Apologies if I am posting in the wrong place - guidance appreciated!

Purchased a new A3 in November, a 4 month order in `Progressive red metallic'. (Getting old, so the softer suspension on a 35TFSI Sport). Paint colour seems solid - Have Audi forgotten the flake, or is solid colour the new metallic?

Only cover 2 -3000 miles each year, and servicing advice appreciated (1 year/2year Audi or an indie).

Thank you.

 

3 hours ago, Martin999 said:

Apologies if I am posting in the wrong place - guidance appreciated!

Purchased a new A3 in November, a 4 month order in `Progressive red metallic'. (Getting old, so the softer suspension on a 35TFSI Sport). Paint colour seems solid - Have Audi forgotten the flake, or is solid colour the new metallic?

Only cover 2 -3000 miles each year, and servicing advice appreciated (1 year/2year Audi or an indie).

Thank you.

 

Hi without sight of the paint I couldn't tell you, but the one thing I can tell you is get the first service done by the Dealer to get your warranty, after that you can use an indie and so long as they use O.E. parts there will be no loss of warranty and its a hell of a lot cheaper, dont go for the extended service intervals thats false economy and with the milage you do once a year would be perfect.

Steve.

4 hours ago, Martin999 said:

Apologies if I am posting in the wrong place - guidance appreciated!

Purchased a new A3 in November, a 4 month order in `Progressive red metallic'. (Getting old, so the softer suspension on a 35TFSI Sport). Paint colour seems solid - Have Audi forgotten the flake, or is solid colour the new metallic?

Only cover 2 -3000 miles each year, and servicing advice appreciated (1 year/2year Audi or an indie).

Thank you.

 

 

Steve

Thanks for the response - appreciated.

Still loyal to MB after 35 years, but beginning to think my loyalty is misplaced. Added an A3, not because I needed one, but always admired Audi build quality. So far so good.

So I'm in for a £300 oil change after 12 months and 2-3000 miles, frankly what I expected! At least my latest MB came with 2 free services. As I intend to keep the car for several years, regular oil changes are probably the most important thing I can do. I will take your advice and look out for a reputable indie after the first service.

Still think I have been stitched up to the tune of £595 for a metallic everyone tells me is a solid colour. Ordered online, based on the Audi website, so my fault.

Thanks again for your advice.

Martin

 

 

 

The psi t code should be on the inside front cover or on a sticker in the boot. I wonder what would happen if it had been painted in the wrong colour....

Steve

The psi t code? Please explain, I have no idea. No-one thinks it's a metallic, not just me. Nice colour, but not what anyone would call a metallic. Can you elaborate as to where I can find the paint code, and indeed how I can verify it? This is getting interesting. 

I cannot see how Audi could get the colour wrong unless they have different colours for different markets. `Progressive red metallic' was (and still is) the only red option on the UK website. I have been told that other metallic colours look different from different angles, but not mine, looks a solid colour from all angles. Very confusing.

Martin

 

11 hours ago, Martin999 said:

Steve

The psi t code? Please explain, I have no idea. No-one thinks it's a metallic, not just me. Nice colour, but not what anyone would call a metallic. Can you elaborate as to where I can find the paint code, and indeed how I can verify it? This is getting interesting. 

I cannot see how Audi could get the colour wrong unless they have different colours for different markets. `Progressive red metallic' was (and still is) the only red option on the UK website. I have been told that other metallic colours look different from different angles, but not mine, looks a solid colour from all angles. Very confusing.

Martin

 

Sorry it should have said paint code. The paint code should be in the inside front cover of the service book or on a sticker in the spare wheel well.

Hello - I’m brand new to the forum. Picked up a new A3 S-Line this week to replace my old Q3. Suggestion for getting the 1st service done by the dealer and then later ones by an independent sounds sensible - I was going to go independent all the way but I’ll follow advice. Regarding Audi paint codes, this site might help to confirm OP’s paint via reg. number.

https://www.paintnuts.co.uk/paint-by-type/brands/audi

 

On 12/19/2025 at 4:31 PM, Martin999 said:

Apologies if I am posting in the wrong place - guidance appreciated!

Purchased a new A3 in November, a 4 month order in `Progressive red metallic'. (Getting old, so the softer suspension on a 35TFSI Sport). Paint colour seems solid - Have Audi forgotten the flake, or is solid colour the new metallic?

Only cover 2 -3000 miles each year, and servicing advice appreciated (1 year/2year Audi or an indie).

Thank you.

 

I can understand your sceptisism, when my car was in for service they had an A3 saloon in the progressive red on the forecourt. You could only tell it was metallic in bright sunshine otherwise it does appear solid on the shady side.

Skoda do a similar colour (velvet red) likewise appears solid under some conditions. However, the velvet red paint on the Skoda is an extra over and above metallic paint option.