A3 Sportback - Should I go for an SE or Sport?

Which would you recommend?

  • A3 Sportback SPORT

    Votes: 35 76.1%

  • A3 Sportback SE (with sports suspension option and DIS)

    Votes: 11 23.9%
  • Total voters
    46
OK, lets stop being reasonable and put Jeremy Clarkson's head on !

SE = 4 spoke wheel, flat seats, soft suspension.

Is for old people who only drive to the post office and Tesco. Comes with free pork-pie hat :detective2: and tartan blanket pre-installed on rear parcel shelf.



Sport = 3 spoke wheel, sports seats and sports suspension.
For people that enjoy driving.


Ducks for cover :moa:
 
Hopefully those wooden sections aren't standard. Or are they ?
 
mfspen said:
The steering wheels shown in the brochure are different to your pic (different hub shape), but the 3 and 4 spoke versions look the same to me in style.

Mine is different to either - the leather is riddled with holes !
Click to expand...
Riddled with holes = perforated :)

You can just see the 'holes' in the 3-spoke picture I posted above.

And, no the wood is a rather expensive option.
 
marms said:
Riddled with holes = perforated :)

You can just see the 'holes' in the 3-spoke picture I posted above.

And, no the wood is a rather expensive option.
Click to expand...
:icon_thumright:
 
GeoffT said:
OK, lets stop being reasonable and put Jeremy Clarkson's head on !

SE = 4 spoke wheel, flat seats, soft suspension.

Is for old people who only drive to the post office and Tesco. Comes with free pork-pie hat :detective2: and tartan blanket pre-installed on rear parcel shelf.



Sport = 3 spoke wheel, sports seats and sports suspension.
For people that enjoy driving.


Ducks for cover :moa:
Click to expand...

All the mags say no A3 is for people that enjoy driving!!!!:arco:
 
steveg9 said:
All the mags say no A3 is for people that enjoy driving!!!!:arco:
Click to expand...

Ok then.
So if it's a given that the drivers are bored.:)
The SE driver won't feel bumps, the sport driver will feel bumps, and the S-line driver will be ******* blood for a week.
 
bowfer said:
God knows mate.
I just remember SE's having a horrible wheel when I ordered my S-line.
You can make out what I mean in this photo off Autotrader.
Click to expand...


And the wood, looks lovely in my E320 luxobarge but in a sporty little car?


M
 
Think you can see frm Seteveg9's pic that althogh the wood is standard, the ALuminium is a free option. Same for the road wheels.
And the original poster is going to have the sports suspension fitted in any case. According to the brochure now (obviously changed since I brought), SE is mahogany OR ALuminium trims
Sport is Gloss trims

May I also suggest Multifunction steering wheel! Esp if you want a gsm kit or like your music.
 
The wood trim looks horrendous. The SE and Sport are a little bland and boring looking for my liking
 
GeoffT said:
OK, lets stop being reasonable and put Jeremy Clarkson's head on !

SE = 4 spoke wheel, flat seats, soft suspension.

Is for old people who only drive to the post office and Tesco. Comes with free pork-pie hat :detective2: and tartan blanket pre-installed on rear parcel shelf.

Sport = 3 spoke wheel, sports seats and sports suspension.
For people that enjoy driving.

Ducks for cover :moa:
Click to expand...
LOL Geoff! Mind you, just to take your post very slightly seriously, if driving pleasure is top of your list then you wouldn't have bought an A3 - SE, Sport or S-Line.

Go drive a standard Ford Focus - any model or age, it doesn't matter - and you'll know what driving pleasure is all about. The different models in the A3 range mark out different trim and option packages, and that's it.
 
benw123 said:
LOL Geoff! Mind you, just to take your post very slightly seriously, if driving pleasure is top of your list then you wouldn't have bought an A3 - SE, Sport or S-Line.

Go drive a standard Ford Focus - any model or age, it doesn't matter - and you'll know what driving pleasure is all about. The different models in the A3 range mark out different trim and option packages, and that's it.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, a Ford - my butler seems quite happy with his.
 
LOL, I don't find the S Line suspension hard ... perhaps i'm too young ?
 
mrsteve said:
As mentioned above, having test driven the 1.9tdi and the 2.0tdi (140) you need to go for the 2.0tdi, a remap on that and your into 170 territory,

the 1.9 is grossely under powered, doesnt feel too bad in the A4 which i think gets a 25hp boost to 130, but in the a3 it felt horrible, not enough torque...

I had my 2.0tdi for about 8 months (sportbk sport spec) and loved it, then ended up goin back toward petrol and turbo's, slippery slope :)
Click to expand...

Isn't the 1.9tdi in the A4 exactly the same as the 1.9tdi in the A3?
A3 states 105hp, the A4 115hp (maybe different maps, but they remap to the same)
1.9tdi can give you 140-150bhp when remapped and torque wise 270-290lbs/ft. Its by no means going to be quick but it will do me for my first step onto the Audi ladder.

Slippery slope - I know what you mean exactly. I've spent thousands on my Fabia making it go faster! :redface:
 
bowfer said:
God knows mate.
I just remember SE's having a horrible wheel when I ordered my S-line.
You can make out what I mean in this photo off Autotrader.
Click to expand...


My interior will be like this one with the Alu trim. No thanks to the wood for me and can't see the problem with the 4 spoke. Its the same size as the 3 spoke and is bound in the same leather - Its different on the later models. Cheers.
highresimage3vn5.jpg
 
GeoffT said:
OK, I know this is your decision and I am biased, but I am just trying to understand the logic.

You've gone for SE and are adding

Sports suspension (standard on Sport)
Front Fog Lights (standard on Sport)
DIS (standard on Sport)

All of your other options are available on the Sport, and you also would get the excellent Sport seats.

To spec a Sport to get the same as you want, don't you only have to add cruise and an armrest? Doesn't that work out cheaper than the spec you've gone for?

Also are you not worried, that when you come to sell it, a lot of people who would want an SE won't want the Sports Suspension?

Here endeth the preaching of the Sport owners club!!!!!
Click to expand...

Sports suspension was always on the cards for the SE as per my poll.

TBH I wasn't at all fussed about the seats, as the extra support seemed negligable on comparison. Really can't see what all the fuss is about the 3 spoke steering wheel either. These were the only two "benefits" raised over the SE.

My SE spec (plus DIS, Sports & Fogs) worked out slightly cheaper than my Sport spec (you need to add interior lighting pack, cruise, rain sensors, auto mirror, storage, arm rest etc) so thats why I made the decision to go for the SE in the end.
I was also able to get a very slightly better deal on the SE. The saving of these two factors will pay for a remap with plently of change.

Hope that explains my strange logic! ;)
 
Well done,

I'm pleased youv'e got it sorted now.

There will always be some who agree with your decision and some that don't.
If it works for you and you are happy then thats all that matters.

So come on folks, don't **** on the guys parade. He's ordering a new car, we should be pleased for him.:icon_thumright:
 
Audi A3 SE for the driver who requires a little bit more refinement :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Bet this gets a few comments :eyebrows: :eyebrows: :eyebrows: :eyebrows: :eyebrows: :eyebrows: :eyebrows:
 
benw123 said:
LOL Geoff! Mind you, just to take your post very slightly seriously, if driving pleasure is top of your list then you wouldn't have bought an A3 - SE, Sport or S-Line.

Go drive a standard Ford Focus - any model or age, it doesn't matter - and you'll know what driving pleasure is all about. The different models in the A3 range mark out different trim and option packages, and that's it.
Click to expand...



A Ford focus is hardly the benchamrk for a drivers car is it.
I had one for at least 4 weeks, could not wait to get rid of it. Driving pleasure is top of my list and whilst the A3 does not comapre to some of the real sports cars I have owned, for the money it is spot on. Glad I didn't try and save a few grand and downgrade to the Dagenham dustbin.

M
 
Moisty said:
What utter tosh.
A Ford focus is hardly the benchamrk for a drivers car is it.
I had one for at least 4 weeks, could not wait to get rid of it. Driving pleasure is top of my list and whilst the A3 does not comapre to some of the real sports cars I have owned, for the money it is spot on. Glad I didn't try and save a few grand and downgrade to the Dagenham dustbin.
M
Click to expand...

IMO, you're confusing driving pleasure with ownership pleasure.
There's no denying a Ford Focus is a better driver's car than an A3.
Much better handling, and proper driver feedback.
But I can see how you wouldn't get much ownership pride/pleasure from one.
 
skodaudi said:
Isn't the 1.9tdi in the A4 exactly the same as the 1.9tdi in the A3?
A3 states 105hp, the A4 115hp (maybe different maps, but they remap to the same)
1.9tdi can give you 140-150bhp when remapped and torque wise 270-290lbs/ft. Its by no means going to be quick but it will do me for my first step onto the Audi ladder.

Slippery slope - I know what you mean exactly. I've spent thousands on my Fabia making it go faster! :redface:
Click to expand...

Im only going from what i have felt when driving it, for me when buying the A3 diesel i wanted something i would be comfortable overtaking in or getting out of trouble quickly, irrespective of remap i felt that the 1.9 was just underpowered. Maybe with a remap there would be no difference in which case go for it!

id still suggest a test drive tho bud
 
skodaudi said:
Sports suspension was always on the cards for the SE as per my poll.

TBH I wasn't at all fussed about the seats, as the extra support seemed negligable on comparison. Really can't see what all the fuss is about the 3 spoke steering wheel either. These were the only two "benefits" raised over the SE.

My SE spec (plus DIS, Sports & Fogs) worked out slightly cheaper than my Sport spec (you need to add interior lighting pack, cruise, rain sensors, auto mirror, storage, arm rest etc) so thats why I made the decision to go for the SE in the end.
I was also able to get a very slightly better deal on the SE. The saving of these two factors will pay for a remap with plently of change.

Hope that explains my strange logic! ;)
Click to expand...

Fair enough. If you aren't bothered by the sports seats or the 3/4 spoke wheel choice, then as you say, you've got what you want/need for less, so there can be no argument with that. What sort of discount are you getting? I managed just under 10% by quoting internet prices to the local dealer.
 
bowfer said:
IMO, you're confusing driving pleasure with ownership pleasure.
There's no denying a Ford Focus is a better driver's car than an A3.
Much better handling, and proper driver feedback.
But I can see how you wouldn't get much ownership pride/pleasure from one.
Click to expand...

As you said, in your opinion. Certainly no confusion whatsoever on my part.

My statement still stands, my opinion is that the Focus is not a great drivers car, well not as great as the original poster believes and that I would have an A3 s-line quattro over ANY Focus any day.
Of course it is very subjective and there is no right or wrong answer. I considered an St-3 before buying the A3, I believe I would have been gutted had I gone through with that purchase.

M
 
Moisty said:
I would have an A3 s-line quattro over ANY Focus any day.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, I doubt you'd find anyone that disagrees with that.
However, that's looking at the whole package.
If you are purely to consider handling and driver feedback, a Focus beats the hell out of any A3 (S3 excluded, haven't driven one).
You can chuck a Focus around and make it do all sorts.
The A3 isn't a bad handling car, but it lacks driver feedback and any kind of 'adjustability'.
Where tightening a Focus's line or lifting off the throttle will have it reacting, an A3 will pretty much just stick to it's line, or just go from varying degree of understeer.
Even my Golf's used to flick the tail out occasionally, if you lifted off.
Never, ever, managed that in the A3.
 
If it wasn't for the ST3's thirst for fuel I would have had one over ther Audi, The Audi gives a very good feelgood factor, the Focus is just great across country.
 
bowfer said:
Well yeah, I doubt you'd find anyone that disagrees with that.
However, that's looking at the whole package.
If you are purely to consider handling and driver feedback, a Focus beats the hell out of any A3 (S3 excluded, haven't driven one).
You can chuck a Focus around and make it do all sorts.
The A3 isn't a bad handling car, but it lacks driver feedback and any kind of 'adjustability'.
Where tightening a Focus's line or lifting off the throttle will have it reacting, an A3 will pretty much just stick to it's line, or just go from varying degree of understeer.
Even my Golf's used to flick the tail out occasionally, if you lifted off.
Never, ever, managed that in the A3.
Click to expand...

Could do all that with Escorts and Metros, hardly makes them drivers cars!

Anyway, I agree to disagree because as I said it is too subjective unless you can define 'drivers' car but then we are back to the age old discussions/arguments such as what is a 'supercar'.

M
 
Moisty said:
It is an Audi forum.

Deh!


I hardly think saying a Focus is not a drivers car is being blinkered, maybe it is you who is blinkered to what I am saying.

I have had some fantastic drivers cars, Focus was not one of them. If that is your definition of blinkered, then I am indeed blinkered.

M
Click to expand...



calvincomplaining.gif
 
marriedblonde said:
Click to expand...

Ah,!, Bowfer and his Alpina and dislike of the A3, I get it now.

:icon_thumright:


Shame your moderation does not match your sense of humour.


M
 
marriedblonde said:
Feel free to complain, but being a moderator doesn't mean I dont have an opinion which I am allowed to express.
Click to expand...

Just too much time to spare :meeting:
 
marriedblonde said:
Feel free to complain, but being a moderator doesn't mean I dont have an opinion which I am allowed to express.
Click to expand...

Complain, I really have no interest. There is too much stuff for me to think/worry about that IS important. A car forum rates pretty low down the priority list of what is important to me right now.

I just find it amusing that you keep a thread going that you believe has gone on for too long (or something like that).

Oh, and by the way, the A3 is easily the best supercar that you can by for less than a million quird.


M


:icon_thumright:
 
Moisty said:
I just find it amusing that you keep a thread going that you believe has gone on for too long (or something like that).
Click to expand...

It's a tough one though isn't, why should threads be locked because of a couple of childish members who seem only to want to squabble? I'm guessing they would argue black is white just for the sake of it.

So you give them the option to stop behaving like children, if they don’t then threads get locked/deleted.

Plus if someone doesn't like how a forum is run etc they are free to leave.
 
marriedblonde said:
It's a tough one though isn't, why should threads be locked because of a couple of childish members who seem only to want to squabble? I'm guessing they would argue black is white just for the sake of it.
I agree, not sure what the point of stating that is!

So you give them the option to stop behaving like children, if they don’t then threads get locked/deleted. You will find your silly cartoon is the nearest that anyone has got to being childish, so again not sure why you are telling me.

Plus if someone doesn't like how a forum is run etc they are free to leave. Indeed, and by the same token if someone doesn't agree with the way a thread is going, they are free to keep their butt out of it.
Click to expand...


In summary, ensure you look in the mirror before judging others. Perhaps before implying others are idiots you may find an idiot within.


I thank you.


:no:

M
 
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