Audi A3 owners.....

VTech

meanredspider wrote:

VTech wrote:

I am surprised at some of the earlier "knobby" comments, obviously by people who can't afford an Audi maybe ?

Anyway, rule of thumb is, Audi don't build cr4p, they are reliable, the best in category for build, maintenance, emissions, reliability, quality, spec.

I have a few and haven't looked back since.

Depends what you think is in "category" but I don't think they are usually best in the satisfaction tables - not in the Top 10 of either manufacturer or models in 2014 (unlike Merc or sibling brand VW). I've always found the interiors fall a bit short of the equivalent Mercedes and the performance models (RS4 RS6 and S8) have some shocking reliability issues (with eye-watering bills - as attested to by my bro and a couple of colleagues - £5k gearbox anybody?).

I think I can afford most of the Audi range but I wouldn't consider one.

RS4, RS6, R8 etc, group leading tech, fantastic build, reliability, smooth delivery of power.
I work with them all on a daily basis, we are just building a 1250hp R8 right now.

I can't speak for the dealers other than those we work with, they are fine with us. Never had an issue but the last few mercedes we have had have been a nightmare.
This includes the AMG GL and AMG 63.

meanredspider

VTech wrote:

RS4, RS6, R8 etc, group leading tech, fantastic build, reliability, smooth delivery of power.
I work with them all on a daily basis, we are just building a 1250hp R8 right now.

I can't speak for the dealers other than those we work with, they are fine with us. Never had an issue but the last few mercedes we have had have been a nightmare.
This includes the AMG GL and AMG 63.

Well, I speak from real-world experience of real-world people using (a range of) real-world Audi main dealers. All these people have been badly, badly burned by the "group leading tech, fantastic build, reliability". It's Audi's responsibility to ensure its dealer network can support the cars. And, if the cars were that good, they wouldn't have needed the work. The R8 is a capable car it's just a shame it looks so dull.

I've had a string of Mercs and, with the exception of the W210 which must be the poster-child of Merc's low point in their entire history, they've all be great. I've driven and test-driven a lot of run-of-the-mill Audis and I'm always underwhelmed - right back to the time I drove a TT, S3 and Integra Type-R back-to-back on track and the Honda made the other two seem distinctly ordinary. I hate the lack of steering feel that seems to be an Audi design feature.

bernithebiker

I like Audi's and have had 2 x S4's an A3 an A2, and now an A1.

However, I don't rate their reliability - we've had issues with all of those cars.

The latest is a recall on the DSG 7 speed auto box on the A1. They wanted to change the oil in it. I told them the motor was using a lot of oil - about 1/2 litre per 1000km. They agreed that was too much, and now they want to charge me big bucks to resolve the problem. I will fight them on it as I believe it to be a design fault.

Car is only 3 1/2 years old with 25 000 miles on it.

My experience of Audi dealerships, in CH and France at least, has been terrible.

VTech

meanredspider wrote:

VTech wrote:

RS4, RS6, R8 etc, group leading tech, fantastic build, reliability, smooth delivery of power.
I work with them all on a daily basis, we are just building a 1250hp R8 right now.

I can't speak for the dealers other than those we work with, they are fine with us. Never had an issue but the last few mercedes we have had have been a nightmare.
This includes the AMG GL and AMG 63.

Well, I speak from real-world experience of real-world people using (a range of) real-world Audi main dealers. All these people have been badly, badly burned by the "group leading tech, fantastic build, reliability". It's Audi's responsibility to ensure its dealer network can support the cars. And, if the cars were that good, they wouldn't have needed the work. The R8 is a capable car it's just a shame it looks so dull.

I've had a string of Mercs and, with the exception of the W210 which must be the poster-child of Merc's low point in their entire history, they've all be great. I've driven and test-driven a lot of run-of-the-mill Audis and I'm always underwhelmed - right back to the time I drove a TT, S3 and Integra Type-R back-to-back on track and the Honda made the other two seem distinctly ordinary. I hate the lack of steering feel that seems to be an Audi design feature.

Your post is quite laughable.
You are trying to rubbish one of the finest brands on earth who take customer care as their highest priority.
Anyway, forgetting that, if you do do track days, you seriously can't try and suggest that the type r integral is a match for the TT and S3, they are totally different cars, you wouldn't compare them together.
The Integra having hand polished porting and 200hp against the S3/TT which for an hours work will give 340hp and sub 5 seconds to 60 again make this an odd reference ?
As for the R8 being dull, your genuinely the first I've heard make that comment so again I'm stumped.
Im a big Audi fan, I drive an R8 with a bodykit right now and its a dream, 1550hp and 0-60 in under 3 seconds and tops at over 220mph. Done the top gear test track in the top ten times too so no slouch on track.

meanredspider

Now your post is risible.

"Finest brands on earth" under what measure??? I can't take the rest of what you've written in the slightest bit seriously after that comment.

The ITR is a beautifully balanced car. If it weren't for the boy racer interior, I'd have bought one. You're right though - it shouldn't be compared to the two Audis - they'll be forgotten long before the ITR (and I'm not even a Honda or ITR fan). I can see that you're impressed by power but it's a very low hurdle. 1550bhp is an absurd amount of power - quite ridiculous. But then bald power figures have never impressed me. History has shown over and over that the most powerful of siblings hasn't made the best driving car - I've been doing circuit racing long enough to know that.

VTech

Of course 1500 is absurd, I did it simply because it could be done, not to make the best track car. This power is to make some of the best top speeds.

Anyway, I do have a VERY tiny amount of track knowledge, I wrote the software for over 70 race wins in the Porsche GT Series, 20+ races in the Mini Cup and 20+ races in the Khumo.
Also have countless race wins for various one-offs as well as writing the software for the Aston Martin Touring Cars.

Having said that, none of the above make me a good driver.

mamba80

just as a side issue how an earth do you get 3x the hp out of a production R8 engine? that's insane.

ballysmate

VTech wrote:

I am surprised at some of the earlier "knobby" comments, obviously by people who can't afford an Audi maybe ?

Anyway, rule of thumb is, Audi don't build cr4p, they are reliable, the best in category for build, maintenance, emissions, reliability, quality, spec.

I have a few and haven't looked back since.

Nice try.

meanredspider

VTech wrote:

Of course 1500 is absurd, I did it simply because it could be done, not to make the best track car. This power is to make some of the best top speeds.

Anyway, I do have a VERY tiny amount of track knowledge, I wrote the software for over 70 race wins in the Porsche GT Series, 20+ races in the Mini Cup and 20+ races in the Khumo.
Also have countless race wins for various one-offs as well as writing the software for the Aston Martin Touring Cars.

Having said that, none of the above make me a good driver.

I don't doubt your skill at tuning engines and its a very noble art (I'm a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers so I appreciate such things) but it doesn't make Audi one of the finest brands. I don't think of myself as a good driver but I've done 40-50 races and podiumed quite a lot recently and had my first outright win in my last race. But it has taught me to understand a bit about the subtleties of car balance and handling especially as I race a 60's Alfa (getting it to work properly takes a fair bit of adjustment).

Audi is a perfectly acceptable brand - it's just not one I'm interested in.

VTech

meanredspider wrote:

VTech wrote:

Of course 1500 is absurd, I did it simply because it could be done, not to make the best track car. This power is to make some of the best top speeds.

Anyway, I do have a VERY tiny amount of track knowledge, I wrote the software for over 70 race wins in the Porsche GT Series, 20+ races in the Mini Cup and 20+ races in the Khumo.
Also have countless race wins for various one-offs as well as writing the software for the Aston Martin Touring Cars.

Having said that, none of the above make me a good driver.

I don't doubt your skill at tuning engines and its a very noble art (I'm a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers so I appreciate such things) but it doesn't make Audi one of the finest brands. I don't think of myself as a good driver but I've done 40-50 races and podiumed quite a lot recently and had my first outright win in my last race. But it has taught me to understand a bit about the subtleties of car balance and handling especially as I race a 60's Alfa (getting it to work properly takes a fair bit of adjustment).

Audi is a perfectly acceptable brand - it's just not one I'm interested in.

I can appreciate the effort it takes to podium, also respect on the background but my argument was based on the hit on Audi and I just don't see it during my work. Genuinely I've not seen or heard of these issues some have said are blatantly apparent and I work with these cars weekly.

Btw, what you racing in ?

VTech

mamba80 wrote:

just as a side issue how an earth do you get 3x the hp out of a production R8 engine? that's insane.

I built one of these.

meanredspider

VTech wrote:

I can appreciate the effort it takes to podium, also respect on the background but my argument was based on the hit on Audi and I just don't see it during my work. Genuinely I've not seen or heard of these issues some have said are blatantly apparent and I work with these cars weekly.

Btw, what you racing in ?

And that's fair about Audi. It just flies in the face of my experience. The guy at work with the RS6 was almost in tears each time he told me of the latest fault (and the bills that went with it). I suspect the truth lies someone between the two of us.

I run an Alfa Giulia GTJ

meanredspider

VTech wrote:

mamba80 wrote:

just as a side issue how an earth do you get 3x the hp out of a production R8 engine? that's insane.

I built one of these.

That looks amazing

VTech

I absolutely love that Alfa. I did the code for Alfa lay Friday for the 4c on he engine and gearbox.

The Gallardo is a monster. Quicker than a Veyron up to 200mph.
I'm working on a twin turbo for the Huracan which should be done for the summer.

Wheelspinner

meanredspider wrote:

VTech wrote:

mamba80 wrote:

just as a side issue how an earth do you get 3x the hp out of a production R8 engine? that's insane.

I built one of these.

That looks amazing

Hugh Heffner now does intake manifolds for cars? Is Playboy diversifying?

VTech

Wheelspinner wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

VTech wrote:

mamba80 wrote:

just as a side issue how an earth do you get 3x the hp out of a production R8 engine? that's insane.

I built one of these.

That looks amazing

Hugh Heffner now does intake manifolds for cars? Is Playboy diversifying?

Different Heffner.
I've been to the playboy mansion a phone of times though and can confirm that it is as much fun as the lambo

meanredspider

VTech wrote:

I absolutely love that Alfa. I did the code for Alfa lay Friday for the 4c on he engine and gearbox.

The Gallardo is a monster. Quicker than a Veyron up to 200mph.
I'm working on a twin turbo for the Huracan which should be done for the summer.

Thanks - it's a riot to drive (despite a meagre 185bhp )

That Huracan will be a beast too, I'm sure.

metronome

meanredspider wrote:

I run an Alfa Giulia GTJ

That sir, is awesome.

meanredspider

metronome wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

I run an Alfa Giulia GTJ

That sir, is awesome.

Why, thank you!

A few in-car videos for anyone that's interested in classic racing

Tailing a couple of 911s and a Perana Capri at Cadwell- then, after restart, chasing a BDG-engined Escort
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v_hY2TGkjlI

BTCC Support Race at Knockhill (televised on ITV) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p3gnKD8-cXQ Escort and Capri - race finally halted by a badly-parked Ferrari

Finally, my first trip to Silverstone - being chased and eventually passed by an awesome Alfa GTAm (includes rear-facing camera) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-ppWLLNAsQk

bernithebiker

If Audi's are so great and reliable, why do they only give you a 2 year warranty? (well below the industry average)

VTech

bernithebiker wrote:

If Audi's are so great and reliable, why do they only give you a 2 year warranty? (well below the industry average)

Your wrong. They come with a 3, 4 or 5 year warranty as standard with the upgrades to 4 and 5 very affordable. Even the lamborghini brand has 4 years out of the box.

veronese68

Interesting reading in here. Bored at work so trawling through old stuff. A couple of comments from my experience and too long around the motor trade.
I'm not overly impressed with Audi. I don't think they are any better or worse than other manufacturers. My own car, admittedly 10 years old, has been unreliable breaking down 3 times in a year. Whilst the Alfa I'm told is an unreliable car broke down once in 5 years and had done over twice the mileage. This is almost completely irrelevant as they both run very similar Bosch engine management to the point that many parts are the same Bosch number. It's just luck. Modern cars are much of a muchness in that respect. Buy the one that suits your needs and makes you happy.
Regarding small cars I agree that less is often more. My cousin is a freelancer in the motoring press and reckons the best Fiat 500 is the turbo twin. The general consensus among his colleagues is that it's better than the Abarth.
Finally, I still covet MRS's Alfa but he already knows that.

Wunnunda

The whole of VAG is just one big exercise in brand management these days, surely? Skoda, SEAT, Volkswagen and Audi (and soon, no doubt, Suzuki) are all using/sharing common components in the oily bits, and Bentley and Lamborghini are cherry picking stuff from the higher end Audi parts bin. Only Bugatti is truly stand alone (and I suppose for >£1m upwards it blxxdy well should be!).

EDIT > I had forgotten about Porsche. Toureg/Cayenne share much as does the new smaller SOV and the Audi Q5.

I can understand why people like Audi's interiors - they are, mostly, lovely - and would never deny people the right to spend as much as they want on whatever they want. However I don't think you are buying significantly better inherent reliability (given the number of shared components) with Audi while I do think you get significantly higher bills for both routine service and for broken bits.

veronese68

Wunnunda wrote:

The whole of VAG is just one big exercise in brand management these days, surely? Skoda, SEAT, Volkswagen and Audi (and soon, no doubt, Suzuki) are all using/sharing common components in the oily bits, and Bentley and Lamborghini are cherry picking stuff from the higher end Audi parts bin. Only Bugatti is truly stand alone (and I suppose for >£1m upwards it blxxdy well should be!).

Lots of common parts across the range. The first 3 digits of a part number denotes the original application. VAG have a policy that pricing is the same across the brands for parts. So if you buy a cam sensor from a Skoda dealer it will cost the same as from an Audi dealer. I did the entire braking system for a Lamborghini a few years back. Discs and pads were all over £1k each as they were specific to Lamborghini, but the brake servo was £200 because the original application was for a Golf. Mind you, Golf discs and pads wouldn't be much good on a Lambo.

secretsam

We had an old model A4 a while back. Without doubt, the most reliable car I've ever owned. I loved that car.

And the dealers, whilst rather pricey, treated you like you mattered - made ownership a joy.

I miss that car.

VTech

Veronese68 wrote:

Wunnunda wrote:

The whole of VAG is just one big exercise in brand management these days, surely? Skoda, SEAT, Volkswagen and Audi (and soon, no doubt, Suzuki) are all using/sharing common components in the oily bits, and Bentley and Lamborghini are cherry picking stuff from the higher end Audi parts bin. Only Bugatti is truly stand alone (and I suppose for >£1m upwards it blxxdy well should be!).

Lots of common parts across the range. The first 3 digits of a part number denotes the original application. VAG have a policy that pricing is the same across the brands for parts. So if you buy a cam sensor from a Skoda dealer it will cost the same as from an Audi dealer. I did the entire braking system for a Lamborghini a few years back. Discs and pads were all over £1k each as they were specific to Lamborghini, but the brake servo was £200 because the original application was for a Golf. Mind you, Golf discs and pads wouldn't be much good on a Lambo.

My last Ferrari had a broken badge, the Pininfarina one at the bottom of the sill, it was well over £100 but I purchased the one from the fiat for £6, came in a Ferrari bag too

Flâneur

Not a bad diversion from work so far.

I've been pondering an A3 or Golf. A3 has a nicer interior however the Golf is just better value (buying second hand under the 30k miles mark)

Now the fun stuff, the RS6 - friends dad loved the old one, the new one, he has had some issues and is likely to get rid of. Maybe unlucky but the internet (always the bad never the good) seems to be awash with the front suspension issue.

The R8, well I'll admit I love the 911, I've been lucky to drive both regularly over the last decade and I'd my head would go R8 the heart and lust would probably still go 911. R8 sounds top and just drives so so well. screw it I'll take a '75 porsche and the new R8

veronese68

VTech wrote:

My last Ferrari had a broken badge, the Pininfarina one at the bottom of the sill, it was well over £100 but I purchased the one from the fiat for £6, came in a Ferrari bag too

There's a lot of that kind of thing. The tin of tyre repair gloop that came with Lamborghinis about 10 years ago was more expensive than the same tin from Ferrari. If you peeled the Lambo, sticker off it had a prancing horse underneath. Bother were massively overpriced of course.
I'm sure there's a lot of cross over between Fiat and Ferrari under the skin. They don't have the transparent pricing of VAG though. BMW and the Rolls Phantom is the same. Used to get parts in a plain jiffy bag so we didn't see the BMW packaging and part numbers. Cost was not an issue as all servicing came under the warranty package. Tyres and accident damage were the only thing the customers paid for, once they'd bought the car of course.

bernithebiker

VTech wrote:

bernithebiker wrote:

If Audi's are so great and reliable, why do they only give you a 2 year warranty? (well below the industry average)

Your wrong. They come with a 3, 4 or 5 year warranty as standard with the upgrades to 4 and 5 very affordable. Even the lamborghini brand has 4 years out of the box.

Here in France it was 2 years until very recently, I think they just put it up to 3. Still pretty crap when Kia offer 7.

You say 3, 4 or 5 year....which is it?

VTech

Here is the latest we are working on;





This is will run 1250hp@wheels so around 1550hp UK.

This is one we finished last year:



This is an Aventador LP760, basically carbon, intakes, exhaust and software running 768hp

And one we have just finished:



This is the latest Huracan, we were first in the world with this and it runs 686hp but we are now working on a new twin turbo application for 1500hp.