Audi owners in here!

[Blackhawk47]

lol.

I wasn't having a go, don't have to dissect everything like that. Here let me try.

Does any thread on OcUK Motors really matter in the context of the universe? No, but it is a discussion and comparison of engines and cars - generally what Motors is about?

Yes I understand its a discussion forum. But at the same time audi are a business, there not going to 'engineer and innovate' 3.5l V6s into an A4. It is quite simple really, if you want an audi you either go normal A3 A4 A5 etc with either a TFSI or TDI, or if you want something a bit faster than the norm with generally better suspension/brakes/higher tuned engine then go for S3, S4, S5 etc, or you want the best go with RS/R8.

Since Euro 5 came in and car manufacturers are going to be fined 90EUR for each car that doesn't comply to them (IIRC). Oh and since a global recession when everyone went mad with efficiency and cost savings. Oh and since global warming means everyone wants to drive Prius's.

Since you're not buying one anyway I doubt you personally are that bothered. You drive a a twin turbo 6 cylinder bmw so sorry if I didn't realise you want prius economy.

For example, as fox always says on here. A F10 535i manual would be his perfect next car. Yet they are nigh on impossible to find in the UK market. So it is pretty obvious that not many people choose to buy these large petrol engines for whatever reason. Therefore I am not that surprised Audi don't stick V8s in a A3 hatchback.

I would like to see a RS3 saloon in the future with the 2.5l 5 cylinder from the TTRS though.

 

[Gaygle]

lol.

I wasn't having a go, don't have to dissect everything like that. Here let me try.

Tbf, you have to admit saying "does it really matter?" when discussing engines and cars is a little bit silly? Because no, it doesn't matter to a lot of people, but it matters to motor enthusiasts and engineering enthusiasts.

Yes I understand its a discussion forum. But at the same time audi are a business, there not going to 'engineer and innovate' 3.5l V6s into an A4.

Of course Audi are a business - and i've acknowledged their strategy as a decent one, even if i don't particularly like it. I mean, you can't argue with their business model when it's producing €5.2billion profit in 2012, but at the same time their business model does not put emphasis on innovation or pushing the boundaries, which is something that i would like to see from such a large and well regarded company. When companies stop innovating and start resting on their laurels, it's bad for everyone, including their profit margins after a while (Apple + Samsung are examples of this).

And forgive me, but if i'm dropping £40k on a car, i want to feel like the car has been engineered by professionals to be as good as it can be. I don't want it to be a rehashed design, with some slightly changed bumpers and half worked engines just to support the manufacturers business model of profit with minimal research and development.

Since you're not buying one anyway I doubt you personally are that bothered. You drive a a twin turbo 6 cylinder bmw so sorry if I didn't realise you want prius economy.

No, but i would definitely be interested in buying an Audi if they made an engine in my price range that interested me. They either sell V8's which drink fuel for fun, big nose heavy V6's with bad fuel consumption/power balance compared to rivals and that never seem to "fit" into the cars they put them in, or little 4 pot turbos which don't interest me. The 3l supercharged 6 is the only engine which interests me, because it is an interesting engine and obviously very well engineered.

For example, as fox always says on here. A F10 535i manual would be his perfect next car. Yet they are nigh on impossible to find in the UK market. So it is pretty obvious that not many people choose to buy these large petrol engines for whatever reason.

But this is what i'm getting at. This is what irritates me. People will often buy £40k cars but insist that the tax bracket is low or the fuel consumption is high. It's this irrationality irks me. And it seems that this is what Audi have capitalised on, and it's for that reason i'm not a fan of Audi's in general.

Therefore I am not that surprised Audi don't stick V8s in a A3 hatchback.

Don't exaggerate.

I would like to see a RS3 saloon in the future with the 2.5l 5 cylinder from the TTRS though.

I'd be more interested in seeing an RS3 that drives like an RS model should TBH.

 

[Blackhawk47]

But this is what i'm getting at. This is what irritates me. People will often buy £40k cars but insist that the tax bracket is low or the fuel consumption is high. It's this irrationality irks me. And it seems that this is what Audi have capitalised on, and it's for that reason i'm not a fan of Audi's in general.

I think most new cars, not just bmw but merc/audi etc that I see on the road must be just company cars?

You see so many, for example new A5 sport backs with a 2.0 tdi in them its unreal. I know I can't really talk when I've just got a 2.0 tdi in an A1 but I wouldn't want a a 2.0tdi in an A6 size car that would take like 10 seconds to get to 60mph.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Yes, it's unfair to single Audi out for this. The majority of BMWs are now 2 litre diesels too and the end of production of the E93 and E87 coupe and cab will also see the end of the normally aspirated six cylinder engines in Europe, too.

Blame the market. Today's new car buyer says monthly and wants as much superficial bling as they can get for the smallest monthly outgoings. So the manufacturers tailor products to this and that's why you can buy C180 AMG Sport Plus diesels.

 

[Vertigo]

A3 Saloon S line 1.4 TFSI cylinder on demand 6 speed
Daytona Grey, pearl effect
Advanced key
Audi Parking System Plus
Comfort package
Cruise control
Door mirrors – electrically adjustable, folding and heated
Hold assist
Interior lighting package
Privacy glass
Technology package

Nice spec but personally I think you're insane for speccing frippery like Advanced Key and Parking Plus over B&O

It will likely spray the washers on every 5th go on the regular windscreen washers I'd imagine.

It's on a timer rather than number of actuations but I've never worked out how long the delay is.

 

[Vertigo]

Not keen on the way the dash sort of stops half way down. Much prefer it when it seamlessly blends into the centre console. The navigation screen also looks stupid sticking up like that but it seems all manufacturers are doing that now

Get with the times

The centre console is a bit "weird" and takes some getting used to but I actually applaud them for trying something a bit different. Just about every car under the sun has gone the "blending into the centre console" route now - it's old hat. The popup screen also makes perfect sense and is far easier to use and glance at than ones mounted lower down in the dash. Doesn't impede vision at all but can still be lowered out of the way if you don't want it glaring at you, such as long journeys at night etc.

You're right, but most of the ones that don't use godawful touchscreens instead of a decent control mechanism.

Agreed. Touchscreens in cars are utterly hopeless. Not only do they get covered in fingerprints and need cleaning every five minutes but the need to look where you're touching all the time, often for basic functions which should be on switchgear, takes your eyes off the road more often and reduces safety.

 

[Tinders]

Hate the pop out screens, Audi got it right with the older A6 and current A4, fair enough they still used the RNS setup in the ancient out going A3 so the flip out screen is an improvement over that, but it just seem to ruin the flow of a dashboard.

 

[[TW]Fox]

The F10 has the best navigation screen positioning imo.

 

[Blackhawk47]

The F10 has the best navigation screen positioning imo.

Yeah that does look pretty nice. Not a massive fan of the 1 series screen though.

Spoiler

 

[[TW]Fox]

Me neither, 6 and 3 are like that too now as well

 

[Ev0]

Had a slight panic yesterday, about a mile after filling up the car started misbehaving, juddering like a misfire.

First thought was something was up with the petrol I stuck in, then the doubts of 'it was petrol I put in, wasn't it?' sunk in

Luckily by chance I was only a mile or two from a dealership so nursed my way there, low revs weren't too bad but any sort of throttle made the car judder and shake and the eml flash.

Dealership were very accommodating, even though they were fully booked up they happily found a spot to take a look at my old heap.

Hour or so later and my wallet was a little lighter and the car had a new coil pack so was now back to all 6 cylinders working properly

They even washed and vacuumed it which I wasn't expecting, ok it's no professional detail but the fact the car had not seen any soapy water for a long while (currently living on a building site so no point washing it really) it was most appreciated!

 

[zuludawn]

First big bill for the Q7, 4x 295/35R21 PIRELLI PZERO, done 9000 miles on the first set not as bad as the horror stories online would have you believe about them only doing 5000 miles a set. I just check the tyre pressure every month have have the suspension on Dynamic its lowest setting for better handling.
New rubber on any car is always cool lol.

Spoiler

 

[Destination]

9k still seems very low milage, are all of those suv 4x4 type vehicles the same? Never drove one. Granted this is coming from a person who had a 207 do 28k on front tyres and 42 on back tyres to about 2.5mm thread before replacing. Had three front sets last the same amount and two back sets, solf it at 96k so unsure how she did after that.

 

[zuludawn]

9k still seems very low milage, are all of those suv 4x4 type vehicles the same? Never drove one. Granted this is coming from a person who had a 207 do 28k on front tyres and 42 on back tyres to about 2.5mm thread before replacing. Had three front sets last the same amount and two back sets, solf it at 96k so unsure how she did after that.

Yup putting 2.5 ton on low profiles is not the best idea, seems they are all going for performance and looks instead of comfort these days. The winter tyres for these are even worse they are soft and sticky, brilliant in the snow but will only last 3000 miles if you drive then in the dry and they are over £300 each.
Funnily enough it was the back tyres that had worn the most, the fronts had a bit left but in for a penny and all that.

 

[Climhazzard]

@Zulu - how you find the Q7? Picked TTRS up this year and tweaked it up to APR Stage II but might change and look at Q5 / Q7 next year if I don't jump back on the bikes!

Spoiler

 

[zuludawn]

@zulu - how you find the Q7? Picked TTRS up this year and tweaked it up to APR Stage II but might change and look at Q5 / Q7 next year if I don't jump back on the bikes!

Spoiler

Im loving it, I have owned many 4x4 in the past and this handles and drives like a fast estate. It's the 245bhp s line plus, plus lots of extra's. Was a impulse buy from a new A6 and nearly matches it on fuel, as A6 was 36 this 32 to the gallon driven hard.
Not everyone's cup of tea but you need to drive one to appreciate it, tons of room loads of torque and grip and as for its size my wife drives it more than me and she has never had any problems.

 

[cuke2u]

Nice spec but personally I think you're insane for speccing frippery like Advanced Key and Parking Plus over B&O



It's on a timer rather than number of actuations but I've never worked out how long the delay is.

Errr. no. I have keyless in my present car, thus I know how useful it is when I am carrying computers and other IT related equipment. The sensors are because it is a saloon and again, I've had them on two cars now and they are very useful. Why do I want to spent £750 on a sound system that I will only listen to for about 10 mins a day. I looked for practical solutions that assist me thank you...

 

[[TW]Fox]

If you only drive for 10 minutes a day the entire car seems like a massive waste of money to me

 

[TreeTops]

Yup putting 2.5 ton on low profiles is not the best idea, seems they are all going for performance and looks instead of comfort these days. The winter tyres for these are even worse they are soft and sticky, brilliant in the snow but will only last 3000 miles if you drive then in the dry and they are over £300 each.

I'm not sure about the winter tyres information. I had 12k out of the factory fit tyres on my Q7 (21"). Swapped them out in January for a set of Yokohama W.Drive V902B winter tyres and have done 25k miles on them. They'll be replaced on Monday with 2.5mm left on the front and 5mm left on the back. Indeed, I reckon if I had taken the time to rotate the tyres, I'd have got a good 3 of 4 thousand miles further out of them.

Admittedly I do spend most of the time cruising up and down the M4 from deepest South West Wales to Wiltshire. However, other than a considerable amount of road noise when driving through the worst Welsh twisties, I have been extremely impressed with them. I had expected that being winter tyres, they would have been rubbish in the summer with limited tyre life.

 

[zuludawn]

I'm not sure about the winter tyres information. I had 12k out of the factory fit tyres on my Q7 (21")..

You must drive like a saint my Q7 is just 6 months old lol, I will see what tyres they were on about think they may have been the Pirelli Scorpion not sure, just what i was told by someone who has been in the business for 30 years.

Out of interest what suspension settings and tyre pressure are you running.