New S3 vs current RS3

[Daytona3]

Good evening all, was reading the write up of the new S3 on this forum and couldn't help noticing that Audi wanted to make a decent effort in improving on the old S3. On paper things seem to be looking good.

My question is - in doing so, did audi somewhat diminish the gap on the current RS3 ? No sooner did I get used to sitting in the seat of this car (let alone get used to driving it) am I going to start feeling S3's breathing down my neck ?

I think that the one thing nobody can take away from the RS3 at the end of the day is its exclusivity....

[longdog]

The RS range will always be seen as the enthusiastic drivers choice and while the S cars will never have as good brakes, as powerful engines or look as good I think that performance wise the gap is not that big. They also appeal for different reasons, not all of them cost related, the S3 will have the tuning potential to make it as quick as the RS while going about its business under the Radar and (supposedly) more comfortably.

[gilford]

In standard guise it over half a second slower to 60mph, which is a BIG difference, especially bragging rights

The RS3 will be 100% more focussed as all the RS range is. I drove a new S4 black edition before settling on the RS3, it was a very drab car with no feel whatsoever. Yes it has tuning potential but that doesn't interest me, I want a car fast right out of the box with no warranty issues and no re sale issues!

[Daytona3]

I'm with you all the way Gilford... you're right

[klauster]

I had an S3 before I bought an RS4, I have to say it was boring to drive, I ended up mapping it after 3 months, putting lower springs on it after 4 months and selling it after 12 months

[longdog]

In standard guise it over half a second slower to 60mph, which is a BIG difference, especially bragging rights

The RS3 will be 100% more focussed as all the RS range is. I drove a new S4 black edition before settling on the RS3, it was a very drab car with no feel whatsoever. Yes it has tuning potential but that doesn't interest me, I want a car fast right out of the box with no warranty issues and no re sale issues!

Drab? I'm going to have to bite due to owning one myself and say that while it may not be as focused as an RS with the drive select and sports diff it suffers less understeer than an RS3 and the interior is a much less drab place to be than the 3.

[Bacardi Jo]

In standard guise it over half a second slower to 60mph, which is a BIG difference, especially bragging rights

The RS3 will be 100% more focussed as all the RS range is. I drove a new S4 black edition before settling on the RS3, it was a very drab car with no feel whatsoever. Yes it has tuning potential but that doesn't interest me, I want a car fast right out of the box with no warranty issues and no re sale issues!

Drab? I'm going to have to bite due to owning one myself and say that while it may not be as focused as an RS with the drive select and sports diff it suffers less understeer than an RS3 and the interior is a much less drab place to be than the 3.

+1 the RS3 is old technology and has nowhere near any of the quality feel of the S4 with the super sports seats and all the other luxuries.Equipped with drive select ,sports diff and a trip to MRC the S4 would show the RS3 a clean pair of heels.

[klauster]

I have driven the new S4, Im sorry but I was unimpressed.

I also drove the RS5, that was a huge disappointment... regardless of the new technology

[longdog]

I have driven the new S4, Im sorry but I was unimpressed.

I also drove the RS5, that was a hugh disappointment... regardless of the new technology

People's tastes are different, which is a good thing but I'm struggling to see how an RS5 is a huge disappointment compared to an RS3, or was it better than the 3 just not as good as you'd expected.
I'd tend to agree with you on the RS5 front but only due to the large price difference, as a day to day car for normal people (ie not some journalist harping on about steering feel etc) I'd say it's a great car.

[klauster]

I have driven the new S4, Im sorry but I was unimpressed.

I also drove the RS5, that was a hugh disappointment... regardless of the new technology

People's tastes are different, which is a good thing but I'm struggling to see how an RS5 is a huge disappointment compared to an RS3, or was it better than the 3 just not as good as you'd expected.
I'd tend to agree with you on the RS5 front but only due to the large price difference, as a day to day car for normal people (ie not some journalist harping on about steering feel etc) I'd say it's a great car.

I do agree that everyone is different, but for me the RS5 was far too refined and nowhere near sporty enough. I was moving from a B7 RS4 and for the price tag, it just didn't add up...

My requirements have since changed so the RS3 was a logical choice for me, I still wanted to be in the RS fold, just with cheaper running costs and more peace of mind for now....

S models are nice cars, don't get me wrong, but its easy to see the difference between S and RS for me. I am obviously talking out of the box here, most cars can be tuned, and depending on your pockets, you can make anything go faster and drive better.... a stage 3 RS3 will produce R8 stats... won't look or handle like one though.

I have to say I don't even like the look of the new A3, I do like the S3 quad tailpipes mind

[ChinsRS]

Good evening all, was reading the write up of the new S3 on this forum and couldn't help noticing that Audi wanted to make a decent effort in improving on the old S3. On paper things seem to be looking good.

My question is - in doing so, did audi somewhat diminish the gap on the current RS3 ? No sooner did I get used to sitting in the seat of this car (let alone get used to driving it) am I going to start feeling S3's breathing down my neck ?

I think that the one thing nobody can take away from the RS3 at the end of the day is its exclusivity....

Back on topic

Until the new RS3 comes out then to me the gap is diminished. I am going to get a new car in the next couple of months and the S3 and RS3 are contenders. At the moment the S3 is winning. It looks better, has a much more modern interior and the chassis will no doubt be stiffer due to it being the latest platform. With the RS3, yes it has that engine, but I'm struggling to see what else it has over the S3?

I used to have the old S3 and a Golf R DSG. I am assuming they have improved the S-tronic. We know the new S is more powerful than its older brother. I did move to the TTRS from the Golf and had a couple of months where I had them both to compare. The one thing the TTRS had was a better Stronic and nicer soundtrack - something Audi engineered out of the RS3.

Looking forward to trying out both on the road.

[Nickyboy]

Good evening all, was reading the write up of the new S3 on this forum and couldn't help noticing that Audi wanted to make a decent effort in improving on the old S3. On paper things seem to be looking good.

My question is - in doing so, did audi somewhat diminish the gap on the current RS3 ? No sooner did I get used to sitting in the seat of this car (let alone get used to driving it) am I going to start feeling S3's breathing down my neck ?

I think that the one thing nobody can take away from the RS3 at the end of the day is its exclusivity....

Back on topic

Until the new RS3 comes out then to me the gap is diminished. I am going to get a new car in the next couple of months and the S3 and RS3 are contenders. At the moment the S3 is winning. It looks better, has a much more modern interior and the chassis will no doubt be stiffer due to it being the latest platform. With the RS3, yes it has that engine, but I'm struggling to see what else it has over the S3?

I used to have the old S3 and a Golf R DSG. I am assuming they have improved the S-tronic. We know the new S is more powerful than its older brother. I did move to the TTRS from the Golf and had a couple of months where I had them both to compare. The one thing the TTRS had was a better Stronic and nicer soundtrack - something Audi engineered out of the RS3.

Looking forward to trying out both on the road.

I think you're right. Its a natural progression for the new S model to close the gap on the old RS model. The new RS model will then go that bit further to retain the gap.

In terms of full package I think the new S3 will just pip the current RS3 as an overall package for the reasons you state above (even if it isn't quite as quick).

[Bacardi Jo]

+1 its called evolution.

[RSphantom]

My theory is that the S model cars will always do about 80-90% of what the RS models can. I think the S model range is the range you buy with your head and the RS model range you buy with your heart.

The new S3 will close the gap until the new RS3 comes out. With Merecedes AMG bringing out the new A class shortly then Audi will need to get the new RS3 out a bit quicker than originally planned or their going to lose out.

I would definately look at the new RS3 when it does come out as it (or hope) addresses the current RS3 shortfalls which are mainly on the inside rather than the outside. The cabin although very good is dated, the technology is very dated and against other RS models I've had or driven doesn't feel that special (probably my fault for not getting one with bucket seats).

The current RS3 is still a great car but I think the new one will take it to a different level if the new S3 is anything to go by.

I think of it like this; If you at the traffic lights in your current S3, S4 or S5 and the equivalent current RS3, RS4 or RS5 pulled up along side I would probably think "I wish I had one of those". However, if I was at the lights in my new model S3 and a current RS3 pulled up along side I not sure I would........

[Daytona3]

you're right RS...