Advice on possible S3 purchase
Discussion
After much to-ing and fro-ing, considerations varying from RS4/6 to Cayenne turbo to 911 I think I have finally decided to save some dosh and get a new S3. Had the old (chipped) S3 and thought it was a great car if a bit lacking in the handling/feel dept. S3 sounds like an improvement so went to see one in the showroom and will test drive the same car (it had not been registered or prepped yet) this weekend.
To anyone who has one already would be grateful of your views on:
1. want the DVD satnav with TV - it seems poor that you cannot play a CD in this thing at the same time as use the satnav disc. So you have to the CD changer in the glovebox. But I want the ipod connector which you can't get in addition to the CD changer! Any solution? Seems crap that the satnav DVD cannot just dump info into the hardware and be removed.
2. Phone prep - is this just GSM? Salesperson said there was a bluetooth option (that would presumably work with PCN as well as GSM frequencies). Is this right as I cannot see the option.
3. Quite like the two-tone leather (black with silver inserts) as all black looks quite dull. Any one got any pictures of this? The Audi configurator rendering looks nice but the picture in Evo mag no.97 make it look almost white which is not so good.
4. Discounts - was quoted 8 week delivery so these are not exactly flying off the shelves. Was offered a discount or a few free options without asking so I will bargain hard. My spec works out £32.5k so should try to get £2.5k off this (or 7.5% ish). Anyone managed this or better?
5. Seeing as I have been testing quicker cars I am thinking of boosting power - anyone offering this yet? I suppose 300bhp must be possible with chip-only but anyone got views on longevity. I know the old 1.8T was a very strong block but know nothing about the new 2.0 FSI motor.
Thanks
Current spec thining is:
Phantom or Dolphin
Black leather or maybe black/silver
DVD satnav
TV
Bose
ipod thing
parking aid (for missus)
dim/fold mirrors
rain / light sensor pack
lumbar support
armrest
interior light pack - though not sure why I have to pay for this pleasure!
tyre sensor - does this give you pressure readings all round or is it just a warning when your tyre is kaputt?
To anyone who has one already would be grateful of your views on:
1. want the DVD satnav with TV - it seems poor that you cannot play a CD in this thing at the same time as use the satnav disc. So you have to the CD changer in the glovebox. But I want the ipod connector which you can't get in addition to the CD changer! Any solution? Seems crap that the satnav DVD cannot just dump info into the hardware and be removed.
2. Phone prep - is this just GSM? Salesperson said there was a bluetooth option (that would presumably work with PCN as well as GSM frequencies). Is this right as I cannot see the option.
3. Quite like the two-tone leather (black with silver inserts) as all black looks quite dull. Any one got any pictures of this? The Audi configurator rendering looks nice but the picture in Evo mag no.97 make it look almost white which is not so good.
4. Discounts - was quoted 8 week delivery so these are not exactly flying off the shelves. Was offered a discount or a few free options without asking so I will bargain hard. My spec works out £32.5k so should try to get £2.5k off this (or 7.5% ish). Anyone managed this or better?
5. Seeing as I have been testing quicker cars I am thinking of boosting power - anyone offering this yet? I suppose 300bhp must be possible with chip-only but anyone got views on longevity. I know the old 1.8T was a very strong block but know nothing about the new 2.0 FSI motor.
Thanks
Current spec thining is:
Phantom or Dolphin
Black leather or maybe black/silver
DVD satnav
TV
Bose
ipod thing
parking aid (for missus)
dim/fold mirrors
rain / light sensor pack
lumbar support
armrest
interior light pack - though not sure why I have to pay for this pleasure!
tyre sensor - does this give you pressure readings all round or is it just a warning when your tyre is kaputt?
Hi Adam,
Very happy to help you with your S3 order but I can confirm there are no discounts on S3s at the moment, we have a 12-16 week waiting time so 4 to 8 weeks longer than average.
The IPOD and 6CD changer use the same channel on the DVD sat nav amp so there is no factory option to have both. However, I should be able to arrange a neat aftermarket switching arrangement for you.
I can take pictures of the red/black (bit garrish) or graphite grey/black leather options for you but personally I far prefer the standard seats.
The tyre pressure monitor works off the ABS system, looking at the rolling diameter of the tyre and warning you when it changes adversely - it does not give specific readings.
The car is awesome, truly an animal! I look forward to helping you out.
Jon
Very happy to help you with your S3 order but I can confirm there are no discounts on S3s at the moment, we have a 12-16 week waiting time so 4 to 8 weeks longer than average.
The IPOD and 6CD changer use the same channel on the DVD sat nav amp so there is no factory option to have both. However, I should be able to arrange a neat aftermarket switching arrangement for you.
I can take pictures of the red/black (bit garrish) or graphite grey/black leather options for you but personally I far prefer the standard seats.
The tyre pressure monitor works off the ABS system, looking at the rolling diameter of the tyre and warning you when it changes adversely - it does not give specific readings.
The car is awesome, truly an animal! I look forward to helping you out.
Jon
Edited by jon lee on Tuesday 13th February 09:47
Edited by jon lee on Tuesday 13th February 09:50
Hi Adam,
Are you REALLY sure you want an S3??
Only 3 and 1/2 stars in Evo and it's a very expensive piece of kit...
Why not pick up a new Golf GTi (even the 30th anniversary model) and you're going to save yourself the best part of £10k??!! Plus I expect the residuals would hold up well. I know this from bitter Audi experience with both an S3 and A4 cab... prices always look good on the forecourt, but the trade-in values I was offered on both cars was ridiculously low
If you're after more power, the Golf R32 will offer that in spades and I quote (from Evo) "...they're both entertaining when ambling; the S3 only feels special when pushed to its limits."
Given the current state of play on our roads, are you really going to be able to push the car to its limit often enough to justify the additional expense? I'd be tempted to go for the Golf and then spend £10k on a track car, or some serious performance car hire... I would have thought that would give you more bang for the buck, and give you a more exciting driving experience in everyday life...
Just a thought... Enjoy the search and good luck with the purchase(s!!).
Are you REALLY sure you want an S3??
Only 3 and 1/2 stars in Evo and it's a very expensive piece of kit...
Why not pick up a new Golf GTi (even the 30th anniversary model) and you're going to save yourself the best part of £10k??!! Plus I expect the residuals would hold up well. I know this from bitter Audi experience with both an S3 and A4 cab... prices always look good on the forecourt, but the trade-in values I was offered on both cars was ridiculously low
If you're after more power, the Golf R32 will offer that in spades and I quote (from Evo) "...they're both entertaining when ambling; the S3 only feels special when pushed to its limits."
Given the current state of play on our roads, are you really going to be able to push the car to its limit often enough to justify the additional expense? I'd be tempted to go for the Golf and then spend £10k on a track car, or some serious performance car hire... I would have thought that would give you more bang for the buck, and give you a more exciting driving experience in everyday life...
Just a thought... Enjoy the search and good luck with the purchase(s!!).
I've seen R32s (£32,500+) for more than a fully loaded S3 (£31,600), if that was the choice there wouldn't be a choice the S3 wins every time in my book.
Nice car, saw a lovely white
one in reading Audi a few weeks ago and I think the residuals on the old one and the TT were in the top for any car last year so I'm not sure depretiation is as bad as the other chap is saying.
Nice car, saw a lovely white
one in reading Audi a few weeks ago and I think the residuals on the old one and the TT were in the top for any car last year so I'm not sure depretiation is as bad as the other chap is saying.drgav2005 said:
Hi Adam,
Are you REALLY sure you want an S3??
Are you REALLY sure you want an S3??
Not REALLY no! I will know better when I have driven it and see whether the handling is less understeery and the steering feel sharper than the previous incarnation. My previous S3 was reasonably good on depreciation.
I would prefer an RS4 but depreciation wise it would be worse (if not in % in £ sense) and would like to consider a £30k second-hand top spec M3 but the warranty cost puts me off.
I am sure the Golf is a fine car but looks not on a par with S3 but you are right - I shoudl test drive a GTI and R32 to be sure.
KUB3 said:
From an S3 owner I'd say save a 15k depreciation hit buy getting the previous model. It's only 5% different anyway. I'd only spend that much money on an S6,RS6 etc. That's likely my next move anyway.
S6 is a barge. RS6 is auto-only and I'd prefer manual and wife defo does (she is inexperienced so wants to continue learning manual). RS4 is lovely but worse depreciation wise than S3.
re. old S3. I have £30k+ to spend, takes a lot of PH self-control to then only spend half that. Plus I already owned a chipped S3, then a Boxster S which was a revelation in comparison - and so now want a sharper steering/handling car.
Having owned an R32 and obviously the S3, I can't see how the new S3 is worth 30k. It's hardly any different. Just seems odd to say the boxter was a revelation, then to go back to an S3.
IMHO the only way forward with 30k is a used S4 or RS4. I loved the button changing gearbox on the RS6 personally.
IMHO the only way forward with 30k is a used S4 or RS4. I loved the button changing gearbox on the RS6 personally.
KUB3 said:
Having owned an R32 and obviously the S3, I can't see how the new S3 is worth 30k. It's hardly any different. Just seems odd to say the boxter was a revelation, then to go back to an S3.
IMHO the only way forward with 30k is a used S4 or RS4. I loved the button changing gearbox on the RS6 personally.
IMHO the only way forward with 30k is a used S4 or RS4. I loved the button changing gearbox on the RS6 personally.
The difference is the new S3 is supposed to be more driver focused and has 40+bhp more than the old one as standard, even the old S3 was a better drive the the S4 and I know people that swapped. Yes the RS4 is a different ball game, but as he's said he doesn't want to spend that much. KUB - have you seen or driven the new S3? It's actually quite a change from the old S3 as much as I love mine if given the oppertunity to swap I'd do it in an instant.
I know if I was going to spend £30k+ it probably wouldn't be on a brand new S3 but I can see the appeal.
Check out Autocar today 4.5 stars and it beats the 130i M Sport, Impreza STi and R32. the write up is quite good but the one I specked up was 31k.
http://ak4-uk.audi.de/open-ecard-uk.h
http://ak4-uk.audi.de/open-ecard-uk.h
I just wouldn't spend 30k on something I knew was going to drop 1/3 in value sharpish. If that means waiting for RS4 or something else to reduce a bit more, then so be it. I'd just prefer to drive a 50kish car for my 30k paid. Rather than pay 30k for something that'll be worth 20k in the blink of an eye. Been there, done that too many times.
Adam B said:
I would prefer an RS4 but depreciation wise it would be worse (if not in % in £ sense) and would like to consider a £30k second-hand top spec M3 but the warranty cost puts me off.
On the RS4 front, and the depreciation thing... I've just nabbed this from personalcarfinace.co.uk's web site:
Standard RS4 saloon OTR price £50,675
Deposit, £5000 and 36 months works out at..
£807.56/month. (5000+(807.65x36))= £34,075.40
they're offering the agreed final value at 15kmiles/year as £23,961
If you can sell your 3yr old max 45k miles RS4 for £31,322...and i've worked it out right... you just enjoyed a 3yr interest free loan !
OK it's a fair old if but 6 year old 2.7 RS4's are still floating about in the £25 - £30k bracket !
Edited by obes on Thursday 15th February 14:55
Dunno really but a decently specc'd one is maybe worth consideration.
Personally, I thought the S3 was a bit overpriced and disappointing.
Just my thoughts.....
Mine as about £24,500 specc'd up and you'd save enough, as suggested above, to get a track car if you want.
Personally, I thought the S3 was a bit overpriced and disappointing.
Just my thoughts.....
Mine as about £24,500 specc'd up and you'd save enough, as suggested above, to get a track car if you want.
Edited by Davel on Thursday 15th February 16:27
Yep, but it is a company car.
Ex demo, leather, sun-roof, DSG gear pedals on steering wheel thingy, elec mirrors, ipod connection, different alloys, xenons, reversing sensors, 6 stack cd player etc etc, which put the price up.
On the road, it does everything that I want on a daily basis and the 170 ps engine is bloody good.
I've got the bike for fun!
Oh and I got brownie points off the missus for supposedly buying something sensible for once!
Ex demo, leather, sun-roof, DSG gear pedals on steering wheel thingy, elec mirrors, ipod connection, different alloys, xenons, reversing sensors, 6 stack cd player etc etc, which put the price up.
On the road, it does everything that I want on a daily basis and the 170 ps engine is bloody good.
I've got the bike for fun!
Oh and I got brownie points off the missus for supposedly buying something sensible for once!
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