benafia Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 OK, maybe this is a silly question But if you've seen my Quattro Accident post you'll know I'm back to looking for another A3. And very frustrating it is... I was really falling in love with the Quattro (X-reg). Trouble is, there's a lot more of the 1.8T Sport around. If you've driven both, do you think I'd be dissapointed? cheers MrBen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_J Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 It depends on how much you've driven the Quattro and in what conditions. If you've experienced the traction it has in wet conditions, then I think you'd regret buying a standard 1.8T Sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangerousbrother Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Quattro all the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 If you don't drive hard, you probably won't really benefit from the extra expense. The Stanard Sport offers good traction for most drivers. But for really quick pull aways in the wet... forget it!!! and that's when Quattro really kicks @rse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benafia Posted November 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Only been driving it a week, so not really pushed it yet. But the traction when flooring it from a standing start is magnificent. And 'like it's on rails' doesn't do the cornering justice - phenomenal! Also my partner drives on icy roads home from night shifts in the winter and has come a cropper before... luckily in a big old Saab. But her safety is another reason the 4wd appeals. MrBen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Have to say its got to be Quattro all the way. Having gone from and S3 to and A3TDI (non quattro) this difference is immense. The quattro seems the plant the car more firmly on the road especially in more slippery conditions. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benafia Posted November 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 I guess you'll be going back to an S3 then Graham? What convinced you to go TDI? MrBen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Had the S3 for nearly 3½ years and 70k miles from new so it was time for a change. Also a change in jobs meant I was going to be doing more commuter mileage so wanted something economical but still reliable. I do miss my S3 (265Bhp, RSTT's and Porker brakes) now and then, but most of my driving is now stop start mway Point to note is that with the quattro the servicing will be more expensive with the Haldex oil every 20k IIRC, usually about £50-£100 more depending on stealer. Small price to pay for the additional joy you'll get from it though. Oh and the tank is bigger on the Quattro's too 60 litre instead of 55. Never know what I may get next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingermouse Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 with our weather im loving the quattro, haldex oil change is only £37 too looks like i`ll be sticking with 4wd from now on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 A colleague at work was deciding between the two recently. I advised against the quattro!! She will use to to and from work and for the occasional long journey. She's not a petrol head and won't be throwing it around. She ended up getting a better 1.8T Sport than she could have got a quattro, it uses less fuel, will be cheaper to maintain and it day to day use it will be quicker. At the same time I wouldn't be without my quattro. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it depends on your requirements. Only you know how much ultimate grip, handling, traffic light GPs etc factor in your requirements for a new car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russellfray Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Agreed - I was going to get quattro originally on my A4 but it knocked the mpg and performance down a few notches. With a 1.9TDi engine I thought it would be a bit pointless going for quattro, however with a more powerful engine I can certainly see the benefits. I spent the quattro cash on more gadgets/options instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Interesting point - if you measure performance in a point-to-point way then yes, you'll be shedding a couple of tenths here and there. But factor in the confidence you get, the ability to deploy full power 99.5% of the time in any conditions and I'd say quattro is a lot faster in real life. Or do people disagree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Inigo - I agree 100%! If you think your going to loose it in a corner with Quattro then plant the foot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangerousbrother Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I agree! Quattro all the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattroboy Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 One point I'd make is that if you're planning on a 'tune-up' I would definately go for the quattro; it'd feel far safer than putting down 220bhp through the front wheels alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 [ QUOTE ] 220bhp through the front wheels alone. [/ QUOTE ] ouch, understeer anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Not against quattro at all. It felt good in the A4 but it did seem to add a lot of weight to the car and as a result never felt very light on its feet and certainly harmed the braking performance a lot IMO. Its one thing getting a car moving on things like ice and snow or even in rain a different story trying to stop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingermouse Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 test drove a seat leon cupra r fwd and u just couldn`t get the power down so 4wd all the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 [ QUOTE ] Its one thing getting a car moving on things like ice and snow or even in rain a different story trying to stop it. [/ QUOTE ] Man, the brakes in my A3 are the best i ever had - they are sharp, responsive and can stop it on a pin head. They made my last car (325ci Sport) feel like a BMX! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmmacauley Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 My S3 had an interesting habit of connecting drive to the back when pressing on mid way round a wet roundabout , which could make it oversteer . This is the last thing I expected although it was near the limit when the haldex added the rear axle. I presume the 1.8T uses the same 4wd so could be affected similarly. The traction off the line was excellent however , it almost never spun a wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benafia Posted November 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Yes, I had a test drive in a Leon Cupra.. absolutely barmy. A real license looser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 ...try a 3.2, they make 110 feel like 70... i've been caught out loads!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viraje Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 [ QUOTE ] My S3 had an interesting habit of connecting drive to the back when pressing on mid way round a wet roundabout [/ QUOTE ] It will do - rear wheels kick in if a) the fronts are spinning, b) you floor it, or c) you change the throttle position when cornering [ QUOTE ] The traction off the line was excellent however , it almost never spun a wheel. [/ QUOTE ] Then either the ESP is still on or you're simply not trying hard enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 [ QUOTE ] It will do - rear wheels kick in if a) the fronts are spinning, b) you floor it, or c) you change the throttle position when cornering [/ QUOTE ] Are you sure? My understanding was that with Haldex, it only moved power to the rear when it detected a difference in rotation speed i.e. generally when the fronts are starting to spin up. If it did it based on when "you floor it" then you'd have Haldex activated when you don't need it meaning effectively some power loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 IIRC Haldex transfers power to the rear on WOT/hard acceleration to avoid wheelspin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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