Suzuka Lovin'

[RIV]

So DK and PG do you think the rs3 is a step up from the b7 as im tempted to get one next year, im not keen on the new 4 and i reckon a tuned 3 could be the way to go for me

[HYFR]

Personally, i prefer the B7
The RS 3 with more torque, brilliant gearbox and bit less weight is a very quick car and when mapped is clearly quicker than a B7....but its not as special, lacks the comfort, handling, noise, drama, looks


But, the biggest problem is they dont make new B7s any more...the RS 3 is a brand new car, yet has no more new tech (dsg aside) and arguably has worse interior...but its still a brand new car, and brand new cars have that brand new feel

But, id still take a B7

[HYFR]

Imo a used RS 5 or full spec B8 S4 is the step up after the B7 are too long in the tooth

[RIV]

Maybe a trip to MRC coming up then for the 7

[RIV]

Imo a used RS 5 or full spec B8 S4 is the step up after the B7 are too long in the tooth

Might test drive these 2, maybe s4 with some MRC magic

[RIV]

Just bn looking at the s4 forum, sorry going of topic, but cant belive what you can get out of these when tuned

[HYFR]

480PS stage 2

[P_G]

So DK and PG do you think the rs3 is a step up from the b7 as im tempted to get one next year, im not keen on the new 4 and i reckon a tuned 3 could be the way to go for me

It depends on what you want from the car. For me it has been a step sideways in standard trim. The engine and s-tronic make it a fast and economical upgrade from the RS4 in UK legal speed situations but it lacks a sense of occassion for as tuneful as the engine is when nearing the limiter, the V8 sounds good all the time. Also as DK says the interior plastics are not as great nor is the build but the slight upgrade in tech and bigger cabin space partially make up for this.

That all said my 4 sounded great because I went non-res valved and GruppeM so the 5 pot may sound better if I did similar to the 3 but I doubt it. It doesn't handle as well albeit it you can feel it is lighter which helps but it can't hold a candle to properly working DRC. I may change my mind a little with better tyres on and better ARB's both of which in fairness I also did to the 4.

However I suspect the biggest difference I will see is when an intercooler and remap are in place in the next couple of years. For the same gains I will get from the 3 doing that I guess I would be spending 3-4 times a much getting the same gains out of the 4. In that sense comparing the 3 to my 4 is somewhat unfair on the 3 as my 4 was a fair way down the modification line.

Lady P_G thinks the 3 looks better but it is more discrete, less admired (because they can't hear it!) but there are people out there who know what RS3's are and the Suzuka colour seems to be a hit.

I couldn't live with an RS5 as I need the rear doors and an S4 was ruled out because for me, as competent it is, it is bland looking which is a consideration for me. I'm sure with MRC magic the S4 is a great car but then so will a 3 be and I like its compactness. And the 30mpg. Am I sorry to see my 4 go, yes I am, but the 3 is starting to show its talents. That said, I was smitten when I saw my RS4 for the first time, the RS3 whilst a great looking car didn't stir as much. What I am trying to work out is whether that is because I'm older now and not fussed or down to the car. When people asked me about the 4 I waxed lyrical, with the 3 'it's alright'. But then trying to replace a car I had 5 years and 83,000 miles was always going to be a hard act to replace and there was nothing better out there at the time nor is there in my eyes to date.

[RIV]

Good write up, i agree in what your saying about the rs5 and the s4, the trouble is the b7 is a great car and hard to replace, my wife allready has an s3 sportback tuned to 330bhp which apart from the crap suspension is ok to drive, i think im just a bit bored with the 4 after 5 years of ownership, if i wasnt about to build a new house id be going down the r8 v10 route

[geek]

Personally, i prefer the B7
The RS 3 with more torque, brilliant gearbox and bit less weight is a very quick car and when mapped is clearly quicker than a B7....but its not as special, lacks the comfort, handling, noise, drama, looks


But, the biggest problem is they dont make new B7s any more...the RS 3 is a brand new car, yet has no more new tech (dsg aside) and arguably has worse interior...but its still a brand new car, and brand new cars have that brand new feel

But, id still take a B7

Agree, completely on each point....with a twist however.....

I have 50/50 experience with fast diesel and fast petrol, the B7 RS4 along with the e90 M3 only feel alive toward the top of the rev band; both high revving 8's with a muted torque feel low down.

Fast diesels feel quicker low down; giving that feel of massive twist that seems to effortlessly spring you at the horizon - before you get there though, you get let down and dropped onto your arse with the over strained wheeze we all know; searching for good old fashioned grunt. More importantly, there is zero fizz and zero drama; you cannot though deny the sheer ability to cross country rapidly in a powerful torquey oil burner (I am mainly talking about the DMS tweaked 35d motor)

The RS3 lands in the middle of each category; fully alive at the top end with significant bottom end shove; don't be fooled by the relatively low BHP of the 3, it belies its capability.

I don't p*ss about with mine, it gets driven and driven hard; it has done nothing but reward and impress me, I manage a cheesy grin at least once every drive.

The only times when I felt rewarded for driving the M3 were when I was at 9/10ths or above.

There is no denying however that the 3 is too understated; it lacks the charisma of the 4 along with a lot of its drama however live with it though and it will show you a very different take on RS / M ownership......being able to have your proverbial cake and to eat it is a unique experince.

[P_G]

the B7 RS4 along with the e90 M3 only feel alive toward the top of the rev band; both high revving 8's with a muted torque feel low down.

That statement whilst true on a standard B7 is the bit I struggle with making a clear demarcation on with the 3 being better than the 4 as a mapped 4 had more torque grunt, probably as much as a standard 3 and even if it didn't, the aural pleasure meant for me at least that it just didn't matter because it sounded so good and handled so well and not just at 9/10ths like an M3 from what people say of it.