Buying an A3 1.5 TFSI 35 Black Edition Sportback - questions

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uk_tom

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Hi

I'm getting close to buying a new 2025 A3 1.5 TFSI 35 Black Edition Sportback. I'm in the UK. It will replace a 10 year old Ford Focus.

Can anyone help me out with a few questions I have?

1) I don't really like all the data they collect via the in car eSIM (similar with any new car these days). I guess there's not much I can do about it?

2) I don't plan on using any apps, connecting smartphones, paying for services first 3 years or after. Is that going to cause me issues?

3) Is there any generally known common things with this vehicle I should consider before buying, or when checking the new car when it's ready?

Many thanks!
 
uk_tom said:
Hi

I'm getting close to buying a new 2025 A3 1.5 TFSI 35 Black Edition Sportback. I'm in the UK. It will replace a 10 year old Ford Focus.

Can anyone help me out with a few questions I have?

1) I don't really like all the data they collect via the in car eSIM (similar with any new car these days). I guess there's not much I can do about it?

2) I don't plan on using any apps, connecting smartphones, paying for services first 3 years or after. Is that going to cause me issues?

3) Is there any generally known common things with this vehicle I should consider before buying, or when checking the new car when it's ready?

Many thanks!
Click to expand...
My experience from a 2021 A3, but same ish current model.

I always only log in as guest when the screen boots up. Not sure if they collect any data.


My car came with free LIVe traffic data in the first 3 years after that only I used Android Auto for Live traffic and navigation or to get me out of temp closed roads that did not reflect on Audis sat nav.

Me, I didn't spot a bit of paint chip from the edge of the passenger door. I had to buy some touch up paint from Halfords to sort. You 'might' want to check the tyre pressures, all my cars that were delivered had 3+ PSI higher than required pressures (maybe as was on a car transporter).

If however you are picking up from dealer, check the transport blocks have been removed from suspension. They are usually bright coloured plastic bits, if you noticed car is seated fairly/awkwardly high on the springs could be that.

If you are receiving car with Sonos, give it around 100 hrs or 1k miles, it sounds rubbish at first but then after it suddenly would sound much better.
 
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KXL said:
My experience from a 2021 A3, but same ish current model.

I always only log in as guest when the screen boots up. Not sure if they collect any data.


My car came with free LIVe traffic data in the first 3 years after that only I used Android Auto for Live traffic and navigation or to get me out of temp closed roads that did not reflect on Audis sat nav.

Me, I didn't spot a bit of paint chip from the edge of the passenger door. I had to buy some touch up paint from Halfords to sort. You 'might' want to check the tyre pressures, all my cars that were delivered had 3+ PSI higher than required pressures (maybe as was on a car transporter).

If however you are picking up from dealer, check the transport blocks have been removed from suspension. They are usually bright coloured plastic bits, if you noticed car is seated fairly/awkwardly high on the springs could be that.

If you are receiving car with Sonos, give it around 100 hrs or 1k miles, it sounds rubbish at first but then after it suddenly would sound much better.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate for taking the time to write that out. Much appreciated. Would be pick up from dealer so great advice about transport blocks.

In general you're happy with yours?

Yes would be looking to have Sonos - again useful info thanks.

I assume I can just play mp3s stored on a USB stick (i.e. wont be using my phone or streaming)
 
uk_tom said:
Thanks mate for taking the time to write that out. Much appreciated. Would be pick up from dealer so great advice about transport blocks.

In general you're happy with yours?

Yes would be looking to have Sonos - again useful info thanks.

I assume I can just play mp3s stored on a USB stick (i.e. wont be using my phone or streaming)
Click to expand...
Yes, happy with mine, (Sport trim with Comfort and Sound Pack, so it was fully loaded). Would have preferred 35 TFSI, but it was C&S with 30TFSI or no C&S with 35tfsi, cost wise, and in glad I chose with C&S, which came with B&O, reverse camera, front sensors, auto park (used 3 times) and heated seats. New ones called techpack I think, but black edition might have it all anyway.

Yes I have a mp3 on USB 64gb with USB a to USB c adapter. Plays album art and sounds better than the DAB. Mine are usually 192 or 256 kbps or VBR.

From 10 yr old Focus to this, would be a huge step forward tech wise and maybe power wise too, unless yours was a ST (actual one not trim) then maybe not.
 
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No it's a 1.6 petrol - nothing impressive.

I have the money, and was looking at S3 or even RS3, but then I thought "why".

With UK potholes, crime and all that do I really need or want something so fast or a target for low lifes. Higher insurance, lower mpg, higher maintenance etc. It would just be hard to not break speed limits anyway

Thanks for the mp3 info - I don't care about apps/streaming all that nonsense.
 
uk_tom said:
Hi

I'm getting close to buying a new 2025 A3 1.5 TFSI 35 Black Edition Sportback. I'm in the UK. It will replace a 10 year old Ford Focus.

Can anyone help me out with a few questions I have?

1) I don't really like all the data they collect via the in car eSIM (similar with any new car these days). I guess there's not much I can do about it?

2) I don't plan on using any apps, connecting smartphones, paying for services first 3 years or after. Is that going to cause me issues?

3) Is there any generally known common things with this vehicle I should consider before buying, or when checking the new car when it's ready?

Many thanks!
Click to expand...
I have the 2021 version with the same engine, as you say..its enough and am more than pleased with the car. With regards to question 2 none of this will cause any issues, i have my phone connected and just use the map option as an alternative to Audi's as they often have different traffic situations on routes, you can turn off getting calls etc.
 
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My smartphone doesn't have apps or data.

It also doesn't share how much I brake, if I go 2 miles an over over the limit or a myriad of other driving data :)
 
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Hi.
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.
 
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