Hi; I'm brand new to the forum. Never owned an Audi, but I'm sure considering the purchase of an A3 for an around town scooter. I like the feel and features of the car a lot. I'm a hardcore manual driver, but the DSG is very impressive, and I'll likely go that route.
Having got all that out of the way, does anybody feel that the brakes on this car are just too sensitive? Can any of you owners out there actually heel and toe an A3 smoothly? I'm primarily a Porsche driver, and I'm used to a heavy, solid brake feel that is more dependent on pressure than travel for stopping power. These are totally opposite. I've only had a couple of brief test drives, but I'm afraid that I won't get used to these brakes, or that they'll ruin my feel for autocross and track. My buddies R32 VW feels nothing like this A3.
Has anybody's experience with this car been similar to mine? Any comments or suggestions about possible brake mods, like boost restriction or harder pads. Or should I just get over it?

 

I don't seem to have any issues with the brakes. I only wish for bigger calipers and rotors that will make it stop quicker, but no problem with heal-toe driving around town or racing(aound town). You'll get used to the feel of the car quickly and not have any problems. I seriously doubt daily driving of the A3 with kill you ability to perform in other cars as well.

Chef

 

Thanks, Chef; I'm getting the idea that this is more my problem than the car's. I'm an old dog who's used to unboosted brakes, and I've had the same complaint about recent BMW's, RX-7's, and other new cars I've had the chance to wring out. Interestingly, though, the performance versions of later cars M3, R32, S4, etc., do have better feeling brakes; less travel, more pressure than the tamer versions.
I'm still considering mods if anybody has suggestions.

 

I just traded a WRX STI for my A3 3.2 DSG, and I too feel that the brakes are touchy. The STI had fantastic brembos which had great feel and required a firm push. The A3's brakes don't measure up. Better tires than the stock P6 all-seasons would provide shorter braking distances, but I suspect the A3 brakes would still feel spongy. A veteran forum member could certainly provide better insight as to a cure. The brakes on the S4, OTOH, are great.

If you're a hardcore manual driver, as I was, I'm not sure that the DSG will satisfy. Three reasons: awkward first gear engagement, automatic gearshift kickdown (if you're in a high enough gear and nail the throttle), and automatic upshift at redline. If you can live with this, and you're sick of using a clutch, go for it. Audi SMG is by far the best of its type on the market. My next car though, will be a manual.

One final note, lest you think I hate the A3 (I don't): In every objective measure of performance, handling, and cost effectiveness, the STI is a superior car. The only good view of one an A3 wil have is its tail lights. Why then did I opt for the A3? Refinement, build quality, and looks. The STI's suspension was painfully stiff, the car felt tinny and cheap, and had almost no soundproofing. It was also ugly as sin. Ultimately, I couldn't live with it as a daily driver. The A3 is much better suited to that purpose.

 

Yeah, those are some of the reasons I'm looking at an A3. If I need a street racer, I can just take my 911 autocrosser out for a romp. I like to save go fast stuff for the track; too old to be getting tickets and bending wheels.
I'm looking for a spirited daily driver, for an urban/suburban environment with choppy streets. I want a car that's taut, fun and involving to drive, economical, and maybe a little different from the Bimmers, 350Z's and other common stuff. Something with high build and materials quality, and some technical innovations. The direct injection is very cutting edge.
DSG gets me kinda excited,too; the double clutch/3 shaft idea goes back a ways. I remember Porsche running one in a 962 for a season, long enough to get the reliability down and win with it. I also really liked the quattro rally cars.
I am definitely a hardcore stick guy ( 1 automatic in 40 years), but as traffic gets denser, I also see a need sometimes to just put it in drive and steer. DSG looks like a real reasonable comprimise, and it certainly works better than any comparable system I've driven; much nicer than the Ferrari, Lamborgini, and Maserati trannies which are kinda painful around town.
I may still change my mind, revert to old habits, and buy the manual, but right now i'm trying to talk myself into DSG.
Anyway, back to my original thought, the brakes really are light and spongy; I'm gonna do some investigating. I'll bet something can be done about it, hopefully that doesn't involve $2500 worth of brake upgrade.

 

heal and toe on a FWD you silly **** what point in brakin your driving wheels its only any good on a RWD it pulls the front end in as such

 

Hey, this is great! We've found an authority on heel and toe techniques for FWD cars. He's probably a professional racer who wants to remain anonymous by using an acronym on the board.
R31lly, as I'm an Audi novice, maybe you can help me learn how to accomplish this; I'm going down the front straight at 125mph in fifth gear, in my FWD or 4WD Audi with manual gearbox. I'm approaching turn 1, which is a 25mph left hander. Please tell me the exact steps, in sequence, that I should use to slow this Audi rapidly and smoothly, to 25mph in second gear entering the left hander. I want to learn the professional technique.
Don't be shy; use stick figures and/or crayons if it makes you more comfortable. Sounds like I have a lot to learn here.