..As title,I must admit to not never ever taking any notice of Audi's whatsoever at all before!

But I have to say that a 55 plate model I saw this morning certainly caught my eye.

...would it make a satisfactory replacement for a newish Sti and a 40something owner?

 

I'm a 30 something and went from a Scoob to an S4 Avant

Audi's aren't quite as brutal as the Scoobs, but make up for it in build quality and general comfort

Go and try one

Dan

 

Chap at work has one and absolutely loves it. He previously had the golf R32, but wanted something more discreet having been car jacked.

 

I have driven the 3.2 manual, its a quick car for sure but you can feel the weight that its carrying. I liked the build, I liked the engine note too. Was not so keen on the handling but its your classic safe audi set up with understeer. I would have one, but would have to be DSG.

 

£32k for a hot hatch though.

Bit too much £££

 

Key word in your question is "satisfactory". Plenty of torque, plenty of power, plenty of comfort, understated - but nowhere near as much fun round the fabled twisties. Huge engine plus Audi numb handling - if you're a crap driver like me you won't notice it, but not for driving gods.


....says he, who hasn't even seen one, let alone driven it

 

I looked at an Audi A3 3.2 DSG .... I found it a bit cramped inside - it feels quite a bit smaller than a Scooby; mainly due to the angle of the windscreen. The steering wheel was huge as well which doesn't help things.

I will look again when I change cars as I don't want an R32 - don't like the looks or image - but I want that engine!

 

Chap at work has jsut bought an A3 fastback 3.2 Quattro with the DSG flappy paddle gearbox. I was well impressed. Engine note is discreet, but quality like so much about the car. With the DSG gearbox you can do lightning starts at the traffic lights

 

If you hold the DSC button down with your foot on the brake in 1st it should engage launch control.

 

Think they look better with the SLine kit on. Local dealer has a Silver 3.2 with SLine as a demo. Look really nice.

As said above. Not as brutal/fast as a Scoob, but far better car for build & comfort.

 

Bought one 2 weeks ago (53 plate...wouldn't buy one new!)
I needed something smaller and automatic for the wife to be able to drive it as well (she didn't fancy the size of the 540 we had).
Went for a silver/blue DSG, it is actualy quite good fun...even round the bends.

Nice interior, feels very solid.
Engine is lovely, very revy and a nice noise (bit harsh/screamy when you push it)

It's completely different to an Evo/STI (I've owned several) and the brakes are very on/off around town, but it's very pleasent to drive and you can still have fun exiting roundabouts

Cheers

Dan

 

Where did you get £32k from? They might be that much if you are stupid enough to tick every conceivable option but they retail at £26,800 for the 3.2DSG S-line.

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/ne...fications.html

£27590 list price and thats before any extras so £32k isnt far off when you want....

Sat nav alone is £1300, metallic paint £500, cruise control £300, bose stereo system £400

Then youve got the interior, leather options, alloy options, heated seats, folding mirrors, xenon lights, arm rest and all the other gubbings that come along when your buying a new car. There are tonnes of optional extras for an audi! If you were going to go full whack and get everything your on the road price would be approaching £35-40000

Just price up the decent options + car here...

http://www.buyacar.co.uk/detailyq9292.jhtml

 

I had one of these for 18 months. I paid 23k new with metallic, bose, armrest. heated seats, alcantara leather interior. Got 2 grand off via a broker.
Good points, looks good, stealthy, fastish, lovely interior, good engine noise.
Bad points. Rock hard suspension, can't imagine how bad an S-line would be with 18's and harder setup. The rear suspension is the problem, no multilink stuff on the quattro, there's no room. It was so bad that it actually kicked me out of the seat on one occasion and I nearly lost it. Only started working 4 up with luggage and a full tank. Brakes were stupidly over-servo'd, never really got used to that.
Dull steering didn't bother me too much as the upside was it was rock solid on motorways / crosswinds / standing water etc.
Did about 23mpg. Mine was manual, would imagine the DSG would suit the engine better.
In short, if you want to go fast and don't care or know how to drive it's fine, suited the Mrs to go fast in it. Got £17k trade in after 18 months.

 

I got a 3.2 Sline with DSG atm. It followed on from a bog standard bug eye WRX.

Before I bought it, I looked at various cars, and eventually finished up with a list containing: STi8, RX8, R32 and the A3.

That ended up being a list of two: A3 and the STi8.

Went with the A3 in the end for the following reasons:

1) I thought the WRX was poorly built, and it also had a few bubbles of rust on it when I handed it back.
2) The build quality, materials etc. (good Audi / poor Subaru)
3) Engine (Subaru was lumpy, Audi is smooth as anything)
4) Driving style/requirements

If you don't drive in many traffic jams etc. I'd think twice before getting a DSG model. Nothing wrong with it at all (it does have it's querks), but it takes a lot away from the driving experience, over and above what is taken away from having the car in the first place.

I did a lot of motorway miles in the Subaru, and I frequently got headaches with it, whilst I drove the Audi from the South coast, back upto Yorkshire and went to the gym when I got home. I'd be Mr Veggie on the settee if I'd done that in the WRX.

It's my forth Audi, I'm 34, and it's a great car. Just wish I could afford an RS4 now

If you live around my area, your welcome to come and look etc.