When shopping for a new car last fall, I narrowed my choices down to the 2016 A3 and 2016 228i. I was 90% dead set on the 228 after driving both several times, however, after my final drives in each, I decided on the A3. Why? The 228 is more sporty and fun to drive but that's about all. The A3 seemed to be greater than the sum of its parts, nicer interior, better tech, better AWD, 4 doors, about 2k cheaper similarly equipped and not exactly a bore to drive. This thing with the 2.0T moves very nicely and handles extremely well. You really can't go wrong with either choice. Both are fantastic little automobiles.
Nice review! I really like the styling of the A3. I fell in love with the clean, sleek and aggressive look of the A3; when this generation first came out. Also, that beginning was hilarious. Why does Audi have so many packages and trim level names? This is how they get you paying well over the MSRP at the dealership. All that to the side, you are a great reviewer and you are always honest with your viewers; that's what makes you really stand out from all of the other automotive reviewers out there. Keep up the impeccable work, Michael! -DriveAndBeDriven " The Quest To Record The Best!"
Thanks! I find Audi's lineup pretty simple with just the three trim levels and a few different packages to add on. Dodge is the one that really gets complicated! (not that I'd complain about having more options ...)
Michael Perkins Thanks for commenting! To me the simplest option/trim levels are in Hyundai/Kia products where every trim for the most part has the same options available. I totally agree with you, though. What's wrong with having lots of options? As long as, it doesn't raise the price of your vehicle to excessively expensive prices. -DriveAndBeDriven "The Quest To Record The Best!"
The automatic transmission on the 2015 A3 2.0 was enough to turn me off from buying the car especially at slower speeds. Did you experience any iffy gear shifts? As always great review and thanks for bringing a balanced vision.
With the dual-clutch, you really have to almost stab the accelerator, you can't really feather. Otherwise it's going to hunt for another gear trying to figure out what works best. For the first few days I drove one the first time, it was a hurky-jurky mess. Had to learn how to drive it in a different manner.
When shopping for a new car last fall, I narrowed my choices down to the 2016 A3 and 2016 228i. I was 90% dead set on the 228 after driving both several times, however, after my final drives in each, I decided on the A3. Why? The 228 is more sporty and fun to drive but that's about all. The A3 seemed to be greater than the sum of its parts, nicer interior, better tech, better AWD, 4 doors, about 2k cheaper similarly equipped and not exactly a bore to drive. This thing with the 2.0T moves very nicely and handles extremely well. You really can't go wrong with either choice. Both are fantastic little automobiles.
Nice review! I really like the styling of the A3. I fell in love with the clean, sleek and aggressive look of the A3; when this generation first came out. Also, that beginning was hilarious. Why does Audi have so many packages and trim level names? This is how they get you paying well over the MSRP at the dealership. All that to the side, you are a great reviewer and you are always honest with your viewers; that's what makes you really stand out from all of the other automotive reviewers out there. Keep up the impeccable work, Michael!
-DriveAndBeDriven
" The Quest To Record The Best!"
Thanks! I find Audi's lineup pretty simple with just the three trim levels and a few different packages to add on. Dodge is the one that really gets complicated! (not that I'd complain about having more options ...)
Michael Perkins Thanks for commenting! To me the simplest option/trim levels are in Hyundai/Kia products where every trim for the most part has the same options available. I totally agree with you, though. What's wrong with having lots of options? As long as, it doesn't raise the price of your vehicle to excessively expensive prices.
-DriveAndBeDriven
"The Quest To Record The Best!"
Too true, too true.
DriveAndBeDriven ( this is my dream car.....Is it only manual or is their automatic
Looks good
The automatic transmission on the 2015 A3 2.0 was enough to turn me off from buying the car especially at slower speeds. Did you experience any iffy gear shifts? As always great review and thanks for bringing a balanced vision.
With the dual-clutch, you really have to almost stab the accelerator, you can't really feather. Otherwise it's going to hunt for another gear trying to figure out what works best. For the first few days I drove one the first time, it was a hurky-jurky mess. Had to learn how to drive it in a different manner.
this one is a dual clutch
BMW 2 series convertible is no match for the Audi A3 convertible!
2 series for manual and rwd
The tipping points for me as well, even though I think the interior here is better.
Michael Perkins agree. Also the 2017 models are a tough tradeoff as you get the 240i which is a M2 lite and the virtual cockpit in the A3.
Couldn't be more right.