Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 44
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RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
I still may actually go with the A3 3.2. He is really coming down on price, so much that it may just make it too difficult to pass up. He's moving to Hawaii and must sell. 
I feel a little better after reading your posts about the launch and overall ability for it to get going. Remember, it's a 3.2 DGS, so there's no manual clutch (someone mentioned just let the clutch go...).
I feel a little better after reading your posts about the launch and overall ability for it to get going. Remember, it's a 3.2 DGS, so there's no manual clutch (someone mentioned just let the clutch go...).
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 322
From: Toronto
RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
ORIGINAL: uwhusky
I still may actually go with the A3 3.2. He is really coming down on price, so much that it may just make it too difficult to pass up. He's moving to Hawaii and must sell.
I feel a little better after reading your posts about the launch and overall ability for it to get going. Remember, it's a 3.2 DGS, so there's no manual clutch (someone mentioned just let the clutch go...).
I still may actually go with the A3 3.2. He is really coming down on price, so much that it may just make it too difficult to pass up. He's moving to Hawaii and must sell.
I feel a little better after reading your posts about the launch and overall ability for it to get going. Remember, it's a 3.2 DGS, so there's no manual clutch (someone mentioned just let the clutch go...).
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 261
From: Pacific NW
RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
The A4 is also a little bigger than the A3 so the back seat space might meet your fancy.
I improved my comfort and the leg room behind me by adding spacers under the front bolts of the driver seat rails on the A3 Sport seats (non-power in 2006), so that my legs aren't as straight.
A little slower, a little more sluggish than I would have expected.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
From:
RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
ORIGINAL: uwhusky
I went and test drove a private sale 2006 A3 3.2 today.
I must say I was disappointed. It seemed to have a hiccup or lag when starting from zero. Also, it was unable to aggressively get up to speed when needing to pass other vehicles in the 35mph range. Don't get me wrong, it had good power but was notmeet my expectations. A little slower, a little more sluggish than I would have expected.
Rear seat room was less than I remembered. I have two girls (4 and 7) who will need to sit back there and I think it may be too tight. Also, this car was black and had noticable swirl marks on the hood and a couple of scratches in the rear. Not to mention, he'd scraped a few of his wheels. Interior was immaculate.
Anyways, based on that, I think I'm going to continue my focus on a 330 or 335 BMW.
I went and test drove a private sale 2006 A3 3.2 today.
I must say I was disappointed. It seemed to have a hiccup or lag when starting from zero. Also, it was unable to aggressively get up to speed when needing to pass other vehicles in the 35mph range. Don't get me wrong, it had good power but was notmeet my expectations. A little slower, a little more sluggish than I would have expected.
Rear seat room was less than I remembered. I have two girls (4 and 7) who will need to sit back there and I think it may be too tight. Also, this car was black and had noticable swirl marks on the hood and a couple of scratches in the rear. Not to mention, he'd scraped a few of his wheels. Interior was immaculate.
Anyways, based on that, I think I'm going to continue my focus on a 330 or 335 BMW.
It is more satisfying than i expected. That is where i feel the car is fastest. But if you choose a 335i BMW, which is alot more money, you will be more satisfied with that car, I'm not gonna lie. That there is a fast car, but you will pay more for it.
I wish you luck in your choice!!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
From:
RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
I test drove a 2004 330i ZHP before I got my A3 3.2...
BMW's 3-liter straight six is much more dynamic and sporty than Audi/VW's 3.2, but it's not as torquey. For 5th and 6th gear passing at low speeds, it's wondful to have that torque on hand. But, if you want to drop it down to 2nd or 3rd, the BMW's engine shines.
If you're looking for a performer, you can't really get much better than a BMW, that's my opinion. For someone not hell-bent on performance, but still wanting more-than-decent power, handling, and performance, Audi really fits the bill.
But I see where you're dissapointment is coming from. I test drove an A3 2.0t before the 3.2Q, and I was happy with the little four-bangers amazing torque and excellet power-band. Then I got into the 3.2Q and expected to be much, much faster (50 more horses, 36 more torques), and when I mashed it, I was a little dissapointed. Then I learned that the 3.2Q is heavy-as-hell, 3800 lbs, and that the Quattro sucks a lot of power. The dynamics of the 3.2 were much better than the turbo 4, but it just didn't feel any faster.
As with the DSG, the off-the-line "sluggishness" is the transmission letting out the clutch smoothly like you would in a real manual car. It's not going to drop the clutch and let you break something like you could in a real manual. I like to think of it as an automatic version of the perfect manual launch, perfecting meaning most acceleration with no damage whatsoever. If any acceleration is lost from starting, it is defentially made up during the upcoming shifts. Overall it's faster than a manual, just not as fun.
Anyways, the 3.2Q has, in my opinion, better characteristcs for every-day driving than BMWs 3 liter straight-6.
BMW's 3-liter straight six is much more dynamic and sporty than Audi/VW's 3.2, but it's not as torquey. For 5th and 6th gear passing at low speeds, it's wondful to have that torque on hand. But, if you want to drop it down to 2nd or 3rd, the BMW's engine shines.
If you're looking for a performer, you can't really get much better than a BMW, that's my opinion. For someone not hell-bent on performance, but still wanting more-than-decent power, handling, and performance, Audi really fits the bill.
But I see where you're dissapointment is coming from. I test drove an A3 2.0t before the 3.2Q, and I was happy with the little four-bangers amazing torque and excellet power-band. Then I got into the 3.2Q and expected to be much, much faster (50 more horses, 36 more torques), and when I mashed it, I was a little dissapointed. Then I learned that the 3.2Q is heavy-as-hell, 3800 lbs, and that the Quattro sucks a lot of power. The dynamics of the 3.2 were much better than the turbo 4, but it just didn't feel any faster.
As with the DSG, the off-the-line "sluggishness" is the transmission letting out the clutch smoothly like you would in a real manual car. It's not going to drop the clutch and let you break something like you could in a real manual. I like to think of it as an automatic version of the perfect manual launch, perfecting meaning most acceleration with no damage whatsoever. If any acceleration is lost from starting, it is defentially made up during the upcoming shifts. Overall it's faster than a manual, just not as fun.
Anyways, the 3.2Q has, in my opinion, better characteristcs for every-day driving than BMWs 3 liter straight-6.
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
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RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
Great post, cookies!
I completely get what you're saying. Having owned several BMWs, I really like their low end torque. The 335 is a twin turbo, clearly the A3 can not compete with it but I know that. That said, the 3.2Q is nothing to turn your nose up to. My headache is over pricing and going with the cheaper option (A3) over the more expensive (335) and the incremental difference in "joy" between the two.
Honestly, I think I'm going to end up with the 3.2Q. The difference in price is now at $10k or more. I'm not sure I can pass on the 3.2Q for in the high $20k range. We'll see and I really appreciate all the responses.
I completely get what you're saying. Having owned several BMWs, I really like their low end torque. The 335 is a twin turbo, clearly the A3 can not compete with it but I know that. That said, the 3.2Q is nothing to turn your nose up to. My headache is over pricing and going with the cheaper option (A3) over the more expensive (335) and the incremental difference in "joy" between the two.
Honestly, I think I'm going to end up with the 3.2Q. The difference in price is now at $10k or more. I'm not sure I can pass on the 3.2Q for in the high $20k range. We'll see and I really appreciate all the responses.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
From:
RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
Yes, great post cookies!
You are dead on with those cars. The A3 3.2Q is very jumpy with its torque. I really enjoy that aspect, and as for the BMW, (which i have never driven but a friend owns) agrees with you that the engine just about shines in every catagory, but in the end the two are very different cars. I just wish Audi could do something about the weight of my 3.2 : (
It would really eat the road up if it were just like 1000lbs lighter, i can just imagine the car being that much more powerful.
Great discussion, no biased opinions, love it!
You are dead on with those cars. The A3 3.2Q is very jumpy with its torque. I really enjoy that aspect, and as for the BMW, (which i have never driven but a friend owns) agrees with you that the engine just about shines in every catagory, but in the end the two are very different cars. I just wish Audi could do something about the weight of my 3.2 : (
It would really eat the road up if it were just like 1000lbs lighter, i can just imagine the car being that much more powerful.
Great discussion, no biased opinions, love it!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,713
From: Cibolo, TX
RE: Test drive impressions of an A3 3.2
You keep driving that 335i and you'll end up taking it home. Be careful! LOL
BTW, have you test driven the S5 yet? I had it around the track last week and it is fun as hell! It might be an option if you're looking to drop that kind of change?
Cheers!
BTW, have you test driven the S5 yet? I had it around the track last week and it is fun as hell! It might be an option if you're looking to drop that kind of change?
Cheers!