Best upgrades to maintain value?

[Muessig]

So this weekend I'm picking up my new A3 S line 8P2 and while I'm planning to keep the car for a few years, I also want to add genuine OEM upgrades that will maintain the value of the car (like the RNS-E, or auto lights you can get from a retro fitter like hazy days.

Can anyone help me out by confirming which upgrades set an A3 apart from the crowd and are likely to maintain value down the road?

 

[Shandow]

Parking sensors.

 

[Sayam]

I don't think any one upgrade will set the car apart, as most cars will have one or more of the usual OEM stuff.

Get in touch with Nigel @NHN he is mobile and may be able to do a package for you. Here's my order of preference:

1. RNS-E mkII
2. Auto lights & wipers
3. Interior light pack
4. Heated seats
5. Optical parking

Despite what I just said above, optical parking is expensive and rare so cars featuring that will probably hold more money in the future.

 

[Rhyso]

Modifications rarely add any value to any car so pick things based upon your preference if you are planning to keep the car for a fee years. By the time you come to sell its value will be hard hit by the 8V and its successor

I added things that give me the most back in terms of everyday use

Remap
Xenons - awesome during the winter months
RNSE

The rest is mainly cosmetic to suit my own personal taste

 

[Meejaman]

In my view the best value upgrade is to spend your money on something else. Focus on what is important to you and your use of the car, not what may have value the future.

 

[Muessig]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm planning to add auto lights and RNS-E. I'm trying to figure out if RNS-E can connect to a phone via Bluetooth and play music from that or if that's not something it can do...

 

[voorhees]

RNS-E will need the Bluetooth module to connect…dear old game

 

[Sayam]

RNS-E will need the Bluetooth module to connect…dear old game

And the phone bluetooth won't stream music, you need the wireless AMI for that as far as I know.

 

[Muessig]

I was wondering if updating the rear lights or front end would maintain value, making the car look younger - but I'm surprised it hasn't come up.

So is the RNS-E going to be extremely expensive to get working with Bluetooth, or is it better to go for an alternative Pioneer or other radio?

 

[nooone]

Quattro (joking)

Money spent on upgrades are likely to have minimal benefit to the resale and , it will still have the same engine and overall interior, still won't have Quattro so wont appeal to those wanting more power.

 

[voorhees]

The best way to maintain value on the car is not to spend money on it unless a silly priced bit of kit comes up

 

[Adam Wilson]

You'll never get what you spend back on mods but you'll enjoy driving a lot more. For me, that's all that matters.

 

[Ash187]

Some mods that make the car spec higher of course makes it more desirable but I wouldn't think it makes it 'worth more' when selling. It may keep the value up a little but the price killer of any car is the mileage.
Depending on what year your car is also as I have seen a 2006 with a front end facelift go for a Lot more money than other 2006 A3s however it also costs a fair bit to facelift the front end
In any case most of us here mod the cars for our own benefit and taste, and either take them back off for sale time or just sell with.

Give us a shout if you wanted any jobs done like the auto lights or heated seats etc, you will find us to be much cheaper than others like hazzydays

 

[Muessig]

Some mods that make the car spec higher of course makes it more desirable but I wouldn't think it makes it 'worth more' when selling. It may keep the value up a little but the price killer of any car is the mileage.
Depending on what year your car is also as I have seen a 2006 with a front end facelift go for a Lot more money than other 2006 A3s however it also costs a fair bit to facelift the front end
In any case most of us here mod the cars for our own benefit and taste, and either take them back off for sale time or just sell with.

Give us a shout if you wanted any jobs done like the auto lights or heated seats etc, you will find us to be much cheaper than others like hazzydays

I just emailed you through your contact form on your website. Looking forward to hearing back.

 

[s3_trev]

Never heard of anyone adding options to a car before to maintain its value... Not sure if that really makes any sense TBH as anything you add now is gonna be a retrofit which is different from factory fit and someone MAY have an issue with that (as the reliability of any retrofits will of course be down to the skill of the individual that carried them out).

Add things that will make your life easier or that you will personally enjoy as if you are going down the route of maintaining value I think you will end up disappointed and wished you had just enjoyed the car yourself.

Keep the engine well looked after with regular stamps in the book and keep the miles down and use genuine parts where possible. After that its just down to the buyer really.

 

[Muessig]

First thing I want to do is get the alloy wheels refurbished - does anyone know a good alloy wheel specialist around the midlands?