Thoughts on 2017 A3 Prestige Quattro

[BillCan]

So I'm very interested in the A3 Prestige Quattro, but am not sure if dropping $43k on this car is a good deal when I could get a BMW 3 series for around the same price, albeit not as nicely equipped.

I currently drive a 2015 Golf GTI SE w/ DSG transmission. I'm looking for something that's fun to drive like my Golf (hopefully the extra 20HP and Quattro make up for extra weight over my GTI) but a little more age appropriate for someone closer to 70 than to 20. I'm also looking for bells and whistles, (thus my plan to go with the top of the line trim). I actually like small cars (besides the GTI I've also owned a MINI), and the idea of having basically all the tech of an A8 in a car roughly the size of my VW is appealing, but I still have doubts.

Is it crazy to max out an A3 rather than go with a less loaded A4, BMW 3 or MB CLA? Has anyone sprung for the Prestige trim level and have some thoughts?

Thanks a lot for your input,
Bill

[S3owner]

Have you considered S3at all? I can confidently recommend S3 over A4, CLA and 3series beamer!

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[Tim W.]

I would think you could get a used S3 in that price point and it is a great car.

[Sepang_S3]

Also look around for 16 S3's on lots. They'll be itching the move those

[oblique]

I agree with everyone else for that kind of money I personally would go S3 or A4. I have a fully loaded prestige 2015 A3 and I like it alot, but the difference is I bought it used for $10k less than what it would of been brand new. So for $34k it was definitely worth it. As far as the bells and whistles, though the current tech in my A3 is cool I think I was more impressed with how the car
drives more than anything else since this is my first Audi. The MMI is cool and I have the Navigation package but honestly I use my phone with google maps. You will probably have a more wow factor with the 2017's since they have the virtual cockpit and carplay/ android auto though. I think since I'm a die hard tech guy I would have to drive to a tesla to be really blown away by the tech aspect, but when it comes to the ride Audi doesn't disappoint.

[BillCan]

Thanks for the input.

[Vidgamer]

I'm in a similar boat-- driving a Golf TDI and looking for a sporty drive. I test drove an A3, and while I love the "virtual cockpit" display, I'm not sure if it's worth stepping up to over $40k to get there. If I "settle" for a more basic trim level, how is the stereo? I generally upgrade the stock radios of my cars (or at least speakers & amp), but would like to get a car with a good radio out-of-the-box, but the Prestige level is a bit pricey.

[MSMITTY]

as others said go 2016 S3 route, especially if you can find a color combo you like...probably will pay 15-20% off sticker & may get the dealer to throw in Audi Care too


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[diztek]

ive seen a lot of 2015 s3's w/ under 20k miles going for around $38ish. personally, i think id opt for the golf r at $38 over an a3 that above $40k. just my $.02.

[Vidgamer]

ive seen a lot of 2015 s3's w/ under 20k miles going for around $38ish. personally, i think id opt for the golf r at $38 over an a3 that above $40k. just my $.02.

The thing is, there are more things to consider when approaching $40K. At any rate, I looked at a listing of local CPO S3s, and they were still way over $40K.

I guess I would entertain getting an A3 Quattro for around $34K if I could figure out what to do about the stereo. (I can't imagine that on the lot, someone would have an A3 with Premium level and the upgraded stereo and no other options!) A GTI seems like a better bang-for-the-buck, albeit with some less "fancy" features.

[ihop]

I bought a 2016 A3 "Season of Audi" edition with 19" performance tires. First time Audi owner. No nav and im missing some features i do miss but not terribly. Im 58 and quite honestly I'm loving the car. Has more than enough umph and I always have it in sport mode. WOuld I have preferred an S3?- YES! however with 2 in college- well...... While I can directly compare this to the BMW 3 and 5 series from experience I would definetly chose the Audi over the BMW- I personally think the interior alone is much nicer than the BMW's, plus I believe your getting much better value from the Audi than other German comproble cars ie; Mercedes- If you like the small size- Which I do- And your looking for a great value in a car with plenty of umph when you want it- Ihighly recommend the A3- Which you can definetly get well optioned for under 40- and as others had said- look at the 2016 leftovers- I'm 17 all over again :)!!!!

[Vidgamer]

... Ihighly recommend the A3- Which you can definetly get well optioned for under 40- and as others had said- look at the 2016 leftovers- I'm 17 all over again :)!!!!

I loved the "umph" as you put it, but can probably get about the same effect and features in a GTI for thousands less. I guess that's part of my problem now. The A3 is still a better deal than BMW or Mercedes, as you say, but it's still a bit more than I'd like to pay. If I could get a base/FWD A3 with the upgrade stereo, maybe... :-) But then the GTI would still be faster? Then again, 0-60 in 6.6 might be Good Enough for me. Sure, I liked the power of the Quattro, but probably don't exactly need that. :-)

Will keep thinking about it.... Obsessing, maybe. ;-)

[pjvander]

Came out of a '15 A3 1.8 Premium into a '16 2.0 Prestige w/B&O and Nav. Can say the B&O is definitely worth it. And while I didn't care much at the time about the extra tech like ACC and lane-assist, I can't ever see going back to not having it. Every time I have a loaner without it I realize how much I appreciate it. Plus, there are some other nice to haves like the LED lighting w/all-weather lights, the amber LED strips for turn-signal, and of course the nicer trim. Only thing I regret not getting was the sport package with ADS; but it did come with sport suspension and with a few tweaks with VCDS, you can tighten the steering, etc.

[JimmyS3]

I am a long timer in the vw world, absolutely love the GTIs. I would say drive both the A3 and S3 if you can. I knew I wanted an S3 so I looked for a while until I found the one I wanted for the price I wanted, traded my 2013 GTI for it. I will say this platform is truly refined and handles very well. I personally like the B&O sound system and the large sunroof is what made me choose this over the mk7 golf r.

It roughly the size of the gti inside and even the back seat seemed a little easier in the gti to get the car seats in and out.

The S3 power is nice and the S tronic transmission shifts smoothly and never left me with the DSG thinking like the GTI in stock form like the false neutral feeling from a start. Again last car 2013 GTi stage 2 with Uniitronic stage 2 DSG.

Drive both and test the options you want. Good luck either way I don't think you can go wrong A3 or S3.