[dcgolfdr]

Does anyone have experience with the RS3? I currently have the M2 but I am very interested in adding the RS3.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

Does anyone have experience with the RS3? I currently have the M2 but I am very interested in adding the RS3.

I test drove a few before landing on my 2019 S5 (that was subsequently wrecked). And test drove it again before landing on the 2020 M340i.

It's a very nimble little car. Great handling and pretty impressive power, although more muted than say an M2. My M340i feels faster but also feels heavier. It does understeer quite a bit and although it feels very planted, it's not extremely "fun".

The cabin is where I couldn't pull the trigger. It was about the same price as the S5 Sportback I had and the M340i, but the cabin is so low rent. It's put together well, but only manually adjusting seats, tiny infotainment screen, VERY sparse dash (might be a positive for some).

The 5 cyl engine is phenomenal though. A bit of throttle and/or turbo lag but once it gets going it's a rocket. Sounds good too (at least the pre-2020 models did until they changed the exhaust).

[Red Bread]

New A3 arrives this year, with the S3 and RS3 to follow. I'd skip Mk7 based cars right now.

I drive a Mk7.5 GTI, and we test drove an RS3 last year, it's fun, but like said above, Haldex still understeers and doesn't really ever get to a power induced oversteer state unless you're really being silly, I can't see a point in non track related driving that you could induce oversteer.

My main beef with it was the size. The sedan is stupid. If we got the hatch, we'd have likely considered it more seriously. The sedan is cramped, kinda plain looking and as said above, fairly low rent. There are pics on Autoblog today of the new S3 interior and it looks much better, but it will still be Golf based and a little low rent compared to the A4 based cars.

[BEM-S4]

I'd have a hard time not getting an S5 sportback vs the RS3. That's on my short list for next time.

[pz619]

I test drove it before the M2C. It's a competent car but its definitely got some weird quirks. Some of it is minor such as manual seats, but my biggest issue with the car is that it feels like it's fundamentally backwards. It understeers so Audi's solution in the handling package is to simply put bigger tires in the front. You read that right, the front tires are bigger than the tires in the rear. Also, the AWD system is primarily FWD. If you like taking off from a dig, this is a great car, but for me it didn't check the boxes. That's not to say it won't work for you.

Also I think this could be a great car. Just need to turn the seats 180 degrees and flip the steering wheel the other direction.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

There are pics on Autoblog today of the new S3 interior and it looks much better, but it will still be Golf based and a little low rent compared to the A4 based cars.

Definitely better looking than the current outdated design, but pretty poor if you ask me (especially compared to the new A Class/CLA and 2 Series). That little matchbox looking shifter is terrible.

[dcgolfdr]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Here you go, this thread should help. The original poster owns both an M2C DCT and RS3 and compares the two. https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1636740

Thanks everyone.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Definitely better looking than the current outdated design, but pretty poor if you ask me (especially compared to the new A Class/CLA and 2 Series). That little matchbox looking shifter is terrible.

I'm a manual only guy, so I certainly agree.

I hate MB current interiors with their parts bin double screens just slapped on there. I also just don't enjoy driving any of their cars, blame it on years working in Germany and having them be my daily taxi.

If the 2er interior is anything like the X1/X2, it might look okay, but the plastics will be much harder and prevalent than even my Golf.

After many Audis, BMWs and VWs, I've found that VW Group interiors just tend to have all around nicer materials and generally a better layout. However the BMW parts are generally put together better and should you need to route around behind the scenes, the BMW interior will go back together easier and you'll generally need to cuss less.

My GTI interior is so much better done than our old F30 LCI it's hard to fathom that it was half the cost. But then the RS3 interior actually felt slightly cheaper than mine when I drove it. I think the basic 8V layout and materials were just flawed. Hopefully the new one is a better effort.

[FuriouslyFast]

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

Does anyone have experience with the RS3? I currently have the M2 but I am very interested in adding the RS3.

Adding? Once you get the RS3, you'll sell the M2. I would have been in an RS3 if the leases were not $1k+ per month.

[FuriouslyFast]

Originally Posted by pz619

I test drove it before the M2C. It's a competent car but its definitely got some weird quirks. Some of it is minor such as manual seats, but my biggest issue with the car is that it feels like it's fundamentally backwards. It understeers so Audi's solution in the handling package is to simply put bigger tires in the front. You read that right, the front tires are bigger than the tires in the rear. Also, the AWD system is primarily FWD. If you like taking off from a dig, this is a great car, but for me it didn't check the boxes. That's not to say it won't work for you.

Also I think this could be a great car. Just need to turn the seats 180 degrees and flip the steering wheel the other direction.

The manual seats thing is definitely nonsense. When I 1st got in & saw that I had a wtf moment.

[86Zed]

Audi RS3 is a great car no doubt, however I feel like the M2 and it operate in the same space? What is the goal of adding the RS3 to your garage?

[Conissah]

Originally Posted by FuriouslyFast

The manual seats thing is definitely nonsense. When I 1st got in & saw that I had a wtf moment.

I don't understand the need for power seats. It's literally something you set ONE time, and likely never touch again. I'd rather have manual in the M2C, would save some weight.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by Conissah

I don't understand the need for power seats. It's literally something you set ONE time, and likely never touch again. I'd rather have manual in the M2C, would save some weight.

Sure. If you are the only one driving the car or never put people/things in the back. Otherwise, it's not so much the movement of the seats that's key, but rather the memory settings.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Conissah

I don't understand the need for power seats. It's literally something you set ONE time, and likely never touch again. I'd rather have manual in the M2C, would save some weight.

I think the concern is that many on these forums have had severe problems with particular seats and generally speaking, manually adjustable seats have far less adjustments.

On first impression, seats shouldn't seem that important. But when you think about them, they are.

My suggestion is that anyone looking to buy an expensive (relatively speaking) car try an extended test drive in the car with the seat package you are planning to purchase/lease. Try for an overnight test drive so you can have some extended time in the seats (sometimes a seat feels fine until you have been in it for an extended time).

[Humdizzle]

if you want handling or a manual ... M2

If you want straight line speed. Get the RS3. Stage 1 tune and you're in the 10s... neck and neck with an f90 M5.

[thegump]

Went and looked at a couple RS3's over the holidays and was thoroughly impressed. A little too much coin for a new one since it's practically a dressed up golf but if you could option one with a manual there would be one in the driveway.

I'd take it (if manual) over an M2 just because of backseat access.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Wish they had a sportier looking version. 4 doors look dull to me.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Wish they had a sportier looking version. 4 doors look dull to me.

They do, we just can't have it.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

They do, we just can't have it.

Oh shit didn't know they had a hot hatch version.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Wish they had a sportier looking version. 4 doors look dull to me.

You mean "A sportier looking version besides the TTRS" because i'm pretty sure "a sportier looking version" is exactly the TTRS' MO.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Oh shit didn't know they had a hot hatch version.

There's a hatch for every RS car, I guess we should be happy to at least be getting the RS6 now. There has been a rumor that we may get the RS4 Avant. I doubt we'll ever see the RS3 Sportback though.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by Conissah

I don't understand the need for power seats. It's literally something you set ONE time, and likely never touch again.t.

Unless you are 6 foot, and your wife is 4'11.......