Audi RS3

Author
Discussion

sirtyro

Original Poster:

1,824 posts

197 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Anybody got any thoughts on the Audi RS3?! Had a look through the forum and found a few older threads but was looking for people that own the 2016 model. I tested one on Saturday and loved it but was wondering how it was to live with?!

Lots of people seem to think it isn't worth the money but it's perfect for what I'm looking for, practical and fun.

drmark

4,793 posts

185 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Loved the day I spent with the RS3 - actually preferredit to RS4 (albeit not as good looking). Then I drove a RS6 ad the rest is history.

djc206

12,239 posts

124 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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I have an RS4 and test drove the RS3 when it came out. It's quick, very quick but when I specced one up it was very close to the price I paid for the RS4. I wasn't won over by it, the exhaust note was by comparison very lacklustre and I found the interior to be a bit disappointing. I just couldn't reconcile the price with the car which is a shame because I really wanted to like it.

sirtyro

Original Poster:

1,824 posts

197 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Friend of mine has an RS6 and he took it to Litchfield for the 750bhp power/exhaust update and its amazing! I don't quite have the budget for that but think the RS3 will get close for me

Fozziebear

1,840 posts

139 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Neighbour has a black one, awesome noise as he leaves for work in the mornings. It fired me up to get the R32 back on the road! He seems happy with it, big grin every time I see him

zeDuffMan

4,054 posts

150 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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I have the old model and do 18k/year in it. I hope I can comment even if it isn't the newer one, as the basics haven't really changed a great deal from one gen to another. As a daily it couldn't be any easier to live with. It feels a lot more grown up than the hatchback it appears from the outside - bags of torque and power whenever you need it. Dynamically the S3 has it licked but it's all about the engine in the RS3. If you don't like the 5pot it's a hard sell. I suppose if you see it as a mini RS6 rather than a hot hatch it makes more sense.

Edited by zeDuffMan on Monday 30th May 22:21

Justman

121 posts

181 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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I have owned one for 3 months now and absolutely love it.

For me, it does everything so well. Comfortable when you want it to be but great fun when you put your foot down. Dynamic mode is so addictive. I love the noise and the pops/cackles as you go down the gears into a corner. They are hilarious! And I have the standard exhaust too!

It is superb in the wet thanks to the 4wd. I have 2 young kids and there is plenty of space for them.

I came from a B8 S4 and couldn't quite afford an RS4 but the RS3 gave me that bit more excitement I was looking for. I am really happy with mine and would definitely recommend a test drive.

sirtyro

Original Poster:

1,824 posts

197 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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Thanks for all the comments....think I'm going to commit smile

ubbs

647 posts

216 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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sirtyro said:
Thanks for all the comments....think I'm going to commit smile
If you're buying new wouldn't it be worth hanging on for the "rumoured" face lift version with more power and better handling? Great engine by the way I too had an 8p for 2.5 years

sirtyro

Original Poster:

1,824 posts

197 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
ubbs said:
If you're buying new wouldn't it be worth hanging on for the "rumoured" face lift version with more power and better handling? Great engine by the way I too had an 8p for 2.5 years
The dealer I spoke with said it wasn't due for another 2 years?!? Maybe he was just trying to sell me the stock they had....if you know any release dates then it probably would be worth a wait!

ubbs

647 posts

216 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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sirtyro said:
The dealer I spoke with said it wasn't due for another 2 years?!? Maybe he was just trying to sell me the stock they had....if you know any release dates then it probably would be worth a wait!
The chap at Derby Audi who sold me my 8p rang a few weeks ago, just touching base as we haven't spoken in a while, I asked that question will the f/l rs3 have the same revisions as the ttrs? As far as he was aware it would have the virtual dash and everything else Audi are keeping shtum.

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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The S3 has just been upgraded to 310 bhp and the virtual cockpit, so presumably the RS3 would get the same upgrade engine wise as the TTRS to 400 bhp too, which would be worth the wait.

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

230 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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I've got the 2016 RS3. Love it. Quicker than an RS4 too! biggrin
Not really sure what you're looking for in terms of what it's like to live with? It's very practical, comfy, well built, just like other Audi's, but very fast when you want to. Clearly, with only a 2.5L 5-cylinder engine, it's not going to have the permanent rumble of the V8's, but then the noise it makes when pushing it is phenomenal, and lots of pops and gurgles in downshifts etc.

Herdwick

150 posts

237 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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We have just had our around 2 months, 3k miles.

Its a very practical and fun car, plenty of space inside, but boot perhaps a little small, but OK for everyday use. Around 4 seconds to 60, over 170 if de-limited, yet quiet and civilised giving around 32mpg on the daily commute.

Great all round car, would have loved an RS6, but having changed to the RS3 from an A6, we wanted something that was physically smaller.

No more new cars being built, so the dealers have just stock cars available I think. Facelift may be end of this year, OR maybe next year being an RS model, then possibly a 5 month build wait, so possibly 18 months for facelift to come your way, or current model...next week.!

clio007

542 posts

224 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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I have recently moved from an 8V RS3 to a C7 RS6. The RS3 is a superb car for what it is. Great sounding, looks and its pretty darn quick. The boot is wayto small for my needs and its the weapon of choice for the local drug dealers, hence why I felt the need to upgrade.

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

230 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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I don't get the references to the RS6 as, although a great car, it is mahoosive. It's just not something that would be considered at the same time as an RS3 (indeed, wasn't mentioned by OP).

sirtyro

Original Poster:

1,824 posts

197 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
kryten22uk said:
I don't get the references to the RS6 as, although a great car, it is mahoosive. It's just not something that would be considered at the same time as an RS3 (indeed, wasn't mentioned by OP).
I mentioned it as a friend has one, but you're right Kryten, it's out of my price range and while I love how it looks, it's not something I can consider at the moment.

I'm thinking I'll go for a 2016 RS3. I've read about the new TTRS and how the RS3 will get an update but it's 12-18 months away and I need a car now for work. My plan was to always take it to Litchfield for a remap and they think they can get at least 550bhp out of it, which will be plenty. Also looking at getting a tracker for it, although I work at the Silverstone Technology Park and hope I won't get confused for a drug dealer there wink

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

230 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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I'm amazed that they can get 550bhp from such an engine. Not my cup of tea though, modding like that.

I havent got a tracker, but I did just fit a DashCam to it. Managed to tuck away the wiring quite easily into the headlining. Just a small power cable pops out at the top and the cam sits behind the rearview mirror out of sight when I'm driving.

sirtyro

Original Poster:

1,824 posts

197 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
kryten22uk said:
I'm amazed that they can get 550bhp from such an engine. Not my cup of tea though, modding like that.

I havent got a tracker, but I did just fit a DashCam to it. Managed to tuck away the wiring quite easily into the headlining. Just a small power cable pops out at the top and the cam sits behind the rearview mirror out of sight when I'm driving.
I'm not really that interested in modding either, I have an Ariel Atom which only has 245bhp but is insane! The only reason I'd consider it is because of my friends RS6 and what Litchfield did to it. The exhaust noise is just amazing on the up and down shift and the speed is ballistic...for just £600 they can get an extra 100bhp just from a remap. Guess I can worry about all that later, just need to find a good RS3 first smile