Any B7 owners ever owned an A3?

[sarends]

We are looking to buy a B7 Avant - preferably a 6 speed. Background: I am a BMW Dad enthusiast (I have two M3s and 540i Sport ) who also loves VW (we have two Touareg TDIs) looking for nice German quality and handling car for daughter.

Our mechanic says we should also consider an A3 Quattro with the DSG tranny.

For those of you have owned both or have considered both, what do you think regarding:

1) Handling
2) Performance
3) Fun Factor
4) Utility differences (I realize A3 is smaller)

Thanks

[ryanhmusic]

You also posted yesterday about B7 Avants, right?

Id always pick the A4 over the A3 because the A4 has legit Quattro and the A3 has halidex which is FWD biased under normal driving

But if I had to get an A3, I'd get the 3.2 VR6 with a DSG

Fun from the get go with plenty of tuning potential

Other than that, the A3 just feels like an expensive golf to me so I'd never shell out for it just for the badge...

Also (side note) the A4 is substantially larger

[sarends]

Yes, I did post yesterday. Thanks for your thoughts on the A3 vs A4 Avant


You also posted yesterday about B7 Avants, right?

Id always pick the A4 over the A3 because the A4 has legit Quattro and the A3 has halidex which is FWD biased under normal driving

But if I had to get an A3, I'd get the 3.2 VR6 with a DSG

Fun from the get go with plenty of tuning potential

Other than that, the A3 just feels like an expensive golf to me so I'd never shell out for it just for the badge...

Also (side note) the A4 is substantially larger

[bcaudi]

I came from an A3 FWD w/ a MT. You can argue it's just a rebranded Golf, but damn I loved that car. Never had an issue with FWD and snow tires in MN winters, so I'm sure with the Haldex quattro it's more than adequate, even though it's not the purist Torsen version.

I'd say the A3 handled a bit better due to its size, just understeered more due to no power working on the rear wheels. Once I turned down the electronic steering assist it felt especially good to throw around.
Performance with the 2.0T was just fine, before I tuned my A4 it was considerably slower due to all the additional weight/drivetrain loss.
As for fun? THat car was an absolute joy to drive, felt like a go-kart that was luxurious enough to keep you from hating life on the bumpy stuff.
Utility: I was able to get 4 big guys w/ skiing equipment for a long weekend in there. 4 hr drive, we made it just fine. Obviously it was extremely cramped, but after we got settled I didn't hear any complaints. I miss having the hatch every day, had there been an Avant loaded the way I wanted when I bought my B7 sedan I would go back and make that choice every time.

At the end of the day, you just gotta test drive both and see what suits you/your daughter's fancy. I miss my A3 every day, but at the same time my B7 is an amazing car, so go with whatever feels better to you!

[Dedsec]

I have owned now 3 Audis...
1) A3 8P 2.0FSI FWD Ambition 150hp
2) A4 B6 1.8 TQ 190hp
3) A4 B7 2.0TFSIQ 220hp

1 - A3 was a lots.... LOTS of fun for me as single guy. 3 doors, i didnt have to think of carrying around people so i was almost always alone in the car (thinking of the total weight). I raced with that car almost everyday (chasing and trying to get away from my own shadow) and for 7 year as i had that car, i never had to change any parts on it, except tires. I took curves really well, not sloppy at all. Very responsive on its throttle, escpecially on highway on 6th gear, really quick in response! Ohh and ambition, has much better seats... im born with back problem and had not problem at all to drive straight 6hrs with it, as well in corners.. not frying around in the seat.

2 - i only had this car for 7 months and overall, i will never buy this one ever. Sure it was fun in snow with its quattro but that little 1.8L engine on that huge chassi... engine always felt tormented when hitting the throttle :/ Seats were horrible, always got back issues. And i have nothing more to say :P

3 - My current one, only complaint i have about this one is 2 things, oil consumption and seats. Other than that, it is as close to my old A3, except it has larger chassi (is Avant). This one is more like A3 but for flying on highways, really comfortable. Its 2.0T engine feel solid in some way and quite responsive on throttle as well. This one is like a "big brother" for A3, more calmer in some way. I have not yet pushed this one in corners, i have not driven like a racer with this one, but it feels it could take corners on higher speed just as well like A3 did. Of course this one is bigger and heavier and def not as "stable" as A3 is but still, it is more like a family car :)