Shocker - an Audi that I quite like

Frank Bullitt · Shocker - an Audi that I quite like

Had the discs and pads changed on the A2 yesterday due to them having rusted and warped, and it would appear Audi dealers have realised that lots of people are leaving the approved network so are keeping people tempted with decent prices - I ended up dealing with a guy at the dealers who I find really pleasant, which helps.

I'd been asked whether a 1.4 turbo A3 would be fine for my courtesy car; ideal, I've been wanted to get a punt in one for a while now.

The car turned out to be a (breathe in...) A3 3dr 1.4TSI S-Line S-Tronic. This is the 122PS turbo engine, not the 140, 160 or 170PS twinchargerthingymagigy and is a replacement for the 1.6FSI 115PS. It also had the S-Tronic (DSG) gearbox with 7 gears.

First impressions, it's another A3 can't really get excited about that.

To the engine. It's a little peach, having a good balance of decent torque and a reasonable level of punch at the top-end to make it worthwhile going there. Turbo's are great and this engine is a perfect example why - Only 1.4 but instant pull from low revs in a cultured manner a turbo diesel would struggle to contend with; pootling is easy and you end up with a useable rev-range of 5500rpm - sure it's no ball of fire but a quick flit in manual mode on an ideal overtaking road and it was more than up to the job. The engine is smooth, tractible and makes a good choice unless all-out balls are the only way to go.

To the S-Tronic. 7 speeds are too many, that's a fact. It would trip into 6th at 30mph which it was quite happy to do (about 1500rpm) but sort of makes gears 2-5 just too-many. 7th would arrive at 35mph in normal driving, about 1300rpm (it pulled 2600rpm at 70 in top). Cruising up to 40mph from start it was amusing (if soul destroying) to just watch the rev-counter rise 200rpm and drop the same for most changes. No wonder this car gets 50mpg on the economy cycles - the torque means that unless you are pressing on 1300-1700rpm is the range for 'normal' pootling. It makes for an impressive engine but I'm convinced it's one gear too-many. An example of how close the gears are would be the slight incline I was driving up at 5mph with S-Tronic selecting 2nd, not 1st; it only dropped into bottom at an absolute halt.

This S-Tronic was smoother than the last one, perhaps because it punshed in less torque than the 2.0TFSI when a lower gear banged-home. In auto mode it would change up at 5500rpm no matter how much throttle you applied - Sport mode was a must for overtaking. It's also still easy to outwit (note to journo's - it's impressive but not a miracle), so for me a 6-speed manual would be the choice.

A3 S-Line? Firm suspension, much better handling with a small petrol motor than a diesel in the nose and great grip levels; unacceptably poor steering which has no feel or weight. The S-Line does ride better as a petrol, I presume the damper rates are different to the diesel. Inside, the steering wheel is a lovely tactile thing (Hint to Audi: connect it to the rack), the part-leather seats feel like part vinyl but they hug well and the general quality is decent enough. No options on this one other than S-Tronic and metallic paint.

What's the 21st century answer to blank switches? 'No Function' coming up on the display; like most A3's now, it comes with a multi-function wheel and DIS2 trip computer but even so there was something not fitted which I presume is mobile phone prep and voice activation. A constant reminder of it not being FG spec.

Oh, and I drove for about 4 miles before realising the twat-lights were on. Sorry.

The price? £21,500 list (ish) - too much but the cheaper Sport without S-Tronic and a nice discount, under £17K and it makes more sense.

So, lovely engine, reasonable package, average gearbox, average dynamics and overpriced.

Put the engine in a Polo or Ibiza and it'll be quite handy. In fact, the upcoming A1 appeals even more to me now...

DaveGibson

"Shocker - an Audi that I quite like".

Chris, I take it you're referring to your own A2 because, apart from the engine, I don't see you liking much of the A3.

Frank Bullitt

I take you point, the engine was the real star - it felt more of an honest car and that's why I quite liked it despite on an objective level most of it being average. However, the ride was reasonable (something I also noticed on the facelifted Sport I drove a short while back) and they grip well.

Having looked at some price guides, a Skoda Octavia with this engine can be bought for about £11,500 after discount; granted it's an FG-free zone but an incredibly well priced car with a nice engine; you'd struggle to find much else at the same budget that's got a nice motor. Likewise, SEAT Leon Stylance and more FG Octavia's can be had for mid 13's after discounting, still excellent value.

I can't see any reason to go diesel for a VAG product at this level as they aren't as nice (that includes the new CR engine) and considerably more expensive.

What should have been added though is that as a contrast with the BMW 116i we hired in Germany last year, the 1er was much nicer on all levels save for the lack of torque in low-mid range compared with the 1.4TSI; I'd live with that for the better car, especially as a 116i Sport can currently be put on the drive for less than £16K with a few nice options added...

Unless the alterntive is a pup-petrol version, we won't be going for a diesel family car to replace the smart.

Gurney

Like the sound of that in an A1. I was wondering if 7 speeds was a gear too far, seems like it is.

Martin

So, what you're really saying is that the first recent Audi you 'quite like' (excluding the more exotic stuff I assume) is one with a VW engine and it's only the engine you like?!!

Silly money as seems to be the norm these days, a Golf GTI or an A3 1.4 S-line? Not too difficult a decision!