Ordering S3 Saloon

[Cleggy70]

Hi folks,

Looking to buy an S3 saloon (s-tronic), been into local Audi dealership, they've told me there is no build date as of yet.
Do any of you decent folk here know anything different?

 

[snakehips]

Have you actually ordered it? The dealers can estimate build date up front but the actual build date could take days or weeks to come through.

 

[Louay]

Joetidman has ordered an S3 saloon.

 

[Cleggy70]

Have you actually ordered it? The dealers can estimate build date up front but the actual build date could take days or weeks to come through.

Not ordered yet, typically I've put down a rake of options.
Now I'm fine-tuning/rationalising, etc. before going back to Audi.

 

[Cleggy70]

Cheers Louay, I'll look at his posts which do mention timescales.

 

[Audimad]

An excellent car although it doesn't have the vented front bumper like the sportback and three door S3.

 

[Joetidman]

Hi Cleggy, I've been given week 19, although apparently there have been some delays in S3 saloons across the piece, I don't know if they have received more demand than expected? Anyway mine was pushed back from 12 to 19 but at least has a build slot

 

[Cleggy70]

Hi Cleggy, I've been given week 19, although apparently there have been some delays in S3 saloons across the piece, I don't know if they have received more demand than expected? Anyway mine was pushed back from 12 to 19 but at least has a build slot

Ok, think I need to get my order in to get on that ladder!
I've been quoted 300 a month (includes GAP, alloy protection, lifeshine), 4 year pcp, with 30% deposit which is the max. I could put down. This is for standard spec, no options, 6k miles.
I wanted to put a decent deposit in to keep the payments down. What do you think, steep or about right?

 

[Joetidman]

I think that's pretty good. The spec you have there is still prob around £36k and my figures aren't much different to yours, similar cash down and higher spec but higher repayments so sounds pretty good . Defo a great choice, what colour are you thinking?

 

[Cleggy70]

I think that's pretty good. The spec you have there is still prob around £36k and my figures aren't much different to yours, similar cash down and higher spec but higher repayments so sounds pretty good . Defo a great choice, what colour are you thinking?

Was looking at misano red as per the official brochure?

 

[Joetidman]

Was looking at misano red as per the official brochure?

Very nice, that was my close 2nd!!

 

[ABYSS]

What kind if discounts have you guys been offered on the saloons?

Kings Lynn Audi are offering 8% off the pre vat price on all s3s at present

 

[cuke2u]

You really do not want to put GAP, alloy protection etc. on finance as it will cost a fortune, and personally alloy protection is a waste of money. GAP can be had far cheaper elsewhere unless you are getting a really good deal...

 

[Cleggy70]

You really do not want to put GAP, alloy protection etc. on finance as it will cost a fortune, and personally alloy protection is a waste of money. GAP can be had far cheaper elsewhere unless you are getting a really good deal...

Yeah, I've realised I can get better deals away from the dealer.
Prices they quoted were 599 for GAP, 399 for bodycare, 460 for SMART (scuffs, dints, etc.), 510 for alloy wheel and tyre protection.

 

[Cleggy70]

What kind if discounts have you guys been offered on the saloons?

Kings Lynn Audi are offering 8% off the pre vat price on all s3s at present

Not looked into it properly based on my quote, need to go back in there and ask a few more questions, add some options, etc.
The sales guy pulled a face when I mentioned the word discount, started his Audi brand spiel and said we would not be looking to discount a high end model when the first one hasn't been rolled out yet!

 

[Pulp84]

Yeah, I've realised I can get better deals away from the dealer.
Prices they quoted were 599 for GAP, 399 for bodycare, 460 for SMART (scuffs, dints, etc.), 510 for alloy wheel and tyre protection.

Wow that's expensive add-on's. I'm paying £250 for my GAP (started at £600, but after noting last time I bought it for my A1 it was cheaper, the price came down straight away!) and £200 for tyre insurance.

Word of caution - I found the alloy insurance a waste of money as they can only do "cosmetic" repairs which on the S3 wheels means they will just sand it down, paint the damage the same colour as the wheel and then lacquer. Basically you lose the diamond cut / polished metal effect. Looks ok from a distance, but getting close up to the wheel you can see where's it's been repaired. Ending up spending £400 on a new rotor in the end for my A1 as couldn't live with it.

Also the £460 for the scuff repair sounds a lot to me. The company the policy use for repairs is called Revive! and they charge £80 for most dings etc to be repaired. I've never had 6 SMART repairs on any car I've ever owned during its ownership.

Each to their own but think some of these insurances are way over priced.

 

[Cleggy70]

Wow that's expensive add-on's. I'm paying £250 for my GAP (started at £600, but after noting last time I bought it for my A1 it was cheaper, the price came down straight away!) and £200 for tyre insurance.

Word of caution - I found the alloy insurance a waste of money as they can only do "cosmetic" repairs which on the S3 wheels means they will just sand it down, paint the damage the same colour as the wheel and then lacquer. Basically you lose the diamond cut / polished metal effect. Looks ok from a distance, but getting close up to the wheel you can see where's it's been repaired. Ending up spending £400 on a new rotor in the end for my A1 as couldn't live with it.

Also the £460 for the scuff repair sounds a lot to me. The company the policy use for repairs is called Revive! and they charge £80 for most dings etc to be repaired. I've never had 6 SMART repairs on any car I've ever owned during its ownership.

Each to their own but think some of these insurances are way over priced.

Cheers for that Pulp, very sound advice which I will take onboard.

 

[cuke2u]

I paid £299 for a four year GAP on my saloon, which I think was good for a dealership and a no brainer really. Seeing as we have had quotes for a Mazda 2 and a Fiesta of over £300 for only three years it seemed very good..

 

[PilotAudi]

Never bothered in decades of driving, saved thousands. !

 

[snakehips]

Never bothered in decades of driving, saved thousands. !

It's one of those things isn't it? I could say exactly the same about my house insurance, which I've never ever claimed on. I used to poo-poo GAP until my 2 year old GTi was written off and I lost out on £6000. So I always throw it in now, especially as £300 is nothing on a £35K car.
But I agree the other insurances are not such good value.

 

[PilotAudi]

I can understand that but year one it's covered on my policy free. After that I will chance it unless very cheap.

 

[Palacemads3]

When I ordered my saloon I was offered GAP and autoglym pain protection. They quoted initially at £850 for GAP and around £350 for paint protection. I have ended up getting both but not at those prices on finance. I'm paying for the paint protection as I only use autoglym on my car and think its a really good product. As soon as I was given the price for the GAP I told them to take it off as it was a joke of a price. In the end I got a discount of £2500 off the car but the only way they would do it was to keep the GAP on as they were obviously using that to fund my discount. In the end it worked cheaper for me to do it like that as I brought my monthly payments down by £100 per month. I'm certainly not someone who over insures but I think GAP could save you a fortune, provided you can get it at a reasonable price.

 

[CraigI]

Negotiate and get GAP thrown in for free.
Had that with my last two Audi's.

 

[Cleggy70]

Just as an aside to the insurances (GAP etc) is anyone ordering an S3 saloon through a broker?
When I shoved the broker illustration in front of my local dealer he said go for it as they couldn't match the price.
He warned me though that going through a broker to source a car which has not been given an official build date could end in tears/frustration waiting longer than going through the dealer direct.
Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[cuke2u]

I don't know about the S£ but when I purchased a new car through a broker they were exemplary. DTD will refer you direct to dealers anyway...

 

[PilotAudi]

It's one of those things isn't it? I could say exactly the same about my house insurance, which I've never ever claimed on. I used to poo-poo GAP until my 2 year old GTi was written off and I lost out on £6000. So I always throw it in now, especially as £300 is nothing on a £35K car.
But I agree the other insurances are not such good value.

Not sure comparing GAP with House Insurance is fair. Most folks have to have house insurance (Mortgagers requirement) and the cost vs loss is very different. As an example £200 a year on £500k house buildings and contents is rather cheaper than GAP.

 

[Chimp]

Just as an aside to the insurances (GAP etc) is anyone ordering an S3 saloon through a broker?
When I shoved the broker illustration in front of my local dealer he said go for it as they couldn't match the price.
He warned me though that going through a broker to source a car which has not been given an official build date could end in tears/frustration waiting longer than going through the dealer direct.
Can anyone shed any light on this?

The gap insurance costs the dealer about £100 ish (depending on Car) they make the price up and hope suckers just buy it at £500-600!
Autoglym pack is £50 on ebay..... there are far better products for less on cleanyourcar etc like dodo etc.

The dealer gave me the speil about bringing value to the brand as a dealer and all that but the brokers phone them and say if I can place 5 orders of S3 in the next month you interested .... they look at the salesmanager and say "hey I have hit my target can I have my 15% bonus this month?" the salesmanager says yes! They dont mind sales from anywhere as it helps hit the numbers, but if they can keep you buying from the dealer showroom they can charge you £850 for things like gap! Also the discount will be 2% EVEN more bonus for them!