Owners Review Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 184 S-Line Quattro

Easy to Park

Halo of Perfection

What can I say about this car?
It’s an Audi, it looks amazing and it packs a punch being the 184 not the 150 model.
0-60 in 6.7 seconds - do feel as though it is faster - but that could be down to the infamous DSG 7 Speed Gearbox and sport mode. Constantly ready to go and not much gets away from it.
While those are the fun things that most petrol heads want to hear, not many people discuss the real life factors that you can experience from owning the car for a long period of time.
That’s where I come in. I want to give people the real perspective, not just a 15 minute ride around town and then give an opinion.
I have owned the car for approximately 9 months now and done nearly 23,000 miles - Yes I do drive, a lot!

Running Costs;
It has never missed a beat and never let me down. It’s had its first service, no issues and it has had four new tyres approx £120 each, being quattro it is best to get both fronts or rears changed at the same time but all mine were wearing evenly so I just did the four. after 19,000 miles. No puntures or deflation. Given my previous car constantly had punctures I went for the spare wheel option, suffice to say I haven’t yet needed it!
Not bad for a set of tyres in my eyes!
Fuel consumption (Diesel) surprisingly really really good. Audi got their figures wrong on this one but for the better! Average is apparently 50.0mpg but I regularly maintain 52-58mpg. Around town depending on travel levels between 38-45mpg. Interesting considering there is not much difference in tech specs between the 150 and the 184 models, why have the slower one? As mentioned above, at 6.7 seconds, it leaves plenty of people standing, even given me a choice few thumbs up from other drivers which is always a feel good bonus.
CO2 emissions are 130 which is well below what even some smaller engine cars are churning out.

Storage and Comfort;
While a lot can be said for storage, this car certainly has it.
The boot is deep and spacious, and can fit a lot a decent sized amount of random rubbish!
I am a District Nurse so my boot has to be able to accommodate a large amount of kit, and this car manages it with ease.
Headroom in the front, however, especially for the passenger, is slightly limited to people who are taller or of a large than average build as the roof scoops down. Personally being 5’4 I don’t have an issue! In the back, it is much more spacious as the roof is slightly straighter and at less of a curve. I have a best friend of 6’2 and she has no issues sitting in the back with plenty of ease, head and leg room.
One thing to note is that the car is surprisingly low, you don’t realise until you park next to a car and you have to step up onto the curb to get out of the car! Again, this could pose an issue for taller or larger built people.
In itself though, it is very comfortable even for long journeys. Doing the amount of miles I do, comfort is a big factor for me. I have to like the environment I’m in, enjoy being there and be comfortable. 100% content with being in the car for long periods.

Styling;
Being enthusiastic about cars, for me, looks play a part. The other models just don’t have the sense of presence about them that the S-Line brings to the table. The curves, the sleekness, the stealthyness - it all works together to create an effortless, unique creation.
Obviously there are cars out there that are works of art and masterpieces and to be this car just has something about it that makes you look twice.

Technology;
So, to get if off my chest, the start/stop system in no uncertain terms is a pain in the arse. It cuts in when the car is still rolling and hasn’t even stopped! Which at a junction just really ticks me off.
I notice no difference in fuel consumption, so more often than not, I switch it off as soon as I get in the car!
The automatic parking brake - great idea for hills and traffic as it means you can take your foot of the brake while still in Drive and not have to worry about creeping forward (applicable to DSG).
The SAT NAV is a splendid piece of kit, real time traffic updates, three different routes to choose from, really colourful and detailed maps and the arrival time is usually always spot on!
The sound system, again another good piece of kit, surprisingly louder outside than you think it is and makes me seem like a bit of a muppet but why the hell not!

All in all, this car is by far the best I’ve owned and driven, and you may think yes I am only 25, but I know my cars and I know when something has had thought and effort put into it as is an underestimated gem.

All questions please feel free to post.

Kate