RS3.....worth the premium over the S3?

[Eigdoog]

I enjoy reading this

 

[DAYTONA 500]

Yes lock it till next Sunday as it keeps me amused during Downton Abbey

 

[Eigdoog]

Also simon you forgot to say 600

 

[Simon L]

........changed my mind, keep it open it's getting good again!! lol

 

[DAYTONA 500]

I haven't been involved in a locked thread for quite a while and if i remember correctly i think Veeeight was participating aswell

 

[veeeight]

That one got locked, then deleted, after admin stepped in!

I played a very minor role in that one (around 2 posts), it got out of hand very quickly I seem to remember.

 

[Pulp84]

Seem to be going round in circles hear people

I blame @Pulp84 for starting it all

I'm of a mind to lock this thread so we can all move on

Thoughts everyone plez

Cheers @Bristle Hound

Some interesting debate has been had so far. Some debate has been emotionally led which is understandable when people have dropped £50k on a new car and are very excited about it.

I started the thread as a current owner of an 8V S3 to discuss if the 8V RS3 could tempt me to hand over even more cash to Audi. There is some good contrast between the two cars in this thread for people who are deciding I believe.

Note I have not ordered an RS3. I hope the people that have an RS3 already or getting one some point in 2016 enjoy it muchly and be happy with their purchase decision.

 

[veeeight]

^ Well, as OP, you do have the sort of 'motion carried' sway as to whether you want this locked or not

 

[Nimbus265]

Oh just to add, I've clicked up just under 800 miles in 3 days, driving to, in and around, and back from North Wales including twice around the evo triangle this morning ( as the weather was better today) with 3 on-board.

Suspension was absolutely sorted, and zero hint of brake fade, despite some very very spirited driving; trail breaking where possible and I like to brake 25-75 as a rule ( I have 10 years previous rally driving experience ).

 

[veeeight]

You have to trail brake in the RS3, no choice when hammering it!

It's your only hope of keeping the front end pinned down, especially in the wet! That car is so nose led/heavy!

 

[DAYTONA 500]

That one got locked, then deleted, after admin stepped in!

I played a very minor role in that one (around 2 posts), it got out of hand very quickly I seem to remember.

You're making up for it in this one by playing a major one

 

[Blackwhite]

"Fannies" now thats a word the American member is gonna misinterpret .

I thought Simon's post was funny. It's a shame that you have to get
so low to knock another country.

 

[Pulp84]

^ Well, as OP, you do have the sort of 'motion carried' sway as to whether you want this locked or not

Notwithstanding the emotional element to some posts, I still would like to hear other S3 owners thoughts when they final they get to drive an RS3.

So keep it open

 

[C2 DTN]

Okay, so ill offer up my take on this.

I hadn't actually planned on driving an RS3 but i was in the dealers having a coffee and i was offered a play in it so it would have been rude not to.

First impressions on the look was the front looks ace, the side looks the same and the back.... to be honest i prefer the diffuser and quad tail pipes on the S3, but thats just my personal preference.

The inside was very similar, it had the super sports seats which i did find better than the standard S3 seats, I'm not sure on the alacantra steering wheel trim, i prefer my full leather one.

Starting it up, much louder than the S3, very nice rumble.

Its hard to compare the handling, as it was obviously stock, and mine is lowered and has wheel spacers but i had no complaints and it handled everything with ease. The s-tronic box is good, but i really do prefer the manuals so that would be a major factor in my decision on buying one. Im not slating s-tronic, parts of it are great, and I'm sure its quicker than i can change gear, it just felt less involving than my S3.

Performance was definitely up on a standard S3, but it felt no quicker than mine with the DTUK box ( running approx 360-365 ) but obviously a RS3 with a box or a chip would be 400+ so that would see another leap forward in performance. The point I'm making here is a mapped S3 is as quick as an RS3 in everyday driving conditions.


Would i change ????

Probably not. It is without doubt a better car, everything is just a bit more focused than the S3, but the things i loved were the seats, the exhaust sound, and the front end, and i couldn't pay £10k for that. I could in theory change my seats, i can make the exhaust louder and i can fit the RS3 front grille, and I'm 90% there, and if i go that route I'm about £7k better off, still have a manual gearbox, and acceleration equal to that of a standard RS3.

 

[Schuey]

Seem to be going round in circles hear people

I blame @Pulp84 for starting it all

I'm of a mind to lock this thread so we can all move on

Thoughts everyone plez

I think it's time it got locked, does seem to get personal more and more frequently.

On a brighter note once it is locked, someone will start a new thread for the same subject and we can go through all of this again

 

[DAYTONA 500]

I thought Simon's post was funny. It's a shame that you have to get
so low to knock another country.

Never knocked a country ,twisting words comes to mind

 

[45bvtc]

You call it what you like.

You can go back through my posts, and you will see frequent references over the year, to my S3 brakes fading.

As @45bvtc will affirm, most regular drivers don't brake hard enough, late enough (from his experience days).

Good morning and hats off to you veeeight

The sun's shining here and I've had already a laugh or two so let's keep this thread alive.

 

[45bvtc]

I hadn't actually planned on driving an RS3 but i was in the dealers having a coffee and i was offered a play in it so it would have been rude not to.

Same for me C2 DTN but I came back amazed and physically shaking at what the RS3 did with ease over and above what my S3 would do and oh how I loved that car but 2-days later we'd found and purchased and still have one of the first RS3s available here in the UK.

I respectfully suggest you go back and have another go but forget the s-tronic and paddle-shift-it UP and DOWN (the downshifts are activated automatically even in manual-mode but don't do that) and then compare that to a left-leg flailing manual gearbox.

 

[Martinbanshee]

If/when they release an RS3 Saloon I'll most likely get one as the Saloon body with slightly wider arches and 5 cylinder engine would be sweet. I know it's not technically miles better than my S3 Saloon but I'd still pay the extra because it's a car I'd love to own.
For me, looks and sound are more important than outright lap times as 99% of my miles are just cruising about.
Yes I want a quick car but in reality once you get to silly speeds in these level of cars it's more about how much bottle/ability you've got and you could quite easily leave behind someone in a so called 'better handling' car if you're happy to push it more than them. Handling differences that costs tenths are nothing compared people's driving ability which has MUCH larger differences and just because someone has a fast car doesn't mean they know how to use it.

So, with most things in life it involves comprises and there's many great handling cars I wouldn't buy purely because either I or the wife think they're ugly, inside or outside. The S3 ticks the most boxes for me and the RS3 Saloon would tick more.

Luckily, if the car doesn't 'click' just buy something else, there's a massive choice out there. One persons 'under steer issue' is another persons 'makes no difference'.

Going back to the original question, I wouldn't move to the current RS3 purely because of looks but I do love the sound.

 

[Blackwhite]

Never knocked a country ,twisting words comes to mind

You wrote the words. You said what you said.
You are the one who always demeans people.
I don't have to bully people.

 

[Simon L]

If/when they release an RS3 Saloon I'll most likely get one as the Saloon body with slightly wider arches and 5 cylinder engine would be sweet. I know it's not technically miles better than my S3 Saloon but I'd still pay the extra because it's a car I'd love to own.
For me, looks and sound are more important than outright lap times as 99% of my miles are just cruising about.
Yes I want a quick car but in reality once you get to silly speeds in these level of cars it's more about how much bottle/ability you've got and you could quite easily leave behind someone in a so called 'better handling' car if you're happy to push it more than them. Handling differences that costs tenths are nothing compared people's driving ability which has MUCH larger differences and just because someone has a fast car doesn't mean they know how to use it.

So, with most things in life it involves comprises and there's many great handling cars I wouldn't buy purely because either I or the wife think they're ugly, inside or outside. The S3 ticks the most boxes for me and the RS3 Saloon would tick more.

Luckily, if the car doesn't 'click' just buy something else, there's a massive choice out there. One persons 'under steer issue' is another persons 'makes no difference'.

Going back to the original question, I wouldn't move to the current RS3 purely because of looks but I do love the sound.

Eloquently put as usual Martin

This sums up exactly how I feel

 

[C2 DTN]

Same for me C2 DTN but I came back amazed and physically shaking at what the RS3 did with ease over and above what my S3 would do and oh how I loved that car but 2-days later we'd found and purchased and still have one of the first RS3s available here in the UK.

I respectfully suggest you go back and have another go but forget the s-tronic and paddle-shift-it UP and DOWN (the downshifts are activated automatically even in manual-mode but don't do that) and then compare that to a left-leg flailing manual gearbox.

I know where your going with this, and as i said the s-tronic is a good system, and will be faster than a manual.

but your comment of "left leg flailing manual gearbox" make it pointless discussing it. Theres something about a manual, you either get it, or you don't. i don't care if my manual s3 will be slower because its a manual, i just find it more involving and rewarding, and that is my choice.

 

[45bvtc]

I know where your going with this, and as i said the s-tronic is a good system, and will be faster than a manual.

but your comment of "left leg flailing manual gearbox" make it pointless discussing it. Theres something about a manual, you either get it, or you don't. i don't care if my manual s3 will be slower because its a manual, i just find it more involving and rewarding, and that is my choice.

I do agree, I also have a manual gearbox car and love it for what it is but as you rightly say - but different - I just find the DSG in manual mode more involving and rewarding and as I've found on the road by the time the person alongside has dumped the clutch for the 2nd or 3rd time we've tapped the paddles and gone... Love it!

Had 37-years of manual gearbox practice in this:

And loved that too - an it still comes back for TLC

 

[C2 DTN]

I do agree, I also have a manual gearbox car and love it for what it is but as you rightly say - but different - I just find the DSG in manual mode more involving and rewarding and as I've found on the road by the time the person alongside has dumped the clutch for the 2nd or 3rd time we've tapped the paddles and gone... Love it!

Had 37-years of manual gearbox practice in this:

And loved that too - an it still comes back for TLC

S-tronic will happen at some point for me, as more and more cars will be auto only, and you may have a point as I've only used it twice... once in a Q5 courtesy car, and then the RS3. If i had it for an extended period i may grow to love it. One thing i do envy of the s-tronic is launch control.

 

[DAYTONA 500]

.......good gawd, are you bunch of old fannies still at it?

"Fannies" now thats a word the American member is gonna misinterpret .

I thought Simon's post was funny. It's a shame that you have to get
so low to knock another country.

Never knocked a country ,twisting words comes to mind

You wrote the words. You said what you said.
You are the one who always demeans people.
I don't have to bully people.

I know what i said and wrote and its there for everyone to see ,I've put them all together so you can see that i NEVER knocked a country so please don't accuse me of writing something i DID NOT write.

 

[Simon L]

I know what i said and wrote and its there for everyone to see ,I've put them all together so you can see that i NEVER knocked a country so please don't accuse me of writing something i DID NOT write.

Did I really say that? Dear oh dear, really must cut down on the booze

 

[Blackwhite]

I was responding to your accusation towards "The American"
YOU do all the accusing yourself!

I just defended myself.

 

[DAYTONA 500]

Did I really say that? Dear oh dear, really must cut down on the booze

The thread is enough to drive anyone to drink

 

[Rob2k68]

Narrowly avoided a manual v s-tronic diversion there - wonder where it's headed next ?

 

[PanamaS3]

Well strike me down with a feather!
I come back from a quiet weekend to this! Again!
Please all drink more and take what meds are necessary to get you through without all the drama
@Martinbanshee I like the cut of your jib Sir (not least because we share the same name ) but also because (no surprises here....) I too am eagerly anticipating the RS3 saloon which I hope has a few of the "issues" sorted with the facelift...maybe some botox on the arches....nip and tuck in the understeer department....but overall think its gonna be the model to get, I hope....if not, happy to stick with my current S3 plus, which if I keep modifying is gonna be very hard to give up!

 

[Bristle Hound]

Notwithstanding the emotional element to some posts, I still would like to hear other S3 owners thoughts when they final they get to drive an RS3.

So keep it open

Op has spoken, so open it stays @Pulp84

Narrowly avoided a manual v s-tronic diversion there - wonder where it's headed next ?

Quite a few too choose from @Rob2k68
How about advanced key, mono.pur, leaded v super unleaded to name but a few
Oh & then there's the Golf R comparisons ...
I've said it now haven't I

 

[froggy]

Op has spoken, so open it stays @Pulp84

Quite a few too choose from @Rob2k68
How about advanced key, mono.pur, leaded v super unleaded to name but a few
Oh & then there's the Golf R comparisons ...
I've said it now haven't I

good call BH,entertaining,not nasty,good thread!

 

[Bristle Hound]

@Martinbanshee @PanamaS3 - If the RS3 saloon looks like this, I'll have one too

 

[Martinbanshee]

Yummy

 

[DAYTONA 500]

@Martinbanshee @PanamaS3 - If the RS3 saloon looks like this, I'll have one too

But will it be worth the premium over the S3

 

[veeeight]

Only if Audi do something radical and make it drive well

 

[Tony1982]

Well they're not going to change it are they! It will just be the RS3 as it is in saloon form.

 

[Jassyo06]

But will it be worth the premium over the S3

Hopefully for saloon lovers there will be a RS version,but l can see a new thread the exact same as this all over again, for talk sake Audi will market the saloon rrp £45,000 in basic spec???? But will give you say? 20" inch rims standard to offset the inflated price,then with a average optional spec say £3k extras £48,000 > it's price starts to get a little ridiculous for a A3
I don't think any 8v is worth that amount

 

[Bristle Hound]

But will it be worth the premium over the S3

Stop it!

 

[veeeight]

I don't think any 8v is worth that amount

^ This has resonance.

(But "worth" is an individual perspective, of course)