Audi A3 e-tron

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Discussion

Budweiser

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

191 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Changing my company car Jan/Feb next year and thinking the Audi would be a good bet for the type of journeys I normally do. Total yearly mileage 12K made up of anything from a few miles to the odd 150 mile journey.

I use my own car at weekends

My Sales Director has just taken delivery of the PHEV Mitsibushi but I fancy something different.

Autocar gives it a thumbs up....

Any thoughts/observations??

Any better alternatives?




bonus99

91 posts

242 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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I drove the A3 a few months ago at a special test drive event. It was a very nice car and a great drive, however, the car was not due until February and only 1500 to start and no real pricing at the time and I went for the PHEV as I need something sooner. I have the PHEV now (6 days old) and its good for me and I am impressed with it. It is completely different from the A3 as you would expect.

I have to say, I really wanted the A3 and if I could not have that then the Golf GT 'E' hybrid (I don't know when that is coming but maybe a internal issue with Audi)

Here are my reasons for getting the PHEV against the A3

1. Less wait time, weeks as opposed to months
2. Good reviews for the PHEV
3. PHEV is proven, A3 has already suffered numerous delays and who knows what it will be receiving after it has been out for a few months (although I suspect it will be positive)
4. Far too many extras to spec on the A3 to get anywhere near what the PHEV offers "out of the box" which pushes the price up
5. The day I placed my order for the PHEV I managed to get lease pricing on the A3 and despite being the same cash price it was £200 more per month
6. The car that I drove was very high spec and we were told that the end model is very unlikely to resemble the test car (sports seats, leather etc. all extra)


Of course, we are all different as are our needs and you have to look carefully at the daily mileage etc. and get something that suits your driving as well as satisfy your eyes.

HTH


Budweiser

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

191 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Very helpful, thank you taking the time to give such a detailed reply, appreciated.

I can get a very good deal on an Auris Hybrid with lots of extras and I don't need the car till Feb 2015.

Decisions decisions.....

Jonny_

4,286 posts

214 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Have a look at the Outlander PHEV thread on here. Opinions vary, I had a 3 day test drive in one and whilst I liked the car, it was very thirsty once the battery range had been used up. Best suited to short journeys with a recharge whenever it's parked.

I ended up ordering the Auris hybrid estate, again I had an extended test drive and found it was a much, much better car than I'd expected, very efficient as well.

Can't comment on the E-Tron as it's not currently an option on our company car scheme.

Budweiser

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

191 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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Jonny_ said:
Have a look at the Outlander PHEV thread on here. Opinions vary, I had a 3 day test drive in one and whilst I liked the car, it was very thirsty once the battery range had been used up. Best suited to short journeys with a recharge whenever it's parked.

I ended up ordering the Auris hybrid estate, again I had an extended test drive and found it was a much, much better car than I'd expected, very efficient as well.

Can't comment on the E-Tron as it's not currently an option on our company car scheme.
Had a chat with my local Audi dealer who has guaranteed me a car for March 2015 if I order this week.

I think I'll pass and go for the Auris or Mitsubishi PHEV.

Of these two the Mitsubishi is favourite. One month delivery so no rush. May even be luck and get the facelift model.

Jonny_

4,286 posts

214 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Budweiser said:
Had a chat with my local Audi dealer who has guaranteed me a car for March 2015 if I order this week.

I think I'll pass and go for the Auris or Mitsubishi PHEV.

Of these two the Mitsubishi is favourite. One month delivery so no rush. May even be luck and get the facelift model.
I'd highly recommend arranging an extended test drive in a PHEV. It's a very nice car if the range and economy work for you. Short runs with charging opportunities in between suit it best in terms of economy, longer journeys will drag the running cost up significantly.

Budweiser

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

191 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
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Thanks Jonny.

I've order the Mitsibushi, £411 pm including a service pack and 17K per year.

Well pleased...now to contact Charge Master....