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What's up guys? It's been a long time since I've posted. Last time I still had the 545i, but sold it before the extended warranty expired.
I bought a CC R-line in February, but got very bored of it after a few months. After my friend cracked my windshield, I knew it was a sign to get into something else. Got this about a month ago.
2015 Monsoon Gray A3 Prestige
So far I've done the following:
Eurodyne Stage 1.5
Neuspeed Sport Springs
32% Ceramic Tint
Front grill and sideview mirror updates.
It's a blast to drive, especially after the tune and suspension work. The closest thing to the E46 that I've owned.
It really depends what you're looking for. It's not a car for you if you plan on carrying 5 adults in it all the time.
When I owned the 5 Series, I barely ever used the back seats. The A3 compares to the B4 A4 size wise, which is just what I was looking for. It has more than enough room for the front passengers (my 6'6 friend drove it), while still giving you that cockpit like feeling of the E46. Everything is just a reach away. I wanted something small a nimble with the ability to have 2 more seats if it ever comes down to it.
Thanks guys. The biggest reason why I bought it was because it met all my requirements. It has the newest Audi tech, gets great MPG (36 mpg on my last 160 mile round trip) and the performance potential in great. Stage 1 makes it faster than the S3. Stage 2 gets you under 4 seconds 0-60 with the right tires.
As far as modding, I think I've done enough in the first month to keep me satisfied for a while. I still want to keep the warranty :-)
As far as understeer, I haven't really pushed the car to it's limits yet, or anywhere close to it. I would assume that it handles similar to other quattros with similar weight distribution. This A3/S3/GTI/R all share the same MQB platform so they are all pretty similar until you add the AWD. The new Haldex is similar to the old, just improved since it can distribute power to the rear based on throttle position instead of slippage of the tires.
Any concern with TD1 and the tune? I've been eyeing A3/S3 for awhile, just waiting for new car program to drop at work so I know what my allowance is.
Second question, do you golf? Will a set of clubs fit sideways straight across the trunk? Biggest pet peeve ever.
No concerns with TD1 at the moment. The reason why I picked Eurodyne over the other ones is because I can flash it back to stock (or other stages) using my laptop.
The flash reset counter is supposed to be implemented in the near future making the tune impossible to detect. I spoke to a local Audi Service Advisor (who has an S3) and they are an APR and Unitronic dealer. He said that anyone who gets the tune there, they flash the car back to stock before doing any service or warranty work. So far there have not been any issues there, but I did hear that a few GTI guys were refused warranty work because of a tune (and other performance mods.)
What's the word on a manual option becoming available on this side of the pond
I honestly have no idea. I've always been a manual type of guy, but ever since the DSG in my old MK6 GTI, I have nothing but great things to say about it. With the transmission tune, it is ALMOST like a manual (without the 3rd pedal.)
Just to clarify, it is definitely not as spacious as a Passat. I came from a CC, which uses the same platform as the B6 Passat. You definitely get more of a cramped in feeling (which I like) as opposed to the bigger CC.
The Prestige model is the fully loaded version and the only option that's missing is the laser guided cruise control. I have yet to see another prestige on the street. I had a hard time finding one in Chicago and had to drive to Milwaukee for this color combination.
The biggest exterior differences between Prestige vs Premium/Premium Plus are the standard LED headlights and the S-line package, which uses the same bumpers and side skirts from the S3, but without the quad exhaust. I got my grille, mirror caps and fog light inserts painted in silver at the bodyshop as I feel that the standard black front does not show enough details.
Yeah, this one looks much, much nicer than the regular ones. I've seen a couple of A3s on the road, they looked terrible. Probably just the base models.
What do you guys think, yay or nay? Didn't like the look of the stock tips and felt that the car needed to look more aggressive with the performance upgrades. At the same time, didn't want to void my warranty with a full exhaust upgrade considering some of the early turbos have issues and the dealership would love to find an excuse in case it were to go.
Bodyshop modified the rear diffuser to fit the quad tips. The only other option I have (that I know of) is an S3 diffuser, and I prefer to stay away from the S3 look as the rest of the car already looks too much like like an S3 with the S-line package.
