Yeah the Crafter is a rebadged Sprinter

Having had 2 skoda and then recently a previous generation A3 1.6TDI, followed by an Octy MK 3 1.6TDI and a passat 2.0 TDI bluemotion, I can certainly say you notice the differences.

 

The A3 is ok, but missing so many "toys". How it came without cruise or lumbar adjustment was beyond me.

 

The MK 3 Octy is huge, has lots of toys, but there are signs of cost saving. Not massive, but the seats in the MK3 were a huge turn off for me. Really uncomfortable compared to the MK 2.

 

The Passat, is a damn awesome motorway mile muncher. Powerful, comfortable, seats and lumbar adjustment were great. Only real down sides were the cheap radio and a lack of rear parking sensors.

 

Compared to these, the new A3 is a marvel inside and the quality differences are fairly easy to spot.

 

 - The down sides to the new A3 are that Audi are taking the p*ss with some of the equipment that isn't standard.

 - The car is 108g/km for the saloon vs 118g/km for the Octy MK3. (That's quite a tax difference, although partly offset by cost).

 - The rental on the Audi is lower than the skoda (and most others oddly)

 - 6 speed gear box on the 1.6TDI for the A3, but not for any others in the group.

 

Something I will however say that totally screws their reputation is seeing a family parked up in halfords, munching a maccy D, with baseball caps in a brand new A3 (3 door).

I mean if you want to be premium, then don't give finance to everyone who says I want (Same goes for BMW and Merc)

The poor standard spec of all Audi's and the expense of having to 'option' them up is the killer for me.

 

Hence I bought a Skoda Superb over an A6.

 

 

How can they still be regarded as "premium" when they are everywhere?

I think it's purely because brands viewed as 'premium' can offer the consumer something right at the top end of the market. Over time, brands that may have survived by being 'genuinely premium' have realised that there is a huge market below them (price-wise) that they can tap in to. Provided they can still produce (and sell sufficient) top-end cars, they will be able to badge and flog low-end-lemons to muppets who buy badges rather than the product. 

Yeah the Crafter is a rebadged Sprinter

I was sure Merc did the engines and VW does the bodies.

 

Learnt something new.

See so many A3 driving school cars now...

 

Marketing ploy to get new drivers in to the brand or just brand dilution?

You get a certain type of person who will pay more to have a bottom of the line A3 with the smallest engine, than they would get get a much higher spec Golf, Seat, Skoda (or many other makes) of car with much better trim.

 

It's all about having the right badge. It's not like they got RWD (Merc/BMW) and the base level Audi doesn't have quattro.

 

IMHO if they want to stay premium, they have to be more sensible on who (read how much deposit they require) they give finance out to.

If everyone and the dog can have one it's not premium.

My brothers just bought a 325d today

So the household now has a 335d 325d and a 320d

Can't beat a bit of premium motoring

I can only assume that the premium brand cars sell well because people want them, plain and simple.  Just happens they are all German and we all know German stuff is always best, even their football team.   

The way the £ is now against the Euro I can see the trend continuing, German cars will be even cheaper. Can't see why the £ is stronger at the moment, we don't make naff all to export but that's another debate.