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Comments
There have been some issues with open sky, but I didn't want it & didn't get it, so it hasn't been an issue for me. My car uses some oil between changes, so that's been the only real "problem." It's a high compression engine, so I expect some oil consumption, and I'm not alarmed by it. I've got a service coming up, so I will have it checked for non-obvious leaks.
So, the short answer to your question, this has been a trouble-free car, besides being a lot of fun.
People make mistakes. Its part of the learning process. You are better off making those mistakes in someting MUCH cheaper with MUCH cheaper insurance.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
The "wind noise" issue I think is being referred to when people have the OpenSky open - and even then, I don't find the noise to be any greater than with a standard sunroof. When closed the noise is just fine.
If you check some of the other enthusiast forums for Audi you'll find most everyone very happy with their cars. No vehicle is 100% perfect and what may be a 'major issue' to one person may not be a problem at all to someone else.
Again, from experience, my A3 has been practically bulletproof (knock on wood).
Is the Mazda Speed 3 gonna be my next car?
If so, how's the ride and handling?
Incidently, does Audi USA actually offer Quattro on any of its cars __without__ all the Sports add-ons?
Ehhh. It's illegal for a manufacturer to void an entire warranty based on a mod. Learn the law - it's your friend. If you bring the car in complaining of problems VW/Audi can void portions of your warranty and claim the mod was the reason for the problem but they can't, for instance, void your warranty coverage of say a leaky sunroof because you chipped your car.
That isn't like adding a short-shift kit or window tint..
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Ultimately, each person has to decide whether the "risk" of chipping is worth it. I don't blame anyone who wouldn't even consider it. My take on it is that Audi leaves a lot of room for tuning in these engines without the need for building them-- and the chip tuners take drivability & reliability into account when they develop their programs. Personally, I don't know of anyone who's had serious chip-related problems. In fact, I'd expect Audi to alter the programming & deliver higher factory hp in the next couple of years. There's some evidence that the claimed current factory rating is a little conservative, anyway.
I.e., your Stasis Engineering modified Audi develops sunroof rattles and a glitch in the differential. Then Stasis Engineering reimburses you for the dealer's diff. repair, while Audi warranty covers the sunroof?
It's a little surprising the A3 isn't being sold with the chipped engine, with a different warranty, and certainly a higher price, for enthusasists who prefer power to longevity. Then again, what percentage of Audi A3 buyers want performance above all else?
Every so often, factory-sanctioned chips are rumored to be a possibilty...we'll see.
I can't vouch for MTM but thought A3 folks would be interested.
You said:
"That having been said, the best car that I've ever driven in the white stuff was my snow tire shod RWD 530i. Go figure."
This is perplexing. Do you live in an area prone to snow and odd, patternless weather? Because I do- the Chicago suburbs. Yesterday it was sunny and '60s, no joke. Today it was 20s and snowed for the first time this year-- and it's only the second week of October!
The car in question is the Jag XJ8, as well as the E350 4Matic and 530xi. While the Merc/BMW are more practical choices (and this is my wife's next car), the XJ8 has wowed us with its beauty, reliaibility that belies its Jaguar name, unbelievable fuel economy for a large sedan (26mpg according to most owners!), and of course, British luxury.
The one and only obstacle is AWD. If you put winter tires on a RWD car, does it really need it? I haven't owned a RWD car in so long, and I plainly don't remember (it was a Datsun back in the early '70s, my first car). I have an Audi, and basically, I'm obsessed with the idea that you need quattro (or some type of AWD) to get through this place.
Are all the rumors true, or can you survive with an XJ8?
Thanks.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 <--- My wife's, about to be replaced (January)</b>
WITH AS MUCH POWER AS MY CAR???
Madness!!!
Yes snows are a necessity.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
For starters, andys120 summed it up quite nicely. ;-) That having been said, I responded to your post over in a different discussion that I think is probably more On Topic. :shades:
shipo, "Snow/Ice winter tires" #529, 13 Oct 2006 3:36 am
Best Regards,
Shipo
Where the heck is the fun in that?
Personal observation: In the seven years I have roamed these boards, the very best conversations I've witnessed couldn't even find the topic at hand with radar...
That said, I really didn't want to run too far afoul of the rules and have the "Topic Police" get after me, ummmm, errrr, again.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I do not know if USA Tuners, or a subsidiary, can bring those parts here to the USA.
Thanks in advance.
don
In an odd twist of events, I convinced her to try out the A8. She didn't want a third Audi in the house, but she couldn't resist my badgering.
We drove a SWB A8 on Monday. She was very impressed. So impressed, in fact, that she decided she didn't want to look at RWD cars any more and dropped the idea of an XJ altogether, as pretty as it is. The next day, we drove an E350 4Matic. She wasn't nearly as impressed. The ride quality was coarse in comparison, the interior felt a lot cheaper, it had a significantly smaller rear seat, and speaking of the seats, they were very hard. It just wasn't a car she wanted, at all- and the needlessly complex last-generation COMAND system was a glaring flaw. She wants a gold (Platinum Beige in Audi talk) A8, over the lightest beige interior color possible, with the Premium Package and 19" 12-spoke polished wheels (the gorgeous ones). I'm probably going to talk her into getting a different exterior color. Key features that the A8 has that she would really appreciate:
•Backup camera on the '07, which we'd be getting. She has it on the RX, and is too used to it to let it go.
•Ultra-smooth ride with Lexus-like quietness on the highway.
•We'd both enjoy the 350hp V8. I'm going to be stealing it a lot!
•Stunning interior
•Timeless exterior.
•Tons of creature comforts- all anyone would ever need is in the base model, but the Premium Package adds some cool goodies.
•Finally, most significantly, AWD. I wouldn't be comfortable with her driving a RWD car in the winter, because she's not really the most "skilled" driver. She drives safely, but not particularly well.
I think it's the perfect car for her.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
He did not say whether or not the S-package will be a mandentory addition for 2.0 T's with Quattro.
Well, one can only hope. Only way to buy the car IMNSHO...
Don't they have a Sport package that has all of the performance goodies, without the cosmetic stuff?
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The 3.2's mandentory sport suspension lets it corner flat, for sure.
That would work. Make the cosmetics the option, and the suspension the given.
The suspension tuning makes all the difference in the world, from my experience. It unleashes the true joy of driving the car, as opposed to merely commuting comfortably in style.
I see an awful lot of these little guys up here in NorCal these days. Still a very hip little ride.
Still would be better RWD.
It will be interesting to see what happens when the 1-series finally lands. I understand from the thread that the wagon version, and not the stubbier hatch, will be offered here. If so, my bank goes to BMW, assuming I'm in the market at the time...
I've actually read more than a few reviews saying that the A3 was a better driver than the 1, and is not only fun, but offers the 1's missing practicality, high-quality interior and aggressive style.
I love my little bugger.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
When I explained all their lit and web site only listed the A3 3.2 with S-line trim, they said an Audi dealer __can__ order one with regular suspension, but that it takes a month or more to get it.
Sherry
really? What kind of maintenance are we talking about? And for how long?
$550 would cover both of my vehicles through 3 years.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
I recently bought a NEW leftover 06 A3 (my first audi...and i love it so far...have 6,000+ miles on it)..one thing to note on the free maintenance:
My first scheduled maintenance was at 5,000 miles..and it was free.
The next free one is at 15,000 miles....but at 10,000 miles the oil should be changed again and the tires rotated....so this one i will have to pay for....i think this goes on like this, every other one isn't free..not sure if the $550 is worth it or not, but i thought i'd let ya all know.
don
Well, that's not entirely true. Your second oil change is due at 15,000 miles.
Best Regards,
Shipo
So its ok to go 10,000 miles between changes???
This audi dealer uses Castro oil.They hinted i should change it in the 5-6,000 mile range, but it was up to me.I just want to do whats best for the engine.
don
Oil is the lifeblood of an automobile engine. It is very cheap insurance towards ensuring a long and healthy life for your new car. Regular oil should be used for the initial break-in period as synthetics are essentially "too slippery" for proper break-in to occur. The first change should occur at 500 miles, the second at the 1000 mile marker.
After those first two changes one can make the migration to synthetic oils. Oil should still be changed every 5000-6000 miles because the oil still contaminates at the same rate as regular mineral-based oils. The suspension capabilities and anti-shearing properties are simply superior in the synthetic products. This is such an easy and hassle-free piece of maintenance it's not worth delaying it to try and save a few dollars. Remember, the automobile companies want your new car to last...but not to last too long!
~ Blue Jays ~
My earlier comments were specific to what your Owner's Manual recommends for scheduled oil services, and not necessarily what I would do were it that I was in your shoes.
"So it's ok to go 10,000 miles between changes???"
A lot of that depends upon the oil used.
"This Audi dealer uses Castrol oil. They hinted I should change it in the 5-6,000 mile range, but it was up to me. I just want to do what's best for the engine."
Here again, it depends upon the oil used. For a 10,000 mile OCI, the only oils that I would use in the 2.0T (regardless of brand or weight) would have to meet the most stringent VW 503.01 oil standard. Per the Castrol web site, the only oil that they sell here in North America that meets that standard is the German made Castrol Syntec 0W-30.
With the above in mind, oils that meet the older 502.00 oil spec are most probably good for 5,000 to 6,000 miles, and Castrol does in fact make one other oil that meets that spec, namely Castrol Syntec 5W-40.
If your dealer is using anything else, then I wouldn't even go 1,000 miles without dumping that oil, in fact, I wouldn't even let them put it in the engine in the first place. In the end, the only two 503.01 oils that are readily available here in North America that I would trust for 10,000 miles in the 2.0T are the aforementioned Castrol Syntec 0W-30 as well as the Mobil 1 0W-40.
Best Regards,
Shipo
This is my first Audi, and i want it to last me awhile.
don
Andy
I've had no mechanical problems as of yet. I've had no electrical problems as of yet. The paint isn't as scratch resistant as I would like, but what can you do; paint scratches. I grow to like this car more and more over time. The car was perfectly designed for my needs and wants. I thought originally it was maybe overpriced, but out of the many things I've bought and spent lots of money on over the years, the 30K spent out the door is one of the best values and most satisfying purchases ever.
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Also, in 2007 Audi took value out of the equation by removing free maintenance from their program. They need to add that back in.
Love it so far!!
don
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330