What options are a must have?

Simon50s · Sep 23, 2023

I'll probably be changing my A3 8P within the next year and will be looking for an ex-demonstrator 35 MHEV.

The demonstrators are usually pretty well loaded with optional extras but I was wondering from owners experience what they think are the best/most useful features to have?

I was hoping to get one in matellic paint but I've been told this is very rare for an A3 demonstrator and they are usually ordered in just the flat black, white or red. I don't want black as I've heard they always look dirty. Perhaps similar for the white but not so bad?

Thanks

AdamInKent · Sep 23, 2023

Optional extras are largely down to personal preference but, FWIW:

Spare tyre and jack - saves money in the long run by allowing you to get punctured tyres repaired professionally. And spare tyres will always get you back up and running whereas puncture repair kits don’t always work.

The Driver assist pack with adaptive cruise and lane following: this makes long journeys so much easier because the car does most of the hard work of driving.

Matrix headlights: allow use of full beams even when other cars are on the roads.

Heated seats - great in winter.

Simon50s · Sep 23, 2023

I was once told that that being in Finland, they have a 'winter pack' so they should have heated seats as standard. The cars here are very expensive but I think the spec is better than on the UK cars - I haven't tried a comparison though. I'm looking at close to €40,000 (£35000) for a Sportback 35 ex-demonstrator.

KXL · Sep 23, 2023

Generally try to get one with the 'Comfort and Sound Pack.' This would come with a reverse camera, self-parking ability (but once this parked me soo close to the curb that I couldn't even fit an ice cream stick there), and spoiler alert, I curbed my wheels to get out! heated seats and B&O soundsystem with 15 speakers and 680watts of power.
I think the B&O is definately better than the stock sound system (been wanting to sit in one, haven't got the chance yet) but of course, you need to compare like for like, it won't be able to beat premium sound systems from cars on categories above. Sat in BMW i4 with H&K other day and that one is wow from the first 5 seconds can already tell, but 'only' 460 watts power. Go figure...

JKP · Sep 24, 2023

No Comfort and Sound pack in Finland. We have totally different equipment policy. Few trim levels and lots of individually picked options. But a Finnish car buyer is tratidionally very parsimonious, when it comes to picking additional options. I guess there are absolutely zero number of 8Ys with matrix LEDs in Finland.

Actually all the 8Y demo cars I've seen in Finland have been quite basic. But I can give two precious advices: The most important "option" is a model year 2022 or later. The early cars can still be full of electrical faults, some fixed some not. Maybe if the dealer gives you a proper second-hand car warranty, then it could be an earlier car also. I think most of the 35 TFSI demo cars are the earlier ones, since it was only available at the launch time. Nowadays there are more 30 TFSIs because they are the cheaper option, which sells better here... The another thing is, if it's a newer car, make sure it does have the rear parking sensors. They are left out of some demo cars during the worst chip shortage time.

I'd go after Business Advanced or later Progress Plus trim lines, they have nicely more good options than the basic Business / Progress trims.

Edit: Checked a second-hand cars site, the 35TFSI cars are indeed very rare. The non-existend rear parking sensors are not. So be careful out there.

Simon50s · Apr 14, 2024

I've just collected my new A3. Saloon 30 Progress Plus in Manhatten Grey.

It's a 'demonstrator' which hadn't yet been driven or registered so was available immediately which is what I needed. My 18 year old Sportback failed it's annual inspection on front suspension and was able to trade it in without needing to do the work. Audi even gave me the trade in value they quoted me at the end of last year. I managed to get them to add a full tank of fuel, rubber winter mats and paint pen.

As you say JKP, there are very few 35's. I did test drive a 35 and 30 Sportback at the end of last year but they didn't really have all the spec I wanted.

Although I originally wanted another Sportback because it's so practical, the Saloon looked so good and had pretty much all the options I wanted so I went with that. I was unsure about a 30 but it's actually got slightly more power than my old Sportback 1.6 and I didn't really need the bigger engine.

It's one of the last 8Y's so at least all the early teething problems have been rectified. The other good thing about getting a late year model is the spec is better and yes, it includes the rear parking sensors as well as camera which is great.

JKP said:
No Comfort and Sound pack in Finland. We have totally different equipment policy. Few trim levels and lots of individually picked options. But a Finnish car buyer is tratidionally very parsimonious, when it comes to picking additional options. I guess there are absolutely zero number of 8Ys with matrix LEDs in Finland.

Actually all the 8Y demo cars I've seen in Finland have been quite basic. But I can give two precious advices: The most important "option" is a model year 2022 or later. The early cars can still be full of electrical faults, some fixed some not. Maybe if the dealer gives you a proper second-hand car warranty, then it could be an earlier car also. I think most of the 35 TFSI demo cars are the earlier ones, since it was only available at the launch time. Nowadays there are more 30 TFSIs because they are the cheaper option, which sells better here... The another thing is, if it's a newer car, make sure it does have the rear parking sensors. They are left out of some demo cars during the worst chip shortage time.

I'd go after Business Advanced or later Progress Plus trim lines, they have nicely more good options than the basic Business / Progress trims.

Edit: Checked a second-hand cars site, the 35TFSI cars are indeed very rare. The non-existend rear parking sensors are not. So be careful out there.

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What options are a must have?

Simon50s

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AdamInKent

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Simon50s

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KXL

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JKP

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Simon50s

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