Things I Learnt This Weekend

[geefunk1978]

I agree with the looks vs practicality point.

I think the 3 door looks nicer than the Sportback (although the SB is by no means bad looking. It's fab)

But I don't even have my hatchback yet (Tuesday!!!) and I'm already worrying about a trip to Cambridge I'm taking my folks on. Thinking I might have to hire a winch to get my old man out of the back seats

To be honest mate there's plenty of room getting in the back if you've got legs! I have super sports seats which I think are a bit bigger than standard so it's a pain in the *** to get a baby seat in the back though the gap! I've found a way where I have to angle it though so getting used to it. You just have to be a contortionist to plug the seat into the isofix base!

 

[geefunk1978]

Just out of interest, just did a quick check. There is a nearly new (Jan 2014) 184 TDI A3 on the audi website with 5000 on the clock going for £30,850, and when you spec the same car new it would cost £33,860... so basically I think your garage is taking the p!ss with that offer, in effect trying to grab £8 profit off you...

Agreed, they're definitely trying to have your pants down.

 

[Stevo985]

To be honest mate there's plenty of room getting in the back if you've got legs! I have super sports seats which I think are a bit bigger than standard so it's a pain in the *** to get a baby seat in the back though the gap! I've found a way where I have to angle it though so getting used to it. You just have to be a contortionist to plug the seat into the isofix base!

When I test drove an A3 my dad sat in the back and the dealer and I literally had to pull him out of the car because he couldn't get out

I'm not seriously worried really. The number of times I even have anyone in the back is so few that it really doesn't matter to me.
If I did have a regular need for it I'd have probably gone for the sportback.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I think I know what £5k of your problem is mate ........... extras !

Unfortunately these count for very little when you trade the car in and the Dealer just goes on book value.

Factor in the fact the car is so new, which will possibly make up the other £5k and you are getting pretty close.

Extras will make your car much more desirable, but they do not usually reflect in the price offered by the Dealer.

I always try to keep extras to a minimum for this reason, but easier said than done with the A3/S3 as there are so many tempting options ... Audi have really gone to town with the options on their cars now with really appealing options.

I know when I specced up an S3 the extras came to £5k for me too and I thought I was being fairly sensible.

 

[cemerson]

I spec the car I want rather than the car I'm going to sell... I'll drive it far more many times than I'll sell it, so I don't worry too much about the depreciation in extras and put what you want on the car!

 

[h5djr]

I spec the car I want rather than the car I'm going to sell... I'll drive it far more many times than I'll sell it, so I don't worry too much about the depreciation in extras and put what you want on the car!

I agree 100%. Why spend 3 years driving round in a car that does not have exactly the spec you want. I always work on the resale value being the base value for the particular model but have often been offered more because the dealer knows it will be a easy car to sell. Money is not everything after all.

 

[geefunk1978]

Very true I've specced the car how I wanted it, I've definitely learnt a few options to/not have on the next car aswell. Well swapping is a no go got offered £28k by Audi too on a part ex for a sportback or saloon. Just have to live with the 3 door for a while!

 

[CraigI]

Depreciation on all cars in year 1 is collosal. Even on the premium brands.
It's also true that you get nothing back for extras, not even from Audi.
Found both of these things to be true on my S5 which I traded for my S3.

I'm a big fan of AMG's (got one in the garage), but the A45 is nasty, similar to the M135.

I've got a newborn and that's the reason I went 5 door.
Like you, had I had anything smaller my daily wouldn't have been used.

 

[Flibble]

That carbon interior is gash. Mercedes have really dropped the ball there.

 

[cemerson]

It's not true that extras don't return anything, some packs and items (eg sat nav) have resale value, but a lot don't.

 

[squiretolley]

I looked into changing to an S3 this weekend, but the dealer offered me £11,000 less than I paid on my four month old 184 TDi SB.
So it's a no go.

You could always sell it privately and start from scratch with the S3. Clearly there would be some depreciation but nowhere near £11k!

I was thinking about doing this with my A3 and trading up to an A6. I put £1k into a PCP deal and I reckon I could sell mine and settle the finance and not be out of pocket, I would no doubt lose the £1k I put in, but it wouldn't be too concerned about that.

 

[CraigI]

It's not true that extras don't return anything, some packs and items (eg sat nav) have resale value, but a lot don't.

From my experience I disagree.
You'll be offered book price, which is base model rrp depreciated.
If you have a better than base spec level, such as the Plus or a Black Edition, then that counts as a different model of the range, so the extra base rrp does achieve resale for those options included as part of the special edition.

No other options make a difference to trade. Most of the time the dealer isn't even interested in your options, sometimes don't even look at the car, just ask for the mileage and registration.

If a dealer offers you more than book price it's not down to options, they've just moved some of the discount they can offer on the new car to the trade in to make it look like you are getting a better deal.

Private sale you might get a bit more if you are lucky enough to find a buyer that wants the specific options, but not trading.

 

[rams_s3]

Not true in my latest experience, dealers do care what options you have as cars with 'good' options I.e sat nav, s tronic, pearl paint etc, are far easier to sell hence will give better money for them as oppose to cars without. I know this as I've been thinking of chopping mine in and swapping my manual s3 for a s tronic s3 and have been speaking it few salespeople over the past couple of days

 

[CraigI]

Not true in my latest experience, dealers do care what options you have as cars with 'good' options I.e sat nav, s tronic, pearl paint etc, are far easier to sell hence will give better money for them as oppose to cars without. I know this as I've been thinking of chopping mine in and swapping my manual s3 for a s tronic s3 and have been speaking it few salespeople over the past couple of days

S-tronic I agree, but that's a different model from the manual with a different rrp.
The rest won't make any difference for trade.
You'll just get less discount off the new car if you push for a higher trade price.

 

[rams_s3]

Southend and Huddersfield audi must be different to ones you've dealt with. They were very keen on my car when I told them the spec, weren't bothered at first when the thought it was entry level. Mines hardly top spec (phantom, b and o, high tech pack, comfort pack, pan roof, phone box) but they're keen!

 

[CraigI]

Southend and Huddersfield audi must be different to ones you've dealt with. They were very keen on my car when I told them the spec, weren't bothered at first when the thought it was entry level. Mines hardly top spec (phantom, b and o, high tech pack, comfort pack, pan roof, phone box) but they're keen!

Of course they are keen if you are thinking of ordering a new car.
New car sales and used car sales are different departments, so new will transfer the car over to used after trade-in at book price regardless of "agreed" valuation. If new car sales offer any more than book for your trade then it will come off of their profit level/reduce the discount they will offer you. Swings and roundabouts, but trade in will be book value.
Salesmen are very good at making you think you are getting a good deal.

 

[rams_s3]

Of course they are keen if you are thinking of ordering a new car.
New car sales and used car sales are different departments, so new will transfer the car over to used after trade-in at book price regardless of "agreed" valuation. If new car sales offer any more than book for your trade then it will come off of their profit level/reduce the discount they will offer you. Swings and roundabouts, but trade in will be book value.
Salesmen are very good at making you think you are getting a good deal.

I'm looking at swapping my car for an ex-demo s3 not new. You're right they do know how to make you think you're the winner but never the less my spec changed they're mind regarding the swap so they must of thought the options added value to the car.

 

[Louay]

I'm looking at swapping my car for an ex-demo s3 not new. You're right they do know how to make you think you're the winner but never the less my spec changed they're mind regarding the swap so they must of thought the options added value to the car.

An abused ex-demo S-tronic for your brand new unmolested S3? You feeling alright?

 

[RossR]

If you get a valuation on one of the car buying websites such as webuyanycar.com, they do take into account some extras such as sat nav and full leather seats. Dealers don't always consider such things, but sometimes do. The trim levels, engine and transmission are also taken into account as part of the model.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Of course they are keen if you are thinking of ordering a new car.
New car sales and used car sales are different departments, so new will transfer the car over to used after trade-in at book price regardless of "agreed" valuation. If new car sales offer any more than book for your trade then it will come off of their profit level/reduce the discount they will offer you. Swings and roundabouts, but trade in will be book value.
Salesmen are very good at making you think you are getting a good deal.

Craig ... completely agree with ALL your points and sounds like you have first hand experience like I have.

If you have money to burn or the attitude money is not everything and take the view you want the car 100% how you want it no matter what, no compromises and acknowledge you will get very little back for the extras you load the car with ... then that is fine.

There are two extras you generally get a contribution back for those being s-tronic and sat nav but it tends to be approx 25% of the cost you paid for them in the first place.

B&O, black packs, privacy glass, sunroofs, extended leather, folding mirrors, pearl paint, LED lights, roof bars, bucket seats, light packs etc ... all count for zero in terms of part-ex value - although they do make the car more attractive to sell on - but no financial worth !

As you also point out Craig, special editions like black edition DO add value, or the car is worth more than a standard car and as these cars tend to be loaded with kit you desire for less than you would pay for items individually they do tend to represent good value.

 

[ConS3]

My two cents on all of this:

1. Was not a fan of the A45. It's looks were far too boy racer for me, and the ride quality was horrendous. I'm sure it's fantastic on a nice, smooth track, but put it on normal roads, and prepare to sit on a seat cushion over time. I also have to say it didn't feel as fast as I thought it would be. Sure launch control is quick, but in real world driving, it's a negligible difference to the S3. Down low in first and second, the torque delivery was dismal relative to the S3. It wasn't until you hit up past 4000 that it felt quick. In the real world, I don't sit on 4000 revs! The S3 delivers its torque (not limited as it is in the A45) 500 rpm earlier in the rev range.
2. There is a 12+ month wait list for the A45 down here. And dealers are marking up the price on whatever is available by 20%. Stupid prices.
3. The CLA45 is ugly in person. It looks like someone took a shrinking ray to the CLS and failed on the proportions miserably.

At the end of the day, an AMG badge on a two litre, four cylinder car just doesn't work. At least Audi, for now, uses a five pot on its rival to it. That may change in time, but right now, having the high end, performance moniker on a car like AMG or RS means it has to be extra special. The A45 is not.

Don't take this as me hating Merc. The outgoing C63 will go down in history as one of the best saloons ever. But that's about it haha. I'm not a fan of any other Mercs. Down here, we have no option for the AWD versions. Sending 6 million torques to the rears is just dumb.

 

[rams_s3]

An abused ex-demo S-tronic for your brand new unmolested S3? You feeling alright?

I know what you're saying, but I'm having trouble with mine and no dealer recognises a fault. The problem is a delay in power delivery when changing gear at high rpm. There's is 100% a split second where power seems to be cut out for some reason but apparently no one can find anything wrong. I originally wanted s-tronic but couldn't wait the 10weeks they quoted and this one cropped up. Wish I'd waited for the car I wanted now! I dont dislike the manual just the glitch annoys me!

 

[5pot]

I know what you're saying, but I'm having trouble with mine and no dealer recognises a fault. The problem is a delay in power delivery when changing gear at high rpm. There's is 100% a split second where power seems to be cut out for some reason but apparently no one can find anything wrong. I originally wanted s-tronic but couldn't wait the 10weeks they quoted and this one cropped up. Wish I'd waited for the car I wanted now! I dont dislike the manual just the glitch annoys me!

Take it to a specialist, see if they can find the fault and then go back to Audi?

 

[ConS3]

Btw I also agree on the paddle shifters on the S3. They do just feel like clickers and not proper paddles.

 

[Mostly Grouchy]

Just to return to the original post, babies and 3 doors can be managed! I've had a 3 door Alfa147 since my son was born, and the back of that is harder to access than the A3. It's just a question of technique and trying not to whack their heads on the door frame... Builds up your muscles too (he was 5.2 kg at birth so quite a challenge). The hardest aspect was cleaning up after he was spectacularly sick one day, thank goodness for leather seats. He's nearly 10 and almost as tall as his Mum now and he insisted that I order the A3 hatchback rather than the sportback because "that's what proper cars are like" - his words, not mine.

Anyway, stick with it, it is manageable.

 

[lee_fr200]

I have a 3dr and my son is now 14 month old, we manage but I can't wait to get a 5dr just to make the wife abit happier

 

[rams_s3]

Ventured over to the dark side today and went to have a look at the golf r. I haven't been in a s3 with s-tronic yet but the golf didn't feel as quick as my manual s3. Exhaust note is much more aggressive and shouty. Steering feel is almost identical to the audi maybe slightly lighter in 'race' mode (vw's dynamic alternative) in all honesty I liked the car but I'm a bit of a hooligan at heart to be honest and that's the reason why I liked it, it is more of a, dare I say it, boy racer car lol but it has character where as the s3 as good as they are does seem abit bland by comparison but it's the class of the audi that appealed to me at the time and is a much more civilised family car which is a needs-must these days for me. I won't be rushing to swap for the golf but if I was single with no family it would be a different question I think.

 

[rams_s3]

Also interesting the paddles are still the old design, small!

 

[RossR]

.

 

[geefunk1978]

Don't know why but I've never been a fan of VW's. When I was younger you either had a 205 GTi or a Golf GTi if you wanted a hot hatch, I went with the 1.9 GTi, although not built aswell it was great fun. I guess nowadays build quality and every day useability means more to me. I still wouldn't buy a golf though, I just don't think they're exciting enough. This might be from past experience but I just don't see the appeal. I know Evo and Top Gear really rate them but I just don't get it.

 

[rams_s3]

Go try one gee u might like it.

 

[steeve]

Don't know why but I've never been a fan of VW's. When I was younger you either had a 205 GTi or a Golf GTi if you wanted a hot hatch, I went with the 1.9 GTi, although not built aswell it was great fun. I guess nowadays build quality and every day useability means more to me. I still wouldn't buy a golf though, I just don't think they're exciting enough. This might be from past experience but I just don't see the appeal. I know Evo and Top Gear really rate them but I just don't get it.

I've had MKi, MKII, MKIII, three MK IV's including an R32, and an edition 30 MKV which was the best of the lot. Golfs are great cars try one. There's really not much in it between an A3 and a Golf. Audi probably has the edge.

 

[PembsA3]

I've had more than 30 cars since the mid 80's. Of them all (apart from current new A3 - jury's out...), the Golf GTIs I've owned have been the ones I have enjoyed owning and driving most of all... Quality, performance, handling, comfort, reliability, practicality, versatility... all in one great package... If the 'R' had been out when I wanted to change I'd have been very tempted because of the 4 wheel drive... But the A3 quattro won me...

 

[h5djr]

I've had more than 30 cars since the mid 80's. Of them all (apart from current new A3 - jury's out...), the Golf GTIs I've owned have been the ones I have enjoyed owning and driving most of all... Quality, performance, handling, comfort, reliability, practicality, versatility... all in one great package... If the 'R' had been out when I wanted to change I'd have been very tempted because of the 4 wheel drive... But the A3 quattro won me...

I had two Mk1 GTIs and a Golf VR6 and at the time I thought they were great. I don't think I would thing the same now. Cars have changed a lot and so have I but I still like a car with plenty of 'go' hence the A3 2.0TDI-184 s-tronic quattro.

 

[geefunk1978]

The only thing I like about the Golf R is that it's offered with 19" wheels, other than that it looks no different to a Golf GTD apart from the quad exhausts. I just can't get excited by them!

 

[ahfh1]

I still own my MKIV Golf GTI which I've had for almost 10 years. It's bomb proof, reliable, fairly comfortable and I've had very few problems with it considering it's age.

I was therefore seriously tempted to go for the new MK VII Golf, but when I spec'd up the Golf to match the same spec as the A3 I found that the Golf was only around £700 cheaper. I think that more recently, the price difference between a Golf and an A3 have been converging. Maybe say 10 years ago, the Golf would definitely have been cheaper by a greater margin spec for spec, but not so anymore.

So why did I pay the extra £700 for the Audi? Well, for starters, I prefer the A3's pop up screen compared to the Golf touch screen (mucky finger prints). Also the interior looks more premium in the A3, although the Golf is not too far off. Finally the styling of the A3 looks less boring then the Golf. All these factors sealed the deal for me.

 

[rams_s3]

I agree, the interior is not up to the same standards as the Audi, by a long way in my eyes I parked the golf r next to my s3 to do a comparison. The touch screen mmi unit I did quite like though felt abit more modern than the one in the a3 even if not quite as clear and as well laid out.

 

[Joetidman]

Autoexpress just tested the Golf R vs A45 AMG vs RS Q3... Audi and VW 0-60 came up in 4.5, AMG took 4.6! Also in-gear times were slower. Reviewer put it down to torque limiter...