Just wanted to stop in and say hello...

[CarlsbadS3]

After going back and forth between the Golf R, the M235i, 228i and a used S4, I recently picked up a '15 S3. I'm coming from a 6MT '12 GTI, so the transition to the Stronic has been a little tricky to say the least. That lag/delay from a stop is pretty frustrating and will take some getting used to, but I'm starting to learn how to drive this thing. If any of you have any tips for me, I would love to hear from you.

What I can say, though, is I love almost everything else about the car. Looks great, love the "retro/minimalist" interior, feels solid, great handling, and of course that engine.

First order of business is 35% tint all around, possibly including the sunroof to reflect some heat (has anyone done the sunroof yet?), then, some Weathertech mats and a set of Whispbars with a cargo box. I'm sort of an audio geek too, so may look into swapping out some of the speakers/subwoofer for a little better sound quality (although the B&O sounds OK for now).

Performance wise, would love to do a Stage 1 at some point and the TCU upgrade, but then again, maybe it's OK as-is.

Well, better get back to work. Can't wait until I can get back in the S3!!!

 

[S3Fan]

Congrats and welcome board. I have 35% on the front and 20% on the rear windows. I can post some pictures if you like to get some ideas. Tinting the moonroof would be a great idea. I personally think its a little too bright with the shade pulled back.

After going back and forth between the Golf R, the M235i, 228i and a used S4, I recently picked up a '15 S3. I'm coming from a 6MT '12 GTI, so the transition to the Stronic has been a little tricky to say the least. That lag/delay from a stop is pretty frustrating and will take some getting used to, but I'm starting to learn how to drive this thing. If any of you have any tips for me, I would love to hear from you.

What I can say, though, is I love almost everything else about the car. Looks great, love the "retro/minimalist" interior, feels solid, great handling, and of course that engine.

First order of business is 35% tint all around, possibly including the sunroof to reflect some heat (has anyone done the sunroof yet?), then, some Weathertech mats and a set of Whispbars with a cargo box. I'm sort of an audio geek too, so may look into swapping out some of the speakers/subwoofer for a little better sound quality (although the B&O sounds OK for now).

Performance wise, would love to do a Stage 1 at some point and the TCU upgrade, but then again, maybe it's OK as-is.

Well, better get back to work. Can't wait until I can get back in the S3!!!

 

[CarlsbadS3]

Hey, thanks for having me! and thanks for the offer to post some pics. I've used Llumar in the past, so I've got a pretty good idea of what it will look like. I'm looking into the Llumar AIR series 80 for the moonroof, to darken it a tad, but mostly to block out some heat. I'll get back to you if/when I do this to let you know how it looks.

Congrats and welcome board. I have 35% on the front and 20% on the rear windows. I can post some pictures if you like to get some ideas. Tinting the moonroof would be a great idea. I personally think its a little too bright with the shade pulled back.

 

[BrilliantS3]

Welcome and congratulations. I would like to see pictures if you get your moonroof tinted.

 

[AlltrackMike]

Welcome [MENTION=56]CarlsbadS3[/MENTION]

 

[CarlsbadS3]

Thanks everyone. Excited to be here, and eager to talk to other S3 owners about our cars. Out of curiosity, how many of us are there? I've only seen 2 S3s on the road since they've been in production. That seems pretty crazy because I'm always looking around at what others are driving and I live in San Diego, and I'm often in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area for work. What gives. Are we really that rare?? I suppose I could have mistaken a few for S4s perhaps, but wow, I barely see any S3s out there. Not that I'm complaining, I'd rather have it this way vs all the A4s and 3-series you see every time you turn your head. I'd be willing to bet they've only sold a few thousand S3s so far...

 

[BrilliantS3]

Thanks everyone. Excited to be here, and eager to talk to other S3 owners about our cars. Out of curiosity, how many of us are there? I've only seen 2 S3s on the road since they've been in production. That seems pretty crazy because I'm always looking around at what others are driving and I live in San Diego, and I'm often in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area for work. What gives. Are we really that rare?? I suppose I could have mistaken a few for S4s perhaps, but wow, I barely see any S3s out there. Not that I'm complaining, I'd rather have it this way vs all the A4s and 3-series you see every time you turn your head. I'd be willing to bet they've only sold a few thousand S3s so far...

I've owned my S3 since March and I've only seen one other on the road. I've seen quite a few A3's though.

 

[S3Fan]

Thanks everyone. Excited to be here, and eager to talk to other S3 owners about our cars. Out of curiosity, how many of us are there? I've only seen 2 S3s on the road since they've been in production. That seems pretty crazy because I'm always looking around at what others are driving and I live in San Diego, and I'm often in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area for work. What gives. Are we really that rare?? I suppose I could have mistaken a few for S4s perhaps, but wow, I barely see any S3s out there. Not that I'm complaining, I'd rather have it this way vs all the A4s and 3-series you see every time you turn your head. I'd be willing to bet they've only sold a few thousand S3s so far...

There's over 50 members on the site since we've opened at the beginning of this year, about 15-20 do posts. Like yourself I rarely see any other S3's out there nor have I've seen any commercials about the S3. In fact I've only stumbled upon the S3 from my salesman while test driving a Q5 with my wife. Hopefully we'll see more and more owners on here once people start to find out how great the S3 really is.

 

[LonestarS3]

Congrats! I was also shopping for a Golf R until I found out about the S3. Did a little bit of research on this site and a few others and knew it was the one for me. What color did you get?

 

[Jslatimer]

Welcome. We love our new S3, we are also getting used to it and I am trying to behave and not do any tweaking ... We are also getting our windows tinted next week, can't wait. So far we haven't seen any driving around but I know they have sold a few including a 16 white with Black Optics..

 

[CarlsbadS3]

I got Monsoon Gray, with the white seat inserts. Almost pulled the trigger on a used Daytona Launch Edition but no Bang and Olufsen. I was this close to waiting for the Golf R manual '16, but once I drove the S3, I fell in love! I do wish it came in manual though

Congrats! I was also shopping for a Golf R until I found out about the S3. Did a little bit of research on this site and a few others and knew it was the one for me. What color did you get?

 

[CarlsbadS3]

Ha! I know it's only a matter of time until I start getting the upgrade bug. The Neuspeed power module has piqued my interest. An extra 40-50 HP would sure be nice.

Also, is it just me or are we getting much less than the EPA 26 mpg combined. Need to lay off the throttle a bit

Welcome. We love our new S3, we are also getting used to it and I am trying to behave and not do any tweaking ... We are also getting our windows tinted next week, can't wait. So far we haven't seen any driving around but I know they have sold a few including a 16 white with Black Optics..

 

[GlacierS3]

Ha! I know it's only a matter of time until I start getting the upgrade bug. The Neuspeed power module has piqued my interest. An extra 40-50 HP would sure be nice.

Also, is it just me or are we getting much less than the EPA 26 mpg combined. Need to lay off the throttle a bit

Same here, 40hp will sure make the S3 even more fun.