Looking to order an S3...

[PNH80]

Alright folks,

After much debate and wrestling with financial dilemmas i'm very close to taking the plunge and just ordering an S3 (facelift) but i have a few questions for you wise, all knowing people....

Firstly, what is the typical build period? i.e. when should i expect to take delivery after ordering the car?

Secondly, i know i want bucket seats amongst other things but what options have you spec'd on your cars which you really couldn't live without? Or wish you'd never spec'd?
Also is the FBMFSW still an option? I heard it had been discontinued?

Thirdly is the colour... I know this has probably been debated before on here but i really can't decide which i like best. I've looked at the Audi website but some of the colours are pretty uninspiring and the ones i like...I can't tell if they're available on the S3 or not.

I like...

Lava Grey, Ibis White, Sprint Blue. Not sure if Lava Grey is available on the S3. I liked Dolphin Grey but see it's now discontinued?!
I'm intrigued about... Deep Sea Blue and Garnet Red (both pearl colours) Anyone got any opinions on these? Seen them in the flesh?


Anyway... Any feedback from you guys would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Paul.

 

[h5djr]

Not sure on delivery because it's the start of a new model year but 6/8 weeks is around normal.

The FBMFSW is now standard on both the S3 and the S3 Sportback.

The new Brochure and Price List I made available on this forum will probably give you a better idea of the colours that are available, including the three that are for the S3 only. Four colours, Akoya Silver, Dolphin Grey, Mauritius Blue and Avus Silver have been discontinued for the 2009 model year. Misano Red and Monza Silver are limited to the S-Line.

 

[daviscup]

Alright folks,

After much debate and wrestling with financial dilemmas i'm very close to taking the plunge and just ordering an S3 (facelift) but i have a few questions for you wise, all knowing people....

Firstly, what is the typical build period? i.e. when should i expect to take delivery after ordering the car?

Secondly, i know i want bucket seats amongst other things but what options have you spec'd on your cars which you really couldn't live without? Or wish you'd never spec'd?
Also is the FBMFSW still an option? I heard it had been discontinued?

Thirdly is the colour... I know this has probably been debated before on here but i really can't decide which i like best. I've looked at the Audi website but some of the colours are pretty uninspiring and the ones i like...I can't tell if they're available on the S3 or not.

I like...

Lava Grey, Ibis White, Sprint Blue. Not sure if Lava Grey is available on the S3. I liked Dolphin Grey but see it's now discontinued?!
I'm intrigued about... Deep Sea Blue and Garnet Red (both pearl colours) Anyone got any opinions on these? Seen them in the flesh?


Anyway... Any feedback from you guys would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Paul.

Build time for me was about 12 weeks. I really like the Bose speaker upgrade and 6 C.D. changer. F.B.M.F.S.W. is now standard. I would highly recommend Sprint Blue, but then again I'm probably biased. The only think I regret not ordering are the bucket seats. The standard ones are not very supportive I.MO.

 

[PaulAr]

Bought mine used but I picked the car specifically for the options I would have specced new.

Must haves for me, couldnt live without these.

FBMFSW (std now anyway)
Bluetooth Phone Prep
Centre armrest (std now??)
Bose



Folding mirrors are `handy` but I only feel the need to use them If im parked in a tight spot or main road which rarely. Not essential for me.

Sunroof, like and use it more than a thought, but not essential for me neither.

Tints, I could take them or leave them, they do little for me in practical terms so its purely whether you like the look of them or not.

I like the std seats so didnt feel the need to pay premium to have Buckets. I use the back seats a lot and was advised that Buckets would restrict access too. They look fantastic though and I would guess once youve had the long term you will consider them essential. Would try them out next time maybe.

May retrofit DVD-Nav later. More for looks and the for sake of having it than neccesity. Not sure how much I would use it.

Colour wise it was Sprint or Phantom for me, would have had either, just depended on the right car coming up at the time.
On reflection Im glad I went for Sprint as its very low maintenance and I like the fact its a `S/RS` signature colour.

Must admit, you cant beat that `wow` factor you get from a just washed black car though.

Good luck and happy box-ticking....

Paul

 

[L60N]

Is this a joke? I thought s3's were loud chav chariots. Now you want pearl paint and bucket seats. Rofl! Dude reading back some of your other posts, this is real contradictory!

 

[L60N]

Sorry that came across wrong, but thats quite a turn around

 

[phantom]

Bluetooth
Bose
Interior light pack
Auto lights/wipers

If your not going for sat nav and you like music Symphony 6 cd upgrade

p

 

[L60N]

Couldnt live without:

Seats
Auto wipers
GSM phone (Bluetooth)
Armrest
CD NAV


Could live without BOSE. I think its pants, turn up the sound and the base seems to dissappear. I'd go without bose then uprate the speakers individually with some nice Infinities or similar.

 

[phantom]

Couldnt live without:

Seats
Auto wipers
GSM phone (Bluetooth)
Armrest
CD NAV


Could live without BOSE. I think its pants, turn up the sound and the base seems to dissappear. I'd go without bose then uprate the speakers individually with some nice Infinities or similar.

Agree that Bose is not the best , i have the base up full , and the over all volumes not loud enough ( when you want to BLAST it out )

I do think most people will look for Bose when buying used , so if your gonna sell private it maybe worth it anyway.

p

 

[markwiggy]

Sprint Blue for me,not that I am biased. Not sure about the buckets, I thought they were a bit pricey although they look the business, I find the standard seats ok,comfy with loads of support. The other must haves for me have been specced as standard ie armrest, FBMFW. Bose and Symphony are also worth considering,only regret is not going for the interior lighting pack.

Mark

 

[PNH80]

I do like sprint but i'm liking the look of deep sea blue. Looks a very dark inky blue but has a lighter blue fleck in it.... Would look very classy with the chrome mirrors and grille i think...

 

[L60N]

Agree that Bose is not the best , i have the base up full , and the over all volumes not loud enough ( when you want to BLAST it out )

p

The base is fine if you play it quiet or reasonable.
As soon as you turn it up the base starts to dissappear.
Even with the base on full whack its non existant.
Then as soon as you start turning it back down the base comes back in

Must be speaker protection or some other crap

P.S. The CD nav is worth it at £700. I was going to retrofit the RNS e, but seeing as I only really read the DIS for instructions which is identical to the RNS-e (Turned the annoying voice off that cuts the music off) Im no longer sure what the RNSe can offer since it aint touch screen. HAving said that. YOu could leave the nav out all together then buy and RNSe off ebay.

Marc Told me to look out for the last letter when buying the RNSe, i think L is 2007, and P or Q is 2008.

 

[L60N]

Sprint Blue for me,not that I am biased. Not sure about the buckets, I thought they were a bit pricey although they look the business, I find the standard seats ok,comfy with loads of support. The other must haves for me have been specced as standard ie armrest, FBMFW. Bose and Symphony are also worth considering,only regret is not going for the interior lighting pack.

Mark

The buckets loook great sure, but theyre definatley NOT practical. Im sure 100% of the other Bucket owners will testify.

The bolsters are solid and about 4" high! Watching my Girlfriend trying to get out of the car is nothing short of hilarious EVERY time

 

[markwiggy]

The buckets loook great sure, but theyre definatley NOT practical. Im sure 100% of the other Bucket owners will testify.

The bolsters are solid and about 4" high! Watching my Girlfriend trying to get out of the car is nothing short of hilarious EVERY time

Practicality issue was an issue for me something I took into account as I was worried rear space would be lost and would struggle to get my mountain bikes in.

Have the bolsters shown any signs of wear ? Video of you GF may be amusing !!
Calm down chaps,I mean't getting in and out of the car.

Mark

 

[PNH80]

Is this a joke? I thought s3's were loud chav chariots. Now you want pearl paint and bucket seats. Rofl! Dude reading back some of your other posts, this is real contradictory!

Leon leon leon.... I'm not going over this again! There are things i prefer about the S-Line but the same things i prefer about the S-line are now annoying me. Bit bored as well to be honest and i have no interest messing about with retro fitting loads of extras and remapping. I could ramble on but i won't for once!
I do recall referring to that particular S3 on Pistonheads in solar orange with 20's as a chav chariott and i stand by that comment!

So yeah, maybe there have been contradictions but the fact is i love the A3 but would like more performance now and more distinctive features.

The S3 seems very sensitive to the right colour though. I'm interested to know how Garnet Red is a pearl with what other colour? Lighter red or darker?

 

[EAGLE79]

Right'o'

First the things I really like and have!

BOSE System (Brilliant if you tune it right and not just whack everything full, system will protect itself. Mine kicks out some wicked base at high levels if you set the Bass/ Treble etc properly (And thats most forms of house/trance/ dance music that i play))
6 Disc CD Changer
Bluetooth prep set with Centre Arm Rest
Rear Parking Sensors (For when the g'friend is driving around in it )
DVD SAT Nav system is good and save me carrying seperate device around with me
Privacy Glass (think this is car colour dependant though)

Things i don't have that would order:

Cruise Control (Miss this from my old car as i do alot of motorway miles)
Interior light pack
Auto Rain & Light pack
Folding mirrors (Just really like this feature for some reason!)

A.O.B

Buckets Seats - These look wicked and would have loved them but my car was already built when i bought it so i couldn't get these as an option although I don't think i would have ordered them anyway as people have problems getting in the back if you spec these, becomes a mission. (So i've been told!)

Don't get the ipod kit, its pants.

Hope this helps!

Paul

 

[EAGLE79]

Oh and Lava Grey used to be available on the S3 but not sure if it is on the facelift.

It is a really nice colour, especially when clean on a summers day. Its always been up there when i've been deciding my car colour.

 

[PNH80]

Hmm, just looked up a few images of Garnet Red.... Not good. However Suzuka Grey...Very nice. How much are custom colours??

 

[EAGLE79]

I wouldn't say electric lumbar support is worth bothering with either.

I'll stop posting now!

 

[PNH80]

Oh and Lava Grey used to be available on the S3 but not sure if it is on the facelift.

It is a really nice colour, especially when clean on a summers day. Its always been up there when i've been deciding my car colour.

Agreed, Lava grey has always seemed like a good mid-way between silver and black.

 

[markwiggy]

Forgot, cruise and folding mirrors are also worthy options.

Mark

 

[S3-N]

I probably wouldn't order electric lumbar support again, the CD autochanger doesn't play mp3 Cds and the CD satnav can't always find where you want to go as you can't enter the full postcode.

Love the GSM (bluetooth) phone prep when didn't think i would
Like Bose and don't have any probs with bass
Sunroof good this time of year
Had a lot of comments on interior light pack

 

[PNH80]

I've got the interior light pack on my 2.0TQ but never been in an A3 without it.... What difference does it actually make??

 

[Iggu]

Wouldn't be without my sunroof personally - I have it open in all weathers apart from rain. The sunroof open on cold early winter mornings with clear skies and the heater on - my favourite way to travel. Wouldn't be without BOSE either. Or Bluetooth phone option.

Other things I did spec but could live without:

DVD SatNav (expensive toy rarely used)
Electric lumbar (rip off)
iPod

I've got Phantom Black with the Black grill as I don't like all the chrome. Love it but black shows up EVERY stone chip. Silvers show up NO stone chips but look plain (IMO). If I was ordering again now I'd go for Sprint Blue.

 

[phantom]

I probably wouldn't order electric lumbar support again, the CD autochanger doesn't play mp3 Cds and the CD satnav can't always find where you want to go as you can't enter the full postcode.

I haven't got the sat nav , but if it's not very good and the CD autochanger is picky then the Symphony with in built 6 cd changer is the way to go , cos that plays MP3's

p

 

[mcc49]

Give me £30k to play with on a new S3 and I will probably get one it in Ibis White with Black styling kit on, the photo looks totally awesome. Option wise? The S3 has everything I would want as standard so probably the new Magnetic dampeners for novelty factor, front and rear sensors and Sat Nav Plus.

But if you was to give me £30k to spend on any Audi I would probably go for the new A4 S-Line with the new 2.0T engine. It looks so gorgeous!

 

[S3-N]

I haven't got the sat nav , but if it's not very good and the CD autochanger is picky then the Symphony with in built 6 cd changer is the way to go , cos that plays MP3's

p

That sounds like the way to go. I have no idea why they even make autochangers that don't play mp3 cds let alone fit them as options

 

[newbiecrg]

For me must haves are:

Bucket seats
Bluetooth
Armrest
BOSE
Interior light pack
Black headlining

This I regret not having speeced
Cruise (so helpful on those motorway miles even to keep the speed and consumption down!!)
OEM Sat Nav (I know not the best but having to attach portable satnav to windscreen and wipe the marks annoys me now... will def get it standard next time and for 95% of journeys standard nav is more than enough)

Color wise pretty much your pick... if you want a subtle car go for darker colours, maybe a grey will be nice. Today if I could I would have got Misano Red (I know it is not available now... but I am pleased with the Phantom Black looks great when clean)

Pedro

 

[jamiekip]

I ordered the following on mine:
FBMFSW - now standard
Symphony - worth it if you're not going for RNS-E
Bose - Good enough as a factory fit system
Ipod - Not worth the price, but useful all the same
Armrest - couldn't live without one
Light pack - I think this is a very worthy addition
Folding mirrors - Useful - especialy in London!!!
Cruise - For those average speed camera's!!!
Electric Lumbar - I find this useful in just getting a bit more comfortable, but when I'm in my car I'm usually in it for long stints!
Sunband - why you have to pay for this I have no idea, but it looks good!

I really wish I'd got the bluetooth phone prep- kicking myself for not getting that.
Other than that I don't relly think i've missed out on anything.

As for colour, what are you getting Hatch, or sportback?
I've seen a deep sea blue.moro blue hatch and didn't think it looked all that TBH, but on the sportback I think it would look the mutt's nuts!
I think the red S3 looks good in the pictures JamS3 posted - suits the facelift version I think.

Hope that helps!

 

[aliaudi]

got to be IBIS, with privacy, and black optic

 

[Kontraband]

PNH80, are you in Sheff... and buying direct from a dealer or looking for a demo or what??

*BTW, no Im not trying to sell you owt!*

 

[consilio]

Must haves

RNS-E - Just looks so much better and integrates nicely with everything

BlueTooth phone prep - Voice regnognition and phone book on the DIS are great

FBMFSW - Looks great, but standard on the facelift model now anyway

Light and rain sensor pack - 2 less things to worry about

Interior light pack - Looks great in the cabin at night

Cruise - handy for average speed check zones



Stuff I have but could do without

Folding mirrors - Good for in/out of garage, could live without

Tyre pressure sensor - I guess only useful the day you need it!

Parking Sensors - If you cant park an A3, you need to retake your test, nice for checking for pesky bollards and kerbs though

Privacy glass - Looks cool, not essential - does keep the car cooler in the sun

Bose - I think i like the chrome embossed Bose bits more than the sound itself

Armrest - Only had this for the phone prep

 

[PNH80]

PNH80, are you in Sheff... and buying direct from a dealer or looking for a demo or what??

*BTW, no Im not trying to sell you owt!*

I'm not in Sheff but i am in Chesterfield... 10 mins down the road!
Since starting this thread i have test driven an S3 and loved it. I then started another thread asking for opinions on the A5 TDI and BMW 330d M-Sport coupe for slightly more cost effective diesel options (fuel economy wise). I won't bang on about that, you can just read the other thread!

Either way, whatever i choose i won't be going to a dealer at all. I'm going down the leasing route. Had enough of owning new cars!!

 

[Kontraband]

ah yeah, so same thing then... I leased mine from Audi Sheff, not bought it... drove them down pretty well... though Consilio seems to have done an even better job down his end. Anyway, if you do wanna go that way drop me a PM and I'll tell you the guy to see... he was pretty sorted on stuff.

 

[L60N]

Practicality issue was an issue for me something I took into account as I was worried rear space would be lost and would struggle to get my mountain bikes in.

Have the bolsters shown any signs of wear ? Video of you GF may be amusing !!
Calm down chaps,I mean't getting in and out of the car.

Mark

The bolsters are fine Mark,

Since theyre pretty much solid plastic underneath the only thing that will show wear in time is the state of the leather.

 

[s3mike]

Does nobody else have adaptive lights?

I thought they would be a gimmick but ordered them anyway, having used them I think they are excellent on twisty roads.

Also like the auto-dimming interior / exterior mirrors as they massively reduce glare on Motorways, especially when some SUV driving twit is tailgating.

 

[mitch78]

:thumbsup:

 

[PaulAr]

Bought mine used but I picked the car specifically for the options I would have specced new.

Must haves for me, couldnt live without these.

FBMFSW (std now anyway)
Bluetooth Phone Prep
Centre armrest (std now??)
Bose



Folding mirrors are `handy` but I only feel the need to use them If im parked in a tight spot or main road which rarely. Not essential for me.

Sunroof, like and use it more than a thought, but not essential for me neither.

Tints, I could take them or leave them, they do little for me in practical terms so its purely whether you like the look of them or not.

I like the std seats so didnt feel the need to pay premium to have Buckets. I use the back seats a lot and was advised that Buckets would restrict access too. They look fantastic though and I would guess once youve had the long term you will consider them essential. Would try them out next time maybe.

May retrofit DVD-Nav later. More for looks and the for sake of having it than neccesity. Not sure how much I would use it.

Colour wise it was Sprint or Phantom for me, would have had either, just depended on the right car coming up at the time.
On reflection Im glad I went for Sprint as its very low maintenance and I like the fact its a `S/RS` signature colour.

Must admit, you cant beat that `wow` factor you get from a just washed black car though.

Good luck and happy box-ticking....

Paul

Forgot to mention adaptive lights and cruise.

Suppose the fact I forgot to mention them tells you that there not a must for me.....
Mind you, I dont do a lot of m/way driving, and havent had a late night B roads thrash yet.

 

[julians]

ipod prep is rubbish, really dont bother with it

bose is good

6cd changer in dash is good

fbmfsw is good

bluetooth prep is good

centre armrest is good

seats look good but very pricey (I didnt order them)

I would spec cruise in addition to the above if I had my time again, but thats probably about it for me.