Configure Audi S3 — Help

[Nirmal Ramjee]

I am in the process of ordering my Audi S3 facelift and am really excited about getting into my new car. Currently I am struggling with the new road tax that has been brought in, mainly with the £40k limit.

Specing my car, I have chosen a S3 black edition and added these extras, which pushes it just shy of the limit. What would you add/remove?
- Folding Mirrors
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lumbar Support
- Technology Pack

Unfortunately, if I chose the color I want (Metallic White), it pushes me up into the next Tax Bracket. I could rant all day about how this makes no difference to the CO2, and how I am being penalised for spending more on my car, but another day.

Thanks for your help

 

[Jbond312]

I'd personally stick with the tech pack as it was a must have for me. I'm not overly fussed by adaptive cruise control, I had it on my last car and rarely used it. I don't do many long distance journeys where i'd use it the most though as my commute is only 1hr in total. So i'd remove that which would put you back under £40k with the paint added on. However, it's entirely up to you

I completely understand where you're coming from with the tax brackets. If there's no other options that you want and you're only over the £40k mark by a few hundred quid it hurts to think you're paying an additional £310 a year of road tax for it. However, if there's more options you can include to make it seem a bit more "worthwhile" then i'd do that, obviously if that's affordable.

 

[Bells]

I’d go with tech pack out of those options and a paint colour you like if you’re still under the 40k bracket.

You’ll get the virtual cockpit with the tech pack and whilst not to everyone’s tastes in 2-3 years time it’ll be standard on the majority of cars so come resale time you may struggle if it isn’t spec’d. Also, in my option it’s pretty cool in terms of features and functionality too.

Only word of warning that effected my decision making when ordering my car, is the 40k limit is the RRP when the dealer actually registers the vehicle. So say you spec it to £39,999 list but it takes 3 months for delivery and Audi increase their price by £2 for MY19 model year changes before you take delivery you’ll be charged the higher tax. In the end I ignored the 40k limit and spec’d to about £42k to get all the options I wanted and I was happy with my choice until I got my tax request the other day for £450!

 

[Sparks43]

I have heard that Adaptive Cruise Control is coming down to £85 (not sure if June) to fall in line with Seat etc (They charge £75 apparently) so you might find when you order you can have it and still be under the tax bracket

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

I have heard that Adaptive Cruise Control is coming down to £85 (not sure if June) to fall in line with Seat etc (They charge £75 apparently) so you might find when you order you can have it and still be under the tax bracket

Thanks Sparks

So I know I placed the order for December deliver. Are you saying that the prices are relevant AT THE TIME of delivery?

If the ACC is reduced, then that allows me to add the colour as an option. It is a gamble.

 

[Sparks43]

Thanks Sparks

So I know I placed the order for December deliver. Are you saying that the prices are relevant AT THE TIME of delivery?

If the ACC is reduced, then that allows me to add the colour as an option. It is a gamble.

Are you saying December 2018 delivery? - If you've ordered already I'm not sure - I assume it's for MY19 models which if yours has been locked in might not be - Once build week is given if spec changes you very rarely end up with the new spec

 

[Jassyo06]

I would lose the adaptive cruise and the lumbar support, your cars price is locked the day its ordered
Colour is very important in my opinion

 

[Jassyo06]

Also a car ordered recently will be delivered in September or October, l ordered my car this time last year and it was delivered the first week in October and that was a long build, as l had a wait longer for the paint colour

 

[Sparks43]

Also a car ordered recently will be delivered in September or October, l ordered my car this time last year and it was delivered the first week in October and that was a long build, as l had a wait longer for the paint colour

Yeah mine was September for March although I think they are up to capacity at the moment especially with the MY19 change over and that the current A3 is coming to an end - Apparently depending on what engine you choose (S3 isn't one of them though) you may end up with an MY19 when the ordering reopens according to my mate who works for Audi - Price is guaranteed at the time of order though

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

Are you saying December 2018 delivery? - If you've ordered already I'm not sure - I assume it's for MY19 models which if yours has been locked in might not be - Once build week is given if spec changes you very rarely end up with the new spec

Yeah I just ordered on Saturday for December 1st delivery. Gift to my wife, but you know who will be enjoying it more.

Yeah mine was September for March although I think they are up to capacity at the moment especially with the MY19 change over and that the current A3 is coming to an end - Apparently depending on what engine you choose (S3 isn't one of them though) you may end up with an MY19 when the ordering reopens according to my mate who works for Audi - Price is guaranteed at the time of order though

That’s a shame. I guess I could wait to order, but then I won’t have it for December. The dealer did say there is a 6 month waiting period at the moment, but only on the S3 - normal A3’s are being pushed off the factory line. Something about the engine being tuned and tested before being placed into the car.

Also, VW Group made me sign an indemnity to say that the CO2 emissions can change from now to delivery, and they can not guarantee figures as of order date. Cheeky!

 

[Sparks43]

Yeah I just ordered on Saturday for December 1st delivery. Gift to my wife, but you know who will be enjoying it more.



That’s a shame. I guess I could wait to order, but then I won’t have it for December. The dealer did say there is a 6 month waiting period at the moment, but only on the S3 - normal A3’s are being pushed off the factory line. Something about the engine being tuned and tested before being placed into the car.

Also, VW Group made me sign an indemnity to say that the CO2 emissions can change from now to delivery, and they can not guarantee figures as of order date. Cheeky!

I heard something about engine testing - VW and their emissions!!

 

[Sparks43]

I heard something about engine testing - VW and their emissions!!

Mt friend says that under the new testing if CO2 emission's increase and take you into the next bracket your Road Tax will increase although this is only from new because after that it's £140 anyway unless you go over the £40K

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

Mt friend says that under the new testing if CO2 emission's increase and take you into the next bracket your Road Tax will increase although this is only from new because after that it's £140 anyway unless you go over the £40K

Thanks for all the help Sparks43. Does your friend know when the new pricelist will come out?

 

[RichardT]

I would lose the adaptive cruise and the lumbar support, your cars price is locked the day its ordered
Colour is very important in my opinion

I really can’t agree on the lumbar support. It’s very cheap and the one thing I would not do without. It makes it much better to get just the right comfort (I do have back trouble and it helps a lot)

 

[Jassyo06]

I really can’t agree on the lumbar support. It’s very cheap and the one thing I would not do without. It makes it much better to get just the right comfort (I do have back trouble and it helps a lot)

If helps your back problems then it's a no brainer mate, for me it's useless as it actually pushes me out of the seat in the posture position l feel comfortable with, so l just don't use it

 

[KenL]

Amazing that adjustable lumbar support is an option on such an expensive car.

I wouldn't bother with adaptive cruise or foldable mirrors unless you park in tight spots.

I also wouldn't choose white for the colour.

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

Amazing that adjustable lumbar support is an option on such an expensive car.

I wouldn't bother with adaptive cruise or foldable mirrors unless you park in tight spots.

I also wouldn't choose white for the colour.

Thanks KenL.

Foldable mirrors is a must. I have a tight parking spot. The more and more I read, I feel ACC might not be the best option. It’s great on my current car during traffic, but more of a “nice to have” than a “must have”.

Lumbar support is a must - back problems are coming up.

 

[Jassyo06]

Thanks for all the help Sparks43. Does your friend know when the new pricelist will come out?

Dealers don't get the info any quicker than we get from the Audi website

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

Thanks all.

I had a few more questions. Does the S3 come standard with Front Parking Sensors? Or is this another add on?

 

[Chris43]

I am in the process of ordering my Audi S3 facelift and am really excited about getting into my new car. Currently I am struggling with the new road tax that has been brought in, mainly with the £40k limit.

Specing my car, I have chosen a S3 black edition and added these extras, which pushes it just shy of the limit. What would you add/remove?
- Folding Mirrors
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lumbar Support
- Technology Pack

Unfortunately, if I chose the color I want (Metallic White), it pushes me up into the next Tax Bracket. I could rant all day about how this makes no difference to the CO2, and how I am being penalised for spending more on my car, but another day.

Thanks for your help

Can you live without the black edition? It may give you enough play in the price to spec the other options you want. In the end options are a personal thing, very specific to how you will use the car and you'll always get a variety of views on here whether they are worth paying for.

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

Can you live without the black edition? It may give you enough play in the price to spec the other options you want. In the end options are a personal thing, very specific to how you will use the car and you'll always get a variety of views on here whether they are worth paying for.

I guess in theory I could live without the black edition. IMO, the black does stand out more than the silver in terms of diffuser, and grill. Especially if the car is white. I guess where I am saving on Black Edition, I would spend on the colour only (which would be Metallic White)

My reason for white is scratches don’t show easily and it’s simple to keep clean.

 

[Sparks43]

Thanks for all the help Sparks43. Does your friend know when the new pricelist will come out?

He doesn't unfortunately as May 18 has only just come out - next one is usually July but not sure with new A3 pending - Configurator will update quicker probably

 

[Sparks43]

Dealers don't get the info any quicker than we get from the Audi website

Well they do because that's how I found out about the pending ACC reduction but website not updated yet

 

[RichardT]

Thanks all.

I had a few more questions. Does the S3 come standard with Front Parking Sensors? Or is this another add on?

Check the brochure - it will have that information.

As to your last comment. Yes white looks great when it is clean, but it quickly shows every bit of muck.
There’s no doubt that silver is the best for staying looking clean, but that’s a bit yesterday’s colour I think.

 

[Lehn]

I wouldn't bother to spend the extra money on ACC compared to normal CC.

Just one question from a non-UK citizen. What comes with the tech pack nowadays? (We don't have packages here)

 

[Sparks43]

Thanks all.

I had a few more questions. Does the S3 come standard with Front Parking Sensors? Or is this another add on?

No rear only as standard - With the comfort pack you can include them (I did because you get the Bang & Olufsen) but that's not an option for you because you're going for a black edition so you get the Bang & Olufsen anyway

 

[Jassyo06]

Well they do because that's how I found out about the pending ACC reduction but website not updated yet

my son sold Audi's for years and the news always hit forums and Audi's website before salesman get a hold of it, price reduction on optional equipment always happens in the final production run as it will be superceded by a more advanced system on the pending new model, adaptive cruise control won't be the only option to be reduced in price the virtual Cockpit will most likely cost less as well
But the price of the basic car will go up and discounts will rise by 2/3%

 

[S3LOK]

I am in the process of ordering my Audi S3 facelift and am really excited about getting into my new car. Currently I am struggling with the new road tax that has been brought in, mainly with the £40k limit.

Specing my car, I have chosen a S3 black edition and added these extras, which pushes it just shy of the limit. What would you add/remove?
- Folding Mirrors
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lumbar Support
- Technology Pack

Unfortunately, if I chose the color I want (Metallic White), it pushes me up into the next Tax Bracket. I could rant all day about how this makes no difference to the CO2, and how I am being penalised for spending more on my car, but another day.

Thanks for your help

Like everyone said Tech Pack is a must keep! I've always had Folding Mirrors on my cars its just a cool option to have. I would lose the ACC unless you are planning to do a lot of motorway driving.

Thanks all.

I had a few more questions. Does the S3 come standard with Front Parking Sensors? Or is this another add on?

Front Parking Sensors can by retrofitted its about £600

 

[Sparks43]

my son sold Audi's for years and the news always hit forums and Audi's website before salesman get a hold of it, price reduction on optional equipment always happens in the final production run as it will be superceded by a more advanced system on the pending new model, adaptive cruise control won't be the only option to be reduced in price the virtual Cockpit will most likely cost less as well
But the price of the basic car will go up and discounts will rise by 2/3%

Appreciate that but he's worked for Audi for over 25 years and walked into his managers office last week and he said have you seen what they've done with ACC pricing - Forums or Website do not yet match his figure - He didn't say there's load of changes (agree this does usually happen though) just the ACC - Watch this space I suppose

 

[Sparks43]

Like everyone said Tech Pack is a must keep! I've always had Folding Mirrors on my cars its just a cool option to have. I would lose the ACC unless you are planning to do a lot of motorway driving.



Front Parking Sensors can by retrofitted its about £600

You can add them on for £300 - Parking System Plus

 

[Tom.H]

I guess in theory I could live without the black edition. IMO, the black does stand out more than the silver in terms of diffuser, and grill. Especially if the car is white. I guess where I am saving on Black Edition, I would spend on the colour only (which would be Metallic White)

My reason for white is scratches don’t show easily and it’s simple to keep clean.

What you have to think with the Black Edition is that you get Bang & Olufsen as well as privacy glass, cheaper than adding them on a non Black Edition from memory, not just the black trim

 

[Sparks43]

What you have to think with the Black Edition is that you get Bang & Olufsen as well as privacy glass, cheaper than adding them on a non Black Edition from memory, not just the black trim

This is very true and you can't add Bang & Olufsen standalone you'd have to go for the Comfort Pack to get it which then adds more to the overall cost

 

[S3LOK]

You can add them on for £300 - Parking System Plus

Quoted by my Dealership

 

[Sparks43]

Quoted by my Dealership

Yes that's retrofit though isn't it - He's still in the ordering process so can add them as a factory fit for £300 I do believe

 

[Nirmal Ramjee]

Quick update. Spoke to the dealer, and he said I can make changes to the car if needed. Asked him about the ACC being cheaper in July, he had no idea what I was saying. Either playing dumb to sell me the car, or does not have a clue - will never know.

Yes that's retrofit though isn't it - He's still in the ordering process so can add them as a factory fit for £300 I do believe

So here is the dilemma. Given my tiny garage and parking spot at work, I need front sensors. Which is a shambles because it throws me over my limit. Taking this forums steer, would you:

A) just get rid of ACC and add in the front sensors
B) bite the road tax bullet and add on a few more extras (Metallic White, Sunroof, and Advance Key) - pushing up monthly payments by £40 for 48 months.


Thanks again for all the help

 

[Chris43]

So here is the dilemma. Given my tiny garage and parking spot at work, I need front sensors. Which is a shambles because it throws me over my limit. Taking this forums steer, would you:

A) just get rid of ACC and add in the front sensors
B) bite the road tax bullet and add on a few more extras (Metallic White, Sunroof, and Advance Key) - pushing up monthly payments by £40 for 48 months.

I think this answers your question:

Foldable mirrors is a must. I have a tight parking spot. The more and more I read, I feel ACC might not be the best option. It’s great on my current car during traffic, but more of a “nice to have” than a “must have”.

(You're in danger of making procrastination an art form)

 

[S3LOK]

Quick update. Spoke to the dealer, and he said I can make changes to the car if needed. Asked him about the ACC being cheaper in July, he had no idea what I was saying. Either playing dumb to sell me the car, or does not have a clue - will never know.



So here is the dilemma. Given my tiny garage and parking spot at work, I need front sensors. Which is a shambles because it throws me over my limit. Taking this forums steer, would you:

A) just get rid of ACC and add in the front sensors
B) bite the road tax bullet and add on a few more extras (Metallic White, Sunroof, and Advance Key) - pushing up monthly payments by £40 for 48 months.


Thanks again for all the help

If you want keep ACC and adding Front Sensors take you over the 40k limit. I would get Front sensors retrofitted at a later date at least you know it can be done at a reasonable price where ACC cant or will be a very expensive retrofit if it can be done.

I was in the same boat as you when i ordered my S3 wanted these and these options but took me over the 40k and pay the extra road tax, but the end i when for the car with the options i wanted rearguards of the 40k limit as i did'nt want to regret not having this or that.

 

[Jbond312]

Quick update. Spoke to the dealer, and he said I can make changes to the car if needed. Asked him about the ACC being cheaper in July, he had no idea what I was saying. Either playing dumb to sell me the car, or does not have a clue - will never know.



So here is the dilemma. Given my tiny garage and parking spot at work, I need front sensors. Which is a shambles because it throws me over my limit. Taking this forums steer, would you:

A) just get rid of ACC and add in the front sensors
B) bite the road tax bullet and add on a few more extras (Metallic White, Sunroof, and Advance Key) - pushing up monthly payments by £40 for 48 months.


Thanks again for all the help

If B is affordable then it's the obvious answer. Particularly if you plan on having the car for 4 years, why not make sure it has all the things you want.

 

[Sparks43]

Quick update. Spoke to the dealer, and he said I can make changes to the car if needed. Asked him about the ACC being cheaper in July, he had no idea what I was saying. Either playing dumb to sell me the car, or does not have a clue - will never know.



So here is the dilemma. Given my tiny garage and parking spot at work, I need front sensors. Which is a shambles because it throws me over my limit. Taking this forums steer, would you:

A) just get rid of ACC and add in the front sensors
B) bite the road tax bullet and add on a few more extras (Metallic White, Sunroof, and Advance Key) - pushing up monthly payments by £40 for 48 months.


Thanks again for all the help

Difficult one really - Never had cruise control until my latest facelift car which is standard so ACC had never crossed my mind and I haven't driven one - my mate at Audi reckons it's great but I think it depends on what your daily drive is like

Had front sensors since they were available (was only rears a few years back on the A3) as useful especially tight parking spots at work

Folding mirrors I've always liked as well

Monthly payments aren't drastic and I suppose if you're spending this kind of money for 4 years it's better to get the car you want and save an extra £30 per month to cover the increased tax

 

[Jassyo06]

Quick update. Spoke to the dealer, and he said I can make changes to the car if needed. Asked him about the ACC being cheaper in July, he had no idea what I was saying. Either playing dumb to sell me the car, or does not have a clue - will never know.



So here is the dilemma. Given my tiny garage and parking spot at work, I need front sensors. Which is a shambles because it throws me over my limit. Taking this forums steer, would you:

A) just get rid of ACC and add in the front sensors
B) bite the road tax bullet and add on a few more extras (Metallic White, Sunroof, and Advance Key) - pushing up monthly payments by £40 for 48 months.


Thanks again for all the help