So after much back and forth with AoA, my 2 month old 2017 A3 P was replaced with a 2018 A3 P+ after not backing down about the issues with the MMI. While the Subwoofer control still is not showing (no B&O), all of the other issues seem to have been fixed. The MMI software is 0158 i believe.

With that being said, I definitely recommend nobody buys the Premium trim. MSRP with options was equivalent to the 2018 P+. The LED interior lighting package is worlds better than the standard lighting on the premium, and the S-Line styling in my opinion is worth the upgrade alone. With that being said, the car does feel smoother and flatter. The suspension (with the sport package at least) feels much firmer. I'm not sure if its placebo but I definitely noticed the car not being as bouncy. Not as nice as an A4, but closer in comparison than before.

As for changes from 17-18, there wasn't really anything. I know a few features became standard which allowed me to get a P+ replacement, but I think the only thing that changed was the styling of the front bumper. I will try to post pictures when I get home.

I also posted VCDS scans over at Ross-Tech if anyone wants or needs them. I was able to code without issue: Dial Sweep, Oil Temp, Dipping Passenger Mirror, and Memory for the re circulation when the car turns off. I didn't try to turn back on the static cornering lights since I didn't really like it, but the ADMAP for that channel looks to be the same so it should work. With that being said, if anyone has any VCDS tweaks that I didn't mention or down know about, please let me know. I can't for the life of me get the rain closing windows to work, nor can I get the track lap timer to show, not sure if its due to me not having navi.

For those of you with '17 A3s having issues with your MMI, I was told by the manager of the dealership I went to, that Audi just informed him of a glitch in a run of A3s that model year. They're not going to admit to it however, but they may have a fix in the works next time you're in for service. Consistent complaining to AoA definitely helped. I never expected them to replace my car over a wonky radio but, I'll take it. And the more people that reach out to Audi, the quicker there will be a fix. If you think they;re not listening, they are, you just have to know whose ear to complain into.

 

Is the change in front bumper you noticed just you going from a Premium '17 A3 that was non-S line to the Premium-Plus '18 A3 ?

I don't like that Audi forces S-Line on you if you go hire up in trim, only because I think the non-S line front bumper is decent alone and closer to the A4 in looks.

 

OH, I'm an idiot. Although I did hear they were updating the bumper on the '18s I actually don't see a difference. And I personally like the S-Line. I honestly like the 15/16 S3 front bumper the most, I feel like the grille is too short on this model year. The S-Line fills it out

 

The only changes from 17 to 18 is heated seats standard on premium and side assist with rear cross traffic standard on premium plus. With that being said I have a 17 premium plus, what exactly were the issues you had in your 17?

 

The MMI had a bunch of issues and they couldn't fix them.

1. Both the satellite radio and media modes would come up as currently unavailable most times even after driving for long periods of time requiring a reset of the MMI
2. The setting for the automatic headlights on delay was incorrectly labeled auto dipping high beams, causing me to drive around with my high beams on unaware that my car didnt have it
3. The * button on the steering wheel never worked, which meant I couldn't quickly switch drive select modes
4. The sub woofer setting was missing, but this wasn't a factor, just a gripe I had while discussing with AoA, and was told they took it out.

As for the P to P+, sticker on my car was 39,110 and sticker on the new car came in ~$750 lower even at the next trim level.

 

That's great, glad everything worked out for you and yeah premium plus is definitely the way to go. I haven't had any of the issues you've listed...knock on wood. But I did have a 15 A3 without B&O and had the subwoofer setting and my current 17 does not which does bother me. It sounds totally flat and my XM sounds better than when I listen to music via Bluetooth which is annoying. Thanks for the info.

 

Congrats on the upgrade, glad it worked out - AoA is pretty good if you call often and are polite. If you start a BBB case on a potential lemon and let AoA they listen a little better even.