S3 Order - But First.... Questions!

[firecracker69]

Hi all,

Hoping for some advice please?

After a couple of months of back and forth with which Audi product to buy I have finally settled on the S3 Saloon. I did enquire into an RS3 at £45k - but for a 2018 it was circa £450 per month on top of a £10k deposit so as lovely as it may sound I have to be realistic on affordability.

I am almost ready to place my order, still fighting price but I need to be 100% on spec first.
So far I am planning on:

• S3 Black Edition
• Ara blue
• 19” 8.0j ‘5-arm-wing alloys
• LED Headlights (Not Matrix)
• Super Sport Seats
• Tech Pack
• Advanced Key
• Wing Mirror Fold and Auto Dimm
• Park Assist (as rear + front sensors alone were £300)

I would like the Matrix Headlights - but are they worth it over the LED, especially at another £800 odd?

Just to pre-empt some questions you may ask:

• Park Assist - The reason I picked this I would like front sensors, these are a £300 extra, so I thought I might as well pay the extra £125 on top (£425 total for Park Assist).

• Advanced Key - Thought about this on and off, £400 option but I think when spending this much money overall I would kind of expect a keyless/push starter car at this price point.

Finally - Panoramic Roof? Opinions?
Its just over a grand for a roof, but is it worth it?

Any opinions or advice on any of the above much appreciated!

 

[Svenedin]

I don't have park assist but I do have front and rear sensors and reversing camera. I find the sensors very useful (especially the front) as the design of the bonnet means I cannot easily judge exactly how close I am to objects at the front (perhaps I'm just a rubbish driver). I also have advanced key and love it but some people have concerns regarding security.

 

[listers_socks]

I think options are individual based, what is essential for some is not needed for others.

One thing I would say from experience is all these options will take it above £40k list and therefore you will pay the higher road tax for years 2-5. Not sure if that is a consideration?

Also I would not personally spec keyless entry with regards to security risks but that is again a personal choice.

 

[firecracker69]

I thought about the reversing camera, but at £375 I couldn’t justify it and opted for the Park Assist over that feature. Appreciate comments on the Advanced Key, but I suppose if it’s going to get nicked then it’s going to happen regardless would be my guess.

Yes the car is £45k RRP with the roof, but under £40k after discount. Either way it goes on RRP so no getting away from the tax sadly unless I went for ‘stock’ which I wouldn’t be happy with.

Interesting to hear what people have or opinions tho, so appreciated.

 

[Mythos]

Sunroof is a must have in my opinion, more light into the car, but mainly it makes the car look a lot better....I definitely think it's worth it.

 

[dannyboy1985]

ACC is a must have I couldn’t do without now. Park sensors all round use them all the time! Folding mirrors I retrofitted mine love em. Led rear lights (probably standard) on the s3.

 

[Svenedin]

Folding mirrors serve no use to me other than to remind me I’ve forgotten to lock the car. Auto-dimming side mirrors are useful at night especially on motorways. I’ve never had a car with a sunroof so I’ve never really wanted one (I do have a convertible though but it’s not an Audi).

 

[Adam14]

S3 is near the £40k cap anyway so doesn't take much to trigger that, if you want the features, no point scrimping just to save some tax. Folding mirrors and sensors are a must to be, also B&O for the amount of music I listen to as well.

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[mrksl]

As nice as keyless entry is, I’d not opt to put this on a car that’s very desirable...but instead would use the money to beef up security and piece of mind and go for Autowatch Ghost.


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[firecracker69]

Thanks all for the replies so far.

Sounds like Panoramic roof is a good idea, so as much as it is I think I will add it to the spec. As mentioned the S3 Black Edition is nearly 40k standard anyway so no getting away from the tax bracket.
Not sure what to make of Advanced Key, never heard of the Ghost option but after having a quick read whilst good it's also a bit of a flat entering codes. Also has anyone actual experience of their car getting stolen with the Advanced Key? Just wondering how likely that's all?

Would love ACC but I do have to set a limit somewhere - don't we all sadly!
Also I know the new shape will be out in approx 2yrs so want to keep in mind future resale value.

 

[Adam14]

Thanks all for the replies so far.

Sounds like Panoramic roof is a good idea, so as much as it is I think I will add it to the spec. As mentioned the S3 Black Edition is nearly 40k standard anyway so no getting away from the tax bracket.
Not sure what to make of Advanced Key, never heard of the Ghost option but after having a quick read whilst good it's also a bit of a flat entering codes. Also has anyone actual experience of their car getting stolen with the Advanced Key? Just wondering how likely that's all?

Would love ACC but I do have to set a limit somewhere - don't we all sadly!
Also I know the new shape will be out in approx 2yrs so want to keep in mind future resale value.

As long as you keep your key in a signal blocking pouch, shouldn't really be an issue. Parents A6 has this and *touch wood* has been completely fine.

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[firecracker69]

As long as you keep your key in a signal blocking pouch, shouldn't really be an issue. Parents A6 has this and *touch wood* has been completely fine.

Not heard of nor thought about anything like this, will keep that in mind and read up a bit more about it. Thanks!

 

[wab172uk]

As long as you keep your key in a signal blocking pouch, shouldn't really be an issue. Parents A6 has this and *touch wood* has been completely fine.

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But why should you have to? And unless you're going to carry said pouch about with you everywhere you go, then the car will always be susceptible to getting stolen without the key.

You might be parked up at a friends house or sat in a pub. If they can read the signal, they'll have it away.

 

[ST3V]

Matrix Lights. These are really dependant on where you drive. I live in a place with a lot of long dark roads and heaps of kangaroos. The Matrix Lights produce absolutely insane illumination and precision. You really have to see them to believe how good they are. For me I'd never choose to have an Audi without them.

If you're mainly doing city driving then they lose their value.

 

[Mark_R]

I would not be without Advanced Key, but there as been loads of posts re the security of this system. At the end of the day if someone wants your car they will take it either by cloning a key or breaking into your house and taking the key.

 

[S32B]

never heard of the Ghost option but after having a quick read whilst good it's also a bit of a flat entering codes.

I have the Ghost system, I can be in the car and away as quick as if I didn't have it!

Someone asked the same last year about how long it takes to enter the code etc. so I made this vid to show them, without the code entered the stick would stay in P, as you can hear on the vid I'm in D even before the Ghost system has indicated that the code has been accepted! (two flashes/clicks of the indicators).



Even with the keys the best a thief can do is start the car! Once he's tried to put it into D a few times a gearbox error is thrown up on the dash. This is cleared once the code is entered and you drive off.

 

[dannyboy1985]

I would not be without Advanced Key, but there as been loads of posts re the security of this system. At the end of the day if someone wants your car they will take it either by cloning a key or breaking into your house and taking the key.

That’s my problem with ghost if they break in take the keys and it doesn’t start I would rather not have them coming back in because it’s not starting! They might as well have it.

 

[Ron240]

Not heard of nor thought about anything like this, will keep that in mind and read up a bit more about it. Thanks!

They are called RF signal blocker or Faraday pouch.....loads of them on ebay starting from around £3
They are designed for keeping your key fob inside when at home - both of your fobs so you need to buy 2. They block the signal from the fob so that it cannot be detected by thieves outside of your house.
I bought 2 pouches on ebay from an overseas seller exactly 2 years ago and both are still working perfectly. I recently tested them on another car because my S3 is not keyless...and I do miss this function.
It is penny pinching by Audi to not have keyless as standard on a 40 grand car! My previous 4 much cheaper cars were keyless as standard. Do not be put off by potential security issues and lose out on the convenience of a keyless system. Just take the appropriate precautions and you should be fine.....but if its going to happen then it will happen regardless.

 

[Matt Titanium]

I understand the 'ease' of keyless, but isn't it more effort carrying/finding/putting your fob into a special pouch than just sticking a key into the steering column?

 

[Adam14]

I understand the 'ease' of keyless, but isn't it more effort carrying/finding/putting your fob into a special pouch than just sticking a key into the steering column?

The pouch isn't for when you're in the car, it's for when you're not in the car.

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[Adam14]

But why should you have to? And unless you're going to carry said pouch about with you everywhere you go, then the car will always be susceptible to getting stolen without the key.

You might be parked up at a friends house or sat in a pub. If they can read the signal, they'll have it away.

Not really much of a hassle keeping the key in a pouch though. Shouldn't have to but thieves these days makes a lot of things we shouldn't have to do - we do have to.

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[Matt Titanium]

The pouch isn't for when you're in the car, it's for when you're not in the car.

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Err yes, but what I'm saying is that if the keyless system is so insecure that you have to carry a special pouch to put your key in when you go to the pub, friends house, work and you have to remember to tuck it up in its little Faraday bag when you get home it would be far easier and £400 cheaper to just to use the tried and tested immobilizer fob and key. Carry the key in your pocket, chuck it in a drawer at home and hang it from the steering column when you're in the car.

 

[Mythos]

To be honest every option will have different importance to each person.

Either way advanced key, reversing camera, front and rear sensors, privacy glass, and red break calipers should all be standard on a 35k car with a option to delete any of them from the spec for free.

You can get an i30n with all those options standard and a much better sounding car for 28k

 

[Ron240]

Err yes, but what I'm saying is that if the keyless system is so insecure that you have to carry a special pouch to put your key in when you go to the pub, friends house, work and you have to remember to tuck it up in its little Faraday bag when you get home it would be far easier and £400 cheaper to just to use the tried and tested immobilizer fob and key. Carry the key in your pocket, chuck it in a drawer at home and hang it from the steering column when you're in the car.

I only ever used the pouch when I am at home.....it really is no bother at all to put it in the pouch.
I would not be interested in carrying a pouch around with me when I am out, and I certainly never take my car to the pub.
The fob needs to be in close proximity to your car to enable thieves to grab the code, so anytime I am out and about and park my car, the chances are the fob will be out of range anyway.
Keyless systems are incredibly common on cars nowadays....it was like taking a step back in time when I got my S3 and found I had to insert a big bulky key to start it.....but I am used to it again now.
Give me a keyless system any day of the week so that I never need take the fob out of my pocket, like I have become used to.
As far as £400 cheaper goes.....it should be standard on a car of this class!!

 

[Chris.D]

My 2 cents on keyless OP. I had it on my previous car and considered it a must when looking at S3’s but after speaking with this forum I personally decided i didn’t like the associated risks.
Regardless, going from keyless to using a key again was a lot easier than I expected and now don’t even give using a key again a second thought. Did take a month or so to automatically use the key as intended instead of putting it in the center console though!

 

[Ron240]

Did take a month or so to automatically use the key as intended instead of putting it in the center console though!

Even that was a step too far for me with keyless, because the fob never left my pocket.
I know some people do place it in the car but to my mind that is potentially asking for trouble because it is too easy to step out of the car(for whatever reason) without picking up the fob.

 

[Chris.D]

Even that was a step too far for me with keyless, because the key never left my pocket.
I know some people do place it in the car but to my mind that is potentially asking for trouble because it is too easy to step out of the car(for whatever reason) without picking up the fob.

That’s very true! I think it depends on the car, my BM didn’t automatically lock after a set time so I wasn’t concerned about being locked out of it. Also, whilst it was a car I really did rate, it was a little 1 Series so I wasn’t really concerned about targeted theft (my S3 is obviously different). I guess it comes down to your risk appetite

Chris

 

[GW1]

I understand from a friend who has just renewed his insurance, that some insurance companies are now asking if you have advanced key.

 

[Ron240]

I understand from a friend who has just renewed his insurance, that some insurance companies are now asking if you have advanced key.

Presumably for the purpose of charging you more money to insure it.
This can only be due to the S3's reputation of being a frequently stolen car.

 

[Kondax]

Presumably for the purpose of charging you more money to insure it.
This can only be due to the S3's reputation of being a frequently stolen car.

I mean yeah, makes sense. I originally thought I wanted an advanced key, but I think I'd just end up forgetting about it / leaving it in the car. Not really much benefit over a standard key - and it always stays in one place

 

[Ron240]

I originally thought I wanted an advanced key, but I think I'd just end up forgetting about it / leaving it in the car.
Not really much benefit over a standard key

Only if you are the type of person that can get out of their car and leave the keys in the ignition, then yes I suppose this would be possible.
The benefit of a keyless system is the fob never needs to leave your pocket.

There is a lot of hatred towards keyless systems on this forum.......which seems strange considering the number of cars that have it as standard.
Maybe it's because people here don't have personal experience of these systems....but if they did I believe most would end up preferring it.

 

[Kondax]

Only if you are the type of person that can get out of their car and leave the keys in the ignition, then yes I suppose this would be possible.
The benefit of a keyless system is the fob never needs to leave your pocket.

There is a lot of hatred towards keyless systems on this forum.......which seems strange considering the number of cars that have it as standard.
Maybe it's because people here don't have personal experience of these systems....but if they did I believe most would end up preferring it.

I don't know, I just think I prefer a standard key. My dad has advanced key and I don't really feel as though there's much benefit to having it

 

[RGBARGEE]

Hi all,

Hoping for some advice please?

After a couple of months of back and forth with which Audi product to buy I have finally settled on the S3 Saloon. I did enquire into an RS3 at £45k - but for a 2018 it was circa £450 per month on top of a £10k deposit so as lovely as it may sound I have to be realistic on affordability.

I am almost ready to place my order, still fighting price but I need to be 100% on spec first.
So far I am planning on:

• S3 Black Edition
• Ara blue
• 19” 8.0j ‘5-arm-wing alloys
• LED Headlights (Not Matrix)
• Super Sport Seats
• Tech Pack
• Advanced Key
• Wing Mirror Fold and Auto Dimm
• Park Assist (as rear + front sensors alone were £300)

I would like the Matrix Headlights - but are they worth it over the LED, especially at another £800 odd?

Just to pre-empt some questions you may ask:

• Park Assist - The reason I picked this I would like front sensors, these are a £300 extra, so I thought I might as well pay the extra £125 on top (£425 total for Park Assist).

• Advanced Key - Thought about this on and off, £400 option but I think when spending this much money overall I would kind of expect a keyless/push starter car at this price point.

Finally - Panoramic Roof? Opinions?
Its just over a grand for a roof, but is it worth it?

Any opinions or advice on any of the above much appreciated!

Thinking of selling mine soon. Too many cars again. Love Pano roof, wouldn’t have a car without one !


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[GW1]

I don't know, I just think I prefer a standard key. My dad has advanced key and I don't really feel as though there's much benefit to having it

My S3 doesn’t have the keyless system but my other vehicle does, and to be honest i never have had any issues with either.

 

[Goner]

Another thumbs up for the pan roof, ACC and folding mirrors, regarding the mirrors.. as others have said for me they only serve a purpose of letting me know I've locked the car, oh and they look better ).

Comfort and sound pack is good also.

 

[wab172uk]

There is a lot of hatred towards keyless systems on this forum.......which seems strange considering the number of cars that have it as standard.
Maybe it's because people here don't have personal experience of these systems....but if they did I believe most would end up preferring it.

More and more cars have it standard yes. More and more cars are getting stolen due to these systems too.

As someone else has posted, insurance companies are asking if you have this system. They're not daft. If a car is at higher risk of being stolen, they're going to raise the premium.

It just takes that one night you forget to put the key in the pouch ............

Back in the 90's when everything got stolen that had an XR/RS/GTI/GSI/Cosworth badge etc on it, the insurance companies put huge pressure on the car manufacturers to beef up the security of their cars. For years car theft fell due to better security. Now car theft is on the up again due to these keyless systems. I'm surprised insurance companies haven't done more to put pressure car manufacturers to stop using these systems.

 

[GW1]

A big thumbs up for B & O sound, and the Matrix lighting system. A

 

[Sparks43]

Comfort and Sound Pack will give you front parking sensors for free without the park assist and you then get Bang & Olufson

 

[Han4mi]

Some of the things I got and I think are a must in this car is the B&O sound system (makes a big difference), matrix LEDs (awesome on longer roads in the dark, also gives you sweeping front lights), front and back sensors with camera and Audi VC.

Things I think are "meh" or regret is the standard seats (electrical adjustment isn't really that necessary since it doesn't have memory), should have gone for the ss seats. Android auto wasn't necessary for me, as I have all my music on an SD card. Should have also opted for the pano roof, kinda missing it now.

 

[S32B]

That’s my problem with ghost if they break in take the keys and it doesn’t start I would rather not have them coming back in because it’s not starting! They might as well have it.

I see what you are saying about someone in your house, but a thief wants to be in & out and away as quietly as possible! If he gets in & out and then starts your car he has now brought attention to himself, as you and other people hear the sound of your car in the middle of the night, now he can't get it into gear so he's like wtf panics and hopefully gets on his toes, as you are now looking out of the window at him on the phone to the police. It would take a brave thief to come back inside once he's woken a few people up and lights start going on around him.

Or if your keys are taken from the pub, gym, work etc. at least you car is there when you go back to it.