What makes a well fettled A2 special to drive?

A few weeks ago I fitted the cheap lowering kit you can get from ECP, with a discount the kit was £170...
With the Whiteline ARB and a set of mid range 205/45/17's the car is a stupid amount of fun ( its also remapped).
I will play with the ride height but so far its not bottomed out on anything - even with the family in it and the missus hasn't even remarked on the additional firmness of the coilover kit (she does know I got suspension for it as she cursed the weight of the box when it arrived!)
I no longer do the 400+ miles a week - so far ive had 300 miles out of a tank - early small one - so around the 50 mpg over the last 2 weeks. My fuel bill has pretty much halved though in this weather the car is only up to temp for about 4 miles before I arrive at work.
Yes I do need to be aware of pot holes etc, but it makes a mundane trip fun.

So the 45 profile does not rub at all? I thinking of putting 18s on.. the whiteline rear antiroll bar is what I have on mine also however I swear I’m getting a Noise from it


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So the 45 profile does not rub at all? I thinking of putting 18s on.. the whiteline rear antiroll bar is what I have on mine also however I swear I’m getting a Noise from it


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There is an occasional slight rub reversing on full left lock but nothing bad - not like it stops the car like some cars I've seen. Not sure what tyre size it would translate to on 18's - offset is also something you'd need to check. I'm on the original sport 17's as you can see in my avatar.
 
There is an occasional slight rub reversing on full left lock but nothing bad - not like it stops the car like some cars I've seen. Not sure what tyre size it would translate to on 18's - offset is also something you'd need to check. I'm on the original sport 17's as you can see in my avatar.

215 30 I have heard fit


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215 30 I have heard fit


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I went up to that profile as I wanted a little more sidewall due to potholes - improved the comfort but then I fitted coilovers! 30 profile sounds quite "rubberbandesque"...
 
I went up to that profile as I wanted a little more sidewall due to potholes - improved the comfort but then I fitted coilovers! 30 profile sounds quite "rubberbandesque"...

This would be on an 18” wheel it’s more for handling reasons, as I want to see how sticky I can make it


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Shirley decent 17" rubber would be cheaper than 18? Think I'd get done for dangerous driving trying the reach the limits....
 
My FSI puts a "smile" on my face due to feel of the road in the steering wheel and the extremely balanced and predictable chassis.

The FSI engine reminds me of a bi-polar child..., below 3000 rpm it is well behaved, above 3000 rpm it is not...

Suspension and wheel choice and tire dimensions also have an impact on my "smile".
I haven't felt the need to change the original S-Line suspension as it is already lowered 10mm, feels very solid, and not too harsh. And when it expires I will replace it with a modest upgrade.
The road surfaces in Norway where I live, led me to give up the original Sport 17" wheels and move to 16".
The A1 10-spoke 7Jx16 wheels are not the lightest nor the heaviest but with quality 215/45x16 tires they are "scary" sticky, yet predictable.
Interestingly, with the lightweight A3 pepperpots 6Jx15 wheels that I use in the winter with 185/60-15 tires, the car actually feels more nimble, but with the higher sidewall, smaller tread footprint and very soft stud-less rubber compound they are somewhat "soupy" in sharp corners or round-abouts.

The sports seats, Bose and OSS just make my "smile" wider.
FYI - I often hesitate to put the rear seats and false floor back in the car until I need to, due to the weight and balance difference... (I have also been accused of procrastination).
 
Discovered the A2 is keen on a bit of trailbraking this morning. Now grinning like a Cheshire Cat that it can begin rotate like my Swift Sport did.
 
What strikes me is the number of A2 owners who also own top end performance cars here...……..
Surely that must be a reflection on how well our "little" cars go and handle compared to the other cars we own...…..it speaks volumes about the A2
Either that or we're all nutters and need to get some therapy...…....
I've booked my appointment...
 
What strikes me is the number of A2 owners who also own top end performance cars here...……..
Surely that must be a reflection on how well our "little" cars go and handle compared to the other cars we own...…..it speaks volumes about the A2
Either that or we're all nutters and need to get some therapy...…....
I've booked my appointment...

Yeah that is interesting isn't it, says something about the A2 certainly.
Perhaps people that are interested more in how a car feels and one that gives good amounts feedback are typically into driving for the experience and appreciate those fine nuances of a sports car and the A2. That must mean the A2 is close to a sports car?!

Clearly not but it does handle with finesse when set up well, fresh dampers, light weight 15 inch Pepperpot wheels for reduced unsprung mass benefiting handling and economy and help exploit that taught aluminium chassis.

Certainly a car 'under the radar' for a lot of people, even over on another forum of alumiunium tub afficionados there was some disdain for the A2 (by a few) being nothing more than a cult car with cult prices and a Polo with the same running gear would be a better and cheaper bet. A cheeky tweak to mapping of the three cylinder lump in light aluminium guise provides ample fun, versatillity and frugality. That's my take :)
 
What strikes me is the number of A2 owners who also own top end performance cars here...……..
Surely that must be a reflection on how well our "little" cars go and handle compared to the other cars we own...…..it speaks volumes about the A2
Either that or we're all nutters and need to get some therapy...…....
I've booked my appointment...

I've always liked slightly left field choices in my cars - obviously real life influences many of the choices - like when my Wife decides she doesnt like the Vitara we had and chops it in for a mk2 TT tfsi - so I bought a Honda HRV (which I changed a few things on) so we wouldnt get stuck with bad weather... Or the Scenic Fuji that I lowered :) (missus never realised that) though she did notice when I dropped the Accord type S - only because it grounded going into Petsmart on a speed bump.... However she hasnt noticed the big drop on the Audidoodi... The route I take to work is back lanes now, looking forward to the dry weather as it will be a hoot. Still getting 50mpg which is a nice surprise.
 
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