Audi A3/1 Series

[dallasfan824]

This is sort of off topic, but we are all car enthusiasts so I thought...what the heck. I saw the new A3 a few days ago being tested on the freeway. The look of it was very athletic. Wide stance, agressive front and back (this was the 5 door vesion). Looks to be a tuners dream. I did not get a chance to see inside of it as I was moving and did not want to hit the car in front of me. The 1 series will have some good looking company.

And if this sort of topic is way out of line...please don't flame the new kid.

[Alex Baumann]

My sister is driving an A3 (2-door). It's a great car and looking good too. The material quality and feel inside is excelent.

I had the chance to drive it on many occasions, one thing that annoyed me a lot was that my right knee was hitting the middle console when driving. Something is wrong with the ergonomical setup in the front, I think. The gas pedal is sitting too close to the center tunnel.

Other than that, I like the car.

[allaboutme]

Alex, isn't the 1 series priced closely to a current 3 series and is significantly smaller?

[fpa1974]

My sister is driving an A3 (2-door). It's a great car and looking good too. The material quality and feel inside is excelent.

I had the chance to drive it on many occasions, one thing that annoyed me a lot was that my right knee was hitting the middle console when driving. Something is wrong with the ergonomical setup in the front, I think. The gas pedal is sitting too close to the center tunnel.

Other than that, I like the car.

I had the exact same problem on the new S4 (B6). I think they definitely placed that go pedal way to close to the center tunnel. And if I remember correctly there was at least one major publication that complained about the exact same thing (on the S4).

Hopefully they (Audi) comes up with an S version of the A3 and makes it lighter and not understeer as much. Then combined with the great interiors that Audi makes (the S4 interior quality is outstanding), it will be a very attractive package.

Florian

[Sean]

I like the 5dr. A3. :thumbup:

[swchang]

I like the 5dr. A3. :thumbup:

Is a 3-door A3 out yet? I know the previous gen had 3 and 5 door models, and the new A-Class has both variants, but as far as I can tell, it seems like both BMW and Audi have taken the "5-door first" approach.

BTW, A2 only comes in 4 doors?

[Alex Baumann]

Is a 3-door A3 out yet? I know the previous gen had 3 and 5 door models, and the new A-Class has both variants, but as far as I can tell, it seems like both BMW and Audi have taken the "5-door first" approach.

BTW, A2 only comes in 4 doors?

In fact the 3-door A3 came first. Since summer the 5-door variant is available.


Yes, the A2 is only 4 doors.

[swchang]

In fact the 3-door A3 came first. Since summer the 5-door variant is available.


Yes, the A2 is only 4 doors.

Yeah, after a couple hours reading through the German websites for MB and Audi, as well as the articles on germancarfans.com, I finally realized that. I didn't actually know that the "new A3" is the second gen A3 3-door and the "new A3 Sportback" is the second gen A3 5-door because they look pretty different (sorta like the A8 4.2 and the A8 W12, I guess). Also, it seems the previous gen A-Class came in SWB and LWB versions of a 5-door only, and the new A-Class comes in one standard length, but in 3 and 5-door variants.

Why it took me so long to come to such a totally trivial conclusion is beyond me. :ouch: :tsk:

[Sean]

If the pricing is right I just might have to consider one. :thumbup:

[J///MR]

I experienced this in my father's old A4. The fit and finish and quality were superb, but i just couldn't get comfortable :(

sorry, this was re: this post
My sister is driving an A3 (2-door). It's a great car and looking good too. The material quality and feel inside is excelent.

I had the chance to drive it on many occasions, one thing that annoyed me a lot was that my right knee was hitting the middle console when driving. Something is wrong with the ergonomical setup in the front, I think. The gas pedal is sitting too close to the center tunnel.

Other than that, I like the car.

[WileECoyote]

The gas pedal is sitting too close to the center tunnel.

Other than that, I like the car.


Could it be that Audi's still trying to overcome the unintended acceleration fiasco of the 80s, where the pedals were too close together?

I used to drive an A5000, and I did have my foot slip from the brake to the gas once or twice when my shoes were wet. The two pedals were very close to each other.

[fpa1974]

Could it be that Audi's still trying to overcome the unintended acceleration fiasco of the 80s, where the pedals were too close together?

I used to drive an A5000, and I did have my foot slip from the brake to the gas once or twice when my shoes were wet. The two pedals were very close to each other.

I really do not think so. The pedals are placed perfectly for heel and toe so they are not too far away from each other (this is the S4 that has the same problem).

Florian

[Jalli]

Audi makes great stuff... but the cars simply look too bland.. look at a new BMW and you know you are GOING somewhere. Its that subtle feeling of flight and acelleration, that is enhanced by the engines,

[anon]

saw the A3 (5dr) at the la auto show, it looks really nice, interior is of better quality than the X3, currently, i'd take the A3 over the MINI, we'll have to see how the 1 series interiors are...

[AndyM]

Audi makes great stuff... but the cars simply look too bland.. look at a new BMW and you know you are GOING somewhere. Its that subtle feeling of flight and acelleration, that is enhanced by the engines,

I'm the exact opposite. I think the new Bimmers are boring and bland and love the new Audi's. Different strokes for different folks. I will replace my daily driver VW with an A3 Sportback in the near future.

[johnf]

That fount of BMW partiality, auto motor und sport, decidedly chose the A3 2.0 TDi over the 120d in the 2/2005 issue, awarding 525 points to the A3 and 501 to the 1er. The A3 was the better all-rounder but the 1er had the edge in driving qualities.

[elfhearse]

I've been in the Frankfurt area for the past week and the A3 seems to be VERY popular. I only saw a few 1 series but A3's are everywhere and look great. Not a scientific study just an observation ... :p
I really like the looks of the Alfa 156 too.
(Saw two Z3 Coupes on my way to Sinsheim last Saturday.... got very excited)

[swchang]

I've been in the Frankfurt area for the past week and the A3 seems to be VERY popular. I only saw a few 1 series but A3's are everywhere and look great. Not a scientific study just an observation ... :p
I really like the looks of the Alfa 156 too.
(Saw two Z3 Coupes on my way to Sinsheim last Saturday.... got very excited)

Alfa 159 is on the way. Looks pretty nice.

[ed325i]

Guys,

Check out this thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95774

[a2a2pqk]

I test drove the A3 with DSG *similar to SMG*. I'd have to say I was impressed by the performance, it's a fun car to drive. Interior wise the finish is great as usual for Audi. The leg room behind is great, it's got more leg room than my A4 at the back!. The new 2.0T engine is great also!!!

The interior design is similar to the TT, which is kinda cute. The car also has an Opensky system*as an option* which is similar to the roof of the C Coupe. You can order the car with or without roof rails(new designed unlike the old style ones)*extra charge for adding roof rails* I believe there will be iPod integration as an OEM add-on option sometime in June and Bluetooth is scheduled to be available after build week 22. The A3 will also get the Nav+*as an option* which can read memory sticks.

Exterior wise I like the new big grille on the A3*perhaps it's suits the A3 the most?* If you order the premium or sport package you'll get a 17" 16 spoke wheels I believe with a choice of Summer highperformance tyres or all seasons (you may swap them at no charge), but even if you don't order any packages the car does come standard in 17"s star shape wheels.

The biggest problem for people that are considering an A3 is that it seems pricey and the lease rate right now is quite high, so some people have gone with an A4 avant instead, since they are kind of closely priced to the A4. *How much are the 1er priced anyways?* Also quattro is what some people want*most famous of all the stuff that Audi offers* and the A3 doesn't have it yet*commercial says Winter 2005 for Canada* so that could also be another down side to the car if you really do care about having the quattro system in the A3.

This is all I can tell you, you'll have to test drive them both to make the final decisions yourself!

[Chris90]

It was fun to listen to our Audi salesman and the manager telling us why we didn't need Quattro on our Audi. I made a joke about that, but they didn't laugh.

The A3 is still my girlfriend's top choice, but we might wait for a Quattro 6 spd 2.0T.

[gary buff]

I just sat in an open A3 at the local dealer....a base model with cloth upholstery. The cloth was a beige color with what I thought was a really ugly pattern, and the material itself looked/felt really cheap...rest of the interior was OK but overall I thought it was a step down from an A4, which I kind of expected at that price.

[bimmerguy]

I really like the A3, the dashboard and interior are much nicer than the new e90. It has a very serious drivers feel to it, which I think is missing from the e90.

The new front end works best on the A3.....reminds of me the old Volkswagen Scirocco.

I would wait for quattro and the higher output engines to come over.

Cheers to Audi for bringing it over, finally.

[a2a2pqk]

It was fun to listen to our Audi salesman and the manager telling us why we didn't need Quattro on our Audi. I made a joke about that, but they didn't laugh.

The A3 is still my girlfriend's top choice, but we might wait for a Quattro 6 spd 2.0T.

I don't know if you've noticed but the A3 commerical *in some states and in Canada* on TV states "Quattro available in Winter2005". No one really knows if it means by the 3.2 model or the 2.0T though!

[Watchdog]

My understanding is that Quattro will be available in Canada, initially for the 3.2, but not the 2.0T. I have not seen any mention of the 2.0T getting Quattro, but that doesn't mean it's not coming.

I saw the A3 at the Auto show and I thought it was nice, but pricey for what you get. I suppose that's the same complaint about the 1 Series.

[TimmyTimmy]

The A3's DSG tranny is what has sold me... I may have to dump my Mazda3s in a year for this one. Of course I have to let all those first year bugs be fixed and see what Audi has done reliablity-wise here first.

[Mr.Vercetti]

The A3 is a overall a very exceptional car. Especially the 3.2 quattro. But it doesnt stand a chance when compared with the brutal Milanese Duchess, the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA!!! :violent: