SteveCab Posted May 17, 2003 Report Share Posted May 17, 2003 excuse my ignorance, I was under the impression all S3's had chrome door mirrors, but in the last 2 weeks ive seen 2 maybe 3 A3's (at least i think they are A3's) all had body coloured mirrors but had S3 badges on the front?! Are these wannabe S3 owners or did Audi release some without chrome mirrors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammyS3 Posted May 17, 2003 Report Share Posted May 17, 2003 IIRC the door mirrors were and option. so theoretically those A3's could have been S3's. The S3's have twin exhausts integrated into the rear valance, wider arches and lower sills. (but I'm sure you knew that) God damn I'm patronising! Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted May 17, 2003 Report Share Posted May 17, 2003 Yes they are an option. IIRC they are only an option on " S " Cars. only seen them on S, and RS cars. for example, you cant get them on the TT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCab Posted May 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2003 i see, yeah i knew the arches were wider, but as i only got fleeting glances of them i wasnt that observant, its the badge on the front that stands out more. I think the chrome mirrors look a lot better than body coloured ones IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Yes, I think they are currently a no-cost option on the S3 - when I bought my S3 in 1999, they weren't even an option, but in any case, I prefer the body coloured ones. sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammyS3 Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 yeah, first of all I thought the silver ones were a bit garish, but since I got them they have grown on me. They just make it look a bit more distinct in my opinion. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncS3 Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 [ QUOTE ] Yes, I think they are currently a no-cost option on the S3 [/ QUOTE ] only no cost option in Germany, approx £250 in the UK (well they were last year) I love the silver mirrors Dunc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Damn, that's odd. Here in Germany, the Alu-mirrors are std, with the option of getting them body colored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncS3 Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 its a big rip off by Audi UK - I mean charging us Brits for soemthing that is free everywhere else - they cannot blame the exchange rates for that! Dunc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Yeah, y'all Brits DO get dicked on a few things, HELL, they even put the steering wheel on the wrong side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Robin Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Guys, I remember a reading a post last year on another forum (pre-Tyresmoke days) on this - and in particular the question of why alloy mirrors cost extra in the UK but are a zero cost option in Germany. General comments from the forum members were along the same lines but one of the members who works for a dealership responded confirming that dealerships actually get charged for this option. I can't remember if it was Audi UK being charged by Audi Germany or the dealerships being charged by Audi UK, but the conclusion was that this wasn't a rip off, just the dealership covering costs. I imported my S3 through Sport Import and obtained alloy mirrors as a zero cost option. I don't know if it is generally the case or just a special deal Colin has negotiated but all the options were significantly cheaper in Germany than in the UK (for a new car) - like about 45% cheaper in my case. I would be interested to know why the options are so expensive in the UK ? I bought mine in August last year so I don't if it is still the case but the situation then was that the standard car was about 10% cheaper after VAT etc. subject to exchange rate, but if you wanted a lot of options, you stood to save a small fortune. There are quite a few subtle differences between the UK and German model e.g. you can't get folding mirrors on the UK model (much to my annoyance). Colin is the authority on this subject. Cheers, R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin M Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 In the early days of Sport Import, I wrote to Audi to ask why the options cost was so much more than in Europe and the reply I got was that Audi UK charged what it thought the market would bear. So while so many people are happy to spec £2,500 Sat Nav systems, then the robbery will continue. Sadly with the Euro at 1.38/1.39, there is very little saving on base models. The R32 as an example needs to be highly spec'd to make a good saving. The TT has very few options and so is very difficult to be competitive with right now. As for your folding mirrors, I believe this is for the Japanese market only. Don't know why as our garages are pretty small in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 Folding mirrors are indeed an option over here Colin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin M Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 But in the folding mirror option, aren't the two sides different sizes (ie pax mirror smaller than drivers side?). This means it would be the wrong way round on right hand drive cars. Except Japan which is RHD and uses full size mirrors, but Audi would not fit them to a UK spec car for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 Nah Dude, as all facelift models have the same size Pax & Driver, and as far as I can remember, it only became an option after the facelift. It MIGHT have something to do with the RHD mirror setup, but I wouldn't know what Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaa Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 You think Audi UK rips you off? Audi Norway charge around £ 800,- a piece that's £ 1600,- for two original Audi chrome mirrorhousings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Robin Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 [ QUOTE ] Sadly with the Euro at 1.38/1.39, there is very little saving on base models. [/ QUOTE ] And to think that I was peed off that the pound fell monotonically against the Euro from the time I paid my deposit to the time the balance was due (from about 1.6 to 1.53). Colin, think of the upside. If the Euro continues to gain against the pound then perhaps Germany will soon be interested in importing the UK models back again. It will be interesting indeed to see how long UK prices for the TT can be maintained if the Euro continues to gain. If nothing else it will interesting indeed to see how much the original price was inflated both here in the UK and on the continent. I see no reason why the UK price should not drop below its Euro equivalent if Audi think that's all the market can bear or does this only work in one direction . Colin with current exchange rates you need to start importing cars manufactured in the US m8 . Cheers, R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin M Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 At least I have another source of income to pay my mortgage! I hate to think what's happening in those import companies with flashy offices etc to maintain all over the country. The SVA testing nonsense puts me off importing from non EU countries, but I have been buying LHD Ferrari's for export to Germany lately! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoeMonney Posted May 20, 2003 Report Share Posted May 20, 2003 Hi everybody, Im not sure, but I think that we have it even more expensive here in Mexico. An Audi S3 costs $43,000 USD new. All the new ones come with the silver mirror housings. My car doesnt have them and I wanted to get them but for both it was going to cost me over $1,000 USD for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Robin Posted May 20, 2003 Report Share Posted May 20, 2003 Welcome moemonney ! Hmmm US$43K ...at about 1.55$/£ that works about at about £27K.....certainly higher than the UK but it sounds like you have a few extras thrown in as well. There you go Colin, a new sideline, exporting shiny alloy mirrors !. Had you started up a few months ago you might even have been able to flog Drill a set How are you feeling by the way ?. I think I figured out what caused the problem - it was all that running around in circles near that flowery wallpaper Cheers, R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmS3 Posted May 20, 2003 Report Share Posted May 20, 2003 Please, someone, start selling cheaper alloy mirrors... I'm desparate for a pair!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaa Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 [ QUOTE ] Please, someone, start selling cheaper alloy mirrors... I'm desparate for a pair!!! [/ QUOTE ] I don't need 'em, already got 'em.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCab Posted May 21, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 theres quite a number of a4 cab owners wanting alloy mirrors as well, colin if i were you id get onto this mirror thing before someone else does, could be a few bob in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonU Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 [ QUOTE ] theres quite a number of a4 cab owners wanting alloy mirrors as well, colin if i were you id get onto this mirror thing before someone else does, could be a few bob in it! [/ QUOTE ] Could be worth checking to see if any of the other VAG models that share the mirrors, like Seat and VW, have chrome or ali shells. My S3 is Imola, so I don't think the ali mirrors would look as good as on a darker colour, but I'm sure my current mirrors are identical to the Leon Cupra that I just got rid of. And the Feb 2003 pricelist had the ali ones listed as £240 inc VAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 unfortunately you are factually incorrect Simon - ali mirrors look better on any colour S3 in fact they look particularly nice on a banana car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now