New RS3 impressions

[drmark]

Just back from Audi Tetbury after test driving the new RS3. Great service - given keys and told to take it away for an extended test drive.



Pros:

Very fast, and great engine, box and brakes. Off beat 5 cylinder warble feels special. Lag barely perceptible and popping on downshifts hilarious (in dynamic mode with normal exhaust).
Subtle looks.
Tenacious handling.

Cons

Car had the optional quilted sports seats and I felt like I was sitting on them rather than in them. Quilting a bit fussy too - nowhere near as nice as RS6. I would stick with standard sports seats.
Lifeless helm, but par for the course these days.
Brittle ride - even in Comfort (it had optional magnetic suspension) - fine for the driver but not much fun for passengers. It scuppered the deal for my wife.
More NVH than I expected but then it is an A3 so maybe was expecting too much.
It likes a drink - demo had averaged 18.8 mpg since new. I got 22.2 on my test and,while I had fun at times, much of it was fairly sedate.
Popping fell a bit contrived (which it is) after a while.

If I was single I would have one in a flash

[J-P]

I'd quite fancy one of these but Mrs doesn't like Audis and VW Golf R400 will almost certainly be better. Love that 5cyl warble though!

[Driver101]

J-P said:

I'd quite fancy one of these but Mrs doesn't like Audis and VW Golf R400 will almost certainly be better. Love that 5cyl warble though!

Will she like a VW if she doesn't like Audi?

Confident statement to say it will almost certainly be better. Chucking another 100bhp at a car doesn't always make it better.

Near 400bhp out of a 2.0 might bring more issues. It's not the most reliable with 296bhp.

[J-P]

Driver101 said:

J-P said:

I'd quite fancy one of these but Mrs doesn't like Audis and VW Golf R400 will almost certainly be better. Love that 5cyl warble though!

Will she like a VW if she doesn't like Audi?

Confident statement to say it will almost certainly be better. Chucking another 100bhp at a car doesn't always make it better.

Near 400bhp out of a 2.0 might bring more issues. It's not the most reliable with 296bhp.

LOL - no probably not. It's not the power. The standard R is already pretty much seen as better than the RS3, a lighter version, would be even more amazing!

[g7jhp]

drmark nice write up. What was the list price?

These look great but I a nice B7 RS4 Avant and a fair amount of change seems far more appealing.

[drmark]

g7jhp said:

drmark nice write up. What was the list price?

These look great but I a nice B7 RS4 Avant and a fair amount of change seems far more appealing.

Around 45k to my spec, but easy to get user £50k

[J-P]

drmark said:

g7jhp said:

drmark nice write up. What was the list price?

These look great but I a nice B7 RS4 Avant and a fair amount of change seems far more appealing.

Around 45k to my spec, but easy to get user £50k

I know - I had a look at a A45AMG and with all the options you'd want it's a very expensive car for what it is!