2012 Audi A3 Sportback TDI

Option Package: Premium Plus TDI S-Line
Options: Panaromaic sunroof

The color is called scuba metallic blue. Similar to my previous Audi's, the paint is extremely soft, but luckily this one was rock chip free (its getting its clear bra next week!). I did spend several hours working out the swirls in the paint, the previous owner or dealer shouldnt detail/wash a car imho! Adam's polish with a porter does wonders!









And of the course the TDI motor: 2.0L CRTDI "Clean Diesel". 140hp/238torque



All TDI's come with VAG's DSG transmision, being in the US for some unknown reason (pricing I'm sure, and being the A3 is Audi's 2nd worst seller in the US market, most dont know what one is tbh)...Its a unique setup. Gone is the traditional torque converter setup, at all times the tranny has 2 gears selected which makes for lighting fast shifts! But that sport does come at a cost, when coasting the tranny will typically act similar to a manual when coasting, and sometimes "lurch" or bog down.

wow! really nice car! i had a lot of diesels back at home. but here the diesel is not popular! they are super fun to drive! and the torque is always there but with fuel economy! i wish i would be able to afford that baby!

oleg1981 said:

wow! really nice car! i had a lot of diesels back at home. but here the diesel is not popular! they are super fun to drive! and the torque is always there but with fuel economy! i wish i would be able to afford that baby!

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Thanks...this makes my 3rd Audi, I spent some time in Europe, I had a rental Audi (which was a diesel) and really enjoyed the car. When I got back to the US, I ended up getting a 01.5, then later traded for a S4 . During that time became a pretty huge fan of Audi's, didnt see/hear much about them when I was growing up, but some the 80's commercials, and the Audi Quattro are classics.

Nice ride! Are you gonna be able to pull the jetskiis with it?

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dietz4ibanez said:

Nice ride! Are you gonna be able to pull the jetskiis with it?

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Easily

Engine power is one thing...It hits max torque @ 1750rpms (more then the Nox) and holds it flat until 4k rpms!

Then comes weight. The Audi is actually heavy, in Europe tow ratings are 85% of body weight, Its rated for 2800lbs in Euro! I did some research on the Net of Euro tow recommendations, the Sportback TDI is considered a 5-star tower at max tow rating in Europe. Then came the fact I didnt want to destory a bumper, in the US Audi states Class 1 Hitch only. Curt is the only manufacture, its considered good as it has been redsigned several times, the problem with curt is the "hitch" part is still visible....So I ordered this stuff from Europe

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/293243-2009-A3-with-Westfalia-Hitch

The ball is 50mm, which is slightly smaller then our standard 2" in the US (1.97" vs 2"). I can adjust the hitch on the Doo to fit perfectly, people have not mentioned this being much of an issue. Unlike the US styles, these are attached TO the body, and designed for 4000lbs or w/e the car is rated for. This should be plenty strong enough to tow my 1 750lb Doo w/ Trailer around, and if I add a double again down the road, it should still work w/o issues! Issue is just the lenght of trailer, and I plan on "dropping" my bunks and getting the lower profile trailer wheels (so I dont have to go get the rear of the car wet to unload)

I actually spent 2 weeks researching this stuff before I went with the purchase, I was looking at different A3's, and I looked at this one, but it was at first priced too rich for me. Showed them a comparable that wasnt Premium plus, but was certified (came w/ extra 2year/50k warranty after factory was over)...A week later they called to see if made my purchase yet, told them no (that other audi was sold, I would've picked it up if not) and they offered the same price. Which put it into the price range I was willing to pay. I could trade my car in right now and get more than I paid for it! When I talked to the salesman on the 2nd trip (I was talking to his manager prior to this)...He actually had to call his boss to check on this, as he left for the night

Very nice car!!!

We have a 335i Diesel at the dealership, love to take that car. The torque is incredible, much more than a regular 335. Diesel is the best in my opinion! But here they are so expensive

dietz4ibanez said:

Nice ride! Are you gonna be able to pull the jetskiis with it?

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Hitch installed this weekend



Cover plate that completely hides the fact I have a hitch



The hitch removed and put in its factory holder! Reason I went with the Euro setup. This is an OEM option in Europe...Its a shame they do not offer this in the NA



And the fun to be had soon in the water!

Dang, That thing looks pretty sweet hooked up to your Jet ski!!!

I would like to see your videos(As I am sure you would take some) of performance and a review of pulling the jet skis!

I am kinda jealous!

dietz4ibanez said:

Dang, That thing looks pretty sweet hooked up to your Jet ski!!!

I would like to see your videos(As I am sure you would take some) of performance and a review of pulling the jet skis!

I am kinda jealous!

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Thanks

It does nicely so far...I drove it around for a a few hours on Saturday just making sure all felt good, then took out the waverunner on Sunday. I'm planning an extended trip up to the panhandle (Destin) soon....my nephews graduation so I'm driving the parents up, not sure I'm going to take the the doo or not, but would be interesting to see long term mpg . The only time I've had it on the interstate (doing 65mph of course) the instant fuel economy was stating 40-45mpg :roflsquared:, but that was a short run

That color looks really close to my Nox! It looks so good!

So what are your mod plans for this ride? If you have even had time to think about it yet...

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what DSG it have?

Love the look of that !

dietz4ibanez said:

That color looks really close to my Nox! It looks so good!

So what are your mod plans for this ride? If you have even had time to think about it yet...

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Well I'm actually done w/ my modifications...the first few weeks I usually knock out everything I would want, why not just splurge if you can then enjoy the car?

This one was simple...just basic clean-up and protection tbh

Xpel Clear Bra (I always do clear bras on my cars, the Nox one worked great)
WeatherTech floor mats (so I dont mess up the factory carpet with water)
OEM Audi all weather cargo mat system (was cheaper then weathertec and same as above)
Airblue 80 front window
Airblue 80 both panoramic sunroofs
Fl legal tint on the windows
Westfalia OEM A3 Hitch
OEM replacement rear diffuser w/ tow attach panel

Now the maybe list is really short
APR Exhaust
APR Tune (not available for the TDI yet)
APR Rear-sway bar

Thats about it...I'm sure it will change down the road...but right now I'm actually in no hurry to upgrade anything other then maybe the exhaust, and that is because my OEM replacement diffuser is actually designed for the gDI motor, with dual outlets, so upgrading that exhaust is something I'm considering to just fill in the diffuser outlet properly. Most will not notice this though, its a minor issue to me right now.

oleg1981 said:

what DSG it have?

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Not sure the different DSG models, and a quick search didnt bring up anything. Its an interesting setup, IF the TDI would've came with a true manual, I would've went with that instead of the DSG though. I was torn between Golf 4door TDI w/ 6spd, the Jetta Sportwagon 6spd, and the A3 whihc comes with DSG only in the TDI version. Each had positives imo, but the A3 just looked nicer overall, and its size more to my liking. Its larger than the Golf 4door, and smaller than the Jetta Sportwagon.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/DSG-faq-VW-Audi.htm
you have DSG6

oleg1981 said:

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/DSG-faq-VW-Audi.htm
you have DSG6

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Ah...I thought you where asking a model number similar to 6T70 or 6T45 (the transmissions in the 2010+ Nox's). I'm not certain DSG6 is the model number

dietz4ibanez said:

Dang, That thing looks pretty sweet hooked up to your Jet ski!!!

I would like to see your videos(As I am sure you would take some) of performance and a review of pulling the jet skis!

I am kinda jealous!

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Last month I took it on its first real trip pulling. Waverunner, 3 adults in car, and the gear for a 4-day weekend

Car handled very nicely. As expected, it has more torque then the Nox V6, and at lower rpms. Not once did it need to downshift out of 6th, or feel like it was lurking up a hill. Just by myself the Nox would always downshift into 5th going on an overpass, on this same trip with near identical gear I would M5 it through the area between Tallahassee to Niceville because of the rolling hills, I felt the 6T70 was getting a workout with all the extra shifting (the 3.6 w/ 6T70 will not have this problem, well it doesnt in the Impala...and I dont think the weight difference will matter as the torque is in the low rpm band)

Averaged 35.3mpg :driver: for the entire trip (just over 1400miles, pulling most of them)

I am ordering an folding extension for my tralier, this will push it further back from the car and assist in unloading (will not have to backup as far). I'm going to lower the bunks on the waverunner as well, as it stands right now, the waverunner is slightly higher than the roof of the A3 :ROFLJest:

What a beast... Can't complain at all about that mileage.