2013 Audi S3

[veeeight]

Although it is pretty neat hitting stop once in park, jumping out and car shuts down and locks......

^ Thought you had to touch the little square indent in the handle to get the car to lock?

It doesn't lock automatically when you walk away from it, else you could end up super locking your kids in the car when you've popped out briefly to pay for fuel etc. ?

 

[cuke2u]

Yes the indent has to be touched to lock it...

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

Or you can blip the key...

 

[bjorngra]

After 4.400 miles I can get a fuel consumption of 25.8 MPG on a distance of 9 miles (80% motorway). With normally driving. Not even in efficiency mode. With the start/stop you get used to.

 

[Q5 TRS]

No one taken any pics of their monsoon grey yet??

 

[Scotty2011]

After 4.400 miles I can get a fuel consumption of 25.8 MPG on a distance of 9 miles (80% motorway). With normally driving. Not even in efficiency mode. With the start/stop you get used to.

Now you have a fair few miles on the clock. Did you feel your car loosened up a bit and feels quicker than when you first got it?

 

[keyser]

No one taken any pics of their monsoon grey yet??

Posted a few pics of mine on 1st December (page 85)...

 

[Q5 TRS]

Yes saw those. On page 173 for me tho on my iPhone app anyway.

I meant from the march 1st deliveries. Never have enough pics

 

[Mani_S_Bhogal]

Guys,

I am speccing an S3 which I am due to execute tomorrow (or purchase a stock car) from Audi. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience of Magnetic Ride and whether it is an option worth pursuing and what meaningful effect it has on the car on a day to day basis.

Many thanks.

Mani

 

[veeeight]

Unless you plan to take your car on track days
Or have supersmooth tarmac roads

Don't bother with Magnetic Ride

 

[Pulp84]

Guys,

I am speccing an S3 which I am due to execute tomorrow (or purchase a stock car) from Audi. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience of Magnetic Ride and whether it is an option worth pursuing and what meaningful effect it has on the car on a day to day basis.

Many thanks.

Mani

Driven a few Different Audi models with it including the 8V and have always found it a bit aloof. I know it's there, but it seemed to only make a difference in sport mode which made it super stiff and potholes more noticeable. I thought £995 for an option that makes the car ride worse was not great. Probably excellent on a track - day to day driving the normal set up is fine IMHO.

 

[Battlekrapz]

My colleague's brother bought an RS5 with magnetic ride, he has had issues with it from day one and had a nightmare of a time to get Audi to change it for a new RS5 without magnetic ride... Conclusion: normal s3 suspension is a safer bet.

 

[SAMurray]

Picked mine up today and then took the long way home over the Lecht

Very happy with it.

 

[Q5 TRS]

nice mate, I'm hoping i can get mine before the 13th April as its Early Edition weekend..... not holding my breath tho!

 

[Scotty2011]

Very nice! The Lecht is a good drive. I was up Glenshee last Tuesday and was driving in blizzard conditions, got into the car park watching everyone else struggle in the snow. Got in and out the car park in a good 8"-9" of snow absolutely no bother. Quattro handled it perfectly. Loved it.

 

[Ashmcblue]

I'm driving mine in convoy with the family (RR sport is the other car) and me in my S3 to morzine January 15. That should be a right hoot. Bring on the snow.

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

I'm driving mine in convoy with the family (RR sport is the other car) and me in my S3 to morzine January 15. That should be a right hoot. Bring on the snow.

Make sure you have winter tyres (M&S) and a set of TUV approved chains in the boot then as the Gendarmes will not be pleased if you have an accident or block an approach road...

 

[Scotty2011]

Never did get any photos up of my car so here it is. This was after 6 hours of detailing just after I collected the car. See my very last picture, I used Auto Finesse Iron Out to get rid of railway dust, particles, filings most of which is too fine to see. But shows the true extent of the contamination that car picks up on its way from factory to the dealership. Used Werkstat sealant as a base coat then Auto Finesse Illusion wax.

 

[warren_S5]

Never did get any photos up of my car so here it is. This was after 6 hours of detailing just after I collected the car. See my very last picture, I used Auto Finesse Iron Out to get rid of railway dust, particles, filings most of which is too fine to see. But shows the true extent of the contamination that car picks up on its way from factory to the dealership. Used Werkstat sealant as a base coat then Auto Finesse Illusion wax.

Looks fantastic. Lovely to see one with the 'right' number of doors ;-)

 

[Joetidman]

2014 Audi S3 Saloon review what car report on the S3 Saloon. However in the report it suggests a slight delay on the stron which I never noticed on my test drive. Anyone else get this? Maybe he just had the throttle in comfort?

 

[illingworth22]

Guys,

I am speccing an S3 which I am due to execute tomorrow (or purchase a stock car) from Audi. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience of Magnetic Ride and whether it is an option worth pursuing and what meaningful effect it has on the car on a day to day basis.

Many thanks.

Mani

I had it on my TTS and I hardly ever used it! It was way too uncomfortable on even the best roads (Motorways) here in Ireland!

 

[illingworth22]

2014 Audi S3 Saloon review what car report on the S3 Saloon. However in the report it suggests a slight delay on the stron which I never noticed on my test drive. Anyone else get this? Maybe he just had the throttle in comfort?

I have not noticed any problems with my S3 3 Door S Tronic!

They also say the S3 with S Tronic has a 155 Grams of Fat and mine is 159! If it was 155 CO2 id have a road tax of 390 euro per year instead of 570 euro! Oh well money well spent

 

[PilotAudi]

Great week in France but just been flashed by speed camera by barrage de rance St Malo 70km limit reckon I was doing 100... ******! Any ideas? These S3's are superb just loving it!!

 

[Ashmcblue]

Great week in France but just been flashed by speed camera by barrage de rance St Malo 70km limit reckon I was doing 100... ******! Any ideas? These S3's are superb just loving it!!

Ignore it. My Polish friend had an A3 3.2 about 9 years ago. He used to boot it through speed cameras so it flashed.

They never caught up with him. He's got an S5 now and still does the same, as far as I know the registration documents are not transferable so you can get away with it if your car is on different plates to the country you are in.

I had a fiat panda in Italy and I got done, had to pay as europcar had my details.

 

[RossR]

Ignore it. My Polish friend had an A3 3.2 about 9 years ago. He used to boot it through speed cameras so it flashed.

They never caught up with him. He's got an S5 now and still does the same, as far as I know the registration documents are not transferable so you can get away with it if your car is on different plates to the country you are in.

I had a fiat panda in Italy and I got done, had to pay as europcar had my details.

I think things are changing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23619783

 

[Audimad]

Great week in France but just been flashed by speed camera by barrage de rance St Malo 70km limit reckon I was doing 100... ******! Any ideas? These S3's are superb just loving it!!

Yes bend over and take your punishment or "DON'T SPEED"!!!

 

[Ashmcblue]

I think things are changing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23619783

I think you can get away with it if you can do a good impression of Rene from Allo Allo.

Don't quote me on that.

 

[Q5 TRS]

View attachment 29224

Can't see the last pic of contamination mate

 

[Q5 TRS]

Ah it magically appeared for me when I quoted it! Haha

 

[Joetidman]

Pilot they can't give you points yet, but I'd pay the fine if I were you (although technically you can ignore that too)

 

[Scotty2011]

View attachment 29224

Can't see the last pic of contamination mate

View attachment 29277





Any better??

 

[Mani_S_Bhogal]

Scotty,

That looks serious - incredible what they pick up as you mention. Very insightful.

I love your spec on your S3 as well. Seriously loaded! Are there any other bits and bobs you felt you could do with now since you've had the car? Reason I ask, as some of you may be aware, I am speccing up an S3 S-tronic as Bexley Audi are in the process of absorbing my A3 SB which has been in and out of the dealership since last May when I picked it up.

Any assistance generally would be appreciated.

Also generally, has anyone got any pics of Panther Black, is it worth paying for crystal paint over the metallics and pearl effects??

Ta.

Mani

 

[Scotty2011]

Scotty,

That looks serious - incredible what they pick up as you mention. Very insightful.

I love your spec on your S3 as well. Seriously loaded! Are there any other bits and bobs you felt you could do with now since you've had the car? Reason I ask, as some of you may be aware, I am speccing up an S3 S-tronic as Bexley Audi are in the process of absorbing my A3 SB which has been in and out of the dealership since last May when I picked it up.

Any assistance generally would be appreciated.

Also generally, has anyone got any pics of Panther Black, is it worth paying for crystal paint over the metallics and pearl effects??

Ta.

Mani

Thanks! The only thing I wish I added on was the mono pur, it looks to finish off the interior nicely but I would have never considered it having not spent most of my days on this forum during the long wait when I ordered the car. I did try add it on but my order had already been locked. I am very happy with the spec I went for though. The LED lights are unreal, sports seats are extremely comfy and very smart looking. B&O will blow your mind. Coming from a mk2 Focus RS, the S3 is lightyears ahead of it.

 

[Q5 TRS]

Any better??

Yes mate thanks. Lots of contamination there. Suppose 90% of people aren't bothered and wouldn't go to this detail with looking for swirls etc when they collect the car so that's why they only cover part of the cars on transportation.

 

[Sparks43]

Yes mate thanks. Lots of contamination there. Suppose 90% of people aren't bothered and wouldn't go to this detail with looking for swirls etc when they collect the car so that's why they only cover part of the cars on transportation.

I had to have my bonnet redone on day of collection as just covered in swirls - I was told that all dark cars look like that under the 1000 watt bulbs.

At this point I told them that the sun is god only knows how much brighter than a 1000 watt bulb and it looks like they ran out of polishing cloths and used wire wool to polish it - Wasn't happy very poor detailing (most people had mentioned this anyway), fortunately on the 1st March a guy who does a lot of work for my local Audi lent them one of his guys who took the car away and did a proper job on it

I know they are busy leading up to the 1st March but if they haven't got the time to do the job properly then they should get mobile valeters in for that period - It's not like these cars are cheap (not that this should matter anyway) and you should expect perfection for something that's brand new

Like you say though 90% aren't bothered - I saw many cars as I was waiting to collect mine with swirls and little scratches etc and thought there is no way I would accept that but most are look at my nice new shiny car and off they go

 

[h5djr]

I think to some degree the moral of the story is "If you don't like to see swirls, don't order black or any other dark colour".

I have never been aware of any swirls on any of my eight A3s, but they have all been Silver. It's possible there are some but I certainly cannot see them under normal conditions. And before anyone says, I recently had cataract operations on both my eyes and I now longer need to wear any glasses for driving and I can now easily read the bottom row on the eye test chart

 

[Sparks43]

I think to some degree the moral of the story is "If you don't like to see swirls, don't order black or any other dark colour".

I have never been aware of any swirls on any of my eight A3s, but they have all been Silver. It's possible there are some but I certainly cannot see them under normal conditions. And before anyone says, I recently had cataract operations on both my eyes and I now longer need to wear any glasses for driving and I can now easily read the bottom row on the eye test chart

But that shouldn't be the case - If detailers can clean them without swirls why can't the PDI guys - We can't all drive around in silver cars

 

[Scotty2011]

I think to some degree the moral of the story is "If you don't like to see swirls, don't order black or any other dark colour".

I have never been aware of any swirls on any of my eight A3s, but they have all been Silver. It's possible there are some but I certainly cannot see them under normal conditions. And before anyone says, I recently had cataract operations on both my eyes and I now longer need to wear any glasses for driving and I can now easily read the bottom row on the eye test chart

Id put good money on that all of your silver cars have swirl marks to some degree, but like you say, black is an awful colour for showing swirls and the lighter colours make it a lot harder for them to see, even under the right light. I don't think id ever purchase a black car for that reason as I have borderline OCD on these things. Nothing a machine polish can't sort though!

 

[CraigI]

Thanks! The only thing I wish I added on was the mono pur, it looks to finish off the interior nicely but I would have never considered it having not spent most of my days on this forum during the long wait when I ordered the car. I did try add it on but my order had already been locked. I am very happy with the spec I went for though. The LED lights are unreal, sports seats are extremely comfy and very smart looking. B&O will blow your mind. Coming from a mk2 Focus RS, the S3 is lightyears ahead of it.

But not quite as good to drive on the edge?
Had an hour in a Focus RS (with 400hp) and it drives very well, especially cornering with masses of grip.
Always hankered after one, but don't think I could quite get over the line with the looks.

 

[Scotty2011]

But not quite as good to drive on the edge?
Had an hour in a Focus RS (with 400hp) and it drives very well, especially cornering with masses of grip.
Always hankered after one, but don't think I could quite get over the line with the looks.

It was a fun car to drive on a windy dry road, but that was really it for me. Its too much torque for a front wheel drive car, front wheels would slip all the time. And wasn't a particularly well built car, I had to replace the wiring loom for the sat nav as it was corroded, engine rattle, rear wheel arches were rusting, stitching was coming loose off the seats and to top it off, after I ordered the S3, the dual mass fly wheel and clutch needed replace just after it ran out of warranty. I did have good fun with it though, it kept up with M3's and RS4's.
I haven't had a chance to throw the S3 round any corners yet so can't compare in the handling with the RS.