You are here: Forums Wagons Audi A3 Changes You'd Like To See in the A3

Changes You'd Like To See in the A3

47 messages,  Last post on May 29, 2009 at 3:58 PM

You are in the Audi A3 Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Audi A3, Future Vehicle, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#36 of 47 Re: A TDI [nomowhale] by shipo Jun 19, 2008 (1:46 pm)
Replying to: nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 1:34 pm) "With the AC on the BMW would struggle a little bit until I got up to 3500 rpms where it would reach its max torque."   Really? Did you have a manual or an automatic transmission? I ask because I never even felt the presence of the A/C compressor on my 2002 530i 5-Speed.   Best Regards,. Shipo Replies to this message: nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 2:04 pm) shipo (Jun 19, 2008 2:36 pm) nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 7:01 pm) and 1 more...
#37 of 47 Re: A TDI [shipo] by nomowhale Jun 19, 2008 (2:04 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Jun 19, 2008 1:46 pm) I had the manual. I felt just the slightest hesitation below 2000 rpm with the AC on. I wonder how much the horsepower was reduced at that point with the AC on compared to with it off. If I remember correctly the engine produced 175 lbs of torque at 1800 rpm. My 2004 Jetta had 166lbs of torque at 1800rpm and was a much lighter car. My 530i was lacking a little in low end torque in my opinion.   I love BMWs. I had a 2001 323i before the 530i and I think the engine was better matched to size and weight of the car--just my opinion. I never had any hesitation with the AC on in that car. I liked the 323i better than the 530i because of the engine and its handling characteristics. Replies to this message: shipo (Jun 19, 2008 2:36 pm) nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 7:01 pm) shipo (Jun 19, 2008 7:12 pm)
#38 of 47 Re: A TDI [nomowhale] by shipo Jun 19, 2008 (2:36 pm)
Replying to: nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 2:04 pm) Hmmm, interesting. A couple of points:   1) I had a 1999 328i 5-Speed prior to my 5er, and I have to admit, while I liked my 530i MUCH better than the 328i, the 3er had better throttle response, errr, at least for a while.   2) Item #1 isn't completely true. I picked up my 530i in Munich in April of 2002, and while I had the car over in Europe, the throttle response was almost perfect. The only thing I would have changed about the throttle programming Mark 1 was that if I was accelerating up a ramp to the AutoBahn and then partially lifted because of traffic in front of me, and if the current speeds were in excess of 80 mph, the car always felt like it wanted to keep accelerating, forcing me to lift off even further.   3) When I got the car back to the States, my dealer did me a "favor" by flashing the OBC with the latest code. Gee, thanks for nothing. The Mark 2 programming of the drive by wire software sucked so badly that I nearly got into a couple of accidents. Say I'd be turning left out onto a 4-lane road, and say the hole wasn't all that large; I'd nail it, get into the hole, and then lift off throttle so as to transition from acceleration to steady speed. The OBC would sense a sudden decrease in pedal angle and SHUT DOWN the power like RIGHT NOW, even if I still had some pressure on the gas pedal. The problem only got worse when the A/C was on.   4) After hearing from a service technician that, "They all do that" and me responding, "Well, it sure as hell didn't do that in Europe", he looked a bit stunned and went in and checked the release date of the firmware. Sure enough, it was dated right about when my car was delivered to me in the States.   5) He immediately installed what I'll call the Mark 3 version of the firmware and the problems were immediately solved.   That was a long way around of suggesting that maybe you had the Mark 2 code as well.   Back to the A3, the single largest change that I'd love to see in the A3 would be if Audi would humor all of us BMW drivers and switch the car from FWD to RWD.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 7:01 pm) shipo (Jun 19, 2008 7:12 pm)
#39 of 47 Re: A TDI [shipo] by nomowhale Jun 19, 2008 (7:01 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Jun 19, 2008 2:36 pm) Wow, interesting stuff about your software issues. Perhaps that was my problem. The thing is I never complained to my mechanic in the two years I had the car. I just dealt with it.   I couldn't agree with you more on the RWD matter. I honestly would not be driving this A3 if the BMW 1-Series was brought over here in a more practical form for where I am in my life. With two young boys (8 and 3), the 128i was an impossibility. The older one ditching his booster seat a few weeks ago was one of the triggers in my decision to trade in the 5 Series. It is amazing how much room those seats take up. The little one will be out of the 5 point harness seat and into a booster in 2 months. I just didn't need such a big car anymore. I actually looked at getting another pre-owned 3 series, but my dealer only had coupes at the price I wanted to pay. I am in enough hot water about this A3 with my wife. If I came home with a 128i I would have been kicked out of the house. I "accidently" bought the A3 and forgot to tell my wife. I have a history with this. I also "accidently" bought my 323i back in 2004 without telling her until after. She had the same reaction both times. She hung up on me when I called her from the car on the way back from the dealer. Boy, was she pissed last week. I got so caught up in the purchase it slipped my mind, and we always talk about big purchases before we do anything. Hopefully, I learned my lesson for my next car.....I doubt it   I can't see Audi ever changing the drive configuration of the A3. That would be a very expensive proposition. Do you know any models that were in production that switched their drive configuration from front to back or vice versa? I have not driven a FWD car with any regularity since I had a 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero. The understeering was very bad. I don't have the same problem in my A3. I have been very surprised how well it drives despite being FWD.   I am praying my next car is a BMW 123d (five door) sometime in 3 or 4 years, but I am not holding my breath. If that is not going to happen then I will take an A3 with a diesel engine. I suppose that is my problem. I am always thinking of my next car as soon as I get a new one.....   Larry Replies to this message: shipo (Jun 19, 2008 7:12 pm)
#40 of 47 Re: A TDI [nomowhale] by shipo Jun 19, 2008 (7:12 pm)
Replying to: nomowhale (Jun 19, 2008 7:01 pm) While I agree that we're more likely to have the speaking of French banned in Quebec than we are of seeing a RWD variant of the A3, the actual conversion probably isn't as difficult as it might otherwise sound. Given that the A3 can already be had with the Haldex AWD system, we know by default that the rear suspension and body pan is already setup to accept RWD mechanicals. The only issue would be how to divorce the front wheels from the transmission, and how to most efficiently transmit the power from the engine and tranny, which are installed laterally in the car, to the longitudinally mounted drive shaft.   But hey, I can dream can't I?   Cordialement, Shipo
#41 of 47 2009 A3 by andres3 Jun 30, 2008 (2:15 pm)
should have 220 HP with 25/32 type gas mileage with 2.0 T and Quattro all the while shedding 50 lbs. Replies to this message: shipo (Jun 30, 2008 6:19 pm)
#42 of 47 Re: 2009 A3 [andres3] by shipo Jun 30, 2008 (6:19 pm)
Replying to: andres3 (Jun 30, 2008 2:15 pm) Everything that I've seen indicates no change in power, regardless of whether the car is configured as FWD or AWD, the mileage however does go up a touch with the new CCTA engine.   Best Regards, Shipo
#43 of 47 Re: Changes You'd Like To See in the A3 [pf_flyer] by JLaw012 Dec 27, 2008 (10:04 am)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Oct 16, 2006 6:00 am) I know the A3 is supposed to have an Average reliability rating, why can't they make a more reliable car for once? and i agree an AWD option on the 2.0 would be nice, however i am liking the gas mileage.
#44 of 47 by fbt Feb 12, 2009 (2:27 pm)
After 20,000 miles on my 2007 A3 2.0 manual, S-line the only real complaint I have is with the climate control. It's kind of a bother to bring in just fresh air without the heater coming on and I'm always pushing the buttons trying get it like I want. The AC is a bit weak for Houston summers too.   I'ts my first premium brand car, I'm still a bit amazed at the prices for such simple things like wiper blades, filters and the such.   Okay maybe one more thing, the tires are noisey.
#45 of 47 Agreed by andres3 Feb 17, 2009 (2:46 pm)
The road noise depending on the tires can be pronounced. The AC is too weak for this size car, might work good in a Mini Cooper but A3 is bigger and needs better.   The reliability is fantastic and supreme. ONly real problems have been the center storage armrest latch broke on the cover and the rear armrest cupholder isn't working and I guess never was (but didn't check it until now)   48,000 miles and easily the most reliable well built vehicle I've ever had, purchased, and/or rode in.   Top 3 improvements the A3 needs are as follows:   1) Make A/C stronger 2) Quality control on little details like latches. 3) Climate Control intuition   And then I'd add   4) A bit more horsepower and torque 5) a bit more efficiency and gas mileage   You can always you a bit more of #4 and 5 to stay on top of the competition.

Messages Page 5 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Wagons Audi A3 Changes You'd Like To See in the A3