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andreas_g4 · 02:21 PM

I have a terrible four months-or-so wait ahead of me:

After some thought how to spend the budget my company has given me to order a company car, I decided to go for a well equipped Audi A3 Sportback as opposed to a higher end car with less extras.

This is what it looks like (the correct wheels are not shown for some reason…), except that the chassis is a bit lower (suspension):

2.0 TDI (170 HP)
S-Tronic Automatic Trannsmission
Sport Suspension (25mm lower chassis, harder)
17" Wheels
S-Line exterior package (makes it look angry)
and lots of cool stuff on the inside

Yay! And I don't even have to pay for gas

Now I just have to wait…

Sealobo · Dec 5, 2009, 06:12 AM

Good taste.

Audi has gone through a massive improvement over recent years.

ctt1wbw · Dec 5, 2009, 06:44 AM

I'll take my new A8 Quattro in silver please.

Phileas · Dec 5, 2009, 07:03 AM

The sport suspension will kill your back. Otherwise, very cool car. I totally agree with the idea of getting a small car with all the trimmings against a bigger car with just the basics. Good thinking.

andreas_g4 · Dec 5, 2009, 07:54 AM

Yep, I was warned about the suspension. As I was asked to reconsider the s-line exterior package, sine it doesn't really have any substantial benefit besides the fog lights.

However I think the sports suspension gives the car a nice sportive appearance, as well as a more secure driving experience. And the sline just looks cool, and I think this train of thought is legitimate for 28 years… :-)

andreas_g4 · Dec 5, 2009, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

I'll take my new A8 Quattro in silver please.

better car, hands down, but I suspect it wouldn't quite fit my age…

*

* and most possibly my budget, either

ctt1wbw · Dec 5, 2009, 08:47 AM

That is one helluva nice looking car. About 50k out of my range.

Laminar · Dec 5, 2009, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Sealobo

Good taste.

Audi has gone through a massive improvement over recent years.

Yeah, the stuff that made in the mid-90s was pure garbage.

angelmb · Dec 5, 2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by andreas_g4

Yay! And I don't even have to pay for gas

and your choice was a damn Diesel??

Spheric Harlot · Dec 5, 2009, 11:00 AM

What's wrong with a 170hp TDi?

Buffy Summers · Dec 5, 2009, 11:12 AM

congrats but my Bimmer 135i is way cooler

MacinTommy · Dec 5, 2009, 11:30 AM

Audi is a great car company and it happens to own an even better car company...

Doofy · Dec 5, 2009, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

Audi is a great car company and it happens to own an even better car company...

Audi own Ferrari?

turtle777 · Dec 5, 2009, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

Audi is a great car company and it happens to own an even better car company...

Audi doesn't own any company.

Volkswagen AG does.

-t

MacinTommy · Dec 5, 2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Audi doesn't own any company.

Volkswagen AG does.

-t

If you really want to get that technical. Audi AG is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG but Lamborghini is a subsidiary of Audi AG... So yes Volkswagen AG owns Lamborghini in a roundabout way.

Doofy · Dec 5, 2009, 12:03 PM

I'm half expecting your sig to burst into flames and burn down, MacinT.

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Audi doesn't own any company.

Volkswagen AG does.

-t

If VW AG owned Lambo directly, wouldn't it use VW equipment instead of Audi?

MacinTommy · Dec 5, 2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I'm half expecting your sig to burst into flames and burn down, MacinT.

Hahaha. Lambo's are know for bursting into flames...

MacinTommy · Dec 5, 2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

If VW AG owned Lambo directly, wouldn't it use VW equipment instead of Audi?

Guy 1: "Bunch Bug Verde Ithica!"
Guy 2:" "What?"
Guy 1: "It's a green Lamborghini... Basically the same thing as a green Bug right?"

cjrivera · Dec 5, 2009, 12:58 PM

Very nice car. Congrats.

Paco500 · Dec 5, 2009, 01:28 PM

I thought the "sportback" was the 5-Door- but either way, nice car. I'm learning to like my Audi quite a bit.

Doofy · Dec 5, 2009, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

What's wrong with a 170hp TDi?

It's under 250 hp?

andreas_g4 · Dec 5, 2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Paco500

I thought the "sportback" was the 5-Door- but either way, nice car. I'm learning to like my Audi quite a bit.

thanks, corrected the link… should look at my own post from time to time…

mduell · Dec 5, 2009, 02:32 PM

Sport suspension on a 100 hp/ton car? Why bother?

Jawbone54 · Dec 5, 2009, 02:50 PM

Love me some Audi. Good luck with the car. Looks beautiful.

downinflames68 · Dec 5, 2009, 03:50 PM

Automatic transmission? Check.

S-line exterior package to make it look fast but isn't? Check.

Wimpy little engine that makes 20 more horsepower than a 1995 Dodge Neon? Check.

This car is ghey.

andreas_g4 · Dec 5, 2009, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

Sport suspension on a 100 hp/ton car? Why bother?

as stated:

Originally Posted by andreas_g4

However I think the sports suspension gives the car a nice sportive appearance, as well as a more secure driving experience.

andreas_g4 · Dec 5, 2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Love me some Audi. Good luck with the car. Looks beautiful.

Thanks, glad to hear

downinflames68 · Dec 5, 2009, 04:16 PM

So you got the stiff suspension because it appears sportier? Which incidentally is the same reason you got the S-line package, so it "APPEARS" sportier? And then got an automatic?

Dude. Seriously.

angelmb · Dec 5, 2009, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

What's wrong with a 170hp TDi?

The middle letter.

Andreas, did the company prevent you from getting a petrol engine car?.

sek929 · Dec 5, 2009, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

The middle letter.

Direct?

TDi = Turbo Direct Injection

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by downinflames68

So you got the stiff suspension because it appears sportier? Which incidentally is the same reason you got the S-line package, so it "APPEARS" sportier? And then got an automatic?

Dude. Seriously.

Have you ever driven an A3? Especially one with the S-tronic? It's not an automatic, it's a DSG. You'll never shift as quickly as it.

angelmb · Dec 5, 2009, 04:39 PM

Sure, TDI stands for turbocharged direct-injection but you know it is VW's designation for Diesel and only Diesel models.

angelmb · Dec 5, 2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Have you ever driven an A3? Especially one with the S-tronic? It's not an automatic, it's a DSG. You'll never shift as quickly as it.

Thank goodness so you might mitigate the turbo lag.

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Thank goodness so you might mitigate the turbo lag.

I wouldn't buy the TDI without it. 2.0T, yes, but not TDI.

is not · Dec 5, 2009, 04:47 PM

the bigger the audi the uglier

Doofy · Dec 5, 2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by sek929

Direct?

TDi = Turbo Direct Injection

Shows how much I know.
I always thought it was "Turbo Diesel Injection".

angelmb · Dec 5, 2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I wouldn't by the TDI without it. 2.0T, yes, but not TDI.

Why would an American want a TDI?, just curious.

angelmb · 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Shows how much I know.
I always thought it was "Turbo Diesel Injection".

It is just a branding false friend. VW didn't invent anything Direct Injection, neither Diesel nor petrol.

Edit: cr*p, I mean branding, marketing false friends are a whole different thing.

Doofy · Dec 5, 2009, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

It is just a marketing false friend. VW didn't invent anything Direct Injection, neither Diesel nor petrol.

Pretty sure the "TDi" badge on the back of #2 Jeep has nothing to do with VW.

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Why would an American want a TDI?, just curious.

Gas mileage, federal tax credit. For me, in a small car I'd rather have an efficient petrol engine. But I think all these silly crossover SUVs should have diesels.

downinflames68 · Dec 5, 2009, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Have you ever driven an A3? Especially one with the S-tronic? It's not an automatic, it's a DSG. You'll never shift as quickly as it.

It's not the speed of the shifting that is the problem, it's the amount of control. As a self-proclaimed car enthusiast, I would have thought you'd know this. The problem with ANY automatic is that you are only able to control it through throttle input. With this, the TCU calculates what gear you want, and shifts to or from it. With my SVX for example, if I wanted to just downshift a gear and mildly pass someone, I would give it a little more gas, and a little more gas. It wouldn't downshift, then BAM, it would downshift, but by then my throttle was at about 70%, so I flew past people looking like an asshole. With a manual, I can just shift down into a lower gear, and give it a bit more gas to pass someone quickly, without looking like I'm racing someone. Downshifting too, is better with a REAL transmission, as you can heel toe and blip the throttle to avoid a quick weight transfer, which could cause a loss of traction.

All these paddle/tronic/gadgets that are supposed to be better are PURELY, PURELY marketing gimmicks. Yes, in the 1/4 mile, the automatic may be slightly faster. But it is, and always will be, a lesser driving experience. With a true transmission I can control the throttle, the gear, the RATE/harshness/smoothness a gear change happens, and I can do things while braking you cannot do with an automatic.

downinflames68 · Dec 5, 2009, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Thank goodness so you might mitigate the turbo lag.

It is a turbo engine that makes 170hp. That means the snail is really really really tiny. Hence, almost no lag. Wimpy turbo engines never really have lag, because the turbo is so small it spools almost instantly.

"Turbo lag with the VW TDI engine is on the order of 0.25 second, which is not noticeable to the driver."

TDI FAQ

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by downinflames68

It's not the speed of the shifting that is the problem, it's the amount of control. As a self-proclaimed car enthusiast, I would have thought you'd know this. The problem with ANY automatic is that you are only able to control it through throttle input. With this, the TCU calculates what gear you want, and shifts to or from it. With my SVX for example, if I wanted to just downshift a gear and mildly pass someone, I would give it a little more gas, and a little more gas. It wouldn't downshift, then BAM, it would downshift, but by then my throttle was at about 70%, so I flew past people looking like an asshole. With a manual, I can just shift down into a lower gear, and give it a bit more gas to pass someone quickly, without looking like I'm racing someone. Downshifting too, is better with a REAL transmission, as you can heel toe and blip the throttle to avoid a quick weight transfer, which could cause a loss of traction.

All these paddle/tronic/gadgets that are supposed to be better are PURELY, PURELY marketing gimmicks. Yes, in the 1/4 mile, the automatic may be slightly faster. But it is, and always will be, a lesser driving experience. With a true transmission I can control the throttle, the gear, the RATE/harshness/smoothness a gear change happens, and I can do things while braking you cannot do with an automatic.

No, as a car enthusiast I KNOW that diesel and manual aren't fun at all. If it's anything like the Jetta TDI, the throttle response is pretty much instant, making it hard to launch smoothly. And your point is moot, because you can have as much control with a DSG as with a manual from your examples, since you can row your own. DSGs might be marketing gimmicks, but they are miles better than a standard torque-converter automatic. And yes, you can do more with a manual, but most people aren't ever going to explore the limits of their cars. Or a car that their company pays for.

And you may notice from the Fiesta thread that I ordered mine with a manual. Yes, I prefer them. But I understand that not everyone does.

downinflames68 · Dec 5, 2009, 06:34 PM

You didn't say that. When I made fun of the fact it was auto, you said "have you driven it? It can shift faster than you!" which I took as you claiming it was better. It isn't. This Audi is a complete POSER mobile, automatic, turd of an engine, with lowered sport suspension. LAME.

One of the reasons I'm slightly annoyed is that my car, the UrS6 and the UrS4, were the ORIGINAL S-cars. They hauled serious balls, and where autobahn panzers that weighed two tons, were built like tanks, and had sweet drive trains. This continued with the next generation of S4/S6, with twin turbos, AWD, manuals, etc (even if they were totally unreliable and horrid to work on). Audi still builds fast cars, but I really feel they are diluting their own brand with this S-line garbage. S-line means "I wish I could have afforded the fast/cool version, but instead I spent a few grand on the base model and made it LOOK fast without actually being fast".

That is REALLY annoying, and no different than this:

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by downinflames68

You didn't say that. When I made fun of the fact it was auto, you said "have you driven it? It can shift faster than you!" which I took as you claiming it was better. It isn't. This Audi is a complete POSER mobile, automatic, turd of an engine, with lowered sport suspension. LAME.

One of the reasons I'm slightly annoyed is that my car, the UrS6 and the UrS4, were the ORIGINAL S-cars. They hauled serious balls, and where autobahn panzers that weighed two tons, were built like tanks, and had sweet drive trains. This continued with the next generation of S4/S6, with twin turbos, AWD, manuals, etc (even if they were totally unreliable and horrid to work on). Audi still builds fast cars, but I really feel they are diluting their own brand with this S-line garbage. S-line means "I wish I could have afforded the fast/cool version, but instead I spent a few grand on the base model and made it LOOK fast without actually being fast".

That is REALLY annoying, and no different than this:

Dude. Why does it matter? It's not like you have to drive it. It's his car, he can get what he wants. He's not even spent any money on it. BMW sells M sport packages on non-M cars, that doesn't make it a bad car. Paying a grand or so to get better performance backed by a factory warranty is no bad thing. And I don't think S-line packages make the car look faster, just better looking.

ebuddy · Dec 5, 2009, 06:42 PM

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Audis. Nice choice my friend. Very nice.

downinflames68 · Dec 5, 2009, 06:43 PM

It doesn't matter really, I just find the idea of S-Line very very annoying. Kind of like putting ZR1 on a base model Cobalt or Malibu, without it meaning anything.

imitchellg5 · Dec 5, 2009, 06:44 PM

You had better hope that nobody from GM visits MacNN, because you've probably just given them a terrible idea.

Spheric Harlot · Dec 5, 2009, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by downinflames68

One of the reasons I'm slightly annoyed is that my car, the UrS6 and the UrS4, were the ORIGINAL S-cars. They hauled serious balls, and where autobahn panzers that weighed two tons, were built like tanks, and had sweet drive trains. This continued with the next generation of S4/S6, with twin turbos, AWD, manuals, etc (even if they were totally unreliable and horrid to work on). Audi still builds fast cars, but I really feel they are diluting their own brand with this S-line garbage.

Your purism aside, what bearing does this have on the current automobile market?

"Macintosh" used to mean a cute little beige package, non-upgradeable and single-tasking. Just that I happen to be old/lucky enough to own one makes a current 13" MacBook Pro diluted garbage?

Originally Posted by downinflames68

S-line means "I wish I could have afforded the fast/cool version, but instead I spent a few grand on the base model and made it LOOK fast without actually being fast".

That's odd.

To me, it means that somebody invested in a stiffer suspension for a closer ride, and in the looks 'cuz he likes the car.

Originally Posted by downinflames68

It is a turbo engine that makes 170hp. That means the snail is really really really tiny. Hence, almost no lag. Wimpy turbo engines never really have lag, because the turbo is so small it spools almost instantly.

"Turbo lag with the VW TDI engine is on the order of 0.25 second, which is not noticeable to the driver."

TDI FAQ

I think that most people by this kind of car for daily commute and city traffic. People who go highway-rocketing will either get a bigger car or an actual sports car.

Also, I thought VW has been switching all their Diesels to turbos until the whole fleet is CDI. Sort of: fuel efficiency of a Diesel with the performance of a petrol?