Anyone Considering an RS3 Sedan?

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

Must've been before the B8 . . . as the B8/B9 chassis S4s are boats.

I loved my B7 RS4s. Wish I had never sold them. That said - they had nonexistent back seats. Still - I'm working to be able to afford another B7 RS4 soon... They are future (maybe current) classics for sure...

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by brianeck

We're getting a manual? I thought Audi had forsaken us on all their cars

Yeah, I was being a smart arse...hence won't be trading ol' betsy in

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by mc3456

I owned it as my primary driver for two years and 23k miles. The traction sucks period...especially in colder weather. It's not a non-issue. There is no polishing that turd with R-Compound tires.. It is more of a mechanical issue than simply a tire issue. I know several people who wasted the money on R Compound tires thinking it would solve the issue, though it helps, it's not the complete answer. It is probably more of a calibration issue, but even the ZCP hasn't eliminated it completely. Perhaps you have a higher tolerance for that issue than I do, but I suspect geographic climate is the bigger arbitor. Drive 24/7/365 in New England and you'd be a harsher, more demanding critic of that shortcoming.

I completely agree.

Those who say it is not an issue are either in denial or don't drive the car hard.

This car is more muscle car of old.
HP / TQ outweighs the chassis. Not very balanced.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Pricing announced today at $54,900 base.

http://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/157

[RACEM4TE]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

Pricing announced today at $54,900 base.

http://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/157

That's really cheap

[Fake News 2017]

Nope, TOO many doors

Nice color choices thou

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by RACEM4TE

That's really cheap

$10k cheaper than the TTRS which uses the same engine and is overpriced at almost $66k.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

Pricing announced today at $54,900 base.

http://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/157

Thanks for posting. It is nice to see they priced it competitively. It would be great to see BMW jump into the small high performance sedan segment with a product that offers similar performance at a similar price, but they seem to be content to let Mercedes and Audi have this for now unfortunately.

It's a bit strange that they are calling the first few into the country MY2017 rather than just starting MY2018 early.

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Thanks for posting. It is nice to see they priced it competitively. It would be great to see BMW jump into the small high performance sedan segment with a product that offers similar performance at a similar price, but they seem to be content to let Mercedes and Audi have this for now unfortunately.

It's a bit strange that they are calling the first few into the country MY2017 rather than just starting MY2018 early.

BMW probably thinks they're already competing here with the M2?

Are we getting the 1 series in the US (as a four door, not the older 1 series coupes we got)? If so, maybe it's just a matter of time before another 1M comes along, this time with four doors.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

$10k cheaper than the TTRS which uses the same engine and is overpriced at almost $66k.

Wow, that announcement completely went by without hitting my radar.

No kidding that's overpriced. It would take a little time to go through all the standard (and optional for that matter) equipment for a true apples-apples comparison, but even if the TT RS comes with more as compared to the RS3 it still means less performance value in the base-priced configuration.

Sure the performance difference between a RS3 and TT RS will probably amount to something more measurable than that between an M3 and M4 (which is negligible). The spec sheets certainly suggest it anyway. Still, it won't be huge.

If you can step up to $65k and you can give up the utility of real back seats (TT has very marginal 2+2 seating) there is the Cayman and C7 staring back at you. And if you really do want a two door with usable room for four, the M4/C63 and company are there for the taking at this price as well. I struggle to come up with a truly compelling case for a TT RS. I suppose it lies in the fact that it offers the sports-car-ish aesthetic and spirit with AWD?

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

Pricing announced today at $54,900 base.

http://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/157

Not bad, cheaper than a M2 with dct. I was expecting it to be more.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

BMW probably thinks they're already competing here with the M2?

On the contrary, I think they know very well that a coupe and a sedan appeal to very different buyers. But, for now, I don't think they have been able to make a business case for a global small sedan program complete with high performance variants, that does not hurt 3 Series profitability.

Are we getting the 1 series in the US (as a four door, not the older 1 series coupes we got)? If so, maybe it's just a matter of time before another 1M comes along, this time with four doors.

It's unknown whether the US will ever get the F52 1 Series Sedan. However, even if we do, there is no evidence that BMW is working on M-proper UKL vehicles at this time. The F40/F41/F52 M135i and F48/F39 X1/X2 M35i are it for this generation. These will make in the neighborhood of 300hp and compete in price and performance with similar products from competitors (S3, upcoming Q3 S, and similarly positioned products likely to come from Mercedes for the next generation A/CLA/GLA to fill the gaping ~200hp hole in their current lineup).

So yes, it could be a "matter of time" for a 1M sedan as you suggest, but we are talking about more than five years at this point at a minimum. The only other hope (fool's hope, perhaps) is a four door Gran Coupe counterpart to the next generation G42/G43 2 series. This would open the door for an M2 Gran Coupe model.

[Kief]

With options...maybe this will give us an idea of what the TTRS options will run

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I completely agree.

Those who say it is not an issue are either in denial or don't drive the car hard.

This car is more muscle car of old.
HP / TQ outweighs the chassis. Not very balanced.

Or in my case changed tires and alignment to suit tastes and driving style.

I maintain f80 is balanced great if you are appropriate with throttle. Too bad you didn't like it and best of luck in the rs3 sedan?

I went to a further unbalanced car ( 996TT) after f80 so maybe I am in denial about balance issues

[Motorsportenterprise]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Or in my case changed tires and alignment to suit tastes and driving style.

I maintain f80 is balanced great if you are appropriate with throttle. Too bad you didn't like it and best of luck in the rs3 sedan?

I went to a further unbalanced car ( 996TT) after f80 so maybe I am in denial about balance issues

I'd say rear weight bias is actually ideal. Most of the best handling cars have rear weight bias.

I can't imagine you have any traction issues in that car.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Motorsportenterprise

I'd say rear weight bias is actually ideal. Most of the best handling cars have rear weight bias.

I can't imagine you have any traction issues in that car.

My car has 305 wide PSS in the rear (and awd) and mild power adders (exhaust, chip) and like any car, it is possible to have traction issues with inappropriate throttle use. It will wag it's tail if jump on the throttle in 2nd and over rotate in a huge way (duh) if I ask for a big helping of boost mid corner.

But I mean, that's the implication of a higher hp turbo car... I will not be complaining that the car is "unbalanced.."

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Or in my case changed tires and alignment to suit tastes and driving style.

I maintain f80 is balanced great if you are appropriate with throttle. Too bad you didn't like it and best of luck in the rs3 sedan?

I went to a further unbalanced car ( 996TT) after f80 so maybe I am in denial about balance issues

I think you mis-took "not balanced".

I was not talking about chassis balance (understeer/oversteer), the M does have great chassis balance.

I was talking about all systems working together her to create a cohesive unit.

The M is unbalanced, in that the car can't handle the power/tq it has. This includes, damping, traction, MDM algorithms, etc.

The systems "fight" with each other. The damping has the rear-end all over the place and not very settled, the traction control puts the speed brakes on when it's not required, the rear tires (even with extreme performance category tires) can't keep traction, etc.

You see where I'm going with this? That yo me is a sign of a great drivers car, when all systems work together.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I think you mis-took "not balanced".

I was not talking about chassis balance (understeer/oversteer), the M does have great chassis balance.

I was talking about all systems working together her to create a cohesive unit.

The M is unbalanced, in that the car can't handle the power/tq it has. This includes, damping, traction, MDM algorithms, etc.

The systems "fight" with each other. The damping has the rear-end all over the place and not very settled, the traction control puts the speed brakes on when it's not required, the rear tires (even with extreme performance category tires) can't keep traction, etc.

You see where I'm going with this? That yo me is a sign of a great drivers car, when all systems work together.

Agree 100%, exactly my thoughts after an extended test drive with a civic m4 (I ended up buying an rs3 sportback instead)....then bmw released the zcp and fixed all that

[blinkme323]

Considering that the S3 already leases at numbers fairly close to the M3/ 4, I'd be scared to see what the numbers on this would look like.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

Considering that the S3 already leases at numbers fairly close to the M3/ 4, I'd be scared to see what the numbers on this would look like.

Not sure what you're talking about, I just traded my leased S3 and with an MSRP of almost $49k. I was paying $470 a month with $1200 due at signing. Like with any car, you have to shop for deals. This was with NO Audi care and 36/7.5. Only tacked on 5500 miles after a full year.

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by doberzus

Not sure what you're talking about, I just traded my leased S3 and with an MSRP of almost $49k. I was paying $470 a month with $1200 due at signing. Like with any car, you have to shop for deals. This was with NO Audi care and 36/7.5. Only tacked on 5500 miles after a full year.

Things must have changed then... I shopped around a few years ago and 36/10 deals with zero down were consistently 600+ /month.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

Things must have changed then... I shopped around a few years ago and 36/10 deals with zero down were consistently 600+ /month.

Haha, yep. That is where my deal started, you have to get them down to standard MF and discount the car 8-10%. My buddy got a recent quote for a $46k S3 for $460 a month.

The s3's lease better than Golf R's.