Well, after falling out with Skoda, or more specifically Skoda's new pricing on all models, I've been looking at a lot of other alternatives and I can't stop looking at the Audi range - I vowed not to be drawn to Audi but their pricing and product is far better (IMO) and I'd like a decent motor next time round.

 

With that in mind I've been looking at the latest A3, specifically the 184 Diesel in S Line spec - I like all body shapes but still want it to be a family car, so initially thought about the five door Sportback. 

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410248453063/sort/pricedesc/fuel-type/diesel/radius/1501/maximum-age/up_to_1_year_old/model/a3/postcode/hd50lj/maximum-mileage/up_to_10000_miles/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/usedcars/make/audi/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/keywords/s%20line?logcode=p

 

Now, I don't usually like saloons but it really suits the A3 - looks aggreesive and like a small S4.  Thoughts?

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201409257687101/sort/pricedesc/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/3/fuel-type/diesel/radius/1501/keywords/s%20line/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/make/audi/maximum-age/up_to_1_year_old/model/a3/usedcars/postcode/hd50lj/maximum-mileage/up_to_10000_miles?logcode=p

 

Also looking at the quattro version with DSG - the low tax, excellent MPG (taken with a pinch of Audi salt) and acceleration figures means it should be good to run long term.  I'd also like thoughts on preference from Sportback vs saloon.

 

Regards

 

Chubbs

 

Anyone got one of these or know anyone who has?  I'd welcome any feedback.

Get an Octavia VRS. Larger (more space) and cheaper. My girlfriend loves her Audi A3 well I should say she loves the badge. It has the same engine as my Octavia VRS.

She has the the 184 S Lime in saloon (boot) she really does like it but she cannot get away from the fact it has exactly the same engine and running gear as mine. TBH I don't like Audis other than the RS models people buy Audis for the badge even she says so....

Edited 15 November, 201411 yr by Tim1631

I love love love the A3 saloon, like you say looks like a mini A4, perfectly formed. S3 saloon would be my ideal  

Get an Octavia VRS. Larger (more space) and cheaper. My girlfriend loves her Audi A3 well I should say she loves the badge. It has the same engine as my Octavia VRS.

She has the the 184 S Lime in saloon (boot) she really does like it but she cannot get away from the fact it has exactly the same engine and running gear as mine. TBH I don't like Audis other than the RS models people buy Audis for the badge even she says so....

Nothing like generalising the whole car buying public! Really? Everyone? Get a grip

Depends what you are looking for in a car. I would recommend the quattro, without that you should stick with the octy. The quattro element for me is worth it on its own, grip and ability to control and use the torque is so much better.

If staying fwd I would buy an Octy or Leon as both cheaper. Yes most things are better in the A3 but depends if you think better enough to justify cost. For me the pull has been 4wd.

Again if space is a deal breaker the A3 is definately smaller.

The fact that most Audis are driven by no heads haha

I'm a big fan of the Audi A3 and have always found them a pleasure to drive. Recently however, I took my mates Seat Leon FR for a spin and I was seriously impressed!

Before you make up your mind, I'd say take an FR for a test drive. After all it has the same engine & chassis as the A3. I don't think you'll be disappointed! ;-)

http://www.topgear.com/uk/seat/leon/road-test/fr-tdi-driven

Skoda Octavia Scout estate, 184bhp diesel, 4x4, DSG, seriously capable car in sheeps clothing.

 

It may be the same money as the Audi's you linked but it is a hell of a lot of car...

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201411068782040/sort/pricedesc/postcode/sl13yd/page/1/model/octavia/make/skoda/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/usedcars/keywords/scout?logcode=p

 

However given the purpose of this thread I'm guessing Skoda's higher prices are putting you off? But surely they are still cheaper than the equivalant Audi models after discounts?

 

I like the look of the new Audi A3 saloon but as with all saloons they have big boots but no way of accessing them properly = wasted space.

 

+1 to that, having driven lots of "premium cars" through work, I'm convinced more than ever on the competivness of Skoda against its pricier cousins.

A3 is a far nicer place to be than a leon / octavia

Nicer than the golf also

A3 is a far nicer place to be than a leon / octavia

Nicer than the golf also

I'd agree, much nicer interiors and in some a bit more sound deadening

I'm keeping out of this as I am one of those no heads mentioned earlier. 

I'm keeping out of this as I am one of those no heads mentioned earlier.

Eh?

The fact that most Audis are driven by no heads haha

I think he meant nob head.

I think he meant nob head.

You don't really drive yours that much you get people like that in every car brand, I notice a fair few Skodas driving like that too, *awaits hate from die hard Skoda fans*

You don't really drive yours that much

You don't really drive yours that much

Brilliant.

I bloody hate no head audi drivers

I bloody hate no head audi drivers

It certainly comes with it's own set of problems.

 

I'm apparently a no head Audi driver...

 

BUT, show me something in the Skoda range that is anywhere near as good as my car and I'll consider returning...  At the moment, theres nothing of note.

 

The S3 Saloon is stunning IMO...

 

EM

I'm keeping out of this as I am one of those no heads mentioned earlier. 

 

Me and you both...  I may be a bigger no head though  :think:

My other half has an a3 sline

Whats worrying me is, she is obviously a no head audi driver.

So how do i get her to give me head if she has no head

Gutted

Well everyone has their own option, but really it is experiences that should count. My wife has a 9N Polo and that car is a total **** of a car in all the areas where it has borrowed from its Skoda Fabia roots. My last car was a B5 Passat and that car was great, not because it was made by VW, but in my experience because it was mainly built using lots of outdated Audi parts. Unfortunately, due to the later Passat being built like a biscuit tin based on over inflating a VW Golf, I had to give it a miss and picked up a very nice used B8 S4 - probably said to be in poverty trim, but that just means all my money went into getting the best bits of an S4 - no fancy trick rear active diff or auto box! Worst thing is that my wife wants another Polo, but the 5 door ones are built in ZA - now that has been said to be an issue. Daughter has a 5J Ibiza SC its alternator went U/S at less than 5 years - curiously that Bosch alternator was built in ZA - although all the Bosch regulators seem to be made in UK!  Not from experience, I'd reckon buying a Skoda in basic trim cheaply and just using it to get from A to B is fine, but buying the same car in over the top trim, probably costs more than buying an Audi of the same platform. Don't get me wrong, you could buy for instance an A4 and load it up until it was almost double its "basic" cost - this might just be possible, but you would still just have an A4 and not a Masser! One final thing, we have friends that always buy Audi, and always buy them with "VW" derv engines - and they always end up with engine problems, I keep suggesting that they add a bit of cash and get a bigger/better engine, they will not do that as it wastes money - but so does living with known troublesome engine problems.

I think it is universally agreed that Audi's are nicer inside. This is where the extra money goes, all those touch points that create the premium feel.

 

The Audi brand also demands a premium, it is after all more desirable.

 

Audi often get the newer engines and latest VAG based technology before the other VAG brands.

 

All this equates to their higher list prices.

 

Everything else however is shared. Alternators, sensors, suspension, DSG, all electricals and oily bits etc, etc.

 

I am prepared to sacrifice interior quality, brand image and resale values for a lower cost car, in this case a Skoda.

 

If money was less of an issue I would likely be driving an Audi.

 

Unfortunately Skoda's brand image has improved of late, and with that has come higher prices so the trade off's to drive a 'Skoda branded Audi' are now less attractive.