Clive-D

Hi - relative newby here. I bought my lovely A3 in August and other than having a regular battery fitted so the auto stop/start function doesn't work (for which I got a deal on wheel refurb), it has been trouble free. Recently the battery has been draining to the point I thought the battery was failing, but a basic check has come out ok. I then discovered the alarm was going off. I read that as the battery discharges, various functions shut down to preserve the battery so I think that may have happened with the alarm however recently, when park up at home, within an hour the alarm goes off. I unlock the car and lock it but the alarm goes off again - most times. I've opened doors and then re-locked, but later the hazards come on. I suspect this is why my battery is draining. I thought maybe a spider was in the vehicle and walking over the sensors so I've put a cloth over the dash, but no different. Tonight I read the handbook and checked the diode response. When I lock the car remotely, the diode flashes six times then stays on for 25 seconds or so then flashes normally. The handbook says if it stays on for 30 seconds there is a malfunction. Seems clear to me there is! Anyone got a fix? The car was bought from an independent and is under warranty, but they are unlikely to be able to fix something like this, so I need info before I go back to them. Cheers!

Hi - couple of weeks into my 1st Audi and having just driven to Cornwall and back from Guildford I'm loving it - just under 500 miles and it's saying over 100 to go, will check when I fill up. Find the drive and ride positive, firm yet not harsh, the seats in the S-Line are really nice, much more supporting than I experienced in a friends standard A4. All in all very nice. Got the alloys refurbed before I picked it up cos I knew I'd never get round to it otherwise. No cruise which would be nice but biggest complaint so far is the wing mirrors which seem to have not auto retract. This is an April 2011 model - do I really have to walk round the car folding in the wing mirrors?! Haven't done that for years. Even my wife's '04 Jazz can retract the wing mirrors electrically!

Hi - I collected a 2011 A3 S Line Cab last week and I too read the comments about hard suspension when I was looking. I like drivers' cars but don't rag them in the way I used to. Have to say I was very pleasantly surprised at how comfy the car is and I would suggest the ride is not as hard as you might think. I have been in a friends A4 and the seats were really firm and the ride less comfy the the S line. The S line seats in the A3 are really comfortable. What has impressed me most so far is how smooth and sure footed the car is. There is very little roll and those 18 inch wheels soak up speed bumps and pot holes. It rides better over poor roads (which we have miles of in Surrey) way better than a Jazz (16in 70R) and a Smart (my previous commuter car) which is brutal on rough roads. The suspension does a good job too. Simple lane changes are positive and confident. Braking and cornering are great and I'd be reluctant to lose that. Ride is a very personal thing and I'd seriously suggest driving both versions before committing. The point I wanted to make is I was expecting a harsh ride and found a smooth but tight ride which is not the same thing, but I've driven Saab Turbos, Lancia Betas and minis which are all degrees of firm. Not convinced raising the suspension will help the car's looks either. It's an interesting one!