2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line Review

Purchasing an Audi A3 3.2 S Line is much like buying a nice shirt from Saks Fifth Avenue. Shoppers arrive at the well-known department store knowing that the items within are more expensive than they’ll find at the mall, have a respected brand label sewn inside, and are more stylish than a pair of Levi’s from Sears. Try the $100 shirt on, notice that it’s not quite you, but conclude that maybe that’s a good thing – with its well-known label and expensive price, this shirt is a must-have in your fashion-conscious town. The next week, you pull the shirt out from your closet, throw it on to head out for some beers, and realize that, indeed, it’s not your style, it’s not even comfortable, and it constricts rather than hides your love handles. Not good. It’s the same deal with a 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line. Pull into the Audi lot, notice the hot-looking hatch that’s been filling the highways since its debut earlier in the year, admire the fine interior materials, and be impressed by the power and handling during the test drive. Shell out 40,000 hard-earned dollars and head home. And then, as was the case with the shirt, experience buyer’s remorse as you slowly realize that the seats are too small, your knees are hurting, your friends refuse to ride anywhere with you, and you’re getting dusted by Subarus. Once again, style, brand image, and the idea that more expensive equals better have gotten the best of you. Make purchases based on value, or what you realistically get in return for what you pay, and both the shirt from Saks and the A3 3.2 S Line will likely exist outside of your ownership. Ah, but the A3 3.2 S Line is nevertheless special. Accompanying the S Line badge is a 3.2-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve V6 good for 250 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 236 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm. That equates to a jump of 50 horsepower and 29 lb.-ft. of torque versus the smaller, turbocharged four-cylinder engine housed in the standard A3 2.0T. A six-speed, Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmission with a manual mode and paddle shifters is standard, as is Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. Like the 2.0T version, the 3.2 S Line uses a MacPherson strut front suspension up front and multi-link setup in the rear, both tuned for a more athletic ride. Sway bars and rack-and-pinion steering are standard equipment, and the four-wheel antilock disc brakes are aided by electronic brake force distribution. Hiding it all are 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/45 tires that maintain grip thanks to traction and stability control systems. With the quattro AWD and various tweaks, the A3 3.2 S Line comes in about 350 pounds heavier than a DSG-equipped 2.0T. That 2.0T with the paddle shifters is one of three A3 models, the others being a 2.0T equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the 3.2 S Line. This review focuses on the big dog, priced at $34,700 including a $700 destination charge. Each 2006 Audi A3 comes with a long list of standard features, such as a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, automatic climate control, the usual array of power functions, front side-impact airbags, and alloy interior trim. The 3.2 S Line adds a rear spoiler, front fog lights, leather instead of cloth seats, a Bose sound system that bumps wattage to 195, a six-disc CD changer and a subwoofer, and sport seats with power adjustments for the driver. Then there are the multiple options, like power front and rear sunroofs, rear side-impact airbags, a navigation system, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, high-intensity discharge headlights, XM or Sirius satellite radio, and a Cold Weather Package featuring heated seats, heated washers, and heated mirrors. Also available are 18-inch alloys rolling on Continental 225/40 performance tires and upgraded leather upholstery. As is typical with most press vehicles, our Brilliant Red 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line tester came pretty well loaded, to the tune of $38,735. That price included the destination charge ($700), power sunroofs ($1,100), 18-inch wheels and tires ($1,000), high-intensity discharge headlights ($800), the Cold Weather Package ($700), and setup for Bluetooth ($435). Over the course of a week, this little ride was put through the wringer all around southern California, from the stiff and bumpy highway drives, the spirited canyon carving, city traffic jams, and even attempts by adult-sized editors to squeeze into the A3’s ridiculously tight rear seat.

Driving Impressions

Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line Driving Impressions: Honestly, I didn’t feel much of a difference between this 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line and the 2.0T with Sport Package that we drove a few months ago. Like with the turbo four, the DSG transmission makes maximum use of the V6’s power, and is fun to shift using the paddles mounted to the steering wheel – for about three traffic lights. Audi’s DSG is definitely the best clutchless manual I’ve tried, but is difficult to use if you like to shuffle steer your way along a favorite back road. Plus, I didn’t hear the same bubbly rev-matching downshifts with this A3 3.2, but that could be due to a V6 engine’s naturally refined nature compared to a four-banger. Indeed, the 3.2 model supplies more verve, but not so much more as to justify the added markup on the window sticker. Like the A3 2.0T with Sport Package that we drove previously, this new S Line version rides roughly on city pavement, but offers impressive grip in turns. I’m no fan of Audi’s funky brake pedal feel that offers delayed initial response and then grabs onto the binders to bring the car to a jerky halt in the city. Oddly, though, this same brake pedal becomes your best friend when hustling too hot into a series of hairpin turns. For city dwelling, the A3 has a nice, tight turning circle, and is quite easy to park. Thom Blackett’s 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line Driving Impressions: With its tight suspension, responsive steering, and powerful engine, enthusiast drivers will enjoy this sport wagon on curvy back roads, and a mash of the throttle makes for a quick getaway when there’s an opening in sluggish traffic. As the only transmission available on the 3.2 S Line, the six-speed DSG automatic provides precise shifts in regular mode, and allow you to stretch the V6’s legs a bit more in manual mode. I always prefer a manual transmission in a sporty car, but if it’s got to be an automatic, the DSG is possibly the best compromise. The paddles are well-placed on the steering wheel, and the rev-matching feature really smoothes things out as you click up and down through the gears on twisty back roads. The “poof” sound of the 2.0T engine is absent, but the 3.2 offers its own raspy exhaust note when revved. Handling and steering were on par with the spirited powertrain. Thanks to the standard performance-tuned suspension, the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line is a joy to toss hard into the corners, with 18-inch Continental 225/40 keeping this all-wheel-drive ride between the painted lines. There’s plenty of feedback through the small, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a generous amount of feel keeps the driver in tune with road conditions. Ron Perry’s 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line Driving Impressions: Sliding into the well-bolstered seats of the Audi A3 3.2 S Line, you are immediately aware of the quality of the materials that surround you. Fire up the engine – there’s no real drama here, just a quiet purr as expected. Engage the shifter, choosing the automatic or manual mode, and you are off. This is where the Audi A3 experience fell flat for me. The lag time between accelerator input and the engine actually doing anything is enough time to make a mental run through the day’s agenda. It is frustratingly slow to react, but once in the upper reaches of the rev range, the A3 pulls hard. The trick is to keep the revs up for a fun driving experience, but the reality is that we don’t always want to drive like this and more often than not, traffic doesn’t allow for this kind of enthusiastic motoring. Shifts are silky smooth. In fact, the DSG may be one of the best transmissions I have experienced in some time. The only downside on the manual mode is the automatic downshift to first gear at a stop and the inability to upshift for a second-gear start. The brakes on the Audi A3 were also a disappointment. They aren’t bad, but I found myself overshooting my anticipated stopping points due to what I feel is a bit of numbness in the pedal. Steering is crisp and the Audi A3 suspension allows it to corner like it’s on rails without beating you up on rough surfaces. Outward vision is also excellent and the overall impression the Audi A3 S Line left me with is one of being bigger and more expensive than it really is.

Comfort

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Comfort: With the Audi A3, you can’t expect to be coddled. This is a sporty car first, a utilitarian car second, and a luxury car third. The seats are hard, well bolstered, and comfortable in terms of support. But they are not plush. And most of the interior surfaces are hard and unyielding, like the spots on the door and center console where your legs may rest, or the upper door panel where your elbow sits during a typical freeway slog. Even opening the door underlines the Audi A3’s no-nonsense demeanor: the detents are strong, and require effort to overcome. If the front seats are tight but comfortable, the rears are plain cramped for adults. The A3 is not a big car, and you really notice that if you’re stuck in the back noshing on your knees. Pass the Tabasco. And getting into and out of the A3 is more hassle than it’s worth unless you’re the driver. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Comfort: Consider the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line for its looks, for its powertrain, for its all-wheel-drive capability, or for its upscale materials. But, by no means, consider an A3 based on comfort. Front sport bucket seats, while offering thick bolsters and high-grade leather, are best suited for slender bodies, and hard plastic on the doors and center console ensure bruised knees after a bout of hard cornering. Rear seat passengers get harsher treatment, with an utter lack of foot and leg room and a bench seat that is rather stiff. Of course, that’s after you’re able to squeeze in through the small doors. As a driver’s car, one that spends most of its time being pushed on twisty roads, the A3’s bolstered seats and tight confines are actually appreciated. However, as a daily commuter occasionally charged with carrying multiple passengers, this baby Audi is inhospitable. Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Comfort: I really like the interior of the Audi A3. Audi knows how to design and trim out an interior both to impress and to provide comfort. From the multi-adjustable leather seats to the well-thought-out control layout, the Audi A3 shines in the category of comfort unless you have to ride in the back seat. Passengers relegated to the rear seat will find minimal knee room even though recesses have been carved out of the front seatbacks for additional room. Without these, you can be sure your knees would be rubbing. Anyone six feet or taller will also have issues with headroom in the rear seat. One comfort issue that drives me nuts on Audis is the use of a manual knob to adjust the seatbacks. The driver gets electric adjustments, but the passenger gets the knuckle scraping wheel that has to be turned multiple times to move the seatback into a comfortable position. A simple lever works so much better.

Quality

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Quality: Audi takes great pride in its leadership position when it comes to interior materials, and the Audi A3 is no exception despite its entry-level status in the lineup. Hard and unyielding they may be, but the plastics in this car are first-rate, and the soft dash pad is a nice touch. The leather on the sport seats is quality material, as is the woven cloth headliner and the real aluminum décor. Nothing inside the A3 says cheap except for a few creaks and clicks. Nothing inside the A3 says slipshod, either. As with our previous test car, this red 3.2 S Line was well assembled inside and out. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Quality: Audi and its corporate cousin, Volkswagen, are well-known for building top-notch interiors with fine materials and special attention to detail. Our tester, a $38,735 S Line model, featured high-grade plastics throughout the cabin, quality leather upholstery, and solid interior switches and knobs that felt capable of enduring years of use and abuse. In this regard, the A3 feels as durable as a tank, albeit a small one. We had an A3 2.0T in our offices recently, and I noticed a few large gaps on that car. However, this S Line model was faultless, devoid of irregular or oversized gaps and loose or misaligned panels. Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Quality: Audi has always had the reputation for building quality products and the A3 S Line is no exception. From the high-grade leather to the aluminum trim and excellent fit and finish inside and out, the A3 is a quality product. Everything is tight, taut, and no real faults were found during my examination of our test sample. My impression of the Audi A3 3.2 S Line is that it’s a car that will hold up under any abuse and give years of squeak- and rattle-free driving.

Design

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Design: Once the gray creeps in and the gut flops out, young women stop taking notice of an aging man – unless he’s rolling in a new 7, S, Conti GT, or similar. Driving our blazing red Audi A3 3.2 S Line around Orange County was good for my ego, because this car attracts the attention of under-25 women like few cars I’ve driven recently. Of course, the one woman who finally makes my knees go weak would immediately point out that these girls were looking at the car, a bright red car, and not my sorry ass. But one is entitled to grasp at fading youth… I think the Audi A3 is a terrific looking car, well balanced and with just-right doses of elegance and attitude. I’ve always been a big fan of small cars, though, and the concept of a luxury-branded compact hatchback bothers me not a bit. I also think the A3 wears the new single-frame Audi grille the most naturally of any model in the lineup. Inside, the décor is dark and austere in the traditional German idiom. But, with the gigantic glass sunroof, the light gray headliner, the gray-stitched leather seats, and the tasteful application of aluminum trim throughout, the car isn’t a rolling depression chamber. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Design: Based on looks alone, the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line gets two-thumbs up. This is the best application of the new Audi corporate grille, which looks a bit odd and out of proportion on models like the A6, and the smooth body lines give the car some upscale character. Subtle touches, like the rear body-color spoiler and the upgraded 18-inch wheels, add an understated sportiness. The interior is equally attractive, marked by sculpted leather seats, a small steering wheel, and the black and alloy color scheme. If only comfort scored as well as design. Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line’s Design: Audi is smart when it comes to design. It’s the little things that impress in their cars, and the A3 is no exception. Besides the well-designed layout of the gauges and interior controls, Audi uses high quality aluminum trim pieces throughout the cabin. Another nice touch is the matching silver thread used in the stitching of the leather seats. Dual sunroofs really open up the interior by filling it with light, and the addition of a pass-through to the 60/40-split rear seat is a nice touch. One downside of the interior is the failure of the rear seats to fold flat. There isn’t really any excuse for designers not to have addressed this issue. Also the cupholders in the fold-down center console of the rear seats is pretty flimsy. Outside, the nice touches continue. Audi makes those around you aware of what you’re driving with multiple S Line badges. One is placed on the grille, another on the trim at the back of the rear passenger door, and additional S Line treatments are on the front and rear door sills. The overall design of the Audi A3 S Line doesn’t knock my socks off but it is a design that will endure over time. Buyers can feel confident that the A3 will still look good several years down the road.

Advice

Christian Wardlaw’s Advice about the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line: Give Audi props for giving it a go in a segment where BMW and Mercedes-Benz had failed, and achieving a modicum of success. Still, $38,000 for a five-door hatchback? I hear there’s a five-door Volkswagen GTI coming soon, with a sticker starting under $25,000. I’ll take that car, please, even if it does have a face only a mother could love. Thom Blackett’s Advice about the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line: This would have been a great ride back in high school, back when I had a 29-inch waist and weighed 120 pounds. Fifteen years and billions of empty calories later, I’m best suited to be a distant admirer of the A3. Or maybe it’s just the kick in the pants I need to get back in shape. But after all that hard work, I’d still have to come up with nearly $40,000 for a ride that has 250 horsepower and all-wheel-drive, the same stats for a few lesser-priced models from Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and others, many of which offer passable comfort for at least a few average-sized adults. Admittedly, the 3.2 S Line is a fun little car, yet as a five-passenger sports wagon, it fails to outrank any of its competitors in terms of excitement, practicality, or any combination of the two. Ron Perry’s Advice about the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line: The Audi A3 3.2 S Line is a nice package from an overall viewpoint. It is quick, handles well and offers a nice ride as well as good looks. The downsides have to be the lack of back seat room and the engine lag on acceleration. This alone is enough for me to walk away from a test drive and move to the next car on my list. I just couldn’t live day-to-day with the delayed engine response. But, as with anything, it all comes down to individual needs and preferences. Drive one. If you can live with the way the engine responds and you don’t often have rear passengers, the Audi will undoubtedly impress you in every other way.

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S Line Price of Test Vehicle: $38,735 (including a $720 destination charge) Engine Size and Type: 3.2-liter V6 Engine Horsepower: 250 at 6,300 rpm Engine Torque: 236 lb.-ft. at 2,800 rpm Transmission: Six-speed automatic Curb weight, lbs.: 3,660 EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 25/31 mpg Length: 168.7 inches Width: 77.1 inches Wheelbase: 101.5 inches Height: 56.0 inches Leg room (front/rear): 41.2/34.8 inches Head room (front/rear): 38.1/36.9 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Five Max. Cargo Volume: 55.6 cubic feet Competitors: Acura RSX Type-S, BMW 3 Series, BMW X3, Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon, Mazda MazdaSpeed 6, MINI Cooper S, Saab 9-2X Aero, Saab 9-3 SportCombi Aero, Subaru Forester XT, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Subaru Legacy GT, Subaru Outback XT, Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S40 T5, Volvo V50 T5

Photos by Ron Perry