Which options to select on new S3 Sportback black edition?

[Gandy]

Hi there – I am ordering a new S3 Sportback Black Edition (manual transmission in solid brilliant black) in the next few weeks, and want to get your opinions on certain options and whether they are worth it or not?

Should I specify Sport or S-Line suspension? From what I can tell from the Audi brochure S-Line is a no cost option on the S3, and the lower look is nice, but from what I have read may be a bit stiff?

Audi Magnetic Dampers? Are they worth the £900 or so extra? When combined with the S-Line suspension do they take any of the perceived harshness out of the ride?

Comfort pack? – (includes Cruise control, rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, and auto dimming mirror) I want cruise control, and don’t mind the parking sensors. Can the automatic wipers be disabled for things like going through a hand car wash?!

Front electric seats? Are they any good? Worth nearly £500? I have driven an S3 with standard seats which adjusted well enough, but my current car has electric which I kind of like J I probably just answered my own question there…

Any other options I am missing which are good/essential?

For background I do about 1,400 miles/month on a mix of motorway, A and B roads. I would say my driving style is Jekyll and Hyde rather like the car. Some days I pootle along, and other days I don’t A lot of toys are standard on the Black edition which is the main reason I am going for this rather than a Golf R which is the only real alternative new (company leasable) car now that Ford stopped the RS Focus. The Golf R (although nice) doesn’t come with leather, sat nav etc and so comes out pricey once you spec it up properly.

Thanks,

Gandy

 

[TheAshman]

You sound like you've already decided on the Comfort Pack and the Electric seats lol. The auto wipers can be disabled from what i hear (my dad had them on his old car and it was an option on the stalk).

On the suspension and dampers i cannot comment unfortunately. Again from what i hear the s-line suspension is a bit harsh but it all depends on what you want. Best thing i reckon is take an S-line S3 for a test drive and see what you think.

 

[N8]

BUCKETS

 

[The Cardinal]

I'd want Bose, auto lights / wipers and roof rails. I've just swapped from an A3 with all three of those and lost auto lights / wipers, but wouldn't have gone for a car without Bose.

 

[Harrelson]

ive never seen anyone recommend the magnetic dampers on an S3, maybe a bit of a novelty that will cost $$$ if something goes wrong

id spec s-tronic transmission and buckets

 

[Adam.]

I'd get shot of the Brilliant Black and go for Phantom Black.

I popped into the dealers last week as I was considdering changing to black and luckily they had 2 parked side by side outside. The Brilliant Black look cheap and nasty.


Auto wipers can be turned off if left in the normal position. They just have an extra 'notch' to activate auto so you pop them up 1 click and it enables auto wipers.

 

[rOb_A]

BUCKETS

as the guru says above!!!!!!

 

[N8]

Guru? You just have to have buckets, look how beautiful they are

 

[Adam.]

Those purple ones are a bit queer.

 

[N8]

Those purple ones are a bit queer.

 

[yuan2211]

BUCKETS

buckets is a must scrap the electric seats.

 

[rOb_A]

if you have purple buckets, you must be a bucket guru

 

[FranA3]

as n8 said buckets are a must for a S3 , interior light pack is a good one and extented leather package too

 

[N8]

if you have purple buckets, you must be a bucket guru

 

[poli84]

Magnetic ride and electric seats you can do away with.
How often do you adjust your seat anyway.

I would love buckets in my S3.
The comfort pack should be standard (it is here in Oz) and is a must.

Had roofrails on my A3, not on my S3. Prefer without as the Open-Sky is more distinguishable now.

Open-Sky was a must for me (although our summers make it worth it).

My car does not have FBSW which annoys me (not sure if this is an option for you guys but worth it if it is).

Rear parking sensors are really handy (never knew how much until I got them).
I'm sure the fronts would be good as well but never had them and am doing plenty fine without them.

 

[tcardio]

buy buckets
send them to me

 

[N8]

buy buckets
send them to me

Here's of RS4 cabriolet folding buckets that Luke @ Plush sent over to the US....

Going in a lad's Mk5 R32 Turbo running over 400bhp

 

[jsh]

I looked at buying new recently. The comfort pack looked good value and is a no-brainer really. Roof rails are a useful and cheap option. I think that a black edition is also a great value upgrade. The tech pack is now standard - so you will get nav etc. Magnetic ride and buckets are fairly rare in used cars (i'd be interested to know how many really get ordered). If budget allows, open sky roof is a great option.

If I had bought new, I would have had the Black ed with comfort pack and roof rails - a decent spec without going overboard on cost. It's not a company car for me so I am always mindful of choosing a spec that people will buy when i'm ready for a change

John

 

[Gandy]

First out thanks to everyone for the information! It is great to see such an active community.

I agree with the consensus that electric seats are not really required. I knew that really anyway but like the idea.

Comfort pack seems like a good thing - and thanks for the input on the auto wiper setting! I had visions of (automatically) injuring the Polish guys at my local hand car wash...

Ben H - the black edition comes with Bose which is why it is a good pack to get, I agree this is totally worthwhile. As jsh said you also get the nav which is cool.

Adam - I have only seen a Brilliant Black which looked good. I will take a look at Phantom Black if I can at the local dealer. If you have pictures of the two I would be very thankful

poli84 - From what I can tell the FBSW is standard here. I like the idea of the panoramic roof despite our relative lack of sun when you have won the ashes the sun always shines metaphorically at least - it is about £1,070 which is quite pricey but I do like the look of it especially if I am not spending on magnetic dampers/electric seats etc. I will search for some pictures of it/have a look at the dealers to see what it is like. A definite maybe. Thanks. Did I mention the ashes already?

Now - onto BUCKETS!!!1!!!
Thanks N8 for the pictures. They do look great in that white/beige colour (Alabaster white I think). The less said about the purple the better... The problem is cost. They are £2,045 for Black, and you would want to add to that the extended leather package which is a further £810. I can't find the option cost for colours other than black (ideally I would go white/beige), but even at £2,855 total that is a lot of £££. The S3 comes as standard with heated Black Silk Nappa leather all round. Whilst not buckets, they were comfy and good looking when I test drove. I don't think I can justify the extra £££.

On the suspension I would be interested to know opinions on S-Line suspension - is it really that harsh?

Also if anyone actually has the Magnetic dampers do you use the 2 settings and are they any good? I am veering away from this as an option based on this thread.

Thanks again to all for the input - very useful information

Gandy

 

[1animal1]

Magnetic ride and electric seats you can do away with.
How often do you adjust your seat anyway.

I would love buckets in my S3.
The comfort pack should be standard (it is here in Oz) and is a must.

Had roofrails on my A3, not on my S3. Prefer without as the Open-Sky is more distinguishable now.

Open-Sky was a must for me (although our summers make it worth it).

My car does not have FBSW which annoys me (not sure if this is an option for you guys but worth it if it is).

Rear parking sensors are really handy (never knew how much until I got them).
I'm sure the fronts would be good as well but never had them and am doing plenty fine without them.

sumat wrong there mate, all facelift S3's came with MFFBSW as standard....my 09 has it and ive seen a few 58 plates that have it too.....

 

[Yaks]

He's in Australia, so different spec

 

[m4rk]

Gandy, i'm not sure if you can change the suspension if you go for the Black Edition, i'm sure you'll have to have the S-line version.

I've gone for a BE, Comfort Pack, Full Leather, Electric Folding Wing Mirrors and Phantom Black Paint... Go for it!

Mark

 

[N8]

Thanks N8 for the pictures. They do look great in that white/beige colour (Alabaster white I think). The less said about the purple the better... The problem is cost. They are £2,045 for Black, and you would want to add to that the extended leather package which is a further £810. I can't find the option cost for colours other than black (ideally I would go white/beige), but even at £2,855 total that is a lot of £££. The S3 comes as standard with heated Black Silk Nappa leather all round. Whilst not buckets, they were comfy and good looking when I test drove. I don't think I can justify the extra £££

The purple buckets are mine They are expensive but worth it.

 

[Gandy]

The purple buckets are mine They are expensive but worth it.

I actually did LOL when I read that, I feel a right muppet now! Purple not to my taste but each to their own and all that (digs hole even deeper!)

Mark - I think you are right on the S-Line suspension. In any case I am going to have another test drive just to make sure/hoon about, and also drive through some potholes to see how it feels.

Cheers,

Gandy

 

[N8]

I actually did LOL when I read that, I feel a right muppet now! Purple not to my taste but each to their own and all that (digs hole even deeper!)

No need to apologise Gandy, no offence taken my friend!

 

[Vertigo1]

Auto wipers can be turned off if left in the normal position. They just have an extra 'notch' to activate auto so you pop them up 1 click and it enables auto wipers.

It's not an "extra" notch, it's just that the first position, which is normally the intermittent setting, becomes the automatic setting and the knob which normally sets the intermittent speed adjusts the sensitivity of the wipers.

As for the general spec, see sig for what I'd personally recommend as mine was specced new the way I wanted it. Ok well we always want more bits and pieces but tbh my spec is 95% of what I was after (before the boss said enough!)

 

[phildo]

I have a S3 sportback BE and I went for comfort pack, interior light pack, storage pack, smoking delete & extended 5 year warranty. As said above the S3 BE gets tech pack as std and the leather seats are fine, I'd had recaro's in my R26 megane and I loved them but the money is a bit much on the S3.
Options that I'd consider now with hindsight are roof rails (won't use them, just like the look) and the luggage pack for the boot net (£55 option from new or >£100 if you try and order later from parts dept!)

Also, I'm pretty sure that you can't spec either sports or S-line suspension on the S3. It just comes as standard with 'S' sports suspension which is same ride height as S line but set up differently?

 

[slade777]

Sport suspension = 15mm lower than standard
Sline = further 10 mm lower than sport
S3 = a further 10 lower than sline.

My dads got an S3 with magnetic ride and it does ride alot harder than my A3 Sline black edition but with that engine and country roads WOW!!!!!

It is a pricey option but he's got a bad back so by hitting the off button minimises the bumpiness and turns almost comfortable

The standard S3 seats a really comfortable. Sline seats are the same just half leather. Just did oxford to Plymouth and back again with cruise the whole way and didn't feel like it was more than 10 minutes to the shops.

Again the panoramic roof is awesome my dads S3 is Sprint blue so the black roof looks awesome. With regards to colour id be going for grey can't remember the exact colour saw one yesterday silver roof rails and panoramic roof awesome especially with black edition grill.

Personally I wouldn't bother spending £800 on extended leather but either get magnetic ride especially if you do alot of miles or the panoramic roof for pure looks. Depending on colour of the car that is.

 

[phildo]

Based my S is same as S line ride height comment on the tech drawings at back of brochure. Standard A3 sportback is 1423mm total height and S3 is 1402mm high. So only 22mm difference between standard and S ?? If the ride height is 35mm lower then is an S3 body 13mm shallower than an A3 ? Always assumed it was same body.

 

[slade777]

Maybe im wrong but when mines next to a standard S3 it looks lower might be the weight of the quattro.

 

[RicoS3]

Sport suspension = 15mm lower than standard
Sline = further 10 mm lower than sport
S3 = a further 10 lower than sline.

Bang on there buddy.

Comfort pack defo. If Black and Black Edition, maybe alu roof rails to bring in the rings and mirrors as you'll have lost a lot of bling with the Black optics pack.

With the MY11 facelift here in the UK, the Comfort or Tech pack (can't remember) the Sat Nav, Bose is all included, so fine. Rear sensors are in one of those packs too and they're good.

I'd sack the panoramic roof and just go sunroof; too many people with squeaky roofs, unless Audi have managed to fix it with new rubber bits.

Your call on mag ride. I test drove a TTS with mag ride and it was fantastic. Maybe it was just the TTS, but the drive overall was better than the S3.

Finally,


BUCKETS!!! (N8's nae usually wrong!)

Get them, honestly. Extended leather, no. Work a deal, get the price down and they'll seem like a bargain after 3 miles. All the other colours are retrimmed. If it takes your fancy, do it later.

 

[N8]

Finally,


BUCKETS!!! (N8's nae usually wrong!)

Get them, honestly. Extended leather, no. Work a deal, get the price down and they'll seem like a bargain after 3 miles. All the other colours are retrimmed. If it takes your fancy, do it later.

This is one of the best pieces of advice you'll ever see on this forum.

 

[Virdee]

I'm getting them for a grand! As said try and work a deal with them!

 

[N8]

Are you legend..

 

[Virdee]

Yes! Hard work even after the **** up!

 

[Gandy]

Bang on there buddy.

Comfort pack defo. If Black and Black Edition, maybe alu roof rails to bring in the rings and mirrors as you'll have lost a lot of bling with the Black optics pack.

With the MY11 facelift here in the UK, the Comfort or Tech pack (can't remember) the Sat Nav, Bose is all included, so fine. Rear sensors are in one of those packs too and they're good.

I'd sack the panoramic roof and just go sunroof; too many people with squeaky roofs, unless Audi have managed to fix it with new rubber bits.

Your call on mag ride. I test drove a TTS with mag ride and it was fantastic. Maybe it was just the TTS, but the drive overall was better than the S3.

Finally,


BUCKETS!!! (N8's nae usually wrong!)

Get them, honestly. Extended leather, no. Work a deal, get the price down and they'll seem like a bargain after 3 miles. All the other colours are retrimmed. If it takes your fancy, do it later.

Like the look of yours in Blue with the black rims. Very slick. I was all for Black, but that blue, and the one earlier in the thread with the panoramic in blue looked nice. Needs to have non-silver rims to finish the look IMHO.

I have a 3 day test drive next week, have to see how that goes. I am pretty excited should be fun!

Thanks again to everyone for the comments.

Gandy

 

[N8]

No worries Gandy, get the buckets, over and out

 

[Gandy]

**********UPDATE!!!!********

I did the 3 day test drive in a manual silver Sportback not BE, but with the BE toys in it.
My impressions
The S3 is effortlessly rapid. I am coming from an ST24 Mondeo which has a 2.5L V6 and is not exactly slow. The S3 totally monsters my current car without even trying. What surprised me most is that you don't realise how much speed you have accumulated as it is so stable and comfortable at high speed. Even my missus was doing 80 without noticing.
I did about 200 miles over a variety of roads. The suspension, whilst firm, was absolutely fine which had been a worry. The steering feels precise, and the car feels planted round the corners. The Bose is excellent, and I like the Bluetooth connection to my phone, and the multi function steering wheel. The standard sports seats were comfy, and had enough side support when cornering hard. In general the interior is a very nice place to be.
The slight disappointments I had were that although the car is clearly very quick, the engine note doesn't really tell me that, apart from above 6000rpm. My current V6 with a powerflow exhaust sounds great when you boot it and I think I will miss the V6 warble a bit. I guess that a sports exhaust may fix this when the standard one on the S3 needs replacing. I need a hatchback for transporting stuff, so tested what I could get in with the seats down. My other slight annoyance is that the rear seats split 60/40, but the 60 is behind the driver. In other hatches I have owned/driven the larger split in the rear seats is behind the passenger. This allows you to put the front passenger seat down/forward, put the larger rear split down, carry large loads, and one passenger behind the driver. A minor niggle really.

In any case I ordered one last week. S3 Sportback Manual, Black Edition, Black paint, Comfort Pack, Open Sky & Interior light pack. I am thinking that with that spec it should look pretty stealthy.

Sorry N8 I did consider the buckets, but found the standard seats comfortable and supportive enough under hard cornering.

Now the long wait........I am guessing 3 months minimum. I will return here when the car arrives with pictures and probably questions about how to use the sat nav, and complaining about how the open sky rattles from other posts I have read.....

Gandy