My A3 Sportback 184 TDI

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

After what felt like years, my new A3 was collected this morning from the dealer with a lengthy hand-off and lots of explanation to bring me up to date with the last 10 years of automotive gadgetry.

Only 100 miles in so far so the engine's pretty tight and I'm still getting used to everything but it's miles ahead of my old Mondeo in every way. It's already averaging in the high 50s for mpg and the cabin build quality is absolutely superb. Ride quality is pretty good too but I did spec the high-riding SE suspension for comfort rather than looks (can you say 9000% arch gap?).

Still running it in for now so no chance to test its legs yet, but I'm keeping myself amused with the adaptive cruise control (which is excellent) and the 700W B&O sound system.

Obligatory ASW pics:

 

[Scrooge]

That's a very nice car!

 

[Ian_182]

I really like how they have made these now.

Very nice cars,

 

[Mr Plums]

I'm on my phone at the moment but that looks like a lovely colour.

 

[Jack-C]

Very nice indeed.

 

[DrR]

If you hadn't have said that was an A3 I genuinky thought it was a Q3!

 

[Dan...]

Nice!

The interior is rather cool

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I'm on my phone at the moment but that looks like a lovely colour.

Yeah, it does look a little high-riding in that shot! In real life it's more definitely an A3 in profile.

 

[Herr Flick]

Awesome, needs s-line suspension but understand your reason!

I just wish they had a decent lease deal on one.

 

[Mr Plums]

Yeah, it does look a little high-riding in that shot! In real life it's more definitely an A3 in profile.

I think you quoted the wrong person?

If you hadn't have said that was an A3 I genuinky thought it was a Q3!

 

[leeds_182]

Mint.

 

[daydotz]

Nice the interior lighting pack makes the interior IMO

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I think you quoted the wrong person?

Yeah, not sure what happened there. Just done another 100 miles or so today and it was a lovely place to be. Adaptive cruise made it really effortless.

 

[Gally]

The S3/S-line in sportback guise look simply immense. Bit softer in SE spec.

 

[leeds2592]

Looks like a lovely place to sit. As said, does look like a Q3 but understand the reason behind the SE suspension.

 

[Advikaz]

Looks smart mate

 

[dann2707]

Bet you're happy with that! what is adaptive cruise please?

 

[Goodj]

what is adaptive cruise please?

A system developed to lure drivers into a false sense of techno-security.

Sometimes it will command the cruise control to avoid rear-ending slower-moving traffic. Perfect for no-hassle motorway mileage, especially if following Audi standard practice of being no more than 2ft from the rear number plate ofthe car in front (with all lights on full)
Sometimes, it wont.

 

[Dan]

Looks nice!

Been looking at the new octy VRS with this engine, are they really £25 a year tax?

 

[imprezaworks]

Awesomr

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

A system developed to lure drivers into a false sense of techno-security.

Sometimes it will command the cruise control to avoid rear-ending slower-moving traffic. Perfect for no-hassle motorway mileage, especially if following Audi standard practice of being no more than 2ft from the rear number plate ofthe car in front (with all lights on full)
Sometimes, it wont.

:wink:

Lol, it's not quite that bad!

If you set the distance to it's longest setting on an a-road it's really good at smoothing out the speed of the traffic for you. Set it to 'BMW' distance on 'dynamic' mode and it'll do a good tailgating for you.

Not sure if the Octy is a higher tax band TBH. The A3 only just scrapes in and is significantly lighter than the Golf and Octy so they might fall foul of the next band.

 

[jesus]

I thought it was a Q3 in the second pic! S-Line suspension is very stiff though. Lovely car mate

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I thought it was a Q3 in the second pic! S-Line suspension is very stiff though. Lovely car mate :smile:

As I opted to have it debadged completely (no A3, no TDI) I'm half tempted to stick a Q3 badge on the back. Only half-tempted mind.

 

[jesus]

As I opted to have it debadged completely (no A3, no TDI) I'm half tempted to stick a Q3 badge on the back. Only half-tempted mind.

That would confuse a lot of people... they'd all be wanting their Q3s lowered to look as good as yours

Debadged is the best way on Audis!

 

[SC03OTT]

Tidy looking motor. Some nice detailing on these.

Looks nice!

Been looking at the new octy VRS with this engine, are they really £25 a year tax?

Lol, it's not quite that bad!

If you set the distance to it's longest setting on an a-road it's really good at smoothing out the speed of the traffic for you. Set it to 'BMW' distance on 'dynamic' mode and it'll do a good tailgating for you.

Not sure if the Octy is a higher tax band TBH. The A3 only just scrapes in and is significantly lighter than the Golf and Octy so they might fall foul of the next band.

A3 seems to be 110g/km with the vRS being 119. I guess that would bump it up to the next band.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Yeah, there are some odd discrepancies across the VAG range with that engine:

bhp lbft Weight MPG CO2
Audi 181 280 1315 67 110
Skoda 181 280 1395 61 119
Golf 181 280 1377 67 109
Seat 181 280 1370 67 109

Surprised that the Audi is the lightest with all the kit but I think they've used a lot of aluminium (?).

 

[STICKER TWONK]

Do all those models listed run the same size wheels and tyres? Different sizes will effect emissions.

Looks a lovely motor btw, too small for me but seriously nice bit of kit to swan around in.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

The Skoda, Golf and Seat all run 18"s I think, but the Audi can be either Sport (17") or S-Line (18"). Still has the same quoted mileage though

 

[Goodj]

'BMW' distance

desperate attempt to pass the common perception over there

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I just repeat what I hear on the TV.

Living in the Fens I'm lucky if I see another car on the roads, never mind get tailgated by one.

 

[Goodj]

the fens, wut?

where?

 

[AdDaMan]

Awesome colour. Bet the B&O is epic too.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

The Fens, it's the poor bit north of Ely. Full of gangmasters, tractors and Walkers lorries.

The B&O is just sublime. If anything it's over-specced as I can't go anywhere near it's maximum volume but the sound quality is fantastic. Even with all of the sub & bass settings set to standard it has excellent punch.

 

[AdDaMan]

Nice. How much was it? £1500ish? My Helix plug and play on the R retailed at £700 and I'm massively impressed by that.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

The B&O was a £750 option.

Apparently the standard A3 system is pretty poor (8 speakers), but they do a £255 upgrade to the 'Audi Sound System' which is a 10 speaker (4x2, centre & sub) 180W system.

The B&O is a a 14 speaker (4x3, centre & sub) 705W system, so it's quite a big jump up in power. You also get pointless (but cool) lights in the speaker grills that light up at night.

As you get the full AMI / MMI head unit set up regardless of speaker choice the cost of the option is just going towards the actual speakers and amps.

 

[SOHROB]

Great car, had one as my demo when I worked for Audi.

For the power they produce the fuel economy is brilliant, needs s line suspension though

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Great car, had one as my demo when I worked for Audi.

For the power they produce the fuel economy is brilliant, needs s line suspension though

For looks certainly, but after spending four years driving round in an overly low and hard Mondeo that clipped speed bumps I wanted something much more forgiving.

Hopefully next time around I'll be living a lot closer to work and an S3 may be on the cards...