What are your dislikes re: the A3? - Page 2

quote:

ORIGINAL: dmacneill

The floor mats (front and rear) are held in place by two plastic pins that the mats snap on to.  To remove them, just pull up around each pin and the mat will come free.  To reinstall, push down each mat onto the pin.

 
Thanks, almost too embarrased to ask that

I'm on my third week of ownership and so far in retrospect, the only negative thing I can think of about buying what I did isn't with the car, it was the buying experience.
 
Livermore Audi could do a lot better.

Love it for the most part, one thing I hate is that if you even crack the window when it is raining outside, water comes in like niagra falls.  A nice window rain channel would be nice....

I have the two door European version... my gripes are:
Engine Idle's too loud
Chorus system seems to age too quickly (Im hearing rattling from the speakers when its not even that loud, from the bass.)
Rear view is minimal, pretty damn poor!
My wipers dont seem to clean the screen properly (they just smudge it.) Ive tried everything, vinegar, solutions, etc! Think they just need to be replaced, but i've only done 10,000kms! The rear one hardly touches the glass anymore, its strange.
Didn't come with Xenons as standard.
Handbrake/armrest is a bit of a design flaw in my opinion. Its hard to put the armrest back in the lock position when its been moved, coz the handbrake is in the way!

'07
 
love the car....only thing so far is the window controls are so sensitive...when I want to just crack the windows, it rolls all the way down so you go back and forth until you figure out the right amount of pressure to apply....
 
that's it so far!
 
sc

That's why they call it an A3 and not an A4 or an A6 or an A8.......  you get the idea.

Since you ask.... 2005 A3 TDI Sportsback gripes:
 
1. Centre console rubber strut/bar thingy jamming into knee.  Anyone know if this can be neatly removed or cut out?
2. Lack of memory for electric drivers seat. Nuts!
3. Lack of bonnet (Hood) light (I'm sure my 2002 A3 had this). 
4. Lack of Auto Shut on sunroof and fiddly Auto Open (Again the Rover 200 was better at this). 
5. No stowage for parcel shelf when removed and rear seats are lowered (Rover 200 stowed its parcel shelf neatly behind the driver and front passenger seats).
6. Lack of MP3 connectivity with CD Player.  A 3.5mm socket line input would be good, anyone know how to do this?
7. Inadequate base from Bose system.
8. Insufficient directivity/shrouding of front passenger reading lights causing driver glare.  Anyone know how to replace these with LED's which might be more directional?
9. Lack of centre console indication of lights and wipers.  I find it hard to see if the wipers are in auto mode (waiting to see if they will wipe before realising they are off) as the angle between Auto and Off is small.  It would also help to have centre console indication of the lights, instead of glancing down, especially for fog light combinations.
10. Lack of integral Carphone Retrofit Capability. 
 
This latter issue is for me a real bone of contention.  I was advised in May 2005 that the integral fit did not cater for Bluetooth so I had my Audi dealer install a 3rd Party Bluetooth.  Subsequently in correspondence with Audi UK I found out that Bluetooth was available when I ordered my car, but despite the fact that the car has the multifunction steering wheel apparently the integral carphone kit cannot be retrofitted.  Anyone know better?
 
Love:
 
1. Beep on Central Locking which is an improvement on 2002 A3.
2. Engine Economy/Acceleration - Economy, not quite so good as 2002 A3, but acceleration is wicked for a diesel so maybe foot heavy.
 
Actually apart from the engine I think my 2002 A3 was a better built car.  The Sportsback is still fun if a little disappointing.

Hmmm...#8 in the US has a little visor like flap that folds down at the edge of the roof line in front of the rearview mirror that will block the reflection from the map lights.
 
BTW, I would love to have an A3 TDI.   A few mods and that would be one smooth torque monster!
 
Cheers!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chef

Hmmm...#8 in the US has a little visor like flap that folds down at the edge of the roof line in front of the rearview mirror that will block the reflection from the map lights.
Cheers!

 
I learn something everyday, add this to the list.
 
Brilliant!  :)

It also works okay if the sun is poking directly above the rearview mirror when you're driving.   I've used it a few times for that too!
 
Cheers!

Hand brake placement totally sucks...if the armrest is down, you need to contort your arm to work it....

Since you are replying to my earlier non-related message, the design of the armrest in relation to the hand brake does cause some interference as you said. To me the hand brake is workable, but if they had made armrest slightly shorter that would be more comfortable when using the hand brake. The armrest in the recent A4 looks similar to A3 but in the recent TT model they shrunk the armrest which solves this issue.

see these links: A4 TT

Stryker - your A3 looks great.  I have the same car/ color and have been looking into the Oettinger body kit.  Were you able to get it pre-painted?  I have only found them to come less paint.  Also, how difficult was the installation?  Your response is much appreciated.

pdxjim - Have you tried just turning the stereo on with the car off (key out)?  It worked for me.  The stereo can be powered on independently of the ignition.

That's right - just push and hold the radio volume knob for 2 seconds. Steering wheel controls are disabled, however.

Got a 07 S-Line myself so here are my thoughts re. my model-trim :

1.) a sun-shade that allows to switch between perforated and non-perforated
2.) ergonomic issues with the "arms" near the shifter that rub everyone's knees
3.) the cargo cover issue pointed out by OOOO-A3, how its jumps and bangs over speed bumps
4.) hasn't rained much here in LA, but jbrx7tt makes a valid point about window rain channels
5.) lack of Launch Control (GTI's have it, why not us?)
5.) more accessible fog lights from engine bay
6.) would like to see a factory boost gauge
7.) bad cupholder designs, all around
8.) one-touch sunroof retract
9.) rear passenger lock/unlock button located on door, not near rear ashtray
10.) a better quality emergency jack
11.) anyone notice how if your car is locked and you open your trunk via remote then close, it automatically locks in a few secs? I've locked myself out twice already for having left my keys in while retrieving stuff from the trunk. I know it's a security measure but a little longer latency on the relocking would be nice
12.) stock CD player doesn't read MP3 discs
13.) no auxillary jack for mp3 players (a staple on new cars)
14.) not all bluetooth enabled phones can get their phonebook to work with the A3's bluetooth (ie. my Samsung SYNC)

That's all I can think about for now. Nevertheless, I love my A3!!!!

And have you guys noticed that there are little red led lights for your door handles?

so far my only two grips are: i want to spend more money moding it, and the smallish cup holders.  That being said I have only had the car for four days!!

Picked up my Lava Grey S-Line 2.0 6-sp today. I really like it, but:

I loaded up the car (navi, open sky, tech package, cold weather, etc) but I somehow overlooked the lack of power driver's seat with the s-line package. Any car costing more than 30K should come with a power drivers seat.
Also the previously mentioned armrest/hand brake issue.
And the lack of rear seat pockets or any place for the kids to stash stuff in the back seat.
The MMI has a bit of a learning curve as to be expected.
And the lava grey looks purple in some lighting conditions.
The black leather interior is a little drab and the seats could use the Alcantara inserts of the new TT.
The shifter is a little vague. Does anyone make a short shifter for it?

On the plus side, I got the Pirelli P-Zeros and this thing has great mid-range power. Can't wait to tune the ECU. And the bluetooth works great with my phone.

I got the car from Paul Miller Audi in New Jersey. I would recommend them highly. Great dealership!

just press the volumen buton and it stays on for an one hour
  stock CD player doesn't read MP3 discs
  no auxillary jack for mp3 players
well those are just minor things
NEED Quatro OPTION FOR 2.0T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
other than that love
THE A3 Is the best

Here are my adds:

• No autoclose on sunroof.  Audi engineers: this isn't that hard.  Really.
  
• Navigation is lame.  Doesn't have a full phonebook like a Garmin does, so all you get are the "usual" things like gas stations and restaraunts.  But when you need to stop at a nearby bank, sorry, you're asking the dude at the gas station.  Good luck.
  
• Armrest ratcheting - what's up with this?  Everytime I get into the cubby I have to flip the armrest all the way back into the back seat to reset it.  PITA.
  
• Armrest doesn't extend.  I can just barely rest the edge of my elbow on there.
  
• Controls like the wipers are unnecessarily complex.  I compare this to Saabs and Volvos which are more intuitive IMHO.  American cars spell it out for you with a hundred labels.  I don't want that, but why does one stalk need to have 87 functions?

 
Things that have already been mentioned and I'll second the whine.  Note that none of these I was aware of before I bought the car (I ordered essentially), though I still am fairly happy with the car.

• No boost guage?!?! WTF?
  
• Pirelli P6s suck a**.  I've only driven them in warm weather and can't wait to get a quality summer tire on there.  Can't speak to it's winter performance.
  
• No power seats on a "loaded" A3?  I'm still stupified by this.  I can't seem to get anyone to tell me why this would be.  Some idiot in Audi marketing needs to be fired.
  
• BT integration seems very limited (compatibility-wise). Definately an afterthought in design.
  
• Lack of CD Text
  
• No quattro on 2.0T (though I hear rumors that this will be avail in 08?)
  
• Sunshade crap.  Seriously, if you're going to make it a roller-style, at least make it out of solid material.

On the plus side, oodles of torque with APR Stage 1.  I really like the DSG.  Handling is pretty good, though I do plan to drop in the Neuspeed sway bar.

Mine has more rattles than any other car I've owned. Other than that no gripes.

Gator, both Neuspeed and Dieselgeek make good short shift kits for the A3.
 
All in all, these are very small gripes for such a tremendously good car.   And I finally feel good that my car is missing something that Rich's car has, rattles.   Excuse me sir, would you like some rattles with your Quattro???   LOL
 
Cheers!

quote:

ORIGINAL: pdxjim

No dip in the passenger side mirror when backing up.

I have got to ask cause I have never been able to get this to work. But is there special optional extra to have this drivers side mirror dip when reversing? I have my side mirror adjusting joy stick in the 12 o'clock position. But whenever I reverse I don't notice any change in the drivers side mirror. So is there a special set of buttons and knobs I have to tinker with or is it an option I seemed to have not got?

Add one more: red dash instrumentation.  I know, it's an Audi-ism.  But from a practical standpoint red is very harsh on the eyes which makes long distance trips tiresome.  Also, I don't think I'd notice any warning lights for a while since everything is red.  Unless the warning lights are in green (about as logical as the default being red).
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: mattrazzo

Add one more: red dash instrumentation.  I know, it's an Audi-ism.  But from a practical standpoint red is very harsh on the eyes which makes long distance trips tiresome.  Also, I don't think I'd notice any warning lights for a while since everything is red.  Unless the warning lights are in green (about as logical as the default being red).

Red is safer when driving at night because it doesn't ruin your night vision as badly as other colors. Astronomers use red-tinted flashlights when looking at charts, etc. for this reason.