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(video) AutoExpress drives the RS3


Andy_Bangle
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That EVO review ends with this:

 

"at £10,000 less it’s hard to ignore the Golf R.  You might argue that it will appeal to very different people but the fact remains that dynamically the Golf is just the sweeter, more involving and more intense experience."

 

Ouch.  Buy a Golf instead.

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AutoCar has similar thoughts ...
 


Should I buy one?: 
That leaves the jury technically still out, although it must be said that if you’re holding off on buying the model’s half sister, the Golf R, until you’ve heard the final verdict, I wouldn’t necessarily linger much longer.

Marginally slower and less characterful in the engine bay it may very well be, but the Volkswagen steers with more aplomb, levitates above the ground like a cruise missile, gets the standard manual gearbox the Audi doesn’t, and, crucially, doesn’t need the ESP turned off to show you a good time.


I'd consider buying the RS3 as a 3-door hot hatch, but not as 5-door. Just got a quote from Stockholm Audi the Rs3, 660 000kr = £51,000  :uhoh:

Edited by Andy_Bangle
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Surely an M3 (now the 4 door) or C63 saloon would be better than the above albeit for a few extra pennies admittedly. 

 

The reviews on the M3 haven't been fantastic, although am yet to drive a new M3/4 myself. I've got a deposit down on a new C63 Coupe (Q1 2016) but am likely to be withdrawing it - main reason is the interior is horrible with that "full size tablet glued onto the dash as an afterthought" look...

 

I sat in the C63 Saloon last week - first one to arrive at Brooklands and am told the interior of the Saloon will be identical to the coupe... took this pic sitting in drivers seat...

 

C63saloondriversseat.jpg

post-3077-0-81868000-1429712910_thumb.jp

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I first saw one of those 'screens' in the new B Class when it was introduced.  I thought it was an after market accessory.

 

I still can't quite figure out what they are thinking of by putting it there.

 

I'm lost and when you speak to the sale people they will say 'you'll get used to it' but really they look as confused as potential customers about it. Dad's A45 has one but its about ipad mini sized so doesn't totally dominate the interior - the C63 has what looks like full size tablet size, just stuck there - no adjustment...

 

Would love to speak to one of the design team responsible for the interior to ask what the logic is behind abandoning the nice clean integrated look?? 

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It makes me wonder if there is a dash space issue that they couldn't resolve by the time they realised they had to improve the interface.

 

That is the only thing I can think of.

 

Like....

Helmut:  "Vee hav not gotten un iPad fing like zee BMW unt Audi"

Mattheus:  "Vee hav not gotten zee room"

Helmut:  "Vee can sticken it onnen sie dash?"

Mattheus:  "Sehr gut Helmut!  Vee can preetenden to be coolen like zee Apfel peepol!"

Helmut:  "Vee win!  Vee win!"

---a week later---

Mattheus:  "Errr, Helmut, it looks shitten."

Helmut:  "Vee no.  Vee vill getten sie used to it"

Mattheus:  "Like see 9-1-1 looken liken a Beetle and peepol fink it is coolen?"

Helmut:  "Ja."

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I drove the RSQ3 around Thruxton and found it a bit of a barge.  A fast barge, but a barge none the less.

 

It was like sitting on a horse, rather than sitting down and in an RS3. ( non buckets on both i might add. )

 

The MKII is not a enoguh of a jump for me to chuck my car and £15- 20K at, i will let someoe else take the VAT hit before Id place my monety there.

 

I am more than happy to keep the limited run original as Mook says its all about those 5 cylinders. Mated with the S-Tronic, it goes like stink.

Standard figures for the MKI appear to be a bit conservative. Some cars have RR at 350 pre remaps, and 0-62, while stated at 4.6 secs, Top Gear got 3.8 secs, and many have hit maybe a more repeatable  4,0 seconds. That is one rapid motor for the money.  

Edited by Paul
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It makes me wonder if there is a dash space issue that they couldn't resolve by the time they realised they had to improve the interface.

 

That is the only thing I can think of.

 

Like....

Helmut:  "Vee hav not gotten un iPad fing like zee BMW unt Audi"

Mattheus:  "Vee hav not gotten zee room"

Helmut:  "Vee can sticken it onnen sie dash?"

Mattheus:  "Sehr gut Helmut!  Vee can preetenden to be coolen like zee Apfel peepol!"

Helmut:  "Vee win!  Vee win!"

---a week later---

Mattheus:  "Errr, Helmut, it looks shitten."

Helmut:  "Vee no.  Vee vill getten sie used to it"

Mattheus:  "Like see 9-1-1 looken liken a Beetle and peepol fink it is coolen?"

Helmut:  "Ja."

 

I'm lost and when you speak to the sale people they will say 'you'll get used to it' but really they look as confused as potential customers about it. Dad's A45 has one but its about ipad mini sized so doesn't totally dominate the interior - the C63 has what looks like full size tablet size, just stuck there - no adjustment...

 

Would love to speak to one of the design team responsible for the interior to ask what the logic is behind abandoning the nice clean integrated look?? 

 

Twinspark.  Is he into Merc design now?

 

New Merc interiors are getting worse.  The gearstick NOT being where it should (IMHO) and more and more buttons and the menu system.

They need MMI/i-Drive'ing!

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