I'm by no means an expert with my A3 --- but I've also not experienced the "hill issues" with my '09 .... also, i've noticed (possibly a feature) that if I'm on a hill and I pump the brake once or twice - the car won't roll at all, until I tap the throttle. I was pleasantly surprised by this, especially considering my parking garage has a STEEP incline where you swipe your card... many other cars are OFTEN rolling backwards while trying to accelerate.

 

That is the hill hold working

 

I have to tell you - I just came out of New Hampshire down route 16. Its mostly one lane and travels thru the mountains and woods. There are only a few passing spots and even fewer two lane sections. If you don't have some passing power you can expect to spend the drive behind someone who is in no hurry at all.

I had no such problem. I just left it in D and stepped on the gas whenever I needed a boost. The DSG dropped down to 4th gear, the turbo kicked in and I was moving pretty quick. At one point someone didn't want to be passed. (he was passing and moving quick but not quick enough) As we neared 100mph (going up hill) I realized that I still had an inch to push down the throttle! Well, 5 miles later my wife says "he must be wondering what happened to the little Audi that blew by him!"

- In most cases once I had made the pass and didn't need immediate torque I brought her back to 6th gear. The RPMs dropped back down and I managed a fun trip and scored 25 miles per gallon from North Conway to Boston. No point making your car work harder than it needs to.

- I've also notice that the Sport setting is more aggressive than I would be of my own judgment. Its nice to know that the Audi engineers were comfortable pushing the car harder than I am.

Good luck!

 

A Saab 93 2008 passed me by, that guy was really going full throttle, then I thought "will my A3 be able to chase him?"

I switched to manual, I got to him after 400 m, I have no ECU upgrade, nor a big engine, but DSG is so efficient letting power flow like water in a river that I could get that Saab and pass him.