S3 Saloon Ordering Dilemma

C

Cleggy70

Registered User
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
134
Reaction score
58
Points
28
Location
NULL
Hi guys, I have been given the following quote by dtd:-

S3 Saloon s-tronic, monsoon grey with options below:-

Privacy glass
Interior light pack
Electric folding/heated/dimming door mirrors
SD sat-nav
Advanced key
Reversing camera

Based on 7k miles with 10k deposit = £263 a month x 48, GFV = £16720

I know the deposit is big but firstly, I don’t have a car to chuck in and secondly I want to keep payments down so that my car allowance at work covers the monthly payment.

Saying all this, over the last couple of days I have been reviewing the options and will probably go for manual, (don’t do the miles) get rid of the advanced key and add the led lights.

Your opinions really would be appreciated guys as I need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. Also, if I stick to the mileage and the car is in decent condition, i.e. no bumps or scratches after 4 years what would your expectations be with respect to value? Is 20k realistic?
 
Hi, you've made a good choice of car in the saloon...
Firstly, and I think you already know this, a high deposit with PCP isn't a good policy because you will end up possibly losing the equity you put in. Have you looked at a personal loan with the high deposit instead? If the monthly payments are tight then is a S3 saloon really necessary? There are other models in the saloon that offer reasonable enough performance.
Secondly, why LED's when you don't do the mileage, the HID's are good enough really. Is a reversing camera really that necessary when the park plus does the job pretty well?
Thirdly I'd recommend the comfort pack as it give you more options with it.
Of course any options you choose are a matter of personal choice, but having been through this myself, you need to weigh up what you really need against any toys. Unless money is no object of course..
 
I'd agree on the headlights. I have the xenons (admittedly with variable beam and adaptive) but they are just fine.

Advanced key for me is a gimmick and not required, comfort pack is essential and will really help resale (rain sensor, light sensor, auto dim rear view mirror, cruise, acoustic windscreen).

If you were going to add a luxury I'd say the super sports seats as they look great or the Audi Sound System or B&O.

Audi Sound System really is good value and nearly as good as B&O.

Hill Hold Assist and Tyre Pressure Warning are also no brainers as they cost so little.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joetidman
Cleggy70 said:
Your opinions really would be appreciated guys as I need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. Also, if I stick to the mileage and the car is in decent condition, i.e. no bumps or scratches after 4 years what would your expectations be with respect to value? Is 20k realistic?
Click to expand...

I would think 20K after 4 years is a little bit optimistic. I have owned eight A3 Sportbacks and generally work on a trade-in value of 50-55% after 3 years and 36k miles.

I agree with what has been said about the Comfort pack and Advanced key. Also I think the Xenon headlights are more than adequate unless you spend all your time driving at night. Hold Assist and TMS again very good for little extra cost. Sound system depends on how much you listen to music when driving. Personally I don't so I am quite happy with the standard fit.
 
cuke2u said:
Hi, you've made a good choice of car in the saloon...
Firstly, and I think you already know this, a high deposit with PCP isn't a good policy because you will end up possibly losing the equity you put in. Have you looked at a personal loan with the high deposit instead? If the monthly payments are tight then is a S3 saloon really necessary? There are other models in the saloon that offer reasonable enough performance.
Secondly, why LED's when you don't do the mileage, the HID's are good enough really. Is a reversing camera really that necessary when the park plus does the job pretty well?
Thirdly I'd recommend the comfort pack as it give you more options with it.
Of course any options you choose are a matter of personal choice, but having been through this myself, you need to weigh up what you really need against any toys. Unless money is no object of course..
Click to expand...

Cheers for the input cuke2u, have taken on board your comments.
I think I will still be going down the S3 route, had a car for 16 years whilst others around me have changed 3/4 times.
Now is my time to enjoy. Will look into tweaking my order based on yours and others comments.
I did look briefly at loans but they were still coming out quite high.
 
Last edited:
Itguy said:
I'd agree on the headlights. I have the xenons (admittedly with variable beam and adaptive) but they are just fine.

Advanced key for me is a gimmick and not required, comfort pack is essential and will really help resale (rain sensor, light sensor, auto dim rear view mirror, cruise, acoustic windscreen).

If you were going to add a luxury I'd say the super sports seats as they look great or the Audi Sound System or B&O.

Audi Sound System really is good value and nearly as good as B&O.

Hill Hold Assist and Tyre Pressure Warning are also no brainers as they cost so little.
Click to expand...

h5djr said:
I would think 20K after 4 years is a little bit optimistic. I have owned eight A3 Sportbacks and generally work on a trade-in value of 50-55% after 3 years and 36k miles.

I agree with what has been said about the Comfort pack and Advanced key. Also I think the Xenon headlights are more than adequate unless you spend all your time driving at night. Hold Assist and TMS again very good for little extra cost. Sound system depends on how much you listen to music when driving. Personally I don't so I am quite happy with the standard fit.
Click to expand...

Cheers for the input guys will take on board.
 
I have an S3 saloon on order (ordered 3rd Jan). I went for a manual, mainly because it was cheaper and I was already pushing myself choosing the saloon over the sportback but I much preferred the looks. For what it's worth my spec is:

Comfort pack with front parking sensors.
Tech pack high with Audi connect.
Bang and Olufsen.
Advanced key.
Folding and heated mirrors.

I think that's everything! Although I'm starting to forget what I put on as the wait is that long I'm trying to not constantly think about it. I have been tempted to add the lighting pack or mono pur but as yet haven't. It all comes down to personal taste at the end of the day. My girlfriend has advanced key on her car and I really like it, so handy when loading up etc. You just need to be happy with what you have ordered as it will be you that will be driving it daily.
 
I think there is consensus that hold assist is a cheap feature worth adding, other than that sounds like a cracking car !
 
Cleggy70 said:
Hi guys, I have been given the following quote by dtd:-

S3 Saloon s-tronic, monsoon grey with options below:-

Privacy glass
Interior light pack
Electric folding/heated/dimming door mirrors
SD sat-nav
Advanced key
Reversing camera

Based on 7k miles with 10k deposit = £263 a month x 48, GFV = £16720

I know the deposit is big but firstly, I don’t have a car to chuck in and secondly I want to keep payments down so that my car allowance at work covers the monthly payment.

Saying all this, over the last couple of days I have been reviewing the options and will probably go for manual, (don’t do the miles) get rid of the advanced key and add the led lights.

Your opinions really would be appreciated guys as I need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. Also, if I stick to the mileage and the car is in decent condition, i.e. no bumps or scratches after 4 years what would your expectations be with respect to value? Is 20k realistic?
Click to expand...

£10k is a big deposit. I'm putting in £3.7k deposit (£2k coming from a trade-in) and then £410 a month x 36 months. GMFV £18.1k on a £33k car (after £2k discount). I personally would look at £5k deposit and see what that does to monthly repayments.

Obviously swings and roundabouts witht the deposit but the general rule I work by is you will usually get a smallish % of this back come trade-in time. Hence why I try keep deposit low.
 
Pulp84 said:
£10k is a big deposit. I'm putting in £3.7k deposit (£2k coming from a trade-in) and then £410 a month x 36 months. GMFV £18.1k on a £33k car (after £2k discount). I personally would look at £5k deposit and see what that does to monthly repayments.

Obviously swings and roundabouts witht the deposit but the general rule I work by is you will usually get a smallish % of this back come trade-in time. Hence why I try keep deposit low.
Click to expand...

Nice one pulp, I'll review my deposit and try to sort my options out (there are too many).
I could quite happily go to the £350 mark so I'll see where I end up.
 
Accurate mileage per year lowers the monthly payments, but puts the GMV up at the end. If you only actually do 5k a year then it is worth quoting for it. Some have found that taking it hit for excess mileage at the end of the deal has also been worth it compared to the reduction in the monthly amount...
 
On a s3 sportback the 2,000 mile increments add £700 each to the final value figure I.e my figure after 4 years was £14,400 after changing the mileage to 10,000 it was £15,100 or thereabouts.
 
Cleggy70 said:
Based on 7k miles with 10k deposit = £263 a month x 48, GFV = £16720

Your opinions really would be appreciated guys as I need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. Also, if I stick to the mileage and the car is in decent condition, i.e. no bumps or scratches after 4 years what would your expectations be with respect to value? Is 20k realistic?
Click to expand...




if the GFV is the final payment in order to 'own' the car then the total paid would be £39,344 which sounds a hell of a lot.
There is no way the car will be worth £20k after 4 years.
I think its fair to say the car will be worth between 40% to 45% of its base value (without options) plus approx £500 for sat nav if fitted.
As the others have said, think this over and give the financial side thorough consideration.
Great car though, the saloon S3 will be fab :icon_thumright:
 
Great choice in an S3 Saloon, its the best one (no bias from me ;)) As above would suggest comfort pack, drop advanced key (waste of money), I'd swap reversing camera for sensors personally too. In terms of the money, if its your 'special' car after years of waiting, the don't give it too much thought. If you did you wouldn't buy a new car at all, makes dreadful financial sense, just buy some old volvo. Just get it, get the options you personally really want (not what will help it 'sell' later) and accept you're getting something really nice! Good Luck!
 
I can only assume people who have never had advanced key, would opt not to have it. It quickly becomes very convenient.

I would also advis eto stick to packages rather than options to get best value - for example, the adaptive cruise control is very helpful and a great safety feature on start stop motorway traffic.
 
Advanced key is something I would definitely want. Although too expensive for what it is it is worth it for me for the peace of mind of not having a key embedded in my kneecap in case of a collision!
 
If cockpit intrusion is such that it means your key gets into your knee, that'll be the least of your worries!

Each to there own, I'd rather spend £350 on adaptive cruise (as part of comfort pack) compared with a fancy key for £425. Just doesn't add up in terms of value for money for me, but there you go
 
Advanced key is great, really like it - same with the reversing camera, would rather have that than sensors if I had to make a choice. Incredibly useful (especially when backing up to trailers!)
 
Question for those with Advanced key - you're driving along on the motorway, and for a laugh, you mate in the passenger seat presses and holds down the Start/Stop button.

Does the car switch off?

I don't like the idea of the Start/Stop button being on the passenger side on RHD !!
 
Yes, it would. At which point you restart the engine, pull over in the next layby, and throw them out and tell them to walk.

I don't find this any more concerning than having a handbrake that a passenger could pull 'for a laugh'... why on earth would they do that? Is this a serious question?
 
I suppose the button does need to be active (ie: able to switch off) just incase the car ever developed Toyota style brakes :D Ot the accelerator got "stuck on" etc.

I wish they would have swopped the position of the Start/Stop button for RHD, I really don't like the idea of the button being on the passenger side!! (Temptation !!)
 
Why not? It's not like they couldn't reach it if it was on the drivers side.

Far more important that they don't have control of the music :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: RossR
veeeight said:
Question for those with Advanced key - you're driving along on the motorway, and for a laugh, you mate in the passenger seat presses and holds down the Start/Stop button.

Does the car switch off?

I don't like the idea of the Start/Stop button being on the passenger side on RHD !!
Click to expand...

It's the same as your mate pulling on the handbrake for a laugh. To be honest if you've got mates like that then you need a friend refresh...
 
If you switch engine off whilst driving, it is effectively the same as driving with non advanced key or normal key for that matter. The car's engine slows the car. Only with Auto, you have to wait until it stops (or brake to a stop) before you can engage Park to start engine again.

If you press the e handbrake it performs an emergency brake and applies all brakes - very scary to do as you would imagine. I've only ever seen this online.
 
Guys,

What is this colour found on the A3 saloon a few months back?


S3
 
It does like Daytona Grey, but it is an s-line? I can't see an S-Line badge on it which would suggest it is monsoon grey.
 
That's an S3 Saloon you can tell as there are exhaust tips at the right hand side, as for the colour it looks like Daytona with option alloys to me. Looks real nice!!
 
audi upgrades
veeeight said:
Question for those with Advanced key - you're driving along on the motorway, and for a laugh, you mate in the passenger seat presses and holds down the Start/Stop button.

Does the car switch off?

I don't like the idea of the Start/Stop button being on the passenger side on RHD !!
Click to expand...

Coming back to this question, no. The button has to be held down over a certain speed or pressed twice in quick succession...
 
Longy said:
If it's an A3 sedan, could it be Daytona Grey? As that is a standard choice on A3 sedan, but it's an Audi Exclusive on the S3 Sedan (true in Australian market)
Click to expand...

Yes it is Daytona Grey as I have seen that photo on another forum...
 
audi upgrades
cuke2u said:
Coming back to this question, no. The button has to be held down over a certain speed or pressed twice in quick succession...
Click to expand...

I was thinking of the same thing with the start/stop button, what happens if it was presses will driving, was going to try it on a very quiet street in the dealership demo car, but forgot to try it.
 
RossR said:
How is it any different to a manual handbrake?
Click to expand...

Well it is, push of a button isn't as reassuring as pulling a lever. Plus I always liked to check that my handbrake is on after I got out of the car - can't do it now.
 
What ever way the handbrake is operated, and it is still a pull which ever method is used, they both can be put on when going along. If the eletronic one works as it should then it won't just lock the rear wheels like a mechanical one will...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Ordering S3 Saloon
Replies
26
Views
2K
Chimp
Chimp
Lewbo
Ordering S3 Glacier Saloon
Replies
47
Views
9K
Matthew 79
M
D
s3 saloon facelift colour choice dilemma!
Replies
36
Views
9K
moonlight
moonlight
Djs3saloon
Ordering s3 saloon nano grey BE any pictures???
Replies
0
Views
749
Djs3saloon
Djs3saloon
L
Facelift S3 Ordering Advice
Replies
3
Views
596
Audi Bairn
Audi Bairn
Top
Back