Audi owners in here!

DAIR · 7 Sep 2017 at 07:51

So finally got around to test driving the RS3.

Needless to say. I was rather impressed. More with the quality of the interior that the brutal pace of the thing. It was all really nice to look at and feel.

The particular car I drove wasn't highly spec'd. In fact, I don't think it had any options. Even the seats (which felt great) were standard!

Overall it was a nice experience. However, one cannot get over the price of the thing. So I'm going to look at this differently..... With an 8k deposit and be paying around 470 each month...... I'm almost certain the used prefacelift RS3 would cost a considerable amount less.

With that said. What are the main differences (excluding power. As I know this new version has around 40bhp more). Between these two versions?

pioneer2000 · 7 Sep 2017 at 08:11

Digital dash.... erm.

You should consider an A45, has just beaten the new RS3 in both Autocar hatchback roundup and Top Gears direct comparison:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/audi-rs3-sportback-vs-mercedes-amg-a45

DAIR · 7 Sep 2017 at 08:14

As good as the A45 might be. I just can't get over it's over the top exterior and that engine.... Imo it doesn't really sound all that.

Now the engine in the RS3..... Sounds like a mini V10!

pioneer2000 · 7 Sep 2017 at 08:19

You don’t have to have the aero pack, which saves over a grand off the price and makes it look like a normal a class.

It’s the best 4 cylinder engine around and the sports exhaust helps.

MaX_PoWah · 7 Sep 2017 at 09:39

I don't know how anyone could conclude the A45 is better than the RS3.

I drove both back to back twice when I was trying to decide and even the mercades guy thought the rs3 was better..

They were are both pre facelift cars but I can't imagine the situation has changed that drastically...

The issue you might find is the majority of the used pre face lift rs3's had very few options on them as a lot were on pcp agreements were options were very expensive upfront costs..

Ive put 8k miles on my RS3 now (65 plate) and it's an awesome car. The dealership I bought mine from has offered me 5% discount to order a new one but as you have said the higher price is quite offputting and all the decent colours are expensive options now as well...

paradigm · 7 Sep 2017 at 09:48

MaX_PoWah said:
The issue you might find is the majority of the used pre face lift rs3's had very few options on them as a lot were on pcp agreements were options were very expensive upfront costs

That's not how PCP works...

MaX_PoWah · 7 Sep 2017 at 09:57

Well that's what I was told when I was thinking of selling mine. Mine has nearly every option (including the 5 year warranty) but the majority of them had very few options on due to the upfront cost on Audi's finance agreements. (i used external asset finance)

DAIR · 7 Sep 2017 at 10:01

So you have the mk 2. Have you driven the current one?

MaX_PoWah · 7 Sep 2017 at 10:11

Nope. Not yet. I can't see me getting another rs3.

I'll either keep this one or move up to an RS5 or R8. Not tried the RS5 either but that's another car that's come in for a lot of criticism due to the cost. Test drove lots of R8's but I can't afford one with all the options I want.

DAIR · 7 Sep 2017 at 10:50

I feel I should consider a spec'd up MK2 version instead. And save myself 10k at least.

pioneer2000 · 7 Sep 2017 at 12:40

MaX_PoWah said:
I don't know how anyone could conclude the A45 is better than the RS3.

I drove both back to back twice when I was trying to decide and even the mercades guy thought the rs3 was better..

They were are both pre facelift cars but I can't imagine the situation has changed that drastically...

The issue you might find is the majority of the used pre face lift rs3's had very few options on them as a lot were on pcp agreements were options were very expensive upfront costs..

Ive put 8k miles on my RS3 now (65 plate) and it's an awesome car. The dealership I bought mine from has offered me 5% discount to order a new one but as you have said the higher price is quite offputting and all the decent colours are expensive options now as well...

Primarily because the A45 has a better chassis than the RS3, especially the pre-facelift version.

The RS3 has bigger problems with understeer than the A45 due to the weight of that 5 cylinder engine. It’s even more telling that Audi have to fit wider front tyres to the RS3 to try to reign it in.

I personally couldn’t own an RS3 due to it being incredibly dull to look at.

DAIR · 7 Sep 2017 at 12:58

I'm sorry but. Unless you plan to track these cars or give your all around tight bends and roundabouts. Understeer doesn't really matter.

pioneer2000 · 7 Sep 2017 at 13:06

Well 0-60 and engine noise are also irrelevant if I’m driving around at the speed limit in comfort!

Also, why not just get an A3 then?!

The Merc is a more dynamically active / playful car, which judging by how people slate anything with haldex, must surely be a big plus point.

DAIR · 7 Sep 2017 at 13:55

Because I am a man. And us men want pace

pioneer2000 said:
Well 0-60 and engine noise are also irrelevant if I’m driving around at the speed limit in comfort!

Also, why not just get an A3 then?!

The Merc is a more dynamically active / playful car, which judging by how people slate anything with haldex, must surely be a big plus point.

I don't care for 0-60 either. However, I do want to have pace. On tap.... I'd also like for the car to sound decent.

Neither the A3 or A45 does it for me.

Housey · 7 Sep 2017 at 19:23

DAIR said:
I'm sorry but. Unless you plan to track these cars or give your all around tight bends and roundabouts. Understeer doesn't really matter.

To be fair with that argument get a TDI. Audi has a habit of building in understeer, which I understand as it's safe in most peoples hands. Oversteer is more challenging and it's why most cars, certainly FWD cars have understeer dialled in. My Polo has a great front end, you can hooligan it, but soon as you start to put power in the torque steer starts, but initial understeer is well controlled frankly. The RS3's I have driven, to be fair all on tracks and skid pans have shown a lack of front end grip and for me that takes away from the enjoyment of a car.

M2 would be my choice, 140i if that is too expensive as for driving both are more fun than the RS3, though not perfect.

DAIR · 8 Sep 2017 at 07:48

If I wanted a car to throw around every other day. I'd save myself a bag of money and get another Mini GP.

I'm considering something practical and fast. The RS3 falls into that category - So does the A45. However, I prefer the Audi. My reasons for this have very little to do with it's *road* handling (which seemed pretty good to me) capabilities.

Vertigo · 8 Sep 2017 at 09:23

DAIR said:
If I wanted a car to throw around every other day. I'd save myself a bag of money and get another Mini GP.

I'm considering something practical and fast. The RS3 falls into that category - So does the A45. However, I prefer the Audi. My reasons for this have very little to do with it's *road* handling (which seemed pretty good to me) capabilities.

Then just get an S3. I'm not really sure what the RS3 offers over the S3 beyond bragging rights. It seems to be neither one thing nor the other - if you're after the ultimate in handling/enjoyment then, as Housey says, there are better ways to spend that kind of money, whereas if you just want something fast and practical and aren't that bothered by having the best handling, an S3 will do the job fine.

DAIR · 8 Sep 2017 at 10:02

Because RS3 baby!

paradigm · 8 Sep 2017 at 10:13

Vertigo1 said:
Then just get an S3. I'm not really sure what the RS3 offers over the S3 beyond bragging rights. It seems to be neither one thing nor the other - if you're after the ultimate in handling/enjoyment then, as Housey says, there are better ways to spend that kind of money, whereas if you just want something fast and practical and aren't that bothered by having the best handling, an S3 will do the job fine.

The ONLY thing the RS3 has going for it over the S3 is noise. There's no denying that the 5cyl sounds far more aggressive and a better fit for the looks, however it is incredibly hard to justify the purchase cost over the S3 or when compared to an M2.

The S3 is incredibly capable and the facelift model does have a bit more going on from the exhaust (engineered to of course, but who cares).

Vertigo · 8 Sep 2017 at 11:05

DAIR said:
Because RS3 baby!

So, as I said, just bragging rights then.

paradigm said:
The ONLY thing the RS3 has going for it over the S3 is noise. There's no denying that the 5cyl sounds far more aggressive and a better fit for the looks, however it is incredibly hard to justify the purchase cost over the S3 or when compared to an M2.

The S3 is incredibly capable and the facelift model does have a bit more going on from the exhaust (engineered to of course, but who cares).

Exactly. If engine noise is that important then get a six-cylinder Beemer which will sound just as good, if not better, and handle better to boot.

EDIT: Just specced an RS3 to the same level as my S3 and it was £6k more list! That's before you factor in the discounts available on the S3 and that there's basically no discount on the RS3. You're thus looking at circa £10k more for a bit more performance and a better engine sound. Ridiculous.