I'll agree that a four-pot diesel has no place in an A5. Problem is that the big diesels and petrols start to incur well over £300 a month in BIK tax alone when taken as a company car which pushes people towards the 2.0TDI & 2.0TFSI and apparently the fuel consumption of the latter in the A5 is shocking.
Tell me about Audi A3s
- Thread starter ringo747
- Start date
[TW]Fox;16972900 said:
S3 is worth it, anything else, go cheaper, as Fox has said.
If you've got £17k, an approved used 2007 S3 with average mileage is just about in budget
Agreed with both posts above, really. £17k is S3 money. If you want an ordinary A3 then get one but there's no need to spend £17k on one.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
I have had my 2.0T for 2 years in August, i bought it with 48k miles on, it now has 79k miles, that's 31k miles in 2 years, i probably stick on average about £40-50 a week in the tank, i normally just fill it up at about £60/£65, and that tank will last about 9-10 days, both work out about the same. Like i say, i don't drive like a granny, at the same time, i don't drive foot to the floor all the time either, i sit at about 80/85 on the M/way and my driving varies between A roads and town roads (30mph).
I can't compare to my old mondeo (TDCi 130) where petrol vs diesel is concerned, but i don't think i'm spending that much more than i was then, other than the obvious increase in fuel costs in 2 years. Yes, there probably will be a difference, infact, more definite a difference lol, but i just can't say it's been that obvious to me, i fill it up, and drive it. All i will say is that i thought it would use more fuel than it does for a 2.0T 200ps engine with decent performance.
In 2 years, i have a had a couple of problems though, firstly, one coil pack and he wiring loom needed replacing as it had burned at the coil pack connector
this was fixed under warranty thankfully, also, a sensor attached to the turbo caused a fault with my DSG box, this would make it stick in gear occasionally, could be 1st or 3rd gear. Again, this was fixed under warranty, now i need to replace a ABS sensor too.
Overall, i've been very pleased with my car, however, i wouldn't spend £17k on one, i'd be looking at an A4 cab for this money (personal preference and not the choice of many other people i would imagine - i just love them).
I can't compare to my old mondeo (TDCi 130) where petrol vs diesel is concerned, but i don't think i'm spending that much more than i was then, other than the obvious increase in fuel costs in 2 years. Yes, there probably will be a difference, infact, more definite a difference lol, but i just can't say it's been that obvious to me, i fill it up, and drive it. All i will say is that i thought it would use more fuel than it does for a 2.0T 200ps engine with decent performance.
In 2 years, i have a had a couple of problems though, firstly, one coil pack and he wiring loom needed replacing as it had burned at the coil pack connector
this was fixed under warranty thankfully, also, a sensor attached to the turbo caused a fault with my DSG box, this would make it stick in gear occasionally, could be 1st or 3rd gear. Again, this was fixed under warranty, now i need to replace a ABS sensor too.Overall, i've been very pleased with my car, however, i wouldn't spend £17k on one, i'd be looking at an A4 cab for this money (personal preference and not the choice of many other people i would imagine - i just love them).
So why are you attacking me directly on this issue? Duh![TW]Fox;16973543 said:Duh?
Because the A3 is old. It's old tech, it's old gen, it's... old. The A4 is a thoroughly different, more modern package. The A3 is thus a ridiculous consideration as a new buy until it is replaced with a new model. You've been driving the A3 longer than we've been having Rolling Road days to give you an example of how just how long in the tooth it is! You know a car is old when it's STILL available when you come to chose your 3 year replacement cycle company car for the THIRD time
So if Audi STILL sold the 8P A3 in 2018 you'd just go ahead and order another one?!
You're not generalising about others buying new A3s with their own money, you're attacking me directly when you know that I'm not spending my own money
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Even hooning mine about which is running Code Red, it won't drop below 20. On average it stays between 22 - 25.
Appreciate all the input. Generally are Audi's pretty reliable? What about servicing costs? I am guessing BMW and Audi would be much higher servicing costs than a Ford for example.
There definitely is plenty to consider. I think I need to look at other alternatives within my budget as it does seem that splashing out crazy money on the A3 isn't that great an idea unless I go for a much older model. S3 is still an option, R32 probably another options but not sure where to find the balance between nice power + not impossible to keep fuel in the thing.
I might look again at the 1 Series but I just didn't even imagine myself to own a BMW. Could be wrong. What 1 Series models are worth looking at?
Decisions, decisions and more decisions
There definitely is plenty to consider. I think I need to look at other alternatives within my budget as it does seem that splashing out crazy money on the A3 isn't that great an idea unless I go for a much older model. S3 is still an option, R32 probably another options but not sure where to find the balance between nice power + not impossible to keep fuel in the thing.
I might look again at the 1 Series but I just didn't even imagine myself to own a BMW. Could be wrong. What 1 Series models are worth looking at?
Decisions, decisions and more decisions
You're not generalising about others buying new A3s with their own money, you're attacking me directly when you know that I'm not spending my own money
'attacking you directly', lol the drama! Oh no! Attack!
I was merely intruiged as to why you'd continue to order A3's when its such an old design now, in new car terms. My advice in this thread is tailored at the OP not you but that doesn't stop be being intruiged at your choices.
What word would you use then? You're ridiculing me for even daring to consider such an "old" model, I'd call that an attack, despite your attempt to make me sound melodramatic for using the word.[TW]Fox;16974819 said:'attacking you directly', lol the drama! Oh no! Attack!
Because it suits me perfectly and there's little in the way of a credible alternative for what I want from a car. I was hoping the new A3 would be available this year (as originally planned) but, as that's now over a year away, I may get another 8P on a short lease to tide me over until then.
Less than three years ago, you posted extolling the virtues of the A3, yet now you think it's a tired old car. What's changed? The car itself hasn't changed - indeed it's been improved in many regards. If there were now credible alternatives which weren't available back then and which made the A3 look dated by comparison then you might have a point but there aren't.
Where's the magic line in the sand which determines the point at which car becomes "old" anyway? The Focus is now five years old, is anyone considering one of those an idiot who should be looking at a Mondeo instead as it's much newer? What about the 3-series? That's also about five years old now - in two more years will it suddenly change from being a good car to a tired old one?
IMO, the age of a model isn't an issue per se, providing the manufacturer does a good job of updating it in terms of looks, features & equipment to keep it "modern". Audi have done a good job with the A3 - it's been facelifted to varying degrees a few times, existing features have been updated and improved and many new features and options have been added. The result is that the car still looks good and more than holds its own against the competition.
Whilst I'd never pay that price for a current A3, I can see their appeal.
My gf's S-reg drove wonderfully up until some dozy cow crashed in to the side of it, and over the 4 years and 60k miles she had it, it never gave her any real problems, MOTs and services were all fine.
And it's really nice to drive from a non-pistonhead viewpoint.
My gf's S-reg drove wonderfully up until some dozy cow crashed in to the side of it, and over the 4 years and 60k miles she had it, it never gave her any real problems, MOTs and services were all fine.
And it's really nice to drive from a non-pistonhead viewpoint.
No, but the market and expectations have. I still like the A3 - I've even recommended he still buys an A3 - but not at the money being talked about here. It's a good buy for £12k or less because what else do you buy at this budget? The pre LCI 1 Series is rubbish, for example.
But why buy a new or nearly new car and end up with something thats dated? In next to no time at all your £17k+ car is simply last years news when its replacement does appear. It's no longer as fresh as once was and I'm not sure I get the point of spending big money on a new or nearly new car if you are happy with something which can be got for a heck of a lot less.
Surely buying a car in 2010 for big money you want a car with 2010 technology - the A3 doesn't have things like MMI, does it? And no, RNS-E is not proper MMI, it's marketing con-speak to make you think the oh-so-fresh A3 is just the little brother of the all new A4..
Of course anyone considering £17k on a used Focus is an 'idiot'.
At least it's still current and has no firm replacement date, but, in principle yes, I agree - I'd be very upset to order a brand new BMW and have an E90 delivered. It's now noticeably different to the current generation of BMW's - the E90 is an E60 generation car. This generation is drawing to a close, had you ordered the car in say 2005 you'd still have it now with largely the same car..
This is something i am having particular issues with getting my head around myself in my quest for an E39 replacement. I've pretty much decided I want something 3 years old with a view to retaining it until its 7 years old.
Trouble is, a 3 year old 530i Sport is £20,000 and, as per the A3, is based on a shape (in prefacelift form, obviously) which has been around since 2003. The E92 fares better in that it's not even reached its fourth birthday yet but... yea, it's difficult. Even more so in another years time.
I have no issue at all with buying previous generation cars - I've never owned a current generation car - but neither have I ever spent 5 figures on a car. Once you start doing so, IMHO the rules and expectations change...
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Pretty much my thoughts, how can anybody aspire to own one of these? OK if you are thrown the keys by a fleet manager and have little other choice, but to actually BUY one is laughable.
In what way exactly and how does the A3 no longer meet these expectations? Putting aside the issue of model age, I'm really struggling to see what market expectations the A3 suddenly doesn't satisfy.[TW]Fox;16976786 said:
I'll happily grant that spending your own money on a new car that's due for replacement soon makes little sense in terms of additional depreciation and the fact that your car will look more dated when the new model arrives but such concerns obviously don't bother me as I'm not spending my own money and wouldn't have the car for long after the new model arrives anyway.
The MMI may be the big brother to the RNS-E system but that doesn't automatically mean the latter is hopeless and outdated. Indeed Audi have recently updated the RNS-E with better graphics, added functionality, improved performance and the Audi Music Interface from the "big brother" MMI systems. The long-term plan is, no doubt, to replace the RNS-E with MMI in all their models but at least, in the interim, they're keeping the existing systems updated and fresh. Whilst it may not be up to full MMI standards, it's still light years ahead of the systems found in most cars, IMO, and seems to suffice for the R8 & Gallardo!
Oh I accept that the expectations change at this level, I'm just contending that the current A3, despite its age, still meets those expectations and that Audi should be applauded for managing this via constant updating and "refreshing" of the model.
The golf was introduced in 1974 - what's your point?
That the A3 was here in the UK before 2003 - not as stated above.
I've got a Sportback 2.0TDi 140PS Sport as a company car. It will be 2 years old in September and has 50k on the clock.
Whilst I was surprised at the £21k price tag it is a nice solid car. It's refined and quiet for a diesel which several of my diesel owning friends have noted. Everything feels well put together and makes the right noises when you touch buttons or close doors. It handles reasonably and is pretty pokey whilst still getting decent mpg. I've not had any hiccups with it mechanically. *touches wood* I was also quite pleased with the boot space, I manage to get a lot more in than I thought I was going to and I carry a load all week.
If you want a motorway munching hatch then you can't go wrong. My company car list consisted of VW, Audi, BMW and Mini and I don't regret choosing the car I did.
I had a 1.9TDi S-Line as a courtesy car last week, looked great on the inside and outside but there was absolutely nothing under my right foot. Avoid!!
Whilst I was surprised at the £21k price tag it is a nice solid car. It's refined and quiet for a diesel which several of my diesel owning friends have noted. Everything feels well put together and makes the right noises when you touch buttons or close doors. It handles reasonably and is pretty pokey whilst still getting decent mpg. I've not had any hiccups with it mechanically. *touches wood* I was also quite pleased with the boot space, I manage to get a lot more in than I thought I was going to and I carry a load all week.
If you want a motorway munching hatch then you can't go wrong. My company car list consisted of VW, Audi, BMW and Mini and I don't regret choosing the car I did.
I had a 1.9TDi S-Line as a courtesy car last week, looked great on the inside and outside but there was absolutely nothing under my right foot. Avoid!!
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I'm planning on test driving this A3 at the weekend
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1500/postcode/cm35fz/page/1?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1500/postcode/cm35fz/page/1?logcode=p