everfresh

Just get some good winter tires and Quattro is nothing but just a way to pull more money from your pocket from fuel consumption. All that s-line stuff can be added on after if you so choose to anyway.

I just added a rear spoiler (Votex kit, 70$ @ ESCTuning.com). Also going to order an s-line rear bumper, simply because it looks nice with that bottom cover.

I'm not much of a tuner, but will be spending money on adding the K04 Turbo kit for next year... I'll probably throw in an additional 6-7G's, but I'm hoping to get mine somewhere in the 300 range.

Omnipotent

What color looks the nicest on the A3?
I'm getting mine in may 2011 and i'm thinking either white,black or silver...
Also, if i get the 3.2, is it possible to turbo charge it to 300hp? How much it would cost approx?

Dents

Best colour would be black or ibis white

Greddy87

Omnipotent.. I do know for the recent models, all models include Bi-Zenons.. At 1st it was an option which was $900 extra, but when I bought my 2010 A3, it was included.. As for the forum question.. I dont have any regrets buying my A3 or the package itself.. I ended up buying cheap rubber floor matts and not the OEM Audi matts and I regretted that lol..

Girm

I've had my 2011 A3 for about a month, originally ordered black but saw a red one and switched my order. No regrets. Came stock with the s-line front spoiler and fogs, roof is all black which was an unexpected but amazing touch, probably my favourite visual aspect of the car. This might be due to the sunroof in the premium package. 3.2 is no longer available but I plan on chipping mine as soon as possible. Anyone have any ideas how long I should wait?

Oddy

Interesting comment on the fuel consumption but a bit confusing as the Audi website shows the front wheel drive vehicle to consume more fuel than the quattro when you compare similar transmissions (6 speed to 6 speed and automatic to automatic). Also interesting that the automatic as listed as more efficient than the manual.

In your experience, have you found the quattro to be more thirsty than the front wheel drive?

Omnipotent

Oh because I thought for the older models that there was a specific package that included bi-xenons like s-line package?... I also really want the 3.2 V6 instead of the 2.0. Does the 2009 model have 3.2 or they stopped making them in that year?

Greddy87

Omnipotent-- It used to be in a certain package or added as an upgrade but as of 2010 , its included.. I have a 2010-Audi A3 with S-Line trim inside, but not emblems on the exterior or S-Line door sils in the interior.. Its FR , DSG , 2.OT.. 550-610 Kms to the tank with my driving.. 2400 to 2800 rpm shifts .. As for the 3.2L Its going to be a rare find.. I havent seen last years 3.2 in person yet, mind u I also particpated in the biggest Volkswagen / Audi carshow in canada this yr.. Vagkraft 2010..

Oddy

While I recognize that Omnipotent is looking for feedback on regrets, I would categorize the following more as disappointments. One week after picking up my A3, I offer the following commentary as both an invitation for you to hopefully help me further appreciate my new car and for consideration for those that may be in the same boat.

As a point of reference, my previous car was a 2002 SAAB 9-3 SE, 5 Speed. I got the A3 as a similar body type, similarly powered vehicle as these aspects of the SAAB suited me perfectly. Due to the 162k and vintage of the SAAB, the decision was made to replace it. When I saw a 9-3 earlier today, I didn't so much regret my decision as I felt it had to be made but I certainly do miss the 9-3 and wonder if it wasn't a better car than my new one.

ENGINE
As both are turbo charged 2 litre, 4 cylinder powerplants, I am finding the A3 to behave similarly to the SAAB. The valve sound on startup on the A3 is definitely different than the sound of the 9-3.

DRIVETRAIN
My A3 is driven by DSG whereas the SAAB was a 5 speed manual so it's almost impossible to compare. As for the driver experience, I played with the paddles yesterday while driving back from Collingwood along Airport Road. There's really no comparison between DSG to using both feet and to engage a clutch. The mediated click of a paddle, even if it generates more efficient and quicker gear changes, is not nearly as satisfying a driving experience. It's more like flicking an electric switch and waiting for the result as opposed to physically relating to a mechanical system. As for the quattro, I am hoping that the winter proves the value of this transmission as it's hard, in regular driving, to recognize the benefits.

DETAILS
Wouldn't it be nice to have a week long test drive before we purchased a vehicle so that the daily use things would make themselves apparent?

Trunk size: I can't even fit one set of golf clubs in the A3 whereas with the SAAB, I could fit 2 or even 3.

Door swing: What's with the resistance to door opening and the release to a mid point? Does anyone else find this to be awkward at best and dangerous at worst?

Wind sound: The A3 is way noisier and affected by wind than was the 9-3. Cabin noise and buffeting is really loud. Maybe this is the one thing that fighter jet designers got right.

Rain gutters: there aren't any on the A3 so this morning, after the rain, the interior of my doors were soaked as the rain from the windows and roof flowed into the car!

Window switches: The default seems to be auto open or auto close which means that you have to hit the switch twice; once to start the auto open or close and again to stop it. On the 9-3, the auto open/close was engaged by holding down the switch, other wise the window was manual. Seems to make more sense.

Garment hanger: The location of the garment hanger on the 9-3 allowed me to hang my suit jacket in the back seat without obstructing visibility. The location of the hook on the A3 is between the front and back seats which means that my jacket hangs halfway between me and the passenger, if it doesn't first get caught in the door. Which it does.

Glovebox/Owner's Manual: Can't they design the glovebox so that the manual fits flat and comfortably within it. The manual has to be jammed in the glovebox!

What do you think? Are you willing to put up with all of these oversights? Don't you think that a car company as experienced and sophisticated as Audi, especially in the luxury segment, could have got these things right?

Interested to hear your comments,

Oddy

GREG10

I have the 3.2. And Yes to all those things that you mentioned above except the rain part haven't seen that happen. The one other problem I have is the position of the handbrake !! I have never used the handbrake never thought i needed it but then read some interesting posts and since my driveway is sloping down I now use it. If you move the center arm rest up then good luck getting it back where it was its a process! If its too low your going to hit it with the handbrake. The guy who thought that one up seriously genius !!