Reviews

[Snake Pliskin]

A45s is the better looking hatchback especially in the matte grey paint and may l say it the A45s interior is far more interesting looking but l don't do hatchbacks

It definitely has its strengths and yes the interior was excellent but I did find the steering wheel a bit on the large side & busy with buttons & too much silver. But screens were super high res & very impressive. Glad I owned one but day to day it’s a bit hard core & unless you were revving the nuts off it, it sounded like a fiesta 1.0 litre most of the time.

 

[Jassyo06]

It definitely has its strengths and yes the interior was excellent but I did find the steering wheel a bit on the large side & busy with buttons & too much silver. But screens were super high res & very impressive. Glad I owned one but day to day it’s a bit hard core & unless you were revving the nuts off it, it sounded like a fiesta 1.0 litre most of the time.

I can relate to that mate ie Ford fiesta av been driving one for the last 10 months lol had nearly got another for the Mrs a new 155 ps st line with the full Pano-roof in a gorgeous deep metallic red paint but the Mrs changed her mind and extended her company lease for another 4 months the search continues lol

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I can relate to that mate ie Ford fiesta av been driving one for the last 10 months lol had nearly got another for the Mrs a new 155 ps st line with the full Pano-roof in a gorgeous deep metallic red paint but the Mrs changed her mind and extended her company lease for another 4 months the search continues lol

just for the record I do like Fiesta’s lol.
As you’ve described - deep blue pano roof 155 ST line is a very tasty car
My reference was purely to a 1.0 litre engine sound in a 420bhp car is unacceptable imo.
But yeah I often look at Fiesta’s, Focus and Puma’s tbf and think they are very nice looking cars.

 

[Jassyo06]

just for the record I do like Fiesta’s lol.
As you’ve described - deep blue pano roof 155 ST line is a very tasty car
My reference was purely to a 1.0 litre engine sound in a 420bhp car is unacceptable imo.
But yeah I often look at Fiesta’s, Focus and Puma’s tbf and think they are very nice looking cars.

Ford do funky colours but their paints are very soft and mark/swirl easily
Av been looking at the MK8 GTI and club sports very expensive per month when optioned up to £50k and its very easily done to get them to £50k.....for a £10k deposit its still over £500 @month shocking

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Ford do funky colours but their paints are very soft and mark/swirl easily
Av been looking at the MK8 GTI and club sports very expensive per month when optioned up to £50k and its very easily done to get them to £50k.....for a £10k deposit its still over £500 @month shocking

again really nice cars … blimey that is expensive though isn’t it.

 

[Jassyo06]

again really nice cars … blimey that is expensive though isn’t it.

That's on the VW site av just been searching on coast2coast...and they're offering a £4kish discount

 

[Snake Pliskin]

That's on the VW site av just been searching on coast2coast...and they're offering a £4kish discount

£4K discount is actually pretty good atm.
Just the same thing as Audi though re how accurate is the expected lead time ?

 

[Jassyo06]

£4K discount is actually pretty good atm.
Just the same thing as Audi though re how accurate is the expected lead time ?

Not in a rush pal by the time all this $hit has stopped iboth the Golf and 8y will be getting a nip n tuck....

 

[8YARWY]

Lol why do some of these You Tubers bother……




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[8YARWY]

Ok not an RS3, but he makes a special mention of how good the RS3 still is.




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[Mr Freeze]

Ok not an RS3, but he makes a special mention of how good the RS3 still is.




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He also notes that the interior isn't the best in the Rs3 which I think will be rectified when the facelift comes

 

[Snake Pliskin]

He also notes that the interior isn't the best in the Rs3 which I think will be rectified when the facelift comes

I think that is a dead cert mate.
As with the 8v, the facelift will be the keeper car and have all the goodies we are currently missing.
It will be interesting to see what they tweak visually though as the outside is pretty much spot on IMO.
Just the inside that is crying out for the full RS treatment.

 

[Jassyo06]

Ok not an RS3, but he makes a special mention of how good the RS3 still is.




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Even in the S8 you've gotta pay £9000 for red stitching/seat belts...and Audi badge it as Exclusive on the door cards wtf...

 

[8YARWY]

Even in the S8 you've gotta pay £9000 for red stitching/seat belts...and Audi badge it as Exclusive on the door cards wtf...

At least its an available option lol......

On the RS3 configurator there’s no Turbo blue or Red option anymore.

 

[Jassyo06]

At least its an available option lol......

On the RS3 configurator there’s no Turbo blue or Red option anymore.

What???? Audi adding 2 new colour's?

 

[8YARWY]

What???? Audi adding 2 new colour's?

On the RS3 8Y it looks like they've removed Turbo Blue and Red.....

 

[Mike.46]

I think that is a dead cert mate.
As with the 8v, the facelift will be the keeper car and have all the goodies we are currently missing.
It will be interesting to see what they tweak visually though as the outside is pretty much spot on IMO.
Just the inside that is crying out for the full RS treatment.

From my reply from Audi UK it appears that it was the Audi UK 'design team' that sorts the cars options out into what is avaialble as an option and equipment levels like 'Carbon' and 'Vorsprung' and nothing to do with Audi DE?

 

[garethdj]

From my reply from Audi UK it appears that it was the Audi UK 'design team' that sorts the cars options out into what is avaialble as an option and equipment levels like 'Carbon' and 'Vorsprung' and nothing to do with Audi DE?

Matt Watson said this. Marketing team wanted it adding. Design team thought the interior stuff looked tacky. I must be tacky.


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[Terminator x]

On the RS3 8Y it looks like they've removed Turbo Blue and Red.....

Hmm wonder if "old" red orders will turn up at all?

TX.

 

[Jassyo06]

From my reply from Audi UK it appears that it was the Audi UK 'design team' that sorts the cars options out into what is avaialble as an option and equipment levels like 'Carbon' and 'Vorsprung' and nothing to do with Audi DE?

Not buying that as a excuse for one minute. In the UK Vorsprung,Carbon Eds have been on the go on other models for a few years now and most have been configurable inside ie design packs upholstery colours...the design packs are being kept for the facelift car and no doubt they'll also be available for the S3
Audi started stripping back on interior options/embellishments on the last year or so of production of the 8v fl RS3 they removed the red vents and red stitching on the door armrests and the centre console but kept the red stitching on the Super Sport Seats for some reason Audi .de have become complacent with model specifications in the UK

 

[rngDeadeye]

Matt Watson said this. Marketing team wanted it adding. Design team thought the interior stuff looked tacky. I must be tacky.


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They were correct.

 

[Jassyo06]

They were correct.

It's not always been that way the vents on the 8v fl where nice and up close you could see the metallic flecks in the red painted vents

 

[PaulBCN]

I really never understood why the Design Packs were withheld in the UK, but as @Mike.46 says, this decision is entirely down to Audi UK who are responsable for configuring all options and prices for their market. They are the ones that offer and finally sell you the car, not Audi Germany. The same as here in Spain where Audi España are fully responsible (and any other country). They can all pick and choose the options that they allow to be configured in their market (although there is very little reason to withhold most options).

In most other countries, there are no trim levels available for the RS3 - no Carbon or Vorsprung. There is just one trim level and everything else is configurable as an option. Some options are missing due to parts shortages (TPMS for example) and some are available but will eventually delay your build (sunroofs, blind-spot indicators, phone box etc).

I bought mine with the red Design Pack (all red stitching and alcantara steering wheel) whilst avoiding the Design Pack Plus which is the same but with red vents and red seat bolster accents because I didn't want to go "all out". But these options were fully available to order.

I can understand that the red vents and flashy red bolster accents could be considered "tacky" by the UK team (although I don't fully agree with them), but the standard Design Pack should be standard on all models I think. With either green, grey/silver or just black stitching as a no-cost option. I still can't understand why the standard RS nappa leather has black stitching instead of just grey/silver contrast stitching. It makes very little sense.

 

[Deleted member 160894]

I really never understood why the Design Packs were withheld in the UK, but as @Mike.46 says, this decision is entirely down to Audi UK who are responsable for configuring all options and prices for their market. They are the ones that offer and finally sell you the car, not Audi Germany. The same as here in Spain where Audi España are fully responsible (and any other country). They can all pick and choose the options that they allow to be configured in their market (although there is very little reason to withhold most options).

In most other countries, there are no trim levels available for the RS3 - no Carbon or Vorsprung. There is just one trim level and everything else is configurable as an option. Some options are missing due to parts shortages (TPMS for example) and some are available but will eventually delay your build (sunroofs, blind-spot indicators, phone box etc).

I bought mine with the red Design Pack (all red stitching and alcantara steering wheel) whilst avoiding the Design Pack Plus which is the same but with red vents and red seat bolster accents because I didn't want to go "all out". But these options were fully available to order.

I can understand that the red vents and flashy red bolster accents could be considered "tacky" by the UK team (although I don't fully agree with them), but the standard Design Pack should be standard on all models I think. With either green, grey/silver or just black stitching as a no-cost option. I still can't understand why the standard RS nappa leather has black stitching instead of just grey/silver contrast stitching. It makes very little sense.

I sent an email to Audi UK saying that the amount of people wanting some sort of option for interior design, with no option for us to select, was a major mistake and should be rectified. The person replied with, "thank you for the information. We appreciate you taking the time to help us improve our understanding of this market's needs". What a crock

 

[RichK]

I sent an email to Audi UK saying that the amount of people wanting some sort of option for interior design, with no option for us to select, was a major mistake and should be rectified. The person replied with, "thank you for the information. We appreciate you taking the time to help us improve our understanding of this market's needs". What a crock

Did you really expect anything more than that. They’ve sold 100’s of S3 and RS3s, I’m sure some customers do want red stitching and a few red vents, but on the other hand I bet the majority don’t in the uk, hence why it’s not an option (yet). I’m sure audi, with all its billions, have the data to back up their reasoning.

 

[Deleted member 160894]

Did you really expect anything more than that. They’ve sold 100’s of S3 and RS3s, I’m sure some customers do want red stitching and a few red vents, but on the other hand I bet the majority don’t in the uk, hence why it’s not an option (yet). I’m sure audi, with all its billions, have the data to back up their reasoning.

If you take a poll of the people on here, given conversations around this subject, I can tell you their data is wrong.

 

[RichK]

If you take a poll of the people on here, given conversations around this subject, I can tell you their data is wrong.

I’m not dissing your email mate. But let’s be honest the data on here is probably 10 regulars moaning about no coloured stitching versus Audis data.

 

[Deleted member 160894]

I’m not dissing your email mate. But let’s be honest the data on here is probably 10 regulars moaning about no coloured stitching versus Audis data.

It's entirely possible. I guess the question I have is how do they gather their data? Who have they asked that made the decision that the UK is one of the only, if not the only, market not to have any interior design options?

 

[rngDeadeye]

Give us white leather with contrast stitching and/or black with contrast.

tonker toy red vent things look shyte.

 

[Deleted member 160894]

Give us white leather with contrast stitching and/or black with contrast.

tonker toy red vent things look shyte.

White leather? And you reckon red vents look shyte? Lol

 

[RichK]

It's entirely possible. I guess the question I have is how do they gather their data? Who have they asked that made the decision that the UK is one of the only, if not the only, market not to have any interior design options?

Fair point, as they didn’t ask me. No survey, nothing. I don’t know how they get their data, shame we don’t have someone from Audi uk on the forum (or do we lol). Just look at rngDeadeyes comment, the uk probably want too many variations, colours, styles, options that it’s not worth providing any options as it would be too costly to provide such small numbers of each.

 

[kayemill]

Fair point, as they didn’t ask me. No survey, nothing. I don’t know how they get their data, shame we don’t have someone from Audi uk on the forum (or do we lol). Just look at rngDeadeyes comment, the uk probably want too many variations, colours, styles, options that it’s not worth providing any options as it would be too costly to provide such small numbers of each.

I've had nothing but surveys since I got mine. Through the post and via email.

This may all be my fault as I've told them the interior is bottom of the pile when it comes to my priorities.

Sorry Guy's!

 

[rngDeadeye]

White leather? And you reckon red vents look shyte? Lol

RS3 used to come with White leather as an option.

I have it in my M4

 

[PaulBCN]

Fair point, as they didn’t ask me. No survey, nothing. I don’t know how they get their data, shame we don’t have someone from Audi uk on the forum (or do we lol). Just look at rngDeadeyes comment, the uk probably want too many variations, colours, styles, options that it’s not worth providing any options as it would be too costly to provide such small numbers of each.

Not really. Although the UK is a big market for the RS3 (always has been), the idea that the UK wants too many variations, colours and options etc doesn't make much sense.

In most other countries, the order book configuration is completely open to the customer to chose. There are no fixed trim levels/finishes other than a base RS3 and "add what you want".

So the idea of withholding the interior design packs and limiting some of the exterior options to certain trim levels is pure marketing from Audi UK. There's no technical reason why Audi would ask them to limit choices when the rest of the world already has them and the production lines are fully capable of building whatever configuration is needed from one car to another.

There is one thing that could make sense and kind of fits in with what you've wrote. As expensive as the RS3 is in the UK (as summarised by pretty much any car reviewer), it is still much cheaper in the UK than in most other countries. And maybe this could be due to some special agreement to order specific packs or trim levels (not sure, but I guess it's a possibility).

 

[8YARWY]

It's not always been that way the vents on the 8v fl where nice and up close you could see the metallic flecks in the red painted vents

And enhanced further by the classic that is 'the boys of summer'

 

[Mike.46]

Matt Watson said this. Marketing team wanted it adding. Design team thought the interior stuff looked tacky. I must be tacky.


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IIRC that was only the coloured vents ?

 

[Deleted member 160894]

RS3 used to come with White leather as an option.

I have it in my M4

View attachment 257146

Each to their own mate. I just wanted something a little more subtle. I'd like to think everyone would agree that having some sort of choice of interior customisation would be good. Be it white seats or red vents or anything else. After all, as has been said in other posts, everywhere seems to get the choice apart from us!

 

[Jassyo06]

Not really. Although the UK is a big market for the RS3 (always has been), the idea that the UK wants too many variations, colours and options etc doesn't make much sense.

In most other countries, the order book configuration is completely open to the customer to chose. There are no fixed trim levels/finishes other than a base RS3 and "add what you want".

So the idea of withholding the interior design packs and limiting some of the exterior options to certain trim levels is pure marketing from Audi UK. There's no technical reason why Audi would ask them to limit choices when the rest of the world already has them and the production lines are fully capable of building whatever configuration is needed from one car to another.

There is one thing that could make sense and kind of fits in with what you've wrote. As expensive as the RS3 is in the UK (as summarised by pretty much any car reviewer), it is still much cheaper in the UK than in most other countries. And maybe this could be due to some special agreement to order specific packs or trim levels (not sure, but I guess it's a possibility).

You can buy a RS3 8Y in North America for the price of a S3 in the UK
A RS3 8Y in Australia is also cheaper than it is in the UK....Most if not all options are available singularly or part of a pack in the USA and Australia

 

[Jassyo06]

I've had nothing but surveys since I got mine. Through the post and via email.

This may all be my fault as I've told them the interior is bottom of the pile when it comes to my priorities.

Sorry Guy's!

Lol So Geko Green was one of your highest priorities lol l just couldn’t have a car that tone of green.....too old for the.... $hit I'd get from folks I'd end up Lamping some of them lol

 

[kayemill]

Lol So Geko Green was one of your highest priorities lol l just couldn’t have a car that tone of green.....too old for the.... $hit I'd get from folks I'd end up Lamping some of them lol

The first time I seen the green saloon test car I wanted the colour. Love it. I’ve not had an issue with unwanted attention so far. I even pulled up at the co op one night behind an RFC supporters bus dropping off. A guy came up and tapped the window, complimented the car and said I assume you’re a Celtic fan, I said no. Don’t follow football just like the colour. Fist Bumped me and went on his way.


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