New S3 questions

sunscreemer · May 10, 2018

Hi all, back on here after some time away mostly because the last near 29k miles and 32 months in my monsoon grey S3 Sportback have been excellent. I am on a 4 year PCP, but considering placing an order for delivery in March/April 2019. I admit i'm concerned at the impact on pricing when Brexit occurs (my view being best case is no impact), but nevertheless...

Anyway, I have some considerations i'd like an input on:-

S3 Saloon or Sportback?
Black edition or not (leaning towards yes)? And if so what colour looks best - considering either nano grey, glacier white or ara blue?
Are matrix LEDs worth the upgrade?
Considering leather/Alcantara rather than plain leather - views?
What's the virtual cockpit like (considering Tech pack)?
Minor question - is split-folding rear seat standard or not? It says it is but also makes it selectable as a cost option!

Cheers,

Mark

Jassyo06 · May 10, 2018

All the optional extras are worth it if you can afford them mate, matrix lights are great virtual Cockpit don't buy a Audi without it, split folding seat is extra
Go for super sport seats **** alcantara

Jbond312 · May 10, 2018

All subjective really but i'll give my opinion anyway:

- Sportback (I love my hatchbacks)
- Ara Blue with Black edition would look nicest out of your suggestions, i like the contrast between the black and blue and you'll get B&O system with it. I've gone for Daytona Grey with black edition
- Apart from the sweeping front indicators, i personally wouldn't bother.
- I prefer the leather
- Agree with jassy, virtual cockpit is a must have for me and seems to be the way most cars are going.

If you can afford it, get them all

Jassyo06 · May 10, 2018

Remember if you choose the saloon black edition you'll pay the higher road tax Mark

TonkS3 · May 10, 2018

sunscreemer said:
Hi all, back on here after some time away mostly because the last near 29k miles and 32 months in my monsoon grey S3 Sportback have been excellent. I am on a 4 year PCP, but considering placing an order for delivery in March/April 2019. I admit i'm concerned at the impact on pricing when Brexit occurs (my view being best case is no impact), but nevertheless...

Anyway, I have some considerations i'd like an input on:-

S3 Saloon or Sportback?
Black edition or not (leaning towards yes)? And if so what colour looks best - considering either nano grey, glacier white or ara blue?
Are matrix LEDs worth the upgrade?
Considering leather/Alcantara rather than plain leather - views?
What's the virtual cockpit like (considering Tech pack)?
Minor question - is split-folding rear seat standard or not? It says it is but also makes it selectable as a cost option!

Cheers,

Mark

Rear seat is split, I believe the cost option makes the centre rear seat a foldable arm rest and ski hatch (I could be wrong but saw this option in several reviews prior to ordering mine and I didn't option it and got 40/60 rear seats).

Highly recommend virtual cockpit and matrix LED's.

Vertigo1 · May 10, 2018

sunscreemer said:
S3 Saloon or Sportback?

Saloon looks so much better and far rarer but costs quite a bit more (although gets 19" rims and MagRide as standard)

Black edition or not (leaning towards yes)? And if so what colour looks best - considering either nano grey, glacier white or ara blue?

Ara Blue is the best colour to have with the BE

Are matrix LEDs worth the upgrade?

Are they utterly amazing? Yes! Are they worth £900? Probably not

Considering leather/Alcantara rather than plain leather - views?

I won't start this one again but I did this as I hate full leather seats. Too hot in summer, too cold in winter, don't grip you well. Unless you need the wipe-clean aspect, they're an affection and alcantara is far better. The leather doesn't wear well either with loads of reports of sagging after only a few months

What's the virtual cockpit like (considering Tech pack)?

A total must-have IMO. Functionality is superb and the looks finish off the interior perfectly.

Minor question - is split-folding rear seat standard or not? It says it is but also makes it selectable as a cost option!

Yes it's standard, there's a through-load option which is extra.

Jassyo06 · May 10, 2018

Vertigo1 said:
Saloon looks so much better and far rarer but costs quite a bit more (although gets 19" rims and MagRide as standard)

Ara Blue is the best colour to have with the BE

Are they utterly amazing? Yes! Are they worth £900? Probably not

I won't start this one again but I did this as I hate full leather seats. Too hot in summer, too cold in winter, don't grip you well. Unless you need the wipe-clean aspect, they're an affection and alcantara is far better. The leather doesn't wear well either with loads of reports of sagging after only a few months

A total must-have IMO. Functionality is superb and the looks finish off the interior perfectly.

Yes it's standard, there's a through-load option which is extra.

Excuse me but aren't the bolsters on the alcantara seats leather of which sags. ....

Vertigo1 · May 10, 2018

jassyo06 said:
Excuse me but aren't the bolsters on the alcantara seats leather of which sags. ....

No the bolsters tend to crease but that's the same with pretty much all cars with use. The sagging is with the main seat squab.

Anyway that's by-the-by, leather seats are just gay basically

Ormesome · May 10, 2018

Isnt your planned delivery date only around 6 months before the new A3 will be released? I might be mistaken. But even so, it will be close, so I would expect a load of options to be thrown in as its a model coming to the end of its cycle.

Edit: just checked most links via a google search and most are quoting a late 2018 release date and to hit showrooms in 1st half of 2019. this would be around the date your mentioning. I would wait and get a new model.

Vertigo1 · May 10, 2018

Ormesome said:
Edit: just checked most links via a google search and most are quoting a late 2018 release date and to hit showrooms in 1st half of 2019. this would be around the date your mentioning. I would wait and get a new model.

I'll still believe it when I see it. That would be a six year life for the 8V, which would be the shortest lifespan for a model ever. The A1 is being released first and we've not had that yet.

Chris43 · May 10, 2018

I don't think the MK8 Golf is due till 2019 so its unlikely (but not impossible) that the new A3 will arrive before then.

That said, the Seat Ibiza got the new platform before the Polo so the new A3 may come before the Golf.

Ormesome · May 10, 2018

Perhaps it will be 2020? 2016 was the Facelift so that was 4 yrs for PFL, then 4yrs for the FL takes it to 2020?

Muggles190 · May 10, 2018

For me sport back and ara blue with the black edition trim - love mine and really sets the colour off

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Michael2018 · May 11, 2018

What's the best discounts available at the moment? Seen around 15% on carwow including the Audi contribution.

Steelster · May 11, 2018

sunscreemer said:
S3 Saloon or Sportback?
Black edition or not (leaning towards yes)? And if so what colour looks best - considering either nano grey, glacier white or ara blue?
Are matrix LEDs worth the upgrade?
Considering leather/Alcantara rather than plain leather - views?
What's the virtual cockpit like (considering Tech pack)?
Minor question - is split-folding rear seat standard or not? It says it is but also makes it selectable as a cost option!

Cheers,

Mark

-Saloon
-Personally I prefer Ara Blue without black edition (may be a little biased there

) but the white or grey with BE would look great.
-I have the matrix LEDs and they're pretty amazing. If you're trying to save cash though there might be better options instead but they're seriously impressive.
-Virtual cockpit is fantastic. 100% would spec this!
-I don't have split seats, just 60/40

Hope this helps!

Bells · May 11, 2018

Ara Blue with Black Edition looks great (little bias though) plus with BE you get B&O and Privacy Glass. I’d also get Virtual Cockpit as this will be the norm whether we like it or not in the next few years and will be appealing come re-sale. I’d also go for Super Sport Seats (really should be standard on a S car) over Matrix Headlights, they don’t offer much if any extra support over the standard seats but look great and really improve the interior.

wab172uk · May 11, 2018

sunscreemer said:
Hi all, back on here after some time away mostly because the last near 29k miles and 32 months in my monsoon grey S3 Sportback have been excellent. I am on a 4 year PCP, but considering placing an order for delivery in March/April 2019. I admit i'm concerned at the impact on pricing when Brexit occurs (my view being best case is no impact), but nevertheless...

Anyway, I have some considerations i'd like an input on:-

S3 Saloon or Sportback?
Black edition or not (leaning towards yes)? And if so what colour looks best - considering either nano grey, glacier white or ara blue?
Are matrix LEDs worth the upgrade?
Considering leather/Alcantara rather than plain leather - views?
What's the virtual cockpit like (considering Tech pack)?
Minor question - is split-folding rear seat standard or not? It says it is but also makes it selectable as a cost option!

Cheers,

Mark

Saloon or Sportback? Personally I think the saloon looks better, but surely that should be your decision based on what suits you best?

Black edition or not? Personally I don't like the black trim, and don't like the Alloys that come with the Black Edition. The standard S3 wheel (on the none Black edition) are some of the nicest wheels Audi have done in a long time. The Black edition wheel look too 2.0TDI.
Colour wise, out of the current options. Either Ara Blue or Daytona Grey

Matrix or not? Personally I've not tried them, but have heard the don't always prevent dazzling oncoming traffic, so you may get flashed at. Plus £900 is getting close to the £40k tax threshold, if you get the Black edition

Seats Get the Supersport seats. Look better, and add to the overall S3'ness of the S3. Always think the S3 interior looks dull without them.

Virtual cockpit? Not for me. Plus, you can't just select VC without selecting a pack. So VC will cost you £1395.oo. Plus, ask yourself. Once you've set the virtual cockpit screen to as you want it, how often are you going to change it? If never, then what's the point?

All subjective of course

sunscreemer · May 11, 2018

OK, some interesting views so far thanks. I must admit i'd not considered a new model being released in this timeframe.

I fancy the saloon over the sportback partly because it'll make it seem more like a new car. The practicality of the sportback isn't something i'd really miss. I also have mag ride on my current car anyway, so i'm already planning on spending some of the 'gap' between saloon and sportback.

I'll get the B&O and privacy glass BE or not. I do like the standard S3 wheel but again, fancy something a bit different to help it feel like a new car.

I currently have the LED lights and cosmetics aside i didn't think they were worth the upgrade over xenons so i'm just wondering if the matrix LED's versus the standard LED's are a big step.

Never really considered the supersport seats, but i guess the cost is offset as i'd be speccing the lumbar anyway and that's included in SS seats.

Was planning on tech pack, so was looking for views on VC that may put me off rather than tempt me if you know what i'm saying.

As for discounts it seems 8% at the dealer is the best you can generally hope for, which is pretty consistent with what I got on my current car. The configurator is coming in at about £44-47k OTR so presumably the £40k tax threshold is going to be reached anyway as it's based on list with options?

sunscreemer · May 11, 2018

...as for colour I must admit the ara blue in BE guise looks pretty smart. I do adore my monsoon grey but think i should make the new car pretty different, hence the consideration of white or blue rather than a different grey in nano.

sunscreemer · May 11, 2018

Hmmm, I think it makes sense for my next car to probably be the facelift and then the one after that may be the next version:-
https://drivemag.com/news/all-new-a...door-liftback-version-that-may-look-like-this

Jassyo06 · May 11, 2018

sunscreemer said:
Hmmm, I think it makes sense for my next car to probably be the facelift and then the one after that may be the next version:-
https://drivemag.com/news/all-new-a...door-liftback-version-that-may-look-like-this

You won't see a new S3 in the showroom til 2020 and with no discounts for the first 6/12 months after its release
You'll also get at a 15% discount on a car in the price bracket you've mentioned, £47000 how much options are you choosing to get on the car for £47000
I went from a 2015 sportback S3 to my current saloon and the only thing they have in common is the inherently numb steering, l didn't like how my sportback drove but my saloon drives very good indeed for a Audi

sunscreemer · May 12, 2018

jassyo06 said:
You won't see a new S3 in the showroom til 2020 and with no discounts for the first 6/12 months after its release
You'll also get at a 15% discount on a car in the price bracket you've mentioned, £47000 how much options are you choosing to get on the car for £47000
I went from a 2015 sportback S3 to my current saloon and the only thing they have in common is the inherently numb steering, l didn't like how my sportback drove but my saloon drives very good indeed for a Audi

You sure a 15% discount is possible? Genuinely struggle to think i'd get more than 8%, maybe 10% at a push. Must admit it's fully loaded to go over £47k but if i don't have everything i want i get restless too soon and it costs me more in the long run! Looking at a 4yr PCP again with a view to changing after 3.5 years. BE saloon in ara blue is looking very good right now!

wab172uk · May 12, 2018

sunscreemer said:
Hmmm, I think it makes sense for my next car to probably be the facelift and then the one after that may be the next version:-
https://drivemag.com/news/all-new-a...door-liftback-version-that-may-look-like-this

If the next A3 looks like those images, change to the current S3 in March/April next year, cos that new car look hideous.

Audi are losing their way big time in the exterior design. Every new car that's come out recently, looks worse than the older version.

Jassyo06 · May 12, 2018

sunscreemer said:
You sure a 15% discount is possible? Genuinely struggle to think i'd get more than 8%, maybe 10% at a push. Must admit it's fully loaded to go over £47k but if i don't have everything i want i get restless too soon and it costs me more in the long run! Looking at a 4yr PCP again with a view to changing after 3.5 years. BE saloon in ara blue is looking very good right now!

15% is extremely doable contact Whetstone Audi that's who I got my car from via coadt2Coast cars

Michael2018 · May 12, 2018

Cash price for 15%? Or PCP deal?

Tip_dk · May 12, 2018

hey there.
I wanted a blue but got one in panther black it looks awesome. and got the saloon as it was better looking. tried the sportsback version you hear the exhaust alot more inside the car. I didn't like that. but I think they feel the same sportsback vs saloon. just liked the looks of the rear end more then on the sportsback

Jassyo06 · May 12, 2018

Michael2018 said:
Cash price for 15%? Or PCP deal?

Just take the car out on finance then pay the car off a week or a month later, l got 15% off my car which was £47,785

Marky-s3 · May 12, 2018

48k thats rs3 money

Jassyo06 · May 13, 2018

Marky-s3 said:
48k thats rs3 money

Yeah it is but l wanted the saloon and l didn’t much like the standard colours available

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