How do you tell a HOT from a warm?

[carlosvalderrama]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of selling my Audi and I'm looking about for a suitable replacement. I'm considering a 9-5 HOT, there are a few about and seem good value. I'm a little concerned about the potential to be stitched up as most HOT advertised cars on the trader have very little separating them from a non HOT 2.3. I'm looking for some info on how to spot one from features on the engine or chassis so I know I can't be fooled.

Also, are they any good?!

[dave_s13]

I'm under the impression that the HOT one's are the Aero model only.

If you get an Aero you can be 100% sure it is the high output.

What sort of Audi have you got? I'm half thinking about swapping my 95 aero estate for something a little more frugal. Just had a new baby and I can't see me ever using the power again, which is a shame. Seems a waste of power for ferrying round a little bundle of joy

.......

Just checked your profile, 2.8 quattro, I'd be worse off!

Re 95's. Had mine over 18m now and it's been faultless. They are really very comfortable and stupid quick in a straight line. Some people seems to think they are $hit round corners but that is bks, they only really give up the grip if you drive them with no finesse i.e. enter a corner too quickly or accelerate hard too early, you get used to the way they drive. Economical on a run (30-35mpg), not so round town though (23mpg).
Only bad points for me are the manual gearbox, perfectly usable but a little heavy and indirect in it's action; my Rover 200 daily snotter has a more "sporty" feeling change! No memory seat is a royal PITA if there's more than one driver too.

Other than that they are cracking cars. Just make sure you buy a good un, I saw a few sheds when looking for mine.

Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 27th March 10:45

[aeropilot]

dave_s13 said:

I'm under the impression that the HOT one's are the Aero model only.

If you get an Aero you can be 100% sure it is the high output.

Yes and no

Yes, in that Aero's are HOT (high output turbo) as opposed to lpt (light pressure turbo).
However, things are a bit confused from 2004, when the 3.0V6lpt was replaced with a slightly detuned Aero engine which was detuned from 250hp to 220hp, but the only difference was the ECU tune as it was otherwise an Aero engine with the TD04 turbo.

[carlosvalderrama]

Well, I'm looking at cars between 99 and 2001. Thus avoiding the annual tax reaming. At the minute, it's between a 9-5HOT, Alda 156 2.5 and a BMW 540 or 740. The saab is looking most likely, but it depends what there is for sale at the point I'm ready to buy.

Thanks for the info too, I'll keep an eye on the aero models.

Incidentally, does it mention the HOT designation on the V5C?

[dave_s13]

You'll be wanting an Aero then, given Aeropilots nugget of info.

[superviggen]

just get an aero - loads to choose from. its a no brainer.

[dave_s13]

You can have mine for 5 and arf bags. ONO.

[m4tt]

carlosvalderrama said:

Well, I'm looking at cars between 99 and 2001. Thus avoiding the annual tax reaming. At the minute, it's between a 9-5HOT, Alda 156 2.5 and a BMW 540 or 740. The saab is looking most likely, but it depends what there is for sale at the point I'm ready to buy.

Thanks for the info too, I'll keep an eye on the aero models.

Incidentally, does it mention the HOT designation on the V5C?

Doesn't mention it on the log book as far as I remember, does say Aero though I think. Pretty sure that the defining difference between the HOT models and the not is the turbo boost gauge on the dash (with fuel and temp gauges). Although someone more knowledgable will correct me.

Or just run the reg through: https://www.mycarcheck.com/ (doesn't mention HOTness just Aero-ness).

[carlosvalderrama]

Excellent, I'll see if I can dig up any more on the boost gauge, and thanks for all the info!

[Prof Beard]

m4tt said:

carlosvalderrama said:

Well, I'm looking at cars between 99 and 2001. Thus avoiding the annual tax reaming. At the minute, it's between a 9-5HOT, Alda 156 2.5 and a BMW 540 or 740. The saab is looking most likely, but it depends what there is for sale at the point I'm ready to buy.

Thanks for the info too, I'll keep an eye on the aero models.

Incidentally, does it mention the HOT designation on the V5C?

Doesn't mention it on the log book as far as I remember, does say Aero though I think. Pretty sure that the defining difference between the HOT models and the not is the turbo boost gauge on the dash (with fuel and temp gauges). Although someone more knowledgable will correct me.

Or just run the reg through: https://www.mycarcheck.com/ (doesn't mention HOTness just Aero-ness).

Boost gauge isn't it I'm afraid - my wife's 9-5 SE Estate (2001) has a boost gauge and is a 185 bhp LPT model. (The boost gauge thing IS true on 9-3s of that age though)

[m4tt]

Prof Beard said:

m4tt said:

carlosvalderrama said:

Well, I'm looking at cars between 99 and 2001. Thus avoiding the annual tax reaming. At the minute, it's between a 9-5HOT, Alda 156 2.5 and a BMW 540 or 740. The saab is looking most likely, but it depends what there is for sale at the point I'm ready to buy.

Thanks for the info too, I'll keep an eye on the aero models.

Incidentally, does it mention the HOT designation on the V5C?

Doesn't mention it on the log book as far as I remember, does say Aero though I think. Pretty sure that the defining difference between the HOT models and the not is the turbo boost gauge on the dash (with fuel and temp gauges). Although someone more knowledgable will correct me.

Or just run the reg through: https://www.mycarcheck.com/ (doesn't mention HOTness just Aero-ness).

Boost gauge isn't it I'm afraid - my wife's 9-5 SE Estate (2001) has a boost gauge and is a 185 bhp LPT model. (The boost gauge thing IS true on 9-3s of that age though)

There is someone more knowledgable to correct me, I'll be right one day...!

If its an Aero is it then definately a HOT?

[Prof Beard]

m4tt said:

Prof Beard said:

m4tt said:

carlosvalderrama said:

Well, I'm looking at cars between 99 and 2001. Thus avoiding the annual tax reaming. At the minute, it's between a 9-5HOT, Alda 156 2.5 and a BMW 540 or 740. The saab is looking most likely, but it depends what there is for sale at the point I'm ready to buy.

Thanks for the info too, I'll keep an eye on the aero models.

Incidentally, does it mention the HOT designation on the V5C?

Doesn't mention it on the log book as far as I remember, does say Aero though I think. Pretty sure that the defining difference between the HOT models and the not is the turbo boost gauge on the dash (with fuel and temp gauges). Although someone more knowledgable will correct me.

Or just run the reg through: https://www.mycarcheck.com/ (doesn't mention HOTness just Aero-ness).

Boost gauge isn't it I'm afraid - my wife's 9-5 SE Estate (2001) has a boost gauge and is a 185 bhp LPT model. (The boost gauge thing IS true on 9-3s of that age though)

There is someone more knowledgable to correct me, I'll be right one day...!

If its an Aero is it then definately a HOT?

Yes

[jgguinness]

dave_s13 said:

You can have mine for 5 and arf bags. ONO.

Dave do you have a number I can call you on, or you can call me on 079755 84576

I am looking for a 9-5 Aero estate manual.

Kind regards
Jonathan

[dave_s13]

jgguinness said:

dave_s13 said:

You can have mine for 5 and arf bags. ONO.

Dave do you have a number I can call you on, or you can call me on 079755 84576

I am looking for a 9-5 Aero estate manual.

Kind regards
Jonathan

Sorry mate. Looks like we are going to keep it until it dies now, I didn't really appreciate how perfectly suited it is to my needs at the moment. Good luck in your search

[jgguinness]

no worries mate, so I take it you like it? I have never driven one yet, but just fancy a bit of performance after a diesel Range Rover!!

I think it has to be an estate too as I have 2 little ones, so to get all their junk etc in, an estate would be a better option.

Some people complain that the manual boxes are not the best, how do you find yours??

Cheers
Jonathan

[dave_s13]

Manual box is adequate, not bad by any means but not brilliant either. It isn't very direct and you can't 'wack it through the gears' like you can in something sporty. I'd still have a manual over the older auto though. I test drove a 2001 auto and I didn't like it. The newer auto box is supposed to be very good though. Suck it and see, auto might suit you just fine.

That being said it's not a sports car so it's no big deal, and the extra mpg you get offsets any negatives.

It will feel rocket ship quick after a big rangie They are really very rapid from 40mph to ~ you just need to get used to the torque 'squirm' and don't expect it to do roundabouts like an Exige.

Also, if you get one bear n mind that they do not like 95RON petrol, mine is noticeably impaired when run on the cheap stuff. They run on it fine, just not as quickly.

[aeropilot]

jgguinness said:

I think it has to be an estate too as I have 2 little ones, so to get all their junk etc in, an estate would be a better option.

Not neccessarily.

The load area of the saloon is actually a lot bigger than the estate with the load cover in place, so it depends on what you are putting in as to whether the estate is a better bet or not. Estate with load cover removed is ideal for carting about large, bulky objects though.

[jgguinness]

I was just thinking about when I need to put bikes in, luggage and pushchairs etc when going on holiday. There are not many high spec estate manuals around, but more saloons so going for one of those would open more options.

Will have a look at a saloon and go from there.

Kind regards
Jonathan

[siwil1]

The Estate without the cover is absolutely huge and swallows vast amounts of stuff.

Ours manages to hold a very large dog crate and will also swallow 2weeks worth of gear for a self catering holiday for a family of 4 and cruise down to spain with no probs averaging about 30ish to the gallon whilst fully loaded and not spareing the horses!

Mines not and Aero but a 185 bhp SE which is perfectly adequate for our needs.

Manual Gearbox as stated above is fine but dosent like to be rushed

HTH

[aeropilot]

jgguinness said:

I was just thinking about when I need to put bikes in, luggage and pushchairs etc when going on holiday

In that case, for that sort of use, then yes, the estate would be the better choice.

And the manual 'boxes are a bit pants, that's why most cars were specced with the auto's from new