Soon To Be...

[P_G]

...An RS3 owner.

I may regret this as I am doing two things I said I would never do; selling my beloved B7 RS4 which I have enjoyed every minute of the 5 years I have had it and buying a brand new car and taking the depreciation. However after a decent bit of searching the used examples out there are not greatly specced so on October 31st I am picking up this Suzuka Grey example....







I'll get better on dealer photos up when I collect it but the options are;

PQA
8RY
7P1
4A4
QQ4
PU7
9JA
3LS
6XJ
PZA
+ standard 8Jx18 wheels with 255/225 front / rear tyres.

So I have a load of questions for you RS3 owners already so any feedback would be great.

1/ I intend to run it on V-Power / Momentum 99 so are the rated power figures base on 95 RON fuel and have people seen a significaant difference in driving on 95 and 99 RON fuel. i.e is there more power to be had from 99RON runnning/
2/ Has anyone installed uprated ARB kit's to neutralise what understeer there is and has it worked?
3/ What if any panel filters are people using? Pipercross/K&N/ITG/BMC? And what are the results?
4/ For those with the Milltek secondary cat bypass does it provide the same soundtrack in normal mode but only more sonorous in sport mode?
5/ For those that have come from RS4s how do you find the normal xenons compared if you have them to the adaptives you had? Compromised?
5/ I gather they all come with Continental's but what is the best tyre for them?

As you can see my modifying head is on already but on subtle additions. Not fussed about lowering springs, coilovers etc or even a remap at this stage until out of warranty or someone can suss out who to remap without removing the ECU.

[sonny]

Fair play Graeme, no doubt it will be lots of fun... I see your planning mods already lol

[P_G]

Would be rude not to.

[bam_bam]

Well done, it's a very smart choice. I test drove one and loved it, I don't know how I resisted the urge to put it on lease. I'm a fool for sticking with this C5 thing.

Mod it like you hate it.

[rs3simon]

Welcome to the RS3 club

Im looking forward to seeing how you get on with modding it. Im planning on doing a few bits to mine inc the ARBs. As for tyres ill be changing mine for Michelin PSS after winter

[Oli]

Hi graham

Trust you are well?

I too am looking at coming to the RS3 fold, getting one for my wife.

Is this a new car? Did you get any discount off it, as Ive been talking to various dealers about new discount, and it seems its possible - PM me if you dont want to talk in public about it.

Looks stunning by the way

Oli

[P_G]

I didn't haggle the price TBH because I wanted the spec on the car, it wasn't a cancelled order and I was getting an excellent p/x on my RS4 from them until a forum member bought it so then haggled the finance APR to the bone so my savings come from there.

[RIV]

Hi PG I'm gonna go down the same route in the new year and prob chip, exhaust, suspension mods etc, it will be interesting hearing about what you think-do to car in the coming months, especially as you have gone from a 4, I love my car but I think it's time for a change hope I don't regret it

[HYFR]

good choice P_G

I pick my Suzuka up in November

[Macdaddy]

Had mine a few weeks now,

Its 100% quicker lower down the range than the RS4 however isnt as effortless top end on the motorway. I guess in a drag race it'd pull ahead then get reeled in upto silly speed and there'd be very little in it with the RS4 slightly ahead. Remap it and the RS4 wont be touching it.
Its way more nimble than the RS4 and personally i find its easier to chuck through the bends because of this, The RS4 always felt a bit nose heavy and like you had to really use its rev range for it to be quick where as this seems to have loads or torque mid range.

I do feel its a little cheaper inside than the RS4 though, There a little too much plastic inside and i'm looking to have a couple bits re-trimmed in the future. It doesnt feel tinny but in comparison its not as solid, again on the motorway this is more apparent.

The DSG box i cant fault, in truth i hate any auto and always have but stick it in 'S' and press the sport button and it holds gears as long as you would on a spirited drive which is great. Theres always manual too so you can use the paddles as you see fit and it'll stay in the gear you leave it in. Ive not tried launch control yet as i'm waiting to hit the 1k mark as recommended.

Fuel wise ive used Tesco 99ron and V-power, It does run better on Vpower, performance and economy improve as with the RS4, Its certainly better than the 95ron the dealer filled it with!!!

The milltek 2nd cat bypass sounds stock without sport pressed, and even at idle or lower down its not massively different. Th difference comes when you put your foot down. Exactly what i wanted s i was concerend about ruining stock/stealth mode.

I've ordered a K&N Panel filter, best mod for little money but its not arrived yet so cant confirm result.

Xenons are decent, not quite as good on the twisties as the adaptives as you'd expect.

Mine has the Conti's on and they seem ok, the weather has been mainly wet and the grips fine. I've yet to really paste them in the dry.

Overall its not going to dissapoint !

I'm also waiting for the tuners to come up with an OBD style solution but id heard that its not possible due to the ECU not being linked into the OBD as per other cars....... No idea if this is true or not.

[chunky79]

Swindon Audi had one just like that in when we had the tour and it was beautiful. Stunning car!
Congrats

[PhilT]

Looks lurvely

[MugelloR]

Congratu bloomin lations P_G!!

Lovely Suzuka you have acquired there.....

[dbm]

Welcome to the club!

I'd be really interested in what you do about ARBs as this is the one aspect of the car I would like to change at present.

[gilford]

What options have you gone for then? No buckets or Bose it seems, from the pics anyway?