Shaun

Well...... it's time to move on guys and girls.

A45 has been sold and I pick-up my brand spanking new RS3 this Saturday.



Time for the next project thread! lol

Cue the jokes about understeering, lifeless steering, boring to look at, FL model due soon, etc, etc. LOL

Life is too short and variety is the spice of it!

A45 is a cracking car only hindered (for me) by it's transmission limits vs tuning possibilities. I suspect I could very well be back in one, depending how model 2 pans out.

Peedee

iTrader: (4)

Whaaaaaaaat? Are you mad? I can understand that you fancy a change, but going from your A45 to an RS3? I think you'll regret it rather quickly. Hopefully you don't though

SmurfyBhoy

If your lucky enough to do it, why not eh.

I reckon i would prefer the AMG as my mates Mk1 RS3 wasn't the car he expected.

He preferred his 375 Mountune Focus Rs.

Did you consider the facelifted A45 AMG ?

Shorter gearing and better gearbox too ??

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Nice car and sound lovely, look forward to the project updates and comparisons with the A45

Shaun

Tell me why you think I'm mad and I'll explain why I'm not.

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

I like the RS3 personally. All the toys too and very fast with lots of potential.

Shaun

FL A45 is not a consideration...... no where near enough of an advancement over my A45 to justify the cost. V2 will be where I'll look.

Shaun

Tuning possibilities on the RS3 are pretty large..... this could get painful! Ha

urban

iTrader: (1)

The RS3 looks the part, and sounds the part.

Presume you have driven one then?
Out of curiosity, what is the steering like on the RS3, I had an S3 for short time, and the steering wasn't terribly sharp

Has the A45 not cost you a small fortune in depreciation?

SmurfyBhoy

Have to agree there,

I'd be happy with either,

Can't comment on Mk2 RS3, only experience of first gen.

Look forward to reading your opinion

Shaun

Yes mate, took one out a couple of weeks back. Smashed it a new backside down the local twisty B roads! Ha

Not a great deal of steering feel and it does understeer, however, you just gotta take it by the scruff of it's neck. It's not as "tight" as the A45, but it matters not to me. I haven't done a track event in years now and don't intend to. This car will live on the road and it's fine for that.

I never drove the MK1 RS3, so don't know how much better (presumably) this one is. It went where I turned and had plenty of frontend grip. For the road it's 100% fine for me.

I'm not interested in driving everywhere at 8-9ths and don't drive a tarmac rally stage every day. I think some things are slightly overrated for real world driving.

Depreciation - yes - shedloads, but who cares. I work to be able to enjoy life, for the short time that I'll be here! ha

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

A45 can't be that good if people are only managing to keep them for 2 years tops .

Enjoy the new car

Shaun

They're great cars..... just not really a modders delight really. lol

LEO-RS

Better looking
Better engine
Better transmission
Quicker
Launches better
More tuneable
Nicer cabin
Nicer exhaust sound

The RS3 is a much nicer place to be, good step forward

SmurfyBhoy

Quicker in a straight line

Not that i would knock one back.

I do find that the RS3 is always bottom of the group tests I read or watch.

However these are only opinions, and everybody's will be different.

From what my mate who owns a mk1 RS3 says the brakes could be better too.

Shaun

"Better looking" is highly subjective. If you're a chav like me, you'd say the A45 is better looking. Ha

Brakes are in a different postcode (behind), performance wise, on the RS3. A45 is miles ahead in this element.

Handling is better on the A45.

Luckily I don't use brakes much lol, and the RS3 handling is "fine" for road use imo.

I wouldn't say the engine is "better", as it depends what "better" means. The 2ltr lump in the A45 is a screamer for sure..... it's the best 2ltr blown platform I've ever experienced.

They are both quite different cars imo, which is good as I'm swapping one for the other.

SmurfyBhoy

I like your honesty,

Good to try different platforms

And really will u arrive at your destination that far behind in real life driving ??

More than enough for most folk on the road.

Shaun

Absolutely, in respect of trying different platforms. I obviously like and want the RS3, and I believe it gives me things that the A45 doesn't.

Real world, you're 100% correct. People put too much emphasis on certain stats, however, the RS3 gives me more scope and ultimately more interest.

I was actually quite surprised how quick the RS3 is stock. Certainly feels quicker than my standard A45 (which it is now, ready for swap out).

Stock RS3's (this model) are banging in 12.1's down the strip in the UK, and I have VBOX data that shows it doing the 60 dash in 3.7-3.8s. For the stats choppers, that provides some context as to how quick they are stock.

Do you need more for the road? Nope.

Do you take advantage of the delights that this platform can give you, with further tuning? Why not!

An0n0m0us

I need a new career so I can change cars (and expensive ones at that) as often as you do I'm looking forward to the thread on it as I think RS3s look amazing and would love to have a drive of one

fat-thomas

iTrader: (4)

Lovely....what options did you go for

Shaun

LOL

I'm not a millionaire mate.... just don't have kids. I suppose that makes me a millionaire then! Ha

Shaun

Full spec:

- Brake calipers in red
- Comfort and sound package
- Daytona Grey
- Door mirror-elec/fold/heat
- Dynamic package
- Fine Nappa leather/diamond quilt
- High beam assistant
- High-gloss black styling pack
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Privacy glass
- RS3 design pack
- Reversing camera
- S sports seats
- Technology pack & Audi Connect

An0n0m0us

I have 4 of the little monsters so that's where my money has gone

What's first on the list of mods for the RS3?

DoZZa

iTrader: (4)

Looking forward to seeing what you think of the RS3. Been looking at getting one to replace or ageing 2002 Audi A4!

scooby2.5maz

iTrader: (16)

Whats the weight shaun ? Just wondering if it's Less than my 800kg 528 bhp sti ??

Shaun

Nope.... it's just under twice that weight! Ha

Kevmc76

Even more boring than AMG i think.

rb5_336

I'd be interested to learn if you managed to negotiate a discount,and what the pcp terms were.
Thanks
Sean

Shaun

Kev,
I've previously modded a SPEC C to over 600bhp, and handed all other tuners their ***** on the sprints. I'm allowed to be boring!

Sean,
No discounts are currently available on the RS3. That stopped once they pulled production for the next few months. All build slots are taken and the only stock new, are the ones left at the dealers unregistered, which is limited.

Luckily my local had an unregistered one in more or less the exact spec I wanted.

If you're looking to buy new unregistered, you're more than likely going to have to have a high spec. As an example at £9k deposit, you're talking over £630pm on a 36 month PCP. That's on a car otr at £50k.

Kevmc76

Fair play with the spec c but Audi in my eyes are just plain boring a lot like the evo