Non Audi owner considering an RS3

[keninblaine]

I'm a newcomer to this forum, and this is my first post.

I've had my Porsche Macan S for just over 2 years and have almost 35k miles on it. I'm starting to look ahead to my next car. While I have loved my Macan, I am ready for something a little smaller and more nimble (although the Macan is amazingly nimble for its size). Plus, my wife now has a SUV (Mazda CX5) so I no longer need the space/versatility that I originally bought the Macan for. I also have a 96 Porsche 911 C4S as a fun car to play with.

I'm intrigued by the 2018 Audi RS3 due in the US around mid 2017. Seems like it should be hot little car with about 400 hp, small enough to be nimble but big enough for 4 people once in a while. I've driven my friend's new Golf R, which is a little rocket, but not quite as refined as I expect the RS3 will be, and of course about 100 hp less. I'm retired and live in a semi-rural area of the Pacific Northwest, and typically drive around 10,000 miles/yr. I like a responsive car that handles well, and don't need more space than a small sedan. I love the new Porsche 911's, but they are getting really pricey and still only seat 2 people comfortably. I expect a fully equipped RS3 will be about half the cost of a suitably optioned new 911.

I'm curious what experience others have had with Audi S and RS models. Do they depreciate as quickly as new Porsches or AMG cars? Are they relatively reliable? I will likely test drive a 2017 S3 to get a sense of the car's size and handling, knowing the RS3 should be much quicker. I know the RS will come with a premium price compared to the S, so hopefully the additional performance and features will justify the price difference.

Comments/input welcomed!

[luv2sleep]

I'm a newcomer to this forum, and this is my first post.

I've had my Porsche Macan S for just over 2 years and have almost 35k miles on it. I'm starting to look ahead to my next car. While I have loved my Macan, I am ready for something a little smaller and more nimble (although the Macan is amazingly nimble for its size). Plus, my wife now has a SUV (Mazda CX5) so I no longer need the space/versatility that I originally bought the Macan for. I also have a 96 Porsche 911 C4S as a fun car to play with.

I'm intrigued by the 2018 Audi RS3 due in the US around mid 2017. Seems like it should be hot little car with about 400 hp, small enough to be nimble but big enough for 4 people once in a while. I've driven my friend's new Golf R, which is a little rocket, but not quite as refined as I expect the RS3 will be, and of course about 100 hp less. I'm retired and live in a semi-rural area of the Pacific Northwest, and typically drive around 10,000 miles/yr. I like a responsive car that handles well, and don't need more space than a small sedan. I love the new Porsche 911's, but they are getting really pricey and still only seat 2 people comfortably. I expect a fully equipped RS3 will be about half the cost of a suitably optioned new 911.

I'm curious what experience others have had with Audi S and RS models. Do they depreciate as quickly as new Porsches or AMG cars? Are they relatively reliable? I will likely test drive a 2017 S3 to get a sense of the car's size and handling, knowing the RS3 should be much quicker. I know the RS will come with a premium price compared to the S, so hopefully the additional performance and features will justify the price difference.

Comments/input welcomed!

The S/RS models are fast fun cars to drive and easy to live with on a daily basis. I currently own a '16 S6 and absolutely love it. The best part about an Audi is that they are sleepers and thereby don't attract a whole lot of attention. Audis have the nicest interiors amongst its competitors, IMHO. All models offer excellent ergonomics and the S/RS models offer excellent HP/torque as you can imagine.
I am also waiting for the arrival of the RS3. I'm getting close to buying my dream car, a 911 turbo and I need a really fun DD which turned me onto the RS3. I only wished that the RS3 would be a hatchback but we aren't so lucky here in the states. The only downside of the RS/S3 is the interior, at least for me; it's a little too bland for my taste but not in a bad way, if you know what I mean. I would never buy a A3 because of that but since the RS3 (and the S3 for the most part) offer the performance, I'm willing to suck it up. I've read that the RS3 will do 0-60 in 4 seconds flat, which is conservative. VW group tends to always publish performance data on the conservative side. 400hp on a light car screams speed! Once a tune is out (if not already), the beast will really be unleashed!

[ets141]

If you decide to purchase the RS3 you shouldn't have any problems selling it. Just make sure you get decent options and avoid absurd colors, interior and exterior. In fact I would actually purchase it from you as I'm waiting for a 2-3 year old RS3 myself. I'd go as far as sending monthly installments like an old school layaway plan! Monthly payments for regular updates, maintenance records, photos, other information, etc.

IF YOURACTUALLY NEW TO VW/AUDI/Porsche & PURCHASING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE only shop dealerships that sell vehicles with ECU software modifications (chipped, flashed) with the warranty intact. Swap the stock ECU program ASAP and will increase the overall HP, torque & mpg. The only requirement is that the car run a specific grade of gasoline ( never 87 octane). The upgraded ECU will pay for itselves overtime in fuel savings. I'm bias, the only ECU programming manufacturer I use is Audi Performance Racing (aka APR) with a proven quality track record. The only issue is I've never seen a dealership offer APR? Confirm the program specs being sold and make sure free revision update installs are included. It's the least the dealership can due for the absurd upcharge you'll pay just to gave it covered under "warranty," In all my years with Audi I've never had a warranty claim rejected due to mods.

The A3/S3/RS3 body reminds me of the older 1999 A4's with regards to overall body size. Personally that model/year was the best in the snow (w/ studded tires). I've since then had two more A4 series vehicles. The current A4/S4 bodies have gotten a little too large for me to drive recklessly in Chicago traffic. My home town wouldn't be a problem. One of the best places for snow driving, constant lake effect snow almost 2-4 inches everyday garenteed. The newer versions are still great in the snow, but it was somthing about the older model being smaller, heavier (V6) and smaller tire width, who knows!

If driving absurdly fast on an empty snow covered highways in the middle of the night isn't your idea of fun, it will be!

[selp]

I come from having a fully built Evolution IX MR, Jeep Cherokee SRT, Dodge Ram R/T, and finally good ol' GTI.
I love the car, and how mod friendly it is. I am myself considering trading my S3 when the RS3 comes out. Cant wait for the tune possibilities on that puppy and 10 second runs at the 1/4 mile.

Ive had my Audi deep in snow, desert dirt, sand dunes, I've tracked it, taken to the 1/4 mile many times, and it stills pull strong. No issues so far, with 13k miles.

[ryan_sn]

The Audi will have a higher rate of depreciation than the Porsche thats for sure. Porsche's in general have very solid depreciation values and they tend to hold their value very well. As for owning an S/RS car, never had any issues. RS cars are much more desirable and you should have no issues selling it in the future. You'll also LOVE the ECU mods when they become available. VW/Audi cars are some of the most easily tunable on the market and give real great bang for buck.

[t0mt0m]

I currently have a cx5 now and miss my previous audis. I had '03 a4 and '10 s4 but got married and currently have my first coming in early feb. Got a q3 for the soon to be mom and I want to sell of my '14 cx for the rs3.

After all my issues with my previous audis, coil packs, water pump failures, horrific clutches I learned one key thing

-Do not get a manual Audi

My brother purchased an rs5 and had one issue, the trunk not opening correctly with the remote with 40k+ miles on it. Overall, Audi quality has stayed very high quality with a reasonable price

[cila555]

Hello, I sold my TTS few days ago because I will wait on RS3 Saloon -:)

[Cgoon009]

If you want to get a feel for the RS3, drive a TTrs. The S3 is nice, but its 2.0t is vastly different from the 2.5 in the RS3/TTrs. the RS3 will actually have a new variant of the 2.5, making it even more exciting. Not to mention, when equipped with the right exhaust, they sound unbelievably good.

[bataleon]

I was considering the RS3, but just could not wait til mid summer. So, S3 it was. And I'm stoked with the performance!It's a little AWD rocket. I'm in the same boat as you in regards to size too. A4s keep getting larger, so the new S4 was out of the question. And even THAT isn't out yet. As for reliability, this is my 3rd Audi. I can say from my experience that my cars have been extremely reliable. The build quality of Audi interior is absolutely fantastic. And, c'mon - the cars just look so badass.

I say you join us. Get yourself an RS3.

[S5LUVER]

If you decide to purchase the RS3 you shouldn't have any problems selling it. Just make sure you get decent options and avoid absurd colors, interior and exterior. In fact I would actually purchase it from you as I'm waiting for a 2-3 year old RS3 myself. I'd go as far as sending monthly installments like an old school layaway plan! Monthly payments for regular updates, maintenance records, photos, other information, etc.

IF YOURACTUALLY NEW TO VW/AUDI/Porsche & PURCHASING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE only shop dealerships that sell vehicles with ECU software modifications (chipped, flashed) with the warranty intact. Swap the stock ECU program ASAP and will increase the overall HP, torque & mpg. The only requirement is that the car run a specific grade of gasoline ( never 87 octane). The upgraded ECU will pay for itselves overtime in fuel savings. I'm bias, the only ECU programming manufacturer I use is Audi Performance Racing (aka APR) with a proven quality track record. The only issue is I've never seen a dealership offer APR? Confirm the program specs being sold and make sure free revision update installs are included. It's the least the dealership can due for the absurd upcharge you'll pay just to gave it covered under "warranty," In all my years with Audi I've never had a warranty claim rejected due to mods.

The A3/S3/RS3 body reminds me of the older 1999 A4's with regards to overall body size. Personally that model/year was the best in the snow (w/ studded tires). I've since then had two more A4 series vehicles. The current A4/S4 bodies have gotten a little too large for me to drive recklessly in Chicago traffic. My home town wouldn't be a problem. One of the best places for snow driving, constant lake effect snow almost 2-4 inches everyday garenteed. The newer versions are still great in the snow, but it was somthing about the older model being smaller, heavier (V6) and smaller tire width, who knows!

If driving absurdly fast on an empty snow covered highways in the middle of the night isn't your idea of fun, it will be!

Eric can you please elaborate on what you mean bye Dealer Selling ECU tunes?? Last tune Dealers offered was Stasis I believe. Also a huge fan of APR great company and products.