Matteeboy

Still a VAG product though; it could easily be as troublesome.
I don't like saloons but the S3 does look better as one; saw a new sport back type thing and it looked dowdy with those quad exhausts looking totally out of place.

stilover

Sepang Blue. That's the colour I'll go for if I decide to buy one.

hodgy0_2

Do you think yours was simply a Friday lemon, or was it something more serious with the cars design etc

We're the troubles annoying niggles or major issues

Matteeboy

Well our California has had around £15k of warranty work so maybe VAG quality has just fallen off a cliff.

My sister's repeatedly exploding gearbox (Audi), my mate's dads nightmares with a fleet of 70 high end Audi fleet cars, huge issues with the VW Amarok and so on and so on suggest that profit comes before quality in many cases.

I'd hesitate to buy any VAG product but the vans - we've had issues (many) with ours but no one else makes a van like it.

With other VAG products, there's plenty of competition to choose from.

john banks

There isn't a lot of choice if you want AWD. Remember, RWD kills through a hedge backwards.

Matteeboy

We're all actually ghosts.

hodgy0_2

Sure, but my own experience with VAG has been pretty good actually
190k on my A4 Quattro (52 plate) - still drives ok and most things still work

And I still really like the looks too

Maybe VAG have got worse recently

Every marque has lemons

stilover

Had issues selecting 5th gear cleanly from the day I picked it up. It's had it's gearbox stripped down twice. They then replaced the gearbox, and the clutch.


When it was in getting new gearbox, they brock the front strut. Though they didn't realise it, and handed the car back to me. I took it back twice before they found the problem.


That got fixed, but the selection of 5th gear is still an issue. It's a totally random thing. You can drive for 3 days and it'll select 5th gear every time. Yet on another day, it'll not select it cleanly. It's just annoying, and dangerous, as when it won't select, to are basically freewheeling as you have the clutch in.


Been in dealer on and off for over a month now. Just sick of all the head scratching, and test drives where they can't find the fault.


You know when you've just had enough. Sell it, put it down to a bad experience, and move on.


I've requested my money back, as, as far as I am concerned, the car is not fit for purpose, and will be impossible to sell on should any test driver have the issue.


I have to go back to the selling retailer, which is 300 miles away. Spoke to them, and obviously want to fix the problem before going down that route. I'm not driving 600 miles round trip every few weeks for them to try something to see if this fixes it.


F**king joke VW won't step in to solve this. Ford did when I had issues with my MK1 Focus RS. Took it away on a flat backed wagon to one of their specialist dealers. Issue was solved.

Matteeboy

In the last five years, anything in life is more reliable than a Volkswagen

stilover

For the last few years both my dad and I have had various VAG cars. This is the first issue that all of our cars have had. Been bullet proof so far.

hodgy0_2

Yep that sounds like a nightmare

I suppose in the end it is the sheer time it takes up - life is too short

Matteeboy

The gearbox has broken and VW aren't sorting it. Not exactly ideal. But if you want to stick to what you know, good luck.

stilover

Just got to see what trade in value they're going to give me. I don't think it's going to be a very good offer. Just I don't want to sell it on privately as I think it's a bit of a c*nts trick selling a car with a known fault.

stilover

The gearbox has been replaced with a brand new unit. So, I personally think it's the gear linkage.


They took it for a 20 mile test drive, no issue selecting 5th gears.... no issue to fix sir.

Matteeboy

But you don't trust it.

Been there, got shot sharpish, lost a stack of money. Lost faith in the brand.

stilover

Problem is, what other brands are there? Not keen on BMW's (Never really liked them) and don't want a merc.


Can't go back to Ford, as the whole car feels cheap compared to a VAG brand car. Plus, I kind of miss AWD. So the obvious choice is Audi.


I know they share most of the bits, but hopefully the next car will be sound.


Decided to sell the R8. Can't justify the costs over the lack of use. Quick check on Audi website, and the cheapest 2008 R8 in the North East is selling for £55k. So could be a good time to sell.

Matteeboy

Blimey, thats handy!

What do you need? Fast, must be 4wd(?), rear seats, useful boot?
I'm rather struck by the Q3 RS; that nice five pot motor, proper AWD, fast.
Is a Macan too expensive? Going down a storm with the motoring press.

stilover

Must admit I do like the Q3 RS. You also get he raised driving position, and ability to go through flooded roads (Like my old Tiguan) but really like the look of the S3 Saloon.


Problem is, I was telling a lad at work I'm think of ordering a Sepang Blue S3 Saloon. He then tells me his Sepang Blue S3 Saloon is getting delivered in March. We'll look like the Chuckle Brothers. Same car, same colour, parked next to each other at work!

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Can you get a S3 in Merlin Purple??? I love that colour on Audi's, or Nagaro blue if they did that colour!!!

In fact Audi do the best colour options available(Nagaro Blue, Sprint Blue, Merlin Purple, Ibis White, Nardo grey) are some of my favourites!!

Nardo Grey Audi Saloon!!

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Merlin purple on the old shape Audi S3 hatch!!

Matteeboy

A grey Q3 RS then...

john banks

Sat in a Q3 for a few seconds in April before getting out again, felt cheap, but then so did the last model ML. Nice Audi interiors appear start with the A6, although the new A3 appears to put that right. Has the Q3 been updated yet? Or does the Q3 RS jazz it up a bit? Clearly that 5 cyl would help the impression. I sat in some horrible interiors compared to a nearly new A8 of similar price. Not most people's cup of tea, granted, but most don't drive hard enough to find the real limits of an A8 and dismiss it as a barge. I am a fanboy, but unpopularity makes bargains. I did cross shop with most quick AWD stuff though, although most four cylinder stuff had cheap and nasty as their basis as far as I could tell

Devildog

Some fair points, but a standard AMG A45 on silver wheels is about as in your face looks wise as a base A45.

No doubt with some equally as expensive upgrades as the Merc the Audi will look better.

Matteeboy

Depends - I view 95% of "sporty" styling additions as naff - oversized wheels, splitters, spoilers, etc even when OEM just make cars look a but rubbish.

Okay if it comes out of the factory like it (like an M3/4/5/6, RS6, AMG Mercs, etc) but almost all added aero/performance/chav kits not only cost the Earth, they also look rubbish.

But the fact Mr Kahn is a multi millionaire clearly shows that this naff chavving is a massive market - hell even Bentley and Rolls Royce have their chaviot editions these days.

Keep it subtle - it's so much cooler.

Littleted

if you change the wheels it looks nice...

If you add the aero its the differenciator as this snt availible n any other car but thre 45.

but everyones diff some like them subtle wolf in sheeps clothing like, i like it loud.

Anyway just got a speeding ticket BASTS 40 in a 30, prob end up doing the speed course, might sell it now and get a 500 cc fiat. Not bad though first in 24 years, sneeky van

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Had to do a speed awareness course last year, it wasn't to bad to be honest, but you have to sit round in a bit circle and tell them your name and what you do for a living(bit like AA meeting) and then spend half the day listening to the guy telling you facts/figures of deaths by speeding etc and doing group tasks.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

I have to agree, I watched the Chris Harris A45 vs M135i video last night and they had a silver A45 with silver (sort of) split 5 spokes. It might as well have been a 1.6 cdi.

Not slating it as I like the A45 but they look very understated std, which is fine but saying the RS3 looks bland is something when it looks more imposing rock vs stock compared to the A45. I've seen a few on the road but the only tell tale when moving is the badge on the back, I'd never be able to tell the difference between a stock one and a diesel sport from the side.

I think the RS3 would look real smart with the right width and offset rims to enhance that slight arch flare.