RE: Audi RS3 Sportback: Driven

[SidewaysSi]

ghost83 said:

SidewaysSi said:

Not sure about smooth and relaxed progress with the crap chassis and ride! Can't say it would be any better than the others for such a journey.

I do think they are better than other cars in impressing other non-car people though..which is probably why the majority are bought if we are being honest with ourselves.

Is the Audi and golf on the same chassis? As the golf is said to have one of the best chassis out there?? Infact I bet if the 5pot was stuck in the golf it would become a hero car overnight!

Seems to me a lot of ppl have preconceptions over Audi’s and their drivers

I have driven quite a few Audis, including an RS3 on track. The Golf ain't bad but the Civic and previous Meg are on a different level.

Audi just seem incapable or unwilling to produce a properly decent driver's car (the R8 being best of a bad bunch).

But they know their customers and money talks after all...

As I said, if you like it then go ahead and enjoy. But not a car I would recommend anyone actually pay money for if they like driving.

[ghost83]

SidewaysSi said:

I have driven quite a few Audis, including an RS3 on track. The Golf ain't bad but the Civic and previous Meg are on a different level.

Audi just seem incapable or unwilling to produce a properly decent driver's car (the R8 being best of a bad bunch).

But they know their customers and money talks after all...

As I said, if you like it then go ahead and enjoy. But not a car I would recommend anyone actually pay money for if they like driving.

The problem is though I wouldn’t have a megane I don’t like Renault or French cars in general it might be good at handling but that’s about it I personally don’t think it’s a looker!

And the civic is typical plastic Japanese ste! It looks chavvy as feck and feels cheap with its materials!

At least the Audi looks well and has a much more luxurious interior

[md_ian]

So I had the pre-WLTP RS3 on order, got as far as the docks in Germany before I got the call "sorry sir, we can't get it through emissions, so your car has been cancelled and returned to Audi". I subsequently went on the hunt for an alternative used, but by the time I had found what I wanted, Audi opened the order books again, great, until I realised that due to these emission changes, they've now messed with the options available by combining as a package, so if you now want the sportiness of the exhaust, plus a few extra bits, you have to accept the heavy and rather ugly, rattling sunroof; quite the opposite of sporty by adding all that weight!

Also had that dilemma of it being 'safe' to drive and store at home...they don't seem to stay away from grubby thieves for long.

Now considering the GTI TCR instead, not as fast, still fast enough, much prettier car...I think!

[ghost83]

md_ian said:

So I had the pre-WLTP RS3 on order, got as far as the docks in Germany before I got the call "sorry sir, we can't get it through emissions, so your car has been cancelled and returned to Audi". I subsequently went on the hunt for an alternative used, but by the time I had found what I wanted, Audi opened the order books again, great, until I realised that due to these emission changes, they've now messed with the options available by combining as a package, so if you now want the sportiness of the exhaust, plus a few extra bits, you have to accept the heavy and rather ugly, rattling sunroof; quite the opposite of sporty by adding all that weight!

Also had that dilemma of it being 'safe' to drive and store at home...they don't seem to stay away from grubby thieves for long.

Now considering the GTI TCR instead, not as fast, still fast enough, much prettier car...I think!

Just to ease any worries my gti pp has the same sunroof and in 3yrs I haven’t had a single rattle or fault

And don’t think a golf isn’t desired by thieves as much as the Audi there’s a lot of gtis and golf R going missing! Get a steering lock and a gate or drive post a tracker ghost and upgrade your home security

[Ian_C]

sleepera6 said:

An S3 is probably better day to day

I've driven both 8V S3 + RS3 and I have to say I preferred the S3. Manual Sportback on 225 18s. At the time I had a V8 S4 and a 205 GTi (which I still have) and I remember thinking the S3 combined the best bits of both. Those saying its not the sharpest tool in the box are missing the point - my old man has an 8V, and you can do 400 or 500 miles in a day and jump out fresh as a daisy. Try doing that in a 205!

[CDP]

I wonder why a detuned version of this engine isn't in the A4, 5,6 and even 8? Surely a 5 will be lighter and potentially cheaper than a v6 while still making an interesting noise?

[1-2-4-5-3]

md_ian said:

So I had the pre-WLTP RS3 on order, got as far as the docks in Germany before I got the call "sorry sir, we can't get it through emissions, so your car has been cancelled and returned to Audi". I subsequently went on the hunt for an alternative used, but by the time I had found what I wanted, Audi opened the order books again, great, until I realised that due to these emission changes, they've now messed with the options available by combining as a package, so if you now want the sportiness of the exhaust, plus a few extra bits, you have to accept the heavy and rather ugly, rattling sunroof; quite the opposite of sporty by adding all that weight!

Also had that dilemma of it being 'safe' to drive and store at home...they don't seem to stay away from grubby thieves for long.

Now considering the GTI TCR instead, not as fast, still fast enough, much prettier car...I think!

I've had the same issue. Had my April order delayed then cancelled last year. Order books reopened March this year.

BUT, aside from these press cars and small handful of others to qualify updated assembly procedure, nothing is being built until the model year change in July. So delivery, not allowing for the large back log, is Sept at the earliest...

Audi UK have also monumentally screwed up the options. You can basically have poverty spec or (nearly) everything. Full options are still available in Germany.

Customer service from Audi UK had typically been atrocious through out.

As for diesel S cars, still no reliable availability information on these from Audi.

[1-2-4-5-3]

CDP said:

I wonder why a detuned version of this engine isn't in the A4, 5,6 and even 8? Surely a 5 will be lighter and potentially cheaper than a v6 while still making an interesting noise?

Longer block makes MLB installation tight. Lots of adaptation needed.

[Ultrafunkula]

SidewaysSi said:

Not sure about smooth and relaxed progress with the crap chassis and ride! Can't say it would be any better than the others for such a journey.

I do think they are better than other cars in impressing other non-car people though..which is probably why the majority are bought if we are being honest with ourselves.

I'm not sure about that. I'm sure a lot of buyers are in Audi RS cars to pose, but you could say the same about Porsches for instance. The general populations view of people who own any sporty car is that they bought the car just to pose and show off and you just have to go to London in the summer to see that in action.
The S3 was certainly fast and relaxing, even if the passive suspension I had was a touch stiff, just not rewarding or exciting which is why I personally didn't get on with it. There is a type of driver who prefers making fast and relaxed progress but who still wants something 'cool' to own though, the RS3 would tick that box.

[SidewaysSi]

ghost83 said:

SidewaysSi said:

I have driven quite a few Audis, including an RS3 on track. The Golf ain't bad but the Civic and previous Meg are on a different level.

Audi just seem incapable or unwilling to produce a properly decent driver's car (the R8 being best of a bad bunch).

But they know their customers and money talks after all...

As I said, if you like it then go ahead and enjoy. But not a car I would recommend anyone actually pay money for if they like driving.

The problem is though I wouldn’t have a megane I don’t like Renault or French cars in general it might be good at handling but that’s about it I personally don’t think it’s a looker!

And the civic is typical plastic Japanese ste! It looks chavvy as feck and feels cheap with its materials!

At least the Audi looks well and has a much more luxurious interior

This says it all. Nothing more needed.

Who gives a st about how a car drives eh? Bloody driving Gods on this site ruining it for the rest of us. Those sad fkers.

[Terminator X]

SidewaysSi said:

I have driven quite a few Audis, including an RS3 on track. The Golf ain't bad but the Civic and previous Meg are on a different level.

Audi just seem incapable or unwilling to produce a properly decent driver's car (the R8 being best of a bad bunch).

But they know their customers and money talks after all...

As I said, if you like it then go ahead and enjoy. But not a car I would recommend anyone actually pay money for if they like driving.

It isn't a track car so what is the relevance of that? Having owned one for 2.5 years and 44k miles I can tell you it is an amazing road car.

TX.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Terminator X said:

It isn't a track car so what is the relevance of that? Having owned one for 2.5 years and 44k miles I can tell you it is an amazing road car.

TX.

about what i put on my pair

fast - yes
impressive - yes
fk me how quick launch control - oh yes
noise - to die for
interior - the best of the big German trio by some way IMO

interesting - never
fun - never

blatting around at 6/10ths takes almost no involvement and means your probably look at jail time over a ban, gun it at 9/10ths to avoid the monumental understeer and you are defiantly having a holiday at her majesty's pleasure lol

i got stopped 5 times by the plod in mine and followed closely quote a few times as well ...

IMO

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Tuesday 21st May 17:15

[SidewaysSi]

Terminator X said:

SidewaysSi said:

I have driven quite a few Audis, including an RS3 on track. The Golf ain't bad but the Civic and previous Meg are on a different level.

Audi just seem incapable or unwilling to produce a properly decent driver's car (the R8 being best of a bad bunch).

But they know their customers and money talks after all...

As I said, if you like it then go ahead and enjoy. But not a car I would recommend anyone actually pay money for if they like driving.

It isn't a track car so what is the relevance of that? Having owned one for 2.5 years and 44k miles I can tell you it is an amazing road car.

TX.

For me, any car that has all the steering feel and precision of an oil tanker can never be an "amazing road car".

I thought it was absymal on road. And even worse on track.

Whist I appreciate it is not a track car, it should be able to do the odd track day eg the M2 without falling apart.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Tuesday 21st May 17:26

[CDP]

I wonder why a detuned version of this engine isn't in the A4, 5,6 and even 8? Surely a 5 will be lighter and potentially cheaper than a v6 while still making an interesting noise?

[anonymous-user]

CDP said:

I wonder why a detuned version of this engine isn't in the A4, 5,6 and even 8? Surely a 5 will be lighter and potentially cheaper than a v6 while still making an interesting noise?

Because a I5 is longer than a V6 or V8, if I had to guess. With the longl engined Audis, the engine is already hanging way out in front of the front axle.

[Frimley111R]

Shambler said:

Not everyone drives on the road like a qualifying lap for Monaco. The beauty of a fast Audi S or RS model is its ability to cover ground rapidly with little fuss. On a 300 mile return journey in the Highlands of Scotland during winter there is not much better. There is some utter tosh written in these forums, invariably by people who like to pretend they drive every journey with the back out, praising the handling and feedback out loud as they scare their wife and kids half to death.

I don't think anyone can deny its power, build quality and 4WD grip but none of that is anything to do with handling. A Fiesta has incredible handling but not the other things. Audi know owners care little about handling and so it works for them/their customers BUT, in comparison with a great many performance cars the RS3's handling is benign and lifeless. And I have at least driven one/got one in my garage right now and have driven many performance cars to know what I am talking about.

[Meridius]

CDP said:

I wonder why a detuned version of this engine isn't in the A4, 5,6 and even 8? Surely a 5 will be lighter and potentially cheaper than a v6 while still making an interesting noise?

Dont think there is currently any gearbox combo for this engine to be mounted longitudinally as it would be in A4/6/7/8 etc.

VAG have also had the naturally aspirated 2.5 5 cylinder '07k' engine since the mk5 generation of Golf/Jetta - however they were American and Middle Eastern markets only. That was the base for the turbocharged version in TT-RS and RS3 and a wives tale that often mentioned is shared cylinder head development from the Lamborghini 5.0 V10.

- -

Ive never actually really liked the engine note in the new Audi 5 cylinder, its not bad by any means but something quite hollow and tractory sounding about it, theres even some highly tuned versions that have somehow managed to make it sound worse - a far way off their old 5 cyl turbo.

[md_ian]

ghost83 said:

Just to ease any worries my gti pp has the same sunroof and in 3yrs I haven’t had a single rattle or fault

And don’t think a golf isn’t desired by thieves as much as the Audi there’s a lot of gtis and golf R going missing! Get a steering lock and a gate or drive post a tracker ghost and upgrade your home security

You've been lucky, I've had numerous Golf's, and those with sunroofs have always had a rattle, but the main point was that I'd not use it, and therefore don't want it compulsory ticked on an order, paying for it, and the weight that it contributes to the overall.

I believe that is the case, though touch wood, my GTI PP has never had any cause for concern and we literally dump it everywhere (within reason!). I'm told the target is certainly more with the awd 5 door R's and RS3's. Cannot live your life in fear of course, but as a daily, often with my young son in the car with missus driving, I considered it too high a risk.

[md_ian]

1-2-4-5-3 said:

I've had the same issue. Had my April order delayed then cancelled last year. Order books reopened March this year.

BUT, aside from these press cars and small handful of others to qualify updated assembly procedure, nothing is being built until the model year change in July. So delivery, not allowing for the large back log, is Sept at the earliest...

Audi UK have also monumentally screwed up the options. You can basically have poverty spec or (nearly) everything. Full options are still available in Germany.

I feel your pain; we are in a club of 'what could have been'.

The tightening of the spec is because every option combination requires emissions testing which is what tripped them up last year, so now they have dumbed it down, but sadly into a combination of specs that just don't make sense.

[Terminator X]

Dave Hedgehog said:

Terminator X said:

It isn't a track car so what is the relevance of that? Having owned one for 2.5 years and 44k miles I can tell you it is an amazing road car.

TX.

about what i put on my pair

fast - yes
impressive - yes
fk me how quick launch control - oh yes
noise - to die for
interior - the best of the big German trio by some way IMO

interesting - never
fun - never

blatting around at 6/10ths takes almost no involvement and means your probably look at jail time over a ban, gun it at 9/10ths to avoid the monumental understeer and you are defiantly having a holiday at her majesty's pleasure lol

i got stopped 5 times by the plod in mine and followed closely quote a few times as well ...

IMO

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Tuesday 21st May 17:15

It absolutely does not understeer on a dry road. Hoon it in to a roundabout on a wet day and perhaps so but so will 99% of cars.

TX.