What Should Audi Do To Improve The 8V A3 / S3

Better pedal position
Better brake pedal (so that you can heal and toe without slamming the brakes on)
Not cutting the engine out if you tap the brake (can'tdo trail braking to keep it from understeering)
Better tyres!
Better rear end set up (either more power or easier lift off oversteer to let the rear play)
SOME steering feel, even some would be an improvement


Essentially make the car a bit more driver focused instead of a fast motorway cruiser, that's a 5 series diesel's job!
 
  • Like
Reactions: veeeight
Vertigo1 said:
No market for it.
Click to expand...
When I said V6, I should have added 'turbo'! I personally think there is a market otherwise there wouldn't be an M135i for sale! The RS3 takes the full fat version and the S3 a detained iteration? Why not? The economics may be different for folks what with the current price at the pumps...
 
  • Like
Reactions: dejongj
I don't think I've ever been on model specific car forum where such a large percentage of the users hate the car they own.

Some of you guys must have really unpleasant home/work lives to garner so much pent-up anger, and then be so lame to direct your rage at your car.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dazzeroo
pat15312 said:
I don't think I've ever been on model specific car forum where such a large percentage of the users hate the car they own.

Some of you guys must have really unpleasant home/work lives to garner so much pent-up anger, and then be so lame to direct your rage at your car.
Click to expand...


Cheers for that. Anyway, as we were discussing, 'What should Audi do to improve the 8V A3/S3?'....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blackwhite, Bristle Hound and pat15312
USB Ports
Backup Camera standard
Advanced Key Standard on all models
Memory Seats
Auto dimming mirrors standard
Same MMI (with 4G audi connect) system in all models standard.
firmer suspension on non-sport cars
Less touchy brakes
That lag from putting into gear and the car actually going - you rev and then the car jolts forward as engine RPM's are higher.
More options to set in the MMI (they are there just not turned on)
Being able to order the car online and without going to a dealership (like tesla, my experience was less than amusing).
Aggressive "Eco" mode for better gas savings - would like to average at least 31-32mpg.
 
The Challinor said:
Does anyone actually like their 8V's? There is a lot of moaning on here lol
Click to expand...
LOL You can say that again. I only dislike the dash, the rest is quite nice I think.

For an S3 version it could perhaps do with a body kit option, make it stand out a little more from the others in the range.
 
Dazzeroo said:
When I said V6, I should have added 'turbo'! I personally think there is a market otherwise there wouldn't be an M135i for sale! The RS3 takes the full fat version and the S3 a detained iteration? Why not? The economics may be different for folks what with the current price at the pumps...
Click to expand...
I would definitely like a V6. Good point made about the BMWs. I think Audi has done some fantastic V6s and I would love more of that in this package.
 
Dazzeroo said:
When I said V6, I should have added 'turbo'! I personally think there is a market otherwise there wouldn't be an M135i for sale! The RS3 takes the full fat version and the S3 a detained iteration? Why not? The economics may be different for folks what with the current price at the pumps...
Click to expand...

The RS3 gets a 5-cylinder, not a V6. I'm in favour of the S3 getting a detuned version of the 5-cylinder and have mentioned that elsewhere. My point is that a V6 has no real market. They tried it with the 8P and quickly dropped it. They guzzle fuel and it's a very niche market.

pat15312 said:
I don't think I've ever been on model specific car forum where such a large percentage of the users hate the car they own.
Click to expand...

For the record, I love mine!! :D
 
Vertigo1 said:
The RS3 gets a 5-cylinder, not a V6. I'm in favour of the S3 getting a detuned version of the 5-cylinder and have mentioned that elsewhere. My point is that a V6 has no real market. They tried it with the 8P and quickly dropped it. They guzzle fuel and it's a very niche market.



For the record, I love mine!! :D
Click to expand...
Whilst I agree that it is the perception of a lot of people. The reality and hard measurement doesn't have to make it so. I mean take a look at the bmw 135m. Fuel consumption is the same if not better in the real world compared to the S3/R. Heck my R on the same journeys I did with my Audi 3.0 Quattro betters it perhaps by 2mpg. And that is against a 11 year old car.

I see no reason why they can't make a nice v6. Heck even a smaller displacement with twin turbos would be nice :)

Saying that, that small four cylinder turbo in the S3 is an absolute peach. Gets even better with a DTUK FSR and a Pedal Box.

That reminds me. Improved throttle response would be welcome.
 
pat15312 said:
I don't think I've ever been on model specific car forum where such a large percentage of the users hate the car they own.

Some of you guys must have really unpleasant home/work lives to garner so much pent-up anger, and then be so lame to direct your rage at your car.
Click to expand...

Very well said. I love my S3, but if I read this thread and didn't know better, it would put me right off buying one as it seems that many posting here really regret buying their car from comments posted - which I don't believe to be the case but that's how it comes across.
 
HawkeyeS3 said:
Very well said. I love my S3, but if I read this thread and didn't know better, it would put me right off buying one as it seems that many posting here really regret buying their car from comments posted - which I don't believe to be the case but that's how it comes across.
Click to expand...
Doesn't it just highlight honest ownership by mature adult people who don't see through rose tinted classes? I'd value someone's opinion when they don't mind to make suggestions on how a ****** fantastic car can become even better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ACWKGYTO and rcnacura
dejongj said:
I would definitely like a V6. Good point made about the BMWs. I think Audi has done some fantastic V6s and I would love more of that in this package.
Click to expand...
People already moan about the understeer. Imagine what a V6 block would do to that!
It's all the reason why I didn't buy a V6 TT when I first got one. The nose heavy V6 lump really affected things.

Is it that people hanker after the sound of the V6 rather than the engine itself?
 
  • Like
Reactions: dejongj
audi upgrades
dejongj said:
Doesn't it just highlight honest ownership by mature adult people who don't see through rose tinted classes? I'd value someone's opinion when they don't mind to make suggestions on how a ****** fantastic car can become even better.
Click to expand...

Don't disagree, but like I said its come across more as a series of regrets rather than potential improvements. Some I suspect would actually degrade the enjoyment of car if fitted as standard
 
  • Like
Reactions: dejongj
thedooker said:
Better pedal position
Better brake pedal (so that you can heal and toe without slamming the brakes on)
Not cutting the engine out if you tap the brake (can'tdo trail braking to keep it from understeering)
Better tyres!
Better rear end set up (either more power or easier lift off oversteer to let the rear play)
SOME steering feel, even some would be an improvement


Essentially make the car a bit more driver focused instead of a fast motorway cruiser, that's a 5 series diesel's job!
Click to expand...
If other words give the same as the mk3 focus has, however, even though the a3 is better than other audi's I've ever driven, it isn't as much fun to drive...
 
  • Like
Reactions: thedooker
Martin L said:
People already moan about the understeer. Imagine what a V6 block would do to that!
It's all the reason why I didn't buy a V6 TT when I first got one. The nose heavy V6 lump really affected things.

Is it that people hanker after the sound of the V6 rather than the engine itself?
Click to expand...
Fair point. A new block doesn't have to be heavy :) for me it isn't necessarily the sound, it is a bit more lazy driving if I'm honest.
 
For me one of the best reasons for buying an A3 over other models, even other models from VW or Skoda is the range of options that Audi make available. This means that each of us can personalize our car with whichever options we want and are prepared to pay for. If all the options that people want as standard we added the price would increase and a lot of us would end up having to pay for things that we don't want and will never use. The present system is much better as it offers choice.

When I was looking to change my existing A3 about a year ago I did quite like the Golf VII but VW only make the 184ps engine available as a GTD model which has items as standard that I would not want with no option to change them. These include the sports suspension. I test drove a GTD car with this suspension set-up and it was not for me. Audi offer the purchaser the option of which suspension set-up they want. Just one example of being able to make choices to end up with a car that suits me best. I purchased another A3 and added £4,665 worth of options and ended up with a car that was much closer to my ideal. There are things about the A3 that I'm not so keen on, like the MMI for example, but it's something I rarely use so, compared with the things I do like, I can live with it.

Are there things I would like Audi to change, probably a few, but I accept there design and marketing policy with the current model. Would I prefer a different car to my A3. Definitely not. I love my A3 and always enjoy driving it whether it's to get from A to B or just for the sheer enjoyment of driving it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Psyman79 and dejongj
Yes I prefer options opposed to everything as standard for a car in this class as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: h5djr
pat15312 said:
Some of you guys must have really unpleasant home/work lives to garner so much pent-up anger, and then be so lame to direct your rage at your car.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should turn that observation to yourself.

Why else would you post such a thing?
 
  • Like
Reactions: h5djr
:salute:
pat15312 said:
I don't think I've ever been on model specific car forum where such a large percentage of the users hate the car they own.

Some of you guys must have really unpleasant home/work lives to garner so much pent-up anger, and then be so lame to direct your rage at your car.
Click to expand...

I love my S3 and if I was looking to buy or order a new car next week I'd order the same..................

:audibash:
 
Personally, for the US market, this car is suppose to attract first time Audi buyers - which it did for me. I've made my list, but my overall first impressions of Audi isn't the best. The car is great, however it lacks "premium" features that almost all Kia's have (USB, sport modes, memory seats, automatic climate control, blah). For a premium car, I get in the car and it just feel like a "jetta" every time i get into it. However I do have the base version (this is another story with the car dealership lying about the car) and mainly why my list is longer than most.

If I were to do it all over, I'd get a premium plus with almost all the options (as all the cars I drove when buying), which would lessen my list. Convenience, Sport, Driver Assistance, Black Cloth Headliner packages.

But I'd still love a better gas saver mode, that numbs the car like crazy but gets me at least 5MPG on average more of fuel economy (100 mile RT commute per day).
 
mroberte said:
Personally, for the US market, this car is suppose to attract first time Audi buyers - which it did for me. I've made my list, but my overall first impressions of Audi isn't the best. The car is great, however it lacks "premium" features that almost all Kia's have (USB, sport modes, memory seats, automatic climate control, blah). For a premium car, I get in the car and it just feel like a "jetta" every time i get into it. However I do have the base version (this is another story with the car dealership lying about the car) and mainly why my list is longer than most.

If I were to do it all over, I'd get a premium plus with almost all the options (as all the cars I drove when buying), which would lessen my list. Convenience, Sport, Driver Assistance, Black Cloth Headliner packages.

But I'd still love a better gas saver mode, that numbs the car like crazy but gets me at least 5MPG on average more of fuel economy (100 mile RT commute per day).
Click to expand...

maybe the level of equipment has something to do with the much lower prices of cars in the USA, i believe the base model S3 in the US is $41,000 compared to Australia, where the base model sedan is about $72,000 AUD (about $58,000 US) but with all the premium options as standard....
 
Yes for the US the base Premium 1.8T A3 Front wheel drive starts at $29,900, Base Premium 2.0T Quattro $32,900 and the Base Premium 2.0 TDI starts at $32,600. Base "Premium Plus" S3 starts at $41,100.
 
Not got my s3 yet but picked up these points from a few test drives. Looks wise the s3 needs to look more aggressive, it's a lovely looking car but I hate that an s-line looks the same less the exhaust and mirrors. I don't agree that all the kit people have said should be standard, they need to keep the base price down so it's open to a wider customer base, that said I do think the extra airbags should be standard. Also would like to see more storage cubby holes and the glove box needs to be improved! The sound proofing needs to be improved, road noise is quite loud! Also the valves/flaps on the exhausts - what are they for other than keeping 2 of the tail pipes cleaner!?! The boost gauge is pointless, should give u a definitive reading (negative and positive pressures) in bars or psi. Oil temp should be there as well instead of having to view the lap timer. The storage nets on the back of the seats are rubbish, should be leather or whatever material the seats are. Finally the key is a bit dated, it has the same key as my mums 10 year old polo! Apart from that it is a great car to drive and the interior is stunning to look at. Also read in other threads about the apparent rattle noise, didn't notice it the few times I've driven the s3 but then I wasn't looking or listening rather, if it exists Audi should get it sorted, preferably before I collect mine in March ;)
 
Tony1982 said:
The boost gauge is pointless, should give u a definitive reading (negative and positive pressures) in bars or psi.
Click to expand...

Imagine the number of non car people this would confuse the hell out of! lol

Tony1982 said:
Oil temp should be there as well instead of having to view the lap timer.
Click to expand...

This is a pretty straightforward VCDS coding change.

Tony1982 said:
Finally the key is a bit dated, it has the same key as my mums 10 year old polo!
Click to expand...

Unless your a swinger I can't see why this is an issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnM100
pat15312 said:
Imagine the number of non car people this would confuse the hell out of! lol



This is a pretty straightforward VCDS coding change.



Unless your a swinger I can't see why this is an issue.
Click to expand...

Yes it may well confuse "non car people", but for us "car people" the one in the S3 is tonk, it doesn't tell u anything u need from a boost gauge, it is completely pointless. I'd rather it had the standard A3 oil temp gauge that actually means something instead.

I don't have VCDS, but yes pretty straight forward to get sorted.

The keyfob thing is not really an issue, I just think it's laziness on audi's part, for nearly 40k spent on a car I would expect a more modern design, I wasn't joking when I said it's the same key my mum has for her 10 year old polo lol
 
Tony1982 said:
Yes it may well confuse "non car people", but for us "car people" the one in the S3 is tonk, it doesn't tell u anything u need from a boost gauge, it is completely pointless.
Click to expand...

Gotta remember Tony, we are the minority.
 
I'd like some of the options that are available on an A4/A6 etc but not on A3 (or indeed the A1 for that matter)
- memory seats
- Homelink
- Top view

Other stuff:
- Apple CarPlay (coming in 2015?), so we get proper integration
- Bi turbo 2.0 tdi
- more standard colours
- dashcam integration using existing cameras and HDD
- more alloy wheel options
 
One more thing occurred to me which applies to all front wheel drive MQB cars.... lose the transmission tunnel from the rear passenger foot well.
 
Tony1982 said:
The keyfob thing is not really an issue, I just think it's laziness on audi's part, for nearly 40k spent on a car I would expect a more modern design, I wasn't joking when I said it's the same key my mum has for her 10 year old polo lol
Click to expand...


Just a point of reference, the Alfa key belongs to my son's Guiletta, in terms of 'styling' it certainly makes my S3 key look rather cheap by comparison.

Actually when the Alfa is parked next to the Audi, the S3 looks bland .....


Upload 2014 12 31 16 12 31
 
leosayer1 said:
One more thing occurred to me which applies to all front wheel drive MQB cars.... lose the transmission tunnel from the rear passenger foot well.
Click to expand...

Exhaust then goes where?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Silky-S3
What should I ask the dealer to do/not to do?
Replies
44
Views
4K
MA3RC
MA3RC
V
What should I do?
Replies
8
Views
1K
VWNCC
V
B
S3 8v improve handling and ride ?
Replies
20
Views
5K
AlS3BE
AlS3BE
L
New To The Audi S3 8V
Replies
14
Views
2K
Rob2k68
Rob2k68
K
Do A3 8v parts fit S3 8v ??
Replies
5
Views
5K
veeeight
veeeight
Top
Back