RSQ3 Thinking about getting an RSQ3

S3GCN

S3GCN

Registered User
Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Messages
102
Reaction score
64
Points
28
Hi all, first post on this forum for a while and first in this group. I was hoping to get peoples opinion/advice.

I had an 8V S3 until about 18 months ago when I swapped it for an AMG A35.

I’ve had a couple of issues with the Merc so was thinking about a swap back to Audi, and to an RSQ3.

Has anyone done similar - from an S3 to an RSQ3 and if so what are your thoughts on the RSQ3?

Thanks
 
Well....I've had 3 RSQ3 - a 340 and a 367PS of the 8U version and now a 2020 F3 400PS version so probably in a good position to advise.

So the Audi RSQ3 is, simply, one of Audi's best kept secrets. The car is easy to live with on a day to day basis and genuinely good fun to drive - an experience that is dominated by the epic 5 pot engine. The 8U version had three different engine power outputs 310, 340 (Facelift 2015 onwards) and the final 367 Performance version - though in reality the 340 and 367 feel exactly the same in the real world. All RSQ3 have fabulous brakes - Brembo 8 pot calipers in the 8U, 6 pot aluminium calipers on the latest F3. Especially on the 8U the brakes are of specific importance as the higher centre of gravity means that whilst cornering capability is good the best approach for rapid cross country progress is hoon down the straights and shed speed for the corners, the F3 is based on Audi's newer MQB platform and does corners with less drama.

Running costs.
The RSQ3 is an all out performance vehicle, it likes fuel (98+), you'll see north of 30 mpg on motorway runs and a lot less around town, tyres are about 18,000 a set, front brake discs last for about 30,000 miles with a 1mm wear limit off each face (£500+ for a pair) the solution is to fit EBC Redstuff pads, minimal disc wear and little dust), Spark plugs are about £200 a set and needed every 20,000 miles. It isn't a cheap vehicle to run however it will make you smile like nothing else!

Buying an RSQ3
Spec is important - ideally you want a Pano roof (no rattle issues unlike other Audi cars - i.e. Q5), Bose (exceptional sound quality), the Bose option also included an interior light pack, Hill Hold (applies the brakes automatically). As with all Audi a full service history is important, the brake discs - anything with a significant lip on the edge will need replacement.

If you are looking for the current version then there are some real bargains to be had, the RSQ3 was announced about a year ago, the 1st ones arrived earlier this year in the dealers and then the Lockdown happened and the cars just sat in the dealer compounds. I bought mine about a month ago (originally built in February) at close to £10k off list, you do at a bare minimum need a Comfort and Sound pack - the std F3 sounds system is dreadful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: firecracker69, Aaron gill, NevMan and 1 other person
Which model, original or new shape?
I had a 2015 S3 8V which I traded for a 2015 SQ5, after almost 2 years I changed to a 2016 RSQ3 and I honestly think the car is epic mate. So much more fun than the SQ5 and more drama than the S3.
The higher ride height and seating position makes it easy to live with and its such a rare beast its nice to be a little unique:icon thumright:
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan and cosmicblue
Yeah, good point Ju - RSQ3 are really rare, you may not see another one all year..
 
I have the Sport Edition registered just before lockdown in March, so far 5.5K miles. Cosmic's summary is spot on. It is a very comfortable car to drive, cornering on Highland roads (tracks really)is not it's strongest point and the 21" wheels make the ride a bit harsher and noisy. If you are concerned about fuel consumption it may not be the car for you. This car leaves others in it's dust, progress can be eye watering and heavy use of the loud pedal can catch out the unwary. Mine's was located in a dealer's stock in Crewe where I worked a very good deal, and then some (dealing with a Scot here).
I'd have another one.

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan and cosmicblue
Hi all, great information, thanks.

I have my eye on one that is just shy of 12 months old, has done about 3k miles.

I do about 30-40 miles daily but if I have to go to site I do more, but I am not really doing high mileage. I always use Tesco momentum in my AMG and did in my S3 before that.

In terms of spec the one I have seen is the basic model but has comfort pack (is that reverse camera and B&O) 21” wheels but perhaps they are standard, matrix lights, ambient lighting and a couple of other bits. No pano roof but I have that in my A35 and usually have the blind shut, I can count on two hands the number of times I’ve had the roof open in 18 months so the lack of that doesn’t really bother me.

I’m dithering between the switch from a hatch to SUV and the lockdown isn’t helping as I can’t easily test drove or go and look at one in the metal. Bad timing I have seen one that in the face of it was a decent price - £46k, but perhaps that isn’t too good a price?
 
OK so an F3 RSQ3 - there a whole bunch of them in the dealer network at what is known as 'Introductory volume' cars that were pre-ordered by Audi UK as launch vehicles. They have odd specifications that you can't even order a unique 21" wheel style, no pano (that you aren't bothered about) and bits of the Vorsprung specification like wireless phone charging. You do 'need ' the Comfort & Sound pack:

Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System
The system features 15 loudspeakers including a subwoofer and centre loudspeaker and a 16-channel amplifier with an output of 680 watts.The 3D sound effect ensures an intense sound experience for all occupants. Exclusive speaker covers with aluminium applications. The sound is permanently adapted to compensate for driving and background noises determined by a microphone

Rear View Camera
An image of the area behind the vehicle is displayed with dynamic display modes highlighting the calculated path (steer-angle dependent). Reversing camera is concealed in the handle strip of the luggage compartment lid

Extended Ambient Lighting Pack - Multi Coloured
In addition to Ambient Lighting Pack, it includes coloured lighting in the following areas:
• Contour lighting for the doors
• Ambient upholstery lighting for the doors, front/rear
• Ambient lighting at the side of the front centre console
• Storage compartment underneath the instrument panel
• Illuminated quattro logo or Audi rings (with front-wheel drive) in the instrument panel on the front-passenger side
A choice of 30 colours are available (10 colours for the quattro logo/Audi rings)

Most of the Introductory volume cars have the silver exterior trim that I personally like - provides a bit more visual definition to the lines of the car.

£46k isn't a bad price for one - I'd still go and haggle as let's be honest the market for this type of car is not massive - to put that into context less than 900 8U RSQ3 were registered in the UK between 2014 and 2017, this is a niche car. Take a look on Autotrader, there are lots of dealers with 1 year old brand new 'Introductory' cars with Audi providing deal support you might be able to get one of those. Some dealers are even pushing them into the non-franchised car dealer lots so drive a hard bargain.
 
And one last thing - be prepared to travel for the right car for you. Mike above travelled for the north of Scotland to Crewe and I went from the Midlands to Norwich.

The cars without the 'Sports Exhaust option - black tail pipe trims' still have the dual exhaust valves in the tail pipes and it sounds pretty good to me too.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
S3GCN said:
Hi all, great information, thanks.

I have my eye on one that is just shy of 12 months old, has done about 3k miles.

I do about 30-40 miles daily but if I have to go to site I do more, but I am not really doing high mileage. I always use Tesco momentum in my AMG and did in my S3 before that.

In terms of spec the one I have seen is the basic model but has comfort pack (is that reverse camera and B&O) 21” wheels but perhaps they are standard, matrix lights, ambient lighting and a couple of other bits. No pano roof but I have that in my A35 and usually have the blind shut, I can count on two hands the number of times I’ve had the roof open in 18 months so the lack of that doesn’t really bother me.

I’m dithering between the switch from a hatch to SUV and the lockdown isn’t helping as I can’t easily test drove or go and look at one in the metal. Bad timing I have seen one that in the face of it was a decent price - £46k, but perhaps that isn’t too good a price?
Click to expand...

You HAVE to try the SUV thing. Some people love them and the higher seating position, some feel like they are sitting on and not in a car, some say they are great on country roads and some say they arent as good as a fast hatch or estate... so that doesnt really help much.

Its a great car with a great engine - but the SUV piece is very personal. Are you looking because you want / need more space, because it gets you into an RS rather than an S and is a bit different to your S3? Or have you always wanted a performance SUV? Whether you like it or not may come down to what attracts you to it in the first place.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: -Ju-, cosmicblue and NevMan
Thanks once again for your input.

I have a seen a December 19 car with 3.5k miles at an independent specialist. According to their website the extras it has are

Turbo blue paint
21” wheels
Matrix headlights
Bang & Olufsen
Reversing camera
Ambient lighting
3 zone climate

You never know with these things whether they are right or not with what they say it has, and I’m not sure whether some of the stuff is standard or not - adaptive cruise, lane departure etc.

It doesn’t have pano roof or a sports exhaust, but the exhaust doesn’t bother me too much (I think) as it will be better for work purposes if it is quieter.

In relation to an SUV, there are times when for work I need to get to properties along farm tracks and my current AMG bottoms out which isn’t ideal, so an SUV would be great for that - although to be fair a regular car not as low as the one I have would also be better. With regards to space, most of the time it is just me in the car, but for family holidays and taking my young son out perhaps with bikes and stuff it would be better than my A35 is.
 
If you can get the VIN of the car you can put it into the MyAudi app and see the actual spec of the car (doesn't have to be linked). The Std RSQ3 has lane departure and blind spot monitoring as standard - not sure what the spec is on 'Introductory volume' cars so the VIN check would be very revealing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
If you can get the VIN of the car you can put it into the MyAudi app and see the actual spec of the car (doesn't have to be linked). The Std RSQ3 has lane departure and blind spot monitoring as standard - not sure what the spec is on 'Introductory volume' cars so the VIN check would be very revealing.

Sports Exhaust - whilst you won't have it (I don't either) you still have control over the exhaust valves in the RS1 and RS2 modes via Drive Select.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
S3GCN said:
Thanks once again for your input.

I have a seen a December 19 car with 3.5k miles at an independent specialist. According to their website the extras it has are

Turbo blue paint
21” wheels
Matrix headlights
Bang & Olufsen
Reversing camera
Ambient lighting
3 zone climate

You never know with these things whether they are right or not with what they say it has, and I’m not sure whether some of the stuff is standard or not - adaptive cruise, lane departure etc.

It doesn’t have pano roof or a sports exhaust, but the exhaust doesn’t bother me too much (I think) as it will be better for work purposes if it is quieter.

In relation to an SUV, there are times when for work I need to get to properties along farm tracks and my current AMG bottoms out which isn’t ideal, so an SUV would be great for that - although to be fair a regular car not as low as the one I have would also be better. With regards to space, most of the time it is just me in the car, but for family holidays and taking my young son out perhaps with bikes and stuff it would be better than my A35 is.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it could be just up your street then.

I think noisy exhausts are overrated, but I am an old git.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan and cosmicblue
Hi Islealw,

As one old git to another, I tend to agree with you on your comment about noisy exhausts, however the F3 Sports Exhaust is not noisy. The 5 pot burble to my ears anyway, is discernible, but could never be described as noisy, even when the revs are upped a bit. The F3 has had it's 'wild side' tamed, only when the RS1 & 2 modes are programmed will you get a genteel 'roar' when using the right pedal. Some owners here who are more tech savvy then me say the reduction in noise is something to do with the inclusion of a particle trap which the 8U did not have.

Mike
 
NWHighlander said:
Hi Islealw,

As one old git to another, I tend to agree with you on your comment about noisy exhausts, however the F3 Sports Exhaust is not noisy. The 5 pot burble to my ears anyway, is discernible, but could never be described as noisy, even when the revs are upped a bit. The F3 has had it's 'wild side' tamed, only when the RS1 & 2 modes are programmed will you get a genteel 'roar' when using the right pedal. Some owners here who are more tech savvy then me say the reduction in noise is something to do with the inclusion of a particle trap which the 8U did not have.

Mike
Click to expand...

I like 5 pots generally (going back to my old 850 T5 or even the early Audi 90 5 cylinder) and a bit of a growl is ok. My last three cars have been SQ5, M5 and RS4, each with a valved exhaust. All have been acceptable in the car, I am told the M5 was a bit loud outside and it gave stupid pops and bangs on the overrun in sport plus, but you can make discrete quick progress. The son in law has had a few AMG 43 Mercedes and they are way too loud and in my mind just too shouty. Even with OPFs....

If I'd wanted people to look at me I would have bought a Porsche, under the radar in my dog wagon is much more my thing!
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan and NWHighlander
isleaiw said:
If I'd wanted people to look at me I would have bought a Porsche, under the radar in my dog wagon is much more my thing!
Click to expand...

Oi.........I’ve just sold my Q5 and bought a Macan S...so am I included in the above lol!!?? :whistle2:
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
AllanG said:
Oi.........I’ve just sold my Q5 and bought a Macan S...so am I included in the above lol!!?? :whistle2:
Click to expand...

Well I did cancel my order for a Macan GTS because of the image so maybe...

I like to think I have a bigger, more practical, more discrete Macan Turbo this time...

And yes, where are the pics!
 
  • Like
Reactions: AllanG and NevMan
X3man said:
Looks stunning Alan. If you use Tapatalk app, much easier to upload pics . Glad to see you are chuffed and it is a massive upgrade for you
Click to expand...

Agreed, looks very nice. Be interested to hear what you think is such an upgrade. I found boot small, back seat small, given my Audi was an SQ%, the engine was pretty much the same, Porsche probably rode and handled a bit better (although a pre facelift GTS on 21s wasnt that supple), but interior had way too many buttons and in the pre FL the dash was definitely old fashioned...

Maybe I should have waited for a facelift!
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
cosmicblue said:
If you can get the VIN of the car you can put it into the MyAudi app and see the actual spec of the car (doesn't have to be linked). The Std RSQ3 has lane departure and blind spot monitoring as standard - not sure what the spec is on 'Introductory volume' cars so the VIN check would be very revealing.
Click to expand...

Can I do this without needing to get set up on the app? I’ve downloaded it but I think it wants me to enter personal details, vehicle details and stuff.
 
You have to create an account (free) then add the vehicle's VIN. I already had my account from previous cars and added the VIN for the current car as soon as the dealer provided it.
 
The main upgrade for me with the Macan S compared to my Q5 is the increase in engine size from 2 to 3 litre, plus I think the handling of the Macan is tauter, though the suspension is a little firmer.....I’m on 20” wheels :icon thumright:

I agree that the rear passenger space and boot area are slightly smaller, but this doesn’t bother me too much, plus I quite like all the centre console buttons. The facelift dash is certainly an improvement over the Gen 1 model, as the touch screen is now quite a bit larger, with more facilities available.

I’m sure if my Q5 was a SQ5 petrol then, perhaps, I wouldn’t have changed it for a Macan :whistle2:
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
AllanG said:
The main upgrade for me with the Macan S compared to my Q5 is the increase in engine size from 2 to 3 litre, plus I think the handling of the Macan is tauter, though the suspension is a little firmer.....I’m on 20” wheels :icon thumright:

I agree that the rear passenger space and boot area are slightly smaller, but this doesn’t bother me too much, plus I quite like all the centre console buttons. The facelift dash is certainly an improvement over the Gen 1 model, as the touch screen is now quite a bit larger, with more facilities available.

I’m sure if my Q5 was a SQ5 petrol then, perhaps, I wouldn’t have changed it for a Macan :whistle2:
Click to expand...

Makes alot of sense, the engine does make the driving experience in many cars.

The boot was an issue for me as the sloping hatch makes it difficult with a dog crate. But had that not been an issue - and the fact I have to (or used to have to!) take my car to the office from time to time and a Porsche just stands out for all the wrong reasons in an industry where most staff are low paid - I could have happily taken the Macan.

Son in law works for a dealership group that has a couple of Porsche dealerships and made the mistake of telling me they have a number of Boxster and Cayman GTS 2.5s in stock with unrepeatable deals - been trying to work out if a Cayman makes a sensible station car in place of the Mini!
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan and AllanG
isleaiw said:
Makes alot of sense, the engine does make the driving experience in many cars.

The boot was an issue for me as the sloping hatch makes it difficult with a dog crate. But had that not been an issue - and the fact I have to (or used to have to!) take my car to the office from time to time and a Porsche just stands out for all the wrong reasons in an industry where most staff are low paid - I could have happily taken the Macan.

Son in law works for a dealership group that has a couple of Porsche dealerships and made the mistake of telling me they have a number of Boxster and Cayman GTS 2.5s in stock with unrepeatable deals - been trying to work out if a Cayman makes a sensible station car in place of the Mini!
Click to expand...

Man maths likely to sort that one out for you :whistle2:
 
X3man said:
Man maths likely to sort that one out for you :whistle2:
Click to expand...

I work in hospitality, it hasnt been the best year!

He is trying to get one as his personal contract car through work (as long as they can buy it back at 4 months old for no more than cost to them (after any support from Porsche) then he can have it - so they are working the numbers on a Crayon GTS Cayman....all it costs him is interest and a flat insurance charge!
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan
isleaiw said:
I work in hospitality, it hasnt been the best year!

He is trying to get one as his personal contract car through work (as long as they can buy it back at 4 months old for no more than cost to them (after any support from Porsche) then he can have it - so they are working the numbers on a Crayon GTS Cayman....all it costs him is interest and a flat insurance charge!
Click to expand...
Yes, not been great at all for hospitality!
That sounds like a win-win if it works out :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
RSQ3 Thinking of buying an RSQ3
Replies
6
Views
3K
scaramanga
S
B
RSQ3 Anyone gone from S3 to an RSQ3
Replies
21
Views
11K
HawkeyeS3
HawkeyeS3
alanyork
RSQ3 RSQ3
Replies
731
Views
63K
Terminator x
Terminator x
RO65ERS
RSQ3 New RSQ3 owner
Replies
12
Views
4K
simonali
S
TomL83
Q3 Thinking about buying a Q3 1.4 tfsi
Replies
19
Views
2K
cuke2u
cuke2u
Top
Back