Help..... Rs3 or B8 RS4

seanick

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Hi guys planning on changing my current A4 and finally getting into an RS model.... looking at both B8 RS4 2102/2015 and 2015/16 RS3... any pros or cons from current owners of either or both might help a lad out .... I’m going to ask on the RS4 forum too just to see......
 
I’d rather have the rs3 personally
 
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I would imagine the RS3 is cheaper to run (fuel, servicing etc), not that either will be that cheap.

I've not driven an RS4 but again would've thought that the RS3 would be more fun. Both have great engines. The RS3 will also be more tuneable if that's you're thing. I don't think an RS4 would see which way the RS3 went to be honest.
 
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For sheer tuning possibilities then RS3. If you need load-lugging power then RS4. Depends if you want a V8 uberwagon or legendary Audi 5 pot. Both win win IMHO.
 
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There is a chap on here that owned a RS4 then swapped to a "maroon" RS3, can't remember username though.

TX.

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Haha thanks guys..... I’m torn the 3 sound is amazing ⚡️... yea neither all that cheap to run but my last A3 I did 12k in 4 yrs and my current A4 14k in 4yrs so although the cost to run will be greater I’m not too concerned.... any ideas depreciation wise?... 3 or 4 hold its value better?...
 
The best thing to do is have a butchers on auto trader and have a gauge on what the cars cost new and how much they have dropped in price. This may give you a slight understanding on what to expect. I consider the b8 before I committed to the PFL 3 and it is absolutely superb. Great performance, great interior, surprisingly loads of space when back seats folded down can get tools, weeks for of angling kit to France and some. Good on fuel considering the performance and cheaper road tax plus the :boom::boom: from the sports exhaust :sunglasses: win win to me
 
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Thanks for your reply....

Yes I’ve been looking at the prices... I just felt there was quite a big gap between 2012 models and 2015... I’m looking at 2015 on just thinking ahead if the depreciation was consistent I’m unsure if the 4 drops quite as much?... who knows I guess.... I was 4 all day long.... then like you say I heard the pops and bangs and thought...wow!!!!! ...then looking further it was road tax / slightly better fuel consumption .... none of which Is my first concern when thinking of an RS .... it was just that noise!!!!!! ⚡
 
Thanks for your reply....

Yes I’ve been looking at the prices... I just felt there was quite a big gap between 2012 models and 2015... I’m looking at 2015 on just thinking ahead if the depreciation was consistent I’m unsure if the 4 drops quite as much?... who knows I guess.... I was 4 all day long.... then like you say I heard the pops and bangs and thought...wow!!!!! ...then looking further it was road tax / slightly better fuel consumption .... none of which Is my first concern when thinking of an RS .... it was just that noise!!!!!! ⚡
So what you need to do now then mate is to test drive them both and only then will you be able to decide, good luck on whatever you choose
 
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I think the rs3 is more nimble it feels the better car personally and that 5cyl oh my days that 5cyl
 
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The rs4 with its arches is stunning the v8 with choice exhaust sounds epic also and plenty room init. Will hold value better also if you buy wise. If it’s got drc be wary of any knocking.

RS3 sounds the nuts more nimble but feels more fwd whereas the rs4 proper Quattro.
RS3 cheaper tax servicing not much in it. RS3 newer prob with a good warranty. I’d say Rs3 faster to point to point and effortless you really need to rev the v8 to get the best and get it moving.

If I had to choose right now I’d pick the rs4 could run it a couple years then still pick up a fairly new Rs3 if you desired, I wouldn’t like to try it the other way around
 
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I think the differences are huge. The RS3 is a newer technology and far cheaper to run than a B8RS4. Love the V8 motor but think an RS3 would actually be more enjoyable. Mine (16 plate) is advertised for sale on Piston heads as I now only need one car ... If I can't get a sensible price I may just keep it and the B9 RS4..
 
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Haha thanks guys..... I’m torn the 3 sound is amazing ⚡️... yea neither all that cheap to run but my last A3 I did 12k in 4 yrs and my current A4 14k in 4yrs so although the cost to run will be greater I’m not too concerned.... any ideas depreciation wise?... 3 or 4 hold its value better?...
The 3 will undoubtedly hold it's value better. I can get £33k on a px for a well spec 16 plate. (For sale on Piston Heads)
 
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I think the differences are huge. The RS3 is a newer technology and far cheaper to run than a B8RS4. Love the V8 motor but think an RS3 would actually be more enjoyable. Mine (16 plate) is advertised for sale on Piston heads as I now only need one car ... If I can't get a sensible price I may just keep it and the B9 RS4..
Lol, was just thinking you hadn't posted about your car being for sale for 24 hours...you nearly made it! ;)
 
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Lol, was just thinking you hadn't posted about your car being for sale for 24 hours...you nearly made it! ;)

I’d heard a rumour there was one for sale......not sure where I saw that though
 
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Got to admit it will be a bargain for someone.
If I recall you had it up for £37k... with no Supersports seats or Dynamic pack, not that much of a bargain! ;)
 
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If I recall you had it up for £37k... with no Supersports seats or Dynamic pack, not that much of a bargain! ;)

Average price now on AT is 36k..... retail.

So I’d imagine most offers will be around 32/33k from a dealer who will retail it.

There’s one at over 40k that a dealer I know said booked at 34500 in November even though it was well specced.
 
Well, time will tell. Keep us all posted with how quickly and how much you get for it.

I personally think adding SSS is not needed in an RS3 the standard sports seats are very comfortable. As for Dynamic pack. My Exhaust pops and bangs quite nicely in dynamic mode and Mag ride is in my experience only useful on the race track hence on my factory ordered car I chose options I wanted.
Looking at a used vehicle it's all down to choice and I would always look for a car that has been loved rather than options that may indicate it has been constantly 'rogered'.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I personally think adding SSS is not needed in an RS3 the standard sports seats are very comfortable. As for Dynamic pack. My Exhaust pops and bangs quite nicely in dynamic mode and Mag ride is in my experience only useful on the race track hence on my factory ordered car I chose options I wanted.
Looking at a used vehicle it's all down to choice and I would always look for a car that has been loved rather than options that may indicate it has been constantly 'rogered'.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
These cars need a good rogering once in a while that’s why you bought one
 
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These cars need a good rogering once in a while that’s why you bought one
well yes... but actually my point is about the likelihood of second hand models with SSS and Mag ride being more regularly 'rogered' and probably on the second hand market appealing to a different market. I chose options such as Pan Roof and B&O music etc which make my car a comfortable relaxed cruiser. The Audi exhaust mod recall certainly creates enough Pops for me! Having driven cars with Mag ride many on here and other enthusiasts aren't convinced of the benefits in daily driving.
 
Forgive my ignorance but what Audi exhaust recall?

Not too sure if it was a recall as such but mine had a software upgrade last year and it certainly sounds better in dynamic now. Will check when I get a chance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Not too sure if it was a recall as such but mine had a software upgrade last year and it certainly sounds better in dynamic now. Will check when I get a chance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah ok thanks. I know that Audi tech we’re doing something when cars came in for servicing, but I thought it was software upgrades that toned down the exhaust note somewhat....
 
well yes... but actually my point is about the likelihood of second hand models with SSS and Mag ride being more regularly 'rogered' and probably on the second hand market appealing to a different market. I chose options such as Pan Roof and B&O music etc which make my car a comfortable relaxed cruiser. The Audi exhaust mod recall certainly creates enough Pops for me! Having driven cars with Mag ride many on here and other enthusiasts aren't convinced of the benefits in daily driving.
You may well be right. But there is no doubt that buyers typically want the dynamic pack. Certainly more than those that don't.
 
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I wouldn’t buy an rs3 without dynamic pack the mag ride is excellent much better than the systems from Bmw or the like. The sports exhaust helps make the car and SSS are a must in my view the standard seats make it feel like a normal S-Line a3 most other options wouldn’t bother me to much tho I do like cruise control.
 
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I wouldn’t buy an rs3 without dynamic pack the mag ride is excellent much better than the systems from Bmw or the like. The sports exhaust helps make the car and SSS are a must in my view the standard seats make it feel like a normal S-Line a3 most other options wouldn’t bother me to much tho I do like cruise control.
I beg to disagree! It is purely a matter of taste and responses will clearly depend on what you bought and trying to justify that decision.
I went into some detail deciding on options before making my factory order RS3 having previously had an 8V S3. My dealer will confirm that I tried every possible permutation of options before making an order and for me I deliberately chose not to have SSS as I found the standard sports seats in the S3 and RS3 to be more comfortable and offer better vision. If they were standard I would have of course had SSS as they are on RS4 but absolutely pointless expenditure. The standard RS3 are nothing like 'normal S-Line', my late wife had one in 2015/2016 and they are a million miles apart in feel and support. As for Mag ride and Exhaust. The exhaust may be a tad noisier if that's what you want but Mag ride in my opinion is pointless. As you will see I have pretty much very other option and although finances do come into the equation if I had wanted Mag Ride and SSS I would have had them. Clearly many other people will agree and others will disagree so lets just agree the PFL RS3 is a great car and mine advertised on PistonHeads could be a much loved bargain for someone.
 
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I beg to disagree! It is purely a matter of taste and responses will clearly depend on what you bought and trying to justify that decision.
I went into some detail deciding on options before making my factory order RS3 having previously had an 8V S3. My dealer will confirm that I tried every possible permutation of options before making an order and for me I deliberately chose not to have SSS as I found the standard sports seats in the S3 and RS3 to be more comfortable and offer better vision. If they were standard I would have of course had SSS as they are on RS4 but absolutely pointless expenditure. The standard RS3 are nothing like 'normal S-Line', my late wife had one in 2015/2016 and they are a million miles apart in feel and support. As for Mag ride and Exhaust. The exhaust may be a tad noisier if that's what you want but Mag ride in my opinion is pointless. As you will see I have pretty much very other option and although finances do come into the equation if I had wanted Mag Ride and SSS I would have had them. Clearly many other people will agree and others will disagree so lets just agree the PFL RS3 is a great car and mine advertised on PistonHeads could be a much loved bargain for someone.

When I sold my Mythos last June Audi had it up for what you are selling yours for now and mine had electric seats and Dynamic pack / less miles

My old Mythos one books at 29000 now so any dealer would be putting it up at 33/34k max I would think.
 
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The SSS seats are exactly the same as standard seats just an integrated head rest. Same measurements- everything. I have standard seats and find them quite uncomfortable when doing long distances. Think Audi have dropped the ball omitting Recaro wingbacks off of the options list; I’d quite happily pay £££’s for them as they’re just so damn good.
 
The SSS seats are exactly the same as standard seats just an integrated head rest. Same measurements- everything. I have standard seats and find them quite uncomfortable when doing long distances. Think Audi have dropped the ball omitting Recaro wingbacks off of the options list; I’d quite happily pay £££’s for them as they’re just so damn good.
How does having an Integrated Headrest on SSS make them more comfortable or am I misinterpreting your comment. I am nearly 6'3 and not overweight and find the Standard RS3 just fine, even on a 300 mile a day drive. As mentioned it depends on personal choice.
 
When I sold my Mythos last June Audi had it up for what you are selling yours for now and mine had electric seats and Dynamic pack / less miles

My old Mythos one books at 29000 now so any dealer would be putting it up at 33/34k max I would think.
I am told that Dynamic adds less to the used value than Pan Roof, Tech pack and B&O. Maybe it's different in different parts of the country. My ols S3 (similar spec) booked at £22K and sold at £32K in 2015 when 18 months old. It's all opinion!
 
How does having an Integrated Headrest on SSS make them more comfortable or am I misinterpreting your comment. I am nearly 6'3 and not overweight and find the Standard RS3 just fine, even on a 300 mile a day drive. As mentioned it depends on personal choice.

No I meant I find standard seats uncomfortable and SSS are same proportions and measurements as standard. I get a numb behind mainly when doing long drives. SSS still look cool though so I can see why people specced them.
 
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How does having an Integrated Headrest on SSS make them more comfortable or am I misinterpreting your comment. I am nearly 6'3 and not overweight and find the Standard RS3 just fine, even on a 300 mile a day drive. As mentioned it depends on personal choice.
Like you say mate it’s all personal choice. When I was looking for mine it had to have three things
Dynamic pack
Super sports seats
B&O
Colour was negotiable
All that other stuff such as pan roof cruise control TPMS lane assist was driving aids that I would never want or use if buying from new.
 
No I meant I find standard seats uncomfortable and SSS are same proportions and measurements as standard. I get a numb behind mainly when doing long drives. SSS still look cool though so I can see why people specced them.
SSS do look cool but base is identical apparently so don't understand the issue with 'numb bum' maybe just an unrelated pain in the ****!
 
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I beg to disagree! It is purely a matter of taste and responses will clearly depend on what you bought and trying to justify that decision.
I went into some detail deciding on options before making my factory order RS3 having previously had an 8V S3. My dealer will confirm that I tried every possible permutation of options before making an order and for me I deliberately chose not to have SSS as I found the standard sports seats in the S3 and RS3 to be more comfortable and offer better vision. If they were standard I would have of course had SSS as they are on RS4 but absolutely pointless expenditure. The standard RS3 are nothing like 'normal S-Line', my late wife had one in 2015/2016 and they are a million miles apart in feel and support. As for Mag ride and Exhaust. The exhaust may be a tad noisier if that's what you want but Mag ride in my opinion is pointless. As you will see I have pretty much very other option and although finances do come into the equation if I had wanted Mag Ride and SSS I would have had them. Clearly many other people will agree and others will disagree so lets just agree the PFL RS3 is a great car and mine advertised on PistonHeads could be a much loved bargain for someone.

Well there’s no denying the fact that any person looking to spend a decent amount of money on an RS3 will look for one with the most amount of options. Yes you may have specced your car to your liking but not everyone will like your car which will make it harder to sell privately.
 
SSS do look cool but base is identical apparently so don't understand the issue with 'numb bum' maybe just an unrelated pain in the ****!

Prob something to do with the wife sitting next to me.
 
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