My New Ride...
12-04-2005, 09:48 PM
#1
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My New Ride...
<center><img src="http://images5.theimagehosting.com/IMG_0010.28.JPG"></center><p>I posted this over on Vortex, but thought it might be of interest here...
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Months and months ago I read an article in Autoweek about the A3. I think I knew that day that I was going to buy this car. I was driving a Z4 3.0 6sp at the time (actually, I was driving it until Saturday). It was an awesome car, but I wanted something more practical. Still fast but, but more usable and more discreet. Did I mention still powered? And it HAD to be small. I hate big cars. Like the new 3 series. Too big. That makes for limited options, especially with the who-knows-when timetable for the BMW 1 Series.
Back to the A3. I never really looked into the 2.0T. I sat in one a few months ago and was impressed, but I didn't drive it. When the 3.2 came out that changed. That was two weeks ago at the San Ffrancisco auto show.
I've been all about this car since.
On Saturday, I picked up a Lava Grey/Grey A3 3.2 Quattro with Nav+, BT, CWP, Adaptive Bi-Zenons and OpenSky. It was a good day.
Today was a good day, too.
I took the car north of the city (San Francisco) to Bodega Bay up Highway One. Great ride anytime. Particularly good place to play within the confines of the break-in period. The last time I drove this road, I was top down in my Z4. I was NOT disappointed today. (Well, I felt like I was handcuffed by the break-in rules, but I was NOT disappointed at ALL by the car.) Quite impressed, actually. What a fine machine.
The car had ample power accessible nearly all the time. The engine in impressive. The grip is flawless. And I was keeping it "calm" for break-in purposes. Nothing over 4000 RPMs and easy on the brakes.
I have read a number of review from drivers of the 2.0T who have concluded that their cars are faster. I can't dispute that, but I can say that coming from the Z4 -- a FAST car -- the 3.2 feels fast to me. It is fast. And the DSG, something I am still getting used to, only adds to the speed. The transmission is really a marvel. I have used in the manual mode only and I am quite impressed with it. The 2.0T's that I tested were fast and fun as hell to drive, but I think this car is faster. Admittedly, though, I habe spent about a 200 more miles in this car than in any 2.0T.
Oh, the adaptive headlights -- I assumed they were a gimmick. Wrong. I think this is another feature like Nav or bluetooth integration. Once you have it, you don't want to give it up. It works flawlessly and is a major safety point. And very cool, too.
Negatives?
The brakes. The Z4 stopped like it was connected to your cerebral cortex. (That's how I would describe DSG's response, actually). Now, I haven't mashed the brakes because of the break-in, but this car is clearly not as capable at stopping as the Z4 was. Still way better than average, but my last car was exceptional on this. An allowable flaw considering the benefits.
The suspension is also much softer than the Z4 sport suspension, but it's not soft. It's perfect for me right now. I'll upgrage to 18" tires and NEW wheels (ugh) in the summer. The stock wheels are really ugly.
I had the car debadged. See the pics below. Nice car.
I plan on some tint and painted calipers.
______________
Months and months ago I read an article in Autoweek about the A3. I think I knew that day that I was going to buy this car. I was driving a Z4 3.0 6sp at the time (actually, I was driving it until Saturday). It was an awesome car, but I wanted something more practical. Still fast but, but more usable and more discreet. Did I mention still powered? And it HAD to be small. I hate big cars. Like the new 3 series. Too big. That makes for limited options, especially with the who-knows-when timetable for the BMW 1 Series.
Back to the A3. I never really looked into the 2.0T. I sat in one a few months ago and was impressed, but I didn't drive it. When the 3.2 came out that changed. That was two weeks ago at the San Ffrancisco auto show.
I've been all about this car since.
On Saturday, I picked up a Lava Grey/Grey A3 3.2 Quattro with Nav+, BT, CWP, Adaptive Bi-Zenons and OpenSky. It was a good day.
Today was a good day, too.
I took the car north of the city (San Francisco) to Bodega Bay up Highway One. Great ride anytime. Particularly good place to play within the confines of the break-in period. The last time I drove this road, I was top down in my Z4. I was NOT disappointed today. (Well, I felt like I was handcuffed by the break-in rules, but I was NOT disappointed at ALL by the car.) Quite impressed, actually. What a fine machine.
The car had ample power accessible nearly all the time. The engine in impressive. The grip is flawless. And I was keeping it "calm" for break-in purposes. Nothing over 4000 RPMs and easy on the brakes.
I have read a number of review from drivers of the 2.0T who have concluded that their cars are faster. I can't dispute that, but I can say that coming from the Z4 -- a FAST car -- the 3.2 feels fast to me. It is fast. And the DSG, something I am still getting used to, only adds to the speed. The transmission is really a marvel. I have used in the manual mode only and I am quite impressed with it. The 2.0T's that I tested were fast and fun as hell to drive, but I think this car is faster. Admittedly, though, I habe spent about a 200 more miles in this car than in any 2.0T.
Oh, the adaptive headlights -- I assumed they were a gimmick. Wrong. I think this is another feature like Nav or bluetooth integration. Once you have it, you don't want to give it up. It works flawlessly and is a major safety point. And very cool, too.
Negatives?
The brakes. The Z4 stopped like it was connected to your cerebral cortex. (That's how I would describe DSG's response, actually). Now, I haven't mashed the brakes because of the break-in, but this car is clearly not as capable at stopping as the Z4 was. Still way better than average, but my last car was exceptional on this. An allowable flaw considering the benefits.
The suspension is also much softer than the Z4 sport suspension, but it's not soft. It's perfect for me right now. I'll upgrage to 18" tires and NEW wheels (ugh) in the summer. The stock wheels are really ugly.
I had the car debadged. See the pics below. Nice car.
I plan on some tint and painted calipers.
12-04-2005, 11:59 PM
#5
Very very sweet! Thanks for posting! If only the DSG didn't scare me regarding long term reliability
(keep my cars long past the warranty), I'd be joining you now :-)
Looks great. Nice pics.
Looks great. Nice pics.
12-05-2005, 03:02 AM
#6
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very very awesome dude! i figured the Adaptive BX would be incredible
once you got use to them. You didn't compare this car to a chipped A3 - which most everyone on this board does. But I'm really happy to hear your report since I've decided on the 3.2 - can't wait.
I'm selling my 2000 S4 if anyone is interested!
I'm selling my 2000 S4 if anyone is interested!
