Congrats on the new ride! If you can, please post your buying details in the discussion Audi A3: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences to help out other potential buyers, that would be great!
Where are rave reviews? Roadtests? Anything? It looks like A3 is a cool car but Audi fails to deliver this thought into consumer brains. The only review I found was on Edmunds, first drive combined with Avant, really short and uninformative. If I google "audi a3 road test", I get bunch of links on New Zealand sites which have no credibility in the US or reviews of diesel 3-door model from UK.
Audi, wake up! Blow some air into informational vacuum. www.audiusa.com/a3 is not enough.
dino001 - I thought we are talking about cars, here. Car manufacturing and supplies employes an incredibly high percentage of workers, in Germany. So, it's important to stay competitive (and in the world market other than the US, OK vs. excellent component reliability is often good enough, as long as the engine and transmission are top-notch. Audis and VW's are typically rated very high in European comparisons).
blueguydotcom - DSG has been around for 2 years now, and there are no indications these transmissions are falling apart early. AFAIK they use many components from the six-speed transmission, such as gears and syncros. Also, VW/Audi engines and transmissions are quite reliable (it's typically other things that annoyingly fall apart early).
smirnoff1 Did you read the 4 reviews (TheCarConnection, Automobile Magazine, Motor Trend, Autoweek) that are listed on the audiusa A3 web site?
The sticker says Arctic White and I didn't get charged for the color. I am in So Cal so as you can imagine white is also the most practical color. I know I got away with a good deal, they didn't think they would sell to me that day. Now I just hope I get the Bose companion speakers they're giving away.
Too funny. You must have bought from Circle. I was going to buy the car, but decided on Ocean blue (my last A4 was pearlescent white). The Arctic white looks great with the open sky (two-tone). We have the same car except for the color. Hope you're having as much fun as I am. Now if I could only get the average speed past 30 MPH
FYI, I purchased last weekend, they contacted me a few days later and told me Audi USA has confirmed Bose shipment. As long as purchase is before May 12, you should be fine.
OK, now the confusion thickens, as on the website they list Arctic as a $450 upcharge!
Right hand, meet left hand. Please!
And yeah, that Ocean Blue is a looker. Kind of like the IS's Bluestone. Very enticing, especially with the beige interior, IMO.
The two components that worry me in a DSG are the shafts. Of those two, it's the hollow outer shaft that concerns me most, having a very small amount of experience with contra-rotating propellor shafts (in scale on models only). At this point, I'm assuming (on faith) that those worried the engineering team as well!
Regardless, I haven't heard or read anything yet that deters me from believing this is really the next complete generation of automotive transmissions.
Yes, I did get it from Circle. But it's the keys are still in the wife's hands, I still haven't driven it yet.
So they didn't walk me through the break-in period, did they tell you anything like, keep RPMs below x for y miles? I'm also not sure how long to keep the engine on before turning it off because of the turbo, what are you doing?
They told me not to baby it too much, play around the power band, but try and keep it under 4500 RPMs for the first 1000 miles. Also, do not engage the accelerator all the way (same thing, right?)
This is my first turbo (coming from a v6), so your guess is as good as mine. I remember reading about the 1.8s that you should let the engine run for about a minute after "spirited" driving to allow the engine / turbo to cool down. I'm curious to find out about this as well.
Arctic white is a no cost option, but is order only. That is where the confusion is coming from I think. I wonder if the car you purchased was a pre-order that somebody backed out of.
Hi kb5ql, My sales manager at the dealership that we purchased our A3 asked me to have you give us the information or procedure in which you are receiving the Bose speakers. We purchased our A3 on April 25th after preordering one for a July delivery. We talked him into selling the Black auto demo instead that he had there. He has been trying to get Audi to confirm the speaker gift. How did you do it??? Thanks in advance for your help.
Well after telling me a special order would take 2-3 months. The Audi SA called saying they got a Lava grey DSG in . Um sorry got our 325i 3 days ago.....
Maybe next time.Perhaps a Quatrro at launch would have helped sway me away from Rwd.Then again maybe not
kb5ql, nice review. What you describe definitely does not sound like torque steer. But I know what you are talking about - those quick left turns is where my 4Motion Passat is so much more fun to drive than my Golf. I think in your case the hopping may also be a combination of uneven road surface and electronic intervention (which you could switch off for a test). You could also change your style: go straight a little longer before turning in sharp.
Hi kb5ql, Thanks for the site but there is nothing new there. If you didn't purchase from a preorder,but, from their stock---How or who is getting the Bose for you? Thanks, Bob
Sorry, I thought you were looking for confirmation. Here is what I did.
1. Told them about the promo 2. They tell me they have no idea 3. Navigate them to the site (the one you already know about/previous post) 4. Purchased car (said they'll get back to me). 5. Call back 2 days later saying that they spoke to AoA and the Bose promo was approved.
I am not sure if you are a recent buyer or dealer, but in any case, Audi of America needs to be contacted as they seem to be the only ones who know what's going on. My guess is that they're keeping this promo under the radar. The dealer should take care of that for you.
Okay, I read your earlier post more closely. Sounds like the dealer needs to be more aggressive with corporate. I would go back to the mini-site I mentioned earlier. Look at the terms and conditions of the offer. You will see that it applies for any pre-order or PURCHASE made before May 12. That language should be enough to get it. Technically you shouldn't have to do anything. The dealer should just show AoA the invoice and that should be it.
STOP THE PRESSES... I think they changed the wording. I swear that the terms and conditions had the "or purchase" on it (2 weeks ago). I bet there was a screwup. The wording now only mentions "pre-orders"
I didn't notice the hop-hop turn you describe in the a3, but i DID experience the same thing when i drove the new 9-3 sport sedan. I was trying to turn and merge onto a high-speed road, and i felt the car was having an epileptic fit on me. That REALLY bugged me.
Last week I was driving to class, which is within a few miles of the Auburn Hills VW/Audi building in Michigan and I was shocked to see a 3-door A3 in rush hour traffic! I was under the impression that only the 5-door was going to be sold in America. The car did not have a manufacturer/dealer plate either. Maybe the owner imported it? Regardless, it was gorgeous.
Audi of America is headquartered around there. You will likely see lots of European spec cars that are driving around for "market-testing" purposes. It's probably an exec's car.
Thanks again for the response. You got it!! They (AoA) pulled the ad or changed the wording. She test drove the A3 on Saturday 4/16/05. We all (3) signed up for the free 33 i-tunes songs. We haven't received them yet but were told that they were in route??? We purchased the A3 on Monday, 4/24/04. My wife called the sales manager on the next day after buying the A 3 and asked him how do we receive the Bose speakers. He didn't know anything about it but would call AoA. He then returned her call and said the AoA would not honor the non preorded purchase!!! My wife then had several conversations with AoA and finally one rep stated that she was correct and that they (AoA) had made and error in their wording. The next day, 4/26/05, the promo wording had changed. That is why my sales manager wanted to know "how did he do that"? I think that my wife was one of the first , if not the first purchaser with delivery on an A3, on 4/25/05. The sales manager stated that when her pre ordered car arrives (late June or early July) he'll then again try and get AoA to honor her pre ordered delivery. He'll "dummy it up" and send it in. Anyway, I'll let him know about you responce to me.My wife thinks that AoA should give her the Bose stuff just because she is the one that stirred up the pot and prompted them to change the wording thus saving them countless Bose awards!! Don't think this is going to happen. Thanks for the help.
Well, they honored it for me and I purchased April 30. So the wording was still up then. I think they should honor it since it was their mistake, however, it is a promotion and they can do whatever they want with it.
Not sure what you want to have translated on that page - most of it speaks for itself?
The ECU upgrade is for all models (incl. AWD, 6-speed, or DSG).
375Nm torque equals 277 ft-lbs.
The little diagram is clickable for a large version of the power/torque curve. It's a linear scale with zero, so the gains are quite impressive everywhere.
They offer a certificate that validates the mod for German inspections (TUV), and offer a drivetrain warranty (Germany).
Did they send you the speakers or did you go there to pick it up? How many days did it take to get them? I also got the dealer to call AoA and "they'd have to check to see if was approved" but then they never contacted me and I haven't called them back. Considering how few people actually bought the car before May 12, you'd think they would honor it, but I guess they're pinching their pennies on this one. Not really too interested in the Bose speakers as I'm not impressed with Bose in general.
Let's talk warranties and chips. The twain shall never meet?
If I can have a 2.0 and a chip that brings things to those levels, I like it better than a heavier 3.2. I can't remember if there is to be a Quattro 2.0 or not though, and I want it even if it's Haldex.
Audi has only confirmed the 3.2 Q. Bummer. A 2.0 Q with a chip could be quite nice. I'd prefer to opt for keepin an extra stock chip and should the car breakdown, bust the hood open, swap the chips and let audi fix her up.
My thoughts exactly, I wouldn't mind the heavier quattro even with the stock 2.0 - but with the chip, who needs a gas-guzzling 6cyl?
Though I would probably wait a few years, closer to the end of warranty, before putting one in.
My guess is arrival of the quattro for the 2.0 when the Golf V and GTI come. I am pretty sure (eventually) either the 4-door Golf will arrive in the US with the 2.0TFSI engine, or the GTI will be sold in its 4-door version. Reason enough to bring quattro to the 2.0 A3 as a distinguishing element.
Except if we get the 140-170hp TDI Golf with 4Motion, than I may jump ship...
I have been researrching for a while and down to A3, Mazda 3 sp23, Saab 9.2x, & Acura TSX. I'm coming from a slightly mod'd '00.5 A4 1.8TQMS and looking for the "perfect" under $32K car offering a balance of price, utility, performance, reliability & luxury. Dealership in NJ told me I could order the A3 3.2Q (DSG only) in late July, for Aug delivery (legitimate or dealer trap???)
*A3: solid, nimble, Audi panache, want AWD (avid snowboarder), but prefer chipped 2.0T, FWD has slight torque steer, new car unreliability??? *Maz3: price, handling, but lacks refinement & engine performance, ( + my supplier discount), warranty/no sched maint or loaner car *9.2x: amazing value w/ dealer/Saab/GM incentives (< $20K ), lacks some luxury touches, STI handling, turbo lag, better warranty/maint than subaru *TSX: tinny doors, needs AWD, value, where's the torque?, reliable
Anyone know how reliable the A3 has been or predictably will be? A4 or TT "like" reliability (A4 is def superior in quality)? Never like gettin 1styr cars...but then again, is it considered 1st yr?
The A3's been out for a spell in europe, so it's not exactly 1 st year.
We're on the same kinda path. I'm actually holding out to see how the Mazdaspeed3 operates. The handling of the Mazda3, to me, has thus far been far more impressive than the A3. It's just lacking on power and refinement.
This may sound weird but the mileage may play a part in my decision too. Seeing the way Mazda implemented the MS6, I'm worried the car's day-to-day driveability will decrease and that mileage will drop. The lack of scheduled maintenance worries me too. i've been spoiled by it for 5 years now.
Agree about the TSX too. If that car had a little more oomph and AWD, I'd buy it and have a car I know I could keep forever as an eventual second car.
You wrote: "Dealership in NJ told me I could order the A3 3.2Q (DSG only) in late July, for Aug delivery (legitimate or dealer trap???)"
I say dealer trap but I would LOVE to hear otherwise. I am almost sold on the A3 2.0 for the wife and need to get it (or something else) before her lease expires in mid-July. But if I knew that the 3.2 DSG would be available in August, I could probably figure out a way to wait a month for it to arrive.
So i'm between the Volvo S40 T5 and the Audi A3 (the one out now, not the V6 Quattro). Both get priced around 32-33K with all the options I'd like. The Audi seems a bit more practical in terms of hatchback cargo space. The VOlvo is probably safer.
I'd like to hear the opinions of others on the pluses / minuses of these two options!
Why is the volvo safer? it's built on the same chassis as the mazda3 and focus. you're working off the old volvo stereotypes.
audi and other german makes are no slouches in safety. not sure but does volvo now pull the same garbage as ford and mazda, making you pay for safety features like side curtain airbags?
Lease rates on A3 = horrible! I've read on other forums that Audi dealers are saying 550-600 for 30-34k cars! That's obscene. You can get an S4 for $400-500 a month.
Chills, sounds like the 9-2x meets your needs the best.
Volvo has all the safety stuff standard (with the exception of the fancy stability control, DSTC?) something is standard, but it might only be traction control of some kind. There are airbags out the wingwang on both cars.
The Audi should be just as safe. Its solidly built, and has all the safety stuff. IMO, you could pick between the Volvo and Audi based on which one you prefer to drive, they are otherwise very close all around 9size/features/performance).
Blue, I'm sorta amused by the fascination with scheduled maintenance. It covers so little with the schedules these days (10K oil changes, etc), although BMW will cover brake pads. For most cars, it ends up being a few oil changes, and maybe a tire rotation.
Yes, nice to have, but I'm just not sure you save enough out of pocket over the years to cover what you pay for it up front (and it ain't free)!
The Mzspeed 3 is also high on my interest list. Could be a nice bargain alternative if they equip it and price it right. Should certainly be plenty fast enough.
Comments
Audi, wake up! Blow some air into informational vacuum. www.audiusa.com/a3 is not enough.
But that jibes with what the brochure says: brilliant white should be a stock color, not order only.
Arctic white is not only special order, it is $1000 extra!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
blueguydotcom - DSG has been around for 2 years now, and there are no indications these transmissions are falling apart early. AFAIK they use many components from the six-speed transmission, such as gears and syncros. Also, VW/Audi engines and transmissions are quite reliable (it's typically other things that annoyingly fall apart early).
smirnoff1 Did you read the 4 reviews (TheCarConnection, Automobile Magazine, Motor Trend, Autoweek) that are listed on the audiusa A3 web site?
FYI, I purchased last weekend, they contacted me a few days later and told me Audi USA has confirmed Bose shipment. As long as purchase is before May 12, you should be fine.
They have some nice blues for this car. Mine would be blue, I think. If I go ahead.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Right hand, meet left hand. Please!
And yeah, that Ocean Blue is a looker. Kind of like the IS's Bluestone. Very enticing, especially with the beige interior, IMO.
The two components that worry me in a DSG are the shafts. Of those two, it's the hollow outer shaft that concerns me most, having a very small amount of experience with contra-rotating propellor shafts (in scale on models only). At this point, I'm assuming (on faith) that those worried the engineering team as well!
Regardless, I haven't heard or read anything yet that deters me from believing this is really the next complete generation of automotive transmissions.
Have fun, you lucky dogs... ;-]
So they didn't walk me through the break-in period, did they tell you anything like, keep RPMs below x for y miles? I'm also not sure how long to keep the engine on before turning it off because of the turbo, what are you doing?
This is my first turbo (coming from a v6), so your guess is as good as mine. I remember reading about the 1.8s that you should let the engine run for about a minute after "spirited" driving to allow the engine / turbo to cool down. I'm curious to find out about this as well.
Arctic white is a no cost option, but is order only. That is where the confusion is coming from I think. I wonder if the car you purchased was a pre-order that somebody backed out of.
My sales manager at the dealership that we purchased our A3 asked me to have you give us the information or procedure in which you are receiving the Bose speakers. We purchased our A3 on April 25th after preordering one for a July delivery. We talked him into selling the Black auto demo instead that he had there. He has been trying to get Audi to confirm the speaker gift. How did you do it??? Thanks in advance for your help.
Bob Windsor, CA
http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-neil11may11,0,262461.story?col- l=la-class-autos-highway1
Bet it pisses off GM! }-]
I still see those screamer leases on the s4 for $499 a month. Damn tempting.
dave
*********************
Dhanley, WHERE DO I FIND AN S4 for $499/month?!?!?!?!
Maybe next time.Perhaps a Quatrro at launch would have helped sway me away from Rwd.Then again maybe not
DL
It's totally buried in the microsite (flash junk) for the a3.
http://www.zaftig.net/node/325
A3 w/ DSG
Ocean Blue
Premium Pkg
Open Sky
Sounds like you are having fun.
Thanks for the site but there is nothing new there. If you didn't purchase from a preorder,but, from their stock---How or who is getting the Bose for you?
Thanks, Bob
1. Told them about the promo
2. They tell me they have no idea
3. Navigate them to the site (the one you already know about/previous post)
4. Purchased car (said they'll get back to me).
5. Call back 2 days later saying that they spoke to AoA and the Bose promo was approved.
I am not sure if you are a recent buyer or dealer, but in any case, Audi of America needs to be contacted as they seem to be the only ones who know what's going on. My guess is that they're keeping this promo under the radar. The dealer should take care of that for you.
Okay, I read your earlier post more closely. Sounds like the dealer needs to be more aggressive with corporate. I would go back to the mini-site I mentioned earlier. Look at the terms and conditions of the offer. You will see that it applies for any pre-order or PURCHASE made before May 12. That language should be enough to get it. Technically you shouldn't have to do anything. The dealer should just show AoA the invoice and that should be it.
STOP THE PRESSES... I think they changed the wording. I swear that the terms and conditions had the "or purchase" on it (2 weeks ago). I bet there was a screwup. The wording now only mentions "pre-orders"
Anybody have any ideas?
Try:
Audi S4: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences
dave
Thanks again for the response. You got it!! They (AoA) pulled the ad or changed the wording. She test drove the A3 on Saturday 4/16/05. We all (3) signed up for the free 33 i-tunes songs. We haven't received them yet but were told that they were in route??? We purchased the A3 on Monday, 4/24/04. My wife called the sales manager on the next day after buying the A 3 and asked him how do we receive the Bose speakers. He didn't know anything about it but would call AoA. He then returned her call and said the AoA would not honor the non preorded purchase!!! My wife then had several conversations with AoA and finally one rep stated that she was correct and that they (AoA) had made and error in their wording. The next day, 4/26/05, the promo wording had changed. That is why my sales manager wanted to know "how did he do that"? I think that my wife was one of the first , if not the first purchaser with delivery on an A3, on 4/25/05. The sales manager stated that when her pre ordered car arrives (late June or early July) he'll then again try and get AoA to honor her pre ordered delivery. He'll "dummy it up" and send it in. Anyway, I'll let him know about you responce to me.My wife thinks that AoA should give her the Bose stuff just because she is the one that stirred up the pot and prompted them to change the wording thus saving them countless Bose awards!! Don't think this is going to happen.
Thanks for the help.
Bob Windsor, CA
Good Luck.
http://wetterauer.de/chiptuning/datenblatt.php?id=2239
They have released a chip for the 2.0T FSI engines! Woohoo! :shades:
Makin your new A3 just a shade shy of the same HP in a 3.2 V6.
Add some exhaust mods and you will likely stumble past the 3.2...
I love the idea of a chip though. BTW, the 2.0 is apparently really putting out about 220 hp, as dynos are showing 195-200 WHP.
The ECU upgrade is for all models (incl. AWD, 6-speed, or DSG).
375Nm torque equals 277 ft-lbs.
The little diagram is clickable for a large version of the power/torque curve. It's a linear scale with zero, so the gains are quite impressive everywhere.
They offer a certificate that validates the mod for German inspections (TUV), and offer a drivetrain warranty (Germany).
Can't find any 2.0TFSI chips at GIAC yet, but UPSOLUTE has a slightly milder one:
http://www.upsolute.com/db/new/datenblatt_eng.php?ID_Marke=2&ID=801
The trouble is the 2.0L can already spin the front tires easily. However, it ought to allow neat fourth-gear passing manouevers.
dave
If I can have a 2.0 and a chip that brings things to those levels, I like it better than a heavier 3.2. I can't remember if there is to be a Quattro 2.0 or not though, and I want it even if it's Haldex.
Speakers: who has time for music? }-]
Though I would probably wait a few years, closer to the end of warranty, before putting one in.
My guess is arrival of the quattro for the 2.0 when the Golf V and GTI come. I am pretty sure (eventually) either the 4-door Golf will arrive in the US with the 2.0TFSI engine, or the GTI will be sold in its 4-door version. Reason enough to bring quattro to the 2.0 A3 as a distinguishing element.
Except if we get the 140-170hp TDI Golf with 4Motion, than I may jump ship...
Dealership in NJ told me I could order the A3 3.2Q (DSG only) in late July, for Aug delivery (legitimate or dealer trap???)
*A3: solid, nimble, Audi panache, want AWD (avid snowboarder), but prefer chipped 2.0T, FWD has slight torque steer, new car unreliability???
*Maz3: price, handling, but lacks refinement & engine performance, ( + my supplier discount), warranty/no sched maint or loaner car
*9.2x: amazing value w/ dealer/Saab/GM incentives (< $20K ), lacks some luxury touches, STI handling, turbo lag, better warranty/maint than subaru
*TSX: tinny doors, needs AWD, value, where's the torque?, reliable
Anyone know how reliable the A3 has been or predictably will be? A4 or TT "like" reliability (A4 is def superior in quality)? Never like gettin 1styr cars...but then again, is it considered 1st yr?
We're on the same kinda path. I'm actually holding out to see how the Mazdaspeed3 operates. The handling of the Mazda3, to me, has thus far been far more impressive than the A3. It's just lacking on power and refinement.
This may sound weird but the mileage may play a part in my decision too. Seeing the way Mazda implemented the MS6, I'm worried the car's day-to-day driveability will decrease and that mileage will drop. The lack of scheduled maintenance worries me too. i've been spoiled by it for 5 years now.
Agree about the TSX too. If that car had a little more oomph and AWD, I'd buy it and have a car I know I could keep forever as an eventual second car.
I say dealer trap but I would LOVE to hear otherwise. I am almost sold on the A3 2.0 for the wife and need to get it (or something else) before her lease expires in mid-July. But if I knew that the 3.2 DSG would be available in August, I could probably figure out a way to wait a month for it to arrive.
Anyone know anything about this?
My salesguy in Livermore might just be full of persimmons on this, but so far, he's been pretty on re other things.
I'd like to hear the opinions of others on the pluses / minuses of these two options!
PS- didnt like the TSX, interior felt too cheap.
audi and other german makes are no slouches in safety. not sure but does volvo now pull the same garbage as ford and mazda, making you pay for safety features like side curtain airbags?
this should be on the prices paid board...but there doest seem to be any activity there
much appreciated
jmcd0, "Lease Questions - Ask Here" #20405, 18 May 2005 9:29 am
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Volvo has all the safety stuff standard (with the exception of the fancy stability control, DSTC?) something is standard, but it might only be traction control of some kind. There are airbags out the wingwang on both cars.
The Audi should be just as safe. Its solidly built, and has all the safety stuff. IMO, you could pick between the Volvo and Audi based on which one you prefer to drive, they are otherwise very close all around 9size/features/performance).
Blue, I'm sorta amused by the fascination with scheduled maintenance. It covers so little with the schedules these days (10K oil changes, etc), although BMW will cover brake pads. For most cars, it ends up being a few oil changes, and maybe a tire rotation.
Yes, nice to have, but I'm just not sure you save enough out of pocket over the years to cover what you pay for it up front (and it ain't free)!
The Mzspeed 3 is also high on my interest list. Could be a nice bargain alternative if they equip it and price it right. Should certainly be plenty fast enough.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.