Buyer's remorse beginning in...

[herulach]

Well more the person who ordered the original factory build, but it was close enough to what I wanted

I was going to get Monsoon Grey Sport on SE suspension, 1.4 CoD, Comfort pack (cruise, rear parking sensors, auto wipers + headlights), Xenon light pack (Xenon Plus, adaptive, LED interior lighting), Audi Sound and extended warranty.

I got Daytona grey S-line on SE suspension, 1.4 CoD, Comfort pack, Parking system plus (ie adds front sensors), Foldeable heated wing mirrors and extended warranty (and a smattering of dealer gubbins like body care, mats, extra AMI cable).

So I miss out on the improved sound system, headlights that swivel (standard S line are fixed Xenon Plus) and LED interior lighting (which means it's really quite dim now - the S-line has black headlining as well which doesn't help things). Only thing I'm mildly annoyed about is the lack of better sound. It's OK, but I was looking forward to enjoying my music some more Trading that for all the other stuff that S-line brings, plus better price, plus much sooner availability, won it for me.

Mine had SEAT Sound, which I assume is the same as the other marques (bigger door bins, center channel and a sub in the wheel well). Mine had it because I got one from stock like yourself, you're not missing out on too much TBH - its marginally better but not dramatically so.

[Butcher]

So I miss out on the improved sound system, headlights that swivel (standard S line are fixed Xenon Plus) and LED interior lighting (which means it's really quite dim now - the S-line has black headlining as well which doesn't help things). Only thing I'm mildly annoyed about is the lack of better sound. It's OK, but I was looking forward to enjoying my music some more Trading that for all the other stuff that S-line brings, plus better price, plus much sooner availability, won it for me.

Mine has Audi sound and it's very good, especially at the price. I drove an A5 without upgraded sound recently and it sounded really weak and tinny by comparison. The lack of a sub really hurts it I think.
LED interior lighting is also something I'd be a bit less than happy about given it adds a lot of lights, and also puddle lights.

On the other hand, s-line has some nice stuff like half-leather (my preference, but not an option for me alas). The extra boot light and 12V sockets are handy too.

[MrRockliffe]

I thought Audi S-Line stuff comes with Bose? I know their top end cars offer B&O, but Bose is quite common in them now.

[mycarsavw]

Like Kalneil, I didn't even look at the golf as the adaptive cruise can't be switched off (or at least no one in the dealer knew how, I imagine it could be done on VAGCOM). Its annoying as anything, you also get a lot more for your money with the Seat. The LED lights in particular not only look great but perform very very well.

Do you mean you can only have adaptive cruise and not 'normal' cruise?

I had an FR for a day and I agree on the headlights and the amount of kit on offer, but the final fit and finish is still not quite there. My current Passat has a better put together interior than the Seat and it's almost 15 years old. It's a shame really, the exterior styling is spot on.

I was going to get Monsoon Grey Sport on SE suspension, 1.4 CoD, Comfort pack (cruise, rear parking sensors, auto wipers + headlights), Xenon light pack (Xenon Plus, adaptive, LED interior lighting), Audi Sound and extended warranty.

I got Daytona grey S-line on SE suspension, 1.4 CoD, Comfort pack, Parking system plus (ie adds front sensors), Foldeable heated wing mirrors and extended warranty (and a smattering of dealer gubbins like body care, mats, extra AMI cable).

So I miss out on the improved sound system, headlights that swivel (standard S line are fixed Xenon Plus) and LED interior lighting (which means it's really quite dim now - the S-line has black headlining as well which doesn't help things). Only thing I'm mildly annoyed about is the lack of better sound. It's OK, but I was looking forward to enjoying my music some more Trading that for all the other stuff that S-line brings, plus better price, plus much sooner availability, won it for me.

Assuming it's a personal vehicle, the resale value on the S-Line is going to be much better than the Sport, just a shame you couldn't have added those small(er) details to finish it off.

Have you looked into upgrading the interior lighting to LED, I know there are a few nerds who have done something similar on the other models. I'd imagine upgrading the sound would hurt the wallet though.

I hadn't considered an A3 and I still don't think I will, but my hands are starting to itch a bit

[kalniel]

Do you mean you can only have adaptive cruise and not 'normal' cruise?

Precisely. Deal breaker for me.

Have you looked into upgrading the interior lighting to LED, I know there are a few nerds who have done something similar on the other models.

Oh it'd be fairly easy to replace the bulb in the overhead light to an LED one.. but that doesn't help much as it's still just a single point of light source. The LED interior light upgrade adds many more sources of lights on the doors, rears etc. - I have the non-LED equivalent on my current A3 and does give the cabin a touch of class putting it more into merc/bmw style interior.

You're right about resale value - that was factored in as well.

I hadn't considered an A3 and I still don't think I will, but my hands are starting to itch a bit

Price it up - they're even more solid on the interiors than golfs and can end up cheaper, such is the demand for golfs.

[herulach]

Do you mean you can only have adaptive cruise and not 'normal' cruise?

I had an FR for a day and I agree on the headlights and the amount of kit on offer, but the final fit and finish is still not quite there. My current Passat has a better put together interior than the Seat and it's almost 15 years old. It's a shame really, the exterior styling is spot on.

No, it's a bit of a daft oversight. A 15 year old passage is also going to have a better put together interior than a new golf as well though Tbf. I actually prefer the leon interior, but I was comparing to the gti which has that horrid burberry fabric. Didn't realise at the time that you don't get it on the gtd.

Assuming it's a personal vehicle, the resale value on the S-Line is going to be much better than the Sport, just a shame you couldn't have added those small(er) details to finish it off.

Have you looked into upgrading the interior lighting to LED, I know there are a few nerds who have done something similar on the other models. I'd imagine upgrading the sound would hurt the wallet though.

I hadn't considered an A3 and I still don't think I will, but my hands are starting to itch a bit

Depending how you're buying you may find an a3 cheaper. Or even something like a 2 series may be worth a glance.

[TeePee]

Hush, we're not all in the US Real world I'm hoping for as much as 45mp(UK)g, though will be happy with 40+ which would match my first ever car (golf gti mk2), and be a bit behind the 55mpg I currently get as a yr round avg.

I kid, I kid! Actually I really enjoy driving in back in the UK. The smaller engines really require more skill to get the best from, and it's just more rewarding. I have a 1 series booked for my next visit, but I'd have preferred the A3. It's a great choice.

[Butcher]

I thought Audi S-Line stuff comes with Bose? I know their top end cars offer B&O, but Bose is quite common in them now.

Nope, S-Line spec in the A3 doesn't alter the sound system. There are three options:
Standard speakers: 8 speakers, 80W output.
Audi sound system: 10 speakers, 180W output, subwoofer in spare wheel well.
B&O: 14 speakers in surround config, 705W output, subwoofer in spare wheel well, aluminium trim and lights on front door speakers, background noise compensation.


The interior lighting upgrade adds a lot of lights, rather than just converting the normal lights to LED. You get extra reading lights in front and rear, footwell lights in the front, vanity mirror lights, cup holder lights, lit door handles, puddle lights, and a light on the back edge of the doors.

[wasabi]

The interior lighting upgrade adds a lot of lights, rather than just converting the normal lights to LED. You get extra reading lights in front and rear, footwell lights in the front, vanity mirror lights, cup holder lights, lit door handles, puddle lights, and a light on the back edge of the doors.

Having glaring lights on in the car at night really reduces my ability to see what is going on outside. Best to reduce light pollution as far as possible IMO.

[kalniel]

Having glaring lights on in the car at night really reduces my ability to see what is going on outside. Best to reduce light pollution as far as possible IMO.

Any in line of sight turn off when you start the engine, just get left with gentle highlights around storage areas etc. Remove the key and they fade back up again ready for your exit, it's quite swish.

[DanceswithUnix]

Cup holder lights???

But then I never saw the point in cup holders. If I want something in a cup, I will stop at a cafe and drink it there. The cafe table can hold it just fine until I am finished.

Do you not get door lights as standard then? That would seem pretty cheap of them, my current car just uses a single bulb to shine down for puddles and red backwards so traffic can see the door opening.

Having glaring lights on in the car at night really reduces my ability to see what is going on outside. Best to reduce light pollution as far as possible IMO.

Sounds like "Wasabi PI" does lots of late night stake-outs of suspects I would hope that none of the lights are on or visible while you are driving, that seems pretty standard.

[mycarsavw]

Precisely. Deal breaker for me.

...

Price it up - they're even more solid on the interiors than golfs and can end up cheaper, such is the demand for golfs.

Had a go but I just can't work out why they've opted to have the media display appear from the top of the dash, it ends up spoiling an otherwise clean forward view. I still think it's a cracking car, it's just not for me

Or even something like a 2 series may be worth a glance.

Go and sit on the naughty step and think about what you've just said

[kalniel]

Cup holder lights???

But then I never saw the point in cup holders. If I want something in a cup, I will stop at a cafe and drink it there. The cafe table can hold it just fine until I am finished.

Do you not get door lights as standard then? That would seem pretty cheap of them, my current car just uses a single bulb to shine down for puddles and red backwards so traffic can see the door opening.

It is cheap of them - my current A3 does have puddle lights. Missing cruise control is also cheap. But then, they are cheaper than Golfs (Both are relatively cheap options, but problem is other people not ticking them!)

Had a go but I just can't work out why they've opted to have the media display appear from the top of the dash, it ends up spoiling an otherwise clean forward view.

Push the button that hides it then and use the DIS in the dash instead I preferred the high view to the golf screen which is so low down you have to take your eyes off the road to use it.

The Leon is best of both - integrated touch screen yet not too low either.

[Butcher]

Having glaring lights on in the car at night really reduces my ability to see what is going on outside. Best to reduce light pollution as far as possible IMO.

The majority switch off when you start the engine, only the footwell lights, cupholder lights (really just a lit strip around the cupholders) and some red ambient lighting stays on. There are two brightness settings for the interior lights too; one for whilst stopped and one for whilst driving. I have the footwell lights dimmed right down for driving to reduce distractions (you can also switch them off). It's really quite a nice setup.

[herulach]

The majority switch off when you start the engine, only the footwell lights, cupholder lights (really just a lit strip around the cupholders) and some red ambient lighting stays on. There are two brightness settings for the interior lights too; one for whilst stopped and one for whilst driving. I have the footwell lights dimmed right down for driving to reduce distractions (you can also switch them off). It's really quite a nice setup.

The only ones I had on in the leon were the cup holder lights (try doing 40k p.a. Without drinking in the car danceswithunix) and the door highlights after I'd coded them to permanent red with vagcom. Provide enough light for passengers to see stuff without interfering with night vision.

I don't know about the a3 but golfs and leon without the lighting pack still get the usual door open lights right down the bottom, they just don't have the 'ambient' lighting that runs over the top of the door handle.

[kalniel]

I don't know about the a3 but golfs and leon without the lighting pack still get the usual door open lights right down the bottom

The puddle lights? No, Audi are too tight for that. You only get a small light above the rear view mirror, vanity lights behind the sunshades (on S-line), glovebox, and boot (with storage pack/S-line).

Don't even know if there's any light for the rear seats at all :/