S line or sports suspension ?

[Fragup]

Hi all, I am ordering in next week or two ish, I am not going to have a chance to test drive an S Line suspension (25mm lower) as my local dealer don't have one at the moment and I won't get time to go else where. I have only driven with the sport suspension (sport 15mm lower, with 18" wheels) which I liked, won't want any softer.
The salesman says the lower S Line doesn't feel too much different / firmer and if that's the case I think I would prefer, plus i prefer lower look.
Has anyone tested them back to back and what do you think, is the difference that noticeable?

its last big decision before ordering so would appreciate anyone thoughts who's have tried both.
I'm sure others would too. Shame I can't test myself, can't really delay ordering.

many thanks

 

[cemerson]

Afraid this is one thing that divides people and is all down to personal preference. Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this - the only way you are going to know what's right for you is to test drive one

 

[Fragup]

As I said, i wish i could, but i can't test drive S Line which is a pain. Could go with the safe option of sport I have tested and liked, but was hoping to use this as a bench mark against people's options as to the difference. Have had sport suspension on my last two hondas so like firmer suspension, Was hoping someone had the chance to drive both. Fingers crossed someone reading this has. It Would be much appreciated.

 

[Daveotto]

If you have tested and liked sport then just go with it.

I drove myself mad, and the dealer, for weeks before finally changing my mind.

 

[mjcourtney]

This has been discussed many, many times. Quite honestly it's all down to personal opinion, much like chosing the colour of the paint. For every 10 people saying Sport you'll find another 10 saying S-line, each with very convincing arguments! Sadly the one way to know for definite is to drive them, but I know this isn't easy for you.

On the positive side, I don't know of anyone that has been unhappy with their choice - which does make me wonder if there really is that much difference in the options....

 

[cemerson]

Could be a bit of 'purchase justification syndrome' going on there though...

 

[mjcourtney]

Very true, might have to wait a few years for the 'newness' to rub off before people are able to give more long term assessments of the suspension on their cars.

 

[Fragup]

View attachment 18464

On the positive side, I don't know of anyone that has been unhappy with their choice - which does make me wonder if there really is that much difference in the options....

i know, a few people said the old 8P A3 could be a bit harsh on an s line, but as you say apart from personal choice, nobody seams to complain at the new S Line suspension.
The salesman and a few others think the wheel size makes more or as much difference.

 

[Fragup]

Could be a bit of 'purchase justification syndrome' going on there though...

No just getting info to buy, why so negative ?

 

[cemerson]

I mean the fact that everyone says they are happy with what they have got. I'm sure they are or they wouldn't have chosen it in the first place, but if they had doubts over their choice after spending all that money on it, would they admit it on here, or even to themselves? Hence purchase justification syndrome

 

[Fragup]

Hence purchase justification syndrome

I was asking for a comparison on test driving a no cost option, so asked the difference rather than there final choice, to try and figure out if much different and if its noticeable that much or not as the salesman suggested, but It definitely improves the look for me (I know is personal) I know what your getting at & that most people won't admit they regret a choice. But I really like S Line suspension for the looks as well (bit picky I know, that's why I am on forum) I don't want to mess up ride if much harsher. Unless someone has driven both options (as I wish I could) they can't help I'm afraid. Although I appreciate the sentiment.

 

[cemerson]

Even if someone has driven both, everyone's experience is different though - that's my point.

 

[Fragup]

Even if someone has driven both, everyone's experience is different though - that's my point.

I know, I was politely trying to steer thread back to original question which was specifically aimed at only people who had driven both S line and Sport suspension for there opinions. (Otherwise threads go off on a tangent)

 

[Daveotto]

I know, I was politely trying to steer thread back to original question which was specifically aimed at only people who had driven both S line and Sport suspension for there opinions. (Otherwise threads go off on a tangent)

Does this count!!!! Drove a sport and liked it, SAT in an s-line and thought it was to low.....or is this still slightly off topic!!!

 

[Fragup]

I found a couple of older threads with a few people who had driven both and they all said the diffrence in ride is definately noticeable, good or bad depending on there personal opinion.
I Found 3 people who already got their cars saying they wish they had lower or firmer supspension, but none so far saying the other way.
2 had sports supspension and wished they had gone for S Line (can't find thread i saw last night, sorry) & 1 who had SE and wished they has Sports. I think people err on the side of caution and go softer, this is my fear i will do the same, as people have said the vast majority are happy though.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3...s-line-should-kept-standard-sport-set-up.html


http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-8v-chassis/184113-s-line-standard-sport-v-s-line-suspension.html

So i think i have found out all i can (without test driving ),
Thanks

 

[cemerson]

Looks like in the first case, it was entirely down to looks rather than handling. I suppose it depends if that kind of thing matters to you or not - certainly doesn't to me.

 

[JayDZS*]

The A3 I test drove had the sport suspension, however I ordered S-Line on my own order as I prefer the look of the car sitting lower. If your a person who enjoys to drive and chucks it round bends I would recommend the S-Line suspension as the car handles a lot better than it does on sport suspension. However S-Line is very harsh and if you hit a bump you know about it but if I had to order my car again I wouldn't change anything. TBH you get used to it after a while as passengers complain its very bumpy but I don't really notice it myself anymore unless I hit a massive bump!

 

[Fragup]

I have driven a sport with 18" wheels
was good & A3 drives well, but was a little bit softer than i am used in my current car and won't mind if a little bit firmer / sharper handling, but don't want to ruin ride so is a balance.
Looks wise have sat in 2 S Lines and slightly prefered looks of lower S Line to Sport, but not that much in it, so haven't needed asked about looks.

 

[Fragup]

The A3 I test drove had the sport suspension, however I ordered S-Line on my own order as I prefer the look of the car sitting lower. If your a person who enjoys to drive and chucks it round bends I would recommend the S-Line suspension as the car handles a lot better than it does on sport suspension. However S-Line is very harsh and if you hit a bump you know about it but if I had to order my car again I wouldn't change anything. TBH you get used to it after a while as passengers complain its very bumpy but I don't really notice it myself anymore unless I hit a massive bump!

Thanks, thats cracking, just what i was after.

Thanks a lot

 

[JayDZS*]

Thanks, thats cracking, just what i was after.

Thanks a lot

No Problem

 

[cemerson]

? Thread / question was about feel / ride diffrence. I have driven a sport with 18" wheels
was good & A3 drives well, but was a little bit softer than i am used in my current car and won't mind if a little bit firmer / sharper handling, but don't want to ruin ride so is a balance.
Looks wise have sat in 2 S Lines and slightly prefered looks of lower S Line to Sport, but not that much in it, so haven't needed asked about looks.

Yes, hence me pointing it out - it was in the example you quoted, that's all. You said he had changed from sport to s-line, but it was entirely down to looks if you read the thread you linked to.

 

[Fragup]

Yes, hence me pointing it out - it was in the example you quoted, that's all. You said he had changed from sport to s-line, but it was entirely down to looks if you read the thread you linked to.

Thanks, as you said the SE to Sport ? example linked was on looks. the 2 other examples Sport to S Line where on ride, but i have have definately decided on the Sports suspension set up as although S Line set up is really tempting as a proper drivers car, even with people with who loved it, A few now have said themselves & passengers have commented on the frim ride & can be harsh on bumpy roads and round my way thats a lot of roads & is noticeably firm than the Sport (Oppersite of the saleman i spoke to)
I suspect the saleman would like to keep each supspensions as standard to match each trim as it will make reselling part ex's in future more difficult as the trim wont dictate the supsension and will give many more combinations (An S line with SE suspension will be softer than a Sport with Sport Suspension & 18" wheels)
In an ideal world i think somewhere inbetween S line & Sport would suite me best (Too much extra for magnetic? suspension), but Sport sounds closer to the ideal and should best better overall for me with my sensible head on.

Thanks again to all that helped

 

[dieseldoug]

I never tested the sport suspension set up, but always been happy with the S-Line suspension in my previous cars, I can say the 8v is better handling than my previous A4 S-Line and smoother, it is one of these choices you make and stay with during the ownership of the car unless you purchase aftermarket parts.

 

[Fragup]

I think the S Line suspension would be me being selfish as mrs will drive the car a lot and she will occasionally being giving lift to her mum who would struggle if really hard ride . The sport suspension tested was slightly softer (more comfortable away) than CRZ I currently have, I thinks it's in a big part because the seats are so good (although I thought Hondas where good till I tried A3), but handling was still Impressive on sport. I will probably be a tiny bit jealous when one day I pull up next to a lower S Line, but the rest for the time it will be the right choice.

 

[dieseldoug]

If you are going to stay with the sport set up the difference in height is minamal and you won't really notice the difference, the ride quality may suit your wife and family you will have made the correct choice which ever way you go.

 

[OFFSKEE]

If you buy the Sport I think at some point you're going to think 'Should've had the S Line setup'. You will trust me on this, when you see S Lines at meets or in carparks it'll be ticking over in your mind.
The extra 10mm will make all the difference especially in looks. Why do you think so many go for a drop, it's because it looks better.
Handling wise, not sure you'll notice much difference apart from in the bends when they tighten up sooner.

Its your choice for sure but it may save you spending out at a later date.

 

[Fragup]

There has never been a question in my mine is better looking on S Line, though not too drastically different with sports suspension (personally I really don't like S Lines with SE suspension, looks totally wrong) But having got my way with 3 door not sportback, S Line not sport, privacy glass not standard, pano, Audi sound system, this is where I think I will probably be where i have to compromise. If you are going to meets you are probably a bit passionate about it than me, but I totally agree with you Offskee, S Line is best set up for driving fun and looks. May be I will change my mind by time I order? Still have about 2 weeks ish to mull it over