So I will be looking at a hatchback in the next 6 months and for some reason the second generation Audi A3 with the 3.2 V6 just keeps catching my eye. Expecting running costs to more than double from my current runaround but still seems like a few decent examples around the £6k mark and a lot of kit for that money. What's the general consensus on that engine flavour?
Audi owners in here!
- Thread starter GinG
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Interesting, I did notice that even among cheapest ones there's not that many high mileage examples so wondering on the reliability of these. I would have thought that if well looked after they would go on forever as I imagine the engine wouldn't be particularly stressed in a car of this size.
It seems to be a design thing - even the old 2.8 vr6's had issues, thoygh that was more to do with the tensioner material.
Wouldn't let it massively worry you but have a good listen to a few of them, all chain engines make a bit of noise but not shouldn't rattle
Wouldn't let it massively worry you but have a good listen to a few of them, all chain engines make a bit of noise but not shouldn't rattle
I think the problem with that model is that it is just an A3 with a bigger engine. Nothing else has really changed apart from the engine. Not really any exterior changes or handling upgrades.
It's an A3 at the end of the day so expect it to be relatively cheap to run with the exception of petrol and maybe tax.
If I had £6k to spend on a car a 3.2 VR6 would not be on my list to buy which is strange as I love the Mk4 & 5 Golf R32's.
It's an A3 at the end of the day so expect it to be relatively cheap to run with the exception of petrol and maybe tax.
If I had £6k to spend on a car a 3.2 VR6 would not be on my list to buy which is strange as I love the Mk4 & 5 Golf R32's.
All depends on what you want really. They're pretty uninvolving but ultimately tidy enough, the interior is nice enough and they sound quite nice even without the r32 exhaust.
Dunno if I'd spend quite as much as £6k on one either, but ultimately how new it is will dictate its value. Buy a 5 door and they all look much the same throughout its life cycle
Dunno if I'd spend quite as much as £6k on one either, but ultimately how new it is will dictate its value. Buy a 5 door and they all look much the same throughout its life cycle
Well in all honesty I wouldn't want to spend more than £5k but could stretch to £6k.
I am looking for an everyday hatchback and always liked the understated look of A3s, having a 3.2 engine would just adds that nice punch to it as I miss the rumble from the few cars I've driven with a V6. If they have common issues with the engine though then I'll just look for a different model, hardly the end of the world.
I am looking for an everyday hatchback and always liked the understated look of A3s, having a 3.2 engine would just adds that nice punch to it as I miss the rumble from the few cars I've driven with a V6. If they have common issues with the engine though then I'll just look for a different model, hardly the end of the world.
Just posted this on Pistonheads....
Every TT and RS3 has been a numb heap of utter crapness but it's like motoring magazines chose to ignore that because it looks or sounds nice. Even wrote to Autocar back in the day and was published too when they headlined "new TT finally a great drivers car?" or suchlike. My point was it will be badly damped, have awful lifeless steering, will be over servoed and under steer when pushed on track. My argument was they always do and always have and nothing has changed in my experience. Even my B7 RS4 under steered like a boat on ice on track.
Sorry Audi fans outside the R8 and B7 RS4 their cars have been subjective style over substance when it comes to driving. Such a shame.
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Caporegime
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I'd be tempted to look at the 2.0TFSI for an everyday car. It won't have the sound granted, but it's a lot more efficient, handles better and a remap will make it quicker too.
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This is what the market wants and Audi knows it - I'm sure they don't lack the talent required to develop cars that drive well they just know that there is little financial sense in doing so. The majority of Audi's are purchased (or leased) by people who want a flashy looking prestigious normal car, it doesn't matter how it corners, it matters that it says S-LINE on the seats. This is evident all over the range, if it wasn't the case they'd not be doing things like fitting CVT gearboxes in executive saloons etc.
Not that Audi are alone in this obviously, its where the market is going these days, Mercedes are absolutely there too and it's hard to argue BMW are not going the same way but as BMW started with the driving dynamics being 'right' I guess it's easier for them to keep getting that bit right at limited additional cost.
BMW aren't the car they were. They don't drive as well, ride as well and have less quality feel to their internal plastics. New owners don't care it seems but I still get annoyed at the ride and internal plastics on my 5 though still think the fundamentals are good. Engine is great, rwd is fun and gearbox superb. The i8 however when I hit the brakes when I drove it was very Audi. Over assisted brakes nearly smashed my teeth on the wheel.
It's only going to get worse as the market continues its transition from a car being something you purchased to last you to a commodity you rent in order to throw away when next door gets something with a better trim level.
It's a race to the bottom really but there is no real point making cars that feel like they will last 20 years when nobody buys them to do that anymore
It's a race to the bottom really but there is no real point making cars that feel like they will last 20 years when nobody buys them to do that anymore
I didn't think the RS6 under-steered at all, it just gripped and went. Then I did a trackday and realised just how "safe" my road driving must have been as it under-steered badly when really pushed to it's limit, although to be fair it was on Goodyear Eagle F1AS2's so a fairly normal road tyre.
Yup that is the next one up in line I've been looking at. Performance isn't far off at all and quite frankly both have more power than I need anyway, I could even settle at 1.8TFSI if I find a nice one. It is just a heart before head kind of decision of having that big V6 under there.
I'll start seriously looking in around 6 months so I think I'll just go by condition for what's available at the time and could try and convince my dad's friend who is an Audi technician who really knows his cars to come along with me so I don't get a lemon.
They hide it well on road most of the time, but when you put it somewhere you can push it shows, badly. My RS4 was the same. Doesn't make it a bad road car as I found the RS4 a good road car, but it was never a super sharp drive, just accomplished.
I was told by an Audi salesman if I wanted a fun car to drive to go to BMW.
I found it the other way around, the Audi felt amazingly grippy on the road (and therefore fun to drive) and poor on the track where as my RWD cars always felt too twitchy to push as hard on the road as the Audi (only maybe 75%) yet were perfect for the track.
Saying that the "feel" on my RWD R34 still, unsurprisingly (estate vs sports car), beats the Audi hands down even though it was slower on the road.
Saying that the "feel" on my RWD R34 still, unsurprisingly (estate vs sports car), beats the Audi hands down even though it was slower on the road.
I would have told him if he called himself a salesman again I would report him to trading standards and then his HR team for lying about his role!