Anyone on here got an A3 Quattro 3.2 ?

[RichRS6]

Am currently looking at purchasing a Golf R32 and have realised that its pretty much the same car as the A3 (correct me if I'm wrong).

So just looking for owners input really as there doesn't seem to be very much on any of the forums covering this model.

They seem to be about the same prices for similar spec and milages too.

[Phil3103]

I have a 2.0T Quattro A3 and it's a superb car. Much better than the RS4 around town (as you would expect). Clearly the 3.2 is a different engine but in terms of the A3 as a car I'm a big fan.

[^Qwerty^]

I had one, did 24k in it from new and traded it in for a A8 4.2. There are a few posts on scoobynet when people have asked the same question, but here is one of them:

In summary
=========
Very numb to drive, with no feedback to speak of in either steering or brakes. DSG is okay, but removes the ability to drive the car even further, and it does throw wobblers now and again. I'd go with a manual unless you do a lot of traffic jam work.
Build quality is high as you say, but then I'm only comparing it to the WRX I had before it, but it is an Audi.
My overall MPG was just over 26, which equates to doing 80-90 on the motorway. Put your foot down anymore and you'll soon be in the low double/high single figures area.

Plenty of them about to choose from.
The Xeon headlights are on dipped beam only, so I was a bit disapointed about that, so don't put them down on a "must have" list. I also had cruise control, centre arm rest, and a sun roof. I'd look for a car with all three of those, along with Bose if you can get it. If you find an S-Line, you get 18 inch alloys, instead of 17's on the sport. (i.e. get an S-Line)

Cracking car if it's right for you, limited tuning options, more so on the DSG, so if you can afford it, I'd get one of the latest S3's, as I've heard they are a world apart from the 3.2 in terms of drivability.

FYI: I've now got a A8 4.2 Petrol, and it returns better mpg at the same speed on the motorway as the A3 did, but is poor around town.


In some respects I still miss it, even though I've moved on to an RS4. If I'd got a manual version I think I'd maybe still have it, and would have spent some money on making the engine spin a bit faster. It did look the part as well, I still get comments about "that red car" I had. Nobody says the same about the RS4.

If you have any specific questions, just shout !!!

HTH

[RichRS6]

Thanks for the help.

I eventually went for an 07 Five door MkV R32 Golf with DSG sunroof and cruise, I think it has almost all the factory options excluding recaros which I didnt want any way

The Gearbox is superb, almost seamless changes and it you want to play around then that option is there too, I think I've become lazy driving the beast and the 6 box seems really old tech now....

Best bit though is the noise even with the standard exhaust ! It's making me want to miltek the Audi which is far quieter but I actually like the stealth of the factory exhaust.

Main reason for the Golf over the Audi was the rear vision was/seemed better in the golf (GF will be using a lot too for school runs etc it and as the 6 is my baby I had to give her a bit of a say), the same car with an Audi badge was actually cheaper which I found really strange !

[kr]

Use to have a A3 3.2Q , Good car but unless you get the S-line I thought mine looked a bit boring and didn't really stand out from other A3's.

Heavy front end, when pushing on you could feel the extra bulk of the engine up front. MPG wise not great around town as expected but averaged 24mpg mostly, think I once saw 32mpg on a run.

Kris

[RichRS6]

Thanks Kr I guess the A3 3.2 could be a bit of a Q car then !

I have noticed the poor fuel consumption, nearly as bad as the 6 but I do tend to drive the Golf harder for some reason !

[kr]

Did you go for a Golf in the end?

Went from the A3 to a 225BHP TT Roadster, just for a change

[RichRS6]

Yep, and I've got to say I find I enjoy the Golf (see above for the spec) almost as much as the Audi as the Audi is too big really for thrashing around the lanes locally but the Golf is a hoot and the exhaust note is fantastic.

DSG gearbox is sooo smooth (until it breaks, thank god for warranties) and changes seem to happen without you noticing them.

Its not too bad as a cruiser either as I had to drive it 400 miles home through some really shitty weather and it didn't seem too tiring not as comfy and refined as the 6 though.

[kr]

Sounds nice

[MB2]

I had the MkIV R32 Golf & the engine is really nice + AWD is good etc. I went for the Golf as the A3 was a bit too much of a cruiser + the Golf was better value (had xenons, heated seats etc. as std) the A3 would def make a great Q car though & with some suspension upgrades would be fantastic. Now they seem to have lost more than the Golfs so probably make more sense value for money wise although maybe the Golf will keep value better ?

Am sure would be a good car, they do about 30mpg crusing at 70 & 22 in town so not good if you do lots of town miles - only weak points on the Golf was the rear "pig tail" springs sit in water & rot through every few years is not a big problem but will fail MOT (about 100 fitted or can fit yourself easily) they are fairly heavy on brakes depending how you drive mine more rotted away from the inside of the vents - lasted about 5 years 45k miles was about 1000 to replace all four.

[RichRS6]

Strange how the Audi depreciated faster than the Golf.

Still enjoying the Golf, DSG box seems to be holding up so far, although I have yet to try and use the launch control, and the exhaust note is fantastic.
Put a set of Vreds on it a Month ago and for a mid price tyre they're ok, they seem fairly predictable grip wise wet or dry, good job really as its a good car for chucking around roundabouts !

[Krammer002]

I have a 2004 3.2 DSG that I use as my daily driver to save the wear on my RS... Its done 146K to date and with the DSG, can still can surprise many at the lights... Apparently, there's not that much that can be easily done to up the power output greatly on my version, as the DSG is the weak link when delivering power over the std 250 bhp.
Great fun and sure footed during the last snow falls, very good with Vred 'Secret Santas'. Fair bit of weight over the front, but with application of the loud pedal, light four wheel drifting can be controlled and fun...obviously not on public roads I might add...

[RichRS6]

2004 does that make yours a Mk4 ? There were some late mk4's with dsg.

I have the Vreds on mine, still not too sure about them but the drifting around roundabouts is as you say a lot of fun....

[white23]

I had the 3.2 v6 TT which has the same engine but is tuned differently, all I can say is what a lovely car it was. The only reason I got rid was timing because the week I bought it I got my wife pregnant so 6 months later it had to go, so I got an rs6 avant... but lovely car, shame it had to go and definitely recommend them -

[RichRS6]

Yep still enjoying ours and it can surprise some much more expensive cars, had a bit of a razz on the old private track last week with a Porker (not sure which one as I cant tell any of them apart) and he was not getting away from me up to 130 kleptons at which point we ran out of useable road......
Still loving the exhaust note and the DSG box.

May upgrade the Haldex controler soon and see how far a remap will take it.............