Face lift A3 2024

[JKP]

I found the original press release from Netcarshow.com, says this:
"With regard to the axle concept, Audi relies on a MacPherson axle with bottom wishbones at the front. Models with an output of 110 kW (150 PS) and more are equipped with a four-link rear suspension with separate spring/damper arrangement. Engines with an output of less than 110 kW (150 PS) are equipped with a light and compact torsion-beam rear axle." It's the same for both variants. It may be possible they just decided to axe the torsion beam at some point to reduce different parts to deal with but I haven't heard of it before.

 

[Simon50s]

I found the original press release from Netcarshow.com, says this:
"With regard to the axle concept, Audi relies on a MacPherson axle with bottom wishbones at the front. Models with an output of 110 kW (150 PS) and more are equipped with a four-link rear suspension with separate spring/damper arrangement. Engines with an output of less than 110 kW (150 PS) are equipped with a light and compact torsion-beam rear axle." It's the same for both variants. It may be possible they just decided to axe the torsion beam at some point to reduce different parts to deal with but I haven't heard of it before.

It seems strange to me that it's so difficult to find out exactly what spec set-up your car has, including things like the suspension rather than relying on your own visual inspection.

 

[JKP]

It seems to be almost impossible to find correct information about some technical details. But you should be able to see yor tech from the MyAudi App. Check your conversations, I put you instructions in our other common language where to find it.

 

[Simon50s]

From what I've just read, it seems my pre-facelift Saloon 30 1 litre does in fact have the independent multi-link suspension set-up on the rear. It appears that all the saloon models have it, regardless of engine size. I don't know how accurate some of these car spec websites are, but it also shows the Sportback 1 litre with MHEV having it, but the Sportback 1 litre non-MHEV, having the semi-independent, coil spring - Auto-data.net

There's also this older thread (albeit the 8V saloon) - So the salesman who told me both the 1 litre and 30 litre have it, would have been correct - at least regarding the saloon anyway. I can't get mine up on ramps to confirm visually but I'm now confident it does have it which I'm pleased about. Unless someone knows otherwise!

Just noticed I inserted the wrong link intended under "this old thread"

It should be this one here:

Facelift - What type of rear suspensions on my car?

Hello everyone. I ve heard there are multi link rear suspensions in new a3 saloon cars. I asked my dealer and surprisingly he does not know. So I wanted to ask here. Are these independent rear suspensions? I hope you can help me because i will order lowering springs and i need to know it.

www.audi-sport.net

 

[JKP]

I wouldn't rely on how the 8V saloon was, the saloon was released much later than the Sportback and there aren't many body panels they are sharing. There's much more similarities between the 8Y SB and saloon so maybe the suspensions were the same like the press release says. But I find it weird they ditched something that should be cheaper to build. That has to be because of just having lesser different parts. Like the engines too. You could think the smaller 3-cylinder engine would be cheaper to make than the one with 4 cylinders, just mapped to give less power...

Maybe they started using the multi-link rear axle to all models at some point and only made it public by the facelift.

 

[Simon50s]

I wouldn't rely on how the 8V saloon was, the saloon was released much later than the Sportback and there aren't many body panels they are sharing. There's much more similarities between the 8Y SB and saloon so maybe the suspensions were the same like the press release says. But I find it weird they ditched something that should be cheaper to build. That has to be because of just having lesser different parts. Like the engines too. You could think the smaller 3-cylinder engine would be cheaper to make than the one with 4 cylinders, just mapped to give less power...

Maybe they started using the multi-link rear axle to all models at some point and only made it public by the facelift.

I managed to take a photo and I guess this confirms mine has the basic torsion-beam rear axle set up as expected on the 1 litre pre-facelift car.

 

[JKP]

Yeah, that's indeed it.

 

[JKP]

Got my new car today. Few weeks earlier than what was expected, so no more issues with the delivery time. I hope it's also a sign of more decent production and thus the quality. My first impression is that it might truly be a better car than my previous ones.

In with the old,

Out with the new.

 

[HM3P]

Got my new car today. Few weeks earlier than what was expected, so no more issues with the delivery time. I hope it's also a sign of more decent production and thus the quality. My first impression is that it might truly be a better car than my previous ones.

In with the old,
View attachment 282197

Out with the new.
View attachment 282198

Good god Audi have lost their way.

 

[JKP]

Let that be your opinion, I think I've now got a better car. Even a better looking one. My only gripe so far is the tyres. My car came with Nexens, so I went straight to a local tyre shop and swapped them to Michelin Primacy 5's. There are some nice additions in the FL car, nothing ground breaking but some things that make me feel I've really done an upgrade. I'm very happy with the car to start with. Far better that how I felt with my old one when I received it. I had a feeling something's not right from the beginning and it carried on all the time I had the car. This time it's all different, I just hope it will be like this from now on.

 

[Simon50s]

Very nice! I like the restyled spoiler 'scoops' too. It's a shame you had that slight negative feeling about your old car. I've had my pre-facelift just over a year now and still very pleased with it. It's just booked for it's first oil change at my local Audi dealer. Was a bit surprised at the €390 just for the oil change, and only the 1 litre engine.

 

[JKP]

Thanks! Yeah, I still liked the old car, did some memorable trips with it and loved to throw it hard through twisty roads, but it wasn't the easiest one to own. Indeed, right the next day after I had booked the delivery of the new car in a week, it gave me a bunch of beeps and warnings and refused to move. After few reboots it let me drive but the engine warning light stayed on, still nothing felt abnormal. It did exactly the same after I came back from a grocery store to drive home. I was really ****** and started to plan how to deal with the case but thank God the light went off after a day and didn't come back. I read the fault codes but couldn't figure out anything. I think it was just a bad contact or maybe some moisture issue, since it happened after I had washed the car, but of course thouse shouldn't be related.

Your oil change seems to be quite early. Did you decide to do it once per year or does the 1-litre engine have shorter oil change interval than the 1,5 l one, which has 2 years or 30000 km? My car needed the brake fluid change at the same time too and the price for the service at the dealership was well over €500. I chose to use the local VAG workshop instead, they did it almost half the price.

I haven't driven the new car much yet but there will be a longer trip tomorrow so I can get better touch to it. But I have to say the more I look at it the more I like it. I think the facelift styling looks a bit more "functional", there are less fake vent looking accents and stuff. And it's indeed more modern looking. I even like the new rings, though it's a bit weird that they have the old styling in the steering wheel center cap.

 

[KXL]

Very nice! I like the restyled spoiler 'scoops' too. It's a shame you had that slight negative feeling about your old car. I've had my pre-facelift just over a year now and still very pleased with it. It's just booked for it's first oil change at my local Audi dealer. Was a bit surprised at the €390 just for the oil change, and only the 1 litre engine.

Here in UK it's around £250 for the minor service and around £400 for the major one. 1st service was only required after 24 Months. I actually booked it in for the 12th month mark as I didn't know and they said come back this time next year. I quite like the new look A3 only if it came with the projector LEDs with new customisable light signature. In UK the lowest Sport trim (no Technik anymore) comes with basic led reflector headlights, and halogen tail lights. think it looks worse with new style. @JKP looks like yours is Sport trim (at least exterior) with projector LEDs. In UK not pre FL not possible to have this combo but FL can spec matrix LEDs with Sport trim as an extra.

 

[Simon50s]

My oil change is showing on the myAudi app as due 10,400km/September. Seems early but must be standard for that engine then.

The first inspection service is shown as due at 18,500km/April 2026.

 

[JKP]

I quite like the new look A3 only if it came with the projector LEDs with new customisable light signature. In UK the lowest Sport trim (no Technik anymore) comes with basic led reflector headlights, and halogen tail lights. think it looks worse with new style. JKP looks like yours is Sport trim (at least exterior) with projector LEDs. In UK not pre FL not possible to have this combo but FL can spec matrix LEDs with Sport trim as an extra.

We have the basic trim that's just called A3, then Plus and S-Line. Mine's Plus. The basic one has the same bumpers but without those silver grayish accents, they are just black, and the window surroundings are also plain black, maybe rubber. But those LED lights are standard in all the trims here. Most A3's here are the basic versions, and the S-Line is a rare sight. It doesn't even come with the S-Line interior if you don't pay extra for it, it's just the outside, and for that it's quite expensive.

I didn't know the lights have a nice animation when you unlock the car so it was a nice surprise when I saw it.

 

[KXL]

We have the basic trim that's just called A3, then Plus and S-Line. Mine's Plus. The basic one has the same bumpers but without those silver grayish accents, they are just black, and the window surroundings are also plain black, maybe rubber. But those LED lights are standard in all the trims here. Most A3's here are the basic versions, and the S-Line is a rare sight. It doesn't even come with the S-Line interior if you don't pay extra for it, it's just the outside, and for that it's quite expensive.

I didn't know the lights have a nice animation when you unlock the car so it was a nice surprise when I saw it.

Then like for like with UK, the standard A3 corresponds with Technik, Plus with Sport, and S-Line, well S-line, no Edition 1 I suppose.
Technik which has been discontinued now used to have no rear seat air vents nor climate control either (just basic AC controls). But it was possible to add Comfort and Sound to this trim. Came with smallest 16 inch rims. Lucky you that all A3s in Finland you get the full projector LEDs there, maybe due to regulations of requring 'all weather lights' (with headlight wash?) which probably isn't required here in UK.

 

[JKP]

I think we don't have a regulation for all-weather or fog lights in front, but the rear fog light is a must. But at least it serves the customers that we have the projector LEDs here all through the lineup, good lights are quite a necessity here. Especially nowadays when we don't have that much snow in winter anymore, so it's just blackness for seven months.

The headlight washers were a standard equipment in pre-FL cars but not anymore. They cost some extra and I found out the difference to the matrix LEDs were only few hundreds if you opted for the washers. I've been quite vocal here how the washers are a must in Finland, but I must admit I chose to rather have the mid-level ambient lighting package for the same money... I read somewhere that the headlight washers waste the washing liquid quite an amount, so I'll see if I did a right or wrong choice...

 

[Jason1987]

Do the matrix leds on the facelift have the ability to project the Audi logo onto a wall infront of the car? I swear this was a party trick on the previous matrix lights? Or did I imagine that lol?

 

[KXL]

Do the matrix leds on the facelift have the ability to project the Audi logo onto a wall infront of the car? I swear this was a party trick on the previous matrix lights? Or did I imagine that lol?

Might have been the Q6 or the more expensive Audis, pretty sure this would not be on the A3, but perhaps I'm wrong.

 

[KXL]

We have the basic trim that's just called A3, then Plus and S-Line. Mine's Plus. The basic one has the same bumpers but without those silver grayish accents, they are just black, and the window surroundings are also plain black, maybe rubber. But those LED lights are standard in all the trims here. Most A3's here are the basic versions, and the S-Line is a rare sight. It doesn't even come with the S-Line interior if you don't pay extra for it, it's just the outside, and for that it's quite expensive.

I didn't know the lights have a nice animation when you unlock the car so it was a nice surprise when I saw it.

Curious to know, what tyres did your new A3 come with? Seen quite a lot of FL ones here, with 17s and running mainly running Nexen tyres. Some those with 18s tend to still have Pirelli P7 C2s. Then there was a 2025 model Sport trim on 17s running Goodyear Eagle F1s. Back in the day when I got mine they either came with Pirelli P7 C2s else Bridgestone T005s. Maybe in Finland they get supplied with Nokians?

 

[JKP]

Mine's also 17". The configurator showcased four tyre options: Goodyear Eagle F1, Bridgestone T005, Falken something and Nexen N' Fera Sport. The only one I wouldn't have accepted was Nexen and of course it came with the ****** Nexens. One hour after the delivery I was in a local tyre shop to swap them to Michelin Primacy 5's. Nokian's are good tyres, at least now that they don't have production in Russia anymore which caused notable uncertainty in quality. Would have been happy with those but I know the manufacturers have certain tyres because the emission figures are determined using some specific tyres.

Just got my Nexens sold on to cover a bit of the money loss of the tyre swap.

 

[Vertigo1]

Mine's also 17". The configurator showcased four tyre options: Goodyear Eagle F1, Bridgestone T005, Falken something and Nexen N' Fera Sport. The only one I wouldn't have accepted was Nexen and of course it came with the ****** Nexens. One hour after the delivery I was in a local tyre shop to swap them to Michelin Primacy 5's. Nokian's are good tyres, at least now that they don't have production in Russia anymore which caused notable uncertainty in quality. Would have been happy with those but I know the manufacturers have certain tyres because the emission figures are determined using some specific tyres.

Just got my Nexens sold on to cover a bit of the money loss of the tyre swap.

My PFL S3 came on Eagle F1 Supersports. Surely they wouldn't supply those on 17" rims on an A3?

Agree with you about Nexen - I'd have raged at the dealer and swapped them immediately. My old A4 came on Hankooks and I wasn't very impressed with that tbh, let alone Nexens!

 

[KXL]

I think they were Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, but next time I pass the car I will look. Another one around here had Pirelli Powergy on rears but P7 C2s on fronts

 

[JKP]

My PFL S3 came on Eagle F1 Supersports. Surely they wouldn't supply those on 17" rims on an A3?

Agree with you about Nexen - I'd have raged at the dealer and swapped them immediately. My old A4 came on Hankooks and I wasn't very impressed with that tbh, let alone Nexens!

Tyres for the A3 in 16", 17" and maybe 18" at least on some alloy styles are all for the rolling resistance to get the emissions and thus taxes in many countries down. 19" wheels in A3 and all of the options for the S3 aim for sportiness. Even the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics in 17" size aren't the same tyres as you'd get from a tyre shop, they are tweaked for the lower rolling resistance and probably not as grippy at least in the wet. I think same goes with all the tyre options in that size.

I had Hankooks in my old 8P A3 and also the Golf I had between the Audis came with them, they were actually quite good tyres.

 

[JKP]

Few notices about the new car. There are some things that are definitely improved. Small ones, but they make the car nicer to use:

The adaptive cruise control now changes the speed in 5 km/h interval all through the speed range (or at least in non-Autobahn speeds). Much more usable than the old one where the interval changed to 10 km/h when going faster than 70 km/h. Don't know how this is or has been in UK cars.

The parking sensors seem to be more sensitive and help you park more precisely than before. At least the beeping is more informative than before.

I think the braking feel with the MHEV drivetrain is improved. The whole drivetrain feels smoother than before but after owning several cars with the DSG/S-Tronic transmission it may be just a difference between the units. They seem to not be the most consistent products.

 

[Jonnybo]

Got a FL s-line loaner today (left my pre-fl for service), extra everything. The quality downgrade from pre-fl is baffling, what's up with the"leather" on wheel feeling so rough and fake, almost like plastic one on Skoda rental i had recently ...
Had thoughts of upgrading to FL once mine gets some mileage, but don't feel ill be doing that.

I do feel that driving has improved though, more stable on highway and in general better breaking and start/stop not as jerky, like it cuts engine exactly when it's supposed to.

 

[JKP]

My previous car, a pre-FL one, had a weird rough spot on the steering wheel leather. That annoyed me but I didn't think it was enough to complain. Saw a bad stitching of a steering wheel leather on another car back then too.

Any other spots where you'd feel the downgrade?

 

[Jonnybo]

My previous car, a pre-FL one, had a weird rough spot on the steering wheel leather. That annoyed me but I didn't think it was enough to complain. Saw a bad stitching of a steering wheel leather on another car back then too.

Any other spots where you'd feel the downgrade?

The wheel on my pre-FL has the real leather feel to touch, this one feels like regular plastic.
In general the feel of interior is just strangely low, might be cuz car is brand new(still has vinyl on some shiny parts), but might be also the shiny silver stuff they shoved on everything, doesn't fit it to be honest, still personal though. Kinda looks like something you buy off Temu and glue on.
Is it me or does the the seat also not go as low as P-FL?

Do like the higher res on backing camera, not that it matters too much but it's the small details.

 

[JKP]

My sport seat goes as low as in my PFL cars. In fact this time I prefer to set it a bit higher than before, maybe that's because the car also sits a bit higher, since no sport suspension this time.

I have a feeling the regular suspension might now be stiffer than in the pre-FL one, as someone else also suggested. It's definitely softer over the speed bumps than the sport one of my prev car but I have a gut feeling the first one of mine with the regular suspension would have been even softer. I'm fine with this, I think the sport suspension made the car feel clearly more planted on high speeds, I just got tired with the bumpy ride in city driving. So if this is somewhere in the middle, like it feels, then it's quite optimal for me. If comfort is your first priority you might be disappointed.

 

[Clarky2015]

Looks like the configurator has been updated - The RS3 now has a front grill badge. No change for the S3.

 

[JKP]

^ Saying just RS and being just glued-on piece of plastic, not sure if it's any better than without. Almost looks like Audi wants to f*ck their fans.

My first real issue with the new car is now happening. The passenger seat heating went bonkers, the lights in the button go off almost instantly when you switch it on and after that the seat heats time to time randomly. Pressing the button repeatedly does something but without any logic. Luckily the worst cold days seem to be over now. I only got the car booked in after two weeks, the service guy told they have a long queue of electrified vehicles waiting to get fixed...

 

[JKP]

Finally got the car examined, and to my surprise, turned out the actual heating element was faulty. Replacing it goes to not earlier than mid-February, so we have to live without it right when it would be needed the most.

 

[Simon50s]

Finally got the car examined, and to my surprise, turned out the actual heating element was faulty. Replacing it goes to not earlier than mid-February, so we have to live without it right when it would be needed the most.

That's really bad luck and as you say, just when it's got really cold.

It was pretty cold today so I tried that supplementary heater option and sure enough, the warm air was coming out almost immediately. I can remember times with my old car when it was around -20c and the normal heater was taking forever to warm up inside and my hands were painfully cold holding the steering wheel, even wearing gloves! Although it's not often that cold when I'm returning to my car at the end of a working day.

 

[JKP]

Would be interesting to know to which models the supplementary heaters are / were fitted. I'd guess the 1.0 l engine produces less heat than the bigger ones and thus have it, but who knows really. I also checked the MMI options from the 85 kW FL A3 TFSI I had as a courtesy car to find out if it had that option, but it didn't. The 1,5 pot warms up in acceptable time but some additional heater would be a nice option.

Lol, I remember one extremely cold New Year back when I also had the 8P. We were on small holiday and the car sat two whole days in an unheated parking house while there was -30° outside. When we left, the car had no problem starting up but damn it took long to warm up the cabin. It wasn't 20 degrees until I had driven a full half hour - on motorway! That was indeed one of the two downsides of that car, the other being a yearly repair bill.

 

[The Cardinal]

Quick post of my new ‘26 S3. For various reasons I sidetracked from my original plan in 2024 into a big spec ‘16 RS3 en route to this car, but now back on track with the factory fresh Vorsprung as you see here. Great car, I’ll do a thread soon.