Why are A4’s so slow compared to A3’s?

[Stopsign32v]

I really like the size of the A4’s and the 6 speed manuals plus the true Quattro. But I also really want a car that handles well and runs 11s in the 1/4.

So why are the A4’s so much slower than the A3’s?

[tiptronic]

Have you actually compared performance numbers physically or just the “feel” of the car. Curious.

[jdfelda]

Yeah if you’re comparing same year similar spec vehicles this should not even be a question.

[Stopsign32v]

I'm comparing what modded A4s vs modded A3/S3s put online as performance figures. Either 0-60 or 1/4 mile times and trap speed.

[cmess331]

I'm comparing what modded A4s vs modded A3/S3s put online as performance figures. Either 0-60 or 1/4 mile times and trap speed.

Just my opinion but if you can, test a base a4 vs a3, and also a true Quattro system losses Power vs the front wheel bias system of the a3.

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[colorado.a4]

I'm comparing what modded A4s vs modded A3/S3s put online as performance figures. Either 0-60 or 1/4 mile times and trap speed.

the versatility of the engines they have and weight. a3’s have more options when it comes to upgraded turbos. the a4 pretty much just has a k04 upgrade offered while the a3 can use a is38 turbo. and when you look at the turbos, the is38 is bigger and overall a stronger turbo than a k04. also the a3 weighs almost 500 lbs less than an a4 (depending on model spec you compare). those two right there are the majority of why a3’s are faster than an a4. you can get into trans, tunes, etc but for a starting point you can see that modding an a3 will most likely always have the best of an a4. there’s always an exception, i know a person who has a big turbo ( don’t know the spec of turbo) a4 which makes about 430 whp built by Bluewater Performance here in colorado, and that thing is an absolute beast, however not cheap at all to do.


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[Smac770]

Oh, so this is about mod availability for the longitudinal vs transverse EA888, not about the A4 vs the A3. Where's all the modder money? Golf / GTI / TT. Which uses that engine? The A3.
APR offers a 350hp K04 for the A4. For the A3, they offer a 420hp stage III. But it wasn't developed for the A3 market. The A3 just happens to use the same engine and layout as the market where the mod money actually is.
If you're talking the later A3, that's a EA888 Gen3 engine. A4 only recently got that. It's sweet, APR's stage III+ for that is 482 hp. But if the A3 wasn't using the GTI drivetrain, the A3 wouldn't have any of it.

[Nano909]

A3's use the same engine as the GTI. The engine has much more aftermarket support, and they can make better power mod for mod vs our weak sauce gen 2 ea888.

Also the A3 is about 600 pounds lighter.

I always said that Audi really skimped out on the power for the B8's.

[acea4q]

A3s are a joke! can't imagine why some one would get that? smaller, underpowered and feels so cramped. I have a b8 and sometimes get A3 loaners. By the time I get my car back I have a sigh of relief.

[A4 Centaur]

B8 A4 Avant weighs 3800 Lbs. A3 weighs what? 3200?

[Nano909]

B8 A4 Avant weighs 3800 Lbs. A3 weighs what? 3200?

I weighed my sedan without me in it and it was at 4061 on a half tank.

[Nano909]

A3s are a joke! can't imagine why some one would get that? smaller, underpowered and feels so cramped. I have a b8 and sometimes get A3 loaners. By the time I get my car back I have a sigh of relief.

Stock for stock I think a 2.0T A3 would wreck us. They're more sporty than our boats and can handle a corner much better. Plus they can always IS38 swap and embarrass us.

[A4 Centaur]

2019: 3,197 to 3,660 lbs holy cow!

[COar]

I test drove a ~2015 2.0t A3 before I got my allroad. Those cars are quick, it would absolutely smoke the allroad. Besides a better power to weight ratio, it also has a dual clutch. Handles much better too.

It would've made a fun daily, but my last car (S40 T5) was about the same size and I wanted something with ground clearance and more utility, hence the AR.

[Perry01]

MQB platform, EA888 Gen 3 motor and lighter weight are what separates the A3 from the A4 when it comes to performance.

[didyouseethat83]

Would you get more understeer with the a3 since it’s Haldex fwd biased? We have a 60/40 rear wheel bias split. I’m guessing the a4 would have very similar track times to an a3 because of that. Also 90% sure the reason why the gen 2 in the a4 doesn’t make as much power is due to injectors. I’m gonna upgrade mine when I go k04 then hope IE can dyno tune me. I know I’m going to make 400whp on e85. Please stay tuned


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[JeriQo]

weight bro. a3 is a mini cooper

[adamazing]

"Why is a different car, with a different engine, on a different platform so much better/worse than this other car?"

[JettaGetUpandGo]

I has an A3 as a loaner while my Allroad was in for service. It was before I did the K04.

Honestly couldn't believe how much "peppier" it felt. Certainly due to the reduced size and weight.

While I enjoyed bit for the day, the interior felt a little cramped and incredibly cheap by comparison. The materials are nice, but even the RS3 interior looks economy car like.

[JeriQo]

I has an A3 as a loaner while my Allroad was in for service. It was before I did the K04.

Honestly couldn't believe how much "peppier" it felt. Certainly due to the reduced size and weight.

While I enjoyed bit for the day, the interior felt a little cramped and incredibly cheap by comparison. The materials are nice, but even the RS3 interior looks economy car like.

+1 on interior feels.

[Theiceman]

An a3 is a vw. Thats why
It looks snd feels cheap
Its a poor mans audi


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[Nano909]

An a3 is a vw. Thats why
It looks snd feels cheap
Its a poor mans audi


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Meanwhile S4 guys are saying the same about our A4's. An A3 is miles different from a Golf.

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Meanwhile S4 guys are saying the same about our A4's. An A3 is miles different from a Golf.

Aside from the drivetrain, the S4 is nearly identical to the A4... trim levels, options, etc. While the A3 is still in a different class than a GTI, it does share a lot of parts with one.

[flowhigh]

that rearview mirror was a joke

don't like transverse

not true awd

[Nano909]

Aside from the drivetrain, the S4 is nearly identical to the A4... trim levels, options, etc. While the A3 is still in a different class than a GTI, it does share a lot of parts with one.

That's why it's stupid to talk any crap, there will always be someone with a better car. We should all get along, except with those that buy base models. Lol

[darbyfam]

I have an 2015 S3 (Stage 3+), a 2015 Allroad, and 2010 TTS (Stage 1). They are just simply "different" cars.

It's a stupid comparison.

[Andrew A4]

But I also really want a car that handles well and runs 11s in the 1/4.

If that's what you want, then neither the A4, A3, or even S4 are the car for you my friend. These cars, even the RS variants are terrible for drag racing. They're luxury sports sedans with a primary focus on safety, style, technology, and overall quality. All of those things add up to weight. Lots of it. The amount of money you'd have to invest to get an A4 into the 11's, not to mention the loss of its daily drive-ability and reliability, is not a very good use of funds if going for that particular goal.

Quite a few years ago I got that urge for something that would do 11's, so I bought a 2007 Evolution IX and with a simple chip and cat-back exhaust, I triumphantly was kicked off the first drag strip I drove it on, till I had the required roll cage. While it was a lot of fun especially at Button Willow or Spring Mountain, the thing was essentially a tin can with a rocket attached. One thing i can say for certain is had i been driving that Evo and not my old 2001.5 B5 A4 Quattro in 2006 when a drunk driver crossed into incoming traffic and hit me head on at 50mph vs 60mph I wouldn't be alive today.

Mods are fun and all but keep in mind that a skilled driver on a road course is going to pull better times than someone with a drivers license who thinks he's a good driver and has a moderately modded car. Best advice i can give to anyone is to do some track weekends with some private instruction before spending thousands of dollars on performance mods.

[JettaGetUpandGo]

That's why it's stupid to talk any crap, there will always be someone with a better car. We should all get along, except with those that buy base models. Lol

I think we can unanimously agree that the FWD A4's with the CVT aren't really A4's. (kidding)

[Nano909]

I think we can unanimously agree that the FWD A4's with the CVT aren't really A4's. (kidding)

FWD CVT's without factory DRL LED's*
(I'm not kidding ;]) haha

[Theiceman]

Aside from the drivetrain, the S4 is nearly identical to the A4... trim levels, options, etc. While the A3 is still in a different class than a GTI, it does share a lot of parts with one.

Absolutely true.


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[Theiceman]

Aside from the drivetrain, the S4 is nearly identical to the A4... trim levels, options, etc. While the A3 is still in a different class than a GTI, it does share a lot of parts with one.

Especially the interior trim. For me that snd the torsen Awd is what Audi is all about.

Audi needed something entry level and it was cheaper to change some stuff snd slap an. Audi badge on a Volkswagen and build it on that line than to invent a car
Its a good car. As pointed out its different. An a3 has more alignment with a VW than AN A4 thats all


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[Perry01]

An a3 is a vw. Thats why
It looks snd feels cheap
Its a poor mans audi

Your A4 isn’t in the same league as my VW. Not all VW’s are cheap. Mine cost over $60,000 ten years ago....

[flowhigh]

FWD CVT's without factory DRL LED's*
(I'm not kidding ;]) haha

You've ever driven a multitronic A4?

The power band is ALWAYS there in an instant - especially on the top end. In contrast, the tip is especially lacking in higher speeds. It feels like the motor tops off compared to the multitronic.

When you know someone is closing in to cut you off, they're not gonna do it. You don't have to stomp on it and wait for the shift as you do with the tiptronic.

[Nano909]

You've ever driven a multitronic A4?

The power band is ALWAYS there in an instant - especially on the top end. In contrast, the tip is especially lacking in higher speeds. It feels like the motor tops off compared to the multitronic.

When you know someone is closing in to cut you off, they're not gonna do it. You don't have to stomp on it and wait for the shift as you do with the tiptronic.

I knew there would be someone that would try to justify a CVT (garbage) purchase. And I don't worry about someone cutting me off since my ZF8 shifts on point. ;)

[flowhigh]

I knew there would be someone that would try to justify a CVT (garbage) purchase. And I don't worry about someone cutting me off since my ZF8 shifts on point. ;)

No, my ZF8 has nothing on the multitronic as far as shifting speeds - That's a fact. You don't understand how the multitronic works and obviously never driven one.

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Haven't driven a multitronic A4, but I did drive an Outback with the CVT prior to purchasing my Allroad. Calling that experience dreadful is an understatement. Couldn't wait to get out of it. The most ironic part about that is the car had "shift paddles" for perdertermined ratios on the variable gear.

[flowhigh]

Haven't driven a multitronic A4, but I did drive an Outback with the CVT prior to purchasing my Allroad. Calling that experience dreadful is an understatement. Couldn't wait to get out of it. The most ironic part about that is the car had "shift paddles" for perdertermined ratios on the variable gear.

Why would you even equate a suburu to any Audi product. Perhaps you could make a comparison of a honda to your Audi.

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Why would you even equate a suburu to any Audi product. Perhaps you could make a comparison of a honda to your Audi.

The multitronic is a CVT... I was referring to the experience with the CVT transmission in the Subaru, not the vehicle as a whole.

There's also a reason Audi killed off the CVT.

[flowhigh]

The multitronic is a CVT... I was referring to the experience with the CVT transmission in the Subaru, not the vehicle as a whole.

There's also a reason Audi killed off the CVT.

Again you can't equate a audi product with a suburu product.

So what was the reason?

[COar]

Haven't driven a multitronic A4, but I did drive an Outback with the CVT prior to purchasing my Allroad. Calling that experience dreadful is an understatement. Couldn't wait to get out of it. The most ironic part about that is the car had "shift paddles" for perdertermined ratios on the variable gear.

I had an outback rental on vacation in OR a couple years ago. The shift paddles were actually a bit useful for engine braking.

However an NA 4 banger in a 3600 lb car is a joke. I can't recall driving a slower car in recent memory.