Hi all. I used to have a 02 audi A4 and to date it has been my favourite car to date.

I'm gonna be buying another audi but have a secondhand budget for 900. I narrowed my choices down to either a 02 A3 or a 02 A4 but the missus doesnt want the A4 "as we have already had one".

The one main thing i loved about the A4 was the traction. I never had a problem with it loosing grip and a couple of times i've accidentally hit oil or ice patches on the road and the TCS, ASM, kept the car safe and out of trouble.

With the A3 being small and light can anyone compare the traction and the driving aids to the bigger A4.

Thanks

jjones

 

Not comparable. I have the '07 A3 and a '10 S4. Right before the S4 I had the '02 a6.

Traction on the A3 sucks, the car is lighter and smaller and somehow just doesn't feel like it is fully under control at all times. The traction control kicks in every 5 seconds when you accelerate and steals power away (feels like it is retarding the engine output). If you get the "Quattro" version you end up with a Haldex system and not the Torsen differential that is in the A4 and higher up models. Yeah it's AWD but electronically controlled and is inferior to the real deal from what I've gathered.

Don't get me wrong I love the A3 for what it is - but comparing it against the A4 (or anything bigger from Audi) is not a game you should play. The A3 will lose in every aspect.

If you want to stay with Audi - do what I did, convince the misses that you need the S4 or go for the A6. I miss my 02 A6 with the 4.2 engine. Such a great beast!