Advice on S3 spec and discounts

[Adam]

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 S3 (chipped) and thought it was a great car if 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?

[david7m]

I think Coxw is the man to ask - thread here about his spec.

MTM plus some others chip to 310bhp/320bhp.....Coxw is having this done:)

Dave

[coxw]

I got sweet FA in the way of discount. Not a penny. Was told by the dealers that S cars don't do discount (as per RS), so don't even bother asking.

The Leon and Golf derivatives of the 20.T FSi engines have been mapping well with no reports as far as I have heard in terms of reliability issues. The S3 has uprated conrods, pistons, head etc.. for higher boost pressures so is likely to be even more resiliant.

The bluetooth option and the adaptive xenons are not listed in the price list, but both are available. We have listed both, and the reason for choosing the bluetooth phone kit is because Audi's hardwired armrest kit contains a phone docking cradle which can cost up to £100 per dock IF they can supply for your phone. The bluetooth kit is available on SEAT's and works very well.

The leather seat option is tough. I wanted 2 tone leather but when I sat in a 54 plate S4 cabriolet the Nappa leather had worn quite badly. The black embossed seats that come as standard in the S3 look far more hardwearing, and are less slippy to sit on.

All the above is opinion as I don't have my car yet.

Choices choices!

[john1975]

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.

The sat nav+ has 2 sd card slots behind the screen, in my RS4 i have the same system and i have got 2, 2gb sd cards which hold about 30 to 40 albums each.
I have the 6 disc changer in the glove box but very rarely use it now due to the cards.
On the wifes S3 that i have ordered i have excluded the cd option.