First year of Ownership

[XPOWER]

Well it has been 12 months since I collected my car on 1st March 2016.
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/my-collection-day.263861/

I've covered 6982 miles in that time and it went for its first service today.

So I thought I would give my thoughts about A3/RS3 ownership.
Without trying to repeat what other poeple have said said about RS3 sounding great but handling is a bit lack luster and a chipped S3 is better value. These are my thoughts.

Coming from a Revo stage 1 S3 8P, which I owned for 8 years, I found the performance of the RS3 a lot more accessible. While the S3 would feel hesitant accelerating from a standstill the RS3 had more low end torque which made driving the RS3 easier in the real world of traffic jams and pulling out of junctions.

While comparing 300hp and 360hp may seem a big difference both cars are more than capable of returning frighting speeds for UK roads. So again day-to-day commuting driving the performance RS3 is more than enough for me.

The only surprise was even with careful driving it returned 20mpg.
Which seems a bit low for a new car with start stop etc. While the S3 would return 25mpg while not being driven so carefully.

One aspect of the A3 which disappoints me is the Audi Connect system.
In theory it does everything I want Internet Radio and iPod Connectivity.
The only way for internet radio to work is to connect my iPod via Audi's MMi Connect software through the car's WiFi.
So every time I stop the car and restart it I need to manually connect the iPod to the car's WiFi which can take a few seconds to minutes, depending on how long the WiFi takes to boot up which an vary.
This is really annoying when getting petrol and you haven't got time to wait.
Also the iPod can become disconnected from the WiFi or MMi Connect so I loose internet radio while driving.
Why can't internet radio be built into the main radio without the need to an external device?

I'm not a great fan of the navigation of the songs and tracks. It seems a bit distracting while driving trying to find the album in a long list.
Also album art doesn't appear for all songs when the iPod is connected via the MMI cable while they do appear using WiFi and MMi Connect software.

The first service had one advisory of the front tyres being 62% worn. So it looks like I may be enjoying the car a little bit.

I know the RS3 isn't everyone's cup of tea, but in all I'm happy that I bought an A3 and especially the RS3 which seems the natural progression from the S3 and meets my car needs.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Nice honest review there. I'm not quite a year in yet. But I'm still lobbing my 8v and enjoying the drive tho iv only managed around 2900 miles so far.
It's a proper jekal and Hyde car that I enjoy driving in any environment. I have found that on a trip to Aberdeen and back it will do around 350miles on a tank around 30mpg. My normal driving tho is around 12mpg or less lol

 

[D0C]

600 miles in mine so far, averaging 27.2mpg. Happy with that!

 

[Sandra]

@XPOWER what a fantastic write up. Glad you enjoying.

 

[Terminator x]

Still love mine, 23k miles and 16 months later!

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Just had mine year too now & 1st service due end of this week.

My front tyres are wearing on the outer edges (see other thread) & suspect I will need some new rubber in a few months.

Car is still giving me the same smiles as it did on day one. Still loving the staggering performance & stunning soundtrack & every morning striking her up hearing that bark is ace

Car is so practical day to day, still turns heads, its luxurious, comfortable and really fun to drive. Love it's exterior looks and luxury interior. Without a doubt the best car I've owned & my favourite.

Also love the colour which I'm really pleased with along with the black pack & extras I chose.

It's a great car & even makes washing & waxing it a pleasure lol

Fave part of the car: those oval exhausts & the sound they make

 

[Sandra]

Just had mine year too now & 1st service due end of this week.

My front tyres are wearing on the outer edges (see other thread) & suspect I will need some new rubber in a few months.

Car is still giving me the same smiles as it did on day one. Still loving the staggering performance & stunning soundtrack & every morning striking her up hearing that bark is ace

Car is so practical day to day, still turns heads, its luxurious, comfortable and really fun to drive. Love it's exterior looks and luxury interior. Without a doubt the best car I've owned & my favourite.

Also love the colour which I'm really pleased with along with the black pack & extras I chose.

It's a great car & even makes washing & waxing it a pleasure lol

Fave part of the car: those oval exhausts & the sound they make

Your a happy man then and your floret silver just finishes off the perfect car. Keep enjoying young man . x

 

[Sandra]

Still love mine, 23k miles and 16 months later!

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

Wow, 16 months already, it seemed just a few months ago that you collected.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Your a happy man then and your floret silver just finishes off the perfect car. Keep enjoying young man . x

Yeah love the floret but they look very nice in 'ara blue' too

 

[Radman]

I've had mine since May last year and I think I love it more than the wife . Seriously though, an absolute peach of a machine that after 8months of pondering the purchase totally justified the price hike over the S3 which is what I was close to buying.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Bit off topic but I called Audi today as car was requesting a oil change at 2900 miles the service dept said don't worry go on the mmi and hit reset oil service and that's it on long life we'll see you next year due to my low mileage?

I did it and going to get intern oil changes done by a local specialist and go to Audi for the every other year service the inspection one?

 

[XPOWER]

Bit off topic but I called Audi today as car was requesting a oil change at 2900 miles the service dept said don't worry go on the mmi and hit reset oil service and that's it on long life we'll see you next year due to my low mileage?

I did it and going to get intern oil changes done by a local specialist and go to Audi for the every other year service the inspection one?

Now VAG have moved over to electronic service books. I guess they are trying to discourage people doing their own outside of dealer servicing while getting a record of the service stamped in a book. How important is a full indicated dealer service though compared with the cost saving come trade in time?

I'm paying £54 a month to cover tyres replacement and any service work. Which means I worked out that I should be breaking even at the end of 3 years. Especially with an oil change costing £207 and tyres not lasting much over 10k miles.

 

[Terminator x]

Mine called for an oil change at 9k miles with next one advised in another 1.5k so about 24.5k in total. I tried to get Audi to change the oil every 9k and they wouldn't do it!

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Yea that's it TX I phoned to get price they said 272 plus vat then asked mileage and itcwas Audi said no to click the reset as it's a preset oil change request that you can accept and it moves it out a year. Told me if the car is demanding it, it won't give the option to move it out. Then went on to say that if it doesn't change it to another 9k miles or one year bring it in and they will sort as there not recommending changing the oil.

My car will have a full Audi history but I'm saying I'll get our local Audi mastertech to do intern oil change and stamp the book. Official Audi service books are avalibke for a tenner to keep a paper copy.

 

[D0C]

I've had mine since May last year and I think I love it more than the wife . Seriously though, an absolute peach of a machine that after 8months of pondering the purchase totally justified the price hike over the S3 which is what I was close to buying.

I spent a similar amount of time debating whether or not to take the plunge, and due to Audi's incompetence, but I'm over the moon with it. Sure, it's not the best handling car I've owned, and perhaps the interiors of the S4/5 now show it up a little but it's still way ahead of the competition (Focus RS, Merc A45 AMG etc).

As for the engine, well, it's a peach. Again, it's not the most powerful out there and doesn't feel as fast as you'd think it would (I wish I was brave enough to risk my warranty with a remap), but it feels truly special. To me it's like a junior supercar wrapped in a hot hatch body. In an age of engine downsizing, emissions regs and electric cars we should be grateful a car like the RS3 exists.

 

[Beebee-one]

I spent a similar amount of time debating whether or not to take the plunge, and due to Audi's incompetence, but I'm over the moon with it. Sure, it's not the best handling car I've owned, and perhaps the interiors of the S4/5 now show it up a little but it's still way ahead of the competition (Focus RS, Merc A45 AMG etc).

As for the engine, well, it's a peach. Again, it's not the most powerful out there and doesn't feel as fast as you'd think it would (I wish I was brave enough to risk my warranty with a remap), but it feels truly special. To me it's like a junior supercar wrapped in a hot hatch body. In an age of engine downsizing, emissions regs and electric cars we should be grateful a car like the RS3 exists.

If you dynoed the car you may change your mind on it not being the most powerful out there (I assume you mean hatchbacks). If you run the car on 98 Octane fuel (highly reccomend Tesco Momentum or Shell Nitro) you should easily see anywhere from 380bhp to 395bhp on a healthy stock engine.
Strangely my car felt slightly sluggish at first until it had the cutting out problem and the fuel pressure regulator was replaced under warranty (this is a fault with a fair few 16 reg cars). After the new part was fitted it felt much faster which was backed up with a 12.2 second quarter mile run at Santa Pod.

Its had a few more 'tweaks' now and the RS badge on the bootlid stands for Rocket Ship!

As for my ownership experience......... it has a few annoying things like no electric seats option, and having to toggle through the damn Drive Select menu for dynamic mode each time you start the car........it suffers from heat soak in the summer causing it to lose power and the brakes squeal periodically........... but overall none of this really matters as it has to be one of the most enjoyable cars I have ever owned.

 

[andyt99]

it has a few annoying things like no electric seats option

I thought the regular seats were electric, it's only the super sports that are not?

 

[Beebee-one]

I thought the regular seats were electric, it's only the super sports that are not?

Yes they are, but not on the Supersport seats. You get used to pulling the levers about but would have preferred having electric adjustment if it was available. Don't know why is wasn't, maybe something to do with the height of the seat with motors fitted or additional weight or whatever.

 

[Nickyc]

When do I need to service mine ? Its 1 year and 3 months old now and hasnt done 3000 yet. But nothings come up on the computer to say it needs a service.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Standard seats are manual adjust as standard.

Standard seats were available with electric adjustment - but at extra cost of £550 more

Super Sports Seats were £795 ... so £245 extra over electric adjustment on the standard seats.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

When do I need to service mine ? Its 1 year and 3 months old now and hasnt done 3000 yet. But nothings come up on the computer to say it needs a service.

Go into your cars menu under servicing and it will tell you - within the main car menu

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Yea go to car in the mmi then systems you'll see servicing your dealer prob already set it to 2 years or 18k miles I'd guess

 

[Nickyc]

Thanks. Is that ok for warrenty if its got a long time to go ? It doesnt get out that much.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

It's fine for the warranty will need done at two years to keep it all correct same as mine tho I may get a oil change at a specialist or do one myself now at one year.

 

[Beebee-one]

It's fine for the warranty will need done at two years to keep it all correct same as mine tho I may get a oil change at a specialist or do one myself now at one year.

Agree with this... there's no way I would want to run a performance engine for 18K miles before changing the oil! I know that oil technology has come a long way but my preference would be to also have an intermediate oil change at around 9 or 10k miles (I plan to do this soon with my car).

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

My interm will be about 3k miles after two years I will only be at 6-7kmiles

 

[Bristle Hound]

Well it has been 12 months since I collected my car on 1st March 2016.
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/my-collection-day.263861/

I've covered 6982 miles in that time and it went for its first service today.

So I thought I would give my thoughts about A3/RS3 ownership.
Without trying to repeat what other poeple have said said about RS3 sounding great but handling is a bit lack luster and a chipped S3 is better value. These are my thoughts.

Coming from a Revo stage 1 S3 8P, which I owned for 8 years, I found the performance of the RS3 a lot more accessible. While the S3 would feel hesitant accelerating from a standstill the RS3 had more low end torque which made driving the RS3 easier in the real world of traffic jams and pulling out of junctions.

While comparing 300hp and 360hp may seem a big difference both cars are more than capable of returning frighting speeds for UK roads. So again day-to-day commuting driving the performance RS3 is more than enough for me.

The only surprise was even with careful driving it returned 20mpg.
Which seems a bit low for a new car with start stop etc. While the S3 would return 25mpg while not being driven so carefully.

One aspect of the A3 which disappoints me is the Audi Connect system.
In theory it does everything I want Internet Radio and iPod Connectivity.
The only way for internet radio to work is to connect my iPod via Audi's MMi Connect software through the car's WiFi.
So every time I stop the car and restart it I need to manually connect the iPod to the car's WiFi which can take a few seconds to minutes, depending on how long the WiFi takes to boot up which an vary.
This is really annoying when getting petrol and you haven't got time to wait.
Also the iPod can become disconnected from the WiFi or MMi Connect so I loose internet radio while driving.
Why can't internet radio be built into the main radio without the need to an external device?

I'm not a great fan of the navigation of the songs and tracks. It seems a bit distracting while driving trying to find the album in a long list.
Also album art doesn't appear for all songs when the iPod is connected via the MMI cable while they do appear using WiFi and MMi Connect software.

The first service had one advisory of the front tyres being 62% worn. So it looks like I may be enjoying the car a little bit.

I know the RS3 isn't everyone's cup of tea, but in all I'm happy that I bought an A3 and especially the RS3 which seems the natural progression from the S3 and meets my car needs.

@XPOWER - Great write up. Thanks for taking the time

 

[RGBARGEE]

Well yes, just over a year here and about to turn 10,000 miles. Most done in first 6 months until I decided to by a Diseasel A4 Q Avant to keep the mileage on my baby sensible.

In summary - One of the best and most enjoyable cars I have owned.

One of my main concerns is the envy factor it seems to attract from some people. I have even had a letter from Sussex Police this week advising me that someone (unknown) has complained about me driving at speeds in excess of 100mph, undertaking cars and waving fingers at him/her..and several other contradictory assertions. All are totally untrue and no evidence presented, yet I am on Police record. Has anyone else had such a 'big brother' type letter?

Apart from the above I love the car. I would probably spec exactly the same if I was starting again which is an indication of just how happy I am. Will need tyres soon as fronts in particular are wearing low on outside edges. Not too sure what to buy... Is 10k miles good.... Oh.. averaging 27.8mpg..... which is great!

Cheers

RG

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Checked my mpg average 16.4mpg

 

[elton121272]

One of my main concerns is the envy factor it seems to attract from some people. I have even had a letter from Sussex Police this week advising me that someone (unknown) has complained about me driving at speeds in excess of 100mph, undertaking cars and waving fingers at him/her..and several other contradictory assertions. All are totally untrue and no evidence presented, yet I am on Police record. Has anyone else had such a 'big brother' type letter?RG

Sounds like someone that knows you not necassaruly personally but is either jealous or frustrated? Frustrated maybe being a neighbour who gets wakened every morning by the sheer sweetness of the 5pot and sports exhaust?!?

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Well yes, just over a year here and about to turn 10,000 miles. Most done in first 6 months until I decided to by a Diseasel A4 Q Avant to keep the mileage on my baby sensible.

In summary - One of the best and most enjoyable cars I have owned.

One of my main concerns is the envy factor it seems to attract from some people. I have even had a letter from Sussex Police this week advising me that someone (unknown) has complained about me driving at speeds in excess of 100mph, undertaking cars and waving fingers at him/her..and several other contradictory assertions. All are totally untrue and no evidence presented, yet I am on Police record. Has anyone else had such a 'big brother' type letter?

Apart from the above I love the car. I would probably spec exactly the same if I was starting again which is an indication of just how happy I am. Will need tyres soon as fronts in particular are wearing low on outside edges. Not too sure what to buy... Is 10k miles good.... Oh.. averaging 27.8mpg..... which is great!

Cheers

RG

My outer front tyres wearing too mate .... let me know what tyres you go for & how they are !

I'm thinking Michelin or good year asym f1's.

Pirelli shizer !!!

 

[andyt99]

It's a shame that the tyres are a different size otherwise at least we could switch them around

 

[RGBARGEE]

It's a shame that the tyres are a different size otherwise at least we could switch them around

My tyres are the same size and dealer and independent tyre people advised against a swap.

 

[RGBARGEE]

My outer front tyres wearing too mate .... let me know what tyres you go for & how they are !

I'm thinking Michelin or good year asym f1's.

Pirelli shizer !!!

My outer front tyres wearing too mate .... let me know what tyres you go for & how they are !

I'm thinking Michelin or good year asym f1's.

Pirelli shizer !!!

I am wondering if I could get away with buying new matching PZero for front?? If I have to buy all 4 will look at Michelin and Goodyear. The Pzero has wheel protection which is good.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I am wondering if I could get away with buying new matching PZero for front?? If I have to buy all 4 will look at Michelin and Goodyear. The Pzero has wheel protection which is good.

Just make sure you specify to the tyre supplier that you want tyres with 'rim protection'.

I've read a few owners got tyres with & some without ? so worth specifying this so no confusion.

Yes the Pirelli rim protection is huge, but I don't rate the rubber. I remember changing factory Toyo's on my TTS for Good Year Eagle F1's and they transformed the car. Much more grip, more supple feeling & car rode much better & they look cool too

The good years tend to be really good on price whereas the michelins are the most expensive, although many consider them to be the best tyre on the market (either will last longer than the Pirelli's though imo).

 

[Terminator x]

If you mix new and old you need to be careful that tread depths are not too far apart. Audi recommend just a few mm different at the most afaik.

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

 

[elton121272]

MPSS are the tyres of choice. Changes mine in my Mk1 and didn't look back and just recently did the same on my Mk2 and they really are night and day from pzeros!!

 

[Snake Pliskin]

If you mix new and old you need to be careful that tread depths are not too far apart. Audi recommend just a few mm different at the most afaik.

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

I reckon my fronts will be 90% worn in around 3 to 4 months. Rears will still have some decent tread no doubt but I will replace all 4 at the same time.

The pirellis are by far the worst tyres I've had for longevity. I will get around 8,000 miles out of the fronts and in a 3.2 litre TT, TTS & S5 on Continentals, Toyo & Dunlop previously I pretty much got 12,000 miles & the wear was fairly even over the 4 tyres albeit slight extra wear to the fronts.

So the Pirelli have lasted the least & along with the Toyo are the worst imo. The continentals were very good also and I would consider those again

 

[Beebee-one]

I only managed 7k out of my front Pirellis .... but have to say that I enjoyed every mile though.

I couldn't decide on going for a different option to the Pirelli, mainly because I know a few owners who switched to the MPSS but were not that impressed with the wet/cold weather handling and were experiencing the traction control lighting up when accelerating hard. They did say the dry grip was superior to the Pirelli though (which is the general consensus). I ended up replacing them with another pair of PZero RO2 spec as the OEM rears are still in pretty good shape and I didn't want to mix brands. All four corners should wear down at around the same pace now and will probably need replacing all at the same time. This will give me the choice of going for something like the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S as these are reputed to be a step up from the popular MPSS (improved wet weather handling).

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I only managed 7k out of my front Pirellis .... but have to say that I enjoyed every mile though.

I couldn't decide on going for a different option to the Pirelli, mainly because I know a few owners who switched to the MPSS but were not that impressed with the wet/cold weather handling and were experiencing the traction control lighting up when accelerating hard. They did say the dry grip was superior to the Pirelli though (which is the general consensus). I ended up replacing them with another pair of PZero RO2 spec as the OEM rears are still in pretty good shape and I didn't want to mix brands. All four corners should wear down at around the same pace now and will probably need replacing all at the same time. This will give me the choice of going for something like the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S as these are reputed to be a step up from the popular MPSS (improved wet weather handling).

Yeah the 'traction light' issues are the only thing putting me of the Michelin's ... as I know that would bug me.