So 5-years ago this week:

[45bvtc]

Thursday 13th October 2011 we went to Stafford Audi to collect our 2001 Audi S3 (new clutch) and found they had a RS3 demonstrator...

On road evaluation and less than a mile into a 10-mile run I was totally sold.

Friday 14th October 2011 (having slept on the 'jeeeze' experience) I telephone call to Stafford Audi to ask "can we order a new one?" No, all 500 units are sold.

Onto Piston Heads where we found 'one' brand new Cornflower blue RS3 and we telephoned the seller.

Saturday 15th October 2011 and we're parked on the seller's doorstep at 7.45am and by 8.05am the deal was done. Didn't bother to sit in it, nothing; we wanted this car...

Saturday 22nd October 2011: Back to the seller's establishment by taxi, rail, and taxi and with full payment made we bought BLUEY home using both motorway and by-road driving.

And we've still ZERO interest in changing this fabulous motor car...

 

[Terminator x]

I can confirm that they sound fabulous. Had a few blast past me at the w/end

TX.

 

[Scottyg]

It is a stunner John. Many more happy miles to be driven.

 

[45bvtc]

I can confirm that they sound fabulous. Had a few blast past me at the w/end

TX.

And is why I ain't in the facelift fantasy, John; much prefer to drive the original RS3 harder; that it looks like a 2.0 TDi enhances the F U N...

 

[lfcrule1972]

Looks fab, good to hear you've had trouble free motoring in the RS3 !

 

[Sandra]

Lol, that's a quick 5 years John. Still in ace condition just like yourself. I know you love bluey (nalf) lots of years of fun left in you both. Enjoy xx

 

[45bvtc]

Looks fab, good to hear you've had trouble free motoring in the RS3 !

Other than the low-speed brake squeal - and bless-em I tried chapter and verse to advise resolution - the car has been 100% perfect for my own use: and yes I have evaluated RS4/5/6/7 and 8 alongside, all of which are fabulous cars but none as an 'A' to 'B' all weather machine I'd prefer: and the 8P RS3s blandness for me is a plus, plus, plus; mega anonymous in my 5-years of experience is the 8P Audi RS3; and ****** quick, too...

 

[45bvtc]

Lol, that's a quick 5 years John. Still in ace condition just like yourself. I know you love bluey (nalf) lots of years of fun left in you both. Enjoy xx

Just thought it opportune to say YEAH!!!! to this 8P Audi RS3, Sandra: AND I still have to lift OFF more times than not - and I bet most others do, too... MEGA machine...

Hope you and yours are well....

 

[45bvtc]

I can confirm that they sound fabulous. Had a few blast past me at the w/end

TX.

Yep, sounded just like you reported elsewhere, John: "You and me both! I must have been lapped by everyone!"

BUT WHY??? HOW??? Please tell....

 

[Terminator x]

On the track at Castle Coombe this weekend. Felt a bit nervous tracking my P&J probably never again!

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

 

[45bvtc]

And a VERY honest response, John; well done you...

See:



And this on a Welsh Go Kart track with snow on the hillsides...

 

[Sandra]

Lol, blast from the past with mbk hullrs3, elton, carrg and who could forget Robbiemac and the crew. Fight club lol x

 

[45bvtc]

Lol, blast from the past with mbk hullrs3, elton, carrg and who could forget Robbiemac and the crew. Fight club lol x

That was one event I'll never forget, Sandra; and one that'll never be repeated as the pace of the drive from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion was oh so unintentional, but FUN; and I've still the bonnet chips to prove...

 

[P_G]

Congrats on the 5 years of ownership, probably one of the better kept 8P's around and all the better now for some 034 wizardry! But we both know if your garage was bigger 7 rather than 3 would be your lucky number.....

 

[45bvtc]

Congrats on the 5 years of ownership, probably one of the better kept 8P's around and all the better now for some 034 wizardry! But we both know if your garage was bigger 7 rather than 3 would be your lucky number.....

100% correct on the garage, Graeme; and as I said at the Knowsley Hall Showcase in 2014:

"AUDI SHOWCASE at KNOWSLEY HALL

A steady run up the M6 in the RS3 and straight to Knowsley Hall; already impressed by the venue alone.

I chose the RS5 and RS7 wanting to run back to back the same engine with the RS5 naturally aspirated and the RS7 twin turbo-charged.

A wonderful greet from Claire Furey (Jardine Motors), and on her birthday too. Coffee and a bacon and/or sausage bap and John Vena (Liverpool Audi) took us out to a Suzuka Grey RS5 Coupe. Not expecting great things from this machine we took if for an hours run over an
interesting route in extreme wet conditions that allowed us to explore some of the more aggressive characteristics of the vehicle; however, waiting for the torques to arrive from that naturally aspirated lump left me totally non impressed - and I feel just the same with the RS4 and R8 V10 Plus, naturally aspirated Audis just don't excite me. Nice car mind, but not for me.

Lunch with the most fabulous mini shepherds' pie ever; had more than one. Time came and John was escorting us to a Daytona Grey RS7, no explanations needed so we were left to our own devices. Straight away, and way before we exited the park, this was the animal that had my nerves tingling: gave it full beans on the wet cobbles at the exit gateway and the RS7 just accelerated with zero fuss, and so it went for the remainder of the journey; a fabulous motor car.

But we went in BLUEY and came back in BLUEY and we still have it and are still mega content: