Looking at alternatives to Octvia L&K 2.0TDi DSG, frustrated because I need auto (left knee problem) and Skoda will not do the 170ps engine with auto. I have put plusses and minuses compared to my Octy. I am not wishing to remap the engine and have all the hassle with an insurance company. Besides, more power should come with better brakes and perhaps suspension.

Clearly the Audi is from the same stable as the Skoda - many of the dials are familiar.

Drove both in 2.0 TDi 170 versions

+ name

+ quality

+ acceleration better(in A3 guise, even the 140ps is faster)

- A4 Smaller entry to the boot. A3 just a small boot, and surpsrisingly the sportback made very little difference.

- Here is the odd one - the smaller A3 had space for my right foot with a rest, but the bigger A4 had no where to put my right foot when using cruise control

- not enough / right shape cubby holes and containers for the vital bits we all carry around - change for parking, water bottles, CDs and so on. The cupholders look as if they are just asking to snap off.

- reversing sensor is audio only, not showing which side you are approaching and with less idea of distance to go.

- on teh A3 SE there is a pretty centre console, with sort of "struts" either side of the gearstick (joining the main console with the lump in teh middle that feels as big as a transmission tunnel, but should not be as this is a front wheel drive). Anyway, those struts stop you using the tray behind the gearstick, which i guess would otherwise be useful for change.

- the central armrest gets in the way! Apparently most people swing it up and out ofhte way to drive the car! I found that putting on the handbrake meant i hit it with my elbow, even then.

Oh, and I drove a TT becasue I was wondering about that 3.2 engine in an A3. But overall lack of practicality keeps me away from teh Audis.

Both the A3 and A4 can be 4wd hence the transmission tunnels. They are both failry old cars now, hence being dissapointing in terms of technology levels compared to newer cars, that said they have a fantastic engine choice.

A3 was introduced in 2003 and A4 was 2005 wasn't it?

Chris

They are both failry old cars now, hence being dissapointing in terms of technology levels compared to newer cars, that said they have a fantastic engine choice.

I assumed the chap above was looking at new cars - in which case, the A3 is on the current Octavia's platform.

Have you thought of a Superb ? Elegance has all the oys the L&K Octy has + a few more & can be bought really cheaply

Have you thought of a Superb ? Elegance has all the oys the L&K Octy has + a few more & can be bought really cheaply

Thanks for the thought Stuart, but to be honest, no. The reason was I did not really want to go bigger than my present car, or away from a hatchback. The Octy is 4572 long, the Superb is 4803. That's more than 9 inches longer.

Bearing in mind one reason to change is to fulfil the implied desire in your signature the Superb does not fit. Its slower than mine, even more so in the 2.5 V6 TDI 160.

My ideal car is a hatchback, auto (DSG is delightful), probably diesel because the torque is so useful. 0-60 in around 8 secs. Cruise Control and climate control required, as are parking sensors. Electric memory seats with a decent lumbar support. The boot must take two sets of golf clubs and electric trolleys. By preference, no bigger and if possible slightly smaller than the Octy. The cabin must have somewhere to hold two bottles of water, hidden change for hte parking meters, a proper space for CDs, and would ideally have the roof space for my sunglasses like in the L&K.

If I start getting into the ideal car, the list grows! Also it would be nice to have the seat back pockets for my maps, and a glove compartment that holds a box of tissues. Either space for the SatNav receiver to hide, or a sensibly priced in-car version that is regularly updated. The heated seats are great in winter, but I'd not go for leather because it is so hot in summer. Fog lights are a given, front and back. Bluetooth for my mobile, and of course my PDA which has the StaNav on must go somewhere. I have not got round to an MP3 player, but my PDA can do that if I ask it and it had somewhere to plug in to.

Oh, forgot to mention the automatic lights, welcome home lights, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror. And the maxidot type multifunction computer.

Compared to my Octy, I would like a speedo that is accurate. And an odometer that is accurate.

Well, it sounds like an Octy, all bar the 0-60.

Just seen the new A4 on the VW web site.

It looks like it might be the answer.

Still not sure about the foot rests (photo's do not show as its LHD) and the water bottle holders (no space in the doors that I can see).