Anyone driven both of the above cars? Is the Q worth the extra. Any comparisons welcomed. Also the S3. It seems a lot of money for a 3 Door hatch, quality and performance aside.

How does the A3 1.8TQ compare to the A4 1.8TQ?

All info appreciated.

Well, I haven't driven a A3 1.8T or 1.8TQ, but I do own an S3 and have driven an A4 1.8TQ Sports Edition (180hp).

The car costs here (Turkey) a little more than in the UK. I chose it, because I didn't want to drive a dull 4 door Subaru Impreza (dull in terms of the design, we don't get the 2 door versions here).

The quality is quite o.k., but don't expect it to match BMW. The engine doesn't sound as wild as the Impreza, but still makes itself heard. The performance is great, but not so much better than the A4 1.8TQ S.

The term quattro is not very suitable for the S3 as it is only a part time 4wheeler unlike the A4 versions. The Haldex clutch takes over, if it feels necessary to do so. Therefore, the car follows not a perfect straight driving line. This will be the case on the A3 1.8TQ. So keep this in mind.

The gear change is chunky and the clutch is a little too soft. It needs some adaptation time, but a great car overall. And best of all (as ARE mentioned in his last posting), the S3 doesn't get recognized by many drivers and believe me, they get very angry when you flash and overtake them. Seeing their frustrated faces makes you feel great. This feeling makes the high price worth paying. I'm a happy owner.

Hope you found some of the ideas you were looking for.

ravenx
'00 Black S3

Hi fellow brit!

Well, I'm going to be of no help to you here when I say: I had the opportunity to take a test drive of an A3 1.8TQ, but didn't go through with it! Mad I know. The reason? Well, I'd just got my A3, and I didn't want to spoil the happiness by driving a car that a) had "quattro" and b) had 30 more horses!

But regarding the dilemma of choosing between 2wd or 4wd in the A3. If I had my time again, I think I'd choose the A3 1.8TQ. Cause lets face it, get the 1.8TQ chipped and a few other mods, and you'll soon have 210bhp or more, which will make it almost an S3 anyway.

I agree with the previous posting, the gear box in the A3 is a bit notchy. In fact, when you first drive one, it feels awful. Epecially the down change from 3rd to 2nd. But you get used to it. But don't get me wrong, it has a quality feel to it, but it's tight.

Regards,

Alan.
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

I've not driven the 1.8t quattro but have driven the S3 and have a one week old A31.8T.In marginal conditions I expect the extra traction is useful but the S3 had a noisy gearbox /drive especially on tight corners.The weight is a huge increase on theS3 not quite so bad on the quattro but the usual chip from AmD gives about 190bhp and loads of torque enough to offset the traction advantage I suspect.Find a dealer who has both as demos and get behind the wheel for a couple of hours.
I'm enjoying the A3 even though it is only 2 wheel drive, but I can always go and play in wife's A4 1.8T quattro Sport as yet unchipped !

the S3 is alot stiffer and noiser than the non S's bear in mind you can chip/air filter/exhaust upgrade all for £1000 and get 210bhp out of an A3t 2WD if you source your tuning parts from the states

ive drove both cars a 98 1.8t 3dr and a 2000 1.8t quattro (wich i now own) the quattro is much smoother and feels beeter to drive than the 2wd theres no loss of traction and corners a lot better. the transmission is not noisey in the slightest.