bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 So I've had the 3.0Q cab 3 weeks now, so I thought I would share my thoughts after 18 months with the 2.5TDi cab. Performance I find the 3.0 pretty firey and a bit jittery at times, contrary to what I thought before I think the 2.5 has a less sporty but more refined feel. Thought I would be loosing out on some torque, but reality on the road is the 3.0 feels far more able to pull even at low revs. The real difference is when having a bit of fun, the 3.0 just has so much more grunt and far more responsive . Handling Big difference here, never had Quattro before and I felt the differnce straight away. The back end used to slip out on the TDi where as this just feels glued to the road. Handling twisty roads is far better, the feeling of 10 tons of engine sat in front has gone. No longer have to worry about moving 2 tons of car in the wet without traction control kicking in. MPG The 3.0 is on par with the TDi around town and short trips, but on the motorway I see the difference, struggling to get above 35mpg compared to the 40-50mpg on the TDi. But as I'm not doing much motoway driving these days I'm not filling the tank up anymore than I did before (plus Ultimate petrol is cheaper than the diesel by me). Gripes The 3.0 is a lot noisier than I thought, the charcoal filters or whatever they are ticking away is irritating. Luckily the Milltek masks this most of the time. The Nuvolari wheels I put on have been a headache, first no spiggots and still vibrations off them. Have decided to ditch them and get either OEM 9 spoke RS4 or replica new RS4 (changed my mind obout the new ones, think they look pretty smart). Other probs so far have been; - Reversing light gets stuck on. - Milltek needs tweaking - gas leaking. - Engine has flat spots between 1-2000rpm - but maybe the Milltek leak. On the whole though FAR happier with the 3.0Q PLUS I was worried I'd miss the auto but not at all, manual far more fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 2004(04) to 2005(55) Differences Not many differences but; - Autolights are far more responsive and accurate switching on and particularly off. - Xenons look far more yellow than white/blue. - New DIS is not as easy to scroll through as old one and a bit of a pain at times. - Armrest is easier to adjust with push button rather than lift up to adjust. - Auto dim mirror's now have a border which doesn't change, easy to see when they are dimmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Hey Hof... ya fussy bastard!! My nuvolari wheels are fine. Do you think its an actual manufacturing fault with your wheels or are they just not balanced properly? Glad your happy(or happier) on the whole though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sTTu Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Gripes The 3.0 is a lot noisier than I thought, the charcoal filters or whatever they are ticking away is irritating. Luckily the Milltek masks this most of the time. [/ QUOTE ] I find that "ticking" noise bloody irratating ! I've had my car back to two dealers who both say its a trait of the 3.0 engine. I love the car but that noise, especially with the roof and windows down really p**ses me off. It makes the car sound like a sewing machine ! sTTu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanW Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Did you have any joy with the rear valance Hof? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Interesting review Hof - like you I went from TDI FWD to a petrol Quattro, but a humble 1.8T in my case so can't comment too much on the engine/performance differences. But I found the same as you re. handling: first the lack of heavy TDI, and secondly the Quattro, makes for a far better experience. I'm impressed that the 3.0 feels torquier than the TDI, which I thought packed a pretty hefty wallop (but I had the manual, and from other people's comments, I think the TDI suffers particularly badly from being paired with CVT). Glad you like the new one. I was one of the people that encouraged you to try the TDI, because I was enjoying mine at the time; I always felt slightly embarrassed that I'd already switched to petrol by the time your first cab arrived... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Gripes The 3.0 is a lot noisier than I thought, the charcoal filters or whatever they are ticking away is irritating. Luckily the Milltek masks this most of the time. [/ QUOTE ] I find that "ticking" noise bloody irratating ! I've had my car back to two dealers who both say its a trait of the 3.0 engine. I love the car but that noise, especially with the roof and windows down really p**ses me off. It makes the car sound like a sewing machine ! sTTu [/ QUOTE ] First time I've heard of this - is it when stationary, or moving ? Nice to know about - all mention of it has obviously been previously suppressed by the TSN "put the roof down and hear that V6 rumble" 3.0 mafia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 What flipping ticking noise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Hey Hof... ya fussy bastard!! My nuvolari wheels are fine. Do you think its an actual manufacturing fault with your wheels or are they just not balanced properly? Glad your happy(or happier) on the whole though [/ QUOTE ] Hi Chav. Me fussy - never Don't think it's a manufacturing fault more something to do with the wheels not being quite centered around the flimsy plastic spiggots, besides why have 2 sets of alloys when you can have 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Gripes The 3.0 is a lot noisier than I thought, the charcoal filters or whatever they are ticking away is irritating. Luckily the Milltek masks this most of the time. [/ QUOTE ] I find that "ticking" noise bloody irratating ! I've had my car back to two dealers who both say its a trait of the 3.0 engine. I love the car but that noise, especially with the roof and windows down really p**ses me off. It makes the car sound like a sewing machine ! sTTu [/ QUOTE ] That's what the Roadside assist guy said to me, something about the exhaust rycycling and charcoal filters... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Did you have any joy with the rear valance Hof? [/ QUOTE ] Not chased it to be honest CabLad but will do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Gripes The 3.0 is a lot noisier than I thought, the charcoal filters or whatever they are ticking away is irritating. Luckily the Milltek masks this most of the time. [/ QUOTE ] I find that "ticking" noise bloody irratating ! I've had my car back to two dealers who both say its a trait of the 3.0 engine. I love the car but that noise, especially with the roof and windows down really p**ses me off. It makes the car sound like a sewing machine ! sTTu [/ QUOTE ] First time I've heard of this - is it when stationary, or moving ? Nice to know about - all mention of it has obviously been previously suppressed by the TSN "put the roof down and hear that V6 rumble" 3.0 mafia [/ QUOTE ] Only noticeable when driving at low revs, and less noticeable when at stand still. To be honest I don't think the 3.0 really has a great deal of rumble, no way near the V6 noise of an old 2.6. Mine sounds more like a japanese sport engine when it's rev'd. Not saying it sounds bad in any way just different in a good way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 The noise is is like there's no oil getting to tappets, I called Audi Assist out as I thought something was seriously wrong. Learned quite a bit from the technician - top bloke! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Don't we have a review section.. am I in the wrong place. Must have taken a wrong turn or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmicblue Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Xenons look far more yellow than white/blue. [/ QUOTE ] Audi were running a re-call for this problem a few months back - some vehicles were experiencing gradually failing Xenon lights - going rellow. I believe it was something to do with a reflector going our of adjustment? The dealers can check affected vehicles by VIN number. The Xenons should be any icy/blue white - you won't accept anything else after these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 That's a good point - they recalled and changed mine (04 reg) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 They didn't recall my 04 but never had a problem, they were sweet on that one. Surely on a 3 week old car they wouldn't be bad or would they uhm They look like ordinary halogens at times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmlmmam Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] What flipping ticking noise? [/ QUOTE ] Ditto? Mine was a paragon of refinement. Little bit of tappet rattle on a cold start but very quite thereafter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmlmmam Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Glad to hear that it's going generally well. Impressed to hear that both performance and economy seem OK. Was worried that quattro may dull both with the 3.0 motor. How much difference did the Milltek make? Still haven't got mine fitted (hopefully Sat 1/10 - fingers crossed), if I can still afford petrol by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Cheers CabMac To be honest I'm not sure what the 3.0 was like before the Milltek, had it fitted on day 2 and was being gentle on the engine. Believe me when they fire yours up with the Milltek, your face will light up, it doesn't sound boy racer, it's just a really, really deep roar. Well worth the money IMO. Took them 8 hours to fit it though The only thing is occassionally you wish you could switch the volume down, but not very often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanW Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Did you have the de cat Hof? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted September 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 The cats were replaced with 'cat-back' ones CabLad what ever they do, they didn't think it was gonna be a full system but it was. Was like watching the Krypton Factor watching them work out how to get the pieces on so they fitted properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmlmmam Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 It was all booked in to be done a couple of weeks back. AMD cancelled. I wasn't best pleased (think it had something to do with cricket induced staff shortage). Hoping for better luck this time. Are there any major sporting events on Sat 1/10? Do you find the cruising noise irritating top up, top-down or both? I have been a bit worried about this, I already find the S4 lacks refinement c.f. the 3.0. Think living with it for a while is the only way I'll find out. Desperate for a few more V8 tunes when pressing on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablos4 Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 I've had the Milltek cat back on my S4 for three weeks now. Must admit it took a bit of getting used to, a lot more rumble boom at low revs. I've had to change my around town driving style as lazily pootling around in 6th can get too noisy. Make you realise just how stealthy the stock exhaust is. The main noise you get from stock is the lovely burble from the engine... The Milltek now pretty much drowns that out but in return you get a deep, meaty V8 note which really does sound awesome when you open it up. I have also noticed a definite improvement in performance - nothing spectacular but it certainly feels more lively and responsive. I imagine the full Milltek will be pretty awesome. Other thing is people now comment on how beefy/mean the car sounds now (specially when you blip the go pedal)! Certainly turns heads too. I think you do lose something something in the bargain - the stealth - the driving experience becomes rawer and noisier for sure. The gains are definite plus though, give it a couple of weeks and you won't want to go back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 I noticed the ticking noise in the cab too - even after switching off the engine for 5 mins with the key in the ignition it was still clicking. Completely put me off my stroke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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