I've gone over to the dark side and got myself a nice shiny new MK2 A3 (end of October actually).

Anyway, I thought I'd share my thoughts after owning 2 Octys.

First of all, there is a price to pay going with Audi. You lose a lot of things that come as standard on the higher spec Octys. But, on the other hand, you get a certain level of fit and finish that you simply don't get with Skoda. It's not night and day, but it is noticeable. The Audi just feels a lot more expensive. it's also quieter and more refined.

The model I have is the Sportback in Sport trim with the 170ps diesel, so it's comparable to the vRS diesel performance wise. I've driven both as well as the equivalent Seat - they all performed the same as far as I could tell, just the Audi seemed a cut above for the reasons I've already outlined.

I actually wanted to go for the vRS, but it actually worked out cheaper in terms of total cost of ownership over 2 to 3 years to go for the A3 - in part because it's an outgoing model so I got a good discount, partly because of residuals being that much stronger on the Audi and lower emissions (it has start/stop and regenerative braking) meaning it's only in tax band D.

As there's a lot of overlap, I think I'll still carry on visiting this site for info - The Audi people are a funny lot. ;-)

I'll probably be back with Skoda for my next car, it just depends what the new Octy will be like or whether they decide to make a Rapid vRS.

It was the size of the boot that swung me to the Octavia, considering it uses the same platform as the Golf and A3 it's far bigger.

If I didn't need a big boot and the Audi A3 could be had for similar money I'd be tempted too.

It was the size of the boot that swung me to the Octavia, considering it uses the same platform as the Golf and A3 it's far bigger.

If I didn't need a big boot and the Audi A3 could be had for similar money I'd be tempted too.

The boot on the A3, although not as big as the Octavia, is still far bigger than the Golf.

I was surprised that the price difference wasn't that great. The problem is, the list prices for Skodas are already pretty close to their best price but there's a lot of room for haggling with Audi, especially if you use a broker and the residuals do make up for the higher initial cost to some degree. The cost on a PCP on the same terms is more expensive for a vRS, and the road tax is higher on the vRS.

the sport back boot is much bigger. When looking for a car i looked at A3 sportback, golf and octy. As soon as i saw the a3's boot compared (parked next to a golf in the dealer) the golf went off the list.

The A3 did have that quality feel but a few things put me off, mainly the price of the only model to buy (se). I paid 7.4k for my octy vrs and the same age/milage a3 would have been well over 8k

Is the Sportback the five door?

Or is there the three door, five door hatch... and then the sportback?

Sportback is just what Audi calls their 5 door. Having had one in sport trim prior to our Octy CR I found the Octy wiped the floor with the A3. Ride, handling balance and an all round character I find lacking in mainstream Audis. I had high expectations of the Audi whereas the Octy still constantly surprizes & impresses me.

The Sportback is somewhere between a 5-door hatch and a proper estate, size-wise.

The Sportback is somewhere between a 5-door hatch and a proper estate, size-wise.

It's a kind of mini estate. It's about 6 inches shorter in the boot than the Octy, but still has the width and height. The passenger area, especially the front, does seem to be a lot more spacious.

Once I see what the new Octy is like I may be persuaded to come back, or if they do a Rapid vRS...

Sportback is just what Audi calls their 5 door. Having had one in sport trim prior to our Octy CR I found the Octy wiped the floor with the A3. Ride, handling balance and an all round character I find lacking in mainstream Audis. I had high expectations of the Audi whereas the Octy still constantly surprizes & impresses me.

I've heard people say that about Audis and I kind of see what they mean, but I'm not really a "sporty" kind of driver, so the understated conservative solidity of the A3 appeals to me. I'm not sure I like the rest of the range though, or the new A3 for that matter.

So the Sportback is bigger then the A3 five door hatch?

the sportback is the 5dr hatch

So the Sportback is bigger then the A3 five door hatch?

Not exactly, the Sportback is the A3 five door hatch

OK understood, post #7 confused me

I briefly considered an S3 when changing from my vRS but one of the things that put me off was that the interior dash felt dated now with the mk2 having been around for nearly 10 years. Quality may be a slight cut above the Octy but the Octy felt more modern.

Incidentally, the best interior dash I have ever had both in terms of quality and style was in my mk1 TT.

I looked at the A3 Sportback and although the boot was smaller, it was the rear legroom (or lack of it) in the A3 compared to the Vrs that swung it for me. I am 6ft 3ins and my 13 year old daughter can sit comfortably behind me. She couldn't in the A3.

I have an 2007 Octavia vRS estate 2.0 TFSI and my wife drives an 2007 A3 1.8 TFSI sportback. My observations are as follows:

Audi interior is of much higher quality and the fit is very good.

Audi ride is awful and shudders and jitters over every bump.

Skoda boot is enormous - we never use the Audi for family outings as it is simply too small.

The Skoda is much noiser, but performance is stronger in every gear (I guess this is the extra 40hp).

The Audi was far more expensive than the Skoda (both purchased used) and whilst it does have full leather option i don't think the price differential is justified.

The A3 and A4 were in my potential list. But te dealer wouldn't even give me the time of day

Take a look at the Seat Exeo, old A4 including the interior.

Cheap as chips, but it's a saloon.

A few used estates cropping up though now...

IMHO the only reason I'd move to audi would be for the quatttro.

I like the A4 but it doesn't really look that special (maybe because there are so many here)

I'd only consider the RS3, anything less isn't worth the change.

I went the other way 2005 3 door A3 to the Octy, there isn't much I miss from the A3 (biggest being the interior lighting options, how you are supposed to find the Map reading light in the dark in the octy ?) The interior was better quality in the A3 - but not by as much as the price difference. The Octy is much better from a room standpoint, much easier with 4 adults that my old A3 which felt cramped inside in comparison.

8P A3 is still a very nice car though.

Ride wasn't an issue as I changed the suspension on the A3.

Paul

IMHO the only reason I'd move to audi would be for the quatttro.

I like the A4 but it doesn't really look that special (maybe because there are so many here)

I'd only consider the RS3, anything less isn't worth the change.

I wouldn't even bother with the RS3 at this stage, the mk 2 A3 has been around nearly 10 years so it's a dated chasis/platform, although the 5 door sportback is more recent. This is decent review on the R forum:

http://www.rforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2408.0

When I was changing from the Leon FR it was between a Golf GT TDi 170, Octavia vRS and a A3 sportback s line 170 TDi. The Golf went off the list quickly as I thought it was a bit basic for the price they were, so was between the Skoda and the Audi really. In the end my stingeyness outweighed my desire for a posh badge. I couldn't really justify the extra money for the A3, I got a great bargain with my Octavia and would have to have gotten an older higher mileage Audi for the same money. I'll keep the Octavia a long time and try to save up for an A3 next time tho.