Thoughts on Audi A1?

[jamesfuller]

Audi A1 Clubsport?

 

[Dieselman]

another reason why you should always belt up in the back of a car.

The first being that nobody likes a back seat driver.

 

[johnm112]

Their tests are (supposedly) based on the types of accident that statistically cause the most injuries/fatalities. There's no rear impact test of the vehicle structure, but they do they evaluate whiplash injury by mounting the car's seats on a sled ... which is subjected to a range of forces simulating rear-end collisions.

Out of interest I looked up the actual impact tests that NCAP do:

- Offset frontal impact at 64 kph
- Driver's door side impact at 40 kph
- Vertical pole impact to side at 29 kph

Of course if you're in a bad accident a big car with a good score is going to be a better place to be in than a small one. But if you are specifically looking at small cars, one with a five-star NCAP rating is not going to be a bad choice from the safety POV ... IMHO.

The Euro NCAP tests are based on an impact with a vehicle of a similar mass, travelling at a similar speed and with a similar centre of gravity.

 

[BTB 500]

The Euro NCAP tests are based on an impact with a vehicle of a similar mass, travelling at a similar speed and with a similar centre of gravity.

No, the tests are identical for all cars.

Frontal impact is into a deformable barrier of fixed specification attached to a 70 tonne (minimum) concrete block.

Driver's door side impact is from a 950 kg trolley with a deformable front (again, fixed specification).

For the side pole impact the car is mounted to a carrier, which runs it sideways into a rigidly-mounted steel pole of 10" diameter.

There are detailed specs. for all the tests on the Euro NCAP website:

Protocols | Euro NCAP - For safer cars crash test safety rating

 

[gIzzE]

Has anyone noticed that while you're all banging on about NCAP tests Mr Bobby Dazzler has left the room or fallen asleep!

 

[johnm112]

BTB 500 you are correct in your statement that the tests set ups are standard, what I meant to say was that the test results can't be compared between cars that are not like for like.

From Euro NCAP

Are large cars safer than small cars?
In frontal impacts between cars, the occupants of the heavier car or the one with higher structures tend to fare better than those travelling in lighter, lower cars. As it is not possible to simulate the influence of mass in a test against a fixed barrier, Euro NCAP recommends comparison only between cars which are of a similar mass (+/- 150kg) and in the same category. Such comparisons allow the relative safety performance of cars to be judged accurately.

Can results be compared between groups?
Accurate comparisons can only be made between cars in the same group. The frontal test mirrors a crash between two cars of similar size. A heavier car or one with a higher structure will tend to have an advantage if it impacts a smaller car. The Euro NCAP results cannot be used to predict the outcome of such crashes.

 

[wemorgan]

But none of this matters does it? The OP wants a small car - let him have one.

 

[Dieselman]

We need this as a sticky, for easy reference.



[YOUTUBE]WWnAdB-vkXo[/YOUTUBE]

 

[V12]

Very realistic, apart from only 2 parties involved...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Has anyone noticed that while you're all banging on about NCAP tests Mr Bobby Dazzler has left the room or fallen asleep!

Thanks for all your replies. Been away for a few days and not had chance to stop by.

Commute is 23 miles each way, of which 15 miles are dual carriageway, but there's lots of stop/start queuing - it takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes.

I've been "thinking" of buying a small car for probably 6 years now but not managed it. I think I'm getting close though as I have to buy a car which complies with the company car policy (although I opt out).

It's either something small and cheap and maybe something spicy for the weekend later, or an A45 AMG.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I was a bit concerned about insuring it for sensible money. Whilst it's only a 1.6 diesel because it has been tuned (it has a whole 125 PS now which <25% of the ML) and has Jazzy Jeff wheels, lowered suspension, and bodykit.

Insurer said this evening that it will cost £10.48 for 23 days cover as an additional car with zero NCD - I have to call back next week for a full year quote. I'll get that full year view before I go to see it in the flesh, just in case I make a rash decision

 

[big_amir]

You should try a polo gti, it's got the vw group 1.4 tsi engine which is supercharged and turbocharged, it's pretty quick so you can have lots of fun on the commute, it's not bad on fuel if you drive sensibly plus it has 180 bhp which can easily be taken to 210 with a remap.


There should be quite a few used about at the moment as the model came out in 2010

oh yeah it quarter miles in just under 15 seconds factory standard

 

[V12]

Nah, for that mileage and lots of dual carriageway and traffic, the polo gti would be a waste.
I would have a diesel A3 myself.

 

[wemorgan]

Just being nosy, but why are you looking for a small car just for your commute? It doesn't read as if you're trying to save money. But if you fancy something different for those short journeys then an electric i3 would be on my short list.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Just being nosy, but why are you looking for a small car just for your commute? It doesn't read as if you're trying to save money. But if you fancy something different for those short journeys then an electric i3 would be on my short list.

I got quite excited about the i3 at first and I still really like them, the range extender makes them an option for travelling further afield too, but the company I work for use the HMRC recommended mileage rates for calculating travel expenses, and incredibly the HMRC don't yet recognise electric vehicles. It's a shame because the deals on Leaf are amazing.

The main driver for changing is to comply withe the company car policy - and I don't at the moment! At least four seats, no 2 door sports cars or convertibles, less than 5 years old, less than 120,000 miles and less than 160 g/km CO2 (although I'm allowed 180 g/km ).

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What is your commute?

I am looking at a BMW i3.

Does 80 miles on purely electric.

Very funky looking with toys to die for, and meant to be extremely comfy as well.
Oh and does 0-60 in 7 seconds.

It would cost me around £1.60 to charge it fully, and that takes 3 hours, in all the parking spaces (which round here cost £10 for the year to use) it takes 30 mins to charge from flat.

Plus the expensive quick charge wall box for home is being subsided so only £315.

Charging for 12k miles a year will be around £18 a month.

A small diesel would use at least £128 month.

So £110 saved.

However...The i3 is around £400 a month to buy, where as the 116d is around £280 a month to buy.

The A1 is only around £199 a month.
So it wold be a case of you fancied something a bit different rather than any real money saving.



I had the A1 1.6tdi and hated it, the 1.4tfsi was great.
The 1.4tfsi was showing 51mpg, the 1.6tdi was showing 54mpg.

But, the new A3 is pretty damned good and so much nicer than the A1, and is about 4mpg behind the A1, and is about the same money as the A1 as well, if hiring.


I have done this a few times, Audi 1.4tdi A2, lasted 4 months and had to get back in something comfy.
Mini One D, drove it twice and never again, but Fiona loved it and kept it over a year.
Toyota Aygo Black, last 5 weeks and 1200 miles and it sat in the garage for 10 months.

Be very careful it is what you really want, the idea is great, the reality is not so hot.

If you want to save money buy a 116d, comfy, fun and seriously economical, one of my staff has gone from an A1 to the 116d and they have gone from 55mpg to 62mpg. Plus it is a very comfy small car.

BMW 320d with the 8 speed auto is the one though, can now be had for £250+vat and owners are getting between 50-60mpg from that.

Very insightful, great post.

1.6 TDI versus 1.4 TFSi very interesting

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Last Saturday a black A1 parked beside us, and it happened again today.

I thought it must be a "message" so went straight to the Audi dealer.

Wow, a world away from every Mercedes dealer I've ever stepped foot in - it was heaving!! It was hammering with rain so only looked at the cars inside.

Spent a fair amount of time in an A1 Sportline but only had a 3 door in the showroom. I was impressed. Comfortable position, nice ambient lighting, and good BOSE Hi-Fi, but couldn't turn it up too loud being inside.

Sat in the new A3 too. The interior is a cut above the A1 in terms of design, material quality, and better in the "touch" test too. Looked lovely from the outside, sharp, but subtle, just the way I like it.

 

[WG M-B]

Go for the audi.
To be fair it is probably the best noddy mobile available

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Just being nosy, but why are you looking for a small car just for your commute? It doesn't read as if you're trying to save money. But if you fancy something different for those short journeys then an electric i3 would be on my short list.

I was invited to test drive an i3, and I will be in a few weeks. It ignited something from deep within which has prompted me to go car shopping this weekend.

BMW M135i
- Dealership was absolutely heaving, but lots of check-ins from friendly staff, whilst we waited.
- Some big discounts on cars rammed into the showroom, with £22,950 shaved off a new 640d
- Drives nicely, quite quick. Firm suspension, quick gear shifts. Didn't very special though
- Friendly service and told to test drive for as long as we wished

Mercedes A45/CLA45 AMG
- Dealership awful, all sales people and reception just ignored us. We wandered around a few times and it's par for the course
- As we were leaving, a young salesman dashed over, and he was jolly helpful.
- No car available to drive and no idea when in might be possible.
- He was a really nice guy, in a poor dealership

Range Rover Evoque
- First Dealership, completely ignored us, and there were lots of uncontrolled children running havoc.
- Second dealership had a lovely pre-reg car but no demonstrator.
- Third dealership had a demo car, good service, and not pushy.

Porsche Macan
- Dealership closed on Sundays!

It does seem that there are lots of cars being bought and the moment, and so the there's no need to sell. Shocking service generally.

A45/CLA45 AMG and i3 next...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Really rather nice. Click to enlarge