A3 (S-Line) vs S3 Ride

SamP97 · Aug 21, 2017

Hi all,

Anyone know if there is a difference in A3 S Line and S3 ride height and stiffness. Assuming both cars are as they come, no 19's etc.

Also, as a little add on, anyone have any experience with the 2.0 190ps TFSI, is it pokey enough to be fun when needed or nay?
Seems a very expensive engine in most A models, taking the price up very close to a full blown S, especially given the crappy residuals on them in comparison.

TDI-line · Aug 21, 2017

I may be wrong, but i think an S-line with the stock suspension is 10mm higher than the S3.

If you add the S-line suspension option(around £325 ish), will lower the S-line further by 10mm, bringing it to the same level as an S3.

My Black Edition S-line has this suspension, and it does feel pretty firm, and for me is better than the stock S-line suspension, which i have also owned and lived with 3+ years, before my current A3.

That's my 2p worth.

paradigital · Aug 21, 2017

In answer to your 2.0 TFSI Quattro 190 questions, my original order was for a 2.0 190 and after speccing it up, working out the financials, and taking into account insurance premiums (S3 was cheaper to insure!), I ended up changing the order to an S3 for almost identical costs (after a lot of negotiation).

I think the 190PS could make a great used but in 12-18 months time, but buying new? No I don't see the point.

SamP97 · Aug 21, 2017

paradigital said:
In answer to your 2.0 TFSI Quattro 190 questions, my original order was for a 2.0 190 and after speccing it up, working out the financials, and taking into account insurance premiums (S3 was cheaper to insure!), I ended up changing the order to an S3 for almost identical costs (after a lot of negotiation).

I think the 190PS could make a great used but in 12-18 months time, but buying new? No I don't see the point.

Yeah I see what you mean. I was thinking to myself that perhaps it would be a good compromise. But like you, after doing the maths, I would only be about £15 a month better off! The only other difference being cost of servicing and fuel consumption, which I can't imagine being many miles apart.

paradigital · Aug 21, 2017

Servicing isn't massively different and looking at real world MPG figures, fuel costs are nigh on identical. Tyres should be the same price too (except like in my case with saloon, where the S3 gets upgraded to 19s as standard, the S-Line only sits on 18s, so slightly cheaper).

What you gain over the S-Line is, in my opinion, well worth the few cost increases you are going to be faced with.

4K · Aug 21, 2017

A3 ride is 100% better than the S3. They really screwed up with the suspension on the S3.

SamP97 · Aug 21, 2017

4K said:
A3 ride is 100% better than the S3. They really screwed up with the suspension on the S3.

Heard many a bad review on the suspension...
Wondered if it were the same as A3 S line as I find mine very bouncy and sloshy sometimes, but if it's even worse...

TDI-line · Aug 22, 2017

It depends what level of suspension was fitted when the car was built, as there are 3 options for build.

4K · Aug 22, 2017

SamP97 said:
Heard many a bad review on the suspension...
Wondered if it were the same as A3 S line as I find mine very bouncy and sloshy sometimes, but if it's even worse...

Yes, that's exactly how it feels to me, on a lot of B roads that I do daily.

I had an A3 Saloon 2.0 TFSI Recently, think it was an S-Line, as it was high spec, and it was night and day better than the S3 setup. So the S line may be bad, but nowhere near as bad as the stock suspension on the S3.

Brumbrum1 · Aug 22, 2017

SamP97 said:
Hi all,

Anyone know if there is a difference in A3 S Line and S3 ride height and stiffness. Assuming both cars are as they come, no 19's etc.

Also, as a little add on, anyone have any experience with the 2.0 190ps TFSI, is it pokey enough to be fun when needed or nay?
Seems a very expensive engine in most A models, taking the price up very close to a full blown S, especially given the crappy residuals on them in comparison.

I'm one of the few 190 TFSI owners.
I tried an S3 and loved it but the ride was too harsh for me so I was going to spec the mag ride but that pushed the cost up even more.
I also tested the 1.4 petrol but it lacked a bit of go (IMO) hence the 190 which has far more torque.
I paid cash and intend holding on to it for around 5 years so I'm not too bothered about the cost comparison.
It's the right car for me and my driving.
I rarely push the engine as it drives great on low down pull. Quite diesel like but able to rev if your in the mood.
It's certainly fast enough to be fun.
With 8000 miles now stop start city driving is 35mpg and a long run at motorway speeds is 48mpg.
I haven't regretted my choice.

SamP97 · Aug 23, 2017

Brumbrum1 said:
I'm one of the few 190 TFSI owners.
I tried an S3 and loved it but the ride was too harsh for me so I was going to spec the mag ride but that pushed the cost up even more.
I also tested the 1.4 petrol but it lacked a bit of go (IMO) hence the 190 which has far more torque.
I paid cash and intend holding on to it for around 5 years so I'm not too bothered about the cost comparison.
It's the right car for me and my driving.
I rarely push the engine as it drives great on low down pull. Quite diesel like but able to rev if your in the mood.
It's certainly fast enough to be fun.
With 8000 miles now stop start city driving is 35mpg and a long run at motorway speeds is 48mpg.
I haven't regretted my choice.

Nice one pal, cheers for your thoughts on it. Sounds like someone is at peace with their choice, wish I could plant myself firmly behind a decision!!!

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A3 (S-Line) vs S3 Ride

SamP97

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paradigital

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4K

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