How can you verify an A3 is an S-Line (2004-2007) - Any facelift differences?

[granty578]

Hi Guys,

I'm on the hunt for an A3 at the moment and really after a bit of looking around I'm pretty much set on getting an S-Line, just because I think it has that little bit of an edge in terms of looks over other models and also I do like the half leather seats. I did try an SE and it just didn't feel that special.

However, I'm having a right pain trying to even get my hands on one. There have been a few I've seen but every time I ring up they've already gone.

I'm looking for between an 04 and 07 with up to £7k to spend - it seems doable, if you're quick.

However, I have noticed there's a lot of sports with sline kit and half of the time it's not listed as a s-line, presumably because whoever has put it up for sale has just used the number plate checker function for the description.

Which brings me onto my next thing, a lot of cars that look like S-lines show as Sports, you check the number plate comes up as sport but obviously and blatantly has s-line kit including badges and embossed seats. Are these true s-lines?

For example, I'm looking at this and while it comes up as a sport it does have apparent sline gear:

Audi A3 2.0 TDi Sport 3dr DSG Diesel Hatchback 2005

However, I have also noticed it doesn't have your usual front s-line style bumper or a rear spoiler?

Can anyone help? Are there facelift revisions or optional extras I need to be aware of?

For me, an sline should have bumpers and spoilers like this?

2006 (56) Audi A3 TDI S-Line 3 door in Bedworth, Warwickshire | Used Audi for sale | Gumtree.com

Thanks,

Granty

 

[RYes3]

Best way is to get the reg and ring an Audi dealer so they can check for you.

Seems that these day's people will stick badges on a car that is not what the badge they add symbolises! Shameless imo...

 

[V6kris]

im sure when you hpi the car it should tell you? could be wrong tho

 

[FranA3]

early s-lines are sport models with a s-line package being an optional extra wasnt till a bit later 56 re year i think that the s-line was a model on its own so any early s-line will be a sport with a s-line package added on so will read sport on the V5 too , only from the 56 reg year did the s-line have the exterior bodykit too , exterior wise the early ones only had the lower ride height and the 5 spoke alloy wheels other than that they were how the sport was basicly

 

[granty578]

early s-lines are sport models with a s-line package being an optional extra wasnt till a bit later 56 re year i think that the s-line was a model on its own so any early s-line will be a sport with a s-line package added on so will read sport on the V5 too , only from the 56 reg year did the s-line have the exterior bodykit too , exterior wise the early ones only had the lower ride height and the 5 spoke alloy wheels other than that they were how the sport was basicly

Cheers for that - would it make sense then that any 05's which I see with the nicer bumper on and spoiler may have just been added by the owner? I've seen a few.

 

[FranA3]

Cheers for that - would it make sense then that any 05's which I see with the nicer bumper on and spoiler may have just been added by the owner? I've seen a few.

most people think the early s-lines came with the spoilers and bumpers but they dont i think maybe the 8p1 s-lines came with a spoiler and the wheels / ride height but thats the only difference really lol

 

[Biggy]

Mines a 56 s-line comes with full leather seats with s-line imprinted, bumpers and spoilers, grill and its got s-line on the sill covers too iirc

 

[sportstractor]

2006 (56) Audi A3 TDI S-Line 3 door in Bedworth, Warwickshire | Used Audi for sale | Gumtree.com

Thanks,

Granty

Interesting that it says its had a new throttle body...

I went for an SE with decent extras, much more comfy than the sline suspension and they go for 1-2k cheaper for the equivalent age and mileage.

There much be a code in the boot or handbook that symbolises the trim level that you could check

 

[Ash187]

The 8P1 as we call it never had the s-line exterior pack... 8p1 (2003-2005)
From 2006 (55 plate) they released the proper sline body pack but it is more commonly seen on 06 plate cars
if you really want the full sline pack on the car then start looking at 2006 plus cars
also the sline comes with the dark headlining as standard, pretty sure the leather interior was not a standard feature on the slines although most have it

 

[granty578]

Cheers guys. Went and got that 05 one, went to view it and it still looks smart and sporty - may change the bumper in time.

 

[STIG]

nice car mate, ive got an se 1.8 tfsi and me bro inlaw has the same but sline spec, the sline looks so much better.

 

[K2000]

early s-lines are sport models with a s-line package being an optional extra wasnt till a bit later 56 re year i think that the s-line was a model on its own so any early s-line will be a sport with a s-line package added on so will read sport on the V5 too , only from the 56 reg year did the s-line have the exterior bodykit too , exterior wise the early ones only had the lower ride height and the 5 spoke alloy wheels other than that they were how the sport was basicly

Some 2005 models ('05) still show as S-Line on the V5 despite having the 'sport' bumpers and no rear spoiler.

 

[Ste_Nova]

For example, I'm looking at this and while it comes up as a sport it does have apparent sline gear:

Audi A3 2.0 TDi Sport 3dr DSG Diesel Hatchback 2005

Make	AUDI
Model-Series	A5
Model	A3 TDI SPORT
Year	21-07-2005
Chassis No.	WAUZZZ8P46A023185
Engine No.	BKD461538
Fuel Type	DIESEL
Engine Capacity	1968
Power (KW)	103
Power (BHP)	138
Transmission	AUTOMATIC
No. of Gears	6
Body Style	3 DOOR HATCHBACK
Cylinders	4
Valves	4
FWD/RWD/4WD	FRONT
TECDOC-Type-No.	17173

 

[Ste_Nova]

2006 (56) Audi A3 TDI S-Line 3 door in Bedworth, Warwickshire | Used Audi for sale | Gumtree.com
bd56kfo

Make	AUDI
Model-Series	A5
Model	A3 TDI S LINE
Year	30-11-2006
Chassis No.	WAUZZZ8P57A108683
Engine No.	BKDB10043
Fuel Type	DIESEL
Engine Capacity	1968
Power (KW)	103
Power (BHP)	138
Transmission	MANUAL
No. of Gears	6
Body Style	3 DOOR HATCHBACK
Cylinders	4
Valves	4
FWD/RWD/4WD	FRONT
TECDOC-Type-No.	17173

 

[Chris-gsxr]

My car check app on iPhone. It's a £3.50 mini hip check. It tells you details of the cars history and it tells you the model. If its a s line. It will tell you on there.

 

[K2000]

For example, I'm looking at this and while it comes up as a sport it does have apparent sline gear:

Audi A3 2.0 TDi Sport 3dr DSG Diesel Hatchback 2005

Make	AUDI
Model-Series	A5
Model	A3 TDI SPORT
Year	21-07-2005
Chassis No.	WAUZZZ8P46A023185
Engine No.	BKD461538
Fuel Type	DIESEL
Engine Capacity	1968
Power (KW)	103
Power (BHP)	138
Transmission	AUTOMATIC
No. of Gears	6
Body Style	3 DOOR HATCHBACK
Cylinders	4
Valves	4
FWD/RWD/4WD	FRONT
TECDOC-Type-No.	17173

It also seems to be suggesting that it is an A5???? (Under Model - Series)

 

[c_w]

That car is Akoya Silver, not Dolphin Grey as it says in the Autotrader ad. It's not a proper S-Line IMO, it's just had badges stuck on it.


The 56-plate is a proper S-Line though with the right S-line grill, bumpers and spoiler etc. The S-lines don't have sill covers/sideskirts.

 

[OVRA3]

Here's mine it's an early sline, with the sport bumpers

 

[Ste_Nova]

It also seems to be suggesting that it is an A5???? (Under Model - Series)

nooo thats the model series dont let it being the same as a audi model confuse you

 

[Ste_Nova]

Here's mine it's an early sline, with the sport bumpers

View attachment 8014

View attachment 8015
View attachment 8016

Make	AUDI
Model-Series	A5
Model	A3 T FSI QUATTRO S LINE
Year	30-03-2005
Chassis No.	WAUZZZ8P65A126235
Engine No.	AXX024637
Fuel Type	PETROL
Engine Capacity	1968
Power (KW)	147
Power (BHP)	197
Transmission	MANUAL
No. of Gears	6
Body Style	5 DOOR HATCHBACK
Cylinders	4
Valves	4
FWD/RWD/4WD	ALL - PERMANENT
TECDOC-Type-No.

 

[OVRA3]

Make	AUDI
Model-Series	A5
Model	A3 T FSI QUATTRO S LINE
Year	30-03-2005
Chassis No.	WAUZZZ8P65A126235
Engine No.	AXX024637
Fuel Type	PETROL
Engine Capacity	1968
Power (KW)	147
Power (BHP)	197
Transmission	MANUAL
No. of Gears	6
Body Style	5 DOOR HATCHBACK
Cylinders	4
Valves	4
FWD/RWD/4WD	ALL - PERMANENT
TECDOC-Type-No.

Yep that's my car 😜

 

[c_w]

Those bumpers surely aren't standard? they are the Sport bumpers with the front lip and rear skirt changed? I've seen the front lip before on ebay but the rear apron doesn't look like something AUDI would put on a car.

 

[OVRA3]

Those bumpers surely aren't standard? they are the Sport bumpers with the front lip and rear skirt changed? I've seen the front lip before on ebay but the rear apron doesn't look like something AUDI would put on a car.

It was a dealer option it's the votex front and rear 1500 quid I believe they kept it audi exclusive for a few years but you can buy them cheap these days

 

[Graham22]

From what I've seen, 2005 models will show as S-Line on the V5, will have all the badges/trim/black headlining/18" wheels/lowered suspension etc, but will run Sport style bumpers, the bumpers were changed in 2006.

One thing that causes confusion is the seats, if the original buyer went for the standard half leather seats, they have the S-Line branding. If full leather was specified as an option, the seats fitted to 05 models are not branded, again 06 onwards will have S-Line on full or half leather.

 

[granty578]

Thanks guys - not picked the car up yet but mytextcheck showed the car as HPI clear, matching VIN and described it as an sline.

When I viewed the car, it had s-line door sill covers, sline seats, the badges (though i think the back one was stuck on), steering wheel and alloys and I'm not sure but the gear knob seemed to be sportier than the SE one I tried. The guy also had the same question as me when he bought it and showed me a letter from Audi verifying it as an s-line.

So, in short either someone has gone a LONG way to make it a replica s-line but not bothered with doing bumper/spoiler or it is actually a genuine s-line, just an early model which does actually look pretty nice. I believe it's probably the latter.

Also, for info I tend to find that sometimes even HPI checks get it wrong. I've had a 3 door focus before that kept coming up on insurance and HPI's as a 5 door, even though everything else checked out.

 

[Artimus]

Nice car, looks clean.

Badges are 10 a penny on e-bay! I removed the engine spec from my tailgate to deter traffic light racers, but it looked so unbalanced & naked I put an s-line badge in its place to even it out with the other side.

 

[c_w]

I test drove a well-specced pseudo "S-Line" Sportback a few years ago, it was a 54 so one of the first 5dr cars. It looked like a Sport on the outside (sport bumpers, grill and wheels, no spoiler) but with S-Line badges in the right places. Inside it had black headlining, multifunction steering wheel, cruise, folding mirrors, BOSE, half leather and alcantara (lovely interior, my favourite but seems very rare) and stainless door inserts and ashtray (the stainless trim was different though it was more dimpled than the later smooth brushed stainless).

 

[J8TT X]

The S-Line bumpers were released in late 2005 (55 reg onwards).
So any 'S-lines' before that had the sport bumpers.