RS3 - Sports Exhaust/Standard/Dynamic

[Messer]

Im close to pulling the trigger on a new RS3. Had a test drive yesterday and the noise of the thing sold it for me. Reminds me of the Quattro S1 :-) Anyways, the car I drove the sales guy said had a standard exhaust, but I was able to trigger dynamic mode. If you have a standard exhaust, can you still have dynamic mode or is this part of the dynamic pack with upgrade suspension etc?

I know it sounds pathetic, but I just love the crackling and popping you gtet from these things, if I bought one with a standard exhaust and couldnt get this I would be massively dissapointed - but I also object to being forced in to the Audi magnetic ride suspension that you need to have in order to get the exhaust (£1500 option )

Please help :-)

[Andy OH]

You can have the Dynamic Mode regardless of whether you have the sports exhaust or not, I have Dynamic mode on my current S3.

One RS3 owner on audirs3oc.com has had the sports exhaust retro fitted by his Audi dealer which cost him £1,000. In that respect £1,495 for the Dynamic pack which includes the Magnetic ride suspension and the sports exhaust doesn't seem that expensive.

I have driven two RS3's one with Dynamic Pack and the other with Dynamic Pack Plus and the noise of the exhaust is mesmerizing. At present I'm only 6 months into a 48 month PCP on a new S3 so I can't go for a RS 3 just yet as I'd have to pay quite a bit to get out of the current PCP to get into a RS3. However, a RS3 is going to be my next car and I wouldn't spec one without the Dynamic Pack. On a three year PCP with Audi the dynamic pack will cost you around an extra £45/month, on a 4 year PCP it will cost you around £36/month.

I have spoken to a few Audi dealers and especially to the RS specialists in each dealership and they have all said, spec the RS3 with the Dynamic pack and Supersport seats and forego something like the Technology Package as the cars at present are coming with SD card based sat nav anyway as standard.

Hope that helps.

Edited by Andy OH on Thursday 3rd December 13:13

[Messer]

Thanks for the thoughts. Have you driven one on std exhaust though?

[Andy OH]

No I haven't but I have heard one and it is no way near as fruity as the sports exhaust. It sounds very similar to my S3 which I thought sounded fruity until I heard the RS3 sport exhaust.

[Messer]

I wouldnt be adding much to the spec anyway. It will just be on PCH as opposed to PCP, so adding options is pretty wasteful hence my reluctance. Only option I was going for was Sepang Blue..

I read a rumour that the exhaust is soon to be available as an option on its own..

[Andy OH]

The sports exhaust on its own would be a great option but it will probably still be an expensive option.

[Justman]

I ordered an RS3 a couple of months back and just don't understand why they insist on these packs. If it had been a standalone option, I would have gone for the exhaust but as a £1500 pack, I wasn't interested. Shame. Still, can't wait for the car to arrive!

[Messer]

What options did you choose? Whats the current build wait?
I dont need my new car until July, but thought id get the best deal end of q4..

[Justman]

Messer said:

What options did you choose? Whats the current build wait?
I dont need my new car until July, but thought id get the best deal end of q4..

I have ordered a pretty basic spec. I had to take a couple of things I wanted off my spec to keep the cost down and not make it too hardcore for my young family. Off the top of my head the options I specced were

Comfort & Sound Pack
Panoramic Sunroof
Privacy Glass
Folding, Heated Mirrors
Reversible Load Mat
4 Year Warranty

I ordered around the end of Oct/Nov. I was told originally 6 months was how long it would take but now been told it should be built by he end of Jan. Still going to wait for the March delivery for the new plate though.

[Jip]

I've extensively driven a new shape RS3 with the standard exhaust, when hot and in dynamic on the drive select, it makes some wonderful pops and bangs. I can't imagine how good the car sounds with the sports exhaust, I don't think I would bother spending the extra personally as I think it sounds incredible with the standard exhaust!

[Justman]

That has made me happy as I have only test driven one with the sports exhaust. Sounds amazing!

[Messer]

Great stuff that's tge type of feedback I need. I'd love to hear one with the sports exhaust though as I was lead to beleive the one I tested was standard.

[superlightr]

try you tube.

Ordered a RS6 with the exhaust which you can get separately which it sounds like you cant with the RS3.

[PhantomPH]

I have a 2015 S3 and the exhaust in 'auto' mode is slightly disappointing, but in 'dynamic' mode it's nicer once you get up the rev range. I drove a 2015 RS3 with standard exhaust and it sounded markedly better than mine in 'auto' and 'dynamic'. At one point I changed down a gear too many (a little too frantic with the paddle! Ha) and the pop from the exhaust made people 200yds away turn round in shock. I can only imagine what the sports exhaust in 'dynamic' setting must sound like...but I'd like to find out!

For the record, I thought I had caused an over-rev, so was a bit nervous for the next mile of two of the drive.

[Andy OH]

superlightr said:

try you tube.

Ordered a RS6 with the exhaust which you can get separately which it sounds like you cant with the RS3.

You can get the Sports exhaust separately for the RS3, its £1,000. See my first post above.

[Messer]

I think I have taken a slight detour, in the end I decided against spending so much on the RS3 and am now going to go for a BMW 330e instead as I can put it through the business and only pay 5% BIK instead of 35% of the Audi!

[Justman]

Andy OH said:

You can get the Sports exhaust separately for the RS3, its £1,000. See my first post above.

Where can you get that? I can't find it in the configurator and been told by my dealer it's not available.

Edited by Justman on Saturday 19th December 21:39

[billyali86]

Sports exhaust is not available on the rs3 seperately. The guy that got one had it delivered with the normal exhaust and chased his dealer for a while before they finally agreed to let him purchase the sports exhaust. It was £1500. Which is the same price as dynamic pack which includes exhaust along with Mag ride. The mag ride is a real revelation! Its like 2 cars in one!

Normal exhaust will also pop but does not sound quite as fruity as the sports one. Videos do not do is justice. I had a TT RS previously with sports exhaust and secondary cats removed. My RS3 with sports exhaust sounds even better.

Amy questions .... ask away.

Also, sepang ftw!

[Terminator X]

Messer said:

What options did you choose? Whats the current build wait?
I dont need my new car until July, but thought id get the best deal end of q4..

Just to note there is a rumour that a facelift model will appear towards the end of 2016 / early 2017 and that the current model will stop being produced before then eg there will be a gap where no RS3 will be available. I have a RS3 with the sports exhaust and it is I know a lot of posters on here slag Audi but I tip my hat to them for producing such a wonderful car.

TX.

[Gruber]

I'm genuinely interested in the possibility of one of these as a one car solution. Can owners comment on the driving experience and longer term ownership proposition? Do they feel at all exciting? Quick and engaging?

(I ask as one who tried a B7 RS4 a couple of years back, really wanting to like it, and found it all just felt a bit numb and "safe" - hugely competent but not at all exciting - so went back to BMW).