Audi 3.0 TDI manual - driven one?
Discussion
Has anyone driven the Audi 230bhp Tdi engine with a manual gearbox?
I cant get a test drive of one south of Harrogate (and that's a used one, so by the time I get there it could have been sold!). Audi cant find me one closer (A4 or A6).
I've always hated auto gearboxes - that lack of control when tight manouvering, bloody awful 'creep' forward, and the wait to change down (yes, I know it's gone in the tiptronics, and probably even less in the DSG...but I'm prejudiced...I have a 330i Sport tiptronic at the moment & I detest it)
I want a quattro (if possible) due to the lack of traction I found when driving the 2.0 Tdi (170bhp), and cant really see the point of the 180bhp 2.7, when I can get a 230bhp 3.0.
Yes I've thought about the 330d, but the cabin is such a miserable place to be unless it is fully loaded...and then there's the BMW image problem (and those fekkin run-flats, and over-hard sport suspension). The OTT fuel consumption doesnt really worry me, as I get a fuel card from work (woohoo!)
So...come on, surely someone can give me a heads up on what should be quite a good engine/gearbox combination?
Cheers
Nick
I cant get a test drive of one south of Harrogate (and that's a used one, so by the time I get there it could have been sold!). Audi cant find me one closer (A4 or A6).
I've always hated auto gearboxes - that lack of control when tight manouvering, bloody awful 'creep' forward, and the wait to change down (yes, I know it's gone in the tiptronics, and probably even less in the DSG...but I'm prejudiced...I have a 330i Sport tiptronic at the moment & I detest it)
I want a quattro (if possible) due to the lack of traction I found when driving the 2.0 Tdi (170bhp), and cant really see the point of the 180bhp 2.7, when I can get a 230bhp 3.0.
Yes I've thought about the 330d, but the cabin is such a miserable place to be unless it is fully loaded...and then there's the BMW image problem (and those fekkin run-flats, and over-hard sport suspension). The OTT fuel consumption doesnt really worry me, as I get a fuel card from work (woohoo!)
So...come on, surely someone can give me a heads up on what should be quite a good engine/gearbox combination?
Cheers
Nick
I had an A6 SE 3.0TDI Quattro Manual as my run around for a few days (I sell new cars for Poole Audi) and have to say the performance and handling was exceptional. As a short to medium term ownership prospect I have to agree that the Tiptronic is the more sensible choice but I suspect there is an enthusiast market for the manual. Personally I prefer manuals too....
All I can tell you is I came up behind an A6 3.0tdi in my previous MTM chipped, 210bhp 1.8T, feeling very pleased with myself as I was about to overtake this ole 'smoker', to watch it disappear off up the road leaving me rather confused.
I personally would have a manual.
I personally would have a manual.
Edited by FUBAR on Monday 29th January 16:40
Cheers...
It was definitely for long term (or high miles anyway). I'm likely to be doing 30k(ish) pa, and keeping for 3-4 years. However, that is obviously going to cost me loads in depreciation, so I need to know that the extra I would be paying would be worth it when compared to the 4k (ish) in tax that the company car option would cost me. After taking into account money claimed back for business miles from Gordon Brown, the difference is approx £4k a year over and above a similarly specced 2.0 TDi (170) on the company...more than enough for a track day toy!
Did anyone find that due to the torque, and a 6 speed gearbox, that the number of gearchanges was annoyingly high? With a usable powerband of 2,500 revs, I can see why the auto might be considered better suited (still hate them !)
It was definitely for long term (or high miles anyway). I'm likely to be doing 30k(ish) pa, and keeping for 3-4 years. However, that is obviously going to cost me loads in depreciation, so I need to know that the extra I would be paying would be worth it when compared to the 4k (ish) in tax that the company car option would cost me. After taking into account money claimed back for business miles from Gordon Brown, the difference is approx £4k a year over and above a similarly specced 2.0 TDi (170) on the company...more than enough for a track day toy!
Did anyone find that due to the torque, and a 6 speed gearbox, that the number of gearchanges was annoyingly high? With a usable powerband of 2,500 revs, I can see why the auto might be considered better suited (still hate them !)
I run a fabia vrs, so the 1.9tdi 130bhp VAG pd engine with 6 speed. The power band is pretty narrow but the gearbox is really very nice to use. Gear spacings are good and 6th gear progress on the motorway is effortless. I guess the same will be true of the 2.0tdi in the various audi/vw's
My father runs a manual 3.0tdi A4 which i regularly drive (i think it is the 204ish bhp one?). The drive is very different to the 1.9tdi. Around town the 1.9tdi feels 'sharper' and more responsive - its lively.
The 3.0tdi is much more relaxed. Boost / power isn't on/off like with the 1.9tdi. The power builds and the powerband is broader. The gearing is also much wider. Acceleration is relentless and effortless.
The gearbox is an interesting one. When we first had the a4 the gear change was awful - tight and notchy. This has settled down and is now much much better - maybe not as slick as the 1.9tdi gearbox though. (the gear change does appear to vary between each car though - we have had 2 3.0tdi's, in the first the gear change was fine from day one)
Gearing on the 3.0tdi is much longer in 3rd/4th/5th and the bigger usable powerband means you don't have to change gear as much. 1st and 2nd though are still short so you have to change up rapidly if you nail it from a standstill. Hopping between the 2 cars this makes it sometimes difficult to make smooth progress. But after a couple of days in the a4 you get used to it and driving smoothly isn't a problem.
It's a very nice car the a4 3.0tdi - very refined and lovely to pile on the miles. Absolute pace wise i doubt there is much between a 170bhp 2.0tdi and it. It is much more relaxed though, definitly designed for long high speed motorway work. Economy isn't that much worse that the 330d we used to run.
My father runs a manual 3.0tdi A4 which i regularly drive (i think it is the 204ish bhp one?). The drive is very different to the 1.9tdi. Around town the 1.9tdi feels 'sharper' and more responsive - its lively.
The 3.0tdi is much more relaxed. Boost / power isn't on/off like with the 1.9tdi. The power builds and the powerband is broader. The gearing is also much wider. Acceleration is relentless and effortless.
The gearbox is an interesting one. When we first had the a4 the gear change was awful - tight and notchy. This has settled down and is now much much better - maybe not as slick as the 1.9tdi gearbox though. (the gear change does appear to vary between each car though - we have had 2 3.0tdi's, in the first the gear change was fine from day one)
Gearing on the 3.0tdi is much longer in 3rd/4th/5th and the bigger usable powerband means you don't have to change gear as much. 1st and 2nd though are still short so you have to change up rapidly if you nail it from a standstill. Hopping between the 2 cars this makes it sometimes difficult to make smooth progress. But after a couple of days in the a4 you get used to it and driving smoothly isn't a problem.
It's a very nice car the a4 3.0tdi - very refined and lovely to pile on the miles. Absolute pace wise i doubt there is much between a 170bhp 2.0tdi and it. It is much more relaxed though, definitly designed for long high speed motorway work. Economy isn't that much worse that the 330d we used to run.
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