Audi A3...advice please
Discussion
I'm thinking of trading in my beemer for an audi. I don't need an A4 cos there's already a "family-sized" company car taking up space on the drive so an A3 is the best option...
Which model/spec is the best one to go for bearing in mind I'd like something with a bit of oomph and sporty in appearance (so preferably a 3-door)? Is it worth going for the quattro?
Diesel or petrol? Any noticeable difference in performance between the two?
I'd like the TT alloys fitted but is this likely to cost a fortune?
Sorry to ask so many questions!!
Which model/spec is the best one to go for bearing in mind I'd like something with a bit of oomph and sporty in appearance (so preferably a 3-door)? Is it worth going for the quattro?
Diesel or petrol? Any noticeable difference in performance between the two?
I'd like the TT alloys fitted but is this likely to cost a fortune?
Sorry to ask so many questions!!
when i suggested one you said you didnt like 'em 
the 6spd TDi's are a good bet (130bhp but loadsa torque and 45mpg)..... but hey the S3's are so sexy with serious ooopmh and quattro four wheel drive, completment the trevor perfectly cus you really dont wanna burn that diesel stuff do we!.
But you will miss that rear wheel drive if you opt for a 2wd version compared to the beemer.
Are we talking the new shape (came out about 4mths ago) or prior shape?
>> Edited by mustard on Sunday 4th January 20:41
the 6spd TDi's are a good bet (130bhp but loadsa torque and 45mpg)..... but hey the S3's are so sexy with serious ooopmh and quattro four wheel drive, completment the trevor perfectly cus you really dont wanna burn that diesel stuff do we!.
But you will miss that rear wheel drive if you opt for a 2wd version compared to the beemer.
Are we talking the new shape (came out about 4mths ago) or prior shape?
>> Edited by mustard on Sunday 4th January 20:41
Yup, fair dinkum!!! But having sat in the S3 quattro yesterday, I've changed my mind. I felt quite at home
Simpo two...stop lurking on Audi and get back to the TVR forums where I shall deal with you later!!
Edited to add: I've looked at an 'X' reg one. What's the performance of the S3?
>> Edited by cosmoschick on Sunday 4th January 20:52
they very well screwed together, dare I say it, even better than the BM, but the 'normal' ones just dont drive with the finesse of a rear drive beemer IMHO
tell him to get the cheque book out cus you want a 325Ci 
PS can I be dealt with later to?
>> Edited by mustard on Sunday 4th January 21:17
tell him to get the cheque book out cus you want a 325Ci PS can I be dealt with later to?
>> Edited by mustard on Sunday 4th January 21:17
Lisa 
I have to agree with LisaG (and not only because otherwise I'd get thrown out of the house ) that the S3 is a brilliant complement to a Tiv.
It's amazingly civilised for long journeys, almost silent at 80mph on the motorway, and returns 33mpg. It's also quite cheap to maintain, with 20,000 mile service intervals on the 2001 model cars, and plenty of reputable specialists so you don't have to pay Audi UK £90 per hour plus VAT
Advantages are: spritely performance (0-62 in 6.5ish sec); 4x4 practicality (so no more having to drive the Griff in the snow); bombproof build quality; lovely heated leather Recaro seats; Bose stereo; cheap power upgrades (500 quid takes you up to 270bhp); and it looks great compared to the rather bland A3.
Disadvantages are: it's *heavy* (1400kg!), so it's not as quick as its 210bhp and 200+ lbft of torque would suggest; legroom in the back isn't great, but it's fine for occasional trips; the boot's not huge, due to the high floor caused by the diff; and the handling is biased toward understeer, although this is comparing it to a Griff.
Finally, for the price of swapping the Griff for a friend's Tuscan, we bought a 2001 "X" S3. You can't argue with that logic.
Cheerio,
Pete
) that the S3 is a brilliant complement to a Tiv. It's amazingly civilised for long journeys, almost silent at 80mph on the motorway, and returns 33mpg. It's also quite cheap to maintain, with 20,000 mile service intervals on the 2001 model cars, and plenty of reputable specialists so you don't have to pay Audi UK £90 per hour plus VAT
Advantages are: spritely performance (0-62 in 6.5ish sec); 4x4 practicality (so no more having to drive the Griff in the snow); bombproof build quality; lovely heated leather Recaro seats; Bose stereo; cheap power upgrades (500 quid takes you up to 270bhp); and it looks great compared to the rather bland A3.
Disadvantages are: it's *heavy* (1400kg!), so it's not as quick as its 210bhp and 200+ lbft of torque would suggest; legroom in the back isn't great, but it's fine for occasional trips; the boot's not huge, due to the high floor caused by the diff; and the handling is biased toward understeer, although this is comparing it to a Griff.
Finally, for the price of swapping the Griff for a friend's Tuscan, we bought a 2001 "X" S3. You can't argue with that logic.
Cheerio,
Pete
Many thanks for your informative advice 
I'm not too worried about having outstanding performance cos I've got the Chim for those days when...
"I feel the need...
The need for speed"
But you are right, the A3s do look rather bland I'd prefer the more sporty look of the S3 with superior road handling.
I'm not too worried about having outstanding performance cos I've got the Chim for those days when...
"I feel the need...
The need for speed"
But you are right, the A3s do look rather bland
I'd prefer the more sporty look of the S3 with superior road handling. Hi CC,
Another one here with an S3 and a Chimaera. The S3 is everything the Chimaera isn't (and vice versa!). I have the 18 inch TT wheels on mine and although beautiful, are extremely easy to kerb when parking. They are also hundreds of pounds each to replace so I wouldn't recommend them unless you have a drive / garage.
Cheers, Stuart
Another one here with an S3 and a Chimaera. The S3 is everything the Chimaera isn't (and vice versa!). I have the 18 inch TT wheels on mine and although beautiful, are extremely easy to kerb when parking. They are also hundreds of pounds each to replace so I wouldn't recommend them unless you have a drive / garage.
Cheers, Stuart
Oh 
We have an A6 and a TT in the stable at home. The A6 is my commute wagon, but check out the profile for 17 inch TT style alloys (by a company called Rondell).
We used to have an A3 1.8T. 34mpg+, pretty fast. Merlin Purple - great colour if you can find it. Sold it to get the TT which apart from the shell is the same as the S3.
One thing to watch on the S3/TT is insurance costs - get a quote and make sure you're sitting down when you hear it. An A3 1.8T might be a better bet running/insurance costs wise - you can chip it and stick bigger wheels on it for a few bob. It's lighter and doesn't have quattro to weigh it down (unless you must have 4wd, you don't need it unless you live in the mountains).
Audis are much nicer cars than BMWs ... and so are their owners
We used to have an A3 1.8T. 34mpg+, pretty fast. Merlin Purple - great colour if you can find it. Sold it to get the TT which apart from the shell is the same as the S3.
One thing to watch on the S3/TT is insurance costs - get a quote and make sure you're sitting down when you hear it. An A3 1.8T might be a better bet running/insurance costs wise - you can chip it and stick bigger wheels on it for a few bob. It's lighter and doesn't have quattro to weigh it down (unless you must have 4wd, you don't need it unless you live in the mountains).
Audis are much nicer cars than BMWs ... and so are their owners
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