Luke Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 They had two. If I'm honest they were very average. 4 door, very plain. No vents, or drama or over the top stuff. It may have been the colours, both blue but I was sadly disappointed. I think the previous model looked far better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Chris Harris test drives the new Audi RS3, no real surprise with the outcome... https://grrc.goodwood.com/road/drives-and-rides/chris-harris-on-the-audi-rs3-can-a-hatchback-really-be-50k-good#AXzqXs7kiGYt0Ok5.97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Oh the noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleywater Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Chris Harris test drives the new Audi RS3, no real surprise with the outcome... https://grrc.goodwood.com/road/drives-and-rides/chris-harris-on-the-audi-rs3-can-a-hatchback-really-be-50k-good#AXzqXs7kiGYt0Ok5.97 Typical Monkey facts Last time I checked the OTR price of an RS3, it was £40K not £50K FFS! Sort of makes a mockery of him and his rather stupid headline for the article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 I'm sure you can easily option an RS3 up to 50k, but I agree you have to compare like-for-like. The price different between an S3 Sportback S tronic and the RS3 Sportback S tronic is actually only £6,875 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleywater Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 I'm sure you can easily option an RS3 up to 50k, but I agree you have to compare like-for-like. The price different between an S3 Sportback S tronic and the RS3 Sportback S tronic is actually only £6,875 mine initially came in at £48K Then sense prevailed and going for base plus performance pack only Strange he has never done an article on the £100k plus Cayman ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 My Audi RS3 spec comes to around £52k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Well I'm sure most people on here will continue to slag it off but it was my turn to drive today after seeing / hearing them at Le Mans and Goodwood. Brief summary of the spec - a launch / demo spec like all 165-ish in the country right now Nardo Grey Default standard mirror, window and grille Alu roof rails Alu dash trim Titanium alloys, 255 front tyres Super Sport Seats - lunar silver Extended leather Dynamic Package - mag dampers and sports exhaust Comfort Package - incl B&O Tech Package - MMI Connect etc It certainly builds on the excellent S3 - I'd say its much closer in character to the S3 than the RS4 is to the S4 for example. And that is no bad thing imo - it definitely has the Jekyll & Hyde schizophrenic quality that all S & RS models should have. Its smooth and relaxing to drive when you want to pootle in town / cruise / sit on Motorway - something that cannot always be said of the RS4. But on the flip side, the sports exhaust is demented, and with the turbocharged rush if anything it feels faster than the outgoing RS4. With 479 miles on the clock it was barely run in, but it certainly feels a step up from the S3 Just like the S3, there's a bit of lag built in - possibly to make it smoother and easier to drive / modulate the throttle. But after that half second when the turbo picks up it just feels relentless. Acceleration from lower rpm in higher gears was very decent too. 343 lb ft is more than any iteration of the now-defunct naturally aspirated 4.2 litre V8. And the 8V MQB platform is a whole load lighter than any 4.2 engined Audi You have the traditional ADS (Audi Drive Select) set up of comfort, dynamic, auto or individual. And you have manual, drive and toggle back for sport on the gear shift selector as S tronics have had the last couple of years now. It has creep built in - I thought some S tronics now remained stationary unless you apply throttle? It remains in second at junctions and roundabouts unless you come to a complete stop. However I was pleasantly surprised how early it lets you change down manually - including into first. The exhaust is comical, crackling naughtily on downshifts, it had me giggling continuously. Before I set off I put the ADS in individual and put everything in Dynamic bar the dampers in comfort. My test route was the B526 - a fast sweeping B road between the villages, similar to bits of the B660. At no point did I think the dampers were too soft. Or that I wanted harder suspension. Tried the dampers in Dynamic briefly, which made the car far too busy. The 255/30 over 235/35 front tyres won't help in that dept either. Would be interesting to drive a fixed-damper car (ie. without the mag dampers). Whilst its a very brilliant system engineering wise, it does make you wonder whether the mag suspension is pointless on UK roads imo. For the money the Golf R and Audi S3 are a bargain. New or used, you would not be disappointed, they are both superb cars with an incredible amount of performance for the pound. However, if you want something that little bit more special and that little bit faster and can stomach the 40k base price, the RS3 is very much a wolf disguised in five-seat five-door clothing like other great S & RS models. Few pics below. PS - Riz - the boot is the same as the S3 (and A3s with quattro) @ 340 litres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Well I'm sure most people on here will continue to slag it off It's boring, expensive, boring and boring. Your enthusiasm astounds me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Ian, what type of deal did they offer you on it? Are they doing discounts on it already or holding out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Not impressed with the colour. I think I saw an RS6 in that plain paint. I wasn't impressed with it in that either! Exhaust wise - I'd keep the bastard flaps open - if it's the same sort of twin pipe to 1 large oval each side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Nardo Grey *loses interest* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Actually, on second thoughts, that pisses me off. "Nardo" Grey. It's grey. The dullest colour in the world. So dull that it isn't even a colour, really. It can't even make its mind up between being black or white. So it has an exciting name - "Nardo" - to evoke the spirit of motorsport , to lend an air of excitement to... to... err... grey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 You lot have it all wrong, its been delivered in primer and its yet to be painted, must be. Surely. Isn't it.... At least it would be invisible in our grey climate thats for certain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Congrats Ian Colour wise I like it. I like the RS6 in that colour too and there is a modified GTR parked at the BRDC this weekend in a very similar colour and I like it on that too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 I think I've seen an RS6 in Nardo and it looked pretty smart. It sounds naff but it's actually a great colour. Don't Porsche do a similar colour. There seems to be a lot of slagging off of the RS3, for various reasons, but if ya like it, buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Don't Porsche do a similar colour. "Accountant Grey", I think. Or is it "Summoned up the wherewithal to buy a flash car but didn't have the guts to make it a bright colour Grey". I'm not sure. OK, I have no firm opinion on the RS3*, I just hate grey cars. *I do have a suspicion, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) Congrats Ian I'm confused, he hasn't bought one, has he?If not, you're congratulating him for wasting people's time, I stopped going in to garages and asking for test drives of cars I wasn't going to buy when I realised how annoying it was when people wasted my time. With regards to the RS3 itself, I love the idea of it, as I do all S and RS models, and there is no doubt some of them are epic, I'm just left utterly cold by the RS3, it doesn't excite me at all, even with that superb engine I just can't get over how utterly average it looks. With regard to those exhaust flaps, I was following a Porsche SUV the other day, that new one, not as big as a Cayenne, and they are right at the tip of the exhaust, Christ they move around a lot don't they, they were constantly opening and closing. Surely they'd be more effective if they were mounted closer to the engine though? Edited July 4, 2015 by Tipex 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000S9zk5loIVwA/s/650/520/Porsche-911-Grey-Awtmk.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Now, if it was pink...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 I think I'm the same as patently I just don't get grey cars. I remember when I saw the first grey car a TT on german plates that was over for testing at Bentley. I saw it and genuinely thought that it was a body in white car and it was still to be painted and it would look good when it was. It was only later when its colour didn't change and I saw it on the road that I realised that someone had indeed had a bit of a laugh and decided to get owners to pay for cars that were sill in primer. Nope could be a great car but I'm not going to get one in matt Grey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) I'm confused, he hasn't bought one, has he? If not, you're congratulating him for wasting people's time, I stopped going in to garages and asking for test drives of cars I wasn't going to buy when I realised how annoying it was when people wasted my time. I don't think he's bought one (certainly not in Primer Grey, I'd hope!) but I think he is buying one and that's why he went for the test drive and I was interested to find out what deals they were offering (I want to know if they're already allowing much on them). I'm with you 100% on the test drives if not buying though (not saying that applies in this case as I don't think it does). It is something that has always got to me unless a dealership knows you're not even vaguely interested in buying (in which case very few would let their time be wasted no matter what people say about "oh they knew I wasn't buying" - I call bullshit on that every time). Time, fuel, risk, etc. Some people do it all the time though. If a new car comes out and you're thinking of changing and it might be on the radar along with others, fair enough. In all seriousness though, I want to know what deal they offered Ian. I don't buy into the 'they can't enough them' crap that tends to accompany M's and RS's, so I want to know how much they're already discounting them by. I just don't see a £50k car there. p.s. on the subject of grey cars, I think the new 911 looks fantastic in grey. I liked my 645 in grey. But - they have to grey. Not Primer! Edited July 4, 2015 by NewNiceMrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 p.s. on the subject of grey cars, I think the new 911 looks fantastic in grey. I liked my 645 in grey. But - they have to grey. Not Primer! Indeed, a great car can be lovely indeed in a nice metallic the sun glinting off it yours did indeed look very nice and the exhaust blinded me even with my sunglasses on. But not primer grey oh no it just doesn't look right at all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Indeed, a great car can be lovely indeed in a nice metallic the sun glinting off it yours did indeed look very nice and the exhaust blinded me even with my sunglasses on. But not primer grey oh no it just doesn't look right at all. I miss those exhausts. I saw the car a couple of years ago, about 6 months after selling it, and the condition of the pipes broke my heart. Bastards. Primer is a strange one because I can actually think of one car I that looks incredible in it - the Porsche 911 Classic Speedster thingy. Then again, it'd look good in neon pink and green two-tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 I'm with you 100% on the test drives if not buying though (not saying that applies in this case as I don't think it does). You have to be careful, though. I did that at a Porsche dealership once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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