I traded my 2015 S3 for a 2018 yesterday;

Abstract
The 2018 is a totally different car than the 2015, drive, feel, finish even the tires and headlights are better. It feels a lot less like a A3 with just a better motor and suspension.
This is a serious upgrade for not much more money.

First, my complaints:

- Really AUDI? Flimsy, plastic paddle shifters? I will really think I'll break them in some of my "spirited driving". Hopefully I can find some replacements.
- The weirdo, gimmicky rear turn-signals
- STILL NO TOUCH SCREEN - unbelievable
- The engine/ exhaust note is much more quiet - hopefully it gets grunt-ier as it ages.
- Not crazy about awkward shape/design of the headlight assembly

Everything else is better:

- Headlights finally work and project exactly where they should - I love the whole cluster
- Drive and feel are far more refined - Comfort mode is for reals now - feels like a Sport Suspension on an A4 now instead of a car with bad shocks
- I like the dimpled-leather on the steering wheel - much better
- The steering still has the electric-steering numbness, but not as bad - and again, the steering in comfort mode is much, much better
- The Virtual Cockpit is really distractingly fun - I had screens and menus all down on the old one - this is pretty complicated - but I like it a lot better than I thought - I love analog instruments and gauges.
- B&O is crazy good - see in thread for audiophile comments - and I really like the stock audio system (don't flame me)

More on the motor and handling after break-in.

 

- 6speed or 7speed?
- How does the suspension compare when in dynamic? I'd read months ago that it's been revised.
- Any sense of increased rear bias with the haldex?

Any pics of the silver yet?

 

What is wrong with the rear turn signals? Is it the progressive "dynamic" turn signals?

German, and luxury car makers in general, do not use touch screens for a reason. Touch screens are really not that great in a car. I would much prefer the controls most luxury cars give you in place of a touch screen.

Touch screens tend to feel cheap, not respond as well or as quickly as most would like. They also collect finger prints and oil, and over time collect just a gross feel to them. I am personally VERY glad that Audi and the rest of the German makers have steered clear of the touch screens.

 

7 Speed - and 7 is pretty low - looking forward to my next road trip

Dynamic - I haven't driven really hard - feels similar to my 15 so far - but I take break-in pretty seriously, only have 85 mile on the car so far.

Rear Bias - I am really anxious to push the car with the new haldex program - one of the primary reasons I wanted to trade-in the 2015 - again, waiting till break-in is over.

Pics coming - it was the first 2018 S3 they've sold - all the sales people checked it out with me and we all thought the color was a slightly darker this year - maybe extra coat(s)?

 

Whoa! Your 2018 S3 is a 7-speed?? I cannot find anything that mentioned the new '18 model having a 7-speed. Everything I had read suggested it's the same as the '17. Lucky you because that is the one thing I wish my S3 had which is another gear.

 

what color? pics please

 

I disagree with your statement about how the FL made the S3 feel less like the A3. The relative difference between the S3 and the A3 remained the same after the FL. Pretty much all the "upgrades" that you mentioned are also available on the A3.

I agree with you about the perforated steering wheel is much better than the smooth leather though. However, here in Canada, all the S-line cars (both pre-FL and FL) have always had the flat bottom perforated steering wheel, while only the pre-FL S3 gets smooth leather and only the FL S3 gets the perforated leather.

 

Maybe I am nitpicking, but there are 2 key bad things about the FL cars.

1) The FL flat-bottom steering wheel is noticeably thinner than the pre-FL flat bottom ones ones. This has been proven by some other forums. I have personally measured and confirmed that. The pre-FL steering definitely feels better in the hand.

2) The automatic start-stop is stupid.


Other than these 2, I do think the FL cars are great. Key advantages:

1) 7-speed DSG
2) Adjustable haldex to make it somewhat more rear-biased.

 

Yeah, I really wanted the 7th gear too - put that in-line with the rear-bias - ditching the 15 is a no-brainer.

 

1 - now that you say it - yes, its thinner, I thought it might be the wrap, not the core of the wheel

2. Absolutely - even my 5 year-old said, "that's weird daddy". I fear it's just a matter of time until its a requirement of all cars and we won't be able to turn it off.