Hi Gareth, regarding the Bridgestones, I had these (also 18 inch) on my previous car 2018 Audi A6 Avant S-Line and found them to be fine. Its not so much the ride, more the road noise - the tyre noise itself isnt too bad but the resonance from the wheel/surface contact is vrry irritating - a low level drone/hum.
I'm not sure whether the car can go back as I have had it for three weeks and have done around 600 miles.
However, anyone considering an A3 Sportback S-Line should be prepared for above average road noise at motorway speeds.