New S3 - B&O Question / Quandry

Big_Will

Big_Will

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Hi,

Today I have put down a deposit on a new S3 Sportback, with everything I wanted bar B&O. However it is in a dealers, available for 1st March and a relatively cracking deal on the finance.

Essentially:

Panther Black
S-Tronic
Tech +
Comfort
Sports Seats
F37 Wheels
Park +

But no B&O.

So the question is, what are the thoughts on the standard sound system? Is the B&O worth it (reading mixed reviews) and equally, can I retrofit through my dealer?

If I chose to forgo the car and order, I'd be May / June.. Someone I cannot do as my current car finishes its term next month..

Any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.
 
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Music is very important to me and I like listening to it loud, so B&O was an absolute must for me.
It's far better than the previous Bose system that was in the A3 8P range.
Also comes with speakers that light up, which is very cool.

You can retrofit most things, but you will pay for it.
 
Tough situation (well, not really - you're getting an S3!) but if you have to get a replacement car in a month you just have to take what is available.
But...if you had set your standards at B&O level I do suspect you will be disappointed with the standard system and this may grate with you every day you drive an otherwise brilliant car.
Is there no chance of finding another somewhere in the country?
I'll leave others to comment on retrofit.
 
This is the challenge, in that it ticks every other box.

Has any got any ideas on the retro-fit of the B&O unit?
 
Having heard standard music I wouldn't want it . *** better but if you want B&O get B&O and compromise other stuff. There are cars available !
 
I'd say if can have Audi Sound System then you'r fine (That's what I have). The Standard system (without subwoofer or amp) is not enough for me. The sub and amplifier gives it more balanced sound while driving (with road noise). After all it's all personal preference. B&O for those looking for something more "luxury". It wasn't worth extra money compared to ***.
 
I'll ring them in the morning, as according to the dealer, it's not got upgraded sound. Although, I must admit I didn't check. It seems an odd omission given the rest of the extra's.

Does anyone know if the *** or BO can be fitted by dealer, or are they factory only?
 
The cost of the B+O speakers used in the A3 setup come to around £650 as individual parts and that does not include any addition wiring that may be required. On that basic the £750 for the option seems good value if music in the car is important to you. I very rarely listen to music when I'm driving so I would consider the B+O to be OTT but that is my personal view. Others who always play music when they are driving and want good quality sound think it's good value and a 'must have' option.

All the demonstrators I have driven over the past few months have had the standard sound system and that will be adequate for me. I have not seen any A3 in any of the showrooms I've visited (5 in total) that have had the B+O system fitted but the dealers may well have ones in the pipe-line that are not yet sold and where the spec could still be changed but getting even one of these within a month is not very likely. Some phoning around is going to be required. Kings Lynn Audi seem to have a few in the pipeline so it may be worth giving them a call - Tristan Bailey is the man to ask for. He seems to have a good 'will do if it's possible' attitude. Good luck!
 
Part of the appeal of the B&O over and above the sound quality (which I havent heard only read about) is the funky illuminated speaker fascia's.

It's interesting on the costs of the speakers being £650. Although I'm guessing the extra speakers to achieve the 5.1 would mean you couldn't retro-fit it.
 
Big_Will said:
Part of the appeal of the B&O over and above the sound quality (which I havent heard only read about) is the funky illuminated speaker fascia's.

It's interesting on the costs of the speakers being £650. Although I'm guessing the extra speakers to achieve the 5.1 would mean you couldn't retro-fit it.
Click to expand...

Most of the speaker locations are the same on all version but only the B+O has the surround sound speakers at the back. This may mean that additional wiring would be required for these. The door cards seem to include the 'lighting' strips' but only the B+O has the LED module included to illuminate these as far as I can tell from the diagrams in the parts catalogue.

I think you would be lucky to find a dealer prepared to retrofit the B+O but a Car Audio specialist may be more interested. Perhaps one of these could just add the 'funky' illuminated speaker fascia's if that's the attraction. The do look good in the pictures I've seen.
 
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Haha H5djr.. That is at least 50% of the appeal..... Sad I know.

I'm gonna have snoop in the dealership tomorrow (need to complete some paperwork) and will double check there is no sub in the boot. if so, I'm on a winner, if not, I may look into the option of retro fitting.

Although, having just had this conversation with the other half, she asked, if I only listen to Radio1 why do I need a different sound system.... For once, she may have a point!..
 
Big_Will said:
Haha H5djr.. That is at least 50% of the appeal..... Sad I know.

I'm gonna have snoop in the dealership tomorrow (need to complete some paperwork) and will double check there is no sub in the boot. if so, I'm on a winner, if not, I may look into the option of retro fitting.

Although, having just had this conversation with the other half, she asked, if I only listen to Radio1 why do I need a different sound system.... For once, she may have a point!..
Click to expand...

Yes they do look great, but not £750 pounds great to me personally. If there was an option to just have the illuminated speaker grills I would go it as well.
 
Overpriced yes, but once you get used to a good sound system in a car you will never buy one without IMO. So good to turn the volume up and chill before or after a hard day :)
 
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h5djr said:
Yes they do look great, but not £750 pounds great to me personally. If there was an option to just have the illuminated speaker grills I would go it as well.
Click to expand...

Very strange view IMHO . I buy decent music system to listen to decent music.. The grills are a bonus!
 
I suppose the question is also, where does the list stop.

One thing I've noticed, is it doesn't have the "interior light package", so no puddle lighting etc...

I'm struggling where to call the line, do I start the search again, or crack on with what looks like a great car..
 
Do you want all the car has? Are you getting 9-10% discount... Lots of questions.. Look at www.audiinstock.co.uk mad call Alan McGhee or Mark Paddon... Estoril arrived last Tuesday
 
From discussions, I have been informed there is no dealer / audi contribution on them?? The only main point is that my car has been essentially over valued by 1k. But effectively that's only 3.8k of the S3 value.
 
PilotAudi said:
Very strange view IMHO . I buy decent music system to listen to decent music.. The grills are a bonus!
Click to expand...

I wondered how long it would before you described one of my views as strange.
 
h5djr said:
I wondered how long it would before you described one of my views as strange.
Click to expand...

Strange IMHO as I would expect most would buy B&O for the quality sound rather than suggesting if they could just buy the bling they would have that.

Anyone else think that's an unusual view?

Have you actually ordered anything yet?
 
Play nice gents; one mans trash is another mans gold etc....

Don't think we're averse to anyone sharing objective views here about physical product or services, but we want ASN to remain as friendly a place as possible so would strongly appreciate no judging of individuals who may hold particular views; thank you.
 
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Difficult question this.

I had the option of an S3 in Glacier from my dealer that was coming in to stock in a few weeks after my visit. The deal on the car was ok but it was missing some essential options namely LED headlights, high beam assist, TPMS and Audi sound system.

In the end I decided if I was going to get my "dream car" then I was going to get it with what I wanted. Yep it's a longer wait but my build week has already come down from week 18 to 16 in the space of 3 weeks.

Good luck with it
 
the puddle lights and interior lights can be retro-fitted and quite easy to do. cost about £50 to do yourself.
the B&O again possible but very expensive to swap out the amps and speakers.
hazzydayz do the retro on the full B&O on the larger model audi's but costs £1.895 + vat. I would guess somewhere in the region of £1,200-£1,500 for the A3/S3 version.
if its that important I would look for another car.i was lucky I wanted the B&O and the light pack and my dealer had one in stock with other extra's again.if it hadn't had B&O I would have walked away.
 
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It's quite simple for me. The S3 is my dream car and if you really want best audio in the car, you should go for it. *** is good but the B&O system blow you away and make you smile and sing! :d but the question you'll have at ask is how important is music to you
 
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h5djr said:
The door cards seem to include the 'lighting' strips' but only the B+O has the LED module included to illuminate these as far as I can tell from the diagrams in the parts catalogue.
Click to expand...

I was looking at this (as Im thinking of retrofitting the B&O LED strip) but from looking in the part catolog it looks like the B&O has a total different door card as the speaker grill is moulded into the door card (i.e. the grill is not removable like the upper speaker)
 
Silky-S3 said:
I was looking at this (as Im thinking of retrofitting the B&O LED strip) but from looking in the part catolog it looks like the B&O has a total different door card as the speaker grill is moulded into the door card (i.e. the grill is not removable like the upper speaker)
Click to expand...

I think you're right. I was getting confused with the diagram (876-000) showing item 21 as the loudspeaker grill but as you say this is for the upper speaker rather than the lower one. Also the door cards have different part numbers for the 9VS code, which is the MSP code for the digital or B+O system, to the other systems. The B+O door cards are listed as £310.63 each. That would make it better value to order the B+O system in the first place! I think I'll live without the lighting strips at that price.
 
h5djr said:
I think you're right. I was getting confused with the diagram (876-000) showing item 21 as the loudspeaker grill but as you say this is for the upper speaker rather than the lower one. Also the door cards have different part numbers for the 9VS code, which is the MSP code for the digital or B+O system, to the other systems. The B+O door cards are listed as £310.63 each. That would make it better value to order the B+O system in the first place! I think I'll live without the lighting strips at that price.
Click to expand...


Yer, thats what I thought!
 
At least Silky hasn't spent large amounts of money as a result of the 'confusion' !
 
warren_S3 said:
Play nice gents; one mans trash is another mans gold etc....

Don't think we're averse to anyone sharing objective views here about physical product or services, but we want ASN to remain as friendly a place as possible so would strongly appreciate no judging of individuals who may hold particular views; thank you.
Click to expand...

Sorry folks I thought most people bought B&O for the sound system.. just seemed 'unusual' to buy it for the Bling.. Bit like wanting the look of the Rolex but not actually wanting a Rolex. ;-) (I have a fake Rolex from Hong Kong which doesn't work but as it was a gift from my late Uncle it sits in a drawer!)
 
PilotAudi said:
Sorry folks I thought most people bought B&O for the sound system.. just seemed 'unusual' to buy it for the Bling.. Bit like wanting the look of the Rolex but not actually wanting a Rolex. ;-) (I have a fake Rolex from Hong Kong which doesn't work but as it was a gift from my late Uncle it sits in a drawer!)
Click to expand...

I've had to have B&O on the S5 Black Edition as it's standard equipment. We tested it briefly with an iPod running 320kbps MP3's during a test drive and I thought it sounded a bit hollow and the vocals lacked projection. I appreciate lossless files will sound better, but I remain to be convinced. We have Arcam/Dynaudio at home which has quite a rich forward presentation, and it will always be hard to get good sound focus in a tin and glass box, but these days I can't be doing with peeling the interior out to Dynamat / build a bespoke system.
 
PilotAudi said:
Sorry folks I thought most people bought B&O for the sound system.. just seemed 'unusual' to buy it for the Bling.. Bit like wanting the look of the Rolex but not actually wanting a Rolex. ;-) (I have a fake Rolex from Hong Kong which doesn't work but as it was a gift from my late Uncle it sits in a drawer!)
Click to expand...

I think all Dave meant was that the lights look nice in their own right and would be a nice option irrespective of the sound system installed, not to pretend he has B&O
 
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warren_S3 said:
I've had to have B&O on the S5 Black Edition as it's standard equipment. We tested it briefly with an iPod running 320kbps MP3's during a test drive and I thought it sounded a bit hollow and the vocals lacked projection. I appreciate lossless files will sound better, but I remain to be convinced. We have Arcam/Dynaudio at home which has quite a rich forward presentation, and it will always be hard to get good sound focus in a tin and glass box, but these days I can't be doing with peeling the interior out to Dynamat / build a bespoke system.
Click to expand...

We had a couple of 5's a coupe and a cabriolet. The B&O in the coupe once sorted by Audi dealer audiophile was awesome. I assume your BE has same spec. If so they are very sensitive and yes we had door rattles but still good value over base spec at £500
 
snakehips said:
I think all Dave meant was that the lights look nice in their own right and would be a nice option irrespective of the sound system installed, not to pretend he has B&O
Click to expand...

I personally think one of the think that sets Audi's apart from other cars is the quality of their interiors and part of this is the subtle lighting that is used. I think the way the B+O speakers fit into this is quite clever. I'm sure B+O insisted on having something to indicate that a B+O system is fitted to an A3/S3, which is quite possibly why Audi agreed to have made it part of the door card to stop people adding the extra lighting without having the B+O system fitted.
 
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