A3 Test drive

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David A Smith - 18 Apr 2006 16:43 GMT

Hello All.
This is the first time I have posted here, and I do so disapointed.
I recently went for a test drive in a new A3, 2 litre TDI, DSG (only 443
miles on the clock).
We were 3 up, and found that the ride very poor. On the straight on a
motorway standard road it was fine but on town roads and changing lanes on
the main road the car felt most strange. I find it very difficult to
describe the ride.
It was as if we were in a plane in turbulance. The suspension felt 'loose',
there was a certain amount of wobble or bounce almost as if the car was
slipping slightly while bouncing. The best way I can describe it is, it was
like driving on hard frozen rutted snow. Which I assure you it wasn't.
My wife, who sat in the back to see if the ride was smoothe for passangers
who suffer from travel sickness, said she was glad when the drive was over
as she felt sick.
I am very disapointed as I wanted an Audi.
Have we been very unlucky and tested a bad one or are all A3s like this
(surely not!)

Your opinions please.
Dave

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Graham - 18 Apr 2006 23:46 GMT

> Hello All.
> This is the first time I have posted here, and I do so disapointed.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Your opinions please.

You don't mention whether this is an SE/Sport/S-Line etc. The
difference in ride between these three is ASTRONOMICAL ! You may find
that you prefer the SE version if you like your crusing more
comfortable. With the Sport/S-line the ride is very firm.

I also test drove an S-Line model (2.0TDI DSG) last week and found the
ride to be uncomfortably firm, so much that I know I wouldn't buy one.
I drive an SE model on a day-to-day basis so can tell the difference
pretty much straight away.

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Chris Bartram - 19 Apr 2006 10:04 GMT

> You don't mention whether this is an SE/Sport/S-Line etc. The
> difference in ride between these three is ASTRONOMICAL ! You may find
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> drive an SE model on a day-to-day basis so can tell the difference
> pretty much straight away.

My old-shape (1999) A3 sport has quite a firm ride, even after 6.5
years. It's noticeably 'jiggly' compared to many cars. I like it that
way though: the courtesy car I'm driving ATM feels soggy. An SE is
definitely less firm. The wheels and tyres will make a difference too:
very low-profile tyres will exaggerate the stiffness.

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David A Smith - 20 Apr 2006 08:53 GMT

Perhaps I didn't explain the problem well. The car I drove felt as if the
first few inches or so of suspension movement just wasn't 'controlled' It
felt
'loose', 'unconnected'. If I was told that there were some suspension bushes
loose or missing or bolts were missing, I could understand the strange
feeling. There were no clonks and bangs which might confirm either problem.
Though the car had the DSG gearbox the sales man said the car was
entry level.
So it looks as if I was unlucky and should avoid the dealer for not sorting
the car before using it as their demonstrator.
Thanks
Dave

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Robert - 20 Apr 2006 18:58 GMT

> Perhaps I didn't explain the problem well. The car I drove felt as if the
> first few inches or so of suspension movement just wasn't 'controlled' It
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks
> Dave

It almost sounds like the kind of thing that happens when shock
absorbers are completely worn out. But of course that wouldn't be the
case in such a new car.

Maybe tyre pressures were really really low on your car?

I find that using pressures way above the typical, works best. As an
example, many people with 205/55-16 tyres put in about 2.2 bar pressure
(approx 31 psi). And the car will run very sloppily, in corners it
handles like a bar of wet soap in high seas. Put in about 2,8 bar
(somewhere around 39 psi) and the same car (an A4, in my case) handles
like a dream and also gets much more even tyre wear.

YMMV... but ask to test the same car with more air in the tyres and see
if it feels better.

/Robert

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David A Smith - 21 Apr 2006 14:22 GMT

>> Perhaps I didn't explain the problem well. The car I drove felt as if
>> the
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> /Robert

Thanks Robert.
I agree, feels like knackered dampers plus perhaps no lateral control.
Better would be to ask for a test in another car altogether. I have my
doubts as to the salesmans mechanical knowledge, too. Would he know if the
car was a 'wrong un' or not, I doubt it.
I will be seeing a VW / Audi specialist next weekend, I will have to bend
his ear.
Dave

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