MartinInnes

Thanks, Bob, for the startup tip - Used it the last 3 times using the car - and not had an issue thus far or needed to do a reset. Time will tell Thank You Martin

Thanks, Frank - I just had a visit from Audi. They confirmed my issues and said they are slated for future software updates. Regarding my gripe and the alarm triggering and not getting into Drive - The Ghost may well have been the problem. If I have the same issue again, I will have it disconnected to eliminate it from the equation. Frank - I mentioned your Q8 compared to the S5 Avant. It seems that the Q8 were techy problematic in the first year until the software improved. Seems, the likes of us who buy new models are the guinea pigs...........

I should have also added - Faith in someone or something is paramount. Consistency is important. Going to your house and never knowing if the door lock will work, or the alarm will go off, or the smoke alarm will be activated. These are important things. And the same applies to the second most important thing after a house, a car, that people buy. Audi has failed me - but I doubt they are any different from other car manufacturers. Mercedes is on its last legs as a company, along with Porsche, and all the premium brands are losing money or market share. Too cheap Chinese cars - that seems to just work. Premium brands are time-limited, in my opinion. But - seems that's the short-term future of large organisations now.

Well - now completed 500 miles. The car in driving mode is fantastic. Nippy, comfortable, quiet, and a pleasure to drive - a real pleasure. The downside - It would not start last week - the alarm also went off - and woke up the whole street. It stopped without intervention after around 2 minutes. Then, trying to get it into drive mode took at least 20 minutes. Turning ignition on and off, and all the usual tyre kicking. It eventually worked. Apple CarPlay - I am sick to death of having to reconnect the phone, and I have tried 2 others and all the same problem. Every time the car is started, having to tap a confirmation on the screen - or the app's MMI is unavailable. It's not my wording - that is what is displayed on the screen. The annoying routine of having to go through every safety feature to turn off all the nanny prompts. The worry of going towards the car, wondering what is going to go wrong next. If I want to go to Tesco with the wife, I make sure I get to the car first - hoping to sort any problem and turn off all the nanny prompts before she gets in. Then the worry is what problems are going to be thrown up when we leave the store. So - The best car to drive - but the one I don't want to drive - fearing what will go wrong next......

Thank you so much - It works, and is used more than my Indicators.

Thank you for the advice = no I didn't know this. I did know the combination for my Previous car, a Mercedes. I never even considered there might be one for the Audi.......... After your suggestion, I did a quick search, and on my vehicle it is as you say - Research indicates it's the Volume knob in the centre console. Next time - I will give it a whirl. Thank you Martin

Further update on the Q3 - Car is still as good and better than I hoped. Point of note - Tech Problems. I have tried iPhone - 17Pro 17 16 Pro and iPhone Air. Used them all - Regardless of the model. A nightmare for any of them to connect, get in the car, and not know if any phone connects or if CarPlay will ever work. The way the !Removed! technology for this vehicle has to connect is via its wifi hotspot. Any other car uses bluetooth. It is soooooooo old-fashioned. My previous Mercedes - get in the car, autoconnect - thats it. This car even wants you to click the screen at every switch-on to accept any connection for the MMI. So get in the car - before anything is operated on the screens - you have to authorise. Why.....EVERY SINGLE TIME. The feeling - you have the best car in the world - but hate having to use it because something you depend on - will fail. It's a clusterfuck........................I don't want to use the car - fear of more problems. And - now every 2 days - Apple AirPlay fails - Blank screen. Cure - Completely reset the car to factory settings - then go through the whole new car setup process. Agreed - it only takes 30 minutes - but this every 2 days is becoming a problem............. In fact the tech is so crap - I decided - go old school. Just plug the iPhone into a cable. THAT SHOULD NOT need a wifi connection. Wrong - It also fails.................... Happy - Car, yes - tech is crap. At the moment, I have enough stress dealing with serious life-or-death health issues. But a trip to the hospital necessitating a full car new setup - every 2 days is ....................................what can I say. Must say I am getting good at it - and time myself each time! So far 26 minutes is the best.............for a full factory reset - and reset all my personal settings. The Dealership answer - deal with Audi Tech in Germany - via email. Oh, please !Removed! OFF. Yeh right - I would be dead before the issue is resolved............. Rant over...............................

Well - Just a minor update on my experience today. I had the Ghost Immobiliser GHOST 3 installed and Dashcam VIOFO 329S The Ghost - is an immobiliser that will allow the car to be started, but not allow activation of Drive mode - unless a pre-programmed button sequence is entered. So, start the car -and the engine starts and runs as expected - then press the button sequence such as window up - mic - volume etc etc. Whatever you have preset. This then allows - normal drive operation - without it - the car is dead.............. Unless this is entered in the correct sequence, the car will not drive. Relay attacks and key cloning are completely destroyed. Unless the correct button sequence is entered, the car will not engage Drive. This system is not a little box that is connected via a few wires. It is integrated into the car - computer BUS system, fibre optics. I did not want a tracker to determine where my stolen car is, possibly damaged. And I would not want it back. I wanted an option to deter stealing - and this ticks all the boxes. In addition, to eliminate the need to enter the key sequence at every ignition start. I purchased a key fob. I just put the small fob on my car key ring - and it communicates with the car - and obviates the need to enter any key sequence. It detects my key and fob - and enables the car to start as normal. There is a lot more in terms of service mode etc - but this detail can be researched on the Internet. It was supplied and installed by an authorised installer. It connects to the car BUS system and electronics - no wire cuts - it is intelligent and works with the car. It can not be purchased for self-install - there is a £1m payment - to anyone who can defeat the system - it has never been paid..............Hence an Authorised Installer to offer the Guarantee. I just tested it - I used the car's spare key - opened and started the car. Put the car in drive - it would not engage. Turned off the ignition - and turned it back on - the car started. I then entered my known key sequence - and had full drive control. NEXT - With the car locked. With the key fob on my keys, I approached the car - the car unlocked as normal - started the car no problem - selected Drive - and voila - it worked without intervention. The key fob told the system I was good to go without any sequence entry. Interested - Then just search for Ghost Immobiliser................ DASHCAM VIOFA 329S Front camera - and rear camera system installed. It comes with all the bells and whistles - importantly, recording when the car is left alone. In addition - has its own screen. If you can buy one - good luck - but they seem to be the latest best, and are unobtainable at the moment. I have had the Blackvues over the years - but things have moved on, and they don't fit my needs. I wanted a screen that the VIAFO provides. I can connect to my Dashcam over the car internet - anywhere in the world -and view the cameras - if needed. Along with all the usual facilities. Will I ever use any of all these features - of course not.................. Phew Now for a glass of wine - Feel feee - to converse - but perhaps after - my large glass of wine. Hic.................

Trust me - It will have been worth the wait. When you have become acquainted, please share your thoughts. Good luck

These are the App - Internet - Screenshots.

Thank you for sharing - and yes, these came with my vehicle. The only available options to purchase as an extra are some Themes. And as mentioned, the option to activate the three-year free Internet connection. I just tried the Internet option with my laptop. With the car running, I brought the laptop into the car. Laptop looked for WiFi - and it found my Audi Hotspot - I had named it Audi Q3. Entered my preset WiFi password - and voila - laptop connected to the Internet. Point of note, though - for me anyway - 3Gb is a pretty low amount of Data. By the time my laptop had connected and downloaded emails and usual connection stuff, I was down to 2.3Gb of Data left after five minutes. Also, the top-ups are quite expensive - 30Gb is £25.00. So, other than as an emergency connection, the Data amount is pretty pathetic. Easier for me to turn on the hotspot on my iPhone that has an unlimited Data Plan - and use that instead if ever a need arose. So, as said previously - not something that interests me currently - but could be helpful in an emergency, and some might find a use for it. I would also like to think that it may have a stronger signal connection than my in-pocket iPhone. Also - It might prove useful in the event of my iPhone EE connection being poor, but perhaps good with the Car Vodafone Hotspot. Anyway - just my experience and thoughts - for others.

Seems that every month, 3Gb of Data is made available for three years. Free of charge.

A tracker was offered - at my expense. And what an expense, plus subscription. But this free internet was a pleasant surprise.

INTERNET I am still in learning mode on this great car. On the Audi App there is a Store Basket purchase option. When I opened it, I was offered, once activated, 3Gb of Data. So I activated it - It turns the car into a Hotspot. Namely, it provides the ability for others to connect to the Internet. Basically the same as a home with Wireless Broadband - If the kids have a Tablet, once they have been given the vehicle Internet Hotspot name - and Password (all user configurable), the Tablet will connect to the Internet. The account is set up with Vodafone - which can be accessed via the App. to view Data used and purchase more. Seems that every month, 3Gb of Data is made available for three years. Free of charge. There is also the ability to top up the Data at a cost. Not sure if I will make use of it - but thought it a nice touch, and worth sharing.

Cost attached

Total Loss Gap 0800 195 4926

I have done as you suggested. And yes, all the options standard and extra are there in mind-numbing detail - pages of them. But nothing called AUDI SENSE. It does, however, list PRE SENSE, and all the features are on my vehicle. Indeed, a quick check using AI mentions the following - Yes — the Audi Q3 can have Audi pre sense, but it depends on equipment. Audi pre sense is a predictive safety system available on Q3 models from 2018–2026, including the 2026 model year, if the vehicle is equipped with the relevant safety packages. What Audi pre sense includes Audi pre sense is not a single feature but a suite of systems, and different Q3 configurations may include different levels: pre sense basic — reacts to emergency braking or unstable driving by tightening seatbelts, closing windows/sunroof, and activating hazard lights. pre sense front — detects potential frontal collisions and can warn the driver, apply partial braking, and prepare the cabin. pre sense rear — monitors traffic behind and prepares the vehicle for a possible rear impact. These systems are part of Audi’s broader predictive safety technology. Does the March 2026 Audi Q3 specifically include it? Audi’s documentation shows that pre sense is available on Q3 models up to and including 2026, but it is equipment‑dependent — meaning some trims or markets include it as standard, while others require a package upgrade. AUDI SENSE Short answer: Based on currently available information, there is no indication that the March‑2026 Audi Q3 includes a feature called “Audi Sense.” None of the official equipment lists or reviews reference a system by that name. What the 2026 Audi Q3 does offer While “Audi Sense” is not listed, the 2026 Q3 includes a range of advanced driver‑assistance and safety technologies, depending on trim and packages: Adaptive cruise control (available via tech packages) LED or Matrix LED headlights with advanced lighting signatures Front and rear side airbags with head airbags (optional safety package) Reversing camera (standard on UK models) Modern infotainment and driver‑display systems borrowed from higher‑end Audi models These features collectively cover many functions that other brands might group under a branded safety suite (e.g., Toyota Safety Sense), but Audi does not use the name “Audi Sense.” Why the confusion? Some markets use names like Audi Pre Sense (Audi’s collision‑mitigation system) on other models. However, no current documentation shows Pre Sense or anything called Audi Sense listed for the 2026 Q3. If you meant Audi Pre Sense, I can check specifically whether that system is included or optional for the Q3 in your region.

I am not sure about the sense pack - it may now have a different name - but I purchased every upgrade and pack option available for the vehicle. The interface, or so-called MMI is new and updated for this model. Lane assist - yes, there is a steering wheel button to turn it off - but all the others are enabled by default. There is also a programmable steering wheel button for a few options, which I have set for overspeed warnings. But again have to be manually pushed every trip. Like I have said, most people may well be happy with the defaults, but I like to control the vehicle and the warnings. Which is possible - as long as one goes through a "pre-flight check". Even after filling up with petrol. Annoying................. The car itself is a dream to drive. My previous was an E Class Coupe AMG that was three years old and had 7k on the clock when I sold it back to Mercs and purchased this Q3. Yes, different vehicles completely - but the Q3 is more responsive, quieter, and more importantly, has four doors. Happy days

Yes, I have the app on my iPhone for what its worth. As for the safety warnings - Audi tech has confirmed that all warnings reset after every ignition activation. They are always set to the default ON. Most drivers will probably leave them set to default. However, others, perhaps like myself, do not want them on at all. So, they can be deactivated until the next ignition - then reset to ON. You will see from the attached screenshot. The ones I want deactivated before every drive - I have placed into a favourites menu. So before every drive - I call up this menu - and turn each one to OFF. I do not want the steering wheel pulling me back every time I swerve near the line to avoid a pothole. I do not want an alarm warning me I have exceeded the road speed limit. Also - I was travelling taking a 95 year old to hospital; And suddenly the brakes activated and the car came to a standstill - I thought the lorry behind had smashed into us such was the event. We were both visibly shaken. I was stopped waiting to enter a roundabout - and the system had detected a vehicle to my left leaving - I accelerated to take off - and the system determined it was unsafe. It was not. I have worked with Audi - and it seems they "are features". If anybody has some magic that could turn them of permanently - I would appreciate the knowledge.

Well, time rolls on. I am loving this car more and more - a pleasure to drive. It's responsive - comfortable, beautiful looking, and for me, and the other oldies to step in and out of, is perfect. The colour green, which is only for this Edition One, has had a few compliments. Nice to know I can enter Dynamic mode and release the full 265bhp - but I have taken it easy until some real miles have been covered. I am beginning to work with the tech safety systems and learning to live with them - a good thing. Typical me - I go all out with new stuff. Purchased - Smart Insurance, wheels, tyres, scratches, and alloys. Three-year cover just over five hundred quid - and have used the same company for twenty years - always been great. Not an advert - just what works for me. Still outstanding the Ghost Immobiliser and Dashcam installation on the 29th, and I will share my experience. Overall - I know we all say it - but this is the best car ever to fit my needs. We go through life, and each decade changes requirements. This car is a great middle ground between a Coupe and a massive SUV. Shame the roads in and around Bucks are the worst ever with HS2 works and the potholes. But if we continue with our usual life, most real driving will continue in Cumbria and Scotland, where roads are proper, and traffic is minimal. Well, that's it, folks I will share my next experience after the kit is fitted on the 29th. martin

Well TreborGSA - I hope you enjoy the new car. My wife stopped driving my cars since they stopped selling them with wind-up windows. Althought she has an A1 that she loves. You make an interesting point about the over air updates - I will now monitor for any future changes. The tech is annoying - but I will in tme forgive it because the car overall is great. As for my earlier posts about an Immobiliser - yes they do come with one. But are easily bypassed in less than 30 seconds with the right kit. The GHOST II Immobiliser is a different beast - check it out on youtube or wherever. Put simply - when installed - a code has to be entered before the engine will go into gear. Its not a numeric code. It is a user selectable set of key presses - set by the user - steering wheel buttons window buttons etc etc - they have to be entered in the exact sequence. There of course a key fob that can be used to mitigate the key presses. It is not user fitted - has to be installed by licenced installers.

I agree with you - and have done this in the past. This time - I am at a tipping point because of my age, experience, and my " I am bothered" attitude. I am a recent health survivor - and my attitude to life and risk has dramatically changed. The Insurance regarding the immobiliser was only a suggestion - and one I appreciated. As for GAP Insurance - like all Insurance - the risk is there and a personal choice For the last 20-odd years, I paid out for GAP - Paint - Tyres- etc etc. And apart from one scratch and dent claim and one tyre - not been worth it. I know I know - but I only do about 2k rural miles in a year - so my risk profile may be different to others. At the end of the day, it's all a risk - and how much of one is a personal factor. My key requirement was for the vehicle to be immobilised - and not stolen - and recovered with damage. I wouldn't want it back. Yes, an accident and possible write off would render a gap insurance discussion - but one I have decided to rule out. And willing to risk..........But understand the financial consequences - and have factored them into my overall life costs. Age - and health changes perspectives. I appreciate your point - and broadly agree with you. A perspective I have never thought I would have - but that's life...... Thank you for your thoughts. Martin

Sorry - forgot to mention a couple of other things. My Insurance SUGGESTED I have an Immobiliser installed - not an Insurance condition. I am 73 years old with full no claims, and my Insurance was four quid cheaper than my Merc, So I have booked for the end of the month - GHOST II Immobiliser and VIOFO 329S Dashcam.

Just took delivery of the 2026 Q3 Sportback First Edition TFSi. New Model. Fully Loaded in Sage Green. I have come from Mercedes, having had seven in a row. Last was E Coupe. Decided on a change - wife has the A1 and loves it. Only had mine for a week. Spent most of the time dealing with Audi to get Wireless Carplay to work with any iPhone. They failed miserably. I cracked it myself yesterday. The safety driving warnings are an absolute nightmare. Yes, most can be switched off - but that has to happen after every ignition off. So I have to become a fighter pilot - I have to get in the car - go through a routine to set it how I want. Had I known this before purchase - it would have been a showstopper for me. The good stuff - and it really is good. Comfortable - fast 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. Looks are great - interior is nice and user-friendly. Even the steering wheel touch buttons aren't bad. Boot space is good for me. I even sorted and bodged in an emergency wheel. To fit over the Sonoss woofer. Happy to share more - but I love this car despite the flaws mentioned. I am like a kid in a sweetshop still>