I just Can't make my mind up!!!

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Ad72

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I’m still messing about with my S3 Saloon Black Edition order and can’t decide on options. My ideal spec is a few £’s over the 40k tax threshold (ROTR less £55 reg fee, less £185 tax, all based on current values) so those few options will cost me an extra £310 / year which I begrudge. I don't want to spoil the car for that but my ideal spec is painfully close to the threshold so it makes it even worse, if it was way over I wouldn't be bothers. Of course if the list price goes up between now and delivery day I’ll pay the extra tax anyway!

My options are as below

As order is now, S3 Saloon Black Edition, Ibis White, Grey Supersport seats, Parking Sensors, Extended Leather, Auto Dim Mirror – Tax Value £39,740 My reservations are the white paint, a pano roof would look good but ends up an expensive roof with the tax increase

So I could go metallic…. S3 Black Edition, Metalic (another question on which colour), supersport seats, parking sensors. Tax value £39,890. With this configuration I will miss the extended leather which I really want

So I keep the extended leather

S3 Black Edition, grey supersport seats, extended leather, metalic, (fold mirrors or auto dim mirror & hold assist) and ditch the parking sensors. I end up loosing over my original configuration the parking sensors. I don’t think I need the auto dim mirror as it has privacy glass and in my current A6 with privacy glass the auto dim mirror makes little to no difference. Main reservation is parking sensors….


If I just spec it as I want, S3 Black edition, metallic, grey supersport seats, extended leather, parking sensors, auto dim mirror, folding mirror, hill hold assist it ends up with a tax value of £40790 so those £790 worth of extras end up costing me an additional £620 if I keep it 3 years and it will just annoy me….

So I suppose the first question is does Ibis white with black pack look good without the pano roof? I also need to choose wheels......
 
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The other way to look at it is would it annoy you more paying the extra tax or not having the extras you'd really like as you'll have the car for a few years.
 
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TBH, from what I've read I would drop the SS seats. Personally I don't like the look of them, but apparently they also feel exactly the same as the standard seats. This would then free up some budget for your other desired options :)
 
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SS seats are no doubt personal preference, I came from Recaro buckets so wanted a seat that looked the part, I know it's not the RS but feel the SS seats make it look that extra bit special.
 
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Ideal optional spec is worth it in my mind if your on pcp deal you've got to keep a car for at least 30/36 months, you'll get some money back on a more desirable optioned car if you sell it
 
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jassyo06 said:
Ideal optional spec is worth it in my mind if your on pcp deal you've got to keep a car for at least 30/36 months, you'll get some money back on a more desirable optioned car if you sell it
Click to expand...

I agree to an extent, but someone buying second-hand is going to think twice when having to pay the extra for tax too, so they may look at keeping the original car price under £40k too...
 
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audi upgrades
Would you class rear parking sensors as a desirable option? Ditching then allows metallic paint.


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allanmb said:
I agree to an extent, but someone buying second-hand is going to think twice when having to pay the extra for tax too, so they may look at keeping the original car price under £40k too...
Click to expand...

Exactly, things are changing. I would normally set myself a monthly budget and start ticking the boxes. Now I need to prioritise my options. I do like the Supersport seats though and together with extended leather are my must have options.


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Ad72 said:
Would you class rear parking sensors as a desirable option? Ditching then allows metallic paint.


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Click to expand...

Again I'd say personal preference, personally having had them for so long (although I'm very proficient at reverse parking) I'd choose them every time.
 
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Tom.H said:
Again I'd say personal preference, personally having had them for so long (although I'm very proficient at reverse parking) I'd choose them every time.
Click to expand...

Thats kind of how I feel, we had a Mini Cooper s that had no sensors. I could see easy enough to park it but missed the noise of the sensors. I'm kind of answering my own questions!!


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I'm ordering next week... my spec -
Saloon BE
nano grey
Ss seat rotor grey
Rear parking sensors
Folding mirrors
Extended upholstery
& childseat underlay
List price £39.761.00

Lets hope the list prices don't rise in the next few months.
Has it risen at all recently ????
 
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Last rise was Jan so hopefully we will be ok!!


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Djs3saloon said:
I'm ordering next week... my spec -
Saloon BE
nano grey
Ss seat rotor grey
Rear parking sensors
Folding mirrors
Extended upholstery
& childseat underlay
List price £39.761.00

Lets hope the list prices don't rise in the next few months.
Has it risen at all recently ????
Click to expand...

It's the s-tropic that's throwing me over, I like your spec.


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Personally, I'd not buy a car without the reverse sensors.. they are a must. What's the point in not having them when a small prang could cost you hundreds. Much safer having them.
 
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allanmb said:
I agree to an extent, but someone buying second-hand is going to think twice when having to pay the extra for tax too, so they may look at keeping the original car price under £40k too...
Click to expand...


But it won't stop everyone buying cars over £40k you just need to budget for it or save up that little longer for one simple as that, l couldn't live with a pauper spec Audi just because of this ridiculous tax
 
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Ad72 said:
It's the s-tropic that's throwing me over, I like your spec.


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Click to expand...
My spec is tronic. I'm in two minds to forget this "let keep it below 40k " an put the pano roof and the rest of all bells and whistles !!
 
Djs3saloon said:
My spec is tronic. I'm in two minds to forget this "let keep it below 40k " an put the pano roof and the rest of all bells and whistles !!
Click to expand...

I test drove a manual S3 saloon at the weekend and enjoyed it, however I know I'll miss an auto if I go manual.


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Yes I've driven both. And couldn't love with out the tronic gear box. So much fun !
 
The tax band is based upon initial purchase price, so just buy the car with the important things, and then add the easy bits after you've bought it. Things like folding mirrors, parking sensors, & dimming rear view mirrors can be retro-fitted, either by you, or if you're technically not up to it / can't be bothered, by specialists like @DJAlix who I'm sure has spotted this burgeoning market and can price these up for you.

The extended leather can also be retrofitted after the fact.

This way you get the spec you want, and you don't pay double the tax for the first six years.
 
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Can you not beat up your dealer to sell with the specs you want at below the tax threshold price? As, I presume the tax is based on the invoice price to you, not the list price?
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
Can you not beat up your dealer to sell with the specs you want at below the tax threshold price? As, I presume the tax is based on the invoice price to you, not the list price?
Click to expand...

No it's the on the road price less first years tax and reg fee. If it were price paid I'd tick every box!!!


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Think I'm nearly there.
S3 Saloon Black Edition, S-tronic, in Brilliant black, grey supersport seats in grey, extend leather, rear park sensor, auto dim mirror, folding mirrors. After delivery I may fit standard S3 silver mirror caps . Now just for the wheels, v spoke or 5 arm???


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Ad72 said:
Think I'm nearly there.
S3 Saloon Black Edition, S-tronic, in Brilliant black, grey supersport seats in grey, extend leather, rear park sensor, auto dim mirror, folding mirrors. After delivery I may fit standard S3 silver mirror caps . Now just for the wheels, v spoke or 5 arm???


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Click to expand...

Have you seen how much the S3 mirror caps are :fearscream:
 
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Ad72 said:
WTF, I love them in black!!!


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Click to expand...

Haha I bought genuine Audi carbon fibre ones before the car was built.
 
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Ad72 said:
Think I'm nearly there.
S3 Saloon Black Edition, S-tronic, in Brilliant black, grey supersport seats in grey, extend leather, rear park sensor, auto dim mirror, folding mirrors. After delivery I may fit standard S3 silver mirror caps . Now just for the wheels, v spoke or 5 arm???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I've gone for the 5 arm wing. But who knows I could change my mind & spec before I order next week haha!!!
 
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Ad72 said:
Think I'm nearly there.
S3 Saloon Black Edition, S-tronic, in Brilliant black, grey supersport seats in grey, extend leather, rear park sensor, auto dim mirror, folding mirrors. After delivery I may fit standard S3 silver mirror caps . Now just for the wheels, v spoke or 5 arm???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
What deal are you being quoted for you're s3 mate ?
 
Djs3saloon said:
I've gone for the 5 arm wing. But who knows I could change my mind & spec before I order next week haha!!!
Click to expand...
It's killing me, it will end up an R8 if it goes on much longer. I did some further negotiation after last week, cancelled my original order and ended up with a better deal at another dealer......long story. Anyway if I base my trade in on evans halshaw online figures (which were £3500 more than WBAC and £500 more than the best of the other dealers) I got just shy of 13% off the on the road list price with options.
However if I use the value of what i think my car is really worth as a private sale now I got 11% off. This is for a factory order car so i'm pretty pleased.
 
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Ad72 said:
Think I'm nearly there.
S3 Saloon Black Edition, S-tronic, in Brilliant black, grey supersport seats in grey, extend leather, rear park sensor, auto dim mirror, folding mirrors. After delivery I may fit standard S3 silver mirror caps . Now just for the wheels, v spoke or 5 arm???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Wing arm or Vspoke? I thought you were struggling to keep it under £40k? You can get the wheels on eBay.
 
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GSB said:
Wing arm or Vspoke? I thought you were struggling to keep it under £40k? You can get the wheels on eBay.
Click to expand...

Both are a no cost option, in fact I need to choose one or the other as they are the only wheel options


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Have you considered the alcantara seat option? Do a far better job of holding you than the leather ones do.

Si :)
 
I love them :) wasn't so sure about new style but glad i stuck with order as i think they're lovely :)

Si :)
 
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