Audi RS3 8V or 8Y?

[RSstuff]

I've been considering a 2017-2020 RS3, but an extra £5-10k is where the 2021 newer model starts. So is the 8Y much of an upgrade?

[JimmyConwayNW]

I think the newer model is a worse car.

I'd be trying to find a really nice 8v with perhaps an individual colour and some nice options to hold the value. They are going to be highly desirable for years to come.

[gotoPzero]

I had a 2019 RS3 for a couple of years.

The only real negative for me is the transmission - which is the same on both cars. I found it was quite shunty at low speeds with a lot of slack in the transmission system. It felt loose, not tight. I am sure MRC etal could remap that though.

There is little difference between the new and old in terms of running gear. The new car has a better diff / splitter but thats about it other than minor calibration changes on the chassis. The engines are very similar - not exactly the same but on the road they are going to feel similar.

They are very, very spec sensitive.

I struggled to sell mine because it had standard seats and no pan roof. I did not realise this at the time when I bought it. I did sell it eventually.
It was absolutely immaculate and low miles and it was still a struggle.

I looked at the newer car and tbh I think the look pretty good from the outside but the interior is a step backwards IMO.

HTH

[RSstuff]

I agree spec does seem to be very important. Recently I saw 2 cars advertised at Audi dealerships that nearly checked all the boxes. A 17 plate that had done 20k miles with one owner, but didn't have sports seats or mag ride, and a 19 plate with one owner and 30k miles that didn't have the sports exhaust or mag ride. Both cars sold fairly quickly. I think the road tax dropped from £390 to £190 in April 2017, some people may not think that's a big deal, but if I keep the car for 4-5 years that's £1k. Also I'd like the Audi warranty so that rules out cars before 2017. The 2019 Sport Edition suits me, it's just finding one at a Audi dealers, that hasn't had a lot of owners or done high miles.

[alscar]

My wife bought hers new in 2020.
Nardo , red calipers and a few other options.
No pano.
She liked it but didn’t love it.
Sold it a couple of years later for a new RS4 which she adores.
I like driving it too and if we only had to have one car would be quite happy.
Partexd the 3 for the 4 with no issues and great residual but in fairness my son is an Audi RSM

[RSstuff]

The pano roof is something I'm not that bothered about. No sports exhaust or seats are pretty much a deal breaker, though the seats could be sourced off ebay for around £1.5k I suppose.

[alscar]

Yes the RS sports exhaust was the first box ticked.

[RSstuff]

It seems the diff in the newer 8Y is better at transferring the power to the rear wheels. I wonder if it's the same or better than the RS Focus set up?

[stevemcs]

I'd dtick the 5k in a bank account for when things go wrong, out of the 2 that we have done basic upkeep on both have had new transfer boxes

[RSstuff]

stevemcs said:

I'd dtick the 5k in a bank account for when things go wrong, out of the 2 that we have done basic upkeep on both have had new transfer boxes

I'm looking at cars up to around 30k miles and with an Audi warranty just for situations like that. Though I know someone that's put on 80k of the 110k their 2016 RS3 has done, and the only major thing that's needed replacing is a mag ride damper.