5 THINGS I *HATE* ABOUT MY AUDI S3 8P

Here are the 5 things I hate about my Audi S3 8P.
If you're looking to buy one, you may find some of these useful.
Disclaimer: I've owned this car for 5 years, and there are more then 5 things I love about this car!
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[@liof16]

There is a way to fix the volume issue. If you pop off the grey panel behind the interior light cover there's a microphone at the back which you can remove - think it has a 'Bose' or 'audiopilot' logo. Don't confuse this with the mic used for voice calls which is nearby. Once you've taken it out the car will beep 3 times every time you turn on the ignition - not really that annoying and a small price to pay to fix this ridiculous issue!

[@montykash3770]

I wonder what your S3 might be saying to itself? “Maybe it’s about time I got a new owner” lol. Half of the issues are down to you fella.

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

I agree, those cups holders are a joke, I use the 2 in the back seat centre arm rest if I buy coffee on the go .my tyre sensor was doing the same, try just letting some air out all tyres then try the reset button, plus my number plate warning light some times comes on but it's a standard colour.

[@TheLegoflims]

It's called GALA in the radio menu, Set it as low as possible. Though I keep it at three

[@mileonaire7621]

Looking go get one of these for my next car mate but in a 5 door. 300 miles full tank isn't bad, what about meat run? Also how much for a full tank

[@lukewales835]

Been thinking about getting one of these for my next car, currently got an 18 plate fiesta, just don’t know if I’ll regret going back to an older car

[@acceptsxo]

nice to see the car i want driving around roads i thought they might struggle with, i know the lanes around the back of earlswood can be quite hard on lower cars so gives me some confidence that itll be fine

[@drummerboi60]

You just need to find the correct bulbs I have a s3 8p all led bulbs no errors at all

[@martinvladimirov9376]

i have led number plate lights but i buy those kind which dont give error on the dash

[@joemcmanus4828]

It's a setting on the radio! The faster u drive the higher the volume gets u can turn it off

[@deanlee943]

Canadian 8p has the cup holder near the handbrake and under the armrest is a cubby for the 12v

[@shawnjames5042]

I've had one 2 years and no issues love the thing stage 1 map gives her that big extra worth a buy

[@Deej-85]

totally agree on the water all over your right arm and window control buttons lol have this every day shitty Birmingham weather

[@MrSantrok]

1. It's an option in the radio unit 2. Yeah, fair point. I don't like it as well 3. I think it's more of a problem with your position than an actual issue with the seats. I don't have any issues with that 4. Never noticed and I'm parking under the sky. 5. I do not have that issue. Are you sure your tires are fine? About the LED plate lights, it's a matter of good quality LEDs and switching the proper option in the coding. No issues at all. You can also turn that off.

[@mennims]

Lol issue 4 is legit had it on my A3 8p. I usually rest my arm on the windowsill so if gets soaked

[@Stu047]

I bought a 2012 S3 last August; I had been lusting after one for quite some time. I do love the car but I have to agree, that auto-volume feature in the stereo is really dumb, really distracting and really not wanted! I Googled the observation and learned that there is a microphone located in the plastic enclosure that houses the interior dome light; it constantly monitors the ambient noise in the car and tells the stereo to adjust the volume up or down to compensate. I raided the stereo's user guide and discovered that the GALA function (that's what they call it) couldn't be switched off with my model of stereo (crazy!). Pressing ahead and needy for options, I learned that some owners had actually tooled their way into the dome light enclosure, accessed the microphone itself and disconnected it; the general conclusion being that it does solve the problem so long as you were prepared to put up with the car protesting the disconnect with a series of beeps every time you start the car up. Well, because I'm practically inept, I wasn't comfortable with the idea of having at the interior with a screwdriver but I did book the car into Audi for an unrelated repair; so whilst it was there I asked them to disconnect the thing for me. The Audi tech got really coy with me and resisted my request with the full force of his amazing customer handling techniques! - He said that it was wilful damage to the car and that Audi didn't want to be held responsible (even though I was handing them my express permission); they also didn't like the fact that the "damage" would flag up an error code every time they ran a diagnostic in the future. Audi did offer me an alternative approach, less "drastic": They got into the stereo's software and switched the GALA function off from behind the scenes... It didn't work! Or to be more accurate the auto-volume is now less severe but the issue persists nonetheless. Curiously, their tweak had the secondary effect of adding the option to adjust the GALA function using the stereo's normal menu options. - A bit weird. It was also weird that Audi behaved as though I was the first customer to bring this to their attention. - Come on, pull the other one! I also read on a VAG forum that despite disconnecting the microphone located in the car the auto-volume may continue to impose itself. Why? - Because apparently there's a second microphone located somewhere in the engine bay! :D :D :D

[@lehanlynch]

The GALA setting will turn that off. Its not the voice or speaker. TS settings needs to be changed and it wikl stop doing that. The faster you drive the louder iys gonna get. Its VW's brilliantly fucking stupid idea to "cancel" cabin noise

[@shexstarh1651]

Its so you cant hear the car falling apart :)

[@predaR6]

and what if u pute a 3th party radio in ?

[@yusufk6712]

My biggest problem with my s3 8p is that the design of the handbrake is so weird I often raise the arm rest to pull it or release it. Also the warning for low windscreen water always catches me off guard and scares me that something is wrong with the car as it gives a beep noise.

[@kseijrfoi]

Use the 'TP' button to turn off the automatic up and down of the volume. It increases louder as u accelerate,

[@CarsWithSmithy]

Jrod t where’s the TP button?

[@leewells-burr6045]

Did you get the parking sensors aftermarket if so have you got a link?

[@CarsWithSmithy]

They’re genuine factory fitted

[@paulsikora5623]

good content,5 things i hate on my audi tdi A3 sportback 8p,rear wiper ive deleted mine i hate armrest it gets in way of handbrake,light steering,DPF clogs up.uncomfy seats,😉

[@keanuchampion]

you can take out the bose controller took me 5 mintues in my 8p s3

[@IsrarKhan-yw8zy]

got the same car mate but my speakers dont do that

[@Chromelooks]

His tp setting are on

[@lehanlynch]

I think there is a setting thats called GALA or sime shit like that that will turn that auto volume control of.

[@kellow8338]

mine does

[@sebastianspring1563]

Lehan Lynch yeah it’s Gala I turned it off

[@muaz989]

You can also unplug the microphone that picks up the noises in the cabin and adjusts the volume (sits under the interior light on the roof). Was driving me mad when I got an aftermarket exhaust fitted. After unplugging the microphone and disabling the volume changes in the RNSE settings the car is perfect now. Only down side is there is a bit of a beeping noise when you switch the car off but it's not that bad and I've learned to ignore it.

[@edpetitt417]

great video, whats the average MPG you get out the car and how many miles to a tank? looking to get one for myself. Cheers

[@CarsWithSmithy]

Ed Petitt before I had it remapped, got about 28mpg. Since the map I get 21mpg and roughly 300 miles to a tank. I do drive city roads a lot though

[@scap11]

Mate where do you get your stronic gearbox serviced?

[@CarsWithSmithy]

R tech

[@Marzaezone]

Nice video, what made you keep the 8p for 5 years?

[@CarsWithSmithy]

Shxmzy never skipped a beat to be honest, plus since doing the remap etc feels a bit like a new car again

[@user-ol5wu1qp3x]

Bloody hell, put me off getting one now!

[@lenep9985]

The standing water is annoying...as is the sudden volume reduction.....i also think the electric seats sit way too high.

[@jonathanbrown4453]

What about the handbrake and evertime you pull it the arm rest is in the way!!!!

[@focusbreatheshoot]

Nice video, excuse the ignorance but what does 8P mean?

[@CarsWithSmithy]

Focus Breathe Shoot it’s the specific generation of the model. So from 2006-2012 it was the 8p

[@focusbreatheshoot]

@@CarsWithSmithy cheers

[@aaronverschoore7630]

Found this thread on a forum for the Bose AudioPilot issue: www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/bose-audiopilot-driving-me-nuts-please-help.374676/ Hope it can help you out!

[@leonreischutz]

which year is your s3?

[@CarsWithSmithy]

2010

[@scottritchie830]

Totally understand not being able to get the right position

[@sampsonlee-jose3443]

The speaker problem is your GALA, turn it down...

[@kurtisirvine9300]

My BMW e90 does it pal it's to take the road sound out of the car

[@predaR6]

I hate it aswel about your car! Its so annoying.... can i buy it for cheap from you xd

[@gullfaks]

Smart-arse... :)8