New Member (to A3) - S3 ordered!

NATOuk

NATOuk

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Hello all, I'm a new member to the A3 forum, although I've been around on the A1 then A4 forums over the last few years. I've been lurking here in the A3 forums for a while, some fantastic info for prospective buyers!

Having come from an A1 1.2 TFSI to an A4 S-Line Black Edition (2.0 TDI 150PS), I've decided to downsize slightly to an S3 as I felt the A4 was an awful lot of car for largely just me driving, and low annual mileage. The S3 is a lot of fun to drive!

I'm from Northern Ireland, we don't have any competition to the Isaac Agnew dealerships in Belfast and Portadown but I managed to get a decent discount and a seriously good deal on the likes of GAP insurance etc, largely because I've bought from them regularly over the last few years.

I've gone for the following spec:

S3 Sportback
Sepang Blue (I've always wanted this colour)
S-Tronic gearbox
18in Silver 5-Spoke alloy wheels

Super Sports Seats,
Privacy Glass,
Aluminium Roof Rails,
Hold Assist,
Deletion of model badge at rear,
Audi Sound System,
Driver Assistance Package

I was kinda mulling over the advanced key but decided it wasn't worth the £425?

Any opinions on this spec?

I've been allocated build week 38, it's going to be a looooooong wait!
 
+1 for Advanced Key. Such an awesome feature in my opinion, as soon as you grab the door handle it opens, no fumbling with keys - and just a silly other reason is the push button start is nice.


Nice spec - but have you had a listen to the audi sound and B&O to compared? if your bothered by sound quality i'd just enquire, don't get me wrong the audi sound is decent but I always am left with feeling like i've made a mistake not speccing the B&O - I just didn't like the price tag but would consider it if I ever can get another A3. Audi sound is decent as said, but it never wows me especially because it's an extra. Standard sound system is poor though, I think a supermini has a better sound system than that!

Enjoy the long wait :p
 
I'm just back from a second test drive (wife was with me this time), I really should ask to demo the sound system if they have one with the Audi Sound System.

I have Bang & Olufsen in my A4 and it does sound amazing, I think the reason I was hesitating about it on the S3 is that it seems like a lot for an audio upgrade (the A4 had it included in the black edition spec). I actually thought that given it's an S3 I'd end up listening to the engine more rather than the stereo but now you've got me wondering. I don't tend to listen to music particularly loud in the car, my main ask is that it's clear, and there's a decent bass kick from the subwoofer for the sort of music I listen to (rock/metal)

I also saw an S3 with the mono pur, and while I thought it seemed like a needless extravagance, it really does seem to set off the interior of the car, the doors look a bit bland without it, I might ask to have that added.

I appreciate the opinions, it's a hard thing to not tick all the optional extras isn't it??
 
It is hard to not tick all the boxes indeed..


Yeah, you'll definitely want to check the B&O first as its a regret of mine. I found myself tweaking with the sound a lot as it didn't sound right to me, finally found a decent setting now and the sound system isn't bad, my mate complimented it but that B&O must be so much better, I'm still a little underwhelmed by the Audi sound especially when listening to rock/metal so if that's all you listen to you'll definitely need to spec it, especially because you had it on your A4 - you will notice. I notice, and I've never had a sound system in a car. Best I've had is 6 speakers haha.


Anyway, I didn't notice you hadn't specced mono.pur, I have it on mine because just like you I didn't think anything of it until I seen some pictures on here of it and thought how much nicer it looked, I had a courtesy car without mono.pur and really missed it, still though it's more ****** money for something that should be free!



EDIT: by the way. Interior light package should be something you can consider. The standard lights are rubbish compared to the White LED's. Plus the footwell lights stay on dim as your driving + ambient lighting in the cup holders and door handle (interior) + if you have B&O you get a white led strip there too. Oh, and puddle lights. I can take a pic if you like, minus the strip on the speaker though.

175 pounds isn't it? I know it's another one of those extra money things but personally gives the car that extra touch.
 
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Trust me - 11 weeks to BW is not a long wait!! Many (including me) have waited upto 3 times that!!
 
Oh actually I had specced the interior lighting package after seeing some photos on here, must have forgotten to list that - it looks fantastic compared to without.

I've sent an email off to the salesman to request he add mono pur and to hopefully demo the Audi Sound System. I *hope* it's not that bad because it'll be another £500 to go to Bang & Olufsen if it is!

I do agree with the sentiment that sometimes Audi penny pinch in some of the wrong places. Mono pur really should be standard on a S3, and it irks me that my A4 doesn't even have a light in the glove box unless the interior lighting package was selected. It's a teeny tiny bulb!
 
The "drivers assistance package" is a expensive option that really isnt good value for money at all,waste of money actually as it wont increase the residual value of your car one little bit,but do chose side assist/high beam assist these are the pick of the bunch as far the package goes,hold assist on a Autobox no.
the money you have saved by deleting the DA package,just add Bang & Olufsen or go for The Panroof
 
Interior light pack :) Sorry I forgot the light in the door handle and cup holders, if you look closely you can see them... just

The rear picture is pretty poo because I have tinted windows, but the footwells also light up in the back which I didn't know until I got the car. Love how they dim down and stay on when driving (you can turn the brightness down/up or off for driving)
IMG 0351
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IMG 0347
 
J4MMYz said:
It is hard to not tick all the boxes indeed..


Yeah, you'll definitely want to check the B&O first as its a regret of mine. I found myself tweaking with the sound a lot as it didn't sound right to me, finally found a decent setting now and the sound system isn't bad, my mate complimented it but that B&O must be so much better, I'm still a little underwhelmed by the Audi sound especially when listening to rock/metal so if that's all you listen to you'll definitely need to spec it, especially because you had it on your A4 - you will notice. I notice, and I've never had a sound system in a car. Best I've had is 6 speakers haha.


Anyway, I didn't notice you hadn't specced mono.pur, I have it on mine because just like you I didn't think anything of it until I seen some pictures on here of it and thought how much nicer it looked, I had a courtesy car without mono.pur and really missed it, still though it's more ****** money for something that should be free!



EDIT: by the way. Interior light package should be something you can consider. The standard lights are rubbish compared to the White LED's. Plus the footwell lights stay on dim as your driving + ambient lighting in the cup holders and door handle (interior) + if you have B&O you get a white led strip there too. Oh, and puddle lights. I can take a pic if you like, minus the strip on the speaker though.

175 pounds isn't it? I know it's another one of those extra money things but personally gives the car that extra touch.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on the B&O, it's one of the options I wish I included myself on my A3.

It seems like I have to crank my volume up to 18-21 to get the music to come alive in my car on the Audi Sound System. I suspect the B&O wouldn't have this problem at all.


I wish Audi offered aftermarket sells.
 
gamegenie said:
I agree with you on the B&O, it's one of the options I wish I included myself on my A3.

It seems like I have to crank my volume up to 18-21 to get the music to come alive in my car on the Audi Sound System. I suspect the B&O wouldn't have this problem at all.


I wish Audi offered aftermarket sells.
Click to expand...


Set your sound settings to:

Treble +6 (the dial should be halfway round)
Bass +2
Sub +2

Thats the best i've found so far, without the bass banging and overpowering everything. I'm fairly happy with it but I still would spec the B&O if I ever get another A3 for sure. I turned my volume up to 17 whilst driving along (normally listen on 15) and was quite shocked at how much better it sounded with a bit more volume, you can hear quite a decent amount of detail.


Saying though because @NATOuk has got B&O in his A4, he might notice a big difference.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and ring the dealer tomorrow and ask him to do me a deal on the mono pur and Bang & Olufsen which will complete all the options I was on the fence about.

I was hoping there wouldn't be THAT big a difference between Audi Sound System and B&O but there does seem to be a consensus it's a big upgrade and I'd likely notice it having B&O in my existing A4.

Regarding the Driver Assistance Package, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I'm a real geek and things like adaptive cruise control, parking plus is something I really appreciate. The pack just adds lane assist and high beam assist on top for a small amount more.

It's interesting, my build week has slid forward twice in less than a week, it was originally 21st Sept, then 14th Sept and now 7th Sept. Sooner the better!
 
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It'll fly by :)

I ordered September last year, it was coming for Jan 25 - I got it December 30th - so 3 months. Did fly by actually. I did do a lot of youtube video's about the A3 which didn't help though haha.
 
audi upgrades
Dont listen to them...............

They'll have you picking all the options and costing you a fortune. You'll end up penniless.

Make your own mind up.
 
J4MMYz said:
Interior light pack :) Sorry I forgot the light in the door handle and cup holders, if you look closely you can see them... just

The rear picture is pretty poo because I have tinted windows, but the footwells also light up in the back which I didn't know until I got the car. Love how they dim down and stay on when driving (you can turn the brightness down/up or off for driving)View attachment 61949View attachment 61950View attachment 61951View attachment 61952View attachment 61953
Click to expand...

I just noticed from your pictures that your steering wheel has the punched leather, not just smooth leather all round. How did you get that?
 
Sod it, mono pur added as well as Bang & Olufsen. BUT NO MORE! :p
 
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Okay so I just logged into YourAudi to a very pleasant surprise.

My original confirmed build week was Week 38, which moved to 37 then to 36 (Week beginning 31st August) reasonably quickly.

It sat like that until I logged in tonight to find it's now been built and in quality control!

Is it normal for the build week to jump forward so much so quickly?

I'm not complaining however, getting the car a month early is ok with me!
 
NATOuk said:
Okay so I just logged into YourAudi to a very pleasant surprise.

My original confirmed build week was Week 38, which moved to 37 then to 36 (Week beginning 31st August) reasonably quickly.

It sat like that until I logged in tonight to find it's now been built and in quality control!

Is it normal for the build week to jump forward so much so quickly?

I'm not complaining however, getting the car a month early is ok with me!
Click to expand...
My build week moved quite a bit forward as well. Was originally told late March 2014 for delivery after ordering in (very) late November 2013. Ended up picking the car up on 7th January 2014 after a call from the dealer about 3 weeks prior to that !
 
My Car has the following

Nappa
Connect
MMI +
B&O
Metallic Red
5 Parallel Spoke Star Design Alloy Wheels
S Tronic

The only thing I couldn't do without is the B&O and (Dare I say it) S Tronic....
The Diamond Alloys are wormed and need replacing, MMI and Sat Nav with connect is Good, but I have only used it a couple of times.

Things I wish I had.....
Mono Pur and Interior Lighting pack.... but you don't miss what you never had!

I know everyone's taste is different but this is my 2 penneth
 
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The only item I can think I would have specced and not after reading this forum is the interior lighting. My new S3 was ordered end of May and still at build week 39, wish mine would come forward
 
Moda46 said:
The only item I can think I would have specced and not after reading this forum is the interior lighting. My new S3 was ordered end of May and still at build week 39, wish mine would come forward
Click to expand...

The only thing I can think of is down to the choice of colour - I imagine they produce batches of cars by colour (due to the cost/hassle of switching of switching the paint shop over to a new colour), and perhaps there was a cancellation of a Sepang Blue Sportback which meant I bounced forward to that particular production run. The rest of the car is just parts which can be fitted to any car which makes me think colour is perhaps a key factor.
 
NATOuk said:
The only thing I can think of is down to the choice of colour - I imagine they produce batches of cars by colour
Click to expand...


Not at all, each successive car is sprayed a different colour, it's not a hassle to switch colours plus it keeps the guns and lines clean.

The only time colour can affect production, is if you order Custom or Exclusive, these do tend to be done at specific intervals, rather than being slotted into the regular production run.

But actually - your second comment about parts, they are more sensitive to affecting when a particular car is built. Because everything is JIT (or TFL for those in the industry) - sometimes a supplier doesn't deliver to schedule so the line sequencing goes to pot and things have to get re-jigged around.

For example, there aren't 500 seats in Alcantara just sitting around, or 400 seats in Nappa/Velvet just waiting in the wings.

Engines are the big problem in VW Group. There is more line re-sequencing done because of engine delivery issues, than any other component.
 
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That's really interesting, I didn't know that!
 
It's arrived! I picked it up yesterday and I couldn't be happier. Going from an A4 S-Line Black Edition (2.0 TDI 150PS) to the S3 is a big change, and fortunately the interior is everything I hoped for and more, it's extremely comfortable and well laid out.

Exterior-wise, it's gorgeous, I'm so glad I picked Sepang Blue as it really sparkles in the sunshine and definitely had heads turning when I was driving about yesterday.

I'm in love with the Adaptive Cruise Control system, the stop-and-go functionality coupled with lane assist is just amazing. It was scary the first time I let it slow right down to a stop in traffic by itself then start following the car in front but now it seems fine, takes the hassle out of being stuck in traffic.

The engine of course is an absolute riot, and the noise is fantastic (love those exhaust burps!).

So yeah, over the moon with what is an amazing car.
 

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Looks lovely dude, not jealous at all.
 
Cheers :) One small issue though, and it's a minor one is that the wiper on the passenger side doesn't seem to properly wipe the water at the edge of the windscreen just as it gets back to its starting position. It looks like the blade doesn't have an awful lot of pressure to push the blade onto the glass where the glass is starting to curve away. Is this a normal thing or maybe a dodgy blade?
 
Wouldn't the pressure be from the wiper arm itself? If you pull it slightly to make sure it has enough resistance like most wiper arms and it does then maybe the blade is a bit stiff?

Sounds really odd though. Not something I've encountered lol.
 
NATOuk said:
Cheers :) One small issue though, and it's a minor one is that the wiper on the passenger side doesn't seem to properly wipe the water at the edge of the windscreen just as it gets back to its starting position. It looks like the blade doesn't have an awful lot of pressure to push the blade onto the glass where the glass is starting to curve away. Is this a normal thing or maybe a dodgy blade?
Click to expand...


Normal.

The last bit of the screen (where the tax disc traditionally sits) is missed by the wiper.

In the past this was hidden by the tax disc, so not many people noticed.
 
That's okay then, pity though as it looks a bit funny but obviously nothing to be overly worried about.
 
NATOuk said:
That's okay then, pity though as it looks a bit funny but obviously nothing to be overly worried about.
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I have been a bit slack, washing the car and just noticed the same thing, as the windscreen was dirty. First I have noticed it since getting the car back in November last year. Also thought it was unusual to design wipers to miss the edge of the windscreen the way it does, then again there are a few design issues that I have also found strange - but it is my first Audi, so maybe not strange for an Audi at all.:grinning:
 
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