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RS3 UK Test


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I took delivery of one of the first UK S3's in Decmber 2006, I have to say I have been a massive fan and its been a great car. Before my son arrived I used to change cars every 2 years but besides the cash it has just been a great allround car. It dealt with the 12" of snow with ease up steep hils to dig out my mum and generally is a very fast hot hatch that keeps most normal road cars at bay BUT would I buy the new RS3, the answer is probably no. The interior pics look identical to my S3 and the interior and chasis are dated now, there is no doubt it will be a rapid car but I think Audi are very late to the party and it was a move to combat the 1M. One thing is clear they are both great cars and will no doubt fit the bill for the few available but I suspect the next generation RS3 will be the better car IMHO

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It was a rolling start though, the TT has been mapped I think.

All quattro does is eat up power when rolling thats why an E39 M5 is faster to 120 iirc then a C5 RS 6 but the RS is quicker upto that point.

haha, that clip was hilarious the way they carried on afterwards :D

The Mario and Luigi comment especially made me chuckle :P

But not really a good comparison as the RS gets a cheeky jump.. after that the M5 is just playing catchup (which it does begin to do). The Beemer is clearly faster above 3 figures at which point the 4wd has become a hindrance to the RS. Those E60 M5s are ballistic above a ton as the drivetrain is so efficient.

Mo.

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Tipex - That was the one in phone shop.

The Audi TT Forum :: View topic - TT Shop on Phone Shop

My S8 had 4 x 285 30 20 Michelin Pilot Sports (summer tyres) on it and didn't get stuck once in the deepest of snow. The 335 wouldn't get off the drive. It isn't all about skill, the 335 is auto. Put as little or as less power on the throttle as you want. I find quattro makes a huge difference in the way a car drives in anything but dry conditions. It doesnt make the Audi handle or feel better, but it does make them grip better if that makes sense.

Anyway that RS 3 time in the TG mag sounds impressive. I'm leaning more towards the BMW though as I'm in love with the way they drive.

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Yup, they're a pricey thing aren't they! I had a brief tinker with the spec and stopped when I realised it was just going to look even more ludicrous than I'd imagined. I reckon most will stop at the £45-47k mark - and then check into a clinic shortly afterwards.

That said, all performance cars have taken collosal hikes in recent years and the whole market is unbelieveably expensive if buying new in my opinion.

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I actually meant that the RS3 isn't what I'd term a pretty thing. The WRX STi is what it is and people don't buy them for what they look like, but looking at the pricing of the RS3 I think you do have to wonder where this is all going to stop.

House prices have dropped - car prices continue to surge. I can see a day coming in the not too distant future when buyers say "Hang on, this is stupid. No way are these worth that much..."

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Christ, just specced up an RS3 in the same guise as my M3 (as close as I could get) and it came to ... £52,000. £52k. You have got to be kidding!
Christ, just specced up an RS3 in the same guise as my M3 (as close as I could get) and it came to ... £52,000. £52k. You have got to be kidding!

Must be a well specced up m3. When I configured my rs3 i went through and ticked every possible option just for interest and it did get close to £52k.

Seems the bucket seats and Audi exclusive elements add about £7-8k of that. Mine came in at £43k, a full £3k cheaper than an identically specced 1m

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Sorry I disagree cars to get stuck in snow. I accept that drivers can play their part. Winter tyres I'm sure help. (Ahem well my £800 for four tyres certainly helped - it didnt snow once I had em on hehe ). I will add as somone who has driven all over the NE of Scotland in winter. Four paw drive with summer tyres is still very good. Front wheel on summer tyres mmm - I had to abandon in my car park, BMW mmm I reckon just forget it. Four paw drive on winter tyres that's the best. Put em on Oct/Nov and take off March/April is my suggestion.

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A lot of new cars are expensive and what makes it worse is that option variations have shot up. New top of the range cars don't come fully loaded these days like the past.

The Audi RS3 is built in small numbers but this has obviously pushed up the demand and demand can sometimes dictate a price, a rare and unique prospect for certain individuals and it does appeal.

For example I have just spent over £15k on a Polo 1.2!!!! But it fits my needs, some would say I'm crazy for spending that kind of money on a 1.2 right?

I feel that RS3 owners are taking a bashing for spending over £40k on various forums etc but its up to them and its their hard earned cash..... fair play to them and I hope they enjoy the car. It shouldn't lose any values due to the small numbers so if new owners don't like it within the first few months they can sell it on with little or no loss.

When you actually look at USP (Unique selling points) the Audi RS3 isn't that bad value wise for what you actually get, this is the going rate for most new cars.

And for the record if I had to take a BMW M1 or Audi RS3, it would be the Audi RS3 every time!

Riz :D

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Christ, just specced up an RS3 in the same guise as my M3 (as close as I could get) and it came to ... £52,000. £52k. You have got to be kidding!

Don't know what spec you've got on your M3 but I drive a Edition Dakar with a list of just under £64K and my RS3 is costing me just over £42K for very similar guise and I think you will be hard pushed to find anything New (Semi-Auto) with a sub £40K list price that can compete with the RS3

btw: I need a Auto/Seni-Auto due to spinal Injury

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Sorry I disagree cars to get stuck in snow. I accept that drivers can play their part. Winter tyres I'm sure help. (Ahem well my £800 for four tyres certainly helped - it didnt snow once I had em on hehe ). I will add as somone who has driven all over the NE of Scotland in winter. Four paw drive with summer tyres is still very good. Front wheel on summer tyres mmm - I had to abandon in my car park, BMW mmm I reckon just forget it. Four paw drive on winter tyres that's the best. Put em on Oct/Nov and take off March/April is my suggestion.

But that's ludicrous, sorry, but it just is.

I've driven a 6 series with 333 bhp through the rear wheels in blizzard conditions and a foot of snow at other times - all without major issue. Prior to that I've driven 2 x E46 M3's and never got stuck once - and I'm no Ayrton Senna. Furthermore, as all of the aforementioned cars have 35 or 30 profile tyres at the rear, and in the 6's case 275's on the rear - they're, by the book, supposed to be a combination for problems according to some - i.e. wide low tyres and lots of power all through the rear wheels. So how come I've not got stuck or had the life threatening incidents that are apparently commonplace on BMW's or RWD cars according to some?

I've never had winter tyres on - because I've never felt the need. The problem is the driver/car combination - it isn't the cars fault. Most of these idiots who claim RWD means you'll be in danger in snow etc simply can't drive and would get stuck in a Bowler Wildcat. Millions of drivers used RWD in snow - but the few always have louder voices and say how dangerous they are.

I suggest they get a bus.

Edited by MrMe
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USP eh? You've been had by the marketing Riz. Hook, line and sinker. That's all that says.
Every car usually has some form of unique selling point, the Audi RS3 has that lovely engine in a 5 door shell. Look at those performance figures and what else is out there on the market that is comparably to the Audi RS3..... nothing at all! The BMW M1 is not a comparable model no matter what the reviewers print/say as its just a coupe with a tinkered engine.

The 2.5 RS engine is a new engine from the RS devision, not a tarted up re-worked unit, it features dry-sump oil lubrication too.

Audi has always done the fast, safe and quattro guise well albeit its not always a drivers car. I would say the RS3 is not a drivers car when compared to a BMW but for the people who want a safe, sure-footed car the RS3 is the one to have. The Golf R and Audi S3 are both good cars too.

I can say that the marketing department at Audi has not had me hooked, lined or sinked otherwise I would have bought one, for me it needed to be 3 doors and a manual box :D

I'm sticking to Volkswagen for now as I don't need anything premium like an Audi's, Volkswagen meets my needs and I will lose no sleep in not buying a Audi RS3 and spending over £40k on one. All that says is I'm poor :D

Riz :)

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But that's ludicrous, sorry, but it just is.

I've driven a 6 series with 333 bhp through the rear wheels in blizzard conditions and a foot of snow at other times - all without major issue. Prior to that I've driven 2 x E46 M3's and never got stuck once - and I'm no Ayrton Senna. Furthermore, as all of the aforementioned cars have 35 or 30 profile tyres at the rear, and in the 6's case 275's on the rear - they're, by the book, supposed to be a combination for problems according to some - i.e. wide low tyres and lots of power all through the rear wheels. So how come I've not got stuck or had the life threatening incidents that are apparently commonplace on BMW's or RWD cars according to some?

I've never had winter tyres on - because I've never felt the need. The problem is the driver/car combination - it isn't the cars fault. Most of these idiots who claim RWD means you'll be in danger in snow etc simply can't drive and would get stuck in a Bowler Wildcat. Millions of drivers used RWD in snow - but the few always have louder voices and say how dangerous they are.

I suggest they get a bus.

The issue in the snow is mainly to do with getting moving, eg stopped in a steep motorway exit slip road trying to get going. We live at the top o a steep hill, on som occasions in the snow I got home fine bu if their was others getting stuck and stopping then here was no chance of getting going without a helpful push from 3 or 4 people.

I don't buy into the "it's the driver" thing as I managed to get my wides fiesta home every time. One if the other factors with some cars now is DCT And auto boxes that do not make it as easy to rock the car and get going (foot on brake to change gear).

Then again maybe I am just a really bad driver and you are actually descended from Scandinavian ice rallying gods :grin:

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The issue in the snow is mainly to do with getting moving, eg stopped in a steep motorway exit slip road trying to get going. We live at the top o a steep hill, on som occasions in the snow I got home fine bu if their was others getting stuck and stopping then here was no chance of getting going without a helpful push from 3 or 4 people.

I don't buy into the "it's the driver" thing as I managed to get my wides fiesta home every time. One if the other factors with some cars now is DCT And auto boxes that do not make it as easy to rock the car and get going (foot on brake to change gear).

Then again maybe I am just a really bad driver and you are actually descended from Scandinavian ice rallying gods :grin:

I'm with MrMe on thus one. The last winter was pretty bad here in Kent and we had the A3 1.6 Technik and the E60 M5 to try and cope with it. The A3 was dreadful, when I thought it would have coped fine... the M5 had winter tyres and short of carrying a tow rope and sticking a snow plough on the front it put every 4x4 with a leadfoot to shame. Only problem was it had several oil leaks so was in the dealers being fix while we were given a 118d to drive... which wasn't anywhere near as good, but we managed all the same and it was still BETTER than the A3... go figure!

Its 80% driver when the conditions get bad IMHO

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I'm with MrMe on thus one. The last winter was pretty bad here in Kent and we had the A3 1.6 Technik and the E60 M5 to try and cope with it. The A3 was dreadful, when I thought it would have coped fine... the M5 had winter tyres and short of carrying a tow rope and sticking a snow plough on the front it put every 4x4 with a leadfoot to shame. Only problem was it had several oil leaks so was in the dealers being fix while we were given a 118d to drive... which wasn't anywhere near as good, but we managed all the same and it was still BETTER than the A3... go figure!

Its 80% driver when the conditions get bad IMHO

It may be something to do with the winter tyres too. I have driven a 320d in Norway on winter tyres in obscene conditions without any real issues. Think as always it depends on the actual snow on the ground, and the terrain you have to get through. I too live in Kent and I can safely say the 335 was useless as soon as an incline was encountered as was a 318 touring I had also as my car was in having new turbos. I think it's more 70% car/tyres and 30% driver. Some people are completely useless - witness the ml320 I passed abandoned at the side of the road.

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It may be something to do with the winter tyres too. I have driven a 320d in Norway on winter tyres in obscene conditions without any real issues. Think as always it depends on the actual snow on the ground, and the terrain you have to get through. I too live in Kent and I can safely say the 335 was useless as soon as an incline was encountered as was a 318 touring I had also as my car was in having new turbos. I think it's more 70% car/tyres and 30% driver. Some people are completely useless - witness the ml320 I passed abandoned at the side of the road.

The 118d was on the summer runflats, only thing I did that helped was turn the DTC off and put one of the spare summer 19's off the M5 in the boot. We live at the top of Bluebell Hill and so saw plenty of numpty driver action.

This year we'll have the X5 on summer 19's and hopefully the M5/6 winters will fit if it gets bad (not tried yet)... the Z4 will stay tucked up in the warm garage :)

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