This new RS3...

[SuperchargedVR6]

Blanchimont said:

Ali_T said:

Yes. Badge snobbery will favour the Audi, though I suspect anyone wanting a decent drive that doesn't involve terminal understeer should go speak to the local Ford dealer. I'd take the Ford over the Audi, even if they cost the same. I suspect it'll be something special...

The Autoexpress comparison with an M3, RS3 and a new CTR with Steve Sutcliffe I watched says that it understeers. So another typical Audi product. Fast, but doesn't handle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3n7zhb7aN8

Linky!

Being only half a second slower than the CTR, which is much more track focussed, I'd say the understeer is more mild than catastrophic. Maybe better tyres would help.

I wouldn't buy the Audi anyway as RS suspension is ridiculous. Look how much Sutcliffe is bouncing around in the seat compared to the M3!

[StottyEvo]

Looks like the M3 would've been much faster if he wasn't drifting it on the fast lap.

No surprises that the RS3 is under steering, albeit much less so than the previous RS3.

[Kenny Powers]

New car. Same tired old argumuments. Too heavy, too small, too big, too slow, too fast, too expensive etc. etc. etc.

On topic, yes the advertising on here is too in your face.

[csd19]

JimmyConwayNW said:

John Clark Aberdeen Audi is the most profitable audi dealership in the UK if I remember correctly.

I'm not surprised, they won't have to think about doing discounts on any new sales up here. Car parks across the city echo to the dag dag racket of umpteen 2.0TDi lumps being fired up. I can see 23 Audis in the office car park from my window! But it's an Audi, so as long as the neighbours are impressed...

As shallow as their fake tans...

[tomjol]

KarlMac said:

tomjol said:

I'm not entirely sure a "track battle" is really the type of activity an RS3 is built or indeed purchased to do.

Advertising bks has it on a forest stage, so it definitely is. According to marketeers anyway.

True...and while we're on topic, I hate the marketing too

[unpc]

Gavin0478 said:

A compact fast all wheel drive Audi works every day in nearly every situation, the rear drive BMW or front drive GTi would often be limited by weather conditions in this country.

I don't know where to start with that comment. That's probably the stupidest thing I've read all week.

[Tickle]

Blanchimont said:

The Autoexpress comparison with an M3, RS3 and a new CTR with Steve Sutcliffe I watched says that it understeers. So another typical Audi product. Fast, but doesn't handle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3n7zhb7aN8

Linky!

I watched this last night, thought it may get mentioned on here.

Seems quite average when you put some bends in front of it.

Audi must be paying a fair old bit for marketing... shame they couldn't of paid Steve Sutcliffe to edit out the word understeer.

Sure it will sell though, people need to be quick off the lights apparently.

[daemon]

Ali_T said:

daemon said:

On paper maybe, but not in reality.

Yes. Badge snobbery will favour the Audi, though I suspect anyone wanting a decent drive that doesn't involve terminal understeer should go speak to the local Ford dealer. I'd take the Ford over the Audi, even if they cost the same. I suspect it'll be something special...

I think people willing to spend £50K on a car wont decide to "save" £20K and buy a Ford. Plus i'd say most will be sold on PCP deals which tend to favour premium brands.

[Blanchimont]

Tickle said:

Blanchimont said:

The Autoexpress comparison with an M3, RS3 and a new CTR with Steve Sutcliffe I watched says that it understeers. So another typical Audi product. Fast, but doesn't handle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3n7zhb7aN8

Linky!

I watched this last night, thought it may get mentioned on here.

Seems quite average when you put some bends in front of it.

Audi must be paying a fair old bit for marketing... shame they couldn't of paid Steve Sutcliffe to edit out the word understeer.

Sure it will sell though, people need to be quick off the lights apparently.

What I don't understand is that why (I presume) Audi use the haldex system. Why not charge a little more (it's 40k basic, why worry about an extra 2k) and put the proper Quattro system the use in the R8 and the RS6; cars which don't suffer from understeer.

In the case of the R8, recalibrate it a little so it's predominantly Rear driven, but then send up to 50% to the front, rather than the 30% the R8 sends that way.
It baffles me.

[JockySteer]

moffat said:

JuniorD said:

Don't think many people would walk in and drop £50K on one of these. They will happy buy into the dream on the never-never though. Enthusiasts will wait for 7-8 years when they're worth £6500

So people who buy their cars new aren't enthusiasts?

Without the 'idiots' buying these cars new the so called 'enthusiasts' wouldn't have any cars to buy.

Wishful thinking on the £6500 I think too given that 4 year old cars are still £27k+

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Given the lack of depreciation I can imagine that there are some wealthy buyers out there doing some good PCP deals due to the very strong residuals even with the APR in play.

Edited by moffat on Thursday 30th July 15:14

You won't get a 7-8 year old S3 for under 10k, so that's wishful thinking. Try 17-18 years

[Tickle]

Blanchimont said:

What I don't understand is that why (I presume) Audi use the haldex system. Why not charge a little more (it's 40k basic, why worry about an extra 2k) and put the proper Quattro system the use in the R8 and the RS6; cars which don't suffer from understeer.

In the case of the R8, recalibrate it a little so it's predominantly Rear driven, but then send up to 50% to the front, rather than the 30% the R8 sends that way.
It baffles me.

IMHO Audi know there target market aren't to bothered if it understeers.

[nunpuncher]

I can't remember being force fed any car as much as I have been this one. The advertising budget must be huge and the marketing plan seems to cover every media channel imaginable. Not only am i seeing all the "promoted content" on here all the time but despite a clean cookie trail i'm getting banner ads, promoted content via Facebook, ads on terrestrial TV, targeted tweets and even my old man, who has almost no interest in such cars mentioned it to me like somehow Audi have recruited him.

It's terrifying.

[tomjol]

Blanchimont said:

What I don't understand is that why (I presume) Audi use the haldex system. Why not charge a little more (it's 40k basic, why worry about an extra 2k) and put the proper Quattro system the use in the R8 and the RS6; cars which don't suffer from understeer.

In the case of the R8, recalibrate it a little so it's predominantly Rear driven, but then send up to 50% to the front, rather than the 30% the R8 sends that way.
It baffles me.

The R8 and RS6 use different AWD systems, there is no "proper Quattro".

Simple answer, however, is that the engine and thus gearbox are mounted the wrong way for a "proper" system as you describe.

ETA: As Tickle says, people buy them anyway, so why bother? It's a daily driver of a sensible size which makes a great noise and flatters the driver, that's very attractive to "normal" people. The fact that it understeers if you push it is irrelevant if you never do that.

Edited by tomjol on Friday 31st July 13:22

[mat205125]

Looks great.

Goes like stink when you're on your own on the road.

Does comfortable and family friendly when required.

A road car, not a track car, so scalpel sharp driving dynamics and fun aren't a huge issue.

Taken in isolation, a really good car.

£50k for a hot hatch ....... laughable!!

PH advertising isn't too obstructive, and I can deal with visually filtering and scrolling without launching my PC about.

Not sure I like the "giving birth" TV ad, however the one where it's chained down is good.

Hat's off to Audi for advertising it's performance models at all, especially their investment for TV space. Very much a halo thing, as no one is watching Ant & Dec, sees an ad for a flame spitting R8, and rings the dealer the next day.

Personally, I'd rather see ads featuring the types of cars we like, rather than just the latest hateful French people bus, and wish others would do the same.

[culpz]

unpc said:

Gavin0478 said:

A compact fast all wheel drive Audi works every day in nearly every situation, the rear drive BMW or front drive GTi would often be limited by weather conditions in this country.

I don't know where to start with that comment. That's probably the stupidest thing I've read all week.

I don't follow. What's wrong with it? It's a valid point and a reason why people would choose one of these over its competitors. Even with the understeer, point to point, rain or shine, it will be a very fast car on the road there's no doubt about it.

[Axionknight]

Dunno what you're all complaining about, our matching pair of white ones are available for collection on Friday

[kmpowell]

culpz said:

unpc said:

Gavin0478 said:

A compact fast all wheel drive Audi works every day in nearly every situation, the rear drive BMW or front drive GTi would often be limited by weather conditions in this country.

I don't know where to start with that comment. That's probably the stupidest thing I've read all week.

I don't follow. What's wrong with it? It's a valid point and a reason why people would choose one of these over its competitors. Even with the understeer, point to point, rain or shine, it will be a very fast car on the road there's no doubt about it.

It's a very valid point indeed. I for one recently bought a new outgoing B8 RS4 because of the Quattro, choosing it over the new C63. If you look at the on-paper stats the C63 should annihilate the RS4... however, throw British weather into the mix and it changes the story completely. Point to point I think it's the perfect family estate suitable for everything this country can throw at it.

If you want proof, here you go... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvRLMMMO48

[neil1jnr]

Diderot said:

Fewer Audis. Not less.

I make that error all the time, I never learn!

[nickfrog]

Gavin0478 said:

A compact fast all wheel drive Audi works every day in nearly every situation, the rear drive BMW or front drive GTi would often be limited by weather conditions in this country.

What country is this ? South East England is near perfect for RWD, rain or shine.

[neil1jnr]

csd19 said:

JimmyConwayNW said:

John Clark Aberdeen Audi is the most profitable audi dealership in the UK if I remember correctly.

I'm not surprised, they won't have to think about doing discounts on any new sales up here. Car parks across the city echo to the dag dag racket of umpteen 2.0TDi lumps being fired up. I can see 23 Audis in the office car park from my window! But it's an Audi, so as long as the neighbours are impressed...

As shallow as their fake tans...

Where is your office located in Aberdeen, I used to be Altens but now Bridge of Don, it is the same everywhere.

In regard to them being the most profitable dealership, that might explain why a few years ago when I called regarding booking a test drive I was told 'unless you are going to buy it you can't test drive it'. Crazy, I might have bought it had I been given the chance to drive it (on hindsight I am glad I never did buy the Audi, bought a Seat instead ) No you need to travel to the central belt for discounts on any new or approved used cars from dealers up here. Once or twice a year I go and test drive something that tickle my fancy and they never budge on price.