[Audi A3/S3] A3 Sportback 170 S-Tronic

[tannerpp]

Good afternoon all.

Firstly thanks for all of the threads, they have been very useful over the past few weeks as a guest browser.

We will be picking up an '07 A3 170 S-Tronic in a couple of weeks and as this is the first Audi, and the first Auto box, I have owned I thought I would ask the benefit of your not inconsiderable experiences.

The car has just over 28k and is an ex fleet. It has been in our company and I know the full history of the car. Could you advise on:

1) Whether there are any big do's and don'ts with the S-Tronic box that I need to be aware of (and to pass on to my other half!)

2) Is there a "best practice" fuel policy to get the best in terms of performance and economy from? ie, Using BP Ultimate, not using Supermarket brand, Redex etc?

3) Anything to be aware of before I hand over the cash for the car?

With thanks in anticipation.

[Mr Man]

S-tronic gear box(DSG).....I personally think it`s a great piece of kit...but others will disagree.The DSG does have a few little quirks and in order to get the best from the system you`ll have to "adapt/re-learn" what ever you want to call it, your driving style.The best why to do this is to go out and play....But I `ll give you a few tips....Firstly when in auto mode and decelerating as you approach a junction/round-about then the box will hold on to the highest gear...as you crawl to the junction and then suddenly accelerate when you see a gap the box will down-shift 2 gears almost instantaneously and you`ll shoot forward...not good....the trick is to be very light with your right foot....or even better just manually click down to the required gear as you approach the junction...Secondly before selecting manual mode let the gear box oil warm up.....approx 5 min driving in auto mode......cold oil= a thud when you change gear manually...especially from 1st>2nd>3rd......once warmed up the gear change in manual will be seamless......The gear change is always seamless in auto mode...even when cold.....But as I said at the outset the only way to get the very best from this system is to go out and play.....and once you`v mastered it you`ll never buy another manual again+++

[tannerpp]

Thanks for the tip re: warming up the oil in the box.

Think it will take a bit of time to get used to the fact that the car is trying to second guess my driving (wonder what it will make of my wife's - I haven't managed to correctly predict her yet )

Anyone any further suggestions about the best fuel type to use?

[Mr Man]

If you do a search on this site for DSG you`ll find several threads and countless posts on the merits of this gear box.....Everyone has an opinion.....but the common consensus, after much debate.....was never buy a DSG equipped car with out having a test drive....Common sense you`d think....but quite a few FM bought DSG equipped Golf`s/Audi A3/TT with-out having first test driven one and lived to regret it(They missed not having clutch control)....That said it does take time to master this sytem....but once you`v worked out the do`s and don`t, it all becomes second nature....In much the same way as it took time to master clutch control when you first learnt to drive.I really don`t want to sound negative as I really do love this gear-box...in-fact I`ll never buy another manual....but you really do need to adapt your driving style to get the very best from a DSG equipped car.....I`am sure you wife will love the easy, laid back performance of this system...especially when stuck in stop-go commuter traffic....no more riding the clutch and constant gear changing from 1st to 2nd and back to first which can be a real pain when stuck in traffic....and you`ll both love the seamless gear changes when pressing on.....you`ll both love it but just accept you`ll need to learn how to get the best from it.

[Merlot]

Mrs M hates autos of any form whereas I would happily be lazy.

[Eazy]

I think audi VW and a few other car companies are going with the DSG gearbox more than manual in the higher speed cars.

Quick gear change.

[iceman2002_uk]

the s-tronic gearbox is excellent... had my first one in this A3 and I wont be going back to a manual again!

[JonnyTDI]

Try reversing uphill slowly and in control.

Have a look for my previous posts, and you will see I had a "bad experience" as regards the DSG; now whether it was because this was a "Friday car", or that the 140 BHP diesel was not powerful enough, but I certainly did not enjoy the car - and as said, take it out for a GOOD test drive.

I went back to a manual

[tannerpp]

Thanks Jonny TDI - I'll have a hunt for the posts.

I have the benefit of being able to take the car for rather a "long" test drive - 31 days!! During this time it will do regular runs to the station, a few 35 mile each way M42/M5 commutes when I don't have to travel up to the smoke and, more importantly, an 8 day break up to Northumberland with the wife. I'll post a mini review at the end of August of the likes/dislikes and see which camp I fall into

One thing that I am not sure about; when would you need to "reverse uphill slowly and in control"? (unless you are of that age when you go down the motorway access slip by mistake:p)

[hermand]

Well, my company motor is up for renewal and I had to choose by the end of this month. It's through a leasing company and I'd settled on a 1.9 A3 SE, but I had a chat with the company and they've offered me an 18 month old A3 S-Line 170 DSG w/ leather, cruise etc.

Not being daft, I said yes, but I'm a little gutted to see some of the reactions to the DSG on here. I've driven a Vauxhall flappy paddle and loved the box (though the car was rubbish) and was really looking forward to it.

Is there a way to reset it when I get it so that it can learn from scratch?

[Fazzzman]

When I approach a junction or roundabout where the approach is downhill I slip it into sport mode so it selects a lower gear - this provides much more control as I accelerate out.

I'm sure I read a while ago on here that someone said they keep it sport mode all the time but that seems a little extreme for me.

[JonnyTDI]

Thanks Jonny TDI - I'll have a hunt for the posts.

I have the benefit of being able to take the car for rather a "long" test drive - 31 days!! During this time it will do regular runs to the station, a few 35 mile each way M42/M5 commutes when I don't have to travel up to the smoke and, more importantly, an 8 day break up to Northumberland with the wife. I'll post a mini review at the end of August of the likes/dislikes and see which camp I fall into

One thing that I am not sure about; when would you need to "reverse uphill slowly and in control"? (unless you are of that age when you go down the motorway access slip by mistake:p)

Out of context, seems a pretty weird comment, agreed

The car I had was jumping gears all over the place, and seemed to always "hunt"; when trying to demonstrate this to the Audi mechanic, the most consistent way was to try reversing up hill backwards (I live on a hill and reverse into my driveway). So, trying to reverse at a constant 2 to 5 miles an hour, and the clutch would keep cutting in and out, and the car would lurch like a learner driver.

Anyhoo, after complete new electronics for the gearbox was provided, which seemed to make it much better, I was given the opportunity to swap the car for something else.

[Mr Man]

Well, my company motor is up for renewal and I had to choose by the end of this month. It's through a leasing company and I'd settled on a 1.9 A3 SE, but I had a chat with the company and they've offered me an 18 month old A3 S-Line 170 DSG w/ leather, cruise etc.

Not being daft, I said yes, but I'm a little gutted to see some of the reactions to the DSG on here. I've driven a Vauxhall flappy paddle and loved the box (though the car was rubbish) and was really looking forward to it.

Is there a way to reset it when I get it so that it can learn from scratch?

Don`t be put off by others....some love DSG...others are indifferent...and some hate it....The only way to decide is to take a long test drive and play with all the combinations available and make your own mind up...As I`v previously stated I love the DSG system...but it does have a few little quirks....Don`t let mine and other FM positive views of this system influence your choice.....likewise don`t think the system is crap because other posters did`t like it....Go out and make your own mind up.....A few yrs ago when I was a lurker on this site the subject of DSG was a hot topic.....and at the end of the day the consensus was.....Never buy a DSG equipped car without having first taken a very long test drive.

ps...just noticed the comment about reversing.....I read JonnyTDI`s thread a few weeks ago....so I`am aware of the problems he had....My house is also on a hill and I had no problems reversing into my very steep drive....Infact before I bought a Land Rover Defender I use to use my A3 to tow a jet ski....and I had no problems reversing up hill, into my drive, with the jet ski hitched up...Well apart from trying to keep the trailer in line....but that`s all about mastering the art of reversing with a trailer and nothing about DSG......That said.......having control of the clutch when reversing up hill does give you more control when reversing up hill...DSG does almost feel like a switch....on/off/on when in reverse....and as a huge fan of DSG, even I`ll admit having the clutch control of a manual makes for smoother reversing up inclines...especially steep inclines.

Edited July 22, 2009 by Mr Man