RS3

[8385HJ]

Just had the pleasure of driving one of these today and have fallen totally in love with it what a machine.

Was in Misano Red beautiful colour. Wish i could have kept it for longer but business needs are more important then pleasure.

Enjoy

Hussayn

 

[warren_S5]

I like red cars, and I love 5 cylinder turbo charged lumps, but as I look at that car sat there in all it's RS glory, I'm not warming to it.

With its non RS wing mirrors, gawky silver gills and overly lofty front suspension I'm just not feeling it at all. Every part of me wants to love it, and I'm sure when I drive one I will, but as a visual design statement; particularly in the red with silver front end it's almost at risk of looking a bit crude / old fashioned. It's almost like it needs an exceptional paint job (Mica blue) to come alive.

When I look at an RS I want to be blown away (like when I saw my first B7 RS4). The visual impact was massive. To me the RS3 is missing wider arches, RS tailpipes, alloys with a bigger offset (more flex in the spokes), bespoke mirrors.... Im not talking Barry boys, just proper RS to raise your pulse a bit. I'm all for 'discrete' in most cases, but thank god the driver gets to see the inside!

 

[rockape]

I feel the same. It should look like what it says on the tin.

But If you look across the range of top end, similar sized vag cars with an 'R' in the title, they could all do with a dollop of testosterone!

 

[warren_S5]

Nearly 50 grand......

 

[Brett Butler]

RS3 is all about the engine, and performance, for me I just cannot wait for the Saloon version with that engine

 

[Cheese]

RS tailpipes

I am sure they are an option - I saw an RS3 in Basingstoke Audi with twin exhausts like those on an RS5.

 

[S3RYE]

I am sure they are an option - I saw an RS3 in Basingstoke Audi with twin exhausts like those on an RS5.

had to be an aftermarket! Supersprint or the like...

 

[Cheese]

had to be an aftermarket! Supersprint or the like...

Maybe...but it was in the showroom. Black RS3. About 4 - 6 months ago I saw it. The only one I have ever seen with such exhausts but the first one I saw so I didn't think to ask.

 

[Juicy Jen]

Definitely aftermarket otherwise would of had it on ours as it's crying out for them

 

[8385HJ]

I wasnt a big fan of the rs3 at first but after driving it was totally smitten by it. It's not shout out loud like the other RS vehicles which is what lets it down and at 50k maybe abit too pricey nonetheless very capable good handling and crazy quick

 

[45bvtc]

Had my RS3 since October and I love it!

AND it’s BLUE! Corn Flower blue with black styling pack.

For me, after 3-months, the RS3 is the most complete piece of machinery I’ve ever experienced for road use: it is both quick and fast with amazing brakes; the handling is superb, the ride comfortable and the accommodation brilliant (I have the standard seats).

The RS3 does not have the in-your-face appearance; it’s a very discreet package; my Misano red S3 was far more noticeable.

The 7-speed box in the RS3 beats any manual clutch/box combination I’ve ever driven (even my original Elan with Ford 4-speed box): flicking between ‘sport’ and ‘drive’ is sufficient for most on-the-road situations. As for sequential and/or paddle changes: a waste of time and effort for road use.

I had intended to go out with a ‘smile’ but that now, with my RS3, that has changed to a laugh!

Sell the home/garage/shed/bank surplus and get yours now! I did!

 

[willowsdad]

If only they made a 3 door. Maybe a chunkier rear end would suit the aggressive front more. Mechanically great and the style has potential, but for nearly 50k I wouldn't want to be trying to improve it myself! Still wouldn't say no to one though.

 

[akash_sky1]

they missed a trick with the RS3 especially in the styling department. Hard to tell it apart from an S line at a distance, and no buckets as standard for 40K +..lame!

 

[8385HJ]

Had my RS3 since October and I love it!

AND it’s BLUE! Corn Flower blue with black styling pack.

For me, after 3-months, the RS3 is the most complete piece of machinery I’ve ever experienced for road use: it is both quick and fast with amazing brakes; the handling is superb, the ride comfortable and the accommodation brilliant (I have the standard seats).

The RS3 does not have the in-your-face appearance; it’s a very discreet package; my Misano red S3 was far more noticeable.

The 7-speed box in the RS3 beats any manual clutch/box combination I’ve ever driven (even my original Elan with Ford 4-speed box): flicking between ‘sport’ and ‘drive’ is sufficient for most on-the-road situations. As for sequential and/or paddle changes: a waste of time and effort for road use.

I had intended to go out with a ‘smile’ but that now, with my RS3, that has changed to a laugh!

Sell the home/garage/shed/bank surplus and get yours now! I did!

Have to agree the gearbox is absolutely sublime so smooth compared to the s-tronic I have in my car

 

[FranA3]

lovely colour and that engine is just wow but like most others just not feeling it at all , it just doesn't have that hardcore RSness , I've had a go in my mates B7 RS4 avant and that thing was in a totally different league to this it just looks like another A3 to me still a awesome car but just lacking the extra bit that should be there for nearly 50k , me personally i would buy a S3 like warren's job done

 

[S.]

saw one black and one white and and think that they are lovely, but front bumper grills look a bit cheap IMHO, they should have been done like on ttrs. 2nd thing: when somebody mentions rs first thing that comes to my mind are wide arches and this one is really missing them, everytime i see rs4 i'm speechless and that should be the case with smallest rs. it' should be shrinked rs4 avant at least since there isn't 3 door version!

 

[warren_S5]

The question I'm left with when looking at the RS3 is this:

Do you think it was planned all along, and they just left it into the last year of A3 production to churn one out because it fitted in an empty window of Audi's development schedule.....

Or....

Was it a last gasp 'let's throw something together quick' to respond to rumours of an M1 from BMW.

Things like the failure to articulately capture the true ethos of th RS design concept, mismatched tyre sizes to improve grip and reduce under steer (rather than more advanced chassis trickery), and the 5 door only option position it in the 'let's raid the RS parts bucket and make a swansong model to respond to M1, but don't blow the budget as this platform hasn't got much life left in it development wise'.

I know the RS3 is going to be significantly better to drive than the S, but by buying the 'S' on this platform I'm managing to pocket a good chunk of cash for the facelift model S/RS which hopefully will arrive in 2-3 years, and won't be perched on near on 9 year old underpinning. You can feel the limitations in the 'S' chassis, so as the 'RS' isn't a bespoke platform whilst it's likely to be better set up / much quicker to go and stop, the common denominator for me was the analogy that unlike the M cars which undergo signifcant enhancements from the base models, how good could the RS be sharing underpinnings from an effectively 9 year old 8P2 base model?

I'm not knocking the RS, it's brilliant, especially given where the A3 starts out. I'm an Audi man through and through, and I've always loved and respected the RS cars. But for me right now whilst I can afford to pay for one, I'd just rather do S2+ on S3, live a richer quality of life with the savings. I think the RS needs a model evolution to really find its feet and become what so many of us think it should have been from the outset.

In 2015/16 I'd quite like a Mk3 A3 model RS3 with slightly flared arches, widened track, 5 pot lump, 3door coupe saloon bodyshell, quad exhausts and with 19" alloys in racing mica blue if Audi are listening!!!

 

[willowsdad]

In 2015/16 I'd quite like a Mk3 A3 model RS3 with slightly flared arches, widened track, 5 pot lump, 3door coupe saloon bodyshell, quad exhausts and with 19" alloys in racing mica blue if Audi are listening!!!

Now that is the RS3 that should've been made. You could always blow your extra funds on your S3 warren. Blown arches, extended axles, and an RS3 engine conversion. Might work out dearer than the RS but no doubt it'd look better than what Audi have churned out. To me the general consensus seems to be, nice car but missing the RS spark.

 

[Chris93]

TBH when i can buy a fast very well specced a3 that is admittedly quite old for only £7,000 or spend £50,000 on an rs3 with the same spec that is faster and will cost me double in tax and fuel i would much rather stick with what i have got and spend the money customising it to suit me rather than buy an rs3 and have no money!!

Chris

 

[ABYSS]

After owning 2 manual TTRSs and an RS3 my money would be going on the TTRS, unless you need the space then the RS3 is as good as it gets.

For me, the kids can stay at home as my money is heading back into a TTrS as soon as I can find one with the right spec and price.

 

[warren_S5]

Hi Andrew
Is there much of a difference in the handling and driving feel between them? With the TT having a space frame (half aluminium /half steel shell) is it much more nimble?
Cheers
W

 

[crunchie]

In 2015/16 I'd quite like a Mk3 A3 model RS3 with slightly flared arches, widened track, 5 pot lump, 3door coupe saloon bodyshell, quad exhausts and with 19" alloys in racing mica blue if Audi are listening!!!

You forgot to mention a MANUAL box!!

 

[Shadowman]

Can't really comment on RS3 v TTRS, but I have an S3 and a TTS Roadster ( I know....girls car blah, blah !! ) and the difference in feel is night and day !!

The TT feels much more sprightly altogether, with the pick up much smarter from the engine and the handling much more nimble, and it isn't just the fact that psychologically you know you are sitting lower to the ground and you are in a two-seater, it genuinely feels much lighter and faster to change direction and a totally different animal.

I was concerned when I bought the S3 that the two cars would feel very similar which would negate the need to keep both, but I couldn't have been more wrong.