A3 vs A4
05-23-2005, 07:46 PM
#1
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A3 vs A4
As noted previously, my wife has an A3 DSG and I have an A4 Avant stick... I finally got a chance to drive the A3 a bit this weekend and discovered much that I liked, and much that I didn't.
Let's start from the outside and work in...
The A3 is just plain sexier than the A4 Avant. It looks leaner and more sporting. The rear is esp. more attractive. After washing the A3 for the first time, I have to say that I don't care much for the wheels that come with the sport package. They don't look that great to me and they are a pain to clean.
Interior... well there is a lot to like about the A3. The A3 sport package seats are more comfortable than my A4 seats but lack the adjustability of the power A4 seats. That is about even for me. What I don't like about the A3 interior is the abundance of hard plastic. After detailing the interior of the A4, the A3 interior feels kind of cheap. But I do love those sport seats!!!! I guess that I will have to find some S4 seats for my Avant!!!!
Engine and transmission...With 400+ lbs less weight, the A3 is quicker. (note to self...need a chip for the Avant
But...and for me it is a very big but...the DSG is a great auto transmission. I enjoyed it more than any auto that I have driven, but...it is never a substitute for a manual transmission. It always has a mind of its own and that doesn't work for me. It will still up shift and down shift when in manual mode. I didn't care so much for that!
So I guess for those that have a lot of traffic and still want something interesting to drive or have a spouse that will nor or cannot drive a stick, it is a great option. Don't get me wrong. My wife has always driven a stick and finally decided that DC traffic was just too much to deal with anymore. I agree and am glad that we have a DSG in the garage, but I would rather drive my stick avant.
I will continue to update my experiences with both cars. The bottom line at this point is that we both love our cars and they both fill each others needs almost perfectly. And the best part of all is I converted a French girl to a German car!!!
Let's start from the outside and work in...
The A3 is just plain sexier than the A4 Avant. It looks leaner and more sporting. The rear is esp. more attractive. After washing the A3 for the first time, I have to say that I don't care much for the wheels that come with the sport package. They don't look that great to me and they are a pain to clean.
Interior... well there is a lot to like about the A3. The A3 sport package seats are more comfortable than my A4 seats but lack the adjustability of the power A4 seats. That is about even for me. What I don't like about the A3 interior is the abundance of hard plastic. After detailing the interior of the A4, the A3 interior feels kind of cheap. But I do love those sport seats!!!! I guess that I will have to find some S4 seats for my Avant!!!!
Engine and transmission...With 400+ lbs less weight, the A3 is quicker. (note to self...need a chip for the Avant
But...and for me it is a very big but...the DSG is a great auto transmission. I enjoyed it more than any auto that I have driven, but...it is never a substitute for a manual transmission. It always has a mind of its own and that doesn't work for me. It will still up shift and down shift when in manual mode. I didn't care so much for that!So I guess for those that have a lot of traffic and still want something interesting to drive or have a spouse that will nor or cannot drive a stick, it is a great option. Don't get me wrong. My wife has always driven a stick and finally decided that DC traffic was just too much to deal with anymore. I agree and am glad that we have a DSG in the garage, but I would rather drive my stick avant.
I will continue to update my experiences with both cars. The bottom line at this point is that we both love our cars and they both fill each others needs almost perfectly. And the best part of all is I converted a French girl to a German car!!!
05-23-2005, 08:51 PM
#3
Re: A3 vs A4
Good review WKP, thanks! You mean she didn't want a Renault?:-)
I'm still breaking my DSG in so I haven't pushed the engine too hard yet. You caught my attention when you stated it had a mind of its own in that it will shift even while in manual mode. I haven't experienced this except for when it downshifts to 1st gear coming to a stop. Again, since I haven't ridden this thing very hard yet I don't know how close to redline it will go before it automatically kicks in and upshifts.
As for the interior, I don't mind the hard plastics because they are exactly that, hard. If it were flimsy and poor quality plastics I would feel differently. Of course my A3 doesn't quite measure up to my V8 Touareg as that was an extremely well appointed vehicle but then again I wasn't expecting too much when stepping down to the A3.
You nailed it on the head when you noted the A3 is 400lbs lighter than your Avant. I love the quick and nimble feeling of the A3 and think the sport suspension feels very nice. I differ with you on the rims however because I absolutely love 'em. It's one of the first things that stood out when I bought my sport package spec'd A3. I really like the bi-colored feature of these rims as they tend to hide break dust really well from what I can tell.
I think in general with rims, everyone has their own particular taste so one is not necessarily better than the other. I just happen to like these particular rims. Of course if these were BBS LMs they would even be nicer!! :-p
I'm still breaking my DSG in so I haven't pushed the engine too hard yet. You caught my attention when you stated it had a mind of its own in that it will shift even while in manual mode. I haven't experienced this except for when it downshifts to 1st gear coming to a stop. Again, since I haven't ridden this thing very hard yet I don't know how close to redline it will go before it automatically kicks in and upshifts.
As for the interior, I don't mind the hard plastics because they are exactly that, hard. If it were flimsy and poor quality plastics I would feel differently. Of course my A3 doesn't quite measure up to my V8 Touareg as that was an extremely well appointed vehicle but then again I wasn't expecting too much when stepping down to the A3.
You nailed it on the head when you noted the A3 is 400lbs lighter than your Avant. I love the quick and nimble feeling of the A3 and think the sport suspension feels very nice. I differ with you on the rims however because I absolutely love 'em. It's one of the first things that stood out when I bought my sport package spec'd A3. I really like the bi-colored feature of these rims as they tend to hide break dust really well from what I can tell.
I think in general with rims, everyone has their own particular taste so one is not necessarily better than the other. I just happen to like these particular rims. Of course if these were BBS LMs they would even be nicer!! :-p
05-23-2005, 08:59 PM
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I'm kinda partial to the 5-spokes that came with mine. :-)
Though I liked my old six spoke 17" that came with my B6 Avant.
Now, my all time favorite is the RS4 wheel, which I'm hoping to get soon for the A3.
Anyone out there interested in a set of 5-spoke Prem Pkg wheels for their A3? :-)
Now, my all time favorite is the RS4 wheel, which I'm hoping to get soon for the A3.
Anyone out there interested in a set of 5-spoke Prem Pkg wheels for their A3? :-)
05-23-2005, 09:10 PM
#5
Re: I'm kinda partial to the 5-spokes that came with mine. :-)
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92030/__hr_dsc00020.jpg"></center><p>I know what you mean. I used to love the 5 spoke design and never liked the multispoke look. Now I'm liking it. Go figure.
As you can see on my previous car..
As you can see on my previous car..
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