Facelift Just about to order - S3 Saloon, Nano Grey

[well_cool]

Hi all.

I've had my 2.0 TFSI BE+ A4 Avant for about 18 months, and I do love it, but I can now get away with a smaller car and am about to order an S3 Saloon in Nano.

Stupid new VED rules means that I'm skimping on spec a touch in order to keep it < £40k, so I'm looking at:

S3 Saloon S-Tronic
Nano Grey
Advanced Key (have this on the A4, can't do without it now!)
Privacy Glass
Tech Pack (purely for VC)
HHA (again, have this on the A4, can't do without it now!)

I would ideally go for B&O and front and rear sensors, but an extra £1195 on those two options would also cost me an extra £1550 over 5 years, which is infuriating.

Having done a bit of research - and knowing how the leather changed over time in my A3 and is now changing in the A4 - I think I'm going to go for leather/Alcantara rather than full Nappa. Sound like a plan?

One of my local dealers has a car in the system that I can apply my spec to, so hoping for a slightly shorter wait.

Also... does anybody want to buy a glorious A4 Avant?!

 

[Tom.H]

Comes to £39,750, well done on that mate. Shame they're changing the tax though which puts people like yourself off of choosing things they'd really like.

I'm not sure what I'm going to be paying yet as it all depends when it's delivered and registered! Before 1st April - current tax, after April I'll get hammered for the new system!

 

[well_cool]

Yeah it's ****** crap. It should be a scale, i.e. for every £1 over £40k you get charged something extra. But the fact that - technically - a 1 penny change in list can cost you an extra £1,550 is mad!

 

[Tom.H]

Yeah it's crazy, I don't agree with it at all - basically the government are losing money because of how many people have bought low emission cars so they're now trying to claw money back.

I think what's more frustrating is how they word it - To ensure those who can afford the most expensive cars make a fair contribution, a supplement of £310 will be applied to the SR of cars with a list price (not including VED) over £40,000, for the first 5 years in which a SR is paid.

In other words, to ensure those who are doing well in life pay for the privilege of doing well, we're going to charge them even more and not just for the first year, but for the first 5! Rant over, sorry lol

 

[well_cool]

If only we were already paying 20% VAT on the vehicle price, so that the more 'we can afford' the more the taxman gets anyway.

Oh, wait...

 

[Tom.H]

Not to mention the amount of tax they take off of us every month as well! I'm just hoping it gets here and sorted before April 1st, I've been paying £400+ for the last 8 years so would be nice to have a break lol

 

[well_cool]

Also, based on the below small print on the Configurator, I'd assumed than an OTR price of £40,555 would still be considered under £40K for VED purposes, as of that £40,555, £55 is the first registration fee and £500 is the first years 'Road Fund License'. But the dealer reckons not...

Recommended On-The-Road (OTR) retail prices include: delivery charge, half a tank of fuel, number plates, Road Fund Licence and first registration fee at £55.00 and Vehicle Excise Duty.

 

[Psyman79]

If there is an order already in the system is there not a chance you could get it before that kicks in? Love Nano, Aberdeen demo S3 was Nano and i thought it was awesome

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

[Kingfisher]

To ensure those who can afford the most expensive cars make a fair contribution
Really ? I currently pay £200+ for an old Audi that does barely 1500 miles a year...... and every time it has got closer to the NO TAX they have upped it!
There's A B6 that now does only 3k a year that costs the same.
The S3 has done a huge mileage ( for us !) in its first year 6k .... novelty value , it's great to drive, so much better than the S3 I had back in 2002.

My ( Hers really !!) saloon was £42 270, and there were another couple of options we would have liked but thought.... hey got to stop !

I'm not really getting value for money .... my neighbour has a Vauxhall Insignia that does 60k a year and he pays less !

It should all be on the fuel cost, those that use pay.

Like the CO based Excise Duty I'm sure there will be some interesting solutions down the line.

well-_cool. you could have 'factory standard' front and rear parking added after collection, along with privacy glass.
Personally I wouldn't want the Key, don't know what HHA is !

If there is an order in the system you may be lucky. Up to about three weeks to start of build week a year ago I could change the spec.

 

[well_cool]

Nah, doesn't have a BW yet, so he thinks late April at best unfortunately.

 

[Scottk]

Not sure of how useful HHA is with s tronic. Had it on my last car and never used it and don't have it on the S3 and never felt like I need it.

 

[well_cool]

To ensure those who can afford the most expensive cars make a fair contribution
Really ? I currently pay £200+ for an old Audi that does barely 1500 miles a year...... and every time it has got closer to the NO TAX they have upped it!
There's A B6 that now does only 3k a year that costs the same.
The S3 has done a huge mileage ( for us !) in its first year 6k .... novelty value , it's great to drive, so much better than the S3 I had back in 2002.

My ( Hers really !!) saloon was £42 270, and there were another couple of options we would have liked but thought.... hey got to stop !

I'm not really getting value for money .... my neighbour has a Vauxhall Insignia that does 60k a year and he pays less !

It should all be on the fuel cost, those that use pay.

Like the CO based Excise Duty I'm sure there will be some interesting solutions down the line.

well-_cool. you could have 'factory standard' front and rear parking added after collection, along with privacy glass.
Personally I wouldn't want the Key, don't know what HHA is !

If there is an order in the system you may be lucky. Up to about three weeks to start of build week a year ago I could change the spec.

I agree, Chris - surely the same end result could be achieved by more thoughtful fuel taxation, as this would take account of mileage and economy.

Then again, we'd all be complaining about fuel prices going up.

 

[well_cool]

Not sure of how useful HHA is with s tronic. Had it on my last car and never used it and don't have it on the S3 and never felt like I need it.

Got S-Tronic and HHA at the moment and love it. The only thing that I think doesn't play well with S-Tronic is S/S.

 

[Tom.H]

Also, based on the below small print on the Configurator, I'd assumed than an OTR price of £40,555 would still be considered under £40K for VED purposes, as of that £40,555, £55 is the first registration fee and £500 is the first years 'Road Fund License'. But the dealer reckons not...

This is the response I had from DVLA

Hi Tom,

If your new car is registered on or after the 1 April 2017 it will fall under the new car tax rules.

The list price is the manufacturers quoted price for the vehicle the day before the vehicle is first registered. It is not the list price at the point of ordering.

It includes options fitted by the manufacturer before delivery. It includes the delivery charge, the cost of the pre delivery inspection and VAT. It does not include an warrantees, options fitted by the dealer and the cost of the first registration fee and the first licence.

It's important to note that the manufacturers list price is the price before any incentives or discounts so may not be what is paid for the vehicle.

I hope that helps let me know if you need any more information

 

[well_cool]

This is the response I had from DVLA

Hi Tom,

If your new car is registered on or after the 1 April 2017 it will fall under the new car tax rules.

The list price is the manufacturers quoted price for the vehicle the day before the vehicle is first registered. It is not the list price at the point of ordering.

It includes options fitted by the manufacturer before delivery. It includes the delivery charge, the cost of the pre delivery inspection and VAT. It does not include an warrantees, options fitted by the dealer and the cost of the first registration fee and the first licence.

It's important to note that the manufacturers list price is the price before any incentives or discounts so may not be what is paid for the vehicle.

I hope that helps let me know if you need any more information

Nice one Tom, thanks.

The way I read that, I'm right... S3 OTR of £40,555 = £40,000 list (as it's less the first registration fee and VED)?

 

[Tom.H]

Just found this on TT Forum

If you click on the little "i" next to the price it gives the definition of the two prices:-
RRP - recommended retail pricing
ROTR - recommended on the road price which includes the RRP plus delivery charge, half tank of fuel and number plates at £580.00 (inc. VAT), first registration fee at £55.00 and Road Fund License. Actual Road Fund License varies depending on model.

Hope that helps

Edit - my delivery charge is listed as £525

 

[well_cool]

Would be nice if delivery could be deducted, but as your email says...

It includes the delivery charge...

So I still think my theory of £40,555 being £40k list is correct.

 

[Tom.H]

You should still be ok though mate at your price.

 

[well_cool]

Yeah but I've got a bit of leeway I might add sensors or B&O!

 

[Tom.H]

Go with B&O then get the dealers to fit parking sensors if they can, that way they won't count towards the price of the car.

 

[Simonb1975]

In other words, to ensure those who are doing well in life pay for the privilege of doing well, we're going to charge them even more and not just for the first year, but for the first 5! Rant over, sorry lol

More annoying to me with these VED charges is that its got nothing to do with privilege or 'doing well' On Hp finance my budget is about 25K, on PCP with the right car it's about 45K give or take. So who are they targeting. You don't have to be 'doing well' to buy a car at just over 40K these days (Considering 5k+ could just be options)

It just seems a poorly thought out limit. I'm of a right mind to find a sub 40K car that will damage the environment and roads as much as possible.

 

[Tom.H]

I agree with you there mate although not everyone could spare £350+ a month on a car. Wasn't just aiming my comment at the lower end of the £40k limit

Think we should, rebel and get something like the Dodge Ram SRT10 with its 8.3l V10 petrol engine haha

 

[Boyakasha]

If you're spending £40k on a car why would you not get the spec you want, as the extra VED is the equivalent of 0.75% of the price of the car extra a year

 

[MattSedg]

If you're spending £40k on a car why would you not get the spec you want, as the extra VED is the equivalent of 0.75% of the price of the car extra a year

I was in this mindset, wasn't letting them determine my car spec

 

[Jassyo06]

Audi have hundreds of IN STOCK models in there compounds and in transit get one of them...no brainer the car l have just now was one of them such cars and registration guaranteed before April 1St no brainer really

 

[pburv]

Yep my car was a cancelled order so was in compound already.......No delivery or reg charge..

 

[well_cool]

If you're spending £40k on a car why would you not get the spec you want, as the extra VED is the equivalent of 0.75% of the price of the car extra a year

Nearer 4%. I don't agree with pushing for a 10%+ discount and then agreeing to - effectively - pay an extra 4%!

 

[well_cool]

Audi have hundreds of IN STOCK models in there compounds and in transit get one of them...no brainer the car l have just now was one of them such cars and registration guaranteed before April 1St no brainer really

I had a quick look around, but couldn't find many. Is it just a case of calling every Audi dealer and asking what they can get their hands on?

 

[Jassyo06]

I had a quick look around, but couldn't find many. Is it just a case of calling every Audi dealer and asking what they can get their hands on?

Yes or any dealer can see on their internal intranet what's there and also what's arriving soon Lookers Audi are one of the largest groups try them

 

[Joe4842]

Yep my car was a cancelled order so was in compound already.......No delivery or reg charge..

how can you tell what audi have in stock? as in how you and Jassy got your cars? might be a stupid question but its gotta be asked lol

 

[Tom.H]

Have to speak to the dealer, let them know what spec you want and they can see if there's any that match or are close.

 

[pburv]

how can you tell what audi have in stock? as in how you and Jassy got your cars? might be a stupid question but its gotta be asked lol

As Tom H says go along to your dealer and ask if they have access to any pre-registered or just registered stock...
The only drawback is you won't be able to spec it to your liking..

 

[Jassyo06]

how can you tell what audi have in stock? as in how you and Jassy got your cars? might be a stupid question but its gotta be asked lol

My son sells all the likes of you Muppets S3's thats why l know...lol

 

[deanshaw24]

Any dealer can see the stock for the whole country. What they will do is if a different dealer has the car you want they ring them up and usually offer a vehicle to exchange for the one you want. And if they won't exchange they will say there are none available...

 

[Boyakasha]

Nearer 4%. I don't agree with pushing for a 10%+ discount and then agreeing to - effectively - pay an extra 4%!

If you keeping the car for 5 years then you are correct in saying the total would be close to 4%, however I said yearly it was the equivalent 0.75%, of the initial cost of the car. This % becomes less the more extras you take

If you're happy with your spec then that's all that matters and you happen to be under the £40k threshold then all good.

 

[Boyakasha]

My son sells all the likes of you Muppets S3's thats why l know...lol

 

[Joe4842]

As Tom H says go along to your dealer and ask if they have access to any pre-registered or just registered stock...
The only drawback is you won't be able to spec it to your liking..

Cheers Pburv, however I've just thought I wont be buying new like that, i'

Any dealer can see the stock for the whole country. What they will do is if a different dealer has the car you want they ring them up and usually offer a vehicle to exchange for the one you want. And if they won't exchange they will say there are none available...

so presumably that means they can view second hand stock across the country too?

When it comes to the time I can get an s3 I will be looking to buy a second hand facelift model

 

[well_cool]

Right, order in! @Boyakasha, you owe me some money! I took on board what you said, and realised that fighting on to keep it below £40k was daft, and I'd end up regretting not speccing the things I wanted.

But I've still not gone mad:

Audi S3 Saloon 2.0T quattro 310ps S-tronic
Nano Grey Metallic
Black Leather/Alcantara
Advanced Key
Electric Folding Mirrors
Hill Hold Assist
Privacy Glass
Technology Pack Advanced / Audi Virtual Cockpit
Bang & Olufsen Sound System
Rear Parking Sensors

BW14.

 

[allanmb]

I'll chime in with regards to the HHA. I had it in my old A4, don't have it on the S3 but you really won't miss it. The S3 has a form of HHA lite which stops you rolling back/forward. It works like 95% of HHA. I'd ditch the HHA and save some pennies for another option ;-)

 

[well_cool]

I'll chime in with regards to the HHA. I had it in my old A4, don't have it on the S3 but you really won't miss it. The S3 has a form of HHA lite which stops you rolling back/forward. It works like 95% of HHA. I'd ditch the HHA and save some pennies for another option ;-)

In the A4, I never touch the handbrake - HHA is always activated, whenever I come to a stop the handbrake comes on. I presume it's the same in the S3, and the HH (not HHA) just holds on a... hill?