Nostromo

My A4 is coming up on lease. I'm either keeping it, or getting into an S3!

Some questions:

1) So if you stick with the base seating, that has power controls? But not the upgraded seats?
2) B&O has the DSP if you get MMI (front, driver, surround level)?
3) 18 vs 19" rubber. We have awful roads in LA already, seems 18 would be a little less harsh for daily commuting?
4) Do you need the magnetic ride to get the differing suspension feels with Drive Select?

Any gotchas? My first A4 was a premium and didn't have things like folding rear seats, etc... stuff that I regretted after purchase...

Timmay

1) So if you stick with the base seating, that has power controls? But not the upgraded seats? YES

2) B&O has the DSP if you get MMI (front, driver, surround level)? YES

3) 18 vs 19" rubber. We have awful roads in LA already, seems 18 would be a little less harsh for daily commuting? Probably but I have driven LA/OC roads plenty with stiff suspension w/19s and not a big deal to me.

4) Do you need the magnetic ride to get the differing suspension feels with Drive Select? YES

The S3 is a fantastic car but it's on the small side so you should be aware of that. A4 has much more space. I'm coming from a '14 B8 S4. I recommend getting Premium Plus.

Nostromo

Thanks! I figure it'll be about the size of my wife's original Lexus IS300 (which was the best little car they ever made). But we have the SUV for family trips, the S3 will just be for me commuting mostly.

I'll let y'all know if I get one. I WOULD like some of the new tech toys. But am very "meh" on the B9. I'd just keep my B8.5 and stage 1 it instead.

snowman81

I'd recommend the B&O system. It wasn't an option any of the S3s (only 6) here in Hawaii, but I can say I'm disappointed in the stock sound system. It really is a fun car. Great daily driver in comfort mode, but in dynamic it's a completely different car.

snowman81

Meant to say I also bypassed a lot of the tech stuff. Only option I got was the black optic dynamic package. The virtual cockpit wasn't for me, some cool stuff in the tech package, but the gauge cluster was too busy for me with to many things to change. I prefer to just have normal gauges. Personal preference though.

Nostromo

Agreed. My first A4 was stock sound and it was only ok. B&O is 1000x better and a dealbreaker at this point. Especially with the DSP modes.

smiesguy

I have a 16 prem plus with the 19s mag ride, b&o and black optics. digital cockpit wasn't an option, but with how simple the interior is I prefer without. 2 years in and wouldn't change a thing except I'm already up for tires at 25k. Might have something to do with my driving habits1

gamegenie

have you thought about S4?

elrod_s3

SO i went with the S3 with the Black out Dynamic package which gives you the 19 inch wheels. I live in NY and the roads are probably double as worse as in LA...I opted for the Tire and wheel warranty simply because its impossible to avoid all the potholes here. The 19inch wheels really make the car stick to the road. So much fun to drive and I am so hapy i bough the s3...Carplay on the other hand is a bit of a mess from my experience.

Timmay

Congrats and welcome to the forum! One forum rule here is that you must post photos or we don't believe you own it!