Th3D0n

Hello all! This is my first post on here as I am looking to become the owner of my first Audi. I am looking at the 2015 A3 and from what I have been seeing the suspension and body roll have been things people haven't really liked about the A3. I was curious if the suspension from the S3 can be put on the A3? Or would it be better to just get aftermarket suspension parts for the A3? Also, I would like to have the paddle shifters and from what I was seeing, it appears that an S3 steering wheel will work on the A3? Anyone have any direct experience or knowledge about that as well? Thanks and looking forward to hearing from all of you Audi experts!!

Th3D0n

No thoughts guys? Or maybe it is because it is just more cost effective to just get the premium plus A3 and get the additional options instead of trying to piece a base model A3 together? I would go for the S3 but the payments are just a bit too steep at the moment..

musantemike

I would say as at as suspension is concerned you can get a better product after market for your A3 than the s3 stock suspension.

Th3D0n

Thanks Musantemike. That is what I assumed but thought I would ask just to confirm.

Va_TTer

Which A3 are you considering? I assume 2.0T? Because putting new springs and a sport shifter on a front wheel drive 1.8T is still going to leave you with a front wheel drive car.

So if we're talking 2.0T, the MSRP on a car with no options and black paint is $33,200. An S3 with the 19" performance package (to get you magnetic ride) is $42,600. For that $9500 you get better wheels, better tires, a better suspension, better brakes, more horsepower, more torque, and a number of other improvements. I understand the S3 is out of your budget, and that we're talking 25% more for the S3, but if you want a performance car I'd save until you can afford the S3 and not try to turn a stripped-down A3 into something it isn't.

Don't get me wrong, I love my A3, but I could easily see you buying the base A3 and putting ~$5k+ into it (wheels, tires, suspension, new steering wheel, engine reflash, etc.) only to get a car that still doesn't feel or perform the same as an S3. If it were me, and I were in your shoes, I'd wait about a year and then start looking for low mile good condition S3's in CPO inventory coming off two year leases.

Th3D0n

Awesome! Thanks for the tip! Have you done anything to your A3 at all? I have seen numbers on APR that the A3 flash is resulting in huge power gains and curious to hear a first account from someone that has done it and what they think?

Th3D0n

Also, on the topic of the S3 vs A3.. A local dealer to me quoted me a 42 month, 10k mile lease for a 2015 A3 Premium for $350 a month with $350 down.. Thoughts?

drober30

Depends on the MSRP of the A3. I don't know how people get by with only 10k miles per year, wish I could but then again, thats not driving a very expensive car that much.

Th3D0n

The MSRP is right around 37k. The 10k works pretty well since I only have to drive to work 2 days a week and I work the rest from home. And my kids school is only 2 miles away from my house so that cuts down on the miles a ton right there and allows for more "road trips" on the weekends and stuff.

mroberte

If you are leasing the car, don't even bother with upgrading the A3, just get the A3 with the sport suspension or get a base S3.

I have the base A3 and purchased. I'm installing Bilsteins B16 with "dynamic mode" in about a week which will most likely make the handling better than the Magride S3's from the reviews I'm seeing. I've also added paddle shifters to the car too and aftermarket android navigation system. Anything aftermarket will be worlds better than the stock Audi offering.

Personally just don't see the point in adding additional monies into a lease as you will be giving it back in the long run.