2008 Audi A3 facelift

[Nelson_R32]

The facelift comes out in July 2008; as confirmed by Audi UK.

All new model will be out late 2010/early 2011

 

[dm_irish]

I was at my dealer's R8 launch the other night and got there a bit early so had a good chat with him about what changes were on the way. He confirmed that the beige sportback earlier in this post is only a facelifted s-line bumper (checked with Germany). He reckoned that they'd probably change to a new model in mid to late 2009 as it will be six years old by then and that the new golf being brought forward would make it more likely that they wouldn't leave the new A3 much longer. He also thought the 1.4 wouldn't be too big a seller (at least over here anyway).

He also said there would be no major changes to the existing model, other than perhaps a reprofiling of the lights, and some interior changes. There's also talk of a limited edition A3 - presumably to shift some stock.

While there I had a good look around the TT roadster and the new A5 and S5. I'm not due to change until 2009/10, but depending on when the A3 is replaced I could be convinced to trade up to the A5 or TT.

how in the know is this guy Mark? I was on to my dealer last week and they told me the exact opposite of that. They are expecting a facelift model mid next year and expect the 1.4TFSI to totally replace the 1.6 and 1.6FSI too.

The story that the pics are just an sline bumper change may be true but they wouldn't facelift the sline bumper and not the standard car imo. The look of the bumper is clearly designed to have the A3 match up with the new A4 and A5 look. It is practically identical to the new A4 sline bumper so you would assume they will change the main model to match the A4 main model too..

 

[TDI-line]

Makes perfect business sense really. Use the niche, top of the range S3 product to drive a bit more life out of the current A3 design, then facelift the product range to drive continued interest right through to the replacement in 2010/2011.
Let's face it, if it's facelifted and in the flesh looks the mutt's nuts, we'l all aspire to upgrade to a facelift model.... how long was the old shape S3 on the scene before a facelift version came on the scene? Wasn't that about 12-18 months????

Well said.

 

[MarcQuinlivan]

how in the know is this guy Mark? I was on to my dealer last week and they told me the exact opposite of that. They are expecting a facelift model mid next year and expect the 1.4TFSI to totally replace the 1.6 and 1.6FSI too.

The story that the pics are just an sline bumper change may be true but they wouldn't facelift the sline bumper and not the standard car imo. The look of the bumper is clearly designed to have the A3 match up with the new A4 and A5 look. It is practically identical to the new A4 sline bumper so you would assume they will change the main model to match the A4 main model too..

well the dealer he works for is owned by Audi Ireland, so draw your own conclusions on that. He's quite knowledgeable about the entire Audi range, so found no reason to doubt him.

I would assume there'd be some changes to the exterior of the standard A3, my point was merely that he confirmed that the beige one above had a new s-line front bumper.

in relation to the 1.4 being the better seller, I was referring to the irish market - i'm sure the UK market may be different with CO2 emissions and whatnot. Over here the 1.6 is currently the bestselling engine in the A3 and they don't expect that to change in the near future.

 

[dm_irish]

well the dealer he works for is owned by Audi Ireland, so draw your own conclusions on that. He's quite knowledgeable about the entire Audi range, so found no reason to doubt him.

I would assume there'd be some changes to the exterior of the standard A3, my point was merely that he confirmed that the beige one above had a new s-line front bumper.

in relation to the 1.4 being the better seller, I was referring to the irish market - i'm sure the UK market may be different with CO2 emissions and whatnot. Over here the 1.6 is currently the bestselling engine in the A3 and they don't expect that to change in the near future.

Sorry, I should have been clearer, I was speaking to a main dealer in Dublin and meant for the Irish market, the facelift will arrive here mid next year as in the UK. The 1.6 will be replaced by the 1.4TFSI, with the VRT saving people will get a much more powerful engine at the same price point. As the VRT system is changing anyway it is possible it will even be cheaper.

 

[MarcQuinlivan]

Sorry, I should have been clearer, I was speaking to a main dealer in Dublin and meant for the Irish market, the facelift will arrive here mid next year as in the UK. The 1.6 will be replaced by the 1.4TFSI, with the VRT saving people will get a much more powerful engine at the same price point. As the VRT system is changing anyway it is possible it will even be cheaper.

I'll take your word for it. I, like you, am only repeating what I was told. I too was speaking to a mail dealer in Dublin.

We'll see how it pans out, but I'd be hopeful the all new A3 won't be released until late 09\early 10, as I'm not due to change till then and don't want to be stuck with the old model, or worse still have the new model come out a year or so after I change.

 

[dm_irish]

I'll take your word for it. I, like you, am only repeating what I was told. I too was speaking to a mail dealer in Dublin.

We'll see how it pans out, but I'd be hopeful the all new A3 won't be released until late 09\early 10, as I'm not due to change till then and don't want to be stuck with the old model, or worse still have the new model come out a year or so after I change.

agreed, no way to know if they really know what they are talking about. I often get the feeling they aren't as up to date as the forums are. I was looking for information on the 1.4TFSI with a view to changing around now, but will wait and see what happens. I'll probably look at it in the facelift or the new A4 for next year. I couldn't get any pricing info on the A4 though

 

[MarcQuinlivan]

agreed, no way to know if they really know what they are talking about. I often get the feeling they aren't as up to date as the forums are. I was looking for information on the 1.4TFSI with a view to changing around now, but will wait and see what happens. I'll probably look at it in the facelift or the new A4 for next year. I couldn't get any pricing info on the A4 though

My dealer told me the A4 would be slightly more expensive than the current one and will initially be available in 1.8T and 2.0TDI only. For "slightly" I think he said two grand or so, but I could be mistaken.

 

[auroan]

For "slightly" I think he said two grand or so, but I could be mistaken.

Blimey, I wouldn't put £2K as slightly more expensive.... £500 maybe, but £2K !?

 

[Amchlolor]

My dealer told me the A4 would be slightly more expensive than the current one and will initially be available in 1.8T and 2.0TDI only. For "slightly" I think he said two grand or so, but I could be mistaken.

Prices are out in the UK for the new A4,but only in SE spec just now.
Around GBP23500.00 for SE,which is around the same as present car,I think.
As you say,****-poor range of engines for it to start with,which will definitely hurt initial sales.
It would have been on my 'possible' list (new company car due start of year),but I'm not willing to put up with a 143bhp diesel when I can get (much) more from other manufacturers.

 

[MarcQuinlivan]

Blimey, I wouldn't put £2K as slightly more expensive.... £500 maybe, but £2K !?

we're talking 2000 euros, so about 1300 of your english pounds - but cars are priced differently over here. we have vehicle registration tax (which is between 22.5 and 30 per cent depending on engine size) and higher vat levels.

In the UK you may well be looking at a five to six hundred pound increase.

 

[Amchlolor]

I have the 2008 A4 UK price list here
1.8tfsi GBP 22590.00
2.0tdi GBP 23940.00
Both SE spec.

Current models are
1.8T GBP 21810.00
2.0tdi GBP 22740.00
SE spec again

So a fair increase on both models.
Don't have time to compare difference in respective SE specs though.

All I know is a 143bhp diesel isn't exciting me !

 

[dm_irish]

thanks for that Mark, that would make the 1.8T in sport/ambition come in at around €45k which is a bit steep considering you would have to add metallic and the lights etc on top of that.

Also sickening to see how much more we pay than the uk..

 

[MarcQuinlivan]

thanks for that Mark, that would make the 1.8T in sport/ambition come in at around €45k which is a bit steep considering you would have to add metallic and the lights etc on top of that.

Also sickening to see how much more we pay than the uk..

45k sounds about right from what I remember.

yeah, you'd get an A5 or TT up north for the price of an A3 down here.

I have a brother who lives just outside belfast and have often thought of buying up north and registering to his house, but I have an aunt who works for the customs, so I'm sure she'd frown upon it. Wouldn't do for her to go out and confiscate a northern reg car only for the owner to ask why her nephew is driving one!

plus, knowing my luck, i'd be the one who wouldn't get away with it!

 

[RGBArgee]

Any one got any info on the Td1 170 engine, is this to be replaced at facelift, if so the 143 A4 replacement seems a bit of a comedown!

 

[RGBArgee]

I heard from Audi dealer yesterday that it's to be announced in June, deliveries Sept 08, A3 3 door rear lights likely to change to match cabriolet and Sportback, other than that I am told minor trim revisions only.

Think we'll go with the current version!

R

 

[Matt]

Yeah I would go with the current one.

Not sure if the rear lights will be changing for the better if they are going to be the Sportback ones. Suit the Sportback but dont think they will suit the 3 door...

 

[TDI-line]

I would have thought daytime running lights, indicator wing mirrors and new rear light clusters would fit in with the new Audi lineup, A5, A4.....

 

[mister.c.]

Well february is here so hopefully we'll start to get some more specific release information soon on the facelift, changes, options etc. Not sure how much in advance Audi tend to release this info.

 

[baz1985]

The 8P came out in 2003- you'd expect an all-new model for MY2010.

 

[mister.c.]

I thought we might have heard something at Geneva - anyone got any idea when we'll hear something?

Perhaps the next motor-show, wherever / whenever it is.

 

[PNH80]

Mister.C. : To be honest i don't think i've ever been less excited about a 'new' car. It's going to be technically exactly the same other than if you want a diesel the engines will be better. Interior will remain unchanged. Externally some contours will change slightly and the rear end will now have the 'slot' shaped lights from the cabriolet which in my opinion will make the hard top look saggy at the back.
The ONLY thing which interests me is if the facelift will use the same headlight shape, size and fitment. If it does i'm getting a set of xenons with the strip of LED running lights inside.

 

[emzino]

I wonder if anyone has got the new 08 facelifted A3 yet. I know I haven't seen any

 

[phantom]

I love my DRL's , it makes ME feel safer driving the car , it's all for MY safety IMHO , if people/drivers can see me sooner , then there less likely to do something silly in front of me!

Ive changed the bulbs on my S3 to something a little less yellow, the new bulbs look nice and white when there on , but when there off look blue , which on a Phantom car looks a bit naff IMHO , so i'm still looking for a set that shine white when on , but clear when off, any thoughts?

p

 

[Amchlolor]

I love my DRL's , it makes ME feel safer driving the car , it's all for MY safety IMHO , if people/drivers can see me sooner there less likely to do something silly in front of me!

There's a couple of million motorcyclists would laugh at that!

 

[phantom]

^^^Thats the way i see it, if you don't have em on, your not getting any benefit, if you do, it's for your own good?

If people can see you sooner then thats got to be a good thing for you and for other road users/pedestrians?

p

 

[h5djr]

There's a couple of million motorcyclists would laugh at that!

Personally I find a motorcycle with it's headlight on much easier to see. The only problem seems to be they always appear to be on main beam. Do motorcycles have a dipped beam?

The other advantage of DRLs is that they are on all the time so at least drivers which currently seem very reluctant to switch any lights on will at least have the DRLs.

The EU has finally agreed that all new cars must be fitted with DRLs by 2012 but, unlike some countries, they have stopped short of the mandatory use of dipped headlights if your car does not have DRLs. So for some time we will have new cars running with DRLs and some older cars with no lights.

Any news on your D3 Bowfer?

 

[PNH80]

I love my DRL's , it makes ME feel safer driving the car , it's all for MY safety IMHO , if people/drivers can see me sooner , then there less likely to do something silly in front of me!

Ive changed the bulbs on my S3 to something a little less yellow, the new bulbs look nice and white when there on , but when there off look blue , which on a Phantom car looks a bit naff IMHO , so i'm still looking for a set that shine white when on , but clear when off, any thoughts?

p

So you have LED running lights on your current S3?...Where are they installed? Retro-fitted aftermarket i assume?

As for bulbs... If you don't have xenons, the philips extreme are supposed to be good....although they may be blue in daylight also?...I don't know!

 

[newbiecrg]

I always have my DLRs on... even though they are yellow... here in Portugal is very rare to see a car with DLR but I think making myself a bit more visible is not a bad thing...

Pedro

 

[h5djr]

We may learn more about the facelift for the A3 and even perhaps the date for the new A3 later this month when the Audi Management give their Annual Press Conference.

 

[phantom]

So you have LED running lights on your current S3?...Where are they installed? Retro-fitted aftermarket i assume?

As for bulbs... If you don't have xenons, the philips extreme are supposed to be good....although they may be blue in daylight also?...I don't know!

Not as in the new " teardrop " style DRL's , but the S3 has DRL's that are next to the main beam , i think the bulbs were PIAA or somthing , there a few members who changed , these a thread somewhere.

p

 

[PNH80]

Not as in the new " teardrop " style DRL's , but the S3 has DRL's that are next to the main beam , i think the bulbs were PIAA or somthing , there a few members who changed , these a thread somewhere.

p

Sorry mate, misunderstood. Like i said earlier... It would be great if the facelift model used the same lights so i could upgrade to the new strip style LED's incorporated in with the headlight unit... Probably unlikely though, Who knows.

 

[phantom]

Sorry mate, misunderstood. Like i said earlier... It would be great if the facelift model used the same lights so i could upgrade to the new strip style LED's incorporated in with the headlight unit... Probably unlikely though, Who knows.

For the whole shebang it's gonna be a hell of a lot of money!

Two full headlights Xenon ones at that, with all the starters and gas powerd , indcators,DRL's , ect.

I had a Renaultsport , and just the housing on my Xenon headlight got cracked ( a stone on the M/way ) and needed replacing , no bulbs , no starters no nothing , and that was £250!!!!

So i dread to think what the whole units will cost and fitting?????

p

 

[h5djr]

We may learn more about the facelift for the A3 and even perhaps the date for the new A3 later this month when the Audi Management give their Annual Press Conference.

By all accounts the Annual Press Conference took place yesterday (Tuesday 11 March) so hopefully reports should soon start to filter through. I've already seen one report from The Herald Tribune in the US which says Audi increased it's Net profit for 2007 by 26 percent to €1.69 billion

 

[Amchlolor]

Personally I find a motorcycle with it's headlight on much easier to see. The only problem seems to be they always appear to be on main beam. Do motorcycles have a dipped beam?

Any news on your D3 Bowfer?

You'd think a motorbike with it's headlight/s on would be easy enough to see, but the statistics still disagree, as do my all too regular experiences.
The vast majority of motorcycle accident are still urban and still junction related.
There have also been stories of car drivers becoming confused by motorcycles with twin headlights, thinking they are actually distant cars rather than closer motorcycles.
Motorcycles do have dipped beams, of course they do, but there are riders who believe main beam is better (I don't), or the actual physical height of the headlight makes it seem like they're on full beam.

The D3 should be released to me this week, allegedly.
Nottingham have done their bit, just waiting for the DVLA now.
Just as well, as I'm heartily sick of the X3 they've loaned me.

 

[PNH80]

For the whole shebang it's gonna be a hell of a lot of money!

Two full headlights Xenon ones at that, with all the starters and gas powerd , indcators,DRL's , ect.

I had a Renaultsport , and just the housing on my Xenon headlight got cracked ( a stone on the M/way ) and needed replacing , no bulbs , no starters no nothing , and that was £250!!!!

So i dread to think what the whole units will cost and fitting?????

p

I think sets of xenons run at about £750 from an independent specialist? So you're probably right, it could be a waste of money paying a grand+ fitting for the new lights....