Test drove an A3 today.. Nice tranmission..

Waggin · 12-12-2005, 07:01 PM

- The DSG tranny is fantastic, especially the way you can jump into temporary manual mode just by hitting the paddles. Just what's needed to get in the right gear for that quick corner. (If I can find the paddle in time.. Left foot shifting perhaps?)

- Very quick for something with "only" 200 HP and two people on board, Throttle is a bit too "hair trigger" for my liking, but this might be relative to my Volvo's very sluggish throttle response.

- The sport package suspension feels great.. Nice and firm.

- And, it has the first manual seat I've seen with a height adjustment. Don't need a heavy motorized seat any more..

The negatives..
- I kept grabbing the wiper stalk instead of the right paddle. It's too close. (I wonder if the plastic stalk will bend under the influence of my heat gun?)

- Not a lot of space to the right of my right leg. Actually, there's none.

- No steering feel, it's number than my 94 Volvo 850. Not as responsive either. This is just plain wrong. (Wondering if they slipped in steer-by-wire?)

I'll wait for the 3.2 quattro version to see how it feels before I buy.

And, before I accept delivery, get the grille "fixed":

Mike2kS4 · 12-12-2005, 07:34 PM

It doesn't feel has "heavy" or "meaty" as my S4, but it definitely is precise and gives a good amount of feedback. Mine is at the stock sport/6m setting.

An_A_car · 12-12-2005, 07:44 PM

Kev06A3 · 12-12-2005, 08:00 PM

makes a world of difference. Very firm steering now at low speeds (matches high speed firmness) but I still feel that steering input is more numb than I'd like. Nonetheless, I'd wager the steering setting would more or less resolve the problem you mentioned.

steveracer · 12-13-2005, 06:52 AM

Your change on the A4 is much more needed than the A3, as the A3 has less overhang and a less fussy front headlamp design. I thought I would want to do this too, but I was initially looking at the A4 with its taller front hood and longer nose that accentuates the urinal on the front of the car.

I just got my A3 last week, and really like the looks now more than when I first saw the car in the spring. Keep us posted on your grille mods when you get yer A3, inquiring minds wanna know.

0cean · 12-13-2005, 08:09 AM

It took only a couple of days. Not something I would even worry about.

Timmay · 12-13-2005, 08:36 AM

Not sure why you kept grabbing the wiper stalk as I think it's far enough away from the wheel and right upshift paddle. I think you'd get used to it right away and is not a big deal.

TT Karl · 12-13-2005, 08:39 AM

will likely end up ordering a Euro plate and holder. I'll either paint them matte black or the car color, not sure which yet.

radcoup · 12-13-2005, 10:23 AM

the grill and would be interested in seeing what you cam up with.

How much did they charge ?

TIA !

TT Karl · 12-13-2005, 10:30 AM

it for free. Decided to take them up on it (partially due to advice from users here) since it would be an easy fix if I hated it. I think the filler panel is around $80.

12-12-2005, 07:34 PM	#2
Mike2kS4 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,096	You can adjust the steering via Vagcom... It doesn't feel has "heavy" or "meaty" as my S4, but it definitely is precise and gives a good amount of feedback. Mine is at the stock sport/6m setting. __________________ 2002 S4 Avant, 6spd. Bone stock. <a href="http://www.autospeed.us"> </a> Caveat: Any advice I express regarding potential tuning and such is purely informational. If your knowledge and abilities are not up to the task, no amount of advice can assist.

12-12-2005, 07:44 PM	#3
An_A_car AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 248	i have the same feeling about the hair triger, can this be changed anyone?

12-12-2005, 08:00 PM	#4
Kev06A3 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 57	Changing VAGCOM steering setting to 0 instead of default 6/8 makes a world of difference. Very firm steering now at low speeds (matches high speed firmness) but I still feel that steering input is more numb than I'd like. Nonetheless, I'd wager the steering setting would more or less resolve the problem you mentioned. __________________ 2006 A3 2.0T DSG Sport/Bose/Xen/OS + Revo, H&R RSB Phoenix, AZ

12-13-2005, 06:52 AM	#5
steveracer AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 747	Grille change on A3 nets less than the A4... Your change on the A4 is much more needed than the A3, as the A3 has less overhang and a less fussy front headlamp design. I thought I would want to do this too, but I was initially looking at the A4 with its taller front hood and longer nose that accentuates the urinal on the front of the car. I just got my A3 last week, and really like the looks now more than when I first saw the car in the spring. Keep us posted on your grille mods when you get yer A3, inquiring minds wanna know. __________________ 2011 a4 Q 2002 a4 CVT

12-13-2005, 08:09 AM	#6
0cean AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 931	As far as the Throttle, I had the same problem. But you will really get use to it. It took only a couple of days. Not something I would even worry about. __________________ 2006 Audi A3 2.0t silver Sport package Convinance package Cold weather package Black leather seats Bose sound Eibach springs windows tinted Custom ipod adapter Location: San Diego C.A.

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12-13-2005, 08:36 AM	#7
Timmay AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19,501	Re: Test drove an A3 today.. Nice tranmission.. Not sure why you kept grabbing the wiper stalk as I think it's far enough away from the wheel and right upshift paddle. I think you'd get used to it right away and is not a big deal. __________________ ------------------------------------------- 2006 Cayman S Carrara White Loaded ____________________ 2006 A3 2.0T DSG Silver on Black Sport Package and Loaded

12-13-2005, 08:39 AM	#8
TT Karl Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 679	Dealer painted my filler plate the car color. I am liking it better than the black, but will likely end up ordering a Euro plate and holder. I'll either paint them matte black or the car color, not sure which yet. __________________ 2006 A3 2.0T 6MT Ocean Blue Sport, Open Sky, Bluetooth, Convenience, bi-Xenon, XM

12-13-2005, 10:23 AM	#9
radcoup New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 173	Would like to see a pic of your grill if possible..I have thought about modifying.. the grill and would be interested in seeing what you cam up with. How much did they charge ? TIA ! __________________ A3 3.2 Murano Green Roof Rails Hard Top

12-13-2005, 10:30 AM	#10
TT Karl Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 679	I'll try to post a pic soon - don't see much daylight during the week. Dealer offered to paint it for free. Decided to take them up on it (partially due to advice from users here) since it would be an easy fix if I hated it. I think the filler panel is around $80. __________________ 2006 A3 2.0T 6MT Ocean Blue Sport, Open Sky, Bluetooth, Convenience, bi-Xenon, XM

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