2025 RS3

[one3oneking]

Got the email this morning that my car left the factory. Never got an email about placing the order or that it was going into production. But oh well. Assuming the final assembly day was yesterday. Friday car gang here! 😂

Glad to know it's built and whenever they resume delivering cars, I'll be good to go.

[S2kZach]

Good Morning Everyone,

Just replied to everyone who PM'd me over the weekend, the consensus being alot of you need to order your next RS car from me haha (jk, kinda jk, plz no ban)

[dugeefresh]

Good Morning Everyone,

Just replied to everyone who PM'd me over the weekend, the consensus being alot of you need to order your next RS car from me haha (jk, kinda jk, plz no ban)

We appreciate you! Haha

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[one3oneking]

The updated tariffs direction was just released and predictably it's not what we needed. 25% tariffs stays on for imports. Only relief is that auto makers importing won't have additional tariffs stacked on top of that 25%. We're cooked on this one unless Audi price-protects us. They might as well just start resuming deliveries.

[MrFunk]

Not great news... thanks for sharing...

I'm seeing Porsche is currently price protecting March and April customer allocation builds.
My SA told me he's not heard anything at all from Audi still...

[2000s4ny]

If Audi doesn’t do anything for their customers, you're looking at $88K plus tax, around $95K out the door for a nicely equipped RS3.

[one3oneking]

Not great news... thanks for sharing...

I'm seeing Porsche is currently price protecting March and April customer allocation builds.
My SA told me he's not heard anything at all from Audi still...

My sneaking suspicion is once they start delivering again they will price protect for a period. It's what Porsche is doing now and what VW has pledged to do for a bit. Though I know the financial situation is different for all you'd have to imagine that VWAG is strongly suggesting that course of action. I'm probably biased in my reasoning but at the very least they should price protect all existing orders.

[dirydub]

I can't imaging someone willing to pay that much for an RS3. Besides the engine, Audi gave the S3 a lot of the RS3 features or 2025. There are 2025 S3 state side with no mark. You're looking at a fully loaded S3 for 60k compared to tariff hit RS3 at 88k.

[MrFunk]

My sneaking suspicion is once they start delivering again they will price protect for a period. It's what Porsche is doing now and what VW has pledged to do for a bit. Though I know the financial situation is different for all you'd have to imagine that VWAG is strongly suggesting that course of action. I'm probably biased in my reasoning but at the very least they should price protect all existing orders.

I'd hope so and is logical based on what we're seeing with their sister companies.
I'd expect them to price protect anyone with a signed Purchase Agreement ahead of the Tariffs going in.

[S2kZach]

I'd hope so and is logical based on what we're seeing with their sister companies.
I'd expect them to price protect anyone with a signed Purchase Agreement ahead of the Tariffs going in.

This is what is happening for the time being. Any vehicles currently reaching port are getting an option listed on the window sticker labeled "NAI - No Added Import fee" and Audi is currently eating any price change. Wildly, with the next gen Q5 being released and AoA eating the cost difference, an MSRP purchase of the Q5 with do discounts is actually a negative grossing deal for dealerships.

[randomguy111]

This is what is happening for the time being. Any vehicles currently reaching port are getting an option listed on the window sticker labeled "NAI - No Added Import fee" and Audi is currently eating any price change. Wildly, with the next gen Q5 being released and AoA eating the cost difference, an MSRP purchase of the Q5 with do discounts is actually a negative grossing deal for dealerships.

How about for the people that have orders placed but the car won’t be produced/delivered until later in the year?

[S2kZach]

How about for the people that have orders placed but the car won’t be produced/delivered until later in the year?

Unfortunately I am only at a dealership level and not important enough to be apart of any of those conversations. I have not been giving any heads up officially/unofficially on what the plans are beyond May, but a 25% increase in MSRP's would essentially kill any sale.

[MrFunk]

This is what is happening for the time being. Any vehicles currently reaching port are getting an option listed on the window sticker labeled "NAI - No Added Import fee" and Audi is currently eating any price change. Wildly, with the next gen Q5 being released and AoA eating the cost difference, an MSRP purchase of the Q5 with do discounts is actually a negative grossing deal for dealerships.

Where is the source of this information please? Selfishly this is very good news...

[one3oneking]

Unfortunately I am only at a dealership level and not important enough to be apart of any of those conversations. I have not been giving any heads up officially/unofficially on what the plans are beyond May, but a 25% increase in MSRP's would essentially kill any sale.

Also curious on what the definition of "US deliveries" is. Audi said they're pausing US deliveries but does that mean they're still shipping vehicles just not "fully importing" them? But based on what you're saying they're still shipping just not delivering through to dealers. Because if cars at ports are getting that NAI I need them to put my car on a ship now lol

[RMode]

How about for the people that have orders placed but the car won’t be produced/delivered until later in the year?

Those clients never have price protection, even without a tariff, unless they had an allocation that was ordered against. Wait list orders are always subject to change as the price guide can, and has, changed monthly multiple times in the past


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[S2kZach]

Also curious on what the definition of "US deliveries" is. Audi said they're pausing US deliveries but does that mean they're still shipping vehicles just not "fully importing" them? But based on what you're saying they're still shipping just not delivering through to dealers. Because if cars at ports are getting that NAI I need them to put my car on a ship now lol

If I could give more clarification on what Audi meant when they said they were pausing US deliveries I definitely would, I can only confirm what I see in my order system which shows me:

1.) vehicles are taking longer to leave the factories than normal after build production has been completed
2.) shipping vessels are still arriving at port
3.) vehicles at port that have had window stickers generated are getting the option code "NAI - No Added Import fee" stamped onto them

[one3oneking]

If I could give more clarification on what Audi meant when they said they were pausing US deliveries I definitely would, I can only confirm what I see in my order system which shows me:

1.) vehicles are taking longer to leave the factories than normal after build production has been completed
2.) shipping vessels are still arriving at port
3.) vehicles at port that have had window stickers generated are getting the option code "NAI - No Added Import fee" stamped onto them

Totally understand and this is good insight. Thanks! Well good for Mr. Funk who's car somehow got expedited shipping 😂 and his RS3 is already at port.

[Toddasaurus]

I've just about already decided to move on from my 2025 RS3 order... But i am curious what will happen. My build is scheduled to start production in the first week of June. I think I'll keep my order in place just to see what happens... Will they actually build it? Will I get a massive import fee? Lol. I guess time will tell.

[randomguy111]

Those clients never have price protection, even without a tariff, unless they had an allocation that was ordered against. Wait list orders are always subject to change as the price guide can, and has, changed monthly multiple times in the past


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Those are the people I’m referring to (mostly me lol). My build production week is the first week of June but I placed my order in March when the order guide/allocations opened, which was before all of this tariff talk. So I’d assume my car will be delivered in August or so, but I did place my order assuming it was $70k before taxes/fees.

[MrFunk]

If I could give more clarification on what Audi meant when they said they were pausing US deliveries I definitely would, I can only confirm what I see in my order system which shows me:

1.) vehicles are taking longer to leave the factories than normal after build production has been completed
2.) shipping vessels are still arriving at port
3.) vehicles at port that have had window stickers generated are getting the option code "NAI - No Added Import fee" stamped onto them

So can my SA pull up my order in his system and see if that NAI window sticker has been added to my car?

[S2kZach]

So can my SA pull up my order in his system and see if that NAI window sticker has been added to my car?

Technically yes, as long as the RS3 is at port and both the invoice+window sticker have been generated your SA can see if it has been applied

[Heat00]

Just did a quick search as I was curious.... do the 2025's use the same parts as the 2024's for items like mid pipes, brake pads etc.? I couldn't find either of these for 2025's... just wondering in case I find a 2025 at some point later this year as these 2 items are must have for me lol... i didn't see isweeps for 2025 nor did I see any mid pipes and was wondering if the 2024 parts are the same and will fit properly...

[RudyH]

I've just about already decided to move on from my 2025 RS3 order... But i am curious what will happen. My build is scheduled to start production in the first week of June. I think I'll keep my order in place just to see what happens... Will they actually build it? Will I get a massive import fee? Lol. I guess time will tell.

the question too is what are you going to buy otherwise?

a Cadillac CTS-4 or CTS-5 Blackwing? you might as well buy that quickly since there are parts from Canada, Mexico, China and other places in it. Not to mention the fact that all manufactures, whether the car is built in America or not, are going to be raising their prices (might as well take advantage of the import tariffs and turn a profit). I think for now many are in a holding pattern until someone makes up their mind on what they are doing.

[Crowlski]

the question too is what are you going to buy otherwise?

a Cadillac CTS-4 or CTS-5 Blackwing? you might as well buy that quickly since there are parts from Canada, Mexico, China and other places in it. Not to mention the fact that all manufactures, whether the car is built in America or not, are going to be raising their prices (might as well take advantage of the import tariffs and turn a profit). I think for now many are in a holding pattern until someone makes up their mind on what they are doing.

BMW is price protecting orders and cars on their lots until the MY26 opens up. So get in now because allocations for June just opened up. Btw, if Audi is pushing tariff costs onto the consumer and this brings the RS3 into the 80+k range will be nuts since you are now touching the price of higher end cars; the base M3 for one.

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[RudyH]

BMW is price protecting orders and cars on their lots until the MY26 opens up. So get in now because allocations for June just opened up. Btw, if Audi is pushing tariff costs onto the consumer and this brings the RS3 into the 80+k range will be nuts since you are now touching the price of higher end cars; the base M3 for one.

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Sorry MY 2026 or 2025? They said they are protecting until June with the exception of the 2-series and M2
Basically panic buy now before it's too late!!!

[9kracing]

I actually heard end of May. (Edit - I guess end of May is June)

Either way, if you've had your eye on something you should move fast.

[Toddasaurus]

the question too is what are you going to buy otherwise?

a Cadillac CTS-4 or CTS-5 Blackwing? you might as well buy that quickly since there are parts from Canada, Mexico, China and other places in it. Not to mention the fact that all manufactures, whether the car is built in America or not, are going to be raising their prices (might as well take advantage of the import tariffs and turn a profit). I think for now many are in a holding pattern until someone makes up their mind on what they are doing.

A very good question.

I'm under the assumption that Audi will pass along a price increase onto the customer, related to tariffs, by the time my RS3 arrives. That said, who knows exactly how much that will be. In my opinion, the RS3 isn't worth any price increase *for me* - though I completely respect and understand that not everyone feels this way!

So, what would I get instead? I'm really thinking about waiting for the XDrive M2. Will that car also get a price increase due to tariffs? I'm sure it will - most likely even more than it already has. BMW announced an increase in prices very recently (by about 4%), and many people on BMW forums translate that to mean a tariff increase. I wouldn't doubt that we will see another price increase by the time the AWD M2 comes out. But here's the thing - I'd be willing to pay a modest price increase on that car over the RS3. To me it would be worthwhile, though I completely respect that others wouldn't feel the same.

While I'd love a CT4V-Blackwing, I am dead set on AWD. I always modify my cars, my next big car purchase (ie RS3 or M2) are going to be my last new ICE car purchase and I am going for big HP numbers and I'd prefer to be able to put that power to the ground. Lol

Either way, I may as well wait and see what happens! I mean, I've been on a wait list for SO long I may as well stick out the next few months! If there is magically no tariff increase on my car (I'm not holding my breath) then I will absolutely buy the RS3.

Really, I'm just thinking out loud. And I totally welcome and appreciate other's thoughts on the matter.

[Heat00]

not sure about all this, many manufacturers have already come out and said they will NOT be adding tarrif costs on all models... whether true or not remains to be seen... whether this gets resolved soon or not remains to be seen (personally I believe it will resolve itself very soon)... however if this does happen, how can almost every other manufacturer price protect all their cars except audi? LOL... I find that hard to believe as it would be suicide... then again some of these companies make bad decisions lately i.e. dodge and it's electric charger that they can't give away now lol.

back on point, there is ZERO chance I would buy an RS3 for more than they are/were MSRP. I think I paid 70-71k for mine brand new in September.. if it was much more , if any more, I don't think I would buy one. it's already at the limit of value in my opinion. certainly at 80k it's not even a conversation to me....

All that being said, also per above, what else really competes with it these days.... when you factor in AWD, 4 doors, and a sub 12 sec 1/4 mile... there isn't much else. I'm already planning for my next car because of how much I drive etc. and right now there is not much else that I would consider. I have thought of the ct4v although they aren't cheap either and I don't love Caddy/GM to begin with... there is a pre owned m3 but still more than I want to spend.. what else is there is 4 door flavor that really competes?

Lastly, if Audi really jacks up the pricing then isn't my 24 worth a boatload more? That to me sounds like it would be time to sell not buy lol

[Heat00]

to further the thoughts of what to do if the RS3 goes crazy pricing....and this is going to be my reality soon here is my quick short list..

2025 rs3= great car and first choice as of today, provided pricing remains the same. don't love the steering wheel and prefer the 24 wheels but I'll deal with it if there is not a better option. I like that they increased sound/valves somewhat and love the new gauges. rough MSRP (now) new around $70k

CT4 V Blackwing? seems to get amazing reviews. If I have to go 6 cylinder I would prefer non american but whatever lol. but I haven't seen a new one with Auto for less than 80-85k or so.. even much more. crazy. I would have to get 1 year old.. and that brings up potential issues i.e. accidents, not cared for etc etc.

M3? Great car. insane but even a non comp/non x drive base is about 80k. I look every day and even used ones with low mileage say 1 year old are around 80k plus. just so expensive. i suppose a base RWD without a lot of options could be around 80k... but I'm really trying to stay at or below 70, not 80 LOL... I have 3 cars at home so it's not so easy to go buck wild on mine...

is500 lexus? not really a big fan however it's a 4 door with an N/A v8 that sounds great. It's like a Japanese scat pack lol. not very fast, old looking interior, boring looking car... but that v8/sound and RWD is a winning combo... i see a few brand new for sale around high 60's... could be an option I suppose.

ct5V blackwing. awesome car. basically a gm hellcat but it's not even in the conversation with it's pricing... it's way more than an m3 LOL.... hard to justify that in my book.

dodge charger I6TT? LOL.. not sure I would consider this. new body isn't great and it's missing it's heart and soul, the big v8... I assume at some point they will bring back the 392 or a similar large v8 and find a way to stuff it in to this body or they will go bankrupt. at that point I would consider it. like the IS500, it's not the fastest car out there but having a RWD v8 non turbo is great. it's fun, it's loud, it's hard to replicate displacement period.. but I doubt this will be here before I'm ready.

Then what... hope for a 4 door mustang LOL? I would actually consider that. I drove a new GT a few days before buying the rs3... and it is the best sounding new car I've driven yet period. BUT, I really need 4 doors...otherwise it would be hard not to buy another M2 LOL...

the Alfa whatever that is? the big boy one is very expensive, at that point I just go m3 so it's out.

even though I hate SUV's... I did drive the macan before the rs3 and it was terrible, and I also drove an X3M which was amazing. those stopped in 24 though so now you're really pre owned... and it still has the old interior lol.. hard to spend 70k on used and not even get the newer interior lol..

same goes for the m550i. I drove one of these too and it was great.... but they stopped a while ago too and I'm just not as confident in that motor as I am with their b58 or s58 I6

then what, maybe a pre owned rs5? Haven't really ever driven or looked at one.. i suppose it would be a consideration depending on pricing....

man, this would all be a lot easier if, when I'm ready in 6-9 months, I could just swap into a new 25 or 26 RS3 for the same pricing without problems or tariffs etc. LOL... after writing this I realize why I bought the RS3 in the first place!

edit... almost forgot the tlx type s? it's actually a nice looking car at least the exterior... don't love the interior and performance seems so low that it then has to fight with a lot of better options like a new a6, s5, m340i, etc. not sure why it's performance is so low compared to it's competitors lol.

[randomguy111]

Just noticed that Audi kept the red “S” badge on the B10 S5 but removed the “RS” badge from the 8.5Y RS3. Wonder why that’s the case and also why we have conflicting badging throughout the car with some parts having the new badging style and some using the old.

[Toddasaurus]

the Alfa whatever that is? the big boy one is very expensive, at that point I just go m3 so it's out.

I assume you mean the Giulia Quadrifoglio? Yeah, I guess those really are around the same price as an M3, aren't they. Even so, I really think you should test drive one. The Giulia really is something special. The steering is SO responsive and you actually get a decent feel out of it, the suspension is fantastic and aggressive. That engine is an absolute sweetheart - it has a pretty dang convincing exhaust note. It's no V8, but for a modern TTV6, and ESPECIALLY if you go aftermarket, that thing actually sounds really good. But, that transmission... Wow. The paddle shifters are amazing. They're column mounted and give a really good click when you pull them, and the tranny just snaps into gear - it's immediate and satisfying. When you get in the Giulia QV you just wanna drive it hard, it's really good.

Personally, I'd really consider it. Take that thing for a test drive!


Edit: And I totally agree with you on the TLX-S. It looks pretty good on the outside, but dang that power train is just anemic. Lol. Supposedly it's 350hp, but I doubt it's even that. Tranny, I hear, is super lazy, too. 🤷

That brings me to the Genesis G70 3.3. I used to have one. It's pretty good for what you're paying; but if you want real performance you may as well just get the M340i, as it's better in every way. The G70 really is just a really good value, but that's about where it ends.

[ZRated_]

Just noticed that Audi kept the red “S” badge on the B10 S5 but removed the “RS” badge from the 8.5Y RS3. Wonder why that’s the case and also why we have conflicting badging throughout the car with some parts having the new badging style and some using the old.

Why conflicting badging? Because Audi doesn’t know wtf they’re doing these days. They’ve kind of lost their way.


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[TurboDan333]

I'll chime in with the cars that I have test driven over the past two years... When my CTSV wagon needed a new transmission at 100k miles, I started to casually drive some cars I thought were interesting, starting with the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Now I didn't go and put a comment next to each car (other than M or A for the transmission), but I will say for the Alfa, the lack of dealerships and seeing just how long some of these cars are sitting at the dealerships getting repaired scared me. I'm Italian too, and I REALLY wanted to drive away with one. I do know that the '22 and newer are more reliable than the older ones. I also was trying to get away with a coupe, so sticking to some of my favorite sedans.... The 4v and 5v blackwings (except good luck trying to get out of the back seat of that 4v, its SUPER tight where your feet go, and if I struggled (i'm 190 lbs), i can't imagine my in-laws ever getting in/out of that thing. The 5v is nice and powerful, but I'm wanting a smaller car. The Integra Type S, while only a 4 cylinder turbo, was super fun, and so was the new Type-R, I was literally laughing out loud ripping around turns. But the quality is just not there for me, too many complaints of rattles for both the Acura and the Honda in my opinion (for a daily). The Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance (the name is annoyingly long) was just okay. Good power, sounds insane with a nice exhaust, but the transmission really is the let down with this car, with lots of reports of it puking transmission fluid on track days. I even experienced non-shifts when I asked it to shift, until it was properly warmed up. Pass... Lots of people tell me to get an M3, but not wanting to sound like a show-off, my wife has one and it's great (except for the lack of steering feel at speed). I really don't want two of the same cars in my garage. :)

Then I got into the RS3, first test drive was just weird due to the salesman putting the car in torque rear mode. I then drove two others and fell in love with it, which is why I'm here anxiously awaiting my '25 RS3. If it doesn't work out, I will have to reconsider my list.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quad (A)
Audi RS5 sportback (A)
BMW F82 M4 CSL (A)
BMW G80 M3 (A)
Audi s5 cabrio (A)
Camaro ZL1 1LE (M + mods)
Cadillac CT5V BW (A)
Cadillac CT4V BW (A)
Camaro ZL1 (A)
Mustang Mach1 (A)
Shelby GT350 (M)
Mustang Darkhorse (M)
Toyota GR86 (M)
Toyota GR Corolla (M)
Honda Civic Type R FK8 (M)
Audi RS3 8Y (A)
Acura Integra Type S (M)
Hyundai Ionic 5N (A)
Honda Civic Type R FL5 (M) more boost
BMW M4 Comp convertible (A)
Cadillac CT4V BW (A)
BMW G87 M2 (M)
Porsche Panamera 4 (A / NA V6)
AMG GT53 (A)
VW Golf R (M)
Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance (A)
Subaru WRX 2024 base (M)

[LazyEvul]

Just noticed that Audi kept the red “S” badge on the B10 S5 but removed the “RS” badge from the 8.5Y RS3. Wonder why that’s the case and also why we have conflicting badging throughout the car with some parts having the new badging style and some using the old.

Keeping the badge was a last moment reversal, it wasn't Audi's original plan - early S5s also didn't ship with the badge I believe. So the decision was likely made too late for the facelifted RS3. It's possible they might add it back for the next model year, but I don't believe we've seen any real confirmation of this.

As for the conflicting badging... probably cost-cutting. It seems like they didn't want to update the badging on any parts that can't be shared with another car.

[one3oneking]

Keeping the badge was a last moment reversal, it wasn't Audi's original plan - early S5s also didn't ship with the badge I believe. So the decision was likely made too late for the facelifted RS3. It's possible they might add it back for the next model year, but I don't believe we've seen any real confirmation of this.

As for the conflicting badging... probably cost-cutting. It seems like they didn't want to update the badging on any parts that can't be shared with another car.

This! I get the impression that they largely heard the outcry from some of their trusted influencers and press that removing the S and RS badges from the front of the car removes the car's identity and the pride people had. Unfortunately, a reversal wasn't possible for some models and they're adjusting as they can. For example I think at one point that they were adding the red stripe to the rear of the cars for A and Q vehicles and then there were outcries about that and they reversed.

For the badge mismatch I think they're just losing some design and branding discipline and direction. That's also evidence by the shift and then reversal of the even and odd number naming conventions between ICE and EVs.

[TurboDan333]

Give me the car, I'll figure out how to add an RS badge to the front grill. :)

[9kracing]

Well the good news is all this chaos has caused our 8Ys to hold unusually high value.