Audi's . . . . I don't get it?

[dave87]

I would have said Alpina D3 if you were after a special diesel - but massively out of budget

[mycarsavw]

I'm never getting below 30mpg with the Ford, and ideally I would like that to be better, so I may go back and have another look at an Octavia VRS/Leon FR in either petrol or diesel, BUT again back to the VAG problem stupidly light steering, and over sero'd brakes!

There are ways (if you can be arsed) to mod the steering to force it to become heavier - the brakes, not so sure, but if you can read, have time to waste, I'm sure you'll find someone who's done it somewhere.

[Guy]

I would have said Alpina D3 if you were after a special diesel - but massively out of budget

Yus I wish, twin turbo 3 series, but nein WAYYYY over budget!

I might look into an S60/V70.

T5/D5, depending on whats around and price etc.

[dave87]

S60 D5 is a goodun - remapable too if you want more than 163/185bhp.

T5, well, that would give the traffic cops a run for their money

[dave87]

Do company rules prohibit 2 doors?

[Vimeous]

rasta I read your post with some amusement because you described the last generation Audi's to perfection.

Over-servoed brakes is a common trait of all modern Toyota's. In fact so is the lifeless steering although that can be resolved with better tyres to some extent.
Last gen Civic also suffered the steering issue although the latest is somewhat better - though not a patch on previous gens.
Basically as others have said it's not uncommon.
Interestingly the latest Accord (the monster arches version) has pretty decent steering and decent progressive brakes so not all hope is lost yet

Meanwhile 530d's. My parents are on their 3rd touring and they've loved all of them. My sister still has their first Y-reg model and it's weathered very well.
Nothing specific to watch out for - except the first two did have warranty-related fixes, the last of which I ran a thread on here.
Despite this they're bought another one because they love the relaxed power and yet it flys when needed.

If you are consdering one keep a close eye on engine specs as the 3.0d has been through many revisions. The old-shape y-plate had 193bhp(pre-oo was 185bhp), 55-plate 218bhp and the current one 232bhp.
They were all auto and the most recent has tiptronic paddles which even my mum likes to use!

Their two SE's were both on fat tyres with normal suspension and they found that perfectly comfortable. They're now running their first Sport with 19" rims and they've pleasantly surprised how good the ride is - not as bad as they expected



As for BMW drivers. Well they used to be Volvo drivers (144/740/960) so there's been little change! LOL

[Guy]

S60 D5 is a goodun - remapable too if you want more than 163/185bhp.

T5, well, that would give the traffic cops a run for their money

There is a Volvo specialist about 10 mins away from where I work (Ravenscroft Volvo or something iirc) so I'll go down there and work out wether its gonna be an S60, or V70 that is most suitable then take it from there, again not quite decided on T5/D5. Better MPG from the D5, but more expensive to start with! Hmmmmm! Decisions, decisions.

Do company rules prohibit 2 doors?

Erm pass, why what do you have in mind?

rasta I read your post with some amusement because you described the last generation Audi's to perfection.

Over-servoed brakes is a common trait of all modern Toyota's. In fact so is the lifeless steering although that can be resolved with better tyres to some extent.
Last gen Civic also suffered the steering issue although the latest is somewhat better - though not a patch on previous gens.
Basically as others have said it's not uncommon.
Interestingly the latest Accord (the monster arches version) has pretty decent steering and decent progressive brakes so not all hope is lost yet

Meanwhile 530d's. My parents are on their 3rd touring and they've loved all of them. My sister still has their first Y-reg model and it's weathered very well.
Nothing specific to watch out for - except the first two did have warranty-related fixes, the last of which I ran a thread on here.
Despite this they're bought another one because they love the relaxed power and yet it flys when needed.

If you are consdering one keep a close eye on engine specs as the 3.0d has been through many revisions. The old-shape y-plate had 193bhp(pre-oo was 185bhp), 55-plate 218bhp and the current one 232bhp.
They were all auto and the most recent has tiptronic paddles which even my mum likes to use!

Their two SE's were both on fat tyres with normal suspension and they found that perfectly comfortable. They're now running their first Sport with 19" rims and they've pleasantly surprised how good the ride is - not as bad as they expected



As for BMW drivers. Well they used to be Volvo drivers (144/740/960) so there's been little change! LOL

Thanks for that, I seriously cannot express in words how disapointed I was with the Audi, I was expecting quite a lot, given the hype the seem to have, and like I said the only good thing about it really was the 3 litre engine.

The only problem I seem to be coming across with any of the BMW range is price/mileage/age etc.
I'll do some proper hunting, but at a quick glance it was only the 4 pot derv's that seem to be coming in anywhere near budget. Hmmmm I feel a mass autotrader/pistonheads search going on later!

[dave87]

Erm pass, why what do you have in mind?

330Ci Convertable - One with hardtop, Navi, Leather etc 44k £13k?

[dave87]

Or using Fox's theory:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1351267.htm

...should be a good buy. 2006, 1 owner from new, but high mileage. 135k...

[Guy]

330Ci Convertable - One with hardtop, Navi, Leather etc 44k £13k?

A drop top, really?!

Tbh not a fan of a car unless its a convertable only, i.e S2000 etc.

Or using Fox's theory:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1351267.htm

...should be a good buy. 2006, 1 owner from new, but high mileage. 135k...

Also nice to drive, an E60 bonus points for that but that high mileage, hell no!

Bearing in mind I have put 30K on the car since I got it . . . . .

[Butcher]

Audi
Dual Zone climate control
Single Cd player/radio, NO steering wheel controls
Cruise control
Manual lights
manual wipers
manual mirrors
manual cloth seats
normal rear view mirror
not as many draws/compartments/pockets etc

Out of the lot above apparently the only one that can be retrofitted is an I-pod/3.5mm jack and that won't be cheap!

SE is a low trim level for Audis - one above the basic model. You need to be looking at sport or s-line spec for all the toys. Engine size doesn't seem to affect the amount of stuff you get really.

Most if not all of the above options can be retrofitted, but none of it will be cheap - you're much better off looking for a car with them already fitted cost wise.

The overservoed brakes and super light steering seems to vary a lot. My Audi has decent brake travel, but I've driven others where the brakes are pin sharp. Steering feel can be adjusted by plugging in a diagnostics unit assuming it's a new enough model to have electronic PAS (anything from around 01 ish). Basically you can dial up or down the assistance in the firmware.

[Guy]

SE is a low trim level for Audis - one above the basic model. You need to be looking at sport or s-line spec for all the toys. Engine size doesn't seem to affect the amount of stuff you get really.

Most if not all of the above options can be retrofitted, but none of it will be cheap - you're much better off looking for a car with them already fitted cost wise.

The overservoed brakes and super light steering seems to vary a lot. My Audi has decent brake travel, but I've driven others where the brakes are pin sharp. Steering feel can be adjusted by plugging in a diagnostics unit assuming it's a new enough model to have electronic PAS (anything from around 01 ish). Basically you can dial up or down the assistance in the firmware.

Oh really? I was under the assumption that it would have been base spec - sport - then SE or S-Line.

Apparently none can really be retrofitted, the only one realistic was the I-pod/3.5mm jack?

It was an 06 plate so I presume the steering can be sharpened up, but still I really should have to do this to a car, it should actually be driveable out the box, not something out of Gran Turismo. When I initially mentioned the brakes/almost broke my nose when out on the test drive, the dealer didnt seem phased by it, so it clearly wasnt anything new to him.

[99Flake]

Rasta, a bit of a curve ball this one but.....

An Alfa 159 with a JTD engine? I am kind of assuming they would fall into the price bracket by now, haven't actually bothered to look.

Drop dead gorgeous looks, great chassis and a diesel engine. Plus the 159 is supposed to be a pretty reliable car compared to Alfa's previous outings (although I fear a collinder on wheels may also be when compared).

[Butcher]

Oh really? I was under the assumption that it would have been base spec - sport - then SE or S-Line.

Base - SE - sport - s-line is the usual ordering. Sport and s-line have lowered suspension and different external trim too.

Apparently none can really be retrofitted, the only one realistic was the I-pod/3.5mm jack?

http://www.vwcruise.com/19.html - auto lights, wipers and rear view mirror retrofit, £595 + new windscreen.
http://www.vwcruise.com/18.html - multi fuction steering wheel retrofit, £895.

Don't think folding door mirrors can be retrofitted easily.

Seats can be upgraded to leather, don't think you can retrofit electronic controls though. TBH I don't adjust my seat often enough to care about that anyway.

As you can see it's possible to retrofit quite a bit of the stuff you listed, but it's not cheap at all. Much cheaper to find a car with them already fitted.

It was an 06 plate so I presume the steering can be sharpened up, but still I really should have to do this to a car, it should actually be driveable out the box, not something out of Gran Turismo. When I initially mentioned the brakes/almost broke my nose when out on the test drive, the dealer didnt seem phased by it, so it clearly wasnt anything new to him.

Mine's 05, don't know if they changed them after that or what, but I drove an 09 plate recently and the brakes were as you describe - so sharp you practically launched through the windscreen at every junction.

[mycarsavw]

Don't think folding door mirrors can be retrofitted easily.

Seats can be upgraded to leather, don't think you can retrofit electronic controls though. TBH I don't adjust my seat often enough to care about that anyway.

Folding door mirrors can be added, but at great cost and for next to no reward - far simpler to fold the mirror by hand.

You can upgrade to leather/heated/electric too but again, it's costly.

If you have money, anything can be done, but it gets addictive, very, very quickly.

£13k will get you a Phaeton, a W8 Passat, RS6 Avant/Saloon, S4, S6, S8 etc etc if only you liked the VAG

[Guy]

Rasta, a bit of a curve ball this one but.....

An Alfa 159 with a JTD engine? I am kind of assuming they would fall into the price bracket by now, haven't actually bothered to look.

Drop dead gorgeous looks, great chassis and a diesel engine. Plus the 159 is supposed to be a pretty reliable car compared to Alfa's previous outings (although I fear a collinder on wheels may also be when compared).

Hmmm interesting, I hadnt even considered the Alfa route! Meh worth at least a look
Although yeah I'm still not convinced by there new found 'reliability' claims, reliable what were they comparing it to a TVR?

Base - SE - sport - s-line is the usual ordering. Sport and s-line have lowered suspension and different external trim too.


http://www.vwcruise.com/19.html - auto lights, wipers and rear view mirror retrofit, £595 + new windscreen.
http://www.vwcruise.com/18.html - multi fuction steering wheel retrofit, £895.

Don't think folding door mirrors can be retrofitted easily.

Seats can be upgraded to leather, don't think you can retrofit electronic controls though. TBH I don't adjust my seat often enough to care about that anyway.

As you can see it's possible to retrofit quite a bit of the stuff you listed, but it's not cheap at all. Much cheaper to find a car with them already fitted.



Mine's 05, don't know if they changed them after that or what, but I drove an 09 plate recently and the brakes were as you describe - so sharp you practically launched through the windscreen at every junction.

Ahh I see ok, well that clears that one up!

£1,600! screw that! Definatly a hell of alot easier to find it already spec'd!
Yep, luckily there wasnt anything behind me the first time I went for the brake pedal as that could have gone well!

Folding door mirrors can be added, but at great cost and for next to no reward - far simpler to fold the mirror by hand.

You can upgrade to leather/heated/electric too but again, it's costly.

If you have money, anything can be done, but it gets addictive, very, very quickly.

£13k will get you a Phaeton, a W8 Passat, RS6 Avant/Saloon, S4, S6, S8 etc etc if only you liked the VAG

I tend to use the folding mirrors alot, and doing it manually would actually become quite tiresome, everynight parked outside my house they need to be folding in, as otherwise chances are they will get sideswipped by passing cars, and whilst on site, and in car parks I value having my mirrors so much easier to just hit the button and job done.

Oh if fuel and mile werent a concern then that would get me a VERY nice E39 M5, but alas its not a fun car, its a work hack

Also its not that I don't like some VAG stuff, I very nearly bought a Mk2 Octavia VRS instead of the Ford, yes it had the usual problems, but the brakes werent half as bad as the Audi's, it was also better equipped, and had more space than the Golf GTi, oh and it was about £2k cheaper!

I might go back and look at a diesel VRS, they use the 170bhp common rail VW diesel, no?