TSport

BenP - not a Max Power escort man??? What do you mean!!!

CS

Maybe we all need to wait for the new A4 to come out, with it's improved suspension geometry and lower unsprung weight !!

First reviews suggest very low understeer.

...or is that too much like heresy ?

David R

In its class, the A3 is out handled easily by the pug 306, seat leon (bloody thing), ford focus, even the new Astra for goodnessake. A3 has heaps of things going for it which make it class leading, but handling sadly is not one of them.

David

AL B

Bloody hell, I'm beginning to wish I'd never posted my opinion now!

The cars you list, do apparently have better handling. The 306 was always at the top. Seat Leon according to the mags is better, as is the Focus if you believe them. Not driven any of the above, so I couldn't make judgement. But I have driven the new Astra. And although it is light-years ahead of the one it replaced, I wouldn't put it ahead of the A3. But at the time I ordered my A3, early 1999, the mags at the time rated it. Top Gear mag put it a close second behind the 306 in terms of handling.

I think at the end of the day it comes down to perception and what cars you've owned in the past. If you've come from a background of pointy, go-kart-like, little GTi's, you may well think the A3 isn't good enough, and is down the list in terms of handling. If you've not come from those sort of the cars the A3 is obviously going to be a joy. But the A3 is attempting to do two jobs: 1) be a sporty hot hatch and 2) be a "luxury" compact class car.

But for everyones criticisms of the car, mine included (before I get harassed again) - I don't see people rushing out and uprating the suspension.

AL

BenP

I'm saying that it's Motorsport version of the demon tweeks catalog (I believe there are two) which doesn't exactly go in for whale tails / big-bore exhausts and tasteful Kevin+Tracy stickers :-)
Max Power does have a bit of a rep I'm affraid ;-) As a ball's-to-the-wall, no-frills, race prepared open-top westfield driver, my mate doesn't exactly fall into the Max-Power camp!

Anyway, it's pointless trying to improve an escort, the only way to do that is with a crusher :-)

Seriously though, I'm sure there's "A" very nicely Max-Power'd escort out there ..... I've just never heard of one.


Ben

IML337

I have upgraded wheels, tyres (50 series) and suspension, and the handling of my car is its strong point! I can't remember having the car understeer on a dry road. It is very susceptable to lift off oversteer and can get tail happy at times, far more often than getting close to understeer.

My car is not a turbo (n/a 1.8) so I dont really have the kind of power needed to adjust the attitude of the car while cornering (well not as much as I would like)...

The drawback with suspension upgrades and lower profile tyres is ride quality - and to be quite frank my ride quality is absolutely appalling. My interior now has a number of rattles (after 60000km and a big stereo which doesnt help either) The car is like a go kart to drive however (if a little slow) and you get used to it after a while.

David R

You state the obvious, John

David R

I'm not getting at you for your views - i think the A3 handles poorly but I don't hold it against it otherwise I wouldn't have bought the car. I think you have to simply be objective when discussing the merits of different motors and their aint no shame in saying that the car one owns has faults.

David

AL B

I agree David. No offence intended mate.