I'm going to hate myself for this but - sline suspension?

[J4MMYz]

As the title says... I'm probably going to hate myself for asking this question but since owning my a3 since December last year with SE suspension I have really become to hate it, it just doesn't corner right and sometimes gets a little bangy/feeling loose when hitting certain holes or jagged areas in the roads. It's not really as comfortable as I imagined - I wish I hadn't listened to the reviews recommending the se downgrade because I think it's a big regret.

The other thing is to me it looks like it's on stilts, especially on uneven ground, it raises itself way too high. On flat ground it looks too high for me though, seeing s lines with mainly s line suspension makes me notice how much overall sleeker and lower they are which does seem to get on my nerves more than it should.

The one other thing is I had a courtesy car with s line suspension and was so impressed with it... Just looked nicer and even the ride was ok. I originally had a SEAT Ibiza which had sport suspension. Great fun in the corners but absolutely 100% nasty comfort. I supposed that influenced me more..

So... How much is it to go back to Audi, and get the s line suspension. Is it springs and shocks? I bet it's going to be expensive so I'd most likely end up just putting up with it. It's always on my mind and I've annoyed myself for 6 months now so I must ask.

 

[Muttley75]

I had an Ibiza Cupra too - fantastic little cars. Bought a TT last year and don't really like it. Ropey handling, skittish 19" tyres and just doesn't do it for me so I ordered a new A3 S-line for September.

Like you, I read all the reviews and almost ticked the box for SE suspension but the salesman advised against it for the reasons you've given ie: it doesn't look right. And he said the S-line would feel firm if you've been reviewing bog standard Citroën, Ford and Renault cars etc. He said it will be less crashy than either the Cupra or the TT so that's fine with me.

I've no idea how much it would cost to change but I imagine more than its worth spending. I had a Vectra lowered about 15 years ago and that cost £1800 then so with Audi and inflation you're looking at a lot of money I think.

Keep it a year or two then buy the right car next time. I feel for you though as it's a real bummer buying the wrong car when you've spent so much money and immediately lose about 4k straight off. For that reason it's not worth spending a penny more in my opinion.

 

[J4MMYz]

It's good your dealer advised you, thinking back my dealer also said it might not look exactly right but I was sure in my head that 25mm of difference isn't going to be noticeable - how wrong I was.

She offered me a test drive in an s line as I drove an a1 s line with the cod engine and was really impressed with the ride. What instantly put me off though was I heard the same noise my SEAT used to do over a certain bump, I'm sure it's a suspension noise and it drove me mad, I had a lot of suspension problems/noises in my SEAT and it put me straight off it, if I hadn't of heard it I probably would've specced... I should've drove the A3 though. After having the courtesy car for a day I was impressed, it did jig around a lot but I didn't mind, it also looked nicer obviously.

I'll put up a pic of mine as it stands on the drive now, just so you can see SE but one thing I forgot to mention is sometimes when you hit a pothole especially when turning it feels like the rear end sways about like its loose or something, that's something else that really irritates me.

For the wait two years and make the right decision next time - I would love you but I doubt I'd be able to afford one again, I'll be looking for a house by then which is dissapointing to think I won't be able to afford one, but yes your right I will know now. I just think I listened to the reviews too much. Definitely should've made my own decision and not what some car reviewers say - as I said the s line suspension wasn't bad at all and in some cases crashed and banged a lot less than mine.

Hey ho though, still a nice car and I would probably agree with it being way too much money for what it's worth, maybe someone will come along and give an exact price. I'm sure I seen someone say this a while back and it was £900 but I think my mind is going a little off there... It doesn't sound right nor sounds anything I'd consider, it's just too much.

 

[Don76]

I just removed my s-line springs and replaced with H&R supersport springs. These are considerably lower than s-line and surprisingly less crashy and more compliant.

Why not just but aftermarket springs?

 

[J4MMYz]

I just removed my s-line springs and replaced with H&R supersport springs. These are considerably lower than s-line and surprisingly less crashy and more compliant.

Why not just but aftermarket springs?

I'm not sure, I'm a bit of a genuine man really, just personal preference

Is there a pic of yours with this springs? I'd like to see it!

 

[Don76]

 

[steverobertsbbc]

See, I think that looks silly. It's far too low, the wheels are nowhere near symmetrical in the arches any more. Takes it from looking like it has been "designed" to being "boy racer", IMO.

 

[naughts4187]

Don't just pop springs on, it will ride like a sack of spuds. If I were you I'd go for a proper kit like a B8 or something. Shocks and springs. That way you can always sell it on once you're done with it. I personally think the S3 stock setup is too soft so I dread to think what an SE is like.

 

[Trevolly]

S Line suspension all the way for me. Feels fine for bumps on the road and I love the feel in corners. You can see a diff when you look at a SE A3 setup, even my wife notices the diff. I've said before that I think the comfortable seats in the A3 S Line help as it feels a lot less hard than a 2012 Civic ES that I drove before. The Civic Type R I drove was HARD!

 

[MA3RC]

I had Sports suspension and swapped it out for eibach springs that are 5mm lower than Sline and I absolutely love them. The car doesn't feel like a bouncy castle over speed bumps anymore and it makes the car look so much sportier without looking a chav and taking your exhaust off on every bump in the road. I'd say to do it!

I don't know what Audi would charge for the Sline springs but aftermarket ones cost around £180 and another £100 to fit

 

[J4MMYz]

I had Sports suspension and swapped it out for eibach springs that are 5mm lower than Sline and I absolutely love them. The car doesn't feel like a bouncy castle over speed bumps anymore and it makes the car look so much sportier without looking a chav and taking your exhaust off on every bump in the road. I'd say to do it!

I don't know what Audi would charge for the Sline springs but aftermarket ones cost around £180 and another £100 to fit

I'm so glad you've said that. I've looked at your car a few times and wondered why the hell it looked so low for a sport, couldn't get round it haha. Thats why!


I mean, when my car goes in for a service i'll perhaps tell them i'm disappointed with my ride height and overall ride... doubt they'll care enough to wager but i'll ask how much it costs for it to be swapped.... since theres nothing wrong with my current suspension they'd most likely sell it on surely, i'll see what I can do but if it's anything over 600 i'll just say forget it, it's not worth it and i'll put up with it until I either buy another one (if i can afford one then) i'll make sure to do it right!

 

[Scottyg]

View attachment 61399

That is sublime. Looks superb. I have Sport suspension on mine and was very tempted to go for SE but glad I didn't. Sport is perfect for my gubbed spine. S-line was a little too crashy but the sport was the perfect compromise.
Think it sits very well.


On another site that I'm a Mod on, most go down the Eibach route with great success and are left with more money in their pockets.

 

[J4MMYz]

That is sublime. Looks superb. I have Sport suspension on mine and was very tempted to go for SE but glad I didn't. Sport is perfect for my gubbed spine. S-line was a little too crashy but the sport was the perfect compromise.
Think it sits very well.


On another site that I'm a Mod on, most go down the Eibach route with great success and are left with more money in their pockets.

I bet the sport would be a better drive, but actually SE isn't much different to sport in my opinion, theres a black s-line at work with sport suspension, I parked next to it and noticed a very minor difference. Very strange how 10mm extra (s-line) makes all that difference!


I agree though, I mean I didn't find anything wrong with the s-line, was actually impressed but I should've left the sport on!

 

[Scottyg]

I drove the SE in SB guise and then the HB in Sport guise and they were a world apart in terms of ride and handling. I don't push my cars like I used to, getting too old and crippled for that, but the sport won hands down.

 

[Marc18]

I may have a full s line setup for sale if your interested. Price would have to be right to warrant letting it go but if you fancy it drop me a message

 

[jasso86]

I'd go for H&R Sport Suspension... is not as low as the SUPER sport.

Regards,

 

[Ignition1]

I was faced with the same decision on my COD A3 - went for S-Line suspension in the end.

It's good but, in my opinion, it does get a bit crashy on bad roads - not bouncy-castle, but more thud-rattle.

However cornering - I've never had so much confidence in the grip and steering of a car before. It feels like a go kart.

 

[steeve]

Hey Jimm, treat this as an opportunity, change the car not the suspension....................................

 

[Daz Auto]

I was faced with the same decision on my COD A3 - went for S-Line suspension in the end.

It's good but, in my opinion, it does get a bit crashy on bad roads - not bouncy-castle, but more thud-rattle.

However cornering - I've never had so much confidence in the grip and steering of a car before. It feels like a go kart.

Completely agree with the above.

It really surprises me when people say that sport and s-line suspension have reasonable comfort levels. Though maybe they only drive on good roads?

Sport suspension is great on a good road, but terrible on a bad road (In my opinion.) I recently had a Golf GTD out for a weekend test drive. The car is great in corners, but left me feeling more shaken than stirred. It left my wife feeling physically sick. She refused to allow me to go back over the mountain road - with a white line down the middle - after our lunch together. Performance good, cornering good, comfort bad. I especially liked the feel of the progressive power steering.

The A3 SE we own was bought for comfort. I agree - it lacks feeling when pushed hard into a corner. However, it does offer considerably more comfort than the 2 A3 Sports we tested, the new GTD we tested and the Mk6 GTD I currently own.

Having said all that, my heart wants another car with similar performance and handling to my current car. I have just accepted that it is unlikely to be comfortable on the roads I regularly drive. Though I do have the option of using our A3 if I want comfort.

So... I think the answer to my dilemma lies with the magride or the VW DCC systems. I know I really don't like the Mk7 GTD without adaptive suspension. As well as being adjustable - these are supposed to be active systems that automatically adjust to the way the car is being driven. My car has the old ACC(Adaptive Chassis Control), but the new DCC is supposes to be better. They will like offer better comfort levels, but I doubt that they will be as comfortable as our A3 SE.

I need to do some more test drives.

 

[Fishheskettpark]

Completely agree with the above.

It really surprises me when people say that sport and s-line suspension have reasonable comfort levels. Though maybe they only drive on good roads?

Sport suspension is great on a good road, but terrible on a bad road (In my opinion.) I recently had a Golf GTD out for a weekend test drive. The car is great in corners, but left me feeling more shaken than stirred. It left my wife feeling physically sick. She refused to allow me to go back over the mountain road - with a white line down the middle - after our lunch together. Performance good, cornering good, comfort bad. I especially liked the feel of the progressive power steering.

The A3 SE we own was bought for comfort. I agree - it lacks feeling when pushed hard into a corner. However, it does offer considerably more comfort than the 2 A3 Sports we tested, the new GTD we tested and the Mk6 GTD I currently own.

Having said all that, my heart wants another car with similar performance and handling to my current car. I have just accepted that it is unlikely to be comfortable on the roads I regularly drive. Though I do have the option of using our A3 if I want comfort.

So... I think the answer to my dilemma lies with the magride or the VW DCC systems. I know I really don't like the Mk7 GTD without adaptive suspension. As well as being adjustable - these are supposed to be active systems that automatically adjust to the way the car is being driven. My car has the old ACC(Adaptive Chassis Control), but the new DCC is supposes to be better. They will like offer better comfort levels, but I doubt that they will be as comfortable as our A3 SE.

I need to do some more test drives.

Well I have just taken delivery of a 1.4 COD S-Line with Sport suspension (rather than S-Line suspension). Seems very comfortable and not hard at all. Maybe it makes a difference with the 1.4 COD over the 2.0 TDI as it is a lighter engine but it seems to be a massive improvement over my old VW Touran workhorse so I guess it depends what you are coming from as well.

 

[A3SLine2014]

Old thread.....

Had a 8v CoD S line for nearly a year. Just sold my merc that had standard sport suspension and i want to change the standard SE set up in the A3 to S line. Does it need different shocks as well as springs? What is the part number for the springs and colour codes?

Cant find any information over the internet and want to keep the car OEM

 

[pburv]

Old thread.....

Had a 8v CoD S line for nearly a year. Just sold my merc that had standard sport suspension and i want to change the standard SE set up in the A3 to S line. Does it need different shocks as well as springs? What is the part number for the springs and colour codes?

Cant find any information over the internet and want to keep the car OEM

Fill in your car details on this site and scrole down to where it says Reference number OEM . I think you will find that is the genuine manufacturer number...I could be wrong though

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/shock-absorber-10221/audi/a3/a3-8v1/106369-1-4-tfsi

 

[pburv]

View attachment 61399

Different topic..... There has been a lot of discussion on the forum regarding wheel re-furb. Unfortunately my wheels need some TLC.. I was toying with the idea on just having my wheels painted rather than diamond cut.... I noticed in your pic that you have your wheels just painted???? Could you possibly get a close up pic of them so I can judge whether I want to go down that route. My car is an S3 saloon in white so your pic is ideal for me.
Cheers.
ps That's if you are still on the forum...Just noticed it was an old post.

 

[Peter Peter]

I might lower my A3 to S3 level springs

 

[A3SLine2014]

Fill in your car details on this site and scrole down to where it says Reference number OEM . I think you will find that is the genuine manufacturer number...I could be wrong though

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/shock-absorber-10221/audi/a3/a3-8v1/106369-1-4-tfsi

Autodoc yes, bought parts off there before, i need the S Line springs as have the SE set up that the previous owner ordered the car with....

Ive been on an american audi parts site but only have the 1.8. On my merc it had a similar set up with paint dots to match springs but I'd like to know the s line spring part numbers?

 

[CanadaA3wales]

I know my experience is not the same but I had a golf before my A3 and the handling was garbage, it always felt like it was going to tip even though all the mechanics were fine.
I now have a 2014 A3 sport and what a difference, I have put that thing into cornerns and never had a worry about it skidding or feeling like it was going to roll.
I would assume the SE model is probably the same as the golf. I would 100% go for the upgraded susp

 

[A3SLine2014]

I know my experience is not the same but I had a golf before my A3 and the handling was garbage, it always felt like it was going to tip even though all the mechanics were fine.
I now have a 2014 A3 sport and what a difference, I have put that thing into cornerns and never had a worry about it skidding or feeling like it was going to roll.
I would assume the SE model is probably the same as the golf. I would 100% go for the upgraded susp

I've had a W204 for 8 years and use to RWD and a SLK before that. I drove a few Golfs over the years and they are along with A3 are close to terrible. I got the A3 very cheap hence why i bought it otherwise I'd have stuck out for a W205. The latest shape Megane and 308 are much better cars all round compared to the MQB fwd. People pay a premium for a badge though.

 

[CanadaA3wales]

I've had a W204 for 8 years and use to RWD and a SLK before that. I drove a few Golfs over the years and they are along with A3 are close to terrible. I got the A3 very cheap hence why i bought it otherwise I'd have stuck out for a W205. The latest shape Megane and 308 are much better cars all round compared to the MQB fwd. People pay a premium for a badge though.

That is very true and the only reason bought this as it was 5000 for a 2014 Audi last year so only 5 years old, its 7500 on glasses guide, but you have to pay for every little thing with Audi, I dont even have reverse sensors but my 2011 golf was fully loaded before it was written off.

If I had to do it again I think I would have held out for a BMW 1 series, but I really needed a car as I was relying on my partner to get me around.
The Audi is great, but dont see what the Audi A3 is offering compared to a fully loaded Golf.

Also I have seen so many people on here being really unhappy with their S3 cars, so many issues it seems and for £40,000 thats just unaceptable.