Spec me an A3 replacement

andicole0

andicole0

andicole0

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Joined
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Grundisburgh
I'll be looking after Xmas to replace my A3 Sportback 1.8T S-line with a new or nearly new vehicle around the 30K mark, 20 + PX.
The simple answer is another A3 as it fits what we need and like very much. But just for a sanity check are there any alternatives. My wife has a number of requirements but we'll ignore those at the moment.
The simple requirements are petrol as we do very few miles these days, auto because I've become used to it and 4 wheel drive as we live in a fairly rural area.
Useful would be a slightly higher ride so Q2/Q3. The Q2 is very new and I've read that it offers little over an A3. The Q3 I believe is older design/tech.
Any thoughts would be appreciated or laughed at :-)
Andi.
 
[TW]Fox said:
You probably don't need a quattro to be fair, FWD is absolutely fine.
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You are wrong there I'm afraid. Both our A1and A3 suffer from lack of front wheel grip.
Bear in mind my car history and driving style is based on your Sti's an Evo and a Quattro A6.
I don't normally do fine otherwise I'd be looking at a Ford
Andi.
 
andicole0 said:
You are wrong there I'm afraid. Both our A1and A3 suffer from lack of front wheel grip.
Bear in mind my car history and driving style is based on your Sti's an Evo and a Quattro A6.
I don't normally do fine otherwise I'd be looking at a Ford
Andi.
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You'd be better off with the right tyres rather than restricting your choice going for 4wd IMHO.

A correctly tyred FWD car will happily drive around the guy spinning all 4 of his wheels in his quattro.
 
[TW]Fox said:
You'd be better off with the right tyres rather than restricting your choice going for 4wd IMHO.

A correctly tyred FWD car will happily drive around the guy spinning all 4 of his wheels in his quattro.
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That's not the scenario I am looking at. I have always fealt more comfortable with AWD. This aspect isn't really up for discussion as I have experienced both and prefer AWD.
Andi.
 
You realise the 4wd system in the A3 is not a conventional full-time 4wd system like that you've had in the A6, right?

If you want proper 4wd you will need to look at the A4.
 
[TW]Fox said:
You realise the 4wd system in the A3 is not a conventional full-time 4wd system like that you've had in the A6, right?

If you want proper 4wd you will need to look at the A4.
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I doubt I'd notice the difference as I won't be driving them side by side or at the extreme. It will however give 4wd feeling to a mainly fwd car and the comfort factor of having the additional drive in dodgy conditions.
Andi.
 
Lol this thread.

I need 4wd.

But the car you want doesn't have proper 4wd.

Well I won't know the difference.
 
What about x1 xdrive? (or X3 if X1 not big enough for you)

Its got that slightly higher ride height, and the benefit of AWD when needed.

I think for a modern road car AWD is absolutely fine, its not needed a lot, but when it is it functions really well. There is really very little difference between the 2 systems, honestly AWD is the version to have if your never actually going offroad anyway, as its mroe designed for the road and 4WD is more designed for being able to handle off road. Even thats not completely fair as you can get some AWD that can lock diffs again blurring the edges.
 
Shamlessly ripped from this https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/...between-four-wheel-drive-and-all-wheel-drive/

"In the sort of winter road conditions that most drivers experience, it’s nice to have a drivetrain, like a modern AWD system, that responds instantly without the driver having to toggle any switches. In addition, most vehicles featuring AWD tend to have better weight distribution, which improves traction and performance.

The reality is that for many drivers, you don’t need either. If you live in an area that doesn’t get real wintery weather, you probably would only notice the difference a couple of times a year, and in many cases, a good set of winter tires will make the biggest difference. Seriously. Tires can do far more than AWD or 4WD on all-season or summer rubber."
 
You don't really NEED AWD in the UK, especially not those part-time ones. If you need an AWD car, get a proper AWD car.

I drive a RWD car year round and it's fine, just don't do something stupid. AWD won't magically make it rock solid on snow/ice. As above, tyres make a bigger difference.
 
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Nasher said:
You don't really NEED AWD in the UK, especially not those part-time ones. If you need an AWD car, get a proper AWD car.

I drive a RWD car year round and it's fine, just don't do something stupid. AWD won't magically make it rock solid on snow/ice. As above, tyres make a bigger difference.
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You have no idea what I need! Don't assume people are all like you or drive the same as you. I have driven all kinds of vehicles over the years including Land Rivers and a pick up 'truck' (sorry fox). I know what I need and why I need it, hence my comments in 1st post.
Andi.
 
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