I am about to order a 35 TFSI S Line hatch and am debating about which suspension to choose. I realise the sport suspension will make the car sit lower but the trade off will be a firmer ride. I would prefer a softer ride but am wondering if the standard option will make much difference to comfort and how much higher the car will be?
Suspension
- Thread starter Klin 42
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2020
- Messages
- 545
- Reaction score
- 344
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Kent, England, United Kingdom
Hi Klin. I put a side-profile picture of my S-Line with standard suspension into the Photos thread back in March.
I thought long and hard about whether to “downgrade” the suspension as I had only test driven the sports version. In the end, as someone who drives normally and is not looking for a sporty car, I think I made the right decision.
To me, the standard suspension feels much like the suspension in my previous SE Golf (ie pretty normal). It doesn’t rail country lane corners as well as the sports suspension, but it’s in no way wallowy and handles well when pushed (the car is still fun to drive).
I have the S-Line and the suspension is far from harsh.
We went around the Lake District in it last month and it handled great and at no time did we feel the suspension was too firm or hard.
We went around the Lake District in it last month and it handled great and at no time did we feel the suspension was too firm or hard.
Hi Adaminkent,
Thanks for your views. Checked out your pic and yes the gap is bigger than I expected but comfort rules. I guess once you have got over the honeymoon of how the car looks you will still have the daily benefit of a better ride. The slightly wide angle camera phone view of your car almost makes the back look more like a Q3??
Thanks for your views. Checked out your pic and yes the gap is bigger than I expected but comfort rules. I guess once you have got over the honeymoon of how the car looks you will still have the daily benefit of a better ride. The slightly wide angle camera phone view of your car almost makes the back look more like a Q3??
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2020
- Messages
- 545
- Reaction score
- 344
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Kent, England, United Kingdom
You’re welcome. The pic makes the gap look a little worse than it really is as it’s taken from quite low down, but it’s probably best not to pair the standard suspension with a light or bright colour if you want to minimise the impact of the wheel gap (I originally ordered Turbo Blue: the ride height was one of my reasons for changing to something more subtle).
Try the link below. I wrote about this very issue a few months back and posted some pics of two A3s in both suspension setups. One car is mine on standard suspension (the one with the optional wheels) and the other is a dealer loan car on sports suspension (standard wheels). You can definitely see the height difference if you're really looking at it but most people won't even know.
In a nutshell there is very little difference in comfort between the two, however the sports suspension has better control which can often make the car feel more composed over rougher roads which confused me a bit. If I had the chance again I'd have probably stuck with the sports suspension.
www.audi-sport.net
In a nutshell there is very little difference in comfort between the two, however the sports suspension has better control which can often make the car feel more composed over rougher roads which confused me a bit. If I had the chance again I'd have probably stuck with the sports suspension.
normal suspension - 17 inch wheels or sports suspension
Hi I am looking at buying a 2020 A3 choice is one with normal suspension - 17 inch wheels or 18 inch with sports suspension My commute is down country lanes and I was wondering how 'harsh' the 18 inch would be with potholes etc. Had a sports version of a mondeo once it was was too firm down...
Last edited:
As the poster who asked the question back in March I have taken delivery of an S Line. I went for the sports suspension.
the ride is firmer than my VW Golf - but it's not that bad. My wife who often comments on sports suspension (she has a dislike) has not complained about it being too rough . Car handles well. Pleased with it.
the ride is firmer than my VW Golf - but it's not that bad. My wife who often comments on sports suspension (she has a dislike) has not complained about it being too rough . Car handles well. Pleased with it.
