On the Golf 6 with sports suspension and 17" wheels here and I find the ride quite hard over poor roads. Can anyone compare to the Audi SE suspension as a comparison ?
Sport Or Se Suspension?
- Thread starter J4MMYz
- Start date
I was thinking this exact same question.. but then I checked and the option to select SE suspension has disappeared from the Audi configurator :/
With SE spec you get SE suspension
With Sport spec you get lowered sport suspension
With S-Line you can choose between sport and S-line.
No option to specify SE suspension without also going for SE spec it seems
With SE spec you get SE suspension
With Sport spec you get lowered sport suspension
With S-Line you can choose between sport and S-line.
No option to specify SE suspension without also going for SE spec it seems
snakehips
Registered User
I was thinking this exact same question.. but then I checked and the option to select SE suspension has disappeared from the Audi configurator :/
With SE spec you get SE suspension
With Sport spec you get lowered sport suspension
With S-Line you can choose between sport and S-line.
No option to specify SE suspension without also going for SE spec it seems
This is interesting! Anyone know why? If this had been the case a year ago I would not have bought an A3!
It's certainly yet another nudge towards a Golf for me, unfortunately, when I move on from my 8P which I was planning to do imminently.
For why, I'd assume it's a stock/manufacture thing and hopefully is just temporary. There are other combinations that are missing which is pretty unlike Audi - for eg if you go for the 125ps 1.4 tfsi engine you can't have progressive steering. No engineering reason why this isn't the case any more, I reckon they've just built up a stock of certain base combinations and want to get through them.
Well having come from a Golf GTD, to A3 S Line diesel quattro, I deselected the sports suspension in favor for the se, I now after 5 months have no regrets whatsoever. I did test drive a S Line with the standard suspension, and found it okay on main trunk roads, however on the B and C roads in Norfolk no way could I put up with the harsh ride.
Suggest one checks with a dealer ref deselecting sports suspension on S Line model, to see if this is still available ie. To go for the se suspension set up.
Having read various posts ref Mag ride system would appear not to soften the ride that much. And the cost prohibitive for me even if it did work well. There again my local dealer did not have one with Mag ride to test.
The are only my views for what they are worth. Everybody's opinion of what is a comfortable/harsh ride differ.
Suggest one checks with a dealer ref deselecting sports suspension on S Line model, to see if this is still available ie. To go for the se suspension set up.
Having read various posts ref Mag ride system would appear not to soften the ride that much. And the cost prohibitive for me even if it did work well. There again my local dealer did not have one with Mag ride to test.
The are only my views for what they are worth. Everybody's opinion of what is a comfortable/harsh ride differ.
Yes well this was what I was intending - either sport or maybe S-line spec but definitely in need of de-selected sport (ie SE) suspension for my usual commute . The same commute is the reason I went for an SE 8P in the first place over a sport 8P or another german marque, but now it seems my choices are limited to a Golf, an SE spec Audi, something unmentionable from Ellesemere Port, or worse, across the channel!
My local dealer said they only sell sport spec suspension models - don't think that was in anyway saying I couldn't, just simply there wasn't any demand for SE suspension (same also applied to A1s).
Interesting - my dealer in Exeter says that almost ALL the S-Line cars they sell are specced with SE suspension! Maybe it's to do with the awful roads we have here in Devon? I have the S-Line with SE suspension and I think it's a great compromise between comfort and handling .... but then as I'm old I'm not looking to go round bends at max attack.
Yeah... I have a Golf GTD and my wife has an Audi SE. Look for my previous posts on this subject. Basically, my car is jiggly and uncomfortable (which is how we found the 2 A3s on sport suspension) and my wife's new A3 SE is a lot smoother and a lot more comfortable. Though probably not as comfortable as the SE Golf we tested for some strange reason?!
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I was thinking this exact same question.. but then I checked and the option to select SE suspension has disappeared from the Audi
No option to specify SE suspension without also going for SE spec it seems
Our dealer told us that the sport suspension was actually fine. Despite the fact that all the reviews I have read (but one) recommend deleting sport suspension. We strongly agreed with the reviews.
Hmmmm... what am I going to do now! ... wanted comfortable, economical, and quick... ruled out another GTD - not comfortable, on our roads... A3 Sport 184ps with SE suspension WAS gonna be my next car
Hopefully, this is only temporary and they will bring the option back!
snakehips
Registered User
Our dealer told us that the sport suspension was actually fine. Despite the fact that all the reviews I have read (but one) recommend deleting sport suspension. We strongly agreed with the reviews.
Hmmmm... what am I going to do now! ... wanted comfortable, economical, and quick... ruled out another GTD - not comfortable, on our roads... A3 Sport 184ps with SE suspension WAS gonna be my next car
Hopefully, this is only temporary and they will bring the option back!
Maybe a search for a cancelled order is the only hope?
Our dealer told us that the sport suspension was actually fine. Despite the fact that all the reviews I have read (but one) recommend deleting sport suspension. We strongly agreed with the reviews.
Hmmmm... what am I going to do now! ... wanted comfortable, economical, and quick... ruled out another GTD - not comfortable, on our roads... A3 Sport 184ps with SE suspension WAS gonna be my next car
Hopefully, this is only temporary and they will bring the option back!
My current A3 is a 184PS Sport quattro on SE suspension and 17" wheels and I must say I find it very comfortable and have not problem with the ride or the handling.
If Audi no longer offer the SE suspension on the Sport model then my current A3 will probable be my last. In the past I've has SE models on 17" wheels but the seats on the current SE are no where near as comfortable as the Sport seats.
Perhaps we will know more when Audi issue the next Price and Specification brochure. The current one on their website is April 2014.
snakehips
Registered User
Yup, this is my first Audi and I love it so much I thought I'd have many in the future. But this one thing, though it might seem trivial to some, would mean I don't buy another one. What a shame.
Me too. So many reviews of thre A3 recommend ticking the delete option and now they've taken it away.
If the sport suspension delete option wasn't available when I ordered my car then I would now be driving a Golf GT.
This just further erodes the choices you have when ordering...
Want sports seats? Get a Sport or S-Line.
Want standard suspension? Get an SE.
Want both? Tough luck!
Did they only have this option to get more favourable reviews! Wonder if they will bring it back for the next round of reviews in 2016/2017?
Was the option only removed by Audi UK?
I guess they have decide that ride comfort is not important to the majority of their customers. Style over substance in this cosmetic world we live in.
I noticed a review of the new polo said one of the 'cons' was that higher spec polo's had lower profile tyres and lowered suspension and were therefore less comfortable. Seems this is a motoring trend. Pay more money for less comfort!
I find this trend particularly strange given the state of many of the roads I drive on.
I checked with my dealer at Audi Exeter this morning and he wasn't aware of this change - in fact he says:
"We can still opt for it at the moment to order cars".
So maybe its just a mistake on the configurator (wouldn't be the first time!).
"We can still opt for it at the moment to order cars".
So maybe its just a mistake on the configurator (wouldn't be the first time!).
Looking at the Germany Price List document dated 4 August 2014 it seem that the SE suspension can sill be added to their version of the Sport model so perhaps it is just an error on the configurator. Lets hope so.
I think you're right. My local dealer got back to me and said they were able to deselect it on their configurator tool (it's in 'part23' whatever that means), so it's presumably a mistake in the user-facing one.
First post, don`t currently drive an Audi. I tested an A3 sportback 150 COD s line s tronic 2 weeks ago. Very impressed but want progressive steering, so dilemma time after reading the posts regarding SE suspension. I`m 60 now but not too old for a sporty drive.
Drove 2 Golf GTD`s on standard suspension with progressive steering, one had 19" wheels very bad ride. Off the list.
Roads in Essex are rubbish around town. So far priced up A3 150 COD s line s tronic with magnetic ride with adaptive cruise, side assist, parking+, sound system, electric folding door mirrors, comfort pack, metallic 30k ouch! Trying to find a demo not too far away with a magnetic set up. Plan to keep for 4 years.
Have one other car on short list, Seat Leon Cupra 280 5 dr DSG standard magnetic equivalent and 19" wheels std (would change to 18" wheels). Ride in comfort mode good but not ideal on poor roads. 2 very different cars. We shall see.
Drove 2 Golf GTD`s on standard suspension with progressive steering, one had 19" wheels very bad ride. Off the list.
Roads in Essex are rubbish around town. So far priced up A3 150 COD s line s tronic with magnetic ride with adaptive cruise, side assist, parking+, sound system, electric folding door mirrors, comfort pack, metallic 30k ouch! Trying to find a demo not too far away with a magnetic set up. Plan to keep for 4 years.
Have one other car on short list, Seat Leon Cupra 280 5 dr DSG standard magnetic equivalent and 19" wheels std (would change to 18" wheels). Ride in comfort mode good but not ideal on poor roads. 2 very different cars. We shall see.
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First post here guys but I thought I would add my own thoughts on the suspension.
I picked up my Sportback 1.4 TFSI 150 Sport yesterday. Having read lots of positive and negative posts about the suspension options I had started to get a bit worried about not having the SE suspension fitted. I had no option with my suspension being the sport set-up as I took a car already locked into a build week. The car I traded in was a 10 plate ford focus 1.6 diesel with 17" alloys. The main point I would make is that the A3 is far more comfortable on every road surface that it has been on so far than the focus which was on a standard suspension set-up..
I picked up my Sportback 1.4 TFSI 150 Sport yesterday. Having read lots of positive and negative posts about the suspension options I had started to get a bit worried about not having the SE suspension fitted. I had no option with my suspension being the sport set-up as I took a car already locked into a build week. The car I traded in was a 10 plate ford focus 1.6 diesel with 17" alloys. The main point I would make is that the A3 is far more comfortable on every road surface that it has been on so far than the focus which was on a standard suspension set-up..
I think it is the configurator that is wrong. There is an updated A3 and S3 brochure on the audi uk website - now dated August 2014 and the deselection of Sport suspension option is still in there.
My A3 with 18 inch alloys and Sport suspension arrived yesterday and is absolutely fine for me even on some of the poor roads around home - as usual it is all down to personal preference.
I have not spotted any obvious changes in the brochure yet.
My A3 with 18 inch alloys and Sport suspension arrived yesterday and is absolutely fine for me even on some of the poor roads around home - as usual it is all down to personal preference.
I have not spotted any obvious changes in the brochure yet.
Nice to see the SE suspension is still available on Sport and S-line.
After a quick look at the new August brochure I've not seen any changes. I'm sure there must some but the basic price of my 2.0TDI-184 quattro s-tronic is still the same.
After a quick look at the new August brochure I've not seen any changes. I'm sure there must some but the basic price of my 2.0TDI-184 quattro s-tronic is still the same.
Well I just test drove two 2.0 tdi A3s, both Sport trim with the Sport suspension.. and they were completely different.
The first was the demo car, a cabriolet. Horrible. Bumps were very intrusive and uncomfortable, and the body was fidgety on undulating roads. Had a good long drive and it completely put me off.
Then had a drive in a saloon Sport - I'd asked to try this first, but was told the cabriolet was identical and there was absolutely no difference in feel. The dealer couldn't be more wrong. Bumps were much better dampened, and the body was vastly more stable on undulating roads. Suddenly I was back in the market.
So now I'm undecided. Need to test a golf as well but local dealer seems to be preferring to do anything but help me arrange a test drive, so they might be making my decision for me.
The first was the demo car, a cabriolet. Horrible. Bumps were very intrusive and uncomfortable, and the body was fidgety on undulating roads. Had a good long drive and it completely put me off.
Then had a drive in a saloon Sport - I'd asked to try this first, but was told the cabriolet was identical and there was absolutely no difference in feel. The dealer couldn't be more wrong. Bumps were much better dampened, and the body was vastly more stable on undulating roads. Suddenly I was back in the market.
So now I'm undecided. Need to test a golf as well but local dealer seems to be preferring to do anything but help me arrange a test drive, so they might be making my decision for me.
From what I have read the Audi SE suspension is firmer than the Golf equivalent but is softer than the Golf GT suspension.
Ignoring the cosmetics, I would imagine the Audi on 16 inch wheels with SE would be the most softest setup. It is just a shame this wheel size is not offered in the Sport or S-line.
Ignoring the cosmetics, I would imagine the Audi on 16 inch wheels with SE would be the most softest setup. It is just a shame this wheel size is not offered in the Sport or S-line.
I had that discussion with our dealer. What comes from the factory is what you get.
I notice that 184PS is not available in SE spec. Is this because the FWD needs 17 inch sports tyres for better grip? I only get wheel spin when I try, on my 16 inch winter tyres. Entirely depends on how heavy footed I am.
Picked up my SB sport with SE suspension yesterday and I've no regrets about deselecting it. Test drove both and the sport suspension was jarring and uncomfortable.
Reading all this makes me wonder...
I know that my old GTD feels totally different to my wife's A3. But that can be easily explained - suspension, chassis, tyres, weight... etc.
From test driving new cars of similar spec - people have reported finding that - petrol feels different to diesel, cabriolet feels different to saloon, quattro feels different to FWD, Golf feels different to A3. Surely VAG are not using different suspension components in all these variations of basically the same car? Or is it all about steering setup, chassis stiffness and weight distribution? Is the MBQ chassis that tuneable? A snip here, a snip there and Bob's your Auntie!
I know that my old GTD feels totally different to my wife's A3. But that can be easily explained - suspension, chassis, tyres, weight... etc.
From test driving new cars of similar spec - people have reported finding that - petrol feels different to diesel, cabriolet feels different to saloon, quattro feels different to FWD, Golf feels different to A3. Surely VAG are not using different suspension components in all these variations of basically the same car? Or is it all about steering setup, chassis stiffness and weight distribution? Is the MBQ chassis that tuneable? A snip here, a snip there and Bob's your Auntie!
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Yes.
The one dimension that is fixed in MQB is centre of front axle to pedal box, and only longitudinally. This also fixes engine position, and bulkhead. Everything else is up for grabs. As are components.
The one dimension that is fixed in MQB is centre of front axle to pedal box, and only longitudinally. This also fixes engine position, and bulkhead. Everything else is up for grabs. As are components.
Had a brief test drive if an A3 S3 saloon with Magnetic ride of Friday. Test route was a bit congested, loads of speed humps. Even with 19" wheels set to comfort for a comparison, I could notice a distinct improvement, compared to my 2012 Octavia VRS cr hatch (ok old chassis but A3 much smoother). Have also driven a Seat Leon Cupra 280, standard fit Bridgestone Potenza, Audi was better on Continentals. If I buy an Audi, will go with magnetic option and change tyres to Goodyear FI (as fitted to current car 2 months ago).
Reading all this makes me wonder...
I know that my old GTD feels totally different to my wife's A3. But that can be easily explained - suspension, chassis, tyres, weight... etc.
From test driving new cars of similar spec - people have reported finding that - petrol feels different to diesel, cabriolet feels different to saloon, quattro feels different to FWD, Golf feels different to A3. Surely VAG are not using different suspension components in all these variations of basically the same car? Or is it all about steering setup, chassis stiffness and weight distribution? Is the MBQ chassis that tuneable? A snip here, a snip there and Bob's your Auntie!
I haven't checked the parts list but I would be surprised if there aren't many variations of suspension components, based on the different possible model combinations eg:
Petrol A3 v Diesel A3 v S3
FWD v 4WD
Cab v Sportback v Hatchback
SE v Sport v S-Line suspension
and combinations of the above.
This was discussed back in Feb, the following post lists some of the code permutations:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-on-s-line-suspension-dealer-locator.210106/#post-2086157
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-on-s-line-suspension-dealer-locator.210106/#post-2086157
You couldn't buy any chance post a pic showing the side profile of your car?
I'm struggling to find an A3 s line 3 door on SE suspension which is something I'm also considering. Thanks for your help
I'll post it tomorrow if I remember, I do have a pic but it was taken in dusk so you can hardly see the gap..
Apparently the only difference between SE and sport suspension is 10mm - thats hardly anything, the A3 in the showroom was near to mine on hand over, I hardly noticed the difference.
The ride is fairly firm anyway, if you don't like rough rides then SE is to be considered, but if the ride height bugs you then you'll have to sacrifice for a rough ride, it's personal opinion
Heres the pic I have already: but it is dark...dsc00034-jpg.47653 - if you look at the alloy and the top of the fender, then imagine the tyre there you can for now see the gap lol - i'll get a pic in the daylight
Your in luck, I found a photo that I took using the new camera, it's not anything specific so it's not the best pic of the car, but hope it helps, you can have a better one if you want.
Gotta say, for a 20MP camera, my iPhone 6 takes better photo's... and my Samsung 16MP camera - The GPS doesn't seem to work on it either which is annoying me..
Awesome, thats perfect and just what I was looking for (I'm no photographer so only use my iPhone these days too)! There are lots of comments on the different suspensions but actually finding a 3 door on SE suspension to look at has been such a pain. Haha.
You're right though, can barely tell the difference in ride hight and doesn't affect the look of the car at all.
Thanks for the help its really appreciated, and hope you're enjoying you're new toy!
Thats no problem, you are right - I held my breath a little as I seen no pics of 3 doors, only 5 doors - and it looks like 5 door version is lower than 3 door.
At least we have a few pics of one with SE suspension now haha.
