Chins Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Gareth has been beating me up for not posting My thoughts after 1000+ miles in the car. Looks It was a choice between the Sportback and GTI. In the end I couldnt love the looks of a Sportback and lust was the GTI. Still like it and growing even more attached. Interior Love it. Doesnt have the cramped feel of the Sportback (good if you are 5ft, which I am not) and the materials are as good. Ive got Leather and its just a nice place to be. Still like the Blue dials at night. Feels well built, just a bit too much wind noise from the driver door - might need to get the seals looked at. Stereo - Oh dear - The worst part of the car, its 2005 not 1980, VW you could do better. My wife's Meriva is better. Audi's Bose system feels like the 31st century in comparison. Engine Euro IV - get shot of it soon. Every car I drive with it suffers from smooth take offs and the GTI isnt winning an award, better than my old R32 though. On the whole though its probably the best 2.0 and less engine Ive ever owned. The 1.8T in 225, 210, 180 and 150 guise is just nowhere near as nice. The engines I compare it to are my RS4 and S4 - ok not as powerfull, but damn nice. I'm sure the engine will get better with time. Performance Its impressive. Better in day to day driving than an R32, the midrange overtaking is impressive and I'm overtaking where I wouldnt in the R32 - been driving the same road home for 10 years!!. On the motorway its love, got 40mpg going north this week and wasnt crawling. 32mpg coming back - amazing what the wind does to mpg After a type r and 182 recently the engine is 200% nicer. Handling Not really pushed it to 100%, but my old Accord felt a lot sharper and the 182 runs rings around it. It handles nicely, but it is certainly a compromise. Wont win an award on the handing stakes. I also doubt that in the wet it will really deal with 240+bhp, Ive had the ESP light at low speeds and mid throttle positions in 2nd My ideal would be the GTI with 4wd and 250bhp. Looks 200% nicer than the Sportback and has the extra character. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS4_Barry Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Well .... glad that somebody is enjoying theirs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aswall Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Thanks for posting your thoughts. Disappointing to hear the stereo isn't much cop, that was the one area I didn't test and with Satnav there isn't much scope for upgrade. What aspect do you find poor, would a speaker upgrade and a sub make a difference? As for the Euro IV emissions standards, these are going to get tighter and tighter in years to come so manufacturers are going to have to work continuously at upgrading their engines to meet them. In the future we'll drone on to youngsters about how good driving in this age was, it's all downhill from here Agree about the Sportback, ugly little car even for an Audi. But what is a 182? And where are your impressions now you've had yours a couple of weeks Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pureguilt Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 Chins, thanks for this report, very interesting. I agree about the stereo, the sound pack upgrade does nothing for it too (IMHO). I have opted to get my stereo upgraded with speakers/sub at the local auto electric shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 [ QUOTE ] But what is a 182? [/ QUOTE ] Clio 182 if I'm not mistaken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aswall Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] But what is a 182? [/ QUOTE ] Clio 182 if I'm not mistaken [/ QUOTE ] Doh! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 182....as in number of things that go wrong and fall off in the first month... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chins Posted February 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Thats the average number of faults you find in any new car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 Hiya Chins, Good little review. Know what you mean about the Sportback vs GTI. Am happy with my choice and had to order and get something and couldn't wait for a GTI even if I wanted to. I have the car for 4 yes 4 years and as some other in my company have had GTIs fall to bits in that time went for the Sportback. Glad you have the same views on the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 I'm inclined to agree with all of your postive comments Chins So far this car has met all of my expectations and I don't have (worthwhile ) grumbles whatsoever And on a boring note it's just so practical too. Went to Suffolk 2 weeks ago to the in-laws and the GTI averaged 38mpg and we got everything in the GTI that went in the X5 and it maybe even had a little more boot space than the BMW... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aswall Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 Good to hear Gareth. 38mpg is great, I'll be well pleased if I get over 30mpg when I get mine. How did the passengers rate the comfort over a long journey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 and that's better than the 120d boys get.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aswall Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] and that's better than the 120d boys get.... [/ QUOTE ] Ha ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chins Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] and that's better than the 120d boys get.... [/ QUOTE ] Serves them right for buying a car thats as ugly as a Maxi. It can only improve for BMW after the 1 series. Nice to see the new 3 has class though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTI_Boi Posted March 12, 2005 Report Share Posted March 12, 2005 Not sure why people compare GTI with Sportback - surely A3 3dr (3.2) is a better comparison? Stereo - AGree that stereo could be much better - based on previous cars I would say a better amp (within the unit) should be tried before speakers. Interior - material quality not as good as A3 (no comparison for Audi whcih was my previous car), but light years ahead of BMW. Chins - engines don't "come with Euro IV" - Euro IV is an emissioms standard set by the Gov't/EU that affects company car tax. Overall, I've enjoyed my GTI. I've not had a car as pwerful before so maybe that affects peoples views. VW over BMW anyday!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted March 14, 2005 Report Share Posted March 14, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Not sure why people compare GTI with Sportback - surely A3 3dr (3.2) is a better comparison? [/ QUOTE ] ...or maybe a 3dr A3 2.0T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Posted March 14, 2005 Report Share Posted March 14, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Good to hear Gareth. 38mpg is great, I'll be well pleased if I get over 30mpg when I get mine. How did the passengers rate the comfort over a long journey? [/ QUOTE ] well the passengers were a) My GF who always gripes when i drive and b) My dog who is the ideal back seat driver as he keeps quiet!!! Seriously though it's a very practical car...you'll love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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