Thinking of buying an S3...Any tips?

tobycruse

tobycruse

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Hi everyone,

Its been a long time since i have been on here, last post was a good few years ago!

I have been driving my A3 2.0FSI for about 4 years now a believe it is time for an upgrade. Seen the S3 and have fallen in love, i was writing this post to ask is there anything i should know before getting the S3. What extras are a must have? Anything to look out for?

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
 
tobycruse said:
Hi everyone,

Its been a long time since i have been on here, last post was a good few years ago!

I have been driving my A3 2.0FSI for about 4 years now a believe it is time for an upgrade. Seen the S3 and have fallen in love, i was writing this post to ask is there anything i should know before getting the S3. What extras are a must have? Anything to look out for?

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
Click to expand...

I too drove an A3 2.0FSI for 4 years prior to the S3, you don't realise just how rubbish the 2.0FSI engine is until you get hold of the S3's 2.0TFSI!

You will absolutely love the S3 as I do! :)

I think the flat bottom steering wheel is standard now which was a must for me. The other option you HAVE to have is the bucket seats :icon_thumright:
 
Dont listen to Phantom!!! White is out, black is back in :)

I would definatly spec:

Phone prep
bucket seats
auto lights/wipers
CD nav (to be upgraded to DVD nav easily and on the cheap)
Fat bottom girl... I mean Flat bottom wheel
also other things to consider:
Ipod connection
ambient light pack...the list goes on
 
L60N said:
Dont listen to Phantom!!! White is out, black is back in :)

I would definatly spec:

Phone prep
bucket seats
auto lights/wipers
CD nav (to be upgraded to DVD nav easily and on the cheap)
Fat bottom girl... I mean Flat bottom wheel
also other things to consider:
Ipod connection
ambient light pack...the list goes on
Click to expand...

Sorry to high jack this thread but was just wondering how easy and cheap it is to upgrade to DVD sat nav as im currently running the CD sat nav and wouldnt mind changing up!!
 
L60N said:
Dont listen to Phantom!!! White is out, black is back in :)

I would definatly spec:

Phone prep
bucket seats
auto lights/wipers
CD nav (to be upgraded to DVD nav easily and on the cheap)
Fat bottom girl... I mean Flat bottom wheel
also other things to consider:
Ipod connection
ambient light pack...the list goes on
Click to expand...

I wish I speced the ambient light pack.
 
what do you guys in the U.K. pay for buckets seats??
here its R42760. divide that by 15 to give you pounds.
 
Con S3 said:
Sorry to high jack this thread but was just wondering how easy and cheap it is to upgrade to DVD sat nav as im currently running the CD sat nav and wouldnt mind changing up!!
Click to expand...

Piece of pie. ITS A STRAIGHT SWAP!
 
Its worth mentioning, when you order the bucket seats, you seem to be given the rear armrest with through-load as well.

Bucket seats are good, but be warned, if you carry passengers often (I don't), its fiddly getting in and out of the back. Also, when not carrying a front passenger the passenger seat rattles when on bumpy B-roads. There is no lumbar adjustment either, which isn't too bad, as the seats mould your back to the correct shape anyway.

BOSE is a good option, unless you are into aftermarket hi-fi installs.
Interior light pack (or ambient whatever its called) is a must, just for that quality feel.

I do wish I had ordered the blue-tooth prep. Anyone know if it can be retro fitted to Symphony II systems?

AL
 
AL_B said:
Its worth mentioning, when you order the bucket seats, you seem to be given the rear armrest with through-load as well.

Bucket seats are good, but be warned, if you carry passengers often (I don't), its fiddly getting in and out of the back. Also, when not carrying a front passenger the passenger seat rattles when on bumpy B-roads. There is no lumbar adjustment either, which isn't too bad, as the seats mould your back to the correct shape anyway.
Click to expand...

I'm always carting my mates around in the back and the buckets are a bit of a fiddle, not too bad though. Also, I don't get that rattle, so I think it might just be your car.
 
Dont know if this is relevant. Just in case you didnt know. A face lifted S3 & S3 sportback are due very soon. Sept 2008? (not 100% sure). So if you want a brand new vehicle spec'd to your indivdual requirements it'll probably be the face lift version.

If you're after a decent used specimen with good spec/options...I'd probably consider RNSe DVD, Bose, Bluetooth phone prep (in arm rest), Auto lights/wipers, Interior light pack.

I also have electric lumbar support and its the most useless option I chose. So dont bother

Hope I havent thrown a spanner into the works (as the saying goes!!)
 
I forgot to mention FBMFSW and adaptive lights. I think they're both good options and will probably help re-sale desireability (not necessarily re-sale value). I got them for this very reason
 
Thanks guys for all your input, its given me a lot to think about. I too have heard about the facelift coming Sept 2008, think i will wait for this! I have had the 2.0FSI for 4 years now, a couple more months wont hurt. I my mum's RS4 she has adaptive headlights, just amazing, its almost like they know where your looking...Maybe they do? I think im going to be daring and get the ibis white.... Saw one in Spain, looked gorgeous.

Does anyone know, like with all face lifts if anything on the inside changes? Also this ambient light pack sounds interesting, does it give the interior that "high tech" feel?
 
tobycruse said:
Thanks guys for all your input, its given me a lot to think about. I too have heard about the facelift coming Sept 2008, think i will wait for this! I have had the 2.0FSI for 4 years now, a couple more months wont hurt. I my mum's RS4 she has adaptive headlights, just amazing, its almost like they know where your looking...Maybe they do? I think im going to be daring and get the ibis white.... Saw one in Spain, looked gorgeous.

Does anyone know, like with all face lifts if anything on the inside changes? Also this ambient light pack sounds interesting, does it give the interior that "high tech" feel?
Click to expand...

If you place an order now, you should get the car for late September.

The changes inside are minimal, although the arm rest and flat bottom steering wheel are now standard in the UK. You can downlaod the PDF brochure on the Audi UK website.

I was going to go for white, but bottled it and ordered Spint Blue instead.

I also ordered the interior light pack this time round as everyone says it gives a nice look to the cabin.
 
tobycruse said:
What extras are a must have? Anything to look out for?
Click to expand...

IMO:

Must Have:
RNSe (for the SD cards if nothing else)
Bluetooth - to avoid inevitable points on license
BOSE
Black optics front grille
Buckets (unless, like me, you have kids in which case they're a no go)
Sunroof

Look Out For
Soft paint & bad stonechipping on darker colours - invest in VentureShield or something similar (wish I had)

Otherwise nothing - they're built out of granite. After a few months £28k (or whatever) will feel like a serious bargain.
 
has anyone got/seen a Sprint Blue with the black/magma red seat colour interior? Does the red clash with the blue?
 
audi upgrades
Ordered a Silver S3 yesterday playing safe on the colour delivery Sept/Oct

Got 9% off is that a good discount?
 
tobycruse said:
Hi everyone,

Its been a long time since i have been on here, last post was a good few years ago!

I have been driving my A3 2.0FSI for about 4 years now a believe it is time for an upgrade. Seen the S3 and have fallen in love, i was writing this post to ask is there anything i should know before getting the S3. What extras are a must have? Anything to look out for?

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
Click to expand...

I see you had your FSI chipped, how noticable was it? It seems a lot of money (£411?) for only about 15 bhp.
 
To be honest the difference was minimal, the throttle responce was improved but you could not feel the difference in power. The lowering and the Goodyear DSG 3's made the biggest difference in the handeling department.... But yea... you live and you learn!
 
Thanks for your honesty, a lot of people can convince themselves of anything when spending money :beerchug:

Got Goodyear GSDs on my 1.8 A3 Sport and like them so will be putting them on the FSI i'm getting tomorrow.
 
Jo Sharp said:
has anyone got/seen a Sprint Blue with the black/magma red seat colour interior? Does the red clash with the blue?
Click to expand...


Not seen it but I would imagine its not on the recommended list of combos... ?
 
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