My review on the Audi RS3

Post 788164 by MaxTS on 2015-10-12 19:46:37

Hi, so I managed to get a drive in the new RS3 over the weekend at an event at Goodwood. The car for those who don't know has a 2.5 5 pot turbo engine producing 362bhp 0-60 4.2 seconds, 7 speed box and weighing 1500 odd KG's. I thought I'd just give a little write up for those interested; when I got in the the car it feel nicely built inside but rather cramped, straight away I put it in to dynamic mode and into the "manual" gearbox mode. The ride was firm whether in dynamic or comfort. The thing pulled well and the gear shifts were unnoticeable, and on down shifts it would crackle and pop. The host showed us the launch control which was certainly fast off the line. My general views on the car in all honesty was it very very bland! Sure, the Speedo moved fast but the power did not feel like it had 362bhp, the steering was numb and the ride not nice and was ugly. I was shocked as this was the first fast modern car I had driven so I was expecting it to feel much more lively. Me and my mate got out and looked at each other as if we had got out of a normal diesel Audi or something but just trying to feel like a modified car... Don't get me wrong though, it is fast and will mince up a back road faster than most cars on the road in any condition but what my point is that I did not feel like I was doing the driving it was numb, life less and completely unconnected to the driver. I'll stick to my 17 year old S70R with a proper manual gearbox thank you. Oh and about £40,000 less!

Post 788168 by Doingitsideways on 2015-10-12 20:19:48

Must admit, when I saw the frankly wierd telly ad where an R10 gives birth to it, I thought "Holy crap, that'll be good" when the stats showed up. Shame really, as the last few fast Audis have supposedly been belters. Good to see them keeping the love for the 5 pot though, Audi do make a good-un!

Post 788173 by kmb on 2015-10-12 21:27:44

This actually sounds like a review on many modern cars, particularly VAG... I've been out in an RS4 and equally underwhelmed, although the numbers do come up crazy fast.

Post 788176 by Nealevo on 2015-10-12 21:35:05

My daily S4 is exactly the same, very bland and boring the speedo moves with grace quickly and it handles well, it's quicker than my Volvo in terms of stop watch and off my favourite island to a certain signpost, (127mph audi 124mph Volvo) but the Volvo will trounce it in terms of enjoyment, but the audi is quicker through the lanes. It's newer so the brakes and chassis are better, the 4WD helps with the drifting.

Post 788178 by AcidicDavey on 2015-10-12 21:54:19

I had one blast past me in the street a few days ago and bloody hell did it sound good! A nice bark as they changed up.

Post 788179 by jamesy12345 on 2015-10-12 22:07:30

[QUOTE=MaxTS;788164]...the power did not feel like it had 362bhp, the steering was numb and the ride not nice and was ugly. I was shocked as this was the first fast modern car I had driven so I was expecting it to feel much more lively. Me and my mate got out and looked at each other as if we had got out of a normal diesel Audi or something but just trying to feel like a modified car...![/QUOTE] You make it sound blander than Wallace & Gromit's cereal choice [ATTACH=CONFIG]29814[/ATTACH]

Post 788223 by MaxTS on 2015-10-13 16:08:21

It certainly is James, far from a drivers car, more of a car that a young chap with lots of money would but so he can show off to his mates and not posses any driving skill. I am not saying it is slow, it was very very brisk!

Post 788225 by jamesy12345 on 2015-10-13 16:19:26

[QUOTE=MaxTS;788223]...young chap with lots of money...[/QUOTE] No danger of me suddenly becoming one of them & getting an Audi then! I'm with you, we just saved ourselves 40k!

Post 788239 by t5 pete on 2015-10-13 17:57:21

[QUOTE=Nealevo;788176]My daily S4 is exactly the same, very bland and boring the speedo moves with grace quickly and it handles well, it's quicker than my Volvo in terms of stop watch and off my favourite island to a certain signpost, (127mph audi 124mph Volvo) but the Volvo will trounce it in terms of enjoyment, but the audi is quicker through the lanes. It's newer so the brakes and chassis are better, the 4WD helps with the drifting.[/QUOTE] We've been looking at s4's but I'm not keen with the tensioner issues ive been reading

Post 788241 by Nealevo on 2015-10-13 18:27:27

[ATTACH=CONFIG]29815[/ATTACH] Don't worry it's not a big job

Post 788242 by jamesy12345 on 2015-10-13 18:58:11

[QUOTE=Nealevo;788241][ATTACH=CONFIG]29815[/ATTACH] Don't worry it's not a big job[/QUOTE] MC Escher would ££££ his pants looking at that

Post 788255 by t5 pete on 2015-10-13 20:19:29

Yep engine out job as that's all behind bulk head ive read most garages charge up to 5k as minds well do clutch and other things while Appart. Ide do it my self but there still 2-3k in parts so ££££ that

Post 788260 by LiamT4 on 2015-10-13 20:58:30

I find its the same with most modern cars, not just audi. They are fantastic machines technically. Its just that, for some, they lack character etc. [QUOTE=t5 pete;788239]We've been looking at s4's but I'm not keen with the tensioner issues ive been reading[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Nealevo;788241][ATTACH=CONFIG]29815[/ATTACH] Don't worry it's not a big job[/QUOTE] I vaguely remember something similar putting me off getting an S6 (C5 model).

Post 788280 by t5 pete on 2015-10-13 22:09:21

[QUOTE=LiamT4;788260]I find its the same with most modern cars, not just audi. They are fantastic machines technically. Its just that, for some, they lack character etc. I vaguely remember something similar putting me off getting an S6 (C5 model).[/QUOTE] Yeah I don't mind working on them but that with the audi is just taking the piss if it wasn't for the shear cost of the job ide have one in a heart beat as Appart from that they are a very appealing car all motor and a great 4wd system

Post 788309 by Soulboy on 2015-10-14 11:34:40

[QUOTE]Yep engine out job as that's all behind bulk head ive read most garages charge up to 5k as minds well do clutch and other things while Appart. Ide do it my self but there still 2-3k in parts so ££££ that [/QUOTE] My friends S4 has been off the road for the last few months due to a major repair that he simply doesn't have the money to sort, buying it was one thing, maintaining it is entirely another

Post 788330 by Doingitsideways on 2015-10-14 21:12:22

Ffs, that Audi V8 is in another league of rediculousness. Do I count FOUR seperate chains and TEN slipper pads??!! Mind you, anyone seen inside the V10 diesel?! Edit: Just noticed from the bolt pattern on the crank - it all that crazyness at the flywheel end?! The mind boggles as to what goes through some designer's heads!!

Post 788332 by Biff on 2015-10-14 21:38:21

I know of an s4 that is sat with the engine out & a big bill. Has been for a while. I know of an mtm rs6 that's rather poorly & the owner is working every minute he can, even delivering kebabs to get it back. Sod that. Lol

Post 788343 by Kingsford G on 2015-10-14 22:35:32

[QUOTE=Nealevo;788241][ATTACH=CONFIG]29815[/ATTACH] Don't worry it's not a big job[/QUOTE] If I can find one that needs chainsdoing for a good price I`ll have it just to resell and would rather have a T5 for myself

Post 788345 by AcidicDavey on 2015-10-14 22:47:15

That looks scary as hell! ...and I thought my Alfa V6 looked bad!

Post 788413 by Redbrick on 2015-10-15 21:25:31

There is a reason why we belt 850's and P1's round the Ring, track days and just for the hell of it; it's because they have souls and all are built not bought. It saddens me to see people toiling around in modern cars with their twinkly lights, ££££ty leather and infotainment systems. Company car fodder or lease hire, never actual owning it. Not for me thanks. 230K V70 D5 that won't miss a beat driving 1200 miles across Europe and practically new 855. The only car I desire is a GT3 RS... to pound the Ring with!

Post 788436 by Kingsford G on 2015-10-16 00:22:11

[QUOTE=Redbrick;788413]There is a reason why we belt 850's and P1's round the Ring, track days and just for the hell of it; it's because they have souls and all are built not bought. It saddens me to see people toiling around in modern cars with their twinkly lights, ££££ty leather and infotainment systems. Company car fodder or lease hire, never actual owning it. Not for me thanks. 230K V70 D5 that won't miss a beat driving 1200 miles across Europe and practically new 855. The only car I desire is a GT3 RS... to pound the Ring with![/QUOTE] Totally agree,never cars are more unreliable,many engine bay components are plastic and badly designed.Pre Me7 t5`s,163D5,E/C220,320CDI`s up to 2005 so far from my experience are cars to own.My mates gull has almost 300K on the same engine and no smoke etc.