goodbye s3, hello a4!

davejinx

davejinx

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11 months on from having our little boy, and buying pushchairs, high chairs and other baby paraphernalia, the time has come to wave goodbye to my beloved S3 Sportback - more space is required!

It seems like only yesterday (I suppose it's only 2 or 3 years) that I was waiting 8 months for one of the first to land in the UK, but I've just placed an order for a new A4 Avant with my sensible(ish) hat on! :)

Rather than be too sensible though, I've gone for the S line 2.0T 252PS Quattro S tronic, perhaps sub-consciously as it's about as close to the S3 (although that's manual transmission) as is available right now, but I definitely can't afford the upcoming S4 either, and can't quite bring myself to get a diesel yet (although the day-long test-drive in the diesel did nearly sway me).

Full spec - Tango Red, Panoramic Sunroof, Privacy Glass, Technology Pack, Virtual Cockpit, Heated Front Seats, Flat Bottom Multi-function Steering Wheel.

Got a good deal I think - 16.2% off list (£36,204 instead of £43,200), so now just have to wait a while and find a buyer for the S3 - anyone interested? ;)

David

P.S. anyone else gone for this colour or engine?
 
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Congrats! Will keep an eye on this as I'm contemplating a more sensible car. Moved house and doing some work to it, and no doubt kids will come into the fray in the next few years so need something with more space and doors...!

On my list is a Q5 or a A4 Avant. Only drive petrol so the only other potential is the S6 avant, but I can't help but feel a 4.0 V8 is a bit overkill....!
 
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Thanks Dr E!

I flirted with the idea of the S6 Avant - they're awesome - but they're also about £60K before options, so I was kidding myself really. Thankfully nowhere close by had one available for a test drive, I definitely don't think the 4.0T is overkill! :)
 
davejinx said:
11 months on from having our little boy, and buying pushchairs, high chairs and other baby paraphernalia, the time has come to wave goodbye to my beloved S3 Sportback - more space is required!

It seems like only yesterday (I suppose it's only 2 or 3 years) that I was waiting 8 months for one of the first to land in the UK, but I've just placed an order for a new A4 Avant with my sensible(ish) hat on! :)

Rather than be too sensible though, I've gone for the S line 2.0T 252PS Quattro S tronic, perhaps sub-consciously as it's about as close to the S3 (although that's manual transmission) as is available right now, but I definitely can't afford the upcoming S4 either, and can't quite bring myself to get a diesel yet (although the day-long test-drive in the diesel did nearly sway me).

Full spec - Tango Red, Panoramic Sunroof, Privacy Glass, Technology Pack, Virtual Cockpit, Heated Front Seats, Flat Bottom Multi-function Steering Wheel.

Got a good deal I think - 16.2% off list (£36,204 instead of £43,200), so now just have to wait a while and find a buyer for the S3 - anyone interested? ;)

David

P.S. anyone else gone for this colour or engine?
Click to expand...
Shame to see your s3 go but your new car sounds nice. Not seen tango red sounds nice though. When is delivery expected?
 
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Nice spec there, the petrol Quattro would be my choice although in glacier white.
Just waiting for the S3 to be 'worth' a little more to reduce any neg equity
 
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You might just be the first one in the UK with that engine!

When I looked with my local dealer at the list of new A4's ordered by all the UK Audi dealers, there were literally only a handful of 190 tfsi's and certainly no 252 tfsi's on order! That car will be rapid mate!
 
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Sandra said:
Shame to see your s3 go but your new car sounds nice. Not seen tango red sounds nice though. When is delivery expected?
Click to expand...

Hi Sandra,

It is a shame, but the new A4 is a beautiful place to be, and I can't wait to try out the roof - I think my little boy's going to love it - and am actually looking forward to the s-tronic gearbox :)

I think Tango Red was a TT only colour until the new A4, it's been used in a lot of the promo pics, which is what brought it to my attention. My local dealer had a TT in the colour that we were able to take a good look at, and we thought it looked great.I really like grey usually, but it seems that every other car is that colour at the mo, and we fancied something a little more different/fun. Here're a couple of examples:

A4 avant tango red front


A4 avant tango red side


Ours'll be a like that, but with the privacy glass at the rear.

We're looking at a June delivery, but won't know how early/late for another couple of weeks, when the factory state the build week. I'll be bashing refresh on my email until then :)
 
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ScottishS3 said:
You might just be the first one in the UK with that engine!

When I looked with my local dealer at the list of new A4's ordered by all the UK Audi dealers, there were literally only a handful of 190 tfsi's and certainly no 252 tfsi's on order! That car will be rapid mate!
Click to expand...

That's really cool to hear, it's always to have something a little different :)

The reviews I've found of it (obviously haven't been able to drive one myself) say the engine, 'feels every bit as urgent as the figures suggest', so it sounds promising!
 
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davejinx said:
Hi Sandra,

It is a shame, but the new A4 is a beautiful place to be, and I can't wait to try out the roof - I think my little boy's going to love it - and am actually looking forward to the s-tronic gearbox :)

I think Tango Red was a TT only colour until the new A4, it's been used in a lot of the promo pics, which is what brought it to my attention. My local dealer had a TT in the colour that we were able to take a good look at, and we thought it looked great.I really like grey usually, but it seems that every other car is that colour at the mo, and we fancied something a little more different/fun. Here're a couple of examples:

View attachment 85977

View attachment 85978

Ours'll be a like that, but with the privacy glass at the rear.

We're looking at a June delivery, but won't know how early/late for another couple of weeks, when the factory state the build week. I'll be bashing refresh on my email until then :)
Click to expand...
That looks stunning colour. I will need to add to the user groups banner colours. June is not to far away. ;)
 
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saw a few on the used car section on the audi website (Demos I would imagine) only 4 though
 
I'll expect a full write up on engine and transmission opinions :welcoming:
 
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Hi! I too have an S3 and looking to A4 be keen to hear your review!
I too looked at 252 but the 3.0tdi 272 works out cheaper on pcp for me
Where did you buy? 16% is a great deal
 
Hi,
Well there'll be one other S line 2.0T 252PS Quattro S tronic about as I have one on order. Running a S line 2.0T 211PS quattro manual at the moment. I've been given a build a week of 11th April so should get hold of it in May.

I've had black and grey cars recently so gone for Scuba Blue this time. All I have to do is wait now!
 
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kenny_boon said:
Hi! I too have an S3 and looking to A4 be keen to hear your review!
I too looked at 252 but the 3.0tdi 272 works out cheaper on pcp for me
Where did you buy? 16% is a great deal
Click to expand...

Hi Kenny,

I'm surprised the 272 works out cheaper, with it being a more expensive car to start with, but I guess it's maybe the residual value at play - perhaps the diesel is expected to be worth more after x number of years.

I went through carwow, and Coventry Audi came out the best by far. My local garage (Nottingham) were happy to match the discount, but for some reason Audi changed the GFVs recently, so they couldn't match the overall monthly cost (they were out by £35 pm), even after ringing Audi/VW finance and arguing with them/asking then to honour that offer, but through them. It seems I was lucky that I'd had my PCP quote about a month ago.

I'll definitely get a review with comparison to the S3 up as soon as I get the car :)
 
Thanks! Timing is everything as they say!
Good luck with new car and hope the wait isn't too long
 
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I spoke to a salesman who drove the 252 at the launch event in Germany and said it was ballistic!

It will be a cracking car especially how light it is as well!
 
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The tango red does look good as well.

Try looking at the American reviews as the US cars are all 252 tfsi's!
 
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DrEskimo said:
Congrats! Will keep an eye on this as I'm contemplating a more sensible car. Moved house and doing some work to it, and no doubt kids will come into the fray in the next few years so need something with more space and doors...!

On my list is a Q5 or a A4 Avant. Only drive petrol so the only other potential is the S6 avant, but I can't help but feel a 4.0 V8 is a bit overkill....!
Click to expand...
4.8 v8tt is never overkill
 
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Hi Dave , I've had my S line 2.0T 252PS Quattro S tronic for about 2 weeks . ( in black , standard 18 inch wheels , B+O sounds , matrix lights, adaptive dynamic suspension , with a few other things as well ) . You'll not be disappointed - they're are beautiful. Just running it in gently but it makes me smile everytime I drive it .
 
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For me the B+O is worth the money , excellent set up .
Compared to the Bose system in an Audi, you can tell the difference - more depth and clarity in the B+O.
 
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I'm very very tempted. I was meant to let my salesman know by today so might phone him tomorrow.
 
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If in doubt, tick the box. Just to be sure.
 
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davejinx said:
Hi Kenny,

I'm surprised the 272 works out cheaper, with it being a more expensive car to start with, but I guess it's maybe the residual value at play - perhaps the diesel is expected to be worth more after x number of years.

I went through carwow, and Coventry Audi came out the best by far. My local garage (Nottingham) were happy to match the discount, but for some reason Audi changed the GFVs recently, so they couldn't match the overall monthly cost (they were out by £35 pm), even after ringing Audi/VW finance and arguing with them/asking then to honour that offer, but through them. It seems I was lucky that I'd had my PCP quote about a month ago.

I'll definitely get a review with comparison to the S3 up as soon as I get the car :)
Click to expand...
I prefer the 252 as simple design of the exhaust appeals as it has one either side of the car. The tdi even 272 has both one side.
On Audi finance calc over 48 months the 252 Tyson vs 272tdi is 414 vs 411 so basically the same

I'm really keen to hear your review when u get car
 
kenny_boon said:
I prefer the 252 as simple design of the exhaust appeals as it has one either side of the car. The tdi even 272 has both one side.
On Audi finance calc over 48 months the 252 Tyson vs 272tdi is 414 vs 411 so basically the same

I'm really keen to hear your review when u get car
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I see that on the calculator now too. In the past the TDI was about £50 pcm more expensive than the petrol.

They've changed the GFV on the vehicles since I ordered. My deal has the GFV at £17,911.30, but now it's £15,909.65, which is a substantial change, which would equate to £44 pcm over 48 months. This is also the reason I ordered through Coventry Audi, rather my local Nottingham branch. Nottingham could match the discount, but they couldn't match the GFV that Coventry had got when they quoted me a month before. Coventry could keep the deal as it was already offered... phew, glad I got there in time! :)

I'll definitely post a review with comparison to the S3 when I get the car.

P.S. I know it's silly, but I also really prefer the dual-branch exhaust too!
 
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audi upgrades
The dual exhaust either side just looks so right , don't let them get too dirty - 2 coats of Fk1000p helps them sparkle !!
 
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kenny_boon said:
Hi! I too have an S3 and looking to A4 be keen to hear your review!
Click to expand...
Another S3 (3dr hatch) owner here looking at the new A4! Finding I need a bit more space lately, I just priced up the 1.8 quattro A3 saloon s-line and then the 2.0 petrol A4 saloon s-line....the A4 came in cheaper!!! which I thought was strange!

Think it looks cool in white with tints :)

White
 
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Well, I didn't check the yourAudi tracker for a couple of weeks, then in the space of a week, it's jumped from 'Paint shop' to 'Arrived in the UK'!

It's caught me a little by surprise, as I hadn't the S3 up for sale until just now, but it's exciting to know I'll be picking it up soon - does anyone know the typical time between 'in the UK' and pick-up from the dealer (it's from Coventry Audi if that makes any difference)?

Anyway, if anyone's interested, I've got the S3 listed on this site, but will also get it on ebay/Autotrader soon. http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-sportback-8v-63-plate-manual.278689/
 
Picking my car up on Thursday!! A4 Avant Sline 2.0TFSI 252 Quattro. Always had petrol and will never pick anything else TBH. Trading in my current model but with slightly lower engine o/p spec looking forward to seeing how the extra approx 30 BHP or PS changes the drive probably not too much if its the later I guess but never quite know what the later compares too!

Edit just realised PS and BHP are practically the same thing so nearly 30 up extra Grunt!!
 
Last edited:
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Having had a few audis from new and starting with an S3 which was fantastic, the A4 sline quattro avant really is a great replacement that you can have just as much fun with but also have a sensible moment in, for all those doubters out there.
 
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I waved farewell to the S3 yesterday evening - I hope you enjoy it Adam! - and now only have a few days to go until I pick up the A4 (this Thursday).

A mixture of emotions - sad to see the S3 go, which we had some great adventures in, but also really looking forward to getting the new one!

If people still have appetite for it, I'll be sure to put up a comparison between the two.
 
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oh, and this'll have to be my daily driver for the next few days!

AdobePhotoshopExpress 100a785894d44423b32d4a454520d057
 
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Cracking handover by Max at Coventry Audi this afternoon, including a pickup from the station. Haven't time to write too much right now, but think the car's a belter, and the tech has really moved on a bit in less than three years.

Here are a few dodgy phone pics until I get a little more time, including an under the bonnet special for cuke2u :)

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AdobePhotoshopExpress 2c4adc51baa54df8963aed784d2df8bb
AdobePhotoshopExpress df849f75e0e14ed3ad9349cc685e6f6f
WP 20160707 20 41 25 Pro
 
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