Want Audi estate for my wife -- please advise

[notorious]

Cheers Adrian.
Will look at Golf, but something is telling me it’ll be A3

Is s-tronic relibale on A3 platform?
Currently only considering manual.

[Adrian E]

Originally Posted by notorious

Cheers Adrian.
Will look at Golf, but something is telling me it’ll be A3

Is s-tronic relibale on A3 platform?
Currently only considering manual.

Hiya

Very reliable - 6 speed unless you go for one of the very newest, which are 7 like the s-tronics in the S4. They're smoother to drive in the Mk7 Golf compared to the B8/8.5 platform A/S4 as I think they've got the software more resolved.

Personally I'd only buy an auto - it just lends itself to stop-start and town driving. The 6 speed auto pulls very sensible revs on the motorway on these later cars. We test drove a previous generation S3 Sportback and that seemed too rev-happy on the motorway, but that won't be an issue if looking at later shape as you are.

Re Golf vs A/S3 I actually prefer the Golf to look at. Just seems better resolved. Standard spec kit is better on the Golf (buy a GTI and you get adaptive cruise as standard) and if you look carefully you can find some with spec on them.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

Personally I'd only buy an auto - it just lends itself to stop-start and town driving.
.
.
.
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adaptive cruise as standard

Both I'd say are an absolute must these days for almost any type of driving on public roads.
Modern auto gearboxes (especially the 8-speed or more versions) are seamless and typically more fuel-efficient than a manual.

If only you could retrofit adaptive cruise to a D2...…

[notorious]

Thanks again Adrian & Andrew

Perhaps we should consider s-tronic then !
We will be looking at year 2017 cars, i.e. 'slightly used' lastest generation A3s.
Don't known how wife will test drive s-tronic though cause she never sat in car with automatic.

Golf looks appealing with adaptive cruise in GTI.
Should revisit this again.

[notorious]

Adrian,

Did Audi publish any statements about life expectancy of latest S-rtonics?
I know manual will probably outlast the engine, but how about the dual clutch thing? If serviced properly of course.
Also, can they be reconditioned like old ZF hydraulic gearboxes? Or are they ‘sealed for life’?

[Adrian E]

Originally Posted by notorious

Adrian,

Did Audi publish any statements about life expectancy of latest S-rtonics?
I know manual will probably outlast the engine, but how about the dual clutch thing? If serviced properly of course.
Also, can they be reconditioned like old ZF hydraulic gearboxes? Or are they ‘sealed for life’?

I’m not aware of anything published (they’d be risking claims for any car that failed to meet their expected lifespan if they did!)

Just to give you an indicator, mate has a Skoda Superb that he uses for airport runs. It’s coming up to 7 years old and has done near enough THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES with just routine servicing on the dual clutch box

[paulrstaylor]

Am I going to get lynched for suggesting you also look at a Volvo!? Possibly a V60?

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by notorious

Don't known how wife will test drive s-tronic though cause she never sat in car with automatic.

Almost the same issue here when test driving before buying our Volvo V40; the ONLY automatic SWMBO had ever driven in recent years was my old S8, and then very very rarely.

However, she was "on board" with the logic of getting an auto and soon got used to it. And she loves the ACC.

[Adrian E]

On the Golf there’s very little difference between our 2015 and the facelift that came out last year (referred to as Mk7 or Mk7.5) apart from the option for a bigger option nav screen. Ours has the biggest option screen for the time and has all the toys you’d want

My advice for novice auto drivers is always to forget you’ve got a left leg - you don’t need it! Driving s-tronic style boxes doesn’t really require a different technique to a normal auto