New to the forum! Would love some advice please...

mines a hb but shouldnt differ too much,

averaged 29mpg over the past 10k miles of mixed driving..
mapping the car can get anywhere around the 370bhp mark with no supporting mods
would advise upgrading the speakers and the tech pack atleast, then its just down to personal preference

HI @Dan Green. I've ordered an A3 (unfortunately not an S3... one day), I can answer the first two questions on the list but I'll leave the rest to other forum members, theres also loads of information on the FAQ section so definitely have a look at that sticky post (mostly the hard work of @veeeight indexing most of the forum! Special thanks! )

What options are essential or not worth it?

Obviously essential is a very subjective term but ill try my best lol

Driver Assistance

• Comfort Pack - adds the basic things in like rear parking sensors, cruise control, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto on/off lights and wipers
• Depending on how much driver assistance you want you can add Adaptive Cruise control and/or front parking sensors to the comfort pack although if you add both it might be worth looking at the driver assistance pack which includes a fair chunk (lane assist, side assist)
• High beam assist at £90 is worth it and gets you using high beams more

Technology

• If you like your music Audi Sound System at the very least, if you love your music and can afford it get the B&O sound system
• Tech Pack is nice if you have the funds, its not cheep, adds a higher resolution screen and maps with updates for 3 years (5 free updates and they're bi-annual)

Maybe

• Mono pur
• Hill hold assist
• Lumbar support
• Auto folding mirrors

Not worth it

• Phone box
• Prob loads of others but im sure others will add.

Anyone buy through OrangeWheels?

Dont know if anyone has but ive used it to aid negotiation and they came around £200 within it so I was happy.

Hope this helps. Either way you'll love it and for this class of car the cabin feel is amazing.

I bought my A3 quattro through Orange Wheels and it was an extremely good experience from beginning to end. Although to be honest, the amount of contact I had with Orange Wheels was about 15 mins on the phone before I was handed over to Listers Coventry for the rest of the process, but they were brilliant too. Absolutely no complaints from me.

As for spec, not sure how much is standard on the S3 over the A3, but absolutely recommend electric lumbar support, as there's no lumbar support at all without this option and you get it for both seats. Heated seats are magnificent (bottom and back both heated). The only regret I have is going for standard cruise control rather than adaptive.

Dan Green said:

What options are essential or not worth it?
Anyone buy through OrangeWheels?
What real world MPGs are people seeing?
Any known issues?
Anyone had theirs mapped and if so, how has it changed the nature of the car?
Anything I should know about these cars?

Click to expand...

I'll hit two of these,

Options: If you plan on modifying suspension, do not purchase mag ride as that creates significant issues in fitment for AEM suspensions. In the states this means you don't get the sport seats as well. Some people see no benefit in the LED lights, I came from an A3 with the projectors and I find the beam dispersion of the LED is superior as is the lighting of distant road signs. If you are used to a high intensity projector then it probably won't phase you, the beam can have very distinct end points resulting in clear view of very specific areas but no bleed resulting in less visible road compared to the LEDS. The LED housing design also is very unique, and I prefer the look.

MPG: I see 28-30 mpg in country driving averaging speeds of 35 and greater over the course of the trip, I see 23-25 in around town driving depending on how cheeky I am (25-40mph range) and 30+ on highways (65-75 mph.)

Hi Dan - welcome to the forum !

Saloon S3 comes with mag ride and 19s standard.

Tech pack high gives you 7inch hi res screen over a 5.8inch screen - you also get a touch pad on the mmi wheel and support for larger SD cards. From what I can tell the 5 map updates almost pays for this over the SD nav option.

My fave options :-

1. B&O
2. Interior Loght Pack - also matches illuminating speaker grilles of the above.
3. Electric lumbar support (super sport seats have this the standard seats don't)
4. Mono pur extended trim in door arm rests and centre console.
5. LED headlamps.
6. Pan roof (really just a slide/tilt sunroof but opens up the interior).

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum.

with regards to 'essential' options, I would say these are really must haves, and then from there it depends on your budget.

Interior light pack - really a must have imo
Audi Sound System - this is very good for the money, obviously the B&O is an upgrade if within your budget
Comfort Pack - excellent value for money

a couple of things I wish I had specced by didn't:

electric lumbar support
High-beam assist

What options are essential or not worth it?
Steering wheel, engine and gearbox - seriously I think the cars suit S-tronic, upgraded sound system (either Audi or B&O), comfort pack essential. I have absolutely no interest in any form of lane, cruise assist, or the ability to turn my car into some sort of poor mobile laptop. I'm not that fussed about the interior light pack but will admit I'd spec mono.pur again without hesitating.

Anyone buy through OrangeWheels?
No, my local dealer matched offers online.

What real world MPGs are people seeing?
Average @24. Best 35.

Any known issues?
Not that I know of.

Anyone had theirs mapped and if so, how has it changed the nature of the car?
No, concerned about TD1 and to be honest, for me, it's quick enough as it is. I never feel the need for more speed. Would rather it handled better.

Anything I should know about these cars?
One year review here might help? http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-sportback-s-tronic-one-year-review.247653/

Hopefully that all helps.

Hi Dan - welcome! Im over on the East Surrey/West Sussex border so not too far away!

The car I bought was already specced and in stock, so I didn't "choose" my options, however here's my verdict on the main bits mine came with:
Bang & Olufsen - once set up properly thanks to the feedback from others here, I was blown away. Well worth it.
Super Sport seats - yes they are expensive, but they really look fabulous and whilst not particularly sporty, they are unbelievably comfortable. I did 500-odd miles at the weekend and felt spot on.
Pan Roof - looks great, does what it says on the tin. Nice to use from time to time at slower speeds.
Side Assist - would never have thought to spec this myself but now I've got it, I'm quite impressed. Radar scans the blind spot areas down the side of the car and lights in the corner of the mirror illuminate if there is a car alongside and flash madly if you begin to move into it or it gets closer. Has also worked for bikes and motorcycles which is where it really comes into its own, especially on motorways or at major junctions. Not saying it would be the first box I ticked next time but I'm definitely a fan!
Interior Light Pack - looks great, really adds to the experience.
Then the obvious choices of Nav, auto lights/wipers, definitely all musts!

Hope this helps!