New to Audi, with a APR stage 1 A3 2.0L Quattro

[jimbomort]

We are new to Audi with a 2nd hand A3 (2009), APR stage 1 2.0 L quattro and new to this Audi forum (though I have been on the vwwatercooled Tiguan forum for some time). So far loving the A3, though I must confess it doesn't feel quite as solid as our 2009 Tiguan and I prefer the weighting of the Tigs steering. That said I love everything else about the A3 and are looking forward to driving it a lot more. She certainly gets up and goes.

What I am wondering is the difference b/w an A3 spec'd like this and an S3? On the face of it, with quattro, a higher output 2.0L (I think 189 kw, 410 nm with stage 1) and S line styling package I imagine its pretty close. No doubt there are differences but I am wondering how significant they are?

Anyway I look forward to many years with Audi, this forum and tweaking the A3 a bit further along the track!

cheers


Jimbomort

[Sharkie]

Nice jimbo, love the colour too!

There'd be some spec differences to a S3 but performance wise you'd be equal. Bet you saved a packet compared to a S3 too ....

Manual ir DSG?

[jimbomort]

Thanks Sharkie and yeah we loved the colour too. Our A3 comes with the 6 speed DSG with paddles on the steering wheel (which is a flat bottomed S line spec wheel). Haven't used it heaps in manual mode yet, but impressed enough at first play with the paddles that I can see myself exploring use of quite a bit further. I here the TFSI motors are a good motor (I think they are the base for the Golf R)

We picked it up for less than a 1/3 of the price of an S3 new with about 80,000 km on the clock. Very solid service history and in great nick in and out, so expecting many years of happy motoring yet.

Not sure whether I'd prefer manual or DSG, our Tig is manual and pretty happy with that but nice to have a DSG now too, even if they are a bit clumsy at low speeds.

One thing it is missing is a screen with GPS and bluetooth, but it does have a great sound system and I may explore options for a self install of the former down the track.

[MGV]

Well done, Jimbo.

I'm not planning on moving my Tig on at all yet but that's what i would go for for when the time comes. A low km MY14 Sportsback in 2018!

Like that blue, too...

Did you have any qualms about buying used with a tune? I would be concerned about how it had been driven, but having said that, could guarantee that my car hadn't been flogged to any prospective purchaser. Did you buy privately, or from a lot?

Enjoy!

[jimbomort]

MGV no qualms with buying used with the tune, though in our case I had a lot of confidence in the seller (pvte), really good service history and tune had only been done relatively recently.

Likewise with us on tune of our car - we certainly haven't flogged it. Could look for other signs - even the MFD av fuel consumption can be bit of a guide, provided you know what kind of driving env they have been driving in (country or city driving)

So far very happy with the Audi and quite impressed by its get up and go. Fuel economy is pretty decent too, though dont know why Audi didn't run higher gearing in the DSG - its quite low geared (read more revs at 100 km/hr) compared with the Tig or even Golfs I have driven of the same era. It could easily handle much higher gearing and fuel economy would then be even better. A minor qualm though, overall loving it.

I have now experienced the downside of low profile tyres - just noticed a nice bump in the sidewall this morning - hit a sharp pothole just a day or so ago (didn't see until last minute with car in front) and I now see that I didn't get away with it after all (of course Mrs and I have done same in the Tig from time to time and never a problem, but much deeper profile). Will have to replace at least that tire, still a lot of tread on, so hopefully wont have to go further than that.

[brad]

I don't know much about Audis but at a guess there would be differences in brakes, suspension hardware (springs & sway bars. Lower control arms will be alloy instead of pressed steel) & tuning of the damper valving.

There'd be some differences in engine internals & I assume you are K03 & the S3 is k04?

You might be able to adjust the steering weight with VCDS.

re: tyres. Not sure what pressure you are running but you'd be wanting at least 36psi in those things.

[jimbomort]

Brad

yes I believe S3 has the K04 turbo instead. However with the APR tune (on K03) vs stock S3 (with K04), I believe performance wise there not much in it and I'm pretty happy with the level of performance available.

Thanks for heads up on steering thru VCDS, will get that checked out. That said getting more used to it now and starting to like it.

cheers

I don't know much about Audis but at a guess there would be differences in brakes, suspension hardware (springs & sway bars. Lower control arms will be alloy instead of pressed steel) & tuning of the damper valving.

There'd be some differences in engine internals & I assume you are K03 & the S3 is k04?

You might be able to adjust the steering weight with VCDS.

re: tyres. Not sure what pressure you are running but you'd be wanting at least 36psi in those things.

[brad]

Still not the same power delivery. Your's will come in much earlier (1800ish rpm) and run out of puff earlier too. K04 takes a bit longer to spool but gets a lot closer to redline.

Around town the K03 is more useful IMO.

Personally, I have a Skoda shopping trolley. I've had some work done & it's quicker than many of the "fast" model. Does it compare to the "fast" model? No, it's just a really quick shopping trolley in it's own right.

[jimbomort]

thanks Brad wonder how the Ko4 and Ko3 compare in other respects - ie fuel economy

A range of spec differences for sure, for most drivers the question perhaps is "is the whole package (which often includes simpler more luxury features to justify the price) more important than something thats close for a lot less money" (fast shopping trolley's). For me (and sounds like for you) the later is often the more appealing option.

Still not the same power delivery. Your's will come in much earlier (1800ish rpm) and run out of puff earlier too. K04 takes a bit longer to spool but gets a lot closer to redline.

Around town the K03 is more useful IMO.

Personally, I have a Skoda shopping trolley. I've had some work done & it's quicker than many of the "fast" model. Does it compare to the "fast" model? No, it's just a really quick shopping trolley in it's own right.