RS3: Have you ordered one? Have you received a build date?

[billy2shots]

I think MrMe and Garcon are missing the point a little. What you have to remember is the RS3 was supposed to be limited to 500 examples in the UK. That is a very small number,sure its twice as many as my Pirelli GTI (242). Customers who were serious about the rs3 had to act fast for fear of missing out. I am sure they did some homework and drove an s3 and TTRS so they could take a calculated risk.

It's like when the old M3 CSL was confirmed, people rushed out and put a deposit down. If they waited to test drive one first the order books would be filled.

It is a gamble but its what you have to do with very limited edition models.

If their deposit is refundable then surely they have acted sensibly.

[Cuprabob]

It'll be a good buy in a year once when the majority of owners will move it on in lieu of the latest shiny hyped up motor.

[Decked]

I heard there will be no demo rs3's...... Anyone heard different?

[ahankins]

Showroom and stock cars no, but demonstrators yes.

[PetrolDave]

It'll be a good buy in a year once when the majority of owners will move it on in lieu of the latest shiny hyped up motor.

Which is what happens with any and all over-hyped new cars.

[NewNiceMrMe]

I think MrMe and Garcon are missing the point a little.

I'm not, because I did say earlier that I can understand it a little more on the grounds of an order not really committing you to anything if you can refuse the car.

I didn't realise that initially though. However, I do still think the over-riding thought is that someone committing (with the right to refuse) to buy a car they've never driven is rather unusual.

In the case of the CSL, because you were right of course about people putting deposits down - in the end that is quite a good case study. Of the 1,400 run, those that placed deposits and took their cars ended up paying a huge premium. It wasn't long before it was clear the production run had lots to spare out of the 1,400 and lots of CSL's were sold at very heavily discounted prices. I remember some of the original buyers being immensely hacked off - and I don't blame them. The RS3 is a very limited run indeed if it is 500, but I do wonder for how long it'll be 500...

[billy2shots]

I'm sure it won't be limited to 500 unless sales bum. I suppose everyone's different, some buy an item because it takes their fancy in the shop window. Others need to go home and research the internet for days before committing.

Granted a car purchase in one of the most expensive buys you will make but if the deposit is refundable then your laughing surely.

I'm sure if it turns out there are only 500 cars available there will be some sick people wishing they had put a deposit down.

As I said earlier, its a totally different game when buying a very limited item of any kind.

[ashleywater]

It's probably a good job Audi always hedges on the side of safety and predictability over decent handling. Otherwise all their customers would end up killing themselves....

Are you sure you meant "Good Job" Garcon??

[garcon magnifique]

Are you sure you meant "Good Job" Garcon??

Yes. I'm not that ruthless!

[scillyisles]

In the case of the CSL, because you were right of course about people putting deposits down - in the end that is quite a good case study. Of the 1,400 run, those that placed deposits and took their cars ended up paying a huge premium.

Just a slight correction the UK allocation of M3 CSLs was 422 - the figure you are quoting of 1400 was a worldwide total. The RS3 UK allocation was supposed to be 500 making it slightly less rare than the CSL.

I would agree that the buyers who bought at list ended up loosing out as new cars became available at hugh discounts.

Long term however - the M3 CSL will turn out to be a good buy.

Edited June 16, 2011 by scillyisles

[garcon magnifique]

Long term however - the M3 CSL will turn out to be a good buy.

I suspect partly because of the number of them that have left circuits in a box.

[NewNiceMrMe]

Scillyisles is of course correct, the figure I quote was worldwide - but to be honest I thought the RS3 number of 500 was worldwide too, so the M3 CSL is indeed the rarer of the cars.

The CSL was probably even more exclusive with the sheer nature nature of the car too. The 'CSL' badge has cachet in itself, whereas I guess it could be argued the 'RS' badge has become rather more common these days - and I still think the '500' could be a temporary number that Audi will increase in time.

[Tipex]

I'm not sure what you'd define as being a long term 'good buy' really, if your talking money, then no, not particularly, you can pick up CSL's pretty cheaply for what they are these days, putting money aside, then yes, an excellent purchase either long or short term.

[Bubo]

Afternoon all,

I am late to the party as usual and as such have a question-RS3 allocation in the UK has seemingly been reached and my local dealer tells me that they may be able to take a deposit but there is no guarantee on a car, which considering I would get my deposit back in full in this case is not an issue but the problem is this-the dealer is not inclined to take the order as it is a 'shot in the dark' but does anyone know of any dealers that have any more concrete information or a desire to try to aid a potential buyer?

Thanks for your time,

Greg

[Real Thing]

Afternoon all,

I am late to the party as usual and as such have a question-RS3 allocation in the UK has seemingly been reached and my local dealer tells me that they may be able to take a deposit but there is no guarantee on a car, which considering I would get my deposit back in full in this case is not an issue but the problem is this-the dealer is not inclined to take the order as it is a 'shot in the dark' but does anyone know of any dealers that have any more concrete information or a desire to try to aid a potential buyer?

Thanks for your time,

Greg

One for sale on pistonheads with no premium:

Daniel Myers Ltd : Audi RS3 2.5 TFSi quattro Sportback S Tronic

[Moschops]

No build date as such, but dealer phoned me today to say I should see it Q2 next year....just as well I'm in no rush..

[ashleywater]

No build date as such, but dealer phoned me today to say I should see it Q2 next year....just as well I'm in no rush..

Hi Wayne, I admire your patience,

I still have not received any update, on a build confirmation on mine, same colour as yours........will give them a call tomorrow to see what, if anything is happening, the fact that all show room cars have been cancelled and rumour has it, also demo cars as well............

[ahankins]

As at Tuesday, Newbury Audi were still expecting their demonstrator, it's just awaiting shipping. Or so I was told. They have to be registered and can't be sold at less than 3 months or 5k miles.

If the allocation is final and all of the initial allocation is sold it does make you wonder why bother....

Someone needs to pump the R8 team for info.

[ashleywater]

As at Tuesday, Newbury Audi were still expecting their demonstrator, it's just awaiting shipping. Or so I was told. They have to be registered and can't be sold at less than 3 months or 5k miles.

If the allocation is final and all of the initial allocation is sold it does make you wonder why bother....

Someone needs to pump the R8 team for info.

The best info I have this evening after talking to mate in audi management, is that showroom vehicles have been cancelled, and that demo cars allocation has been drastically reduced, as you quite righly note 3 months 5K miles before sale of these cars........do bmw have 1Mower demo cars??

I also agree why would you bother with demo cars if you had sold the whole allocation of 500 already, why even print brochures for such a tiny production run?

Call me a cynic, but that does not stack up, but there again the 500 allocation has been verified from some good sources, so guess we will have to wait and see the actual outcome on production numbers as it is scheduled through 2012

[ashleywater]

As at Tuesday, Newbury Audi were still expecting their demonstrator, it's just awaiting shipping. Or so I was told. They have to be registered and can't be sold at less than 3 months or 5k miles.

If the allocation is final and all of the initial allocation is sold it does make you wonder why bother....

Someone needs to pump the R8 team for info.

If they do get a demo in anytime soon, any chance you can post up?

I need to get a drive in one, to stick or fold on my order, as I am not buying one without some decent road time, in one first, dont mind a 200 mile round trip to test drive one ASAP

[ahankins]

Yes, no problem. The guy in sales said he'd know as soon as it lands as the brand manager would be giddy!

As above, he also said the demo numbers where reduced from one per centre to one per 'region', though unclear what that means, assume one per group.

I'd hoped to drive before the order book closed, alas not to be, however there are cancellations out there, so current plan is to driver, stick/fold and have a rummage through the cancelled orders.

[ashleywater]

Yes, no problem. The guy in sales said he'd know as soon as it lands as the brand manager would be giddy!

As above, he also said the demo numbers where reduced from one per centre to one per 'region', though unclear what that means, assume one per group.

I'd hoped to drive before the order book closed, alas not to be, however there are cancellations out there, so current plan is to driver, stick/fold and have a rummage through the cancelled orders.

Thanks ahankins, appreciate it, see where your coming from on trawling the cancelled orders side of things,something I would probably have considered, but the fact that I might not have got colour and preferred spec, put me off somewhat, so getting a test drive, prior to car landing is really important, thanks again

[ahankins]

Thanks ahankins, appreciate it, see where your coming from on trawling the cancelled orders side of things,something I would probably have considered, but the fact that I might not have got colour and preferred spec, put me off somewhat, so getting a test drive, prior to car landing is really important, thanks again

Yes, I'm going to be picky on colour and spec, which may well mean I'm stuffed. However I think changes can be made to orders not yet built, so it may be possible to change a cancelled order as required. Still, if it drives like a bag of nails, which I'm not entirely expecting, I might be prepared to compromise.

[Moschops]

Hi all,

Pics of the RS3 on the Audi stand at Goodwood FoS..

Oh and apparently you can now specify Glacier White, which has a metalic fleck in it.

[Tipex]

I sat in that and had a play once I'd worked out which of all the identical cars on the Audi stand it was, have to say, not impressed with the interior, hardly a suprise really knowing it's so old, but that just isn't £40k worth of interior quality I'm afraid, very cheap plasticy shiny bits all over the shop, wait for the next generation model if your absolutely set on an RS3, you've waited this long, another few months won't hurt.

With regards to the Audi stand itself (forget about the cars or what I think of them), it had a good location, and was huge, but that was it, the line up of all white cars looked very poor, just dull, and I had to laugh at all the Audi owners flashing there keys to get free coke or orange juice, Ford were dishing out free food and drinks to anyone who wanted them, a much better strategy to attract new business than just pissing off potential new customers who see drinks being handed out.