Bottom line?

[Karcsi]

I'm test driving a TDI and FSI tomorrow at Battersea Audi in London to find out for myself (at last) whether I would want to own one.

So, assuming I like what I experience, what is the bottom line? Is ownership better or worse than that of the average car?

Unless the FSI wins me over, I'm aiming to buy a 2002 model TDI SE(51/02) for less than £12,000. 2003 models go for £14,000 or less. Would it be worth the additional £2,000 for the differences between the 2002 and 2003 models? What are they again; other than the larger fuel tank and the now infamous windscreen wiper?

Considering that this ickle car is aimed at high mileage drivers, the vast majority of the used models have less than 10,000 miles on them. Would it be worth seeking out a high mileage car, not only because it would be much cheaper and my low miles will even it out over time, but because it's more likely that it was owned by a real person (not part of a fleet leased by audi dealerships) and so would have bother to pick up on its little foibles?


Ta

[Fiona]

From a girlie point of view, non of that technical jargon, you will be chuffed to bits with an A2. I love the style and the build quality. I looked at loads of cars and settled on the Merc A Class or the A2. I test drove the A Class and I came home thinking "plastic" The interior was rubbish and after talking discreetly to a mechanic it really was a non starter.

What I love about Audi is that there is a standard across the range; so what is in a TT sport is in the A2 sport (interior I mean not the engine or anything!), they don't cut corners here.

I know everyone has there gripes, so do I, but I can honestly say that it was a brilliant buy. If you consider the1000's of cars sold there are going to be a few that fail somewhere. I need something practical and nippy, I am a photographer and often put gear in and out, the seats fold down easily and the luggage floor is great to hide stuff away under. I also read that Audi scores 98% on a security level, only being let down by the fact that you can get into the boot from the interior.

Check out what A2's are already out there, mine was new but it was pre-built to a certain spec and got a really good deal, effectively got leather and rear electric windows free!

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue

[runboy]

Karsci

I take it the FSI would be more dosh, so money comes into it. But there are a few used FSI's coming out now so you may be OK.

The diesel is more powerful than you think, and I went for the petrol due to mainly town driving so I wanted refinement. I'm not sure if the fuel tank was made bigger for the 2003 diesel, it may just have been petrol. But any 2003 model A2 should have the revised wiper-tell the dealer if it doesn't as Audi made a mess up of that one!.

At least if you buy used you can test drive the thing to check for any dodgy build-something I couldn't do in both my A2's as they were new (and unforunately without faults).

If your going used do shop around as add-ons don't always add on that much to the prices!.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Karcsi]

I test drove a FSI this evening. I wanted to test drive a TDI also, but there was not one available (although Battersea have two used TDI's advertised, so I don't know why I could not have test driven one of them?). Any how, he said that the TDI was a dog of an engine, and that unless I was doing lots and lots of miles, I should not even consider it!! Wow, what a sales pitch!

Test drive was ok. Engine is pretty good. Don't know about the chassis as it was a pretty short run and in central London (not opportunity to take it fast round some corners). Suspension was surprisingly stiff considering it was only an SE and not the Sport version.

I noticed the clutch pedal vibration straight away. Told the salesman. He said he hadn't noticed it before and didn't know what it was. Then it became worse, enough so that he could feel it through his feet. I have a feeling that it has something to do with the engine management system as the vibration is not always there. If you are accelerating it disappears, and then reappears once you have stood idling the engine for a little while. It can be so bad that you would have thought there was a diesel engine under the hood, and shaking the whole car. It feels almost as if the clutch plate was warped, but can't be because it comes and goes.

I have a feeling that the engine is somehow reducing fuel consumption by missing out combustion cycles when the engine is idling or you are mostly coasting along (using less power), and so could be destablising the engine as it is not doing properly to balance out the recoil forces of those cylinders that do fire and those that don't. Does anyone out there have some knowledge on how the FSI works, with its varying camshaft etc? I wonder whether A4 FSI drivers have discovered the same "characteristic".



I am still intent on test driving the TDI, despite what he said - I have a feeling he was trying it on. He only offered me a £200 discount on a new FSI, when I know that Tins offers more than £600 as standard.

[ianjohnsonws14]

Karci

The FSI engine works on the same principle as Mitsubishi's GDI engine - the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder (hence Gasoline Direct Injection - not sure where FSI comes from) instead of conventional engines where it is injected into the inlet manifold to mix with the air as it moves into the cylinder.

The up side is more power/efficiency, the catch is that this injection process is similar to the diesel engine where fuel is injected directly into the cylinder. I think combustion is still initiated by spark on the FSI rather than the heat of the compressed air (as diesel) but the similarities in the fuel injection/combustion process may explain why the FSI sometimes, as you report, sounds and feels like a diesel.

See http://www.audiworld.com/news/02/fsi/content2.shtml

http://www.schwab-kolb.com/audi0010.htm also explains more about the ppart load behaviour. - Ian

Ian

2002 1.4 Petrol SE, silver with climate control.
Why are all the A2s in Lichfield are silver ? ? ?

[jmckie1]

The salesman is definetely trying it on - the TDi is a cracking wee engine and if I got an A2 again it would be the TDi. It's not the most refined but you get used to it and it's pretty nippy once the car is moving.

Obviously needs to shift the FSi more than the TDi. Demand a test drive in the TDi or go elsewhere.

As concerning the suspension I noticed quite a difference in ride quality over the standard A2 and the SE due to the lower profile tyres (don't know if the suspension differs). However the SE wheels look so much better than the standard ones so it might come down to pose value in the end. If you can, try a standard A2 as It's worth seeing the difference for yourself.

Jamie.

[Potato]

I agree that the TDi is not as refined as the FSI, but nippy in the lower gears etc, I bought the fsi and after 5,000 miles I'm not disapointed. You get used to the characteristics wich are different to any other car, obvioulsy as it is! I found that the car needs to be driven, if you treat it like an old guys car it'll act like one, but by driving the car with more confidence it responds, but overall I get 40mpg although sometimes reaching 105mph without noticing! I wouldn't agree that the salesman is trying to get rid of the car because it's dodgy or something they might need to sell more but he's not selling you a lemon, the TDI has proven a flagship and really popular, but don't let this put you off. I test drove both cars tdi and fsi back to back three times, (really nice sales people) then made a decision on a toss of a coin nearly, although with me it was down to refinment and less noise. Today I'm still smiling, haggle away I'd say, if you lose go to another dealer!

A2 1.6fsi sport climate cd amulet red

[Karcsi]

Thanks guys.

I did read on a german website something about the change when there is low load on the engine. But it did not mention what happens then. I had thought maybe in effect some of the cylinders were "shut down" and hence the vibration as the recoil forces are not balanced out on the engine. All it means is, that combustion happens close to the top of the cylinder rather than spread throughout evenly. Could be the reason.

The engine is great once it is on normal mode: slightly strange sound to it, but refined non-the-less.

I will defo try out the TDI. I like lots of torque in mid range, and a lower revs when at motorway speeds. The FSI may be powerful, but perhaps too spin happy (judging by yesterday test drive it would be spinning at 4000 when doing 80mph), and a bit slow to react if you suddenly want some power (perhaps because of this low load to full load operation change).

He not only was desperate to put me off the TDI, but he insisted that there were hardly any 2nd hand FSI's about, and I would be better off ordering a new one.

K

[Fiona]

Karcsi

How long did you have the car for on test drive? When I went to my dealer he asked me how long I wanted it for. I said 4 or 5 hours and he said fine, take it all day if you want, but we do need prior notice if you want it over night! That was great, it meant that I could take it all over the place without the route layed out by the salesman, put it thru it's paces. I suggest that if your dealer is sodding you about, go somewhere else!

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue

[Karcsi]

No. It was just a very short 20 minute job. Not nearly enough to get to know the car. I will phone up one of my local dealers and ask them for a long test drive - London is not cut out for such things.

How's your TDI? Noise, I expect, it's after all a small engined diesel. I'm more concerned about mid range power and how noisey it is on the motorway. Can do neither of those things in London traffic!

K

[abre]

Karcsi,

The dealer (acording to Audi sales information) should make a car available to you, given 2 days notice. My dealer let me take the car first thing one morning to be returned by 5pm same day, had a good chance to experience all types of driving. I have now had my 1.4 TDI SE for 2 days and am using it to commute over the M62 Manchester to Leeds and back 33 miles each way. Yes you are aware it's a diesel, but only just, the power is excellent and I can honestly say that it is more responsive than my ex Saab 900 2.0i (130bhp) which was no slouch. The noise is hardly worth worrying about, the only hard part is learning to use the 4000 revs, but I think I am getting the hang of it after 25 years of driving with petrol. Oh and yes, people don't like being passed by 1.4 TDI's (honest I'm taking it steady for the first 500 miles) but that's their problem!!!

Andrew - 2003 1.4 TDI Silver Climate

[John Disdale]

Karsci,

I agree with Fiona, try to get both the FSI and TDI out for a much longer demo ride. This will then give you the opportunity of jumping onto the M25, and accessing its cruising abilities.

I only drove a TDI for 2 days, and as I previously commented when cruising at 80mph it’s almost impossible to know what engine sits under the bonnet. That said when compared to a standard A2 petrol model (or indeed a Golf PD130) the TDI is for me very noisy at city driving speeds. Alas I still maintain that the general sound insulation and air turbulence noise of the A2 is not that brilliant in comparison to other cars.

Other FSI owners on the forum are far better placed to provide you with facts via their experiences, but I have seen comment in the past of both the clutch and brake pedal transmitting a vibration – so I tend to feel that this failing is probably par for the course.

Personally I have always felt that the A2 is better off on the motorway in comparison to town/city streets with their pot holes, lumps and bumps – which I always found made for a very uncomfortable drive. This I expect is as much down to the low profile tyres as anything else, and this I say when my Golf PD130 can travel down the same roads as the A2 with the ride/comfort level being poles apart. For sure low profile tyres visually look great, but they are a pain on many British roads when it comes to comfort.

Regards
John Disdale

[Fiona]

Totally agree John, but it was pain vs vain with me, vain won, so skinny tyres it was!

Karsci, yes it is noisy when it idles or when you race off, but general motoring I don't notice. My other half has an Allroad Quattro, I know it's petrol but it is silent at idle and pulling away. It sounds great from outside, but personally I'd like to hear the grunt as a driver!

The only other niggle I have is there is a bit of a blind spot caused by the front pillar, between the windscreen and quarter light; nearly bashed a Lupo thae other day when the pillar totally hid the Lupo at a roundabout! But it's just something you get used to.

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue

[a2boyracer]

quote:Originally posted by jmckie1

The salesman is definetely trying it on - the TDi is a cracking wee engine and if I got an A2 again it would be the TDi. It's not the most refined but you get used to it and it's pretty nippy once the car is moving.

Obviously needs to shift the FSi more than the TDi. Demand a test drive in the TDi or go elsewhere.

As concerning the suspension I noticed quite a difference in ride quality over the standard A2 and the SE due to the lower profile tyres (don't know if the suspension differs). However the SE wheels look so much better than the standard ones so it might come down to pose value in the end. If you can, try a standard A2 as It's worth seeing the difference for yourself.

Jamie.

[a2boyracer]

HELP my A2 TDi has fallen to bits and i understand that you had the same misfortune. I didnt even bother to test drive my a2 before purchasing it "what an idiot". Has anyone else you know done such a thing!!!!You dont even drive an A2 now, so i am probably asking the wrong person for advice. In fact who do you think you are giving all these people advice when you only had an A2 for 3 months. I find you quite misleading!!!!!


ps. Seat Leon alloys for sale. excellent cond. 2 months old £300 with tyresquote:Originally posted by jmckie1

The salesman is definetely trying it on - the TDi is a cracking wee engine and if I got an A2 again it would be the TDi. It's not the most refined but you get used to it and it's pretty nippy once the car is moving.

Obviously needs to shift the FSi more than the TDi. Demand a test drive in the TDi or go elsewhere.

As concerning the suspension I noticed quite a difference in ride quality over the standard A2 and the SE due to the lower profile tyres (don't know if the suspension differs). However the SE wheels look so much better than the standard ones so it might come down to pose value in the end. If you can, try a standard A2 as It's worth seeing the difference for yourself.

Jamie.

[jmckie1]

Message for Admin - Please accept my apologies and delete the user A2boyracer as he is one of my numbskull colleagues who thought it would be funny to set up a login and mock me at my A2 misfortune and subsequent car purchases.

He is quite funny but otherwise of no use to this forum.

Regards,

Jamie.

[John Disdale]

Boyracer,

I would have thought Jamie’s 3 month ownership of an A2 was worth volumes in comparison to say someone who has only ever test driven an A2 for a few minutes. What however I do trust that you also appreciate is that Jamie has also experienced the “Audi” standards of service.

Regards
John Disdale

[Karcsi]

I've arranged to test drive both A2's tomorrow with my local dealer. Again he was a bit uncertain whether he had a TDI demonstrator(!). Considering they also have a couple of TDI's on sale as secondhand models, I don't know what the problem would be in trying them. I wonder whether there is a conspiracy to push the FSI and lay off the TDI?

I asked for an hour with each, but he insisted that he had to come along with me and so I could only drive them for half an hour each (perhaps because I didn't have a car to stay with him for security, and I must sound a bit dodgy!). Anyway, it should still give me a better idea than a round the block trip in London rush hour.

He also asked whether I would be placing an order on the day if I liked the car. I was hardly going to say "No, I'm really after a much cheaper secondhand model because I wouldn't like you offering me pocket change when I came to part exchange it in a year's time"!

[jmckie1]

If this is the treatment the dealer gives you before they have sold you a car I would be very wary of how they will treat you once they have sold you a car. Are there any other dealers you can go to within a reasonable distance?

Does anyone know if different dealers have different test drive policies even if they sell the same brand or is this decided by the brand manufacturer? I would think you could get an extended, unnacompanied test drive from any dealer if you really want one.

Jamie.

[Karcsi]

This is Hitchin, which is 13 miles from me. Then there is Bedford (7 miles), Cambridge (20 miles)...I could go one. I like in Sandy, Beds and am spoilt for choice. However, I don't have a car and Hitchin is the easiest and quickest to get to.

Anyway, if I did order a new one it would not be from any other dealership but the one in Worcester. When I first went there to ask about the A2 he said that there were lots of unregistered cars about with good savings, and that I would be better off with he A3 if it was residuals that I was woryying about. Also, they have been exemplary in their customer service towards by parents who bought an A4 from them in 2001.

[runboy]

Jamie
Don't worry about your "friends" at work-if they cause you any more trouble they will find Yogo brochures landing on their door mats at regular intervals.

How's the Leon going?. I will admit to seriously considering going back to the Leon (or new Ibiza) but plumped for a Corolla. Picked it up today-great car!.

My SEAT dealer had pre-reg 1.6S Leons with delivery miles and metallic for £10k-nearly £1300 of list so it was tempting but the Corolla won the day!.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[John Disdale]

Steve,

Well with the crap that you endured via the grand Audi name we all surely hope that this time around you benefit from the reputation of Toyota reliability – and from what I understand cheap but top class dealer support.

Anyway after you have owned the car for a week you must give us the lowdown on how best you might compare it to an A2. Of course comparing anything to an A2 is not an easy task, but I’m sure you will find something interesting and constructive to comment upon.

Regards
John Disdale

[Karcsi]

Test drove both TDI and FSI today.

TDI is more noisy than the 1.9 TDI, but then again that's in a larger car with more insultation. It is a very good engine though. In gear acceleration very good, and I think 4th gear is the best, pulling very strongly from 50mph. It had no problems tottering about in 5th at 40mph, and 4th is good at 30mph. It spins at about 3000rpm when travelling at 80mph, which is good.

The FSI is a very refined engine, as long as it keeps working. The vibration only seems to occur if you are not working the engine, so during my test drive out in the sticks it didn't come about once - then again it could be down to the know variation in A2 build quality, and the Battersea FSI may have had a problem. But in terms of useable power, the engine is pants. Apart from accelerating from a standing start, it's a chore to wait for the engine to get going. I got the feeling that once your moving, the TDI may well be faster.

Anyway, the TDI gets my vote. And after an hours test drive, it was down to the nitty-gritty. Delivery in 10 weeks and a discount of £450 is what he could offer me. I want one as soon as possible, so he was frankly trying to find a nearly new one or a new one that may be waiting on the docks for an owner (apparently Audi supply popular specced models on the off chance there are buyers who want knew, are not worried about the spec, and want them now). There was one unregistered in Cobalt blue, but not the spec I wanted and he was not willing to take any more money off. Newly new there are quite a few, but again nowhere near the spec that I want. They have a Sept 2002 TDI SE he was willing to take £1000 off the £14k price, but it neither has rear electric windows nor DIS.

I showed him a print out from tins.co.uk showing that they give a £900 discount on the spec I wanted. He couldn't believe it as he claims that their margin is only £500 or so. He said that the Met paint + ECC offer is taken out of their profits by Audi, and not from Audi's, so their profitability has taken a huge hit - no wonder they offer peanuts for A2 trade ins! He thinks it could because Tins is an internet spin off for the Pendragon dealer chain, which means they have much lower overheads.

Now I'm stumped. I don't want to buy new (losing £2500 in a heartbeat is not my idea of a good time, and I don't want to wait that long), and nor do I want to spend £13,000 on something that I would not be fully happy with. Poor guy, I left him pretty depressed. He'd spent 3 hours with me, desperate to seal the deal, and now he thinks he's been screwed as I might be off to Tins for my new car. I sure he was telling the truth, and they just cannot compete.

In terms of extras, all I want is ECC, met paint, DIS and rear leccy. I cannot believe such cars don't exist.

[John Disdale]

Karcsi,

I cannot access the Audi UK website, but if you take a look I cannot believe that it will be impossible to find a low mileage TDI of the basic specification that you require.

Regards
John Disdale

[Karcsi]

You're right, there must be. But it is a bit of chore working through all the cars on offer. Most don't say whether they have rear electric windows, just electric windows. And a lot of the 52 reg ones say they have Chorus radios, which suggests it's the 2002 model even though it is a post September 2002 car. It'll be a real hassle working through them all, phoning up the dealerships to find out what the car really is. I suppose it's just something that has to be done if I want to save some money and get what I want.

[jmckie1]

I hope you find the car you want Karcsi and don't have to wait too long. It's bizarre that you can't find one you want second hand. If you keep hunting you are bound to find one. I have also noticed that the Audi website is an absolute dog to get into at the moment and has been like this for a few weeks. It's as if they have degraded their service and have reduced bandwidth.

Runboy, my Leon is going great. It's still a bit boring and run of the mill but still also the best car I have had. I was very tempted to change car AGAIN and get a new mini. Drove the One and the Cooper which were great fun to drive but wasn't willing to have to drill 4K into the deal to get the spec I want (crappy trade in price-not just A2's that suffer from this). After much carefull probing of the Seat Cupra.net forum I have decided to get my Leon chipped instead which should keep me interested.

Hope the Corolla serves you well. I reckon that after I have a few years experience and no claims under my belt that I would go for a Lexus IS200. Toyota reliaility sounds the business. Hope I'm not tempting fate for you!?! I'll just shutup and go.

Cheers,

Jamie.

[Karcsi]

The audi site is fine for me. What I hate is having to trawl through the 100 or so TDI's on offer. Why they don't include a filtering system I don't know. Also, it would elp if they added whether it was a 2003 model (then again, they don't want to make it obvious that two 52 reg cars are not the same!).

Found an TDI SE in Birmingham, but turned out to be a 2002 model. I think the car will have to be something like a Oct/Nov 2002 for it to be 2003, as most Sep 2002 ones would gave been ordered before the revised model was available.

Thanks for the good wishes. Hope one turns up soon.

[runboy]

Karcsi
If it's any help,my week 38 build A2, delivered 1st/2nd week of Sept 2002 was a 2003 model.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Karcsi]

Cheers Runboy. That's good news.

[Fiona]

Karcsi,

I had a FSi, with 4k on the clock, the same as mine, on Saturday whilst mine was in for repair. You are making the right choice with the TDi. At first I thought the FSi was brilliant, really nippy, quick getaway, but then it seemed to run out of oommph! Just poodled along like it was on a Sunday drive. It was quiet to drive and it took me ages to get used to the clutch, really sharp. It had a red interior, which I really quite liked. It also non electric rear windows, they really look awful! No DIS, didn't realise how useful it was until its gone - bit like the boyfriend.

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue

[Karcsi]

Fiona, you mentioned that you got yours as a pre-built car waiting for an owner and got a good deal. Was this during or outside of the climat+met pain offer?

The reason I ask is that the dealer was insistent that he could not give more than £400 off because this offer had already eaten £1000 into his margin. So even on the prebuilt car he could get hold of he could not give more than £400 either.

[Fiona]

It was during the offer, even so, can't remember figures without finding the paperwork, I got leather and erw for nothing. I did loads of research, different dealers, different models, new, used and armed with this I went to my dealer with all the hard evidence and said, right what can you do, as I so want to buy the car from you. It seemed to work.

I'll look thru my stuff and see what I can dig out. The dealer told me that it comes from the dealerships profit and not Audi's, but I'm afraid I was unimpressed and said so? Wasn't going to fall for any sob story, it's always the same, they wnt to get as much from you as possible and you want to pay as little as possible, just have to strike a happy median.

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue

[abre]

Karcsi

Just paid 13680 for a TDI SE with climate and metalic, car was registered by the dealer and had 34 miles on it. Not sure if it was part of the current offer, but got the impression that the deal made the dealer wince! I think they needed the sale, or I hope they did!

Andrew - 2003 1.4 TDI Silver Climate

[Karcsi]

That's pretty good. That car was about £14,875 when new - assuming those are the only extras. Cheaky sod at Hitchin wanted to sell me a unregistered warehoused car (not my colour or options) for the same price as a new one! I have a feeling that he read me wrong, and let a sale get away. I think he thought I was desperate for a car, and in reality I'm not too bothered. However, I am choosy about the spec of the car I buy and expecially the price.

I think the climate+met paint offer has been going non-stop since about September, or even before. I think the first deadline was 31 Dec, and now it's 31 March.


Fiona,

Thanks, that would be great if you could find something.

[Poppy1]

As well as FSI vs TDi - what about 1.4 petrol vs TDi? All help greatfully received. By the way, what should i look for in a 1999/2000/2001 model please/ And what is this about the windscreen wiper?

[DaveS]

Yes the never ending Climate/Paint offer - now showing 20 March 2003 !

From what I could gather from various dealers when buying our car half of the discount was being funded by the dealer, approx £500.

You can always try some of the UK sourced websites such as drive the deal or tins and see if the dealer will get near their prices.

Dave

1.6SE

[Karcsi]

I tried showing them the £900 discount tins were offering, but they claimed their profit margin was only £500 or so, so could not even match.

Took a look at drivethedeal. £1050 discount offered!! And it claims the car is provided through a main dealer - does that mean the same 3 year warranty?

That puts paid to the either that they deal with only a very small margin. If two websites offer 5% discounts, then the Hitchin dealer must have been trying it on.

[msmorley]

quote:Originally posted by Karcsi

Took a look at drivethedeal. £1050 discount offered!! And it claims the car is provided through a main dealer - does that mean the same 3 year warranty?

It does - I ordered mine through drivethedeal and after a couple of initial contacts with drivethedeal, the car was ordered and delivered as per normal through a main dealer - Whetstone Audi, North London.
quote:That puts paid to the either that they deal with only a very small margin. If two websites offer 5% discounts, then the Hitchin dealer must have been trying it on.

Whetstone Audi didn't give me the full discount on the ECC/Metallic paint offer - since it partly comes out of their margin anyway - but on the list price I saved a rather pleasant £1,600.[8D] of which £500 or so was Audi's contribution to the ECC/paint offer.


--
m. Azure Blue 2003 1.6 FSI SE | OpenSky | ECC | DIS | Isofix | ERW | Symphony II (duff) | Space-Floor-Box | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View thingy...

[Karcsi]

How does that work? Did you get the car for the same bottom price, but with an effective higher discount because the climate and met paint were calculated at their normal prices?

The £1000+ discount that drivethedeal quotes is from the £250 offer price, not from the peoper list price. So a £15,650 A2 TDI SE with met, ECC, rear ele wins, sideguard and DIS for about £14,650.



What's the auto dimming rear view mirror like? Any use? Does it ever get confused and dim during the daytime, or when your passenger switches on the courtesy light to read a map?

[ianjohnsonws14]

Poppy1

We have a 1.4 Petrol and, unless you push it hard, it is very refined and quiet (real big car ambience which even my wife commented on after she drove my daughter's Micra), performance is fine and economy reasonable (around 40 so far). It does not appear to have the bittern under the bonnet like the diesel which is probably a big advantage since Audi do not appear to have a solution. I cannot compare with the 1.4TDI since my wife does not like diesels and so we did not test drive one. So far after 5 months we have no regrets at all - but then we have not sampled Audi's after sales service yet - will try to get the locks re-programmed for free soon!

Ian

2002 1.4 Petrol SE, silver with climate control.
Why are all the A2s in Lichfield are silver ? ? ?

[jmckie1]

I refuse to believe the dealers profit margin on the car is only £500. I don't know what the margin is on most new cars of a similar price but that sounds like a load of bo**ocks to me.
I reckon most dealers would just refuse to sell the car if that's all the manufacturer can give them as a profit margin.

Jamie.

[msmorley]

quote:Originally posted by Karcsi

How does that work? Did you get the car for the same bottom price, but with an effective higher discount because the climate and met paint were calculated at their normal prices?

Funny you should ask - I only saw a breakdown of the price when I was collecting the car and, being a little excitable at the time, I was paying scant attention to the paperwork. I must have a copy of the invoice somewhere, though. [:I]
IIRC the list price for my car was ~£17500 and I paid ~£16000. The DtD website allows you to select the ECC/paint option at £250 but the notes for the A2 on the site say that this option will, infact, cost £750 - still £500 off the LP for those options, though. So, as you say, the discount - over and above that you can get from any dealer wrt. ECC/paint - is in the region of £1000.
quote:
What's the auto dimming rear view mirror like? Any use? Does it ever get confused and dim during the daytime, or when your passenger switches on the courtesy light to read a map?

To be honest I've not noticed it working - or perhaps I should say, I've not noticed it not working which, I guess, is the point of having it [8D]. It has never dimmed during daytime - I suspect it is able to sense the ambient light level in some fashion... perhaps it can use the light sensors in the stereo's fasica? Fortunately, the wife hasn't switched on the courtesy light to try reading a map: wife-nav is markedly inferior to sat-nav ;). I've got a torch in the car - I'll try it this evening just to make sure it actually does something... [8)]


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m. Azure Blue 2003 1.6 FSI SE | OpenSky | ECC | DIS | Isofix | ERW | Symphony II (duff) | Space-Floor-Box | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View thingy...

[JohnW]

Hello Folks,
I recently had a 1.6FSI (500miles on clock)on loan whilst my TDI was in for attention.Very quiet and refined was the immediate impact, but I'm afraid I could'nt live with one.Compared to the Tdi it felt flat and uninspiring. At 40mph in top gear I could put my foot flat to the boards and nothing would happen for ages.Revved in the gears it was a different matter and went well, but overtaking needed to be thought about due the massive flat spot. Having said that the engine would not protest at 30 mph in top whereas the Tdi will. Although of course the Tdi is much higher geared. The engine felt strangled and needed to be booted to get anywhere,particularly when joining traffic.Funnily enough the engine responded better when cold. Yes,the car felt a little sanitized compared to the Tdi. I prefer the character of my Tdi(warts and all)
All very subjective of course, so it's best to try them both,and at least for a couple of hours or so,each.
Regards JohnW 2002 Tdi SE.

[Karcsi]

I agree with you completely, JohnW. I'm a td person at heart. I like the noise because I can here there's something under the bonnet, and the pure strength in the engine from low revs and all through the rev range nothing but a large capacity petrol engine can match.

I would not want to own a petrol engine with less that 6 cylinders and 200hp, because otherwise I find them pretty asthmatic.

I do not like to have to rev an engine into submission in order to get something semi-decent from it. The FSI is pretty much like that.

[EF MAX]

Interesting to read the various experiences of others here.

As far as deals go I have just ordered a new A2, via the internet from some place down in Brighton and the deal was as follows –

A2 Tdi Sport in Pearl Metallic Black, full leather sports seats, electric lumbar support, heated front seats, cruise control, electric climate control, control pack and a tow bar.. all for

£16,100 with a delivery date of about 6 weeks.

My local Audi dealer only offered me a short test drive, was unwilling to give me longer even though I left a seriously nice sports car on their forecourt and was not willing to haggle on price,, actually they offered me a an A2 1.4 SE with ECC and met/paint for £15K+..

I feel my deal from a complete stranger that I have never met has proved so far to be honest and rewarding.

[Neil P]

I'm thought you can't have open sky and the auto dimming rear view mirror together - we tried to order these together but was informed it wasn't possible, so we went for the open sky - has this changed?

Neil - Aug 02 1.4SE Petrol. Brilliant Blue. Yellow/Black Interior, Symphony, Open Sky, Climate, DIS, Multi-function wheel

[Karcsi]

Looks like Audi dealers want it both ways - make a shed load on the car new and then again when you p/x it. Nice.

[msmorley]

quote:Originally posted by Neil P

I'm thought you can't have open sky and the auto dimming rear view mirror togetherVery odd... I certainly have both: perhaps the combination is only available for 2003 model cars... or, more likely, your dealer was talking out of his exhaust pipe [:p]
In reply to Karcsi's earlier question: the dimming function seems to be disabled altogether when the courtesy lights are switched on.

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m. Azure Blue 2003 1.6 FSI SE | OpenSky | ECC | DIS | Isofix | ERW | Symphony II (duff) | Space-Floor-Box | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View thingy...

[deheld]

quote:Originally posted by msmorley

quote:Originally posted by Neil P

I'm thought you can't have open sky and the auto dimming rear view mirror togetherVery odd... I certainly have both: perhaps the combination is only available for 2003 model cars... or, more likely, your dealer was talking out of his exhaust pipe [:p]

This was in my Audi brochure too....The combination of Opensky and Dimming Mirror wasn't possible..

Dennis de Held

Amulet Red 1.4 Tdi

[Karcsi]

Maybe it was a regulation brought about by the Dutch government as they deemed it a contradiction to have both: opensky showing your affinity for light; dimming mirror protesting at it's existence.