So a late entry to this thread,

I have now done around 300 miles in an RS3, on a mixed bag of roads,

Have to say I like it a lot,

Now my driving isn't as good as a certain Mr Fox, but for me it handles really well and can be hustled down the lanes very well,

Also can be drivien very comfortablely around town without drawing to much attention to.

Now I can tell the difference between suspension settings on the drive select, Comfort is ideal just the right side of firm, Dynamic, yes it's firm, but if your pressing on it feels right.

Now the Question.

Is it £15k better than a spec'd S3?

I think so, just for the 5 pot noise.

So yep, I like it.

Nice to hear some feedback. Sounds like you are having fun which is the important part

So a late entry to this thread,

I have now done around 300 miles in an RS3, on a mixed bag of roads,

Have to say I like it a lot,

Now my driving isn't as good as a certain Mr Fox, but for me it handles really well and can be hustled down the lanes very well,

Also can be drivien very comfortablely around town without drawing to much attention to.

Now I can tell the difference between suspension settings on the drive select, Comfort is ideal just the right side of firm, Dynamic, yes it's firm, but if your pressing on it feels right.

Now the Question.

Is it £15k better than a spec'd S3?

I think so, just for the 5 pot noise.

So yep, I like it.

 

 

Nice little report and good to see some feedback - thanks for sharing

So yesterday had my testdrive in the new Audi RS3. Dealer was very obliging and booked me the car for the entire day which was nice! Overall I have to say I was very impressed!

In terms of straightline performance its obviously rapid but didn't feel any quicker than our M135i. In fact the power delivery was possibly even more linear and less dramatic. I certainly wouldn't fancy keeping up with one in the corners though! The grip and traction levels were fantastic as you would expect. Roads were dry but I suspect it would be even more impressive in the wet for obvious reasons. It really did feel nailed to the road and very sorted. Cornering speeds were a lot higher in this than I would normally attempt in the M135i. Very flattering car to the driver indeed! It felt near impossible to crash really. You could simply mash the throttle mid corner as often as you like and the car would simply grip and go. Fun up to a point but abit one-dimensional after awhile. I'd definitely say the M135i isn't as quick in the bends (in my average hands anyhow!) but is a lot more thrilling. I'd miss the wiggle from the back end and the fact you have to give the M-lite some respect or it may bite you!

 

The noise was great fun. A little disappointed with the induction note if I'm honest, only really sounded good in maximum attack mode at higher revs. I've had a 5-pot before (focus ST) which I thought had the sweeter induction warble. When driving normally and on part-throttle the engine is near silent. One thing I like about the M135i is that it sounds awesome even when not 'on it'.

The exhaust is the RS3's party piece. Sounds epic on full throttle upshifts with plenty of firecracker style bangs :p . Not much in the way of pops on the overrun however and does sound abit lame on startup and when you rev it stationary. My test car had the standard exhaust though, I reckon the optional sports 'zorst would really improve it further.

 

Ride on the optional magnetic dampers was fine. Slightly harder than my non-adaptive bmw but never crashy.

Loved the quality of the interior and the aggressive looks of the car although a shame Audi didn't fit flared wheelarches!

The interior space was fine with plenty of legroom, made our 1-series feel very cramped inside! the Audi boot was poor though, very shallow and much trickier to fit our small buggy in.

The biggest surprise on the day was how much Mrs Furbytom enjoyed driving it! I'd not swap my M135i for it but she is very keen to get one indeed! She's now desperate to get rid of her Fabia and order one, she's been spending time last night on the Audi configurator.....  . To be fair I could see how much she enjoyed the drive, never known her to corner so quick!

 

Few pics of the car we had out:

 

 

Tom

I also rather cheekily attached my GoPro to shoot you a couple of exhaust vids:

Enjoy!

Thanks for the review mate. Always good to hear a varied response. With most it's an each to their own when it comes to cars.

Sounds like you had similar thoughts to me FurbyTom.

Really don't think it looks good in black.

Very bland :(

Interesting review (and reviewer lol)....

Had to smile at 2.40 where she says she would prefer the Golf R or M135i :-)

Yeah

I would.

:p.

I also rather cheekily attached my GoPro to shoot you a couple of exhaust vids:

Enjoy!

Sounds nice Tom.

But not enough thrashing considering its not your car

Really don't think it looks good in black.

Very bland :(

Yeah I normally don't like black cars, hides the lines abit and also a nightmare to clean! This did look alot better in the flesh though than I was expecting. Not sure the pics did it much justice. The car certainly got a fair bit of attention when we were out in it (good or bad depending on your view).

Nice write up Tom Car exhaust does sound great, even in stock form. I am getting a serious lust for a Sport Zorst now. Work goes quiet in a weeks time, so I might pop down to BMW then and see if I can haggle a deal. Well it's either that or some new shoes n' stuff

Really needs to get the gopro attached of the R see what it sounds like. Sounds lame from inside the car but been told it's actually pretty loud when going some

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

So a New/ demo one being advertised on Audi dealers website at Worcester, a head of "delivery" or demo period. WTF £47k available mid Sept.

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a3/2.5-t-fsi-quattro-367ps-s-tronic/worcester/4310189-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a3/2.5-t-fsi-quattro-367ps-s-tronic/worcester/4310189-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

 

Some problems  pulling through from Audi Used website currently? Suggest you go on the Audi used web and click on vehicle then "take a closer look" for spec.

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a3/2.5-t-fsi-quattro-367ps-s-tronic/worcester/4310189-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

Edited 24 July, 201510 yr by vrskeith

So a New/ demo one being advertised on Audi dealers website at Worcester, a head of "delivery" or demo period. WTF £47k available mid Sept.

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a3/2.5-t-fsi-quattro-367ps-s-tronic/worcester/4310189-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a3/2.5-t-fsi-quattro-367ps-s-tronic/worcester/4310189-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

 

Some problems  pulling through from Audi Used website currently? Suggest you go on the Audi used web and click on vehicle then "take a closer look" for spec.

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a3/2.5-t-fsi-quattro-367ps-s-tronic/worcester/4310189-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

http://www.audi.co.uk/content/audi/new-cars/a3/rs3-sportback/finance-and-offers/RS-3-Sportback-retail-finance-offer-q3-july-2015.html

 

Is that the PCP price they are quoting? Plus a bit?

Edited 24 July, 201510 yr by vrskeith

Spec of above car :https://btmail.bt.com/cp/applink/mail/Downloader?dhid=attachmentDownloader&messageId=7043&accountName=DefaultMailAccount&folderPath=INBOX&contentDisposition=attachment&attachmentIndex=1&contentSeed=06386&pct=d4668&contentDisposition=attachment&u=keith.morris06&d=btinternet.com&t=d8717

Car due to be available 11 August with approx. 3000 miles on the demo clock.

Are they out to make a fast buck here then!! Delivery on new, forecast at Jan- March now depending on spec.

Edited 25 July, 201510 yr by vrskeith

Brand new RS5 for £50k

https://broadspeed.com/CarView/Audi/RS5/32923/FSI_4.2_450PS_Petrol_Automatic_2_doors

Brand new RS4 Avant for £48k

https://broadspeed.com/CarView/Audi/RS4/33940/FSI_4.2_450PS_Petrol_Automatic_5_doors

Brand new RS4 Avant for £48k

https://broadspeed.com/CarView/Audi/RS4/33940/FSI_4.2_450PS_Petrol_Automatic_5_doors

Oooh now that's a proper car for almost sensible money

Spec of above car :https://btmail.bt.com/cp/applink/mail/Downloader?dhid=attachmentDownloader&messageId=7043&accountName=DefaultMailAccount&folderPath=INBOX&contentDisposition=attachment&attachmentIndex=1&contentSeed=06386&pct=d4668&contentDisposition=attachment&u=keith.morris06&d=btinternet.com&t=d8717

Car due to be available 11 August with approx. 3000 miles on the demo clock.

Are they out to make a fast buck here then!! Delivery on new, forecast at Jan- March now depending on spec.

 

 

Brand new RS4 Avant for £48k

https://broadspeed.com/CarView/Audi/RS4/33940/FSI_4.2_450PS_Petrol_Automatic_5_doors

 

 

Oooh now that's a proper car for almost sensible money

They have this in the same dealership :http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a4/4.2-quattro-450ps-avant/worcester/605024767-39979.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

That model of the RS4 was never that highly thought of

It really does not matter what others think if you like them and want to buy or lease one.

Personally my thoughts are that it is a wonderful car in comparison to a 2015 RS3 Sportback.

 

But far too rich for me,

so my thoughts mean nothing to someone looking to buy a new £40,000 - £50,000 car.

Given the choice between the RS3 and RS4 I'd go to the RS4 in a heartbeat. I don't suppose we will have engines like that for much longer. BMW now don't make a engine that isn't Turbo charged (in cars) :(

Given the choice between the RS3 and RS4 I'd go to the RS4 in a heartbeat. I don't suppose we will have engines like that for much longer. BMW now don't make a engine that isn't Turbo charged (in cars) :(

The engine is a a peach, I was given one for a week when they were trying to upgrade me from my S4.

Trouble was the handling was no better than the S4, and suffered the same problems. It just wasn't worth the money. That said I don't think the RS3 is worth the money either.

There is a deal on the S8 at the moment for £3k + 23 x 329+ vat. (550Ps V8 twin turbo) £81k RRP for £12680inc vat over 2 years, wowzer!!!!

I test drove the S4 before I purchased my 3.0tdi Quattro and wasn't overly impressed with the handling. Possibly because I had come from a 1 series which was much more 'wieldy' as the magazine folks say.