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Driving an RS3 Sportback (and a Mk7 Golf R) this weekend
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 11:46 pm
by BillTheButcher
Hello all.
I thought it was time I had a go in one of the RS models I haven't tried yet, so I'm test driving a 2012 RS3 Sportback this weekend.
Are there any obvious problems I should look out for; any recalls I should check?
Cheers.

Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:05 am
by HYFR
Open the bonnet and see how far in front of the axle the engine is then you'll understand why it drives so bad.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:08 am
by BillTheButcher
Thank you.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:15 am
by HYFR
Sorry, but genuinely it is the worst RS product I've driven. RS 5 or TTRS are better for similar money.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:52 am
by doodlebug
Seconded. Worse car purchase to date.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:57 am
by BillTheButcher
HYFR wrote:Sorry, but genuinely it is the worst RS product I've driven. RS 5 or TTRS are better for similar money.
The reason I'm looking at the RS3 is because I've currently got an Exige S which is too impractical as an only car and I can't justify running two.
I considered both the RS5 (for the noise, if nothing else) and the TTRS but they don't offer enough practicality.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 11:05 am
by doodlebug
RS4 then!
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 11:08 am
by marc1
B7 RS4, B8 RS4 or C6 RS6 and keep the Exige. You'd be mad go part with the Exige. Outside Audi, I'd say C63 or E63. That said, drive the RS3 anyway and see what you think. I'm not a fan of it myself for a few reasons.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:19 pm
by BillTheButcher
B7/B8 RS4: I don't want V8 running costs at the moment. The same applies to C/E63. Also, I've owned an E55K and it was constantly triggering the traction control (or lighting up the rears) on anything but a bone-dry road.
RS6 is too big.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:16 pm
by marc1
B8 S4? Current S3 platform would be good IMO too, it's supposed to be a marked improvement on the previous generation.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:27 pm
by Nickyboy
Current S3 is a great motor. Golf R? Recent test showed it beat the new RS 3 round the track.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:38 pm
by S4WON
Golf R is a great motor, no doubt. Styling leaves me cold though, maybe being of a certain age i always think of 205 1.9s when i think golf - always 2nd best, and certainly not whatever crazy price they go for these days
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:40 pm
by S4WON
Just to add, for some reason id probably go merc in that category, the a45 amg?
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:44 pm
by BillTheButcher
marc1 wrote:B8 S4? Current S3 platform would be good IMO too, it's supposed to be a marked improvement on the previous generation.
I hadn't thought about the B8 S4. The Avant looks like a really nice car.
The current S3 Sportback looks good too.
Thanks.
Nickyboy wrote:Current S3 is a great motor. Golf R? Recent test showed it beat the new RS 3 round the track.
I'm test driving a Golf R on Saturday too. I tried a DSG last year. I was expecting to love it, after reading all the rave reviews, but I wasn't impressed at all. This one's manual though so I'll have another go.
Re: Test driving an RS3 Sportback this weekend
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:47 pm
by BillTheButcher
S4WON wrote:Just to add, for some reason id probably go merc in that category, the a45 amg?
I thought about one of these but I couldn't get past the looks. Inside and out, awful-looking things IMO.
Also, I was behind one for a while on the motorway and the pops and bangs from the exhaust sounded totally contrived.