Anything missing from my spec?

[dizzyheights]

Hi all,

Just about to order an S Line A3 Sportsback and just wanted some reassurance on my spec to ensure I'm not missing out on anything essential.

Monsoon Grey
Electric folding mirrors
Hill hold assist
Tyre pressure loss indicator
Aluminium roof rails
Comfort pack
Audi parking system plus
standard SE suspension
Interior lighting package
High beam assist - not sure you can have this with the Xenon's though

I can't really afford any sound system upgrades and can easily add the sat nav later if I wanted too. My only dilemma is whether to go for the upgraded Xenon plus headlights?


Grateful for any feedback on the above spec.

Cheers

 

[Daveotto]

Nice spec and ticks nearly all my boxes but there have been some indifferent reviews of high beam assist and personally would swap it out for the Audi sound upgrade.

 

[Cumbrian_bob]

Nice spec.

Your missing an engine
Also I think the Sline Xenon plus lights are standard ?? Of course there are the adaptive headlights as an extra.

I would try and stretch the extra £255 for the sounds system upgrade if you can, I dont have high beam assist so cant really comment, but I wasnt sure how well it would work with dazzling drivers before dipping te lights? --> Dont have it so I shouldnt really comment on if its any good or worth the money.

Haggle hard

 

[h5djr]

Hi all,

Just about to order an S Line A3 Sportsback and just wanted some reassurance on my spec to ensure I'm not missing out on anything essential.

Monsoon Grey
Electric folding mirrors
Hill hold assist
Tyre pressure loss indicator
Aluminium roof rails
Comfort pack
Audi parking system plus
standard SE suspension
Interior lighting package
High beam assist - not sure you can have this with the Xenon's though

I can't really afford any sound system upgrades and can easily add the sat nav later if I wanted too. My only dilemma is whether to go for the upgraded Xenon plus headlights?


Grateful for any feedback on the above spec.

Cheers

Personally I would definitely add Xenons as they make night driving so much better and are expensive to add at a later date. I also find the Through-load facility very useful for carrying longer objects without having to put the back seats down.

I would prefer these options to the Audi parking system plus and would just go for the parking sensor at the rear. I always park front first into a parking space so that I don't hold up others when I'm parking and it also gives easier access to the tailgate for any shopping and easier access to the car doors and the parking system plus can only cope with parking backwards. Also I have no problem parking by the road side, especially with the rear parking sensors. As the rear parking sensors are included in the Comfort Pack the money saved could go towards the Xenons. You could also save a further £250 towards the Xenons by not specifying the roof rails, unless you need them for a specific reason.

Other than the items I've mentioned I think you've got a good spec for the money.

 

[dizzyheights]

Yep, an engine does help. It's a 1.6 diesel. Thought about the 2 litre diesel, but based on my current A1 I'm happy with the perfirmancenof the 1.6 diesel.

Cheers.

 

[PilotAudi]

Better sound system is vital . Standard version is poor IMHO

 

[Daveotto]

Better sound system is vital . Standard version is poor IMHO

Can vouch for that after 1.5 hour singalong with my daughter yesterday after I picked her up from uni!!!

 

[yetirider]

I'm a purest if you want an s-line buy an s-line. If you want comfort buy an SE.
Put the suspension back on it....

 

[h5djr]

Yep, an engine does help. It's a 1.6 diesel. Thought about the 2 litre diesel, but based on my current A1 I'm happy with the perfirmancenof the 1.6 diesel.

Cheers.

I would definitely go for the 2.0TDI. I have a 2.0TDI in my present A3 and my wife has the 1.6 in her A1 and I would say the 2.0TDI is much more powerful and smoother. I have been impressed with the 2.0 in all of the new 8P A3 I have test driven so far. Are you going for a manual or s-tronic because than can also make a difference. The 1.6 comes with the 7-speed dry-clutch version whereas the 2.0 comes with the 6-speed wet-clutch version which is regarded as the better of the two.

As far as the Sound system is concerned, it depends on how much you listen to it. If you listen a lot then it would be both upgrading, but if, like me, you hardly ever listen to anything when you are driving then it's probably not worth it.

 

[PilotAudi]

Yep, an engine does help. It's a 1.6 diesel. Thought about the 2 litre diesel, but based on my current A1 I'm happy with the perfirmancenof the 1.6 diesel.

Cheers.

The 1.6Tdi is a fine motor, not as quick as the 2.0Tdi but depends what you want. We have both in Audi/VW cars at present and the 1.6Tdi 105 Golf is just fine, probably better in a lighter Audi! Front and Rear Park on Golf is very useful too.

 

[yetirider]

The 1.6Tdi is a fine motor, not as quick as the 2.0Tdi but depends what you want. We have both in Audi/VW cars at present and the 1.6Tdi 105 Golf is just fine, probably better in a lighter Audi! Front and Rear Park on Golf is very useful too.

Agree, I had a 1.6TDI in my A1 and went for the same engine in the A3.

 

[driver_tim]

As an S-line owner myself I'd say:
* Sound system - as others have said depends on whether you listen to much on the move but if you do would recommend an upgrade from the base. I have the B&O which is fantastic, but the Audi system also gets good feedback on here
* Hill hold - I know most people rave about it, but I don't have it and don't really miss it. Additionally, I understand it keeps the brake lights on when operating. I have to say waiting at traffic lights at night behind someone with their brake lights on constantly is one of my pet hates!
* Suspension - probably one of the most subjective choices there is. I have Sport suspension and would describe it as on the firm side of comfortable, but not too firm. Obviously it depends to some extent what you'll be using the car for but don't be influenced by how harshly the 8P rode.
* Headlights - basic Xenons are standard with the S-line in the UK. The adaptive Xenon and LED options both get good feedback on here. Personally I just have the basic Xenons; as all my previous cars were simple halogen it still seems a big step up for me!
* The three year servicing pack is generally considered good value.
* Personally I have privacy glass and think it makes the car look smarter. However this is very much a matter of personal taste and no doubt others will strongly disagree with me!

 

[PilotAudi]

I would agree with most of the above apart from the service pack. Have had our 8p nearly 3 years only had one service which I negotiated as a free one when doing the deal. Cost would have only been £200 anyway or just over £5 a month. How is £34 a month good value????

 

[Mr Fusion]

* Hill hold - I know most people rave about it, but I don't have it and don't really miss it. Additionally, I understand it keeps the brake lights on when operating. I have to say waiting at traffic lights at night behind someone with their brake lights on constantly is one of my pet hates!

Does anyone know if this is the case regardless of gearbox? I might expect the brake lights to stay on with the S-tronic but not with a manual box?

 

[PilotAudi]

Does anyone know if this is the case regardless of gearbox? I might expect the brake lights to stay on with the S-tronic but not with a manual box?

Only if you have foot on the brake pedal ! There is no link from hill hold to brake lights .

 

[snakehips]

If you can stretch to it I'd add:
Xenon Plus (should be relatively cheap since you already have Xenons)
Audi Sound System (ideally B&O but *** pretty good)
Privacy Glass (looks great)

You could fund them by removing Parking Plus unless that's important to you.
And I urge you not to listen to anyone about suspension, just get what feels good for you and don't fret about the looks.

 

[cemerson]

Hold Assist is worth it. ACC also very much worth getting.

Hill Hold, which some people have mentioned, is standard anyway so you don't have a choice in that!

 

[PilotAudi]

Hold Assist is worth it. ACC also very much worth getting.

Hill Hold, which some people have mentioned, is standard anyway so you don't have a choice in that!

Not in uk.

 

[h5djr]

Hold Assist is worth it. ACC also very much worth getting.

Hill Hold, which some people have mentioned, is standard anyway so you don't have a choice in that!

What is the difference between Hold Assist and Hill Hold?

Hold Assist is an Option on cars in Germany as well, according to the German Price List. €80 incl vat.

 

[snakehips]

Not in uk.

Er, I think it is. Hill hold is just for the few seconds it gives you to take your foot off the brake and apply power. That is standard. Hold assist is the £90 option that holds infinitely. Particularly good for S-tronic and I wish I'd specced it.

 

[PilotAudi]

Isn't that just a feature of auto transmission ? That creaping feeling?

 

[h5djr]

Er, I think it is. Hill hold is just for the few seconds it gives you to take your foot off the brake and apply power. That is standard. Hold assist is the £90 option that holds infinitely. Particularly good for S-tronic and I wish I'd specced it.

Certainly with my s-tronic, if I take my foot off the brake pedal on a slope the car does not roll back before I can apply the power. I had the feeling I'd read somewhere that Hill Hold was standard with all s-tronics. Obviously Hold Assist applies to both manual and s-tronic and holds the car without the need to apply the hand brake. Does it stay ON when the ignition is turned off and the key removed?

 

[cemerson]

Hill Hold holds you on the brakes for a few seconds on a hill start. It might not come in at all when pointing downhill, I don't know. It's a standard bit of kit (though is irrelevant if you have Hold Assist).

Hold Assist is the £90 option that holds you wherever you are until you try to move off again, once you have come to a complete stop.

 

[cemerson]

Certainly with my s-tronic, if I take my foot off the brake pedal on a slope the car does not roll back before I can apply the power. I had the feeling I'd read somewhere that Hill Hold was standard with all s-tronics. Obviously Hold Assist applies to both manual and s-tronic and holds the car without the need to apply the hand brake. Does it stay ON when the ignition is turned off and the key removed?

Hill Hold applies to the manual just the same.

If you take off your seatbelt, turn the ignition off or open the door with Hold Assist active it'll put the handbrake on instead.

 

[h5djr]

Hill Hold applies to the manual just the same.

If you take off your seatbelt, turn the ignition off or open the door with Hold Assist active it'll put the handbrake on instead.

How much longer before the driver is no longer necessary!!!

 

[cemerson]

Not any longer at all. It's been possible for years... the barriers are legal, not technological.

 

[Itguy]

Agree totally

Look at the tech in our cars already - satnav, speed limit recognition, adaptive cruise down to zero mph, lane assist etc etc - map all this lot together with the right software and it's a fair way there.

 

[h5djr]

Agree totally

Look at the tech in our cars already - satnav, speed limit recognition, adaptive cruise down to zero mph, lane assist etc etc - map all this lot together with the right software and it's a fair way there.

But would we enjoy driving such a car. Personally the answer is no. I like all the 'driver aids' but I still want to be the one who is doing the actual driving.

 

[PilotAudi]

But would we enjoy driving such a car. Personally the answer is no. I like all the 'driver aids' but I still want to be the one who is doing the actual driving.

I thought you had S Tronic Dave??

 

[h5djr]

I thought you had S Tronic Dave??

I have and I consider that a 'driving aid'. I drive almost 100% in tiptronic mode and I still decide when to change gear. The s-tronic just stops me having to keep pressing the clutch pedal.

Many years ago when I was an adult instructor with the Army Cadets it was the instructors who had to drive the trucks. In order to pass the army driving test for the standard 3-ton truck we had to double de-clutch for every gear change. Now even a manual gearbox has synchromesh so that is no longer necessary. The s-tonic clutches are just the next step forward, unless of course you decide to drive it in full automatic mode which personally I would find boring.

 

[PilotAudi]

Driving has changed a lot. We have an old car in the garage with no synchromesh on 1st and it is strange. Also I expect Dave was taught to use the gears to slow down. Having recently completed a Police Advanced driving assessment I still find it strange to be advised NOT to use the gears to slow down.

 

[h5djr]

Driving has changed a lot. We have an old car in the garage with no synchromesh on 1st and it is strange. Also I expect Dave was taught to use the gears to slow down. Having recently completed a Police Advanced driving assessment I still find it strange to be advised NOT to use the gears to slow down.

You're right. I was taught that way and when I went on a driver assessment course with the Police I was encouraged to use the gears to slow down. That was back in around 1975. Cars have changed a lot since then. I still tend to change down before a roundabout or corner but now only to be in the correct gear to exist. I think the thing these days that brake pads are cheaper to replace than clutches.

Whilst I was taking my army test the 3-ton trucks in use at the time had a belt driven compressor to provide braking assistance. On my test I lost all braking assistance and I suggested to the instructor that I check the belt. His reply was to take the truck back just using the gears. When we got back we checked and the belt had just come off but I obviously made a reasonable job of getting the truck back in one piece because I passed with the top grade which allowed me to drive trucks loaded with ammunitions and explosives.

 

[cuke2u]

Strange you should say that using the gears to slow down isn't taught anymore. On the speed awareness course I took about three years ago they were still saying we should use engine braking. I hate following a driver who is using his/her brakes as it becomes a distraction and causes other people behind to also have to brake. Why the use of gears and engine braking be 'old hat' is just another silly trend that will come and will go. I stick to the 'correct' method thereby saving my brakes for when actually I need them and saving me fuel as well..

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

Think about this. Use your brakes and replace pads. Use your gearbox and risk your drivetrain. I'm proposing you use both together correctly. This way your deceleration is correct and effective

 

[h5djr]

Strange you should say that using the gears to slow down isn't taught anymore. On the speed awareness course I took about three years ago they were still saying we should use engine braking. I hate following a driver who is using his/her brakes as it becomes a distraction and causes other people behind to also have to brake. Why the use of gears and engine braking be 'old hat' is just another silly trend that will come and will go. I stick to the 'correct' method thereby saving my brakes for when actually I need them and saving me fuel as well..

I usually find then when I'm following other traffic all I need to do is to take my foot of the accelerator pedal. I have followed other cars for miles with the brake lights coming on every few minutes both on the motorway and on ordinary roads and lanes and the brake lights come on for every corner or even in the lanes every car coming the other way and all I ever need to do is to take my foot off the accelerator. It seems that some drivers have to have their foot on one pedal or the other. The slight problem with slowing down using just the gears is that you can slow down quite rapidly and not show any brake lights, therefore the traffic behind does not register that you are slowing down. Where you can slow down by just releasing the accelerator the slow down is more gradual. If you do have to slow down more quickly it is good to show some brake lights.

As for using the gears to slow down being the 'correct' method it may well have been the case when cars did not have very powerful brakes but that is not the case on a modern car. Although I was originally taught to drive some 50 years ago, I don't think all I was taught then necessarily applies to driving a modern car.

The worst drivers are those in automatics who are to lazy to move the stick into N or P when they stop and sit there with their foot on the brake to stop the car creeping and therefore have their brake lights on blinding the driver behind, especially at night. It used to annoy me intensely when I drove a manual and I vowed when I first had an s-tronic not to do it, although it is becoming more difficult with the Start/Stop systems.

 

[cemerson]

I'm still amazed by the number of people who find brake lights somehow 'annoying'!

I was taught the corny phrase 'gears are for going, brakes are for slowing' - engine braking is useful in some circumstances but I try not to use it for slowing down going down through all the gears, really knackers your clutch a lot more quickly. Brakes are cheaper than clutches!

 

[cemerson]

But would we enjoy driving such a car. Personally the answer is no. I like all the 'driver aids' but I still want to be the one who is doing the actual driving.

Turn it all off then if you want to enjoy it. Use them for the boring drives - eg, motorway etc. There will be a day when driving a car is considered a hobby again, and done on tracks - whereas the automatic driverless vehicles will be for everyday use. Computers are better at driving than humans, no matter how many untrusting people with supposed years of experience will disagree with that. Humans make errors a lot more often (and in a lot more consequential way mostly) than machines.

 

[h5djr]

Turn it all off then if you want to enjoy it. Use them for the boring drives - eg, motorway etc. There will be a day when driving a car is considered a hobby again, and done on tracks - whereas the automatic driverless vehicles will be for everyday use. Computers are better at driving than humans, no matter how many untrusting people with supposed years of experience will disagree with that. Humans make errors a lot more often (and in a lot more consequential way mostly) than machines.

Why would I want to turn it all off. As I said I like all the 'driver aids' but I still want to be the one who is doing the driving. I like to choose how fast I go, which way I go, which is often different from the route suggested by my sat.nav. Computers may be better at some things and I suppose for basic commuting they may be better but I don't have to do that any more and all my driving is done for pleasure. Even when I have to go somewhere in particular I generally choose the route based on my experience of the route available and the traffic conditions that I fancy on that particular day, depending on how I feel, what the weather is etc. Computers are great and I have been using and supporting them for over 25 years but there are still no substitute in certain situations for the Mark 1 Brain.

Even the current crop of pilotless military 'drones' have at least one, often two Mark 1 Brains controlling them all be it from the other side of the world.

Perhaps the day will come when a computer can have the same 'brain power and experience' as a Mark 1 Brain but personally I will be long gone by then. At the moment driving is still one of my hobbies, the other being computers, and I hope to be able to enjoy them both for a few more years.

 

[PilotAudi]

The worst drivers are those in automatics who are to lazy to move the stick into N or P when they stop and sit there with their foot on the brake to stop the car creeping and therefore have their brake lights on blinding the driver behind, especially at night.

If it's in P it shouldn't creep!!!

 

[cemerson]

No reason you can't tell it what route to take and still have it do it for you. Modern airliners pretty much do this all the time - the pilet just gives it instructions on which route to take and the plane can fly itself, and land itself at the other end as well. It's not new technology, and it will happen for cars, and I don't think all that far away either.