dward

Thanks for your answers and opinions so far, especially you David R helped me out a bit
already.

Do you guys have any experience on ABT or MTM tuning?

And those of you who have a standard A3 1,8t with tuned 200+ bhp engine, have you
had any clutch, gear or other transmission problems?

What's the use of getting bigger wheels despite the fact that they give more air for
the brakes? Is it for looks only or does it better the chassis? Because if it is for the looks
only, I am not interested. Standard size is 15" I think. How big
wheels do you reccommend and why? How big wheels fit under the fenders if the car is
lowered a bit? Will it affect the speedometre or other devices?

And finally, what would be your choice between V6 30V 4motion Golf and A3 1,8t
quattro? Don't mind about the image. Is VW 6V engine tuneable more than about +10 bhp?

I want a 4WD and above 220 bhp with enough durability for the engine. The money is
an objet too, so S3 and Subaru Impreza is out of the question. The choices are the Audi
or the VW.


Share your opinions and views,

Dan

AL B

Hi Dan,

Ok, firstly, UK A3Q's are 180bhp not 150.

Don't know about ABT or MTM tuning other than they are bloody expensive. <a href="http://www.auto-amd.com">AmD</a> probably offer the best price/performance in the UK.

Wheels: obviously bigger wheels, and thus wider tyres will mean better grip, but not necessarlity better handling. I read somewhere, that the lighter the wheels and suspension bits are, the better the handling. Plus better feedback. (No doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong) But mainly bigger wheels just look better.
If I was going for new wheels, I'd get 17's, I doubt they'd affect handling or feedback too much. Bigger wheels could affect speedo readings, so tyre selection is crutial, I think David R, Ravenx or John know more of the details.

Which would I have? Hard choice. Well, both are a similar price, the Audi being dearer. VW is quicker to 60 by 0.4seconds. VW weighs 1401kg (autobytel), Audi 1145kg (What Car?). On performance alone for the price, the VW is the car to choose. To get the A3Q to more than 200bhp is going to cost £1000+. So I'd pick the Golf if money was the deciding factor. But I'd pick the A3 if I wanted a nicer looking car, style, a prestigous badge, and if I wasn't bothered about 0.4 seconds.

My 2p's worth, hope it helps a bit.

AL
'99.5 A3 1.8TS Silver

deleonl1

With bigger wheels comes lower profile tires and so the handling of your car will become tighter. I'd say that with the A3 I wouldn't go any larger than 17". Anything above that is definitely only for looks and your teeth will be chattering when you go over rough roads. I think a 16" wheel would be the best choice for your A3 and with the right choice of tire size, your speedometer and gear ratios won't be affected much.

Go for the A3 1.8t quattro if you want a tunable engine. It'll cost you major cash to get anything more than 10+ hp out of a non-turbo charged engine. Chipping the 150 hp 1.8t will get you to around 200 hp and then add some other goodies and you'll be near 220 hp. To get above 220 hp you'll need to step up to a bigger turbo. So you might want to add up the cost of a standard A3 1.8t quattro and the cost of getting it above 220 hp and compare that to an S3 that already has 210 hp out the box.

David R

no hands on experience but on paper they are very much more expensive for similar performance when compared to, say, AmD.

Don't buy the V5/V6 - pound per pound you'll get more from a turbo mod (see above posts about 1.8 rechip)

P1

I had an MTM ECU on my S3. Very very good. Cost me the same as an AMD remap from Aston Green. So they are both as expensive !.

Jonathan

P1

Top Gear this month tests the Golf and A3TQ. Comprehensive victory for the Golf.

Faster, More Fun to Drive etc

Jonathan

a3_quattro

<p>99 A3 quattro Sport
Cactus Green / Platinum Leather
Body kit?!

dward

Thanks for the answer, but you can get low profile tires for smaller wheels too, so that's not an excuse to buy bigger wheels. Are there any other reasons to buy bigger wheels despite the looks?

Dan

deleonl1

Yeah, you can get lower profile tires for smaller wheels, but you would be affecting your speedometer and gear ratios. But you are basically right, the main reason everyone gets bigger wheels is for the looks.

NikoS3

You mention that you had an MTM ECU on the S3.
Why do you use past tense?What do you have now?

Nikos.