A lot of the people here claim that we're all about BMWs and Porsches, so I thought I'd share.

11/19/2011 12:08:35 PM

I would welcome the opportunity to drive a car with a DSG. I haven't done so yet.

11/19/2011 4:28:22 PM

Speak for yourself; I am all about BMWs and Porsches.



...coughand piece of shit Corvettescough.

11/19/2011 4:37:20 PM

for all you know, the C7 will have a dual-clutch transmission.

11/19/2011 6:22:41 PM

Cam you imagine what the current z06 and zr1 would be like with dual-clutch gearbox and maybe a torque-vectoring diff?

And maybe a pair of seats that wouldn't be embarrassing in a Kia?

11/19/2011 6:49:26 PM

What exactly is the point again?

11/19/2011 7:49:04 PM

Corvettes suck, they just perform well. I drove two A3s today and loved it all over again. I should know if my offer is going to work on Monday.

I figured I'd drive the A3 while I switch the 911 for something else. I was thinking 996 turbo but at the moment undecided really..

11/19/2011 8:04:02 PM

I just wish we had these here:


I'd also wanted an EVO 9 MR Wagon in the U.S., gosh why not!!!

11/19/2011 9:26:55 PM

i definitely think you should move away so you can have all that your heart desires-

11/19/2011 10:18:50 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipC8Ire-cNg

[Edited on November 19, 2011 at 11:11 PM. Reason : is the a3 a diesel?]

11/19/2011 11:09:53 PM

^^^ agreed on both counts

i don't know why Americans don't like awesome wagons

11/19/2011 11:15:31 PM

Quote :

"Corvettes suck, they just perform well. "

Haha, well, ahhh, that is an admirable trait in a sports car.

I know what you're saying; we share pretty much the same opinions on everything about them--I just still think it's worth it for the retardosphere-level capabilities...and I think you can only downplay that so much. It is arguably every (moderate or above caliber) sports car's raison d'être,, and if nothing else, 'Vettes have that part nailed.

11/20/2011 11:20:57 PM

Quote :

"Cam you imagine what the current z06 and zr1 would be like with dual-clutch gearbox and maybe a torque-vectoring diff?"

Less of a driver's car and more like a GTR?

11/21/2011 10:23:17 AM

haha

i meant in terms of the lap times that it would cut

11/21/2011 10:53:04 AM

what year are the a3s you are looknig at?

11/21/2011 3:19:59 PM

I wasn't really looking for one really as I don't need a car like that but I think they're really, really cool. Anyway, the one I made the offer on was an 06.

11/22/2011 3:35:03 PM

i am all about BMWs

11/22/2011 3:46:13 PM

I like BMWs but this was for a different sort of car...

Anyway, my offer was not accepted even though I told them I'd consider giving another few hundred dollars and will know for certain Monday. Wait's killing me but it looks like I won't get to enjoy a premium compact hatch with teutonic wonderfulness and a DSG gear box. I spent an hour reading through it's owners manual, I'm so sad right now

11/23/2011 6:01:55 PM

is it a diesel? if not, why are you interested in this car?

11/23/2011 7:52:13 PM

Because I think it's awesome that they have such an advanced transmission in an accessible, practical car that's still fun to drive? I was stuck in traffic for 40 mins yesterday in the Porsche and yes I can handle that but I'd rather not. Ditto for road trips for a bike racing event. Sunday I averaged 95mph to Greenville and arrived w/a headache. xoxo

11/23/2011 8:44:41 PM

is this transmission a drastic departure from an evoX or a bmw smg?

11/23/2011 9:33:50 PM

BMW's SMG? Oh yes, it's a duble clutch transaxle.

11/23/2011 10:03:55 PM

It is highly likely that the A3 uses a dual clutch transmission sourced from Borg Warner, just like other VW products. The Evo X uses a dual clutch transmission sourced from Getrag. This type of design uses two wet-clutches--by wet clutches I am referring to the type of clutch packs found in a conventional slushbox automatic. These designs are sort of a blend between a conventional slushbox and a "regular" manual. It has a valve body and a bunch of hydraulic circuits but no torque converter. Typically a dual clutch design still shares a lot of parts with a conventional manual transmission.

The BMW SMG is to my knowledge a single dry clutch design. It's basically a "regular manual" with a computer and actuator doing the shifting, similar to what Lamborghini is using. This type of design can be more fuel efficient but tends to be rougher in terms of shift quality.

11/24/2011 1:09:34 AM

^ No, that's the original BMW SMG (like in the e46 m3. It isn't really an SMG, and it sucks). The new BMW box is a dual-clutch design. I haven't driven one yet, but I hear that it's good.

Also, wet clutches are nothing like a slushbox torque converter. Wet clutches are fine...it's the fluid coupling that makes a slushbox shitty.

[Edited on November 24, 2011 at 9:42 AM. Reason : ]

11/24/2011 9:41:03 AM

did you read what ray wrote? it's only a couple sentences..

11/24/2011 9:54:43 AM

Looks like we have a deal! On the downside, I have to wait for paper work/lien pay off, etc.

Here I was hoping for a car to drive while I sold the Porsche, as it turns out I'm going to have another car while I fix the Porsche...

11/28/2011 7:45:06 PM

LIFE

IS

GOOOOOOD


(I actually like this car/discussion )

11/29/2011 7:53:59 AM

Ahmet, is this A3 equipped with Quattro?

And what's wrong with your 911?

11/29/2011 8:03:57 AM

great choice.

the steering assist in those cars is great, dsg, great fwd (for fwds) or wonderful haldex awd, 2.0t and 3.2vr6 are great, IRS... makes a great 'while deciding what to replace a 911 with' 'ordinary' car. I'm jealous. I've loved almost every body, engine, trim, transmission variation of the mkV and MKIV golf variants. We still don't know which a3 you're getting: 2.0T or 3.2v6awd? (pretty sure there wasn't a 2.0T awd in '06...)

11/29/2011 3:48:05 PM

I've heard the 3.2 is significantly more nose heavy

11/29/2011 3:50:03 PM

^^ Yeah, they didnt make 2.0t quattro version until 09 (or maybe 08).

^ Yup, same thing with the gti vs. r32 conundrum. The added weight of awd and v6 basically nullified any real performance gains. Its a little better in terms of "speed" but its not really worth it, especially considering the mpg and cost associated with the more expensive 3.2L. Also, you can just chip the 2.0t. Holler.

[Edited on November 29, 2011 at 7:48 PM. Reason : fat fingers]

11/29/2011 7:47:20 PM

I have an '06 A4 2.0T Quattro and love it... I know it's not the same. Still. Great car. Fun to drive and sporty for a 4-door. Chipped it's a great 6-second car and rides on rails w/ Q

[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 11:23 AM. Reason : .]

11/30/2011 11:23:10 AM

It's the 2 liter turbo, FWD only. Feels more "upright" than the A4, but yeah modern Audis are rather nice cars. Anyway, apparently they owe more on the A3 than the car's worth and they want me to pay towards the remainder of the loan before we get title, then he's going out of town blah blah. I'll probably still go for it, but kinda sucks since I don't have a car at the moment.

That brings me to the 911; LOTS of metal (looks like brass) in the oil and a pressure warning light last Saturday. Probably a valve guide or a bearing. I'll tear it down soon, haven't had time from 12 hour work days. I was going to replace the transmission in it as 2nd gear hadn't been crisp in some time. I'd feel better about this if I hadn't basically decided to sell the car already. I might just toss another engine in it and just tear down the current one when I get a chance, we'll see.

11/30/2011 4:22:22 PM

Quote :

"apparently they owe more on the A3 than the car's worth and they want me to pay towards the remainder of the loan before we get title, then he's going out of town blah blah. I'll probably still go for it, but kinda sucks since I don't have a car at the moment."

Are you retarded, or is there more to the story to make it not sound so sketchy?

Sucks about the 911. Like I've said before...odds are things will be fine, but I'm a little too scared to buy one. At least you're capable of doing a motor swap or rebuild on that car yourself. That's beyond the scope of my ability.

11/30/2011 9:29:34 PM

Meh, I've paid somebody's loan off before getting the title in the past. Given that I'll hold the title and a notorized bill of sale as well as the car, I am willing to go through w/it, probably... He travels a lot for work if that makes things sound a bit better.

RE: 911. I've said it before, I'd rather drive that car than anything near it's price, so putting another engine in (though majorly sucks) wouldn't stop me from owning it, or another one. Do remember how hard I drive this car and how much, it has almost 200k miles. I do want a bit of change, but that's a different issue.

See, I've owned and worked on other cars. I didn't like how body control modules went wonky and how I had to remove an exhaust manifold/waterpump to get to the A/C compressor on a Corvette either.

12/1/2011 9:39:21 AM

welcome to the world of flat motors.

where our oiling sucks unless you dry sump... (well then it sucks the pan dry but actually oils well)

i still haven't figured out the semi-dry sump scheme?

12/1/2011 9:44:40 AM

Quote :

"See, I've owned and worked on other cars. I didn't like how body control modules went wonky and how I had to remove an exhaust manifold/waterpump to get to the A/C compressor on a Corvette either."

Haha, no doubt that GM must have sourced the Vette's electrical stuff from Lucas. No one else could produce such widely, severely, and consistently shitty components.

[Edited on December 1, 2011 at 1:53 PM. Reason : But...vettes don't have a scary incidence of breaking $15k parts]

12/1/2011 1:52:18 PM

that's because nothing in a vette is worth 15k

12/1/2011 6:08:15 PM

Quote :

"...coughand piece of shit Corvettescough."

haha at first I read that as coug hand, and was all like "wtf is duke talking about?"

12/1/2011 6:24:22 PM

Yes Duke, Corvettes are cheap and fast, we know this. Mustangs are cheaper than vintage Bugattis also.

See I consider myself to be a very frugal and cheap person, but I do have some priorities. Having a car I rather enjoy is one of those, unfortunately a Corvette doesn't qualify thus I'm in this situation. I will probably pull the engine this weekend. :/

RE: A3, waiting on his financial situation but pretty sure I will make the check to his lien holder, get a notarized bill of sale. Wait 6 days for him to come back into the country. Title should have been mailed back from the lien holder by then, I expect around 2 weeks.

12/1/2011 6:34:35 PM

Paid off his lien yesterday. If all goes well I will have the car in a week or so.

I'm doing a full timing belt/water pump/rollers, etc. New high pressure fuel pump/follower, and brakes all around. I'll consider a chip and a rear sway bar immediately following.

In other news, rebuilding a 911 engine SUCKS. Can't believe it's been 2 weeks + w/out my baby. :'(

12/20/2011 3:35:17 PM

LSX SWAP

12/20/2011 3:37:11 PM

Quote :

"I'm doing a full timing belt/water pump/rollers, etc. New high pressure fuel pump/follower, and brakes all around. I'll consider a chip and a rear sway bar immediately following. "

Sounds like you've done your research, exactly all the stuff I've had to do. May also want to check the version on your ignition coil packs and to make sure it's the latest diverter valve. Aside from that my '06 A4 has been purring like kitten for years now.

also check out to see if the cam follower and coil packs and PCV are under extended warranty, i think both are warrantied up to 120,000 miles now.

my A4


[Edited on December 20, 2011 at 5:01 PM. Reason : .]

12/20/2011 4:48:08 PM

I'm the service advisor at a garage, don't have to do a lot of research to see what's what...

That, and this car has never had them done. :o

12/20/2011 5:56:04 PM

dont forget to bring it to a rallyX

12/20/2011 6:45:36 PM