What I don’t like about my A3

AudiA3Newbie

AudiA3Newbie

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I’m just trying to keep this to what I “DONT” like about my A3. Maybe someone will start a thread about what they “DO” like later.

For me:

1). How you have to press the heater switch LOOOOOOOOOOADS of times to go from hot to cold.

2). The old style iPod control (I like spiny knobs).

3). No boot release apart from on the key (it’s keyless so my key will prob be in my pocket so if I wanted to open the boot for anyone on the outside, I’d have to take my key out and press the boot release button.

4). How I can’t turn the middle dash display off at night.

5). How un-user friendly & complicated & distracting it is to change radio channels.

anyone else?
 
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AudiA3Newbie said:
I’m just trying to keep this to what I “DONT” like about my A3. Maybe someone will start a thread about what they “DO” like later.

For me:

1). How you have to press the heater switch LOOOOOOOOOOADS of times to go from hot to cold.

2). The old style iPod control (I like spiny knobs).

3). No boot release apart from on the key (it’s keyless so my key will prob be in my pocket so if I wanted to open the boot for anyone on the outside, I’d have to take my key out and press the boot release button.

4). How I can’t turn the middle dash display off at night.

5). How un-user friendly & complicated & distracting it is to change radio channels.

anyone else?
Click to expand...


Can you use voice commands to change radio channels ?
 
AudiA3Newbie said:
I’m just trying to keep this to what I “DONT” like about my A3. Maybe someone will start a thread about what they “DO” like later.

For me:

1). How you have to press the heater switch LOOOOOOOOOOADS of times to go from hot to cold.

2). The old style iPod control (I like spiny knobs).

3). No boot release apart from on the key (it’s keyless so my key will prob be in my pocket so if I wanted to open the boot for anyone on the outside, I’d have to take my key out and press the boot release button.

4). How I can’t turn the middle dash display off at night.

5). How un-user friendly & complicated & distracting it is to change radio channels.

anyone else?
Click to expand...


For 3), isn't there a switch/toggle near the front bottom of the driver's door?
 
No. Not got that. The red one is the S3 though. Maybe the S3 has it but the S Line certainly doesn’t. Maybe if I pull off the door panel the wiring will be there and I can fit a switch.
 
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Do the steering wheel buttons or next/back buttons on the iPod volume control not change stations?
 
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tb123 said:
Do the steering wheel buttons or next/back buttons on the iPod volume control not change stations?
Click to expand...

yes but I mean in the display, it’s very fiddly to choose channels and not very well set out in my opinion. I might just be fussy.
 
AudiA3Newbie said:
No. As I have the keyless ignition it doesn’t have one. Crazy.
Click to expand...

You get the button if you spec advanced key and powered tailgate - Not sure it's an option on the S-Line though

3] You can obviously unlock the doors with the button on the drivers door which will unlock the boot and they can then open the boot themselves, you don't have to open it for them unless their hands are full of course
 
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AudiA3Newbie said:
I’m just trying to keep this to what I “DONT” like about my A3. .
anyone else?
Click to expand...

1. How much of a change of temperature are you wanting to make?! I have auto-air con in my Golf (the Audi is on order) and never change it by more than a few degrees at most.

4. Are you sure that there is not an option for this in the settings?
 
AdamInKent said:
1. How much of a change of temperature are you wanting to make?! I have auto-air con in my Golf (the Audi is on order) and never change it by more than a few degrees at most.

4. Are you sure that there is not an option for this in the settings?
Click to expand...


It’s just a faff changing it from hot to cold or vice versa. So many clicks.

Re the display: If it’s there, it’s not straight forward. I’ve had a couple of cars where there is an actual dedicated button to turn it off. This would be so much easier. There is a setting in the menu where you can turn it off to clean it but it’s a few clicks through the settings and not suitable to find it when driving.
 
AudiA3Newbie said:
It’s just a faff changing it from hot to cold or vice versa. So many clicks.

Re the display: If it’s there, it’s not straight forward. I’ve had a couple of cars where there is an actual dedicated button to turn it off. This would be so much easier. There is a setting in the menu where you can turn it off to clean it but it’s a few clicks through the settings and not suitable to find it when driving.
Click to expand...

Can you make shortcuts on the touchscreen for this type of thing

They've removed the Hill Hold Button and my friend says it's in the MMI system, which is a pain as I always switch it off when I put the car in the garage as I like the car to creep forward just holding it on the brake - If the hold assist comes on you have to touch the accelerator which when you're just at the final point of getting it in right is annoying - I then switch it back on before I turn the engine off - I'm hoping you might be able to make a shortcut or voice control it
 
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AudiA3Newbie said:
It’s just a faff changing it from hot to cold or vice versa. So many clicks.

Re the display: If it’s there, it’s not straight forward. I’ve had a couple of cars where there is an actual dedicated button to turn it off. This would be so much easier. There is a setting in the menu where you can turn it off to clean it but it’s a few clicks through the settings and not suitable to find it when driving.
Click to expand...

Is it possible to hold the toggle down or up to change let it automatically decrease or increase the temperature instead of doing numerous click?
 
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Update:
Just found out you can turn the screen off by pressing the top bar with the icons. Then click the top right button. RESULT!
 

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This button turns the screen off but leaves the radio on so good at night if you want a bit of darkness.
 

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AudiA3Newbie said:
It does. Slowly though. I’m just used to twiddly knobs.
Click to expand...

Same here...I much prefer the current gen vents (not for the looks but the ease of use, especially with the telescoping vents) and the temperature dial.
 
PlHi
I love the car but I don't like when you switch the engine off but the music still plays until I open the door, unless I am missing something.
 
I don't like the rear camera going faulty.
Only comes on for 1 reason, and that's quite needed at the time! It's rare so living with it till 1st service
 
MELenium said:
PlHi
I love the car but I don't like when you switch the engine off but the music still plays until I open the door, unless I am missing something.
Click to expand...
My works Pool car Seat Leon pre new model is the same - I think it’s something to do with if you have the start button that all A3’s do now - the old turn key method turned everything off when you took the key out
 
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MELenium said:
PlHi
I love the car but I don't like when you switch the engine off but the music still plays until I open the door, unless I am missing something.
Click to expand...
Most cars do that nowadays. My 2019 Focus did and so does my partners Qashqai :thumbs up:
 
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In no particular order that bothers me;
1) Not consistent on whether the coming home / leaving home lights would toggle or not.
(my lights are set to auto, and the ceiling switch for interior lights to come on when unlocked/door open is on).

2) I understand that after a certain time (it is afterall 3 months now) the long term mpg will reset, however my trip odometer also did that and I didn't ask it to! (anyone know if this happens automatically after every 2k miles, or 3 months?)

3) Doesn't tell me which gear I'm in (previous VAG cars it would show D1 - D6/D7).

3) On Sport and Technik Trim, no vanity mirrror lights nor footwell lights!

4) Screen and piano black trims are fingerprint magnet, but it does look good when cleaned and polished!

5) no other option for trim (maybe wood effect, aluminium effect, textured) to be óther' effect besides piano black

6) You cannot 'force' the car to be in parking lights mode when you are moving. It will always default back to auto and it would be up to the car to decide if lights should be on or off.

7) No rear LED tailights for Technik and Sport trim (even the over 30k 40TFSI-E doesn't have this in Sport trim). My previous 3 cars (V40, Ibiza, Leon) had LED tail lights as they were lesser price than the A3.

8) No sliding cupholder cover thing...(I like to hide my lose change there).

9) No underseat (front seat) storage. Or is this part of the storage pack? Also all my previous cars (even a Seat Ibiza) had back of front seat storage for maps / paper etc. This only comes with storage pack?

10) SOS pings!

11) Audi should have swapped the round engine start/stop with the audio controls wheel thing for RHD cars.

12) Glovebox is on the small side. My previous car (Volvo V40) and before even the mk3 Seat Leon had a much bigger space there.

13) no numerical instantaenous mpg figure (I guess this is just me). That can tell me I'm doing 45 or 55 or 65 mpg at a given time, just a bar that you have to guesstimate after 40mpg bar.

14) Cheap looking rear vents, could have made it the same as the front passenger ones!

15) Audi should have used the 1.5 EVO 130PS for the A3 30 TFSI. As far as I know the 130PS is still within the 30 badge. Afterall Audi has a 30TDI A4 that is 136PS. Leave the 1.0 engine for the other VAG cars (Seat, Skoda, VW, and A1/A2). Audi is afterall 'suppose' to be marketed higher no?
 
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MELenium said:
Wow! that is some list KXL
Click to expand...
I guess it also down to what cars we had before, and mostly those cars gave me 'more' but were 'lesser' cars so to speak. When the 'what you like about your A3' comes back around, I might have a larger list :).
 
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1. TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) does not show actual tyre temperature and pressure. It only pings when it thinks pressure is low.
2. No MMI function to check engine oil level (and it supposed to be topped up every 5k).
3. Reversing camera's field of vision is pretty narrow. When reversing out of parking bays, can't see any approaching traffic unless they're almost on me.
 
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Ok here goes

1. Agree with the adjusting the temperature, too many clicks
2. If you have the temp setting to Low, when you switch off the engine and get back in it sets it to 16. (my old mk7.5 golf would remember the setting)
3. The limitations of the steering wheel button - i would like to be able to have it as a secondary drive select button as there are times you just want a quick change to Dynamic for overtaking.
4. In the virtual cockpit, if you have car data and small dials, you cannot change the right hand data
5. Still on the virtual cockpit, if you have the maps displayed you seem to have a copyright message along the top.
6. Also the mirrors only unfold at ignition and not at unlock.
7. You cannot turn off lane assist permanently, i know the button on the left stalk does turn it off, but only for that journey
 
Sal Jam said:
1. TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) does not show actual tyre temperature and pressure. It only pings when it thinks pressure is low.
2. No MMI function to check engine oil level (and it supposed to be topped up every 5k).
3. Reversing camera's field of vision is pretty narrow. When reversing out of parking bays, can't see any approaching traffic unless they're almost on me.
Click to expand...
1. Bigger models have the full system - Have to have special valves in the tyres as well - A3 system uses the ABS system to detect change in wheel circumference
2. Doesn't have an electronic dipstick so wouldn't have this option in the MMI - Unfortunately you have to use the old fashioned method of checking it yourself - needs to be done warm as well - Manual tells you - Not heard the 5k miles thing
 
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AdamInKent said:
Which engine do you have, that requires oil top ups every 5k miles?
Click to expand...

Sparks43 said:
1. Bigger models have the full system - Have to have special valves in the tyres as well - A3 system uses the ABS system to detect change in wheel circumference
2. Doesn't have an electronic dipstick so wouldn't have this option in the MMI - Unfortunately you have to use the old fashioned method of checking it yourself - needs to be done warm as well - Manual tells you - Not heard the 5k miles thing
Click to expand...

My memory got muddled a bit about the 5k mile thing (sorry). Here's the bit from the manual:

View attachment 244766
 
My main bug bear is that the MMI keeps defaulting music to my iPhone connected by CarPlay and not the USB stick plugged into USB1 so each time I start the car I have to change it.
 
11) Audi should have swapped the round engine start/stop with the audio controls wheel thing for RHD cars.

What side is the start button on your car? - I have a right hand drive car and the start stop is on the right, where I would expect it to be.
 
Justphil said:
11) Audi should have swapped the round engine start/stop with the audio controls wheel thing for RHD cars.

What side is the start button on your car? - I have a right hand drive car and the start stop is on the right, where I would expect it to be.
Click to expand...
I definitely use the start-stop button more often that the adjacent audio controls so I agree that it makes sense to have it on the drivers side.
 
Justphil said:
11) Audi should have swapped the round engine start/stop with the audio controls wheel thing for RHD cars.

What side is the start button on your car? - I have a right hand drive car and the start stop is on the right, where I would expect it to be.
Click to expand...
My personal thinking is that on the manual (I have auto btw), you only press engine start once at the start and once at the end when the car is stationary, you may use those audio controls to change tracks, or turn MMI off or whatever during the journey where the manual gear stick would get in the way of needing to 'reach further' across? Unless the thinking is that control is for the front seat passenger whereas driver should use the steering controls? I know it sounds funny but sometimes I don't keep wanting to use the steering 'next' track button, all the time, and want to mix it up by using those circle controls as well (just me maybe).
 
Justphil said:
11) Audi should have swapped the round engine start/stop with the audio controls wheel thing for RHD cars.

What side is the start button on your car? - I have a right hand drive car and the start stop is on the right, where I would expect it to be.
Click to expand...
Wait, so on LHD cars, the button is actually swapped around and they didn't leave it as it is for both markets like they did the controls on either side of the hazards (assuming park assist buttons)?
 
KXL said:
Wait, so on LHD cars, the button is actually swapped around and they didn't leave it as it is for both markets like they did the controls on either side of the hazards (assuming park assist buttons)?
Click to expand...
Yes it's the other way around on LHD vehicles. The MMI controls on the console are designed for the passengers use, not the driver. The driver is intended to use the steering-wheel controls.
 
My List:
1. No auto hold assist button! This is a serious problem for me, it's hidden in the MMI sub menus and I like to turn it on and off depending on traffic conditions.
2. Halogen Bulb in glove box... Why!? Every other bulb is LED in the vehicle!
3. Horrible Airbag warning engraved on the passenger sun visor.
 
Ludus said:
My List:
1. No auto hold assist button! This is a serious problem for me, it's hidden in the MMI sub menus and I like to turn it on and off depending on traffic conditions.
Click to expand...

I agree that this is a pain. Adding the Auto Hold control to the MMI favourites, so it is easier to get to, is a partial work-around. But it does seem weird that it is a physical button on VW, Skoda and Seat cars but not on Audi. (I guess it’s something to do with the double screen MMI configuration on more expensive Audi’s, where the Auto Hold control can easily be added as a shortcut.)
 
Ludus said:
My List:
2. Halogen Bulb in glove box... Why!? Every other bulb is LED in the vehicle!
Click to expand...
Mmm...on my Sport Trim, majority of lights are halogen, only exceptions are boot light and headlights inc high-beam, those are LED.
 
3 months in, my gripes are:

1. Have to turn engine on to unwind mirrors - and use MMI for wipers to service mode - pain when about to clean car
2. Not being able to permanently turn off idiot aids - lane departure a real bug bear, at least the others you can turn sensitivity right down
3. Cup holders were in a better position in the 8V - why put them where your arm goes?
4. USB sockets should be in the armrest or glovebox - halfway up the storage area is a silly place and unsightly
5. What on earth did they waste their money on the audiapp for? - unlocking your car with this is a gimmick as it takes longer for me to unlock phone, open app and press than to just reach into my pocket and press the fob. Showing where your car is parked in relation to you must be for a special type of owner (I have never forgotten where I left it - and it doesn't go off for a trip on it's own)
6. Seats should be full leather not part real and part synthetic
7. Not being able to disable alerts that some idiots have their fog lights on - I took my first long drive, admittedly it was wet and grey, but having the limited visibility warning every 10-15 minutes was just frustrating.
8. I am convinced the rear space and boot are smaller than the 8V
9. Periodically forgetting the MMI has been set up already and reminding me to go through the quick set up guide

Other than that - love it!
 
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