Fell in love with my Audi again this week...

[Amchlolor]

can't

company car, stuck with it till May next year, if it makes it there!

If you're anything like me, you'll have been looking at replacements for quite some time now, with a view to ordering around March '09?
What you erring towards?

 

[h5djr]

FWIW I was beginning to warm to my A3 again until i came to bring wife home from hospital with our son and another fecking wheel bearing has gone

it is a piece of ****

Is the wheel bearing that's faulty one that has been replaced before or a new one?

 

[bacardi]

If you're anything like me, you'll have been looking at replacements for quite some time now, with a view to ordering around March '09?
What you erring towards?

oh yeah, absolutely!

I've been certainly looking - I was thinking of an A4 but not too keen on the looks just yet, though the sline may make a difference,
Recently I was considering another A3 but honestly don't believe mine is a one off, particuarly with regards to the steering racks and overall niggles (DPF, electric windows etc etc)

I may look at a 3 series or possibly at a push a volvo S40

The really difficult part is the DSG box which 90% of the time suits me perfectly, I wonder what the BMW DSG style box is like............

 

[bacardi]

Is the wheel bearing that's faulty one that has been replaced before or a new one?

they're all been replaced twice now - this was the front LHS though some good news from the dealer - its just loose, they've tightened it and it will now all be ok

I'm doubtful............

 

[Amchlolor]

oh yeah, absolutely!

I've been certainly looking - I was thinking of an A4 but not too keen on the looks just yet, though the sline may make a difference,
Recently I was considering another A3 but honestly don't believe mine is a one off, particuarly with regards to the steering racks and overall niggles (DPF, electric windows etc etc)

I may look at a 3 series or possibly at a push a volvo S40

The really difficult part is the DSG box which 90% of the time suits me perfectly, I wonder what the BMW DSG style box is like............

S-line A4 would be quite nice, if they come out with a more powerful engine than the pathetic 143bhp diesel (probably will, by then).
Don't know if BMW's DSG-style box will be available on mainstream models in your timeframe.
New Volvo S40 due out later this year/early next (photo below).
Based on the new Mondeo, so you know it's going to drive well.

 

[Deleted member 22276]

S-line A4 would be quite nice, if they come out with a more powerful engine than the pathetic 143bhp diesel (probably will, by then).
Don't know if BMW's DSG-style box will be available on mainstream models in your timeframe.
New Volvo S40 due out later this year/early next (photo below).
Based on the new Mondeo, so you know it's going to drive well.

In something other than "**** by moonlight" that might look alright.

 

[Amchlolor]

In something other than "**** by moonlight" that might look alright.

:thumbsup:

 

[Deleted member 22276]

:thumbsup:

Looks ok, much prefer the C30R from the front (ugly behind though)

 

[h5djr]

S-line A4 would be quite nice, if they come out with a more powerful engine than the pathetic 143bhp diesel (probably will, by then).

There is a A4 2.7 TDI with 190PS available.

 

[Deleted member 22276]

There is a A4 2.7 TDI with 190PS available.

That's pretty lame for a 2.7 Turbo!

 

[Amchlolor]

There is a A4 2.7 TDI with 190PS available.

That's not going to cut it, especially with company car buyers.
Firstly, it's expensive to buy (thousands more than the 2.0)
Secondly, it's Co2 is high (176 g/km), meaning you pay a load more BIK tax.
They need a high bhp (at least 180bhp), low Co2 diesel that fits into the 18% BIK bracket, just to compete with current competition, never mind beat off future competition.

 

[h5djr]

Never been bothered by company car tax but I see your point. Perhaps he needs to buy a BMW. It is after all the most popular company car maker.

No doubt the A4 will end up with the same new 170PS 2.0TDI common-rail Audi will be putting in the A3 from September but I'm sure not every company car driver wants lots of power anyway.

 

[bacardi]

Never been bothered by company car tax but I see your point. Perhaps he needs to buy a BMW. It is after all the most popular company car maker.

No doubt the A4 will end up with the same new 170PS 2.0TDI common-rail Audi will be putting in the A3 from September but I'm sure not every company car driver wants lots of power anyway.

Agreed, power is not the ultimate driver however equivelant power per co2 would suit me, a few people at work have now taken 3 series company cars which are faster than, and are paying less tax than my A3

hopefully the new Audi engines will address............

 

[bacardi]

:thumbsup:

that's not half bad................

 

[treblesykes]

that's not half bad................

no its totally bad

 

[treblesykes]

Ok, I'll agree with this one then.
A £21k Audi uses nicer interior materials than a £16k Peugeot.

I look forward to a list of other £16k cars that have worse interiors than a £21k Audi.

Yes but a £30k pug interior still is no match for any A3 interior

 

[mister.c.]

They need a high bhp (at least 180bhp), low Co2 diesel that fits into the 18% BIK bracket, just to compete with current competition

I wonder how they'll ever sell another car...

 

[bacardi]

no its totally bad

not as bad as my A3

 

[h5djr]

They need a high bhp (at least 180bhp), low Co2 diesel that fits into the 18% BIK bracket, just to compete with current competition, never mind beat off future competition.

Maybe, but with the A4 range as it is at the moment, I understand that Audi are currently selling as many as they can make. Their are no large stocks of new A4s sitting around waiting to be sold. So they may well be further developing their TDI engines but at the moment they done actual need one.

Certainly in Germany I saw more A4s on the road as BMW 3-series.

 

[tracieburr]

To be honest i'm gobsmacked that intelligent adults are missing my point STILL by quite a distance! No one is comparing a Peugeot to an A3. I'm simply saying that after spending time in the Peugeot, whatever complaints i had about my A3 pretty much disappeared. The Pug just lacked in every department and the premium for an A3 is worth every single penny compared to other 'hot hatches' by other marques. This also applies to my mates Megane Sport 225.
People often ask the question is the A3 worth the asking price in this forum so the point of my thread is to say, that in my opinion, after sampling other hatches.... yes it is!
Christ it's not rocket science, just airing an opinion about my own car!
You'd think i'd launched a personal insult. Bizarre.

I knew what you meant, I don't know why some are having a *pop* at your comments.
Plus has anyone taken a look at the interior of an R56 MINI for £16k.. bit plasticky is an under statement....thats an example of a £16k motor.

 

[treblesykes]

Agreed Mini interiors are pants. My Mrs had one while I owned a golf iv and the difference was huge

 

[L60N]

Im sorry, but that Volvo is Fugly

 

[dsl55]

Im sorry, but that Volvo is Fugly

 

[marriedblonde]

Your practically tripping yourself up, its not just about feel, as its about materials look and the Audi interiors are superior, in look and feel. Granted you pay for it but the point is there superior !!

Like he says compare it to a 207 you realise why you pay the extra because you just wouldn't be happy with some french plastic crap

Surely the feel test is about the quality of the materials. If not it would a look at test... Audi do make some nice glitzy interiors granted but they are not so far ahead of the "cheap" marques as they once were (IMHO of course)

I sat in one of the new clio cup things the other day. Not sure what the model is, the light wiehgt one with lots of stuff removed although you can add them as an option. The quality of the plastics used for the dash and switch gear was pretty spot on.

 

[Khufu]

well my old 1998 A3 has 109K on the clock and since I have had it for the last 5 years it has needed

MAF
n/s & o/s front wishbone rear bushes
pads & discs all round
2 hazard warning switches
n/s rear flexi hose (was leaking at caliper connection)
Did timing belt, water pump & tensioner replacing all 3 as a precaution

On the whole, I feel it has been a very reliable car. I hope my 2.0 FSI will be as good.

Bacardi, is it possible that your hub had been damaged on your car? We have had wheelbearings so badly roasted on they have almost welded to the hub and to remove them damages the hub housing.

 

[bacardi]

Bacardi, is it possible that your hub had been damaged on your car? We have had wheelbearings so badly roasted on they have almost welded to the hub and to remove them damages the hub housing.

Doubt it but to be honest it is possible, though I would hope the dealer may have checked

Sorry, just realised how insane that sounded, a dealer looking for a fault, there's more of a chance of the chancellor dropping fuel duty

 

[Khufu]

Doubt it but to be honest it is possible, though I would hope the dealer may have checked

Sorry, just realised how insane that sounded, a dealer looking for a fault, there's more of a chance of the chancellor dropping fuel duty

well if it wasn't flagged as a fault code . . . . . .