Potential new owner with some questions

Pablosammy · Feb 9, 2019

Hey guys,

I'm currently in the final stages of my decision making about my next car, and I'm close to placing an order on a new A3. I'm leaning towards a 35 TFSI S Line sportback in manual with the tech pack and comfort & sound pack.

Any idea what the current lead times are on factory orders? And is there a 'go-to' dealer in the UK for the best no nonsense deals (if any of you have heard of TRL in BMW forums you'll know what I mean!).

Lastly, any advice on 'essential' options above and beyond what I've specced? I'm considering deleting the sports suspension, as comfort is high on my priority list... are the magnetic dampers worth the premium?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to Audi and it's all a bit overwhelming!

RichardT · Feb 9, 2019

Can’t really offer much, but re suspension, I deselected Sport suspension in favour of the SE suspension after test driving on a country road. Glad we did - I’m high on comfort as well.

Goner · Feb 10, 2019

Opinions are divided on this but if you do plenty of motorway driving ACC is a must.

Also I like my pan roof during the summer.

sleeves_008 · Feb 10, 2019

If you haven't test driven the 1.0 then give it a go, I went from the 2.0tdi and haven't regretted it. Had a Q2 courtesy car which was the 1.5 and didn't notice much improvement in performance, just more noise.

Pablosammy · Feb 10, 2019

A1DEYB said:
Opinions are divided on this but if you do plenty of motorway driving ACC is a must.

Also I like my pan roof during the summer.

Cheers. I very rarely use the motorway (I live in rural Suffolk!) but my finger is hovering over the ACC option for the occasional times I wish I did have it. It would certainly get used. The main reason I haven't ticked the box yet is because I'm ordering a manual, so it can't go below 20mph... it takes one of the big benefits away in my eyes.

I have a pano roof on my current car, and I do like it, but it's a fairly expensive option and I'm trying not to push the budget too hard. I'll see if I can see one in the flesh, I might still be won over.

Pablosammy · Feb 10, 2019

sleeves_008 said:
If you haven't test driven the 1.0 then give it a go, I went from the 2.0tdi and haven't regretted it. Had a Q2 courtesy car which was the 1.5 and didn't notice much improvement in performance, just more noise.

Cheers! My missus has a 150 1.4TSi Beetle and I'm not sure I'd live it down if her car had the legs on mine...

Ormesome · Feb 10, 2019

ACC for sure. It works on all roads, not just motorways. I would give my right leg to have it! Superb piece of kit and would be first on my list.

Personally I would not select the sports suspension, you might be high on comfort but you will also be literally high, in the clouds high! Go through eBay or auto trader and compare some with or without it. The SE normal suspension makes the A3 look incredibly high and oddly proportioned. The sports suspension isn’t as bad as you might think, test drive one and see. My old A3 had it, my Q2 has it. No problems at all. Still nice and smooth.

Pablosammy · Feb 10, 2019

Ormesome said:
ACC for sure. It works on all roads, not just motorways. I would give my right leg to have it! Superb piece of kit and would be first on my list.

Personally I would not select the sports suspension, you might be high on comfort but you will also be literally high, in the clouds high! Go through eBay or auto trader and compare some with or without it. The SE normal suspension makes the A3 look incredibly high and oddly proportioned. The sports suspension isn’t as bad as you might think, test drive one and see. My old A3 had it, my Q2 has it. No problems at all. Still nice and smooth.

I'm used to being low and firm... I have a C Class on AMG Line suspension, and let's just say I'm glad it's not on runflats! It also scrapes the undertray on even modest speed bumps. I presume the A3 will be better in that regard, even on sports springs.

Oh god, I'm going to tick ACC aren't I? And then I'll end up ordering the DSG to make the most of it, and my budget will be smashed :sadlike:

Goner · Feb 10, 2019

Pablosammy said:
Cheers. I very rarely use the motorway (I live in rural Suffolk!) but my finger is hovering over the ACC option for the occasional times I wish I did have it. It would certainly get used. The main reason I haven't ticked the box yet is because I'm ordering a manual, so it can't go below 20mph... it takes one of the big benefits away in my eyes.

I have a pano roof on my current car, and I do like it, but it's a fairly expensive option and I'm trying not to push the budget too hard. I'll see if I can see one in the flesh, I might still be won over.

Mines S Tronic so i use it in stop / start traffic but like you say if you don't use motorways (unlike me) that much you probably wouldn't get the benefit of it due to being in a manual car as like you say you cannot use it below 20mph.

Goner · Feb 10, 2019

Ormesome said:
ACC for sure. It works on all roads, not just motorways. I would give my right leg to have it! Superb piece of kit and would be first on my list.

Personally I would not select the sports suspension, you might be high on comfort but you will also be literally high, in the clouds high! Go through eBay or auto trader and compare some with or without it. The SE normal suspension makes the A3 look incredibly high and oddly proportioned. The sports suspension isn’t as bad as you might think, test drive one and see. My old A3 had it, my Q2 has it. No problems at all. Still nice and smooth.

Agree with you on the sports suspension as i drive past a jacked up S3 each day which i can only think they deselected sports suspension for SE (or whatever the alternative is on the S3) and it looks daft.

Goner · Feb 10, 2019

Pablosammy said:
Cheers! My missus has a 150 1.4TSi Beetle and I'm not sure I'd live it down if her car had the legs on mine...

Don't be fooled regarding the 1.0L capacity as it's nowhere near as bad as what the engine size suggests.

I have that engine with S tronic and it's great.

PeteK · Feb 10, 2019

Yes, ACC is a great option (even on a manual) - very useful for the endless miles of speed cameras. I agree with comments about the looks of the standard (non-sport) suspension. I noticed the height, and hated it, straight away (but have got used to it now). Keeping Sport suspension is probably the one thing I would change with my order (2016 A3 Sport), but it depends how highly you value the looks.

eribaMotters · Feb 10, 2019

Pablosammy said:
Hey guys,

I'm currently in the final stages of my decision making about my next car, and I'm close to placing an order on a new A3. I'm leaning towards a 35 TFSI S Line sportback in manual with the tech pack and comfort & sound pack.

Any idea what the current lead times are on factory orders? And is there a 'go-to' dealer in the UK for the best no nonsense deals (if any of you have heard of TRL in BMW forums you'll know what I mean!).

Lastly, any advice on 'essential' options above and beyond what I've specced? I'm considering deleting the sports suspension, as comfort is high on my priority list... are the magnetic dampers worth the premium?

/QUOTE]

I ordered a 2019 factory built 35 Sport Spec last year. Order confirmed late November, built late December, at dealers for viewing a couple of weeks ago and being collected March 1st.
I went for parking pack, towbar, heated seats[at request of my good wife] and silver roof rails [they make car look longer/lower] and metallic paint.
I considered S Line as it looks nice, but it meant more Technology that I don't want and loss of full [real + artificial] leather . The suspension is also lower and runs on R18 x 40 profile tyres as opposed to R17 x 45 with resultant harder ride.
Try Carwow for price. I've gone for the pcp deal with manufacturer contribution meaning a near £5K saving. I plan to pay off finance deal a couple of days after collection.

Colin

Search

Search

Potential new owner with some questions

Pablosammy

Guest

RichardT

Registered User

Goner

Guest

sleeves_008

Registered User

Pablosammy

Guest

Pablosammy

Guest

Ormesome

Registered User

Pablosammy

Guest

Goner

Guest

Goner

Guest

Goner

Guest

PeteK

Registered User

eribaMotters

Registered User

Similar threads