Nelson_R32
Registered User
The facelift comes out in July 2008; as confirmed by Audi UK.
All new model will be out late 2010/early 2011
All new model will be out late 2010/early 2011
MarcQuinlivan said:I was at my dealer's R8 launch the other night and got there a bit early so had a good chat with him about what changes were on the way. He confirmed that the beige sportback earlier in this post is only a facelifted s-line bumper (checked with Germany). He reckoned that they'd probably change to a new model in mid to late 2009 as it will be six years old by then and that the new golf being brought forward would make it more likely that they wouldn't leave the new A3 much longer. He also thought the 1.4 wouldn't be too big a seller (at least over here anyway).
He also said there would be no major changes to the existing model, other than perhaps a reprofiling of the lights, and some interior changes. There's also talk of a limited edition A3 - presumably to shift some stock.
While there I had a good look around the TT roadster and the new A5 and S5. I'm not due to change until 2009/10, but depending on when the A3 is replaced I could be convinced to trade up to the A5 or TT.
jamiekip said:Makes perfect business sense really. Use the niche, top of the range S3 product to drive a bit more life out of the current A3 design, then facelift the product range to drive continued interest right through to the replacement in 2010/2011.
Let's face it, if it's facelifted and in the flesh looks the mutt's nuts, we'l all aspire to upgrade to a facelift model.... how long was the old shape S3 on the scene before a facelift version came on the scene? Wasn't that about 12-18 months????
dm_irish said:how in the know is this guy Mark? I was on to my dealer last week and they told me the exact opposite of that. They are expecting a facelift model mid next year and expect the 1.4TFSI to totally replace the 1.6 and 1.6FSI too.
The story that the pics are just an sline bumper change may be true but they wouldn't facelift the sline bumper and not the standard car imo. The look of the bumper is clearly designed to have the A3 match up with the new A4 and A5 look. It is practically identical to the new A4 sline bumper so you would assume they will change the main model to match the A4 main model too..
MarcQuinlivan said:well the dealer he works for is owned by Audi Ireland, so draw your own conclusions on that. He's quite knowledgeable about the entire Audi range, so found no reason to doubt him.
I would assume there'd be some changes to the exterior of the standard A3, my point was merely that he confirmed that the beige one above had a new s-line front bumper.
in relation to the 1.4 being the better seller, I was referring to the irish market - i'm sure the UK market may be different with CO2 emissions and whatnot. Over here the 1.6 is currently the bestselling engine in the A3 and they don't expect that to change in the near future.
dm_irish said:Sorry, I should have been clearer, I was speaking to a main dealer in Dublin and meant for the Irish market, the facelift will arrive here mid next year as in the UK. The 1.6 will be replaced by the 1.4TFSI, with the VRT saving people will get a much more powerful engine at the same price point. As the VRT system is changing anyway it is possible it will even be cheaper.
MarcQuinlivan said:I'll take your word for it. I, like you, am only repeating what I was told. I too was speaking to a mail dealer in Dublin.
We'll see how it pans out, but I'd be hopeful the all new A3 won't be released until late 09\early 10, as I'm not due to change till then and don't want to be stuck with the old model, or worse still have the new model come out a year or so after I change.
My dealer told me the A4 would be slightly more expensive than the current one and will initially be available in 1.8T and 2.0TDI only. For "slightly" I think he said two grand or so, but I could be mistaken.dm_irish said:agreed, no way to know if they really know what they are talking about. I often get the feeling they aren't as up to date as the forums are. I was looking for information on the 1.4TFSI with a view to changing around now, but will wait and see what happens. I'll probably look at it in the facelift or the new A4 for next year. I couldn't get any pricing info on the A4 though
MarcQuinlivan said:For "slightly" I think he said two grand or so, but I could be mistaken.
MarcQuinlivan said:My dealer told me the A4 would be slightly more expensive than the current one and will initially be available in 1.8T and 2.0TDI only. For "slightly" I think he said two grand or so, but I could be mistaken.
auroan said:Blimey, I wouldn't put £2K as slightly more expensive.... £500 maybe, but £2K !?
45k sounds about right from what I remember.dm_irish said:thanks for that Mark, that would make the 1.8T in sport/ambition come in at around 45k which is a bit steep considering you would have to add metallic and the lights etc on top of that.
Also sickening to see how much more we pay than the uk..
I love my DRL's , it makes ME feel safer driving the car , it's all for MY safety IMHO , if people/drivers can see me sooner there less likely to do something silly in front of me!
There's a couple of million motorcyclists would laugh at that!
I love my DRL's , it makes ME feel safer driving the car , it's all for MY safety IMHO , if people/drivers can see me sooner , then there less likely to do something silly in front of me!
Ive changed the bulbs on my S3 to something a little less yellow, the new bulbs look nice and white when there on , but when there off look blue , which on a Phantom car looks a bit naff IMHO , so i'm still looking for a set that shine white when on , but clear when off, any thoughts?
p
So you have LED running lights on your current S3?...Where are they installed? Retro-fitted aftermarket i assume?
As for bulbs... If you don't have xenons, the philips extreme are supposed to be good....although they may be blue in daylight also?...I don't know!
Not as in the new " teardrop " style DRL's , but the S3 has DRL's that are next to the main beam , i think the bulbs were PIAA or somthing , there a few members who changed , these a thread somewhere.
p
Sorry mate, misunderstood. Like i said earlier... It would be great if the facelift model used the same lights so i could upgrade to the new strip style LED's incorporated in with the headlight unit... Probably unlikely though, Who knows.
We may learn more about the facelift for the A3 and even perhaps the date for the new A3 later this month when the Audi Management give their Annual Press Conference.
Personally I find a motorcycle with it's headlight on much easier to see. The only problem seems to be they always appear to be on main beam. Do motorcycles have a dipped beam?
Any news on your D3 Bowfer?
For the whole shebang it's gonna be a hell of a lot of money!
Two full headlights Xenon ones at that, with all the starters and gas powerd , indcators,DRL's , ect.
I had a Renaultsport , and just the housing on my Xenon headlight got cracked ( a stone on the M/way ) and needed replacing , no bulbs , no starters no nothing , and that was £250!!!!
So i dread to think what the whole units will cost and fitting?????
p