[Audi A3/S3] Not long Now

[ross911rmk]

Well just heard from the stealer and my A3 2.0 170 TDi is being delivered friday (1st) afternoon

basically just want to know if there is anything i should look out for from an audi dealer....

thanks in advance

[Fazzzman]

My Sportback had a very small dent in one of the doors which I didn't see at the time because I was given the car in heavy rain.

Only spotted it a week later so didn't feel I would be able to convince them that it was there before I collected it. Its 18 months old now and its still there ... won't trust the dealers again (not that I did - I just missed a trick).

I'm gradually recouping the cost of a repair in the form of complimentary 'audi' hard boiled sweets at each service!

[Alastair_A3]

I will be keen to hear your thoughts on this engine

Will there be any way of telling its the 170 version? Red TDI badge?

[ncr666]

I picked up my new A3 last week, the dealers had left it out in the rain so I asked them kindly to take it inside and dry it off. You wouldn't want them to demonstrate the vehicle in the rain after all. This may be difficult if they have a number of vehicles due to the 1st of Sept new reg's.

I also asked them not to afix any sticker in the rear window, why should you give them free advertising, they already have their name on the number plate after all.

See if they will provide a pouch for the complimentary one litre of oil, this seems to be dealer dependent. Did not get one for mine.

ncr666

[ross911rmk]

Thanks

i shall get plenty of pics and, and see if there are in subtl changes being the newer engine

[Neil_B]

I too am interested on your thoughts on the 170 TDi engine as my current car is a Golf 150bhp TDi and I’m eagerly waiting delivery of my New A3 at the end of September.

A3 Sportback

2.0 170bhp TDi S-Line

Avus Silver, pearl effect

S-Tronic

Xenon Plus

Armrest

Bose

I-Pod Adaptor

MF Steering Wheel

Light/Rain Sensors

Interior Light Pack

Non Smoking Pack

Can't wait..

[ncr666]

Welcome to TSN!

Nice Spec

ncr666

[ross911rmk]

Well where do i start.

Looks well, it is a marmite of a car you either love the look of the sportback or you don't. i actually quiet like it as it is more practical especially with the pup.

We plumped for the Sport version rather than the S line as we wanted a biege interior which looking back on now i think we have made the right choice, the seats are very comfortable and supportive with the extra side bolsters you get in the sport really helps when powering round a round-a-bout.

The switch gear is typical VW/AUDI standards although i do find the climate control panal slightly small and fiddly. The instument panel is slightly tacky looking and feel the could of jazzed it up a little as it looks very bland and boring. The sat nav is spot on however the VW naz is easier to use and easier to follow. The Bose speakers..........................ahhhhhhhhhhh the bose speakers, as far as i am concerned worth every dime brilliant totally brilliant as for the ipod connection what a pile of crap its that bad i don't want to talk about it, which brings me onto the SD card slots (behind the nav screen)- when you can by a 4gb card for about £45 which holds 1000 tracks so in theory with 2 slots thats 2000 tracks is great it displays names & tracks. so if audi pointed that out they wouldn't sell any ipod kits.................................

The all important drive........

We have got the new 170 2.0 TDi which sounds amazing but.......................you do need to change your driving style completly gears 1 2 and 3 are completly pointless to much torque in to little ratio, you need to change to 2nd in just under 1200 rpm then 1600rpm going into 3rd which for me doesn't fell like a pleasable experience.

When you hit 4th the rev range dramatically extends which feels really un-natural as you need to keep the previous gears pretty low. as you hit 3200 rpm and the turbo fully kicks in wooooooosssssssshhhhhh your off and not many i don't think could catch you the way it pulls away. In six they say you can top 130 which is impressive and probably not far from the truth as keeping the car at a steady 80 seems impossible in 6th gear, the slightist nudge on the power and you are at 90 and a little more and i mean a little more you are at 100, i fear (touch wood) this is a car that could acheive a few penalty points, just as well its SWMBO's car.

The handling is great going into and out of bends it gives me the sense of my old cooper S which felt like it was on rails. the speed sensitive steering will take getting used to although i do really like it however when moving the A3 and treg around this morning it felt like i was moving a tank when i got back in the treg.

So to sum up the build & material quality is typical VW/AUDI standards, the drive is great when you look at handling but the engin seems to powerful for the gearbox, i guess it would be intresting to drive an auto box one to see if it would have any affect. In terms of would i recommend an A3 sportback.............YES, yes i would but i wouldn't go for the 170 2.0TDi unless they change the gear ratios.

Ross

By the way pics will follow shortly.

[MattSLine]

Glad you like the 170!! I have the 150bhp 1.9 CDTi in my Vectra, but re-mapped to 195bhp and 320 lb/ft, makes a big difference, so I would imagine the 170 TDi would feel very similar.

I use a diesel for work on the opt our scheme so the more mpg I get the more money potentially I can make, but we chose the 2.0T FSI A3 as I am a petrol head at heart!! Also 6000 miles a year does not warrant a deisel.