Facelift What's the S3 Spec "Sweet Spot"?

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clarkeysntfc

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Hi All

New here, I'm considering an S3 DSG against a few other competitors and just weighing up what the various spec options are to hit the 'sweet spot'.

I'll define the 'sweet spot' as being the amount of options which add value but keep the price sensible and don't become too much of a money pit!

I'm currently looking at:
Daytona Grey
Matrix LED lights
Tech Pack (not including virtual cockpit)
Adaptive Cruise
Parking System+

They're the options that I think I'd get the most value out of.

Subjective stuff but does anyone think that I've got too much / not enough?
 
Just tick them all lol...no seriously everyone wants different extras..and some will spend more or less...I myself always go overboard..my latest car has all but a couple of extras...but that's just me...I don't drink much and don't smoke so I see my car as my vice
 
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there's no sweet spot and whatever you buy, even if you loaded them all, it will still depreciate massively.
 
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I guess my question is more: "what are the most commonly selected options".
 
I will be going for the following:
- Tech Pack Advanced (with VC)
- Daytona Grey (I think)
- Advanced Key (I'm tall and my knee often hits the key while it's in the ignition)
- Parking System Plus

Also 19" wheels and S tronic.
 
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clarkeysntfc said:
I guess my question is more: "what are the most commonly selected options".
Click to expand...
TBH mate I wouldn't be paying the extra for the tech pack without the virtual cockpit, even then it's expensive. If you don't mind me asking what's making you select the tech pack?

For me the Supersports seats and B&O sound system finish the interior off, looks toppa.

For the exterior I'd say the privacy glass is a must.
 
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Get the car you want to drive, and can afford, simple as that. Personally, if I'm spending all this money on a new car, I'm not going to hesitate to make it the car I want to live with and drive. Will I lose money on the options I tick? Yep. Am I bothered about that? Not really. Better than than living with a car where every time you get in you wish had X or Y if you weren't being so tight with money.
 
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Whatever stock cars the dealer can get hold of that tick most of your boxes. That's how we've bought both ours, you'll always have more buying power (discount etc) with a stock vehicle than speccing up a factory order.
 
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Funnily enough, my younger brother is looking at used (i.e. nearly new FL) S3's at the moment and is looking for a few items on the spec to provide his 'ideal' model. Anyway, it would seem by popular opinion of my local pub discussions and talks with my bro, that the following are desirable and potentially 'value adding' options:

  • Virtual cockpit - consider that it's likely analogue dials will soon be a thing of the past and this will be the 'standard'
  • 19" alloys and thus Mag Ride - 19" seem to improve the look of the S3 and help separate it from it's lesser brethren, Mag Ride is a very good option and compulsory if your doing 19" wheels
  • S-Tronic - again, for the performance on offer, this seems to be sought after
  • B&O sound system - less sought after, but something that will likely improve the time you spend with the car and if yours has it, and the other doesn't, more likely to sell your car at the end when you come to change
  • SuperSports seats - look awesome and add some class to the cabin, again, just make it more special than an S-Line.
  • Parking sensors - how this isn't standard I'll never know...
  • ACC - Nice feature and I think this is sought after, or will be in the future as driver less cars come to the market
Colour is probably the most important, but that's very much done to personal taste anyway. I'd avoid solid colours... Ara blue, Daytona grey & Naverra blue are probably the best sellers on the S3.

Consider the Black Edition pack aswell, some nice options like privacy glass, black optics pack and B&O sound system. If your looking for those options, tick that box because it will save you a few pennies.

I don't think the reversing camera or Pano roof are must haves.
 
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Milnesafc said:
If you don't mind me asking what's making you select the tech pack?
Click to expand...

In short - the top-end Sat Nav system, real time traffic etc. Basically the equivalent of the 'BMW Professional' system.
 
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clarkeysntfc said:
In short - the top-end Sat Nav system, real time traffic etc. Basically the equivalent of the 'BMW Professional' system.
Click to expand...
You get this through Audi connect mate, which comes as standard - only thing is I believe the tech pack you get a free 3 year subscription. With the standard you get a free trial, one of the lads off here advised to email Audi U.K and they extended my trial by 18 month. Personally I think it's a lot if you are just using it for the nav when it's free anyway.... hope that helps.
 
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I recently spoke to my dealer when I was adding options and apparently the panoramic roof adds quite a bit of value to resale prices :frowning: You might want to give your local dealer a call and ask them about options that keep their value
 
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GTAIVgunner said:
I recently spoke to my dealer when I was adding options and apparently the panoramic roof adds quite a bit of value to resale prices :frowning: You might want to give your local dealer a call and ask them about options that keep their value
Click to expand...

I think it depends how you're selling it. On a private sale you can try and factor in options on the price, but in trade in, options have no affect at all. You will get the book price regardless. I guess a fully loaded car might tempt a dealer to give you a bit more due to the fact it is easier to sell, but I wouldn't count on it..!

Conversely, BMW adjust the GFV slightly with certain options when buying on finance.
 
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Milnesafc said:
You get this through Audi connect mate, which comes as standard - only thing is I believe the tech pack you get a free 3 year subscription. With the standard you get a free trial, one of the lads off here advised to email Audi U.K and they extended my trial by 18 month. Personally I think it's a lot if you are just using it for the nav when it's free anyway.... hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Think you also get the touch pad on top of the wheel for post code entry? Might be wrong though!

I agree though, tech pack on the FL is very hard to justify now the screen is the same size and resolution across the range.
 
If I got the choice between a car with sunroof and without, I would go for the one without every time. Haven't had a sunroof in years, adds cost to servicing and causes quite a few issues with drain holes and leaks. One of the least desirable for me.
 
There is no sweet spot...but stay away from gadgets....drivers aids as they bring nothing to the desirability table,trade in a fully loaded car to Audi ? you wont get much more for it than a basic optioned car....the other side of the coin...sell your S3 privately in a sought after colour...in really good condition with say the B&O ,DSG,Privacy,magride/19'....pano=roof...you'll sell it very quickly
 
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Get the virutal cockpit. You won't regret it. Once you get it you won't want to go back.
 
Thanks for the replies over the weekend folks!

Does the standard nav offer things like Spotify integration, real time traffic and voice control?

I agree on the virtual cockpit - looks very slick.

Adaptive cruise is an attraction simply because I do a fair bit of boring "smart motorway" and A road driving for work so it'll be nice just to have the extra relaxation of the car keeping its distance from the middle lane hogger in front :)
 
clarkeysntfc said:
Thanks for the replies over the weekend folks!

Does the standard nav offer things like Spotify integration, real time traffic and voice control?

I agree on the virtual cockpit - looks very slick.

Adaptive cruise is an attraction simply because I do a fair bit of boring "smart motorway" and A road driving for work so it'll be nice just to have the extra relaxation of the car keeping its distance from the middle lane hogger in front :)
Click to expand...

I think it's standard on the sat nav, you have a 3mth subscription to Audi connect which I believe gives you the real time traffic assistance.
 
Everything except:

Advanced Key
HHA
Lane assist (or whatever it's called)
ACC
 
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A different take on "sweet spot".
Take the list price without options. Then check the best discounts on the web .
Take that amount as your budget for options , go to the dealer and negotiate all the options included in the price (list) . Then you hit the sweet spot for me . One option if you are keeping longer than three years is the extended warranty . I paid £550 to get it to five years . A bargain as buying later will be more than double.
 
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The only Options that add any value on a PCP trade in are options like s-tronic or Metallic paint.

Otherwise all the other stuff isnt going to give you any money back when trading it back to the dealer at the end of your term (if you do this)

You maybe able to recoop more money if you sell privatley, but thats no Guarantee.

Like I was told once, set your options into two categories....

Must haves and nice to haves!
 
My take after 2 weeks of owning a PFL S3 are:

ACC is superb and is mandatory on any other Audi I buy in the future
Hold assist equally brilliant and costs £75 so madness not to.
S-Tronic is a must personally
Parking aids minimum of rear beeps but the more the merrier. Park plus (self park is utter rubbish) and I wouldn't spec it again
HBA rubbish, completely useless. Either comes late, or just in time in blind an oncoming driver when it's obvious to the human eye a car in coming
Side assist is nice but not essential
Lane assist again nice but a bit gimmicky
Tech pack on PFL really nice to have.
Electric seats rare option and something I personally like. Most people probably prefer sport seats which precludes electric.
Mag ride another essential for me
Drive select nice to have especially with mag ride

ETA: advance key is cool but hardly essential

Would have really liked B&O and pan roof but can live without either.
 
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Hi All - just an update.

I'm not going to pursue my interest in the S3 any more simply because whilst it's undoubtedly a very nice car - the price point is not one that I'm comfortable with given the alternatives on offer.

- Lease deals seem to be coming out at £11k+ over 2 years (10k pa) on basic spec.
- PCP deals - a whopping 5.9% APR equates to £5k+ in interest over a 4 year/10k pa deal.
- Cash - over £35k is beyond my capability with funds + personal loan.
- Used S3's with low miles, seem to be very expensive especially via the Audi approved channel.

So I'm going to focus on the M140i plus any run-out specials on the Golf GTI/R.

Thanks for your help & enjoy your cars!
 
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clarkeysntfc said:
Hi All - just an update.

I'm not going to pursue my interest in the S3 any more simply because whilst it's undoubtedly a very nice car - the price point is not one that I'm comfortable with given the alternatives on offer.

- Lease deals seem to be coming out at £11k+ over 2 years (10k pa) on basic spec.
- PCP deals - a whopping 5.9% APR equates to £5k+ in interest over a 4 year/10k pa deal.
- Cash - over £35k is beyond my capability with funds + personal loan.

So I'm going to focus on the M140i plus any run-out specials on the Golf GTI/R.

Thanks for your help & enjoy your cars!
Click to expand...
Very sensible mate go the for deal....never put yourself in financial pressure over a car
 
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Admittedly I ticker pretty much every box on my S3 Saloon order apart from super sport seats - and to be fair I would have ticked that had I realized how awesome they are before I placed the order!

I use my car for work so I want all the assistance features; and self parking. They make a big difference.

Lane assist and traffic jam assist mean the car drives itself essentially. You can lightly rest you hand on the wheel and it will do everything for you - stop, break, slow down, steer etc. It doesn't work on massive bends but on the motorway its a super useful feature.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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Spinstorm said:
Admittedly I ticker pretty much every box on my S3 Saloon order apart from super sport seats - and to be fair I would have ticked that had I realized how awesome they are before I placed the order!

I use my car for work so I want all the assistance features; and self parking. They make a big difference.

Lane assist and traffic jam assist mean the car drives itself essentially. You can lightly rest you hand on the wheel and it will do everything for you - stop, break, slow down, steer etc. It doesn't work on massive bends but on the motorway its a super useful feature.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

A extremely nice waste of money then....The S3 is supposed to be a Audi Drivers...car mate...you should av got a limited edition A6 instead as that has most of the drivers aids as standard....and no doubt it would have worked out a lot cheaper,in my opinion a car as small as the A3 doesnt need self parking?
 
Except that an A6 is way too big. I don't want an estate that is twice the size. I want a fast fun good looking saloon with loads of gadgets.

I have driven over 20,000 miles in 8 months this year - so self parking is useful when knackered and self driving is useful when traveling long distances.

Of course everyone has different needs and for me those are important.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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Thought I'd ask for opinions on here about whether magride is worth adding to my order rather than starting a new thread. Test drove a S3 saloon the other week which I believe comes with magride as standard but I've not had the chance to drive another car without it so nothing really to compare with other than my current S-Line A3.

I'm not really interested in adding magride just for some extra comfort but just wondered whether it has a big impact on the cars handling and road holding ability?
 
MB01 said:
Thought I'd ask for opinions on here about whether magride is worth adding to my order rather than starting a new thread. Test drove a S3 saloon the other week which I believe comes with magride as standard but I've not had the chance to drive another car without it so nothing really to compare with other than my current S-Line A3.

I'm not really interested in adding magride just for some extra comfort but just wondered whether it has a big impact on the cars handling and road holding ability?
Click to expand...
Magride is good for its versatility, you can go from soft and underdamped through reasonable and competent to firm as hell, but if you just want to add handling and road holding, you should buy a stock setup and then add aftermarket suspension. Magride is not yet tuneable or lowerable.
 
It's interesting that magride is standard on the S3 in the U.K. But optional in Germany and the US.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I placed the order for my S3 last Sunday. The salesman said... "sure, it's a long time to wait, but while you wait at least you can tweak the spec" I've been doing nothing but since then. :whistle2:

I've gone for the
  • Adv. Tech pack
  • Virtual cockpit :wink:
  • Privacy glass
  • Rear parking sensors (I rarely park any other way then reverse)
  • Matrix LED lights
 
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So I'll do the same. Put my spec down however I have been told you can't tweak it. The reason being that the factory allocated a build date based on not only the dealer slots but also on getting the parts needed. If you change the parts you need it may also change the build date. So it's not a good idea. Plus altering the spec will require finance to approve it again as the price will change.

Anyway I have ordered:

S3 Saloon Black Edition S-tronic in Navarra blue.

With

* Advanced Key

* Audi Active lane, side assist and traffic jam assist

* Audi pre-sense basic

* Audi Virtual cockpit

* Red brake callers

* Folding heated door mirrors

* Driver assistance pack

* Hill hold assist

* Leather/Alcantara interior

* Matrix LED lighting

* Panoramic glass sunroof

* Park assist

* Rear view camera

* Split folding rear bench

* Technology pack Advanced

* Quattro LED puddle lights narrow

So quite a few extras! Only left out super sport seats which I wish I hadn't.


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