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

[Retro.74]

bedonde said:

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.

A drive through Bradford and I really can't disagree with you, full of em being driven like absolute dicks. Local rag regularly run stories of these things stuffed into a tree after failing to stop for the cops. Nicked ones generally are out and about committing crime, drugs/burglary etc, and unless they stuff it the cops will likely give up the chase as it becomes too dangerous to anyone else out and about. So they are popular in that line of business as a getaway car or if not nicked on false plates.
Tbh I wouldn't be surprised if the OP has lost out to someone who's turned up with a case of cash.

[Adam-8hsau]

Unfortunately I need something a little more practical than a TTRS due to young family, otherwise would certainly be on the list.

Well and truly put off the RS3 now. Thinking I may look at a newer 2017/2018 S5 sportback for a bit more tech and still decent performance.

Really appreciate all your comments and insights, thank you!

[H10NTO]

Not much more to add to what everyone else has already said.

I have a '18 RS3, owned it for about 2 years, used as the family wagon as we're also a young family. It's in Voodoo Blue, so pretty lairy colour (when clean) but none of the black badging or tints as I'm not 21 anymore. Do I like the car? yeah, it's nice. Engine is sublime, makes a great noise and easy to drive but do I love it? Not really. Take the colour away and it looks like any S3, A3 S-Line you see on the road - pretty dull looking to be honest.

Choose again and I'd probably go for an S4 Avant. It would achieve the majority of what the RS3 does but minus the attention of boy racers that lurk around the SW trying to race you. An S5 Sportback sounds interesting and now I find myself looking for a new car.

Good luck with the search.

[RSstuff]

AlexRS2782 said:

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...

Because If someone that hadn't sorted out their finances, paid a small deposit, and didn't want a receipt, I'd wonder how serious they were about buying the car. I've known buyers to walk away from their deposit, because something cheaper/better turned up.

[grumpynuts]

I'd leave RS3's to the innit brigade (young street racers) and get an early type R FK8.All the performance of the audi without the nickability issues. Newish Type R's tend to be owned by enthusiasts not street racers.Find a nice standard one that hasn't been modded or had too many track days and sleep well at night.

[RSstuff]

grumpynuts said:

I'd leave RS3's to the innit brigade (young street racers) and get an early type R FK8.All the performance of the audi without the nickability issues. Newish Type R's tend to be owned by enthusiasts not street racers.Find a nice standard one that hasn't been modded or had too many track days and sleep well at night.

The Civic engine isn't a patch on the RS3 engine, and the Audi would slaughter the Honda in the wet. The only RS3 owner I know is in his mid 50's, and the car has been kept on his drive for several years.

[MC Bodge]

RSstuff said:

The Civic engine isn't a patch on the RS3 engine, and the Audi would slaughter the Honda in the wet. The only RS3 owner I know is in his mid 50's, and the car has been kept on his drive for several years.

Why does he not drive it?

[Terminator X]

RSstuff said:

grumpynuts said:

I'd leave RS3's to the innit brigade (young street racers) and get an early type R FK8.All the performance of the audi without the nickability issues. Newish Type R's tend to be owned by enthusiasts not street racers.Find a nice standard one that hasn't been modded or had too many track days and sleep well at night.

The Civic engine isn't a patch on the RS3 engine, and the Audi would slaughter the Honda in the wet. The only RS3 owner I know is in his mid 50's, and the car has been kept on his drive for several years.

Stay away from Bradford or similar and I'm sure most RS3 owners are enthusiasts.

TX.

[alscar]

grumpynuts said:

I'd leave RS3's to the innit brigade (young street racers) and get an early type R FK8.All the performance of the audi without the nickability issues. Newish Type R's tend to be owned by enthusiasts not street racers.Find a nice standard one that hasn't been modded or had too many track days and sleep well at night.

I've never thought as my wife as being an " innit " or young any more ( sadly ) and she thoroughly enjoyed her RS3 for 3 years before deciding it really was too small for the Dog to enjoy journeys' so replaced it with a RS4 instead.

[RSstuff]

MC Bodge said:

RSstuff said:

The Civic engine isn't a patch on the RS3 engine, and the Audi would slaughter the Honda in the wet. The only RS3 owner I know is in his mid 50's, and the car has been kept on his drive for several years.

Why does he not drive it?

For the hard of thinking. When he's not using it, he doesn't put it in his garage.

[Chrisd83]

Where is the South West buddy? I’m down in Torbay.

As others have said get a ghost immobiliser. I’ve got one on my C63 and yes it’s a pain the turn off but it does give me reassurance if I have to go to Bradford!

Also had a 2016 RS3 previously and loved it, go for it!

[Gerradi]

RSstuff said:

MC Bodge said:

RSstuff said:

The Civic engine isn't a patch on the RS3 engine, and the Audi would slaughter the Honda in the wet. The only RS3 owner I know is in his mid 50's, and the car has been kept on his drive for several years.

Why does he not drive it?

For the hard of thinking. When he's not using it, he doesn't put it in his garage.

Ol Bodge eh , he's so clever...

[garypotter]

As mentioned before if you that worried before you buy the car then do not do it.

Yes thefts of any vehciles are high at the moment especially Audi S/RS BMW X series and JLR model.

I have two friends, one has a new RS3 the other a Golf R both argue their car is better, personally the golf r looks to vanilla an old mans car would prefer the GTi as cheaper to run insure etc and better looking.

Also all the hype about Ghiost immobilisers - not even thatcham approved personally go for an aftermarket cat 2 immobiliser such as a NoGO - heard very good reports about these systems. or even a cat S5 tracker which also has a seperate immob built in. BUT if someone wants your car they will take it.

I know a chap who had a steering wheel bar thingy in his brand new Range Rover, came out in the morning and they had cut both side of the bar and left it attached to 6 inches of steering wheel on his porch!!

[Art Keller]

I heard recently the Ghost immobiliser can be defeated easily with the correctt scumbag tool

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/04/18/vehicle-headli...

Edited by Art Keller on Tuesday 20th February 18:10

[HedgeyGedgey]

Art Keller said:

I heard recently the Ghost immobiliser can be defeated easily with the correctt scumbag tool

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/04/18/vehicle-headli...

Edited by Art Keller on Tuesday 20th February 18:10

Its been known for a while the ghost can be easily beaten if you know what you're doing