and just seem to fit with the engine...harmonious in fact!

I look forward to my drive to and from work...a cabin to be at peace in during rush hour...a control dial to fiddle with and listen to (is it just me or is that click of the dial just beautiful?)...a chance to have the odd fleeting glance of a Daytona reflection in shop windows...and knowing there's enough power on tap to get out of the way of that BM who decides to turn right at a roundabout from the left hand lane.

In my book its a winner...it's won me over I am back to being a 'petrol' head.

On a more boring note:....I drive it in dynamic mode....I have only clocked up 200 miles...and averaged 36mpg....I've just filled her up and the OBC is showing 390 miles before filling up....will have to monitor how that pans out....not quite what the stats say but its early days!..and my right foot may become lighter...I said MAY.

Any question welcome I shall do my best to answer them!
Click to expand...

Moonlight.......what a review, very impressed, attention to detail.
I 'm afraid you have been rumbled, your name moonlight, with a review like that you are obviously the editor for "what car?" lol

Keep enjoying the COD
 
Thanks !

i m sure I will learn more as time goes by.

In COD we trust !
 
Last edited:
moonlight said:
Found this

When the driver of the A3 pushes the pedal for fast acceleration, the cam units retract, and the shut-down cylinders are reactivated. The entire switchover operation takes 13 to 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed; switchovers are smoothed by interventions in fuel injection, ignition timing and the throttle valve.
The two-cylinder status is displayed to the driver in the driver information system, when the driver calls up the momentary fuel economy display. Otherwise, the driver would hardly notice the change—

Strange that I haven't seen this yet. Will be taking a gander !
Click to expand...

I'm now replying to my own post!..what the!...

Try as I may ...I cannot seem to see any cylinder display.....the manual states it has to be under certain conditions...between x an y rpms...warmed up.......within the mpg display....was slightly distracting whilst driving tbh!....mine should be going in for this free Sat Nav today...I'll be asking the trainee at Audi..so that he can ask his boss who can ask his boss who will then consult the manual...ending with "not sure" no doubt
 
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lol...that thought had crossed my mind....found some other literature that states when driving 'in a sporty manner' the cylinder shutoff is disabled!...that would mean in my case it will permanently be disabled!....

I would have thought an 8 mile trip into work would have prompted the shut-off....(puzzled).... as COD is my witness I will get to the bottom of this.....
 
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I had a lengthy test drive the equivalent Golf GT ACT and on their DIS it clearly states you're in 2 Cylinder mode. It'll basically kick in whenever you're not accelerating heavily so it does actually come on quite a lot. It's not noticeable when it activates but on the odd occasion you can feel it going back into 4 cyl mode.

You sure you got a COD mate!
 
Yes, when I test drove the Golf ACT I could detect a slight 'wobble' when it switched back to 4 cylinder mode. Seems strange that Audi are hiding the transition from the driver, would be simple enough to have the DIS display the current engine mode.
 
This appears to be a problem with the A3 1.4 CoD, most probably a software one. There is an extensive discussion on a German forum, see Erfahrung mit Zylinderabschaltung (cylinder on demand) : Audi A3 8V, none of the German CoD owners have been able to observe the switch on the DIS, and their dealers and Audi have not provided any meaningful information so far. I hope that it gets fixed in due time, as I have an A3 SB 1.4 CoD on order, and would like to be able to see the switch when trying to drive as economically as possible.
 
Must surely be a software error not showing the switch on the display... But I can definitely feel it on mine.
 
Kristian83 said:
Must surely be a software error not showing the switch on the display... But I can definitely feel it on mine.
Click to expand...

What do you drive Kristian83?.no display on yours either?.This might save me going out at lunch and looking like a learner....I can feel something going on(!)...but it's so slight I could even be imagining it!

It's too quick to be the 122 !(I jest mjcourtney..ha)

betaspin...hmmm..I read something like that before....translate bing does work!

Tbh...I wont even look at it anyway...I never have it in mpg mode...would just be nice to sync the two together...to know when exactly it happens..once I've seen it I'll be satisfied
 
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The COD as well. Try setting the cruise control at about 30mph in 4th gear, and drive somewhere on leveled road that will begin to go uphill. You will feel when the engine runs out of torque trying to keep 30 mph with only two cylinders and then fires up all 4 cylinders.
 
moonlight said:
Hi people,

So...it's now been nearly 7 days since the love affair started ....a very short review of the COD engine.

The A3 itself ..as it's been well threaded on here is a quality vehicle...there is no doubt about that...mine is no different to the rest in that respect so no need to harp on about that.

The engine:

The first thing I noticed is that it's so so quiet...when idling it's silent (haha and yes without the stop start)...ok it's a petrol and maybe I have forgotten how quiet petrol engines are (came from a tdi) but its a joy to listen to (or not)...I managed to sneak up on someone at the gym car park and let out an almighty honk...oh how I laughed (still a big kid)...though he managed to have the last laugh by asking almost in list form of what extras I had....mostly "no" was my replies....the ""$$%! lol

It's astonishingly quick....I'm no speedster (honest officer)...but I like to stretch it's legs every now and then....and it really does catch me by surprise....plenty of punch and from a 1.4 unit it's quite remarkable...the power is very smooth (and again quiet)...no need to change down ..the power and torque just seems to be there all the time....6th gear was a concern of mine after driving the 122 version (though itself a great engine) .well maybe not a concern but maybe a trade off compared to the torqueyness(think I've just made that word up..if not most certainly misspelt) ..of a tdi.......I thought I'd have to work the box a little like I did on my test drive ...no...could leave it in 6 all day long on the motorway and still have plenty of grunt to get out of any trouble (and in!)

The gears are slick and just seem to fit with the engine...harmonious in fact!

I look forward to my drive to and from work...a cabin to be at peace in during rush hour...a control dial to fiddle with and listen to (is it just me or is that click of the dial just beautiful?)...a chance to have the odd fleeting glance of a Daytona reflection in shop windows...and knowing there's enough power on tap to get out of the way of that BM who decides to turn right at a roundabout from the left hand lane.

In my book its a winner...it's won me over I am back to being a 'petrol' head.

On a more boring note:....I drive it in dynamic mode....I have only clocked up 200 miles...and averaged 36mpg....I've just filled her up and the OBC is showing 390 miles before filling up....will have to monitor how that pans out....not quite what the stats say but its early days!..and my right foot may become lighter...I said MAY.

Any question welcome I shall do my best to answer them!
Click to expand...

Great review Moonlight.

Very pleased to hear that you are enjoying the car and it is a winner especially after you have come from your last car the Scirroco.

I am quite keen to know if you are clearly noticing the disengaging of 2 cyclinders and the reactivation of them when you drive. I'm sure you will improve on the MPG once you have had more driving time and the engine has loosened up.

I've gone from petrol to diesel and in the main I think the tech has improved vastly where the diesels do not sound like an old black cab starting up and ticking over. I am very happy with the mpg I am getting. I normally commute by train but with my wife not far off having our first child, I have been moonlighting as a chaffeur/taxi driver for her. She is still working and she does 2 days in an office which is 10 miles away and for the other 3 days her company's other office is about 25 miles away. I am definintely getting a good run each day I take her to work. I will post a thread on my 3 fill ups and mpg I am averaging. I am still driving in Auto mode. Will try dynamic out over the weekend.
 
Kristian83 said:
The COD as well. Try setting the cruise control at about 30mph in 4th gear, and drive somewhere on leveled road that will begin to go uphill. You will feel when the engine runs out of torque trying to keep 30 mph with only two cylinders and then fires up all 4 cylinders.
Click to expand...

and you have nothing showing in the DIS?
 
SJW - I've driven the 2.0tdi a few times (chap at work) and its a great engine and very quick....read the posts above re the cylinder debate!!...nothings ever simple is it! the Scirocco (other than its road holding) doesn't come close to the A3...

I flicked onto efficiency mode this morning and then back to dynamic...feels like two different cars!..never will I step into the dark depths of efficiency again....once your bambino arrives you will probably never hit dynamic again so do it whilst you can lol
 
haha. I do not think I will use efficiency mode. Good point there about using dynamic before the baby comes along at the beginning of Sept. Even in auto mode it is no slouch plus I'm getting great mpg and can still put the foot down when I want still keeping the mpg above 50.
 
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