I am thinking of getting the S3 Sportback sport version which has the specs I want as standard.. I have just one interest with the seats and that is comfort. I am fairly tall with long legs and need decent thigh support. My wife is a bit broader across the beam (don't quote me on that!). So which is likely to be the best bet - the standard SE seats or the Sports?
Sports seats vs Standard seats
- Thread starter Dave Cornwell
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phobos512
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Sport seats all the way. Standard seats might as well be a bench. They're completely unsupportive.
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Do you mean an S3 or an A3. Audi do not do a Sport version of the S3 and the S3 does not have the option of non-sport seats.
If it is an A3 I had SE seats in previous versions of the A3 but with the latest 8V models the Sport seats are much better. But as others have said, go and try them, if you can find a dealer with a SE model.
If it is an A3 I had SE seats in previous versions of the A3 but with the latest 8V models the Sport seats are much better. But as others have said, go and try them, if you can find a dealer with a SE model.
I originally specced the Supersport seats on my S3.
I then decided to whittle down the extras a bit.
No doubt the SSP seats look the dogs dangly bits.
I just felt the benefit I'd get versus the money, I could do without them.
I have no issue with the standard Sport seats in the S3 at all.
I then decided to whittle down the extras a bit.
No doubt the SSP seats look the dogs dangly bits.
I just felt the benefit I'd get versus the money, I could do without them.
I have no issue with the standard Sport seats in the S3 at all.
Milnesafc
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I think for the 600 quid extra they are definitely worth it, not only are the comfy but the enhance the look of the car.
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I'm thankful to the bloke who specced them on my used car, i wouldn't have bothered but they are in fact really comfortable. Best i've sat in actually.
phobos512
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They only cost £600 for you guys? Wow...$1500 here in the states. Still worth it though. It's crazy that the Carbon Fiber Package (spoiler and mirror covers) actually costs almost $100 more than the seats too.
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S3's do come without sports seats, I have one sat outside. Even the RS3 does!!
The sports seats are more snug, so if you are worried about the wife you should test them or accept that the drive might be more enjoyable if she stayed at home because the seats are uncomfortable
I notice you have said that you are looking at an S3 because of the spec. You also need to look at the S3 because you want a fast, sporty car. They are very quick and relatively expensive to run, so you can't say pick one just because it has a better spec.. try not to forgot it is a 305hp 2.0 Turbo petrol car.
If you aren't bothered about speed, an S Line is as good as an S3 with regards to most options when you consider the huge cost saving. I believe a base price S3 is over £33k, an S Line A3 is approximately £26k.
Are you sure? The standard S3 seat is called the Sport Seat.
There are only 3 seats in the 8V lineup regardless of A3, S3 or RS3.
Standard Seat (Standard in A3)
Sport Seat (Standard in S3, optional in A3)
Supersport Seat (optional in S3)
Blast. Typed S3 instead of A3. So yes A3 Sportsback - I do have a test drive tomorrow so maybe a chance to get a look at both but you don't always get to drive the exact model you want it seems.
Milnesafc
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The way the post I responded to came across as the Super Sports seats are standard. This thread is discussing between the Sport and Super Sports seats, not the SE seat.
The standard seat has things missing like the extended base boulster, the base is flat and does little to hold you in the seat.
The sports seat is the seat that comes in all of the S Line cars and S3 as standard with the extending base.
The Super Sports are the wingback seats with all of the above.
You can't get an S3 without the sport seats, but the Super Sports are an option. Might have been the way I read it, but there we go haha.
Have a test drive tomorrow so will hopefully be able to see both.Best thing to try and do I'd say is arrange a drive in one that has SS seats, that way you'll know for definite. What one of us finds comfortable the other may not
I had the super sports seats in my last car an S5 and they are almost identical to the SSS.
Best seats I had ever had so I had to spec on my 3. They are supremely comfortable & supportive & as noted look superb.
Absolutely love the super sports seats & a must have in my book
Best seats I had ever had so I had to spec on my 3. They are supremely comfortable & supportive & as noted look superb.
Absolutely love the super sports seats & a must have in my book
You initially stated that S3's do come without sport seats, which to me sounded like you meant it comes with the standard SE seats because S3's always come with sport seats, either the standard sport seats or the super sport seats.
Hence, I was trying to correct you. I guess it wasn't necessary. I know the 3 different seats.
I have the standard seats in my SE and find them very comfortable. Good range of adjustment too.
It depends on which model the OP ends up purchasing. The Super Sports Seats are only available as an option on the S-Line (£1870) and the S3 (£650). For a SE or Sport model the choice is between 'standard' and 'sport' plus various leather combinations. I've had both over the years and with the current model the sports seats are certainly better than the standard.
Apologies to t hose who have not read that it is an A3 I am looking at not an S3 as I originally mistyped. I had a test drive this morning and really liked the car. Thje seats were fine, for me at least.(Sport trim). The salesman said they were the same as the SE except for the upholstery. Not sure I believe him as he made other mistakes. In fact the whole experience in the dealership in dodgy South Essex was a bad experience. Much like the bad old days. Firstly he said the P/X value on my top of the range 2 year old Seat Leon with 18K on the clock was £5000 pounds!! With the baloon payment due next month (which they knew)being £9375 and We only Buy...........com offering 9K, and the Audi website -9.5-10k this was unlikely.I said he had made a mistake but he actually tried to argue the toss. Then he went away after I insisted he checked and he came back and said it was an error then proceeded to go on line to WE Only Buy .com and quoted their price at me. I was now getting twitchy. As what I wanted wasn't in stock I said I didn't mind waiting the 4 months for a factory car. He said most people chose something from the stock (as if I would like a 1.6 diesel instead of a 1.0 petrol!) . Then refused to give me an OTR price for my chosen car and wanted to talk about monthly payments as I said I wanted a PCP plan. I said I would do that once I knew what the price of the car was. Back to the manager's office leaving me sitting there for 10 minutes. So I went in to the manager's office who tried to tell me that it was the monthly payments that mattered not the price of the car! So having explained to him how finance worked he finally told me that the lowest price was the RRP less the £700 Audi contribution. So I left! Put me off Audi a bit despite liking the car. Never had any problem like that when I bought the Seat from up the road, very up front.
Well Dave I think you are right about the salesman. He does not know what he is talking about.
The SE model has 'Standard seats in Index cloth'. The Sport model has 'Front Sport seats in Rallye cloth'. They are different materials but they are also different shapes. The Sport seats have a side bolster on the seat and the backrest, the Standard seats do not.
I'm not sure if you have a copy of the current A3 price and Spec List but you can easily download one from www.audi.co.uk. This gives the full spec for each of the models but unfortunately no pictures.
The SE model has 'Standard seats in Index cloth'. The Sport model has 'Front Sport seats in Rallye cloth'. They are different materials but they are also different shapes. The Sport seats have a side bolster on the seat and the backrest, the Standard seats do not.
I'm not sure if you have a copy of the current A3 price and Spec List but you can easily download one from www.audi.co.uk. This gives the full spec for each of the models but unfortunately no pictures.
Thanks Dave R. Well that's what I would have thought because that is how it usually works with other manufacturers who offer an uprated seat. The other problem is that most showrooms seem to have top spec cars in but not SE trim, although on thinking about it I suspect in the second hand forecourt there might be one. Won't go back to that specific dealership though.
Spurrellian
Registered User
Dealer sounds awful
Its embarrassing and worries me when they don't know the product they are selling
Its embarrassing and worries me when they don't know the product they are selling
The dealer does not deserve your' s or anyone else's business.
SE and sport seats are quite different.
Trade in also a joke. I always tell a dealer that if they ask me what I can afford or what I want to pay per month that I will walk away!
Going in armed with quotes from broker sites and valuations is a good idea as is sticking to your guns.
Not that I have done it, but remember if your current car is on some sort of credit agreement you may be able to just hand it back.
SE and sport seats are quite different.
Trade in also a joke. I always tell a dealer that if they ask me what I can afford or what I want to pay per month that I will walk away!
Going in armed with quotes from broker sites and valuations is a good idea as is sticking to your guns.
Not that I have done it, but remember if your current car is on some sort of credit agreement you may be able to just hand it back.
As well as the base cushion extender, sports seats also have adjustable tilt function which the SE seats don't have.
The SE seats feel flat as a pancake in comparison.
The SE seats feel flat as a pancake in comparison.
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I use the german Audi website for pictures when configuring the car. Then you can see different options etc.: https://www.audi.de/de/brand/de/neuwagen/a3/a3-sportback.html
SE seats are horrid. look like they are from an old Escort. (sorry to those who have them! I'm sure they are lovely!) Also trim level is pretty basic it seems so doubt you can speck SE seats with other trim levels? recently did 950 miles in one go from Calais to Milan & slept in my A3 sport seats. nice and comfy! no back pain when i got out they also have extendable thigh support so really comfy.
SE Seats
Sport Seats
they also have extendable thigh support so really comfy.SE Seats
Sport Seats
