Ready to buy Audi RS3 but concerned about theft...

[turboman786]

RS3 is most certainly a highly stolen car. I work in Criminal law and the RS3 features regularly in many scanerios shall we say.

If you live in a city/inner city, its a deffo target and people in rural areas get targetted too.

Not a car Id ever want parked on my drive as its literally a red flag to a bull.

[rovermorris999]

Stick your post code in here https://www.police.uk/pu/your-area/ and see what the crime rate is like to give you an idea of the risks.

[Adam-8hsau]

Well, went and viewed one this morning... agreed a price shook hands and gave the guy a deposit so I could have a couple of days to sort finance (he knew this was my plan before I viewed).

Then get a phone call a few hours later to say a woman pulled out on him and has ruined the side of the car. Deposit returned.

Then do some research and see the log book had been updated today and he's blocked all means of contact.... sold it to someone else.... absolute ****!

Well and truly put off trying to find a decent one of these now... or a decent seller!

Edited by Adam-8hsau on Sunday 21st January 22:12

[RSstuff]

How much was the deposit, and do you have a written receipt for it?

[AlexRS2782]

RSstuff said:

How much was the deposit, and do you have a written receipt for it?

Why would he need to worry about that? In the post above yours he says

Adam-8hsau said:

...Deposit returned...

[MC Bodge]

Adam-8hsau said:

Well, went and viewed one this morning... agreed a price shook hands and gave the guy a deposit so I could have a couple of days to sort finance (he knew this was my plan before I viewed).

Then get a phone call a few hours later to say a woman pulled out on him and has ruined the side of the car. Deposit returned.

Then do some research and see the log book had been updated today and he's blocked all means of contact.... sold it to someone else.... absolute ****!

Well and truly put off trying to find a decent one of these now... or a decent seller!

Even the buying process for one of these cars sounds concerning.

[Plyphon]

A car like an RS3 would be something I'd only go to a main dealer for (or very reputable indie).

Buy the seller, not the car etc etc etc

[J4CKO]

Adam-8hsau said:

Hi all,

Long time lurker of these forums but never posted.

I am finally in a position to buy my (realistic) dream car after 8 years of obsessing.... a PFL Audi RS3, so a 2015 or 2016 car.

My only concerns holding me back are over it being stolen. I am unable to garage it but am able to block it in with another vehicle - albeit this is a pain at 630am to myself and neighbours.

Am I falling victim to only reading the bad news on the forums etc and the fact that nobody posts about the cars that don't get stolen?
Keen to hear people's thoughts on whether this issue is enough to put them off owning a car they've always wanted?

Cheers!

Could you manage with a TTRS ?

Same drivetrain but less practical obviously, but also dont seem (correct me if I am wrong here) quite as much of a target for the scrotes ?

[C70R]

PositronicRay said:

Griffith4ever said:

Any car that you are going to stress over is not a car to own. Its just not worth it.

This

Cars are great servants, but terrible masters.

If I even gave a second thought to my car's security (said as someone who regularly forgets to lock it when parked in London), I'd sell it immediately. If it preoccupied my time and caused me stress, I'd feel like I'd wasted my time and money.

Fun cars are supposed to be a source of pleasure, not stress.

Edited by C70R on Monday 22 January 10:49

[swisstoni]

Clearly the Op is determined to buy an RS3 regardless.

[SuperPav]

J4CKO said:

Could you manage with a TTRS ?

Same drivetrain but less practical obviously, but also dont seem (correct me if I am wrong here) quite as much of a target for the scrotes ?

This is 100% what I would be doing... TTRS seems to be *much* less of a crime-magnet.

[HedgeyGedgey]

My brother bought an RS3 about 2yrs ago, first day he drove it coming back from a dinner date with his missus late at night. Police pull him over as it wasn't showing as insured (fair enough), being so late couldn't get hold of the insurance company to prove he was insured. Anyway, they let him go and said if it wasn't insured he wouldn't have stopped and made off, as these cars are 99% used for crime. And they have a big problem with them making off from them and disappearing into the night

[bedonde]

Each to their own, and *sweeping generalisation alert* - the RS3, M140i etc just seem to be thief/chav magnets and a headache to own. And with an iffy scum chariot image to match. If it’s what the OP wants though, I’d suspect down here in the South West is amongst the least risky areas to own such a car.

[J4CKO]

bedonde said:

Each to their own, and *sweeping generalisation alert* - the RS3, M140i etc just seem to be thief/chav magnets and a headache to own. And with an iffy scum chariot image to match. If it’s what the OP wants though, I’d suspect down here in the South West is amongst the least risky areas to own such a car.

I think thats a little unfair, I know what you mean but it entirely depends on context, a brand new 70k RS3 in a nice area, or even a tidy ten year old one doesnt shout chav, but if its banging between traffic lights (and not necessarily stopping) in the arse end of some sthole town filled with sketchy looking chaps then yeah.

[Gerradi]

Owned my TTRS since 2018 no problems , the odd comment is it a real one ... I had the same comments 15 yrs ago & even followed when I had a M3, cars tailgating baiting etc bloody night mare , a friend in a M5 had similar... Mine does look factory fresh apart from carbon fuel filler & mirrors plus rear badge removed, I know what car it is ..std 18" boring wheels etcno problem.

[bedonde]

J4CKO said:

I think thats a little unfair, I know what you mean but it entirely depends on context, a brand new 70k RS3 in a nice area, or even a tidy ten year old one doesnt shout chav, but if its banging between traffic lights (and not necessarily stopping) in the arse end of some sthole town filled with sketchy looking chaps then yeah.

Indeed I did caveat that it was a massive generalisation and therefore I don’t mind being flamed for it, just my opinion. They’re aspirational cars for certain types and in my experience often driven with a lack of consideration for other road users. But there are exceptions obviously.

[tril]

A big part of these is where you live, but the theft problem is definitely not as bad as the megaminds on here would have you believe.

I had one for 4 years, living across Oxford and London, never had any problems and immensely enjoyed the car. Make sure to buy from a proper dealer that isn't in the midlands or north.

[Neural]

Have you checked insurance prices? My RS3 insurance doubled in a year. I've swapped it for an M4 convertible which is 50% cheaper to insure.

[Paulm4]

I'd agree about looking at the TTRS. Not a direct comparison, I know, but when recently looking at insurance costs for various cars, a TTS was half the cost to insure vs a similar age S3. I presume that it's harder to get a gang of tooled up thugs in the back of a TT

[daveco]

rovermorris999 said:

Stick your post code in here https://www.police.uk/pu/your-area/ and see what the crime rate is like to give you an idea of the risks.

Wow that's an eye opener.

Central London crime rate has been increasing dramatically since August 2023 - why?