2013 Audi S3

[Daveotto]

Hi Bob, this may help you make your mind up if £300 for Life shine is worth it....

4 x Boxes of New LifeShine PDI KIT Auto Glym Sets | eBay

I suppose it does depend on how much you like cleanming and polishing your car but personally I not pay for lifeshine and just do it myself..........£29 for my latest lifeshine kit offf of ebay and then 3 - 4 hours of spit and polish.........pics in pic thread of the end results and if beading when its wet is any measure of the level of wax protection I had beads the size of 20p pieces this morning

 

[DAZS3]

Nearly snap! Build week 39! You guys getting SBs too? Want.... it..... now!!

Yeah ive went for SB in Monsoon grey, originally ordered estoril blue but had a bit of a colour wobble a few weeks ago !
Test drove Tyneside audis SB last week, which was where i have ordered mine from, it was amazing and having previously owned an 8P S3 i found the 8V a more thrilling ride with the extra power and exhaust sound, and i found there was very very little turbo lag (This was a manual SB).... Hopefully should pick her up in a few weeks cant wait !!

 

[davejinx]

Great to hear Dazs3!

I'm getting the manual, how's the gearbox/shift feel?. Have a 2.0T 8P currently, so am especially looking forward to 50% more horsepower combined with all those weight savings

I've not driven, or even seen in the flesh, one of the new S3s, as I wasn't able to track one down over the past few months, but now it's (hopefully) only a couple of weeks away, I'm actually hoping I don't see one until I pick mine up

If you track back a number of pages in this thread, you'll see I had a similar wobble about colours, and I possibly would've changed to Daytona had it been an option, but actually I'm really pleased that I'm getting it in Estoril now as it's a little more unique than a lot of the other A3s out there (without being showy).

Monsoon from the pictures does look cracking though, it was definitely in the running for me.

/me drums fingers on the table - car now please!

 

[DAZS3]

davejinx,
I am also getting the manual, Getting straight out of my Q3 to test the S3 the gearshift felt a lot more shorter and firmer compared to the clunky Q3 :thumbsup:.

 

[RossR]

I suppose it does depend on how much you like cleanming and polishing your car but personally I not pay for lifeshine and just do it myself..........£29 for my latest lifeshine kit offf of ebay and then 3 - 4 hours of spit and polish.........pics in pic thread of the end results and if beading when its wet is any measure of the level of wax protection I had beads the size of 20p pieces this morning

Lifeshine is a good product. Gtechniq is IMO better, but the kit alone costs over £100. The thing with all these products though is that they must be applied properly to properly prepared surfaces. Many dealerships will use cheap labour to whack it in in half an hour. Either spend a day doing it yourself, or pay a pro detailer to do it. I was offered Lifeshine for £200 and declined. I spent £295 to get Gtechniq put on by a detailer. Even got it done before I collected the car on 1st September.

 

[SilureMark]

There is no way the standard S3 set up will be like the TT with mag ride.
Mag ride in sport mode is rock hard for track use only IMO.
Having had mag ride on my TTS I would have it "free of charge" but there is no way I would pay for it.
It was included in the price / spec with the TTS so that was fine but list on a standard TT is £1k !

Second that. Had it on my TT RS and would not spec mag ride on a car again. It's just a button you press to make the car uncomfortable and left in standard mode, the car can feel very inconsistent on different road surfaces/conditions.

 

[PilotAudi]

Silver inside is nice but not sure silver alcantara is that practical. Mrs doesn't like full leather so silver wasn't an option.. Black Leather/Alc it is for us.

 

[SilureMark]

So have you joined a Porker Forum? Presumably you no longer have any or little interest in the S3 as you have ordered a Porsche?

Try reading my signature - the S3 would be my second car for day-to-day use. Some people do own two cars you know! I've had my new Cayman a little while now - simply awesome car... Will be ordering my new S3 to replace my BMW shopping wagon for delivery in May next year.

 

[paullowther]

Silver inside is nice but not sure silver alcantara is that practical. Mrs doesn't like full leather so silver wasn't an option.. Black Leather/Alc it is for us.

Fortunately this is my car and my car only and I'm looking forward to maintaining it's condition

 

[bleedsoff]

What is difference in Alcantara and Nappa?

 

[Louay]

Try reading my signature - the S3 would be my second car for day-to-day use. Some people do own two cars you know! I've had my new Cayman a little while now - simply awesome car... Will be ordering my new S3 to replace my BMW shopping wagon for delivery in May next year.

Laughable.

 

[davejinx]

What is difference in Alcantara and Nappa?

Alcantara's a soft faux suede material. Nappa is leather.

 

[cemerson]

Alcantara is REALLY nice, especially if you don't like full leather

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

Just been to Audi to price the new S3 up. Spoke to the guy at length and got some figures for PCP etc but he point blank said 'there is no discount available on S or RS models'

Now I am pretty sure this was sales patter and I am willing to shop around wherever necessary for the best deal. I have read through most of this thread and now my head hurts. Can anyone point me in the right direction for the best deal? I have read of people getting 7-8% off which is a lot of money on a £32k car!

 

[cemerson]

Sounds like rubbish. Tell him you know it's rubbish and will take your business elsewhere if that is their attitude!

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

Sounds like rubbish. Tell him you know it's rubbish and will take your business elsewhere if that is their attitude!

Spoke to Ben at Orange Wheels and they are going to sort a deal for me to look at on Monday. I told the dealer I would go away and think about it, no way I'd pay list for any car.

 

[bleedsoff]

Spoke to Ben at Orange Wheels and they are going to sort a deal for me to look at on Monday. I told the dealer I would go away and think about it, no way I'd pay list for any car.

Whats the difference in a deal with Ben the what the website quotes?

 

[TDI-line]

Spoke to Ben at Orange Wheels and they are going to sort a deal for me to look at on Monday. I told the dealer I would go away and think about it, no way I'd pay list for any car.

Try carwow or Drive the deal. Carwow will contact 6 dealers within 100 miles of you with your spec, you will get lead emails back within 1 week with any discounts. I used these to haggle with my local dealer who point blank refused no discount. I walked away, and they come back with £2000 off to secure the sale. Nice.

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

Anyone ordered panther black or got any sb pics in Panther black..... Estoril is my current choice but considering an order change....

 

[paullowther]

Anyone ordered panther black or got any sb pics in Panther black..... Estoril is my current choice but considering an order change....

I changed my order from estoril to panther black! I've seen them both in the flesh side by side on an s3 and rs5. I'll try find a good picture of the panther for you in a bit.

Edit:
http://youtu.be/j0kvWOVcl00

Here you go as promised... The more I see this colour the more I love it! It has so many levels.

 

[gilesf]

Hi,

I'm new to the s3 forum but will be ordering my Sportback in December or January, saw one yesterday at Sheffield Audi and it looked fantastic, It was red but I'm keen on estoril blue. One question that the sales guy couldn't answer related to the magnetic ride as I just don't know whether it's worth the extra spend, any help would be greatly appreciated. I am downsizing from a Q5 so the ride will be completely different I know, just want to get the spec right. Apologies for changing the subject! Thanks.

 

[Silky-S3]

I've ordered a Estoril Blue SB, but all the people changing are making me doubt it!! I love that fact that its a S car only colour, and how it looks in the sun.

I should keep it, yes?

 

[PilotAudi]

I changed my order from estoril to panther black! I've seen them both in the flesh side by side on an s3 and rs5. I'll try find a good picture of the panther for you in a bit.

Edit:
2014 Audi SQ5 - Exterior and Interior Walkaround - 2013 New York Auto Show - YouTube

Here you go as promised... The more I see this colour the more I love it! It has so many levels.

Thought about Estoril but then it's not Black... Thought about Panther Black and have seen RS5 and SQ5 in that colour. It really isn't hugely different from Phantom Black so decided to stick with that and put the saving towards some proper music!!! Think about it would be my advice.. It is too easy to get carried away with Audis and a lot of the time it's dead money!

 

[paullowther]

Thought about Estoril but then it's not Black... Thought about Panther Black and have seen RS5 and SQ5 in that colour. It really isn't hugely different from Phantom Black so decided to stick with that and put the saving towards some proper music!!! Think about it would be my advice.. It is too easy to get carried away with Audis and a lot of the time it's dead money!

I completely disagree, the amount of flecks in the crystal paints that I saw was surprising. It really added a wow factor. Even before I knew that the car I was looking at had the panther black paint I thought that it looked stunning. The day I viewed this however was a bright and hot day so I did see it in the best possible conditions. It's also nice to be different from the rest of the non-s audis on the road.

 

[Louay]

I've ordered a Estoril Blue SB, but all the people changing are making me doubt it!! I love that fact that its a S car only colour, and how it looks in the sun.

I should keep it, yes?

Both IMO are fantastic dynamic colours, having previously owned a Phantom Black, Sprint Blue, Racing Blue Mica, (clears throat...black mk1 mazda 3 mps) i decided to go for Estoril Blue as i have always had the black styling pack and wanted to have the ali grill for a change and as mentioned previously, the ali grill, window surrounds and rails compliment the blue really really well. If i wanted the black styling pack i would have ordered Panther black both being S3 exclusive colours because i refuse to pay £2k plus for an Audi exclusive colour as that is just taking the ****. Black with black or Blue with Ali.....IMO. Lastly, both cars will require a lot of time cleaning, black more than estoril blue though. hope that helps.

 

[gilesf]

I've ordered a Estoril Blue SB, but all the people changing are making me doubt it!! I love that fact that its a S car only colour, and how it looks in the sun.

I should keep it, yes?

Think I'll stick with estoril blue, my wife has a black car and keeping it looking really clean is a challenge, not that blue will be a huge improvement though. White is also tempting but concerned about tar etc...

what about the magnetic rider anyone, is it money well spent or not, any thoughts and advice very welcome. Thanks.

 

[Silky-S3]

Both IMO are fantastic dynamic colours, having previously owned a Phantom Black, Sprint Blue, Racing Blue Mica, (clears throat...black mk1 mazda 3 mps) i decided to go for Estoril Blue as i have always had the black styling pack and wanted to have the ali grill for a change and as mentioned previously, the ali grill, window surrounds and rails compliment the blue really really well. If i wanted the black styling pack i would have ordered Panther black both being S3 exclusive colours because i refuse to pay £2k plus for an Audi exclusive colour as that is just taking the ****. Black with black or Blue with Ali.....IMO. Lastly, both cars will require a lot of time cleaning, black more than estoril blue though. hope that helps.

Thanks. I too really like the Estoril with the Ali grill/window surrounds etc. My current 8P S3 is Sprint Blue with Black styling pack, and I love it. Just wish Estoril was a bit more in your face like Sprint. I would go for Sepang Blue, but the price is crazy!

Black is too boring for me, and every other car on the road in black. I like Daytona Grey but not paying 2k for it, would rather have Sepang. If everyone is going black or grey, suites me as Estorill will be even more exclusive!

 

[Silky-S3]

Think I'll stick with estoril blue, my wife has a black car and keeping it looking really clean is a challenge, not that blue will be a huge improvement though. White is also tempting but concerned about tar etc...

what about the magnetic rider anyone, is it money well spent or not, any thoughts and advice very welcome. Thanks.

Good call about the cleaning! Black can be nightmare with swirls etc

 

[davejinx]

Hi Giles, welcome to the forum!

Quite a lot of informed opinions on magnetic ride have already been posted in this thread, especially by snakepilskin, so might be worth a quick, 'search this thread'

Hope that helps

David

 

[Silky-S3]

Should I change my order and go for B&O? At the moment I've just spec'ed the Audi Sound System. Is B&O worth the £500 upgrade? Got Bose in my current S3, and it seems ok but not mind blowing.

 

[Louay]

Thanks. I too really like the Estoril with the Ali grill/window surrounds etc. My current 8P S3 is Sprint Blue with Black styling pack, and I love it. Just wish Estoril was a bit more in your face like Sprint. I would go for Sepang Blue, but the price is crazy!

Black is too boring for me, and every other car on the road in black. I like Daytona Grey but not paying 2k for it, would rather have Sepang. If everyone is going black or grey, suites me as Estorill will be even more exclusive!

Classy colours like panther black and estoril blue may well be quieter and more sophisticated but they have an added benefit of not attracting unwanted attention and i speak from experience. My racing blue S3 attracted chavs in saxos and astras wanting to have a go, which would of been ok if i was still single without kids but i've moved on from that now. The S3 sound and quad exhausts will attract attention whatever the colour IMO, also with the addition of 19's and of course the standard 300bhp which is plenty even before a remap will attract rubber neckers. Go daytona, i've ordered estoril lol Up to you.

 

[Louay]

Should I change my order and go for B&O? At the moment I've just spec'ed the Audi Sound System. Is B&O worth the £500 upgrade? Got Bose in my current S3, and it seems ok but not mind blowing.

without doubt. coupled with interior light pack and you get some funky additional interior LED's like ones around the front B&O door speakers and around the cup holders below the dash. DO IT!

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

But this is estoril in natural light, stunning too....;

Audi S7 Test Drive AutoStrada.MD - YouTube

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

Oh, yes the b&o upgrade is simply sensational. One of the reasons I chose the s3 over the amg 45..

 

[Silky-S3]

without doubt. coupled with interior light pack and you get some funky additional interior LED's like ones around the front B&O door speakers and around the cup holders below the dash. DO IT!

Thanks, you sure? The lights on the cup holders are with the LED Light Pack, not B&O. The B&O LEDs round the speakers do look cool!!

 

[Silky-S3]

But this is estoril in natural light, stunning too....;

Audi S7 Test Drive AutoStrada.MD - YouTube

That looks awesome!

 

[Silky-S3]

Oh, yes the b&o upgrade is simply sensational. One of the reasons I chose the s3 over the amg 45..

Have you heard it back to back with the Audi Sound System?

 

[CraigI]

Panther Black far better than Estoril.
Good choice to those that have changed.

 

[paullowther]

Should I change my order and go for B&O? At the moment I've just spec'ed the Audi Sound System. Is B&O worth the £500 upgrade? Got Bose in my current S3, and it seems ok but not mind blowing.

You won't find one person on this forum who has heard the b&o and doesn't think that the b&o is a simply sensational audio system.

Definitely worth £500 in my opinion. Having a good sound system is one of the most important things to have in a car!

 

[Silky-S3]

You won't find one person on this forum who has heard the b&o and doesn't think that the b&o is a simply sensational audio system.

Definitely worth £500 in my opinion. Having a good sound system is one of the most important things to have in a car!

Emailing my dealer now! lol