I think i fancy an RS3?

[LGR]

Hi guys, new to the forum and hoping for some friendly advice

...just sold the C63 amg and struggling to find a replacement toy. Tempted by 1-series-M, but also quite fancy an RS3 - like the fact it's auto, seats 5, under-the-radar-looks, and has the all-wheel-drive - which will be useful for the country roads through Winter. I'll miss the lunacy of the C63 (had PPP+, LSD etc), but won't miss the 15mpg!!!

So, my first question - are there ANY cars out there atm - for sale, that need a wide-berth? ie previously damaged, etc etc

Cheers all

[HYFR]

I'd drive one first....the 4WD traction isn't very good due to FWD bias

For your requirements I'd recommend an S4

[gilford]

An S4??

I can whole heart idly recommend the RS3, I came from an RS4 and love mine

Go and test drive one, I found the B8 S4 the most boring car to drive, although as a rep motorway car I could see the appeal, just

Where are you based? I'd happily take you for a blast in my RS3

[HYFR]

LOL...an S4 in the right spec is easily the best Audi available outside of the R8!

Anyway...RS 3 is many things, but amazing handling car I'm not so sure....let's see if the car changes my mind

[gangstarrrrr]

An S4??

I can whole heart idly recommend the RS3, I came from an RS4 and love mine

Go and test drive one, I found the B8 S4 the most boring car to drive, although as a rep motorway car I could see the appeal, just

Where are you based? I'd happily take you for a blast in my RS3

Please let me know which jobs supply an S4 as a rep car! I need to get me one of those jobs!

[HYFR]

Oops

That will be my job!

[P_G]

DK, you need to get off those Conti's first to see how good the RS3 is. I changed over to winter tyres yesterday and somewhat ironically on to Conti TS830P winter tyres and the confidence they give you over the standard Conti SC tyres is huge. I'm almost tempted to try and sell the summer Conti's on E-bay and buy some Goodyears's or Michelins for when I change back over in the spring. I reckon it may still need some ARB's but I can't believe how much the tyres have made a difference.

[Nickyboy]

RS3's seem to be getting slated at the moment in terms of overall package. See here:

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=101089

And also a Chris Harris video comparing to the M135i, YouTube search will find it.

Practicality and interior wise yes the S4 is much nicer than the current RS3 but performance of course it is not as good. As said above though the RS3 is haldex and not permanent Quattro so this is maybe why handling wise it has been slated by some.

Somehow I do not think an RS3 will compare to a C63 with PPP. Maybe MPG and wet grip, but then it depends how hard you push in the wet.

The interior is extremely dated on the RS3 and if this is something you require the RS3 probably won't cut it.

Anyway, just test one out.

[P_G]

Nicky, the S4 is far form the holy grail either. I've heard first hand from Audi tech's the number coming back with faults, interior trim fix requests etc etc. The tech is better but the quality feel is not. Having tried an S4 before the RS3 it is a nice place to be but not that much more modern and certainly not that much bigger cabin wise even if it is a bigger car. The kids have as much rear leg room in the RS3 as they did in the S4 we drove.

Harris' review is flawed and has been discussed to death, funkygibbo is very unfortunate and I see part of his frustration with the ineptness of his dealer to get of their backside quick enough to make it a painless experience however I don't have any of the trim issues suggested by others with mine to date bar crap OEM tyre rubber and occasional break squeal when I feather them the car is fine.

It's growing on me the more it is worn in, I don't miss the RS4 now and its cheapness to modify compared to the 4 will in the end make it a winner.

[Nickyboy]

I don't consider the S4 perfect, mine has its issues which I'm not happy about for a 43k car. It would appear 40k, be it S4 or RS3 is just not enough money to tick all boxes if buying an Audi. Deeper pockets are needed.

The cars aren't miles apart and I can see why they are similarly priced. We chose the S4 over the RS3 purely on interior and increase in space over the 3 (even if it is marginally). Interestingly though my Octavia Vrs hatch had more room than the S4.

I just need 60k instead of 40k.

[Bacardi Jo]

Nicky, the S4 is far form the holy grail either. I've heard first hand from Audi tech's the number coming back with faults, interior trim fix requests etc etc. The tech is better but the quality feel is not. Having tried an S4 before the RS3 it is a nice place to be but not that much more modern and certainly not that much bigger cabin wise even if it is a bigger car. The kids have as much rear leg room in the RS3 as they did in the S4 we drove.

Harris' review is flawed and has been discussed to death, funkygibbo is very unfortunate and I see part of his frustration with the ineptness of his dealer to get of their backside quick enough to make it a painless experience however I don't have any of the trim issues suggested by others with mine to date bar crap OEM tyre rubber and occasional break squeal when I feather them the car is fine.

It's growing on me the more it is worn in, I don't miss the RS4 now and its cheapness to modify compared to the 4 will in the end make it a winner.

It seems all audis have faults and Ive said this before you cant compare an S to a RS just because someone drives an RS it does not automatically make it a better car than an S.DK has posted several times that in his opinion an S car is a better all-round car and i think what he says makes sense {he's had most of the cars} but as for you sayingThe tech is better but the quality feel is not, the S4 has a far better feel of quality and better tech than the RS3 which is years old and outdated technology,thats why there is now a new model 3.

[P_G]

But then everyone is entitled to their opinion. Having sat in and driven the S4 like said I felt the technology in it is better but the quality of the plastics are IMO on a par with the RS3 and not to the same grade to touch (which is what I meant by quality) as the B7 RS4. Something I elaborated on in another discussion in that the quality of look and feel of the interior plastic in dash, centre console and door cards seem to have been lost in the pursuit of lightness and maybe even cost saving?

I believe all these cars will have their faults except maybe R8's (in my eyes at least) but then look how much you pay for that. Before my two RSs I owned an S3 and an B6 S4 so I don't belittle them at all as they are great cars, it took a lot for me to change from my S4 to an RS4 and similarly that is why I took a B8 S4 for a drive before buying the RS3 without driving it.

[Bacardi Jo]

Even the R8 will have faults,it seems a given thing nowadays does not matter how much you pay for something it will have faults.My S4 has had lots of faults but they have been rectified and is now driving better than ever,my previous car Mercedes SL cost 80k +, that had faults but they were put right, but i found merc customer care and build quality to be far better than audi.

[n5tews]

OK

My humble opinion would be get one!! But to fully enjoy the car and get most from it, get it mapped.

I've previously owned E46 M3, E90 & 92 M3 - all manual so i can't really comment on the C63 gearbox - but the RS3 is a great everyday practical car with the ability to return 30+mpg on a decent run. I've ran 18 and 19 inch wheels and the grip for the 18 Kumho track tyres is very good - I think some Michelin super sports will be a good replacement for the OEM tyres in the future.

Happy shopping.

[gangstarrrrr]

I don't consider the S4 perfect, mine has its issues which I'm not happy about for a 43k car. It would appear 40k, be it S4 or RS3 is just not enough money to tick all boxes if buying an Audi. Deeper pockets are needed.

The cars aren't miles apart and I can see why they are similarly priced. We chose the S4 over the RS3 purely on interior and increase in space over the 3 (even if it is marginally). Interestingly though my Octavia Vrs hatch had more room than the S4.

I just need 60k instead of 40k.

One of the most disappointing things I've found on the S4 is the size of the cabin, feels too small given its an estate car. I'd go as far as to say its not too dissimilar to the A3 my old man has. S6 is way too big and expensive with silly depreciation so S4 prevails for now!