st test drove the new RS3
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
st test drove the new RS3
As per title.
Damn it's fast! only had 56 miles on clock, but it is seriously quick. Obviously the DSG gearbox helps, but I really can't see many cars living with the RS3, especially given its got 5 seats and a boot.
The engine noise? To me sounds like a Lamborghini V10 when accelerating hard. Pops and bangs on the downshifts. You'd never tire of that noise.
Car was a £50k spec car, and had the wider front wheels. In as a demo, but sales women said she's got 2 people coming in today to maybe look to buy it. She's sold 3 herself already, and today is the official launch day.
Looks nice in the flesh, but maybe just a bit too plain Jane. The S3 saloon looks sportier.
Bad points? Yes one, the gearbox. Again, very fast in it's shifts, but all you do it steer and move your right foot. Didn't even think about using the flappy paddles, as I got bored with them when testing an S3.
Have told her to ring me as soon as she gets wind of Audi making an RS3 Saloon. I'll seriously consider one.
Pics to follow once I've downloaded them
Damn it's fast! only had 56 miles on clock, but it is seriously quick. Obviously the DSG gearbox helps, but I really can't see many cars living with the RS3, especially given its got 5 seats and a boot.
The engine noise? To me sounds like a Lamborghini V10 when accelerating hard. Pops and bangs on the downshifts. You'd never tire of that noise.
Car was a £50k spec car, and had the wider front wheels. In as a demo, but sales women said she's got 2 people coming in today to maybe look to buy it. She's sold 3 herself already, and today is the official launch day.
Looks nice in the flesh, but maybe just a bit too plain Jane. The S3 saloon looks sportier.
Bad points? Yes one, the gearbox. Again, very fast in it's shifts, but all you do it steer and move your right foot. Didn't even think about using the flappy paddles, as I got bored with them when testing an S3.
Have told her to ring me as soon as she gets wind of Audi making an RS3 Saloon. I'll seriously consider one.
Pics to follow once I've downloaded them
Last edited by stilover; 13 June 2015 at 11:47 AM.
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mars
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fatter front tyres than rear.
Dodgy gearbox.
Zero adjustability - same old, same old.
But a nice interior and mentally fast so will sell.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/a...iew-2015-04-15
Zero interest.
Dodgy gearbox.
Zero adjustability - same old, same old.
But a nice interior and mentally fast so will sell.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/a...iew-2015-04-15
Zero interest.
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mars
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More or less.
Mounting the engine about a foot further back would help too.
Check your M3 out; the gap between the grille and engine is huge; Audi needs to do this too. Their engines are so far forward, they threaten to push the headlights out.
Mounting the engine about a foot further back would help too.
Check your M3 out; the gap between the grille and engine is huge; Audi needs to do this too. Their engines are so far forward, they threaten to push the headlights out.
Trending Topics
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mars
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#9
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fatter front tyres than rear.
Dodgy gearbox.
Zero adjustability - same old, same old.
But a nice interior and mentally fast so will sell.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/a...iew-2015-04-15
Zero interest.
Dodgy gearbox.
Zero adjustability - same old, same old.
But a nice interior and mentally fast so will sell.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/a...iew-2015-04-15
Zero interest.
But as an everyday proposition, with ownership appeal, residuals, build quality etc, the RS3 is a very convincing package. I'd certainly take an RS3 over the AMG45 anyday.
Saying that, I took my S3 on some back roads this afternoon, and the simple pleasure of using a manual gearbox, just shows how dull these Auto boxes are. Sadly, even if the do build an RS3 Saloon, they won't give it a manual gearbox
#11
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
56 miles on the clock, and female sales woman next to me. It was basically a 10-15min blast out in it. Roads were also a bit damp. Scaring her wouldn't have been the sensible thing to do, given that she said that if it doesn't get sold, I can have it for half a day next time.
#12
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pics as promised. Don't think Black does it any favours, as it hides the more aggressive lines. From the side it does just look like a 2.0TDI S-Line with Rota alloys.
#15
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rugby League the greatest game in the world
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had choice between the A45 & RS3, and for me it simply came down to looks. As the wife pointed out the Audi simply looks like a every day estate to the untrained eye.
#16
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (4)
It does look pretty tame, I think the worst bit is it looks 4 years old. Certainly doesn't look like a new model.
I do like the idea of it though, 4wd, 5 doors, 5cyl turbo motor. Just think it looks a bit old, not necessarily bad looking just a bit dated? Don't think the wheel choice helps, nice enough but they hark back a few years.
Read the autocar (iirc) review and it wastes the A45 aparantly. Probably more in it with a remap no doubt.
What's the red car next to it? Bumper looks more sporty from what can be seen.
Last edited by jameswrx; 14 June 2015 at 02:10 PM.
#26
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mars
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Spend it a faster car that has proper AWD and doesn't need fatter front tyres - An Evo FQ440/400/360.
Early tests don't look too promising except for the numbers coming out.
Early tests don't look too promising except for the numbers coming out.
#29
Scooby Regular
I think I'm going to take one for a test drive. I quite like the look of them.
2.5s quicker!!?? Who's printed that crap?
A bog standard A45 does the quarter in the 12's.
A bog standard A45 does the quarter in the 12's.