I bought a 2016 RS3 back in 2019 and still have it now.
On the whole it’s not been bad to run at all, especially considering what you get.
Bought it on 31k I think, just about to tick over 81k now.
I would say extended warranty has been worth its weight, ‘only’ around £500 a year for that I think it was last time, but had a couple of big jobs done under that which have more than made up what I’ve spent out (one was a leak in an awkward place, the other was the front transfer box being replaced).
Servicing has been fine (I still use main dealer), I tend to pickup the service packs when they are on Black Friday offer which give me 2 services (major and minor) for about £470.
Yes there are other service items that add up when they are due, haldex and DSG fluids (neither are that expensive), and on the pfl models the spark plugs are down as a 20k interval which grates a little!
Brakes if you go main dealer will have you bent over in a bit of pain, but a set of Brembo front discs can be had for £500, and take your pick on pads anything from £80 to £400 available out there (and you need 8 pads, 2 each side of the monster calipers, for the front!)
Tax isn’t what I’d call bad at all, insurance has been freakishly cheap (ok I’m old, but sub £300).
I genuinely love mine and don’t know what I’d change it for, especially now everything costs the earth.
Is it the most dynamic thing out there? No of course not, it’s an Audi A3 with a stonking engine up front (I am bias, but the pre facelift with the optional sports exhaust is the best sounding!)
I came from a Golf R which I really enjoyed owning for a couple of years, it was very capable but it lacked any character. Step dad had a later 2018 S3 and was much the same as the Golf, the 2.5 engine really makes it feel more special.
That’s enough of a brain dump/rant, feel free to ask any questions!
