Rs3 test drive
Discussion
Took one out yesterday, now the older shape but anything past 2010 is like a new car to me, (an age thing) got to say was very impressed, before I start really looking into it are there any real niggles owners have had, know about the diamond cut wheels as the dealer kept pointing out to me in the test drive, think I made him a bit nervous! But hey I wanted to test drive an rs3 not a bloody Prius!!!!
turboman786 said:
They just look so dull I couldn't ever bring myself to drive one never kind own one
That and the fact that they seem.to be adored by chav types. ....
^^^ This is all nonsense.That and the fact that they seem.to be adored by chav types. ....
They are brilliant, sound terrific, handle great, drive well, look fantastic and bonkers fast. They'll understeer when pushed to the limit, but if you are reaching that limit then you probably want to be slowing down.
They don't have the chavness you get from Imprezas/AMGs or the flashness of an R8 - which is the appeal. The styling is subtle but standout enough for those that spot what it is.
Edited by CerberusRogue on Monday 22 June 08:30
As above, you have to push well beyond legal limits to get understeer. The problem really is it grips so well up until that limit that it's not that engaging. The turn in feel isn't as good as the new A3 on the MQB platform but it's based on a car from 2003 so what do you expect, really. I like to think when they were designing it they weren't thinking they would ever put such a ridiculous engine in there.
The car is super quick and sounds great. You don't see many around which is nice. I find the seats very comfortable and the ride decent enough considering it is on 19s (did the 5 hour each way trip to north Wales no problem), but I know some people hate VAG seats so YMMV. Fuel economy considering the performance is good too, I get 31-33mpg in light traffic and 25-27mpg in heavy stuff. Keep it on boost and that soon goes down though.
The two main issues are brake squeal, which has been fixed with updated components and will be replaced for free on symptomatic cars, and there are stories of prop shaft bolts snapping when using launch control, but the vast majority of these have been from remapped cars (a stage 1 remap takes the car from 335 => 400hp so it's quite a jump). Otherwise it's normal old A3 problems, like I had a rear window regulator pack up a few months ago, but this was fixed under warranty. I'm also having a serious problem with stone chips because the paint is s
te.
The car is super quick and sounds great. You don't see many around which is nice. I find the seats very comfortable and the ride decent enough considering it is on 19s (did the 5 hour each way trip to north Wales no problem), but I know some people hate VAG seats so YMMV. Fuel economy considering the performance is good too, I get 31-33mpg in light traffic and 25-27mpg in heavy stuff. Keep it on boost and that soon goes down though.
The two main issues are brake squeal, which has been fixed with updated components and will be replaced for free on symptomatic cars, and there are stories of prop shaft bolts snapping when using launch control, but the vast majority of these have been from remapped cars (a stage 1 remap takes the car from 335 => 400hp so it's quite a jump). Otherwise it's normal old A3 problems, like I had a rear window regulator pack up a few months ago, but this was fixed under warranty. I'm also having a serious problem with stone chips because the paint is s
te.turboman786 said:
They just look so dull I couldn't ever bring myself to drive one never kind own one
That and the fact that they seem.to be adored by chav types. ....
Useful input, thanks. I'd be intrigued to find a 'Chav' that can afford a £40k car, but maybe I'm missing the point. For those that have taken the time to respond with useful info, thanks very much. I'm test driving one this weekend so will let you know my thoughts.That and the fact that they seem.to be adored by chav types. ....
andrewparker said:
What has the term chav got to do with someone's economic situation? There are plenty of footballers I'd describe as chavs, but they can sure as hell afford an RS3. Besides, they're no longer a £40k car, there are plenty in the classified ads for £26k.
As I said, I'm probably missing the point and I'm certainly not going to get into an argument about the definition of Chav. The OP was talking about a test drive, and I said I'd be interested to hear about the results as I was considering buying one, amongst other choices. That's all.Bincenzo said:
andrewparker said:
What has the term chav got to do with someone's economic situation? There are plenty of footballers I'd describe as chavs, but they can sure as hell afford an RS3. Besides, they're no longer a £40k car, there are plenty in the classified ads for £26k.
As I said, I'm probably missing the point and I'm certainly not going to get into an argument about the definition of Chav. The OP was talking about a test drive, and I said I'd be interested to hear about the results as I was considering buying one, amongst other choices. That's all.Bins, I drove a new RS3 yesterday and compared to my 2013 S3 with a chip upgrade to 350BHP, I was underwhelmed by the RS3. Obviously not comparing Apples with Apples as I have modified my S3, but the modification has given me a noticeable hike in mid-range torque over the RS3 and I have a MANual gearbox, which I prefer.
I actually preferred my S3 handling also and that may be because of the different tyre size front to rear on the RS3, but would need to test a bit more back to back to confirm. In fairness I took to a well known country lane with nice changes of direction and the dynamic suspension seemed more 'floaty' than I get from my standard S3. The tyre size seems to be better suited on the S3 perhaps? I am not a chassis dynamics engineers or indeed a tyre engineer, but as you know I may have some previous on things like this
Would I swap the S3 plus £20K for the RS3, no chance. Do I want a nice exhaust that sounds like the RS3 and pops / bangs
Hell 
Just my 2p worth.
I actually preferred my S3 handling also and that may be because of the different tyre size front to rear on the RS3, but would need to test a bit more back to back to confirm. In fairness I took to a well known country lane with nice changes of direction and the dynamic suspension seemed more 'floaty' than I get from my standard S3. The tyre size seems to be better suited on the S3 perhaps? I am not a chassis dynamics engineers or indeed a tyre engineer, but as you know I may have some previous on things like this
Would I swap the S3 plus £20K for the RS3, no chance. Do I want a nice exhaust that sounds like the RS3 and pops / bangs
Hell Just my 2p worth.
Cockernee said:
Bins, I drove a new RS3 yesterday and compared to my 2013 S3 with a chip upgrade to 350BHP, I was underwhelmed by the RS3. Obviously not comparing Apples with Apples as I have modified my S3, but the modification has given me a noticeable hike in mid-range torque over the RS3 and I have a MANual gearbox, which I prefer.
I actually preferred my S3 handling also and that may be because of the different tyre size front to rear on the RS3, but would need to test a bit more back to back to confirm. In fairness I took to a well known country lane with nice changes of direction and the dynamic suspension seemed more 'floaty' than I get from my standard S3. The tyre size seems to be better suited on the S3 perhaps? I am not a chassis dynamics engineers or indeed a tyre engineer, but as you know I may have some previous on things like this
Would I swap the S3 plus £20K for the RS3, no chance. Do I want a nice exhaust that sounds like the RS3 and pops / bangs Hell
Just my 2p worth.
Your 2p which is worth a lot more than chat about Chavs. Thanks mate, I'll let you know how I get on this weekend. I'm thinking s4 more and more, purely on practicality. If I wanted a noisy quick car, I'd have kept the last one!I actually preferred my S3 handling also and that may be because of the different tyre size front to rear on the RS3, but would need to test a bit more back to back to confirm. In fairness I took to a well known country lane with nice changes of direction and the dynamic suspension seemed more 'floaty' than I get from my standard S3. The tyre size seems to be better suited on the S3 perhaps? I am not a chassis dynamics engineers or indeed a tyre engineer, but as you know I may have some previous on things like this
Would I swap the S3 plus £20K for the RS3, no chance. Do I want a nice exhaust that sounds like the RS3 and pops / bangs
Hell Just my 2p worth.
Tried to test drive a new RS3 today, considering something more 'practical' from my Cayman GTS. Apparently Audi have recalled demo cars nationwide due to problems with oil pressure. Rang 3 different dealers, all said the same and all said they couldn't tell me when test drives would be allowed as the part required is back-ordered. The dealer was very embarrassed as he has been bombarding me trying to sell one and when I finally caved a little, he couldn't get me in one. Interested to hear people's thoughts on the new one (who got to drive one before the ban!)
[Also just on the chav point - defined by the Oxford dictionary as 'A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes.' so economic situation is definitely a factor.]
[Also just on the chav point - defined by the Oxford dictionary as 'A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes.' so economic situation is definitely a factor.]
Edited by wellzee on Friday 26th June 13:32
Spooge said:
Where'd you get your S3 Remapped? Or is it a tuning box? Been thinking about doing the same to mine. Just want to be careful about the warranty.
TDI in Chelmsford, but I would have preferred to go the REVO route. However, when I did it REVO did not have a solution and I am not a patient person. It is a tuning box that they used my car to map on the rollers.If it goes bang, remove the tuning box, job done
Cockernee said:
TDI in Chelmsford, but I would have preferred to go the REVO route. However, when I did it REVO did not have a solution and I am not a patient person. It is a tuning box that they used my car to map on the rollers.
If it goes bang, remove the tuning box, job done
Interesting, not that I want to take the thread off topic, but did they just attach the box and change the settings depending on how the car responded on the dyno? Do you feel it made a noticable difference? Seriously considering it myself. If it goes bang, remove the tuning box, job done
Spooge said:
Cockernee said:
TDI in Chelmsford, but I would have preferred to go the REVO route. However, when I did it REVO did not have a solution and I am not a patient person. It is a tuning box that they used my car to map on the rollers.
If it goes bang, remove the tuning box, job done
Interesting, not that I want to take the thread off topic, but did they just attach the box and change the settings depending on how the car responded on the dyno? Do you feel it made a noticable difference? Seriously considering it myself. If it goes bang, remove the tuning box, job done
wellzee said:
Tried to test drive a new RS3 today, considering something more 'practical' from my Cayman GTS. Apparently Audi have recalled demo cars nationwide due to problems with oil pressure. Rang 3 different dealers, all said the same and all said they couldn't tell me when test drives would be allowed as the part required is back-ordered. The dealer was very embarrassed as he has been bombarding me trying to sell one and when I finally caved a little, he couldn't get me in one. Interested to hear people's thoughts on the new one (who got to drive one before the ban!)
[Also just on the chav point - defined by the Oxford dictionary as 'A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes.' so economic situation is definitely a factor.]
I'll see what my local says today (Southend Audi) as i put a call in yesterday for a test.[Also just on the chav point - defined by the Oxford dictionary as 'A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes.' so economic situation is definitely a factor.]
Edited by wellzee on Friday 26th June 13:32
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