[45bvtc]

UNDERSTEER - weight transfer: With the engine so far out front of the front axle the RS3 is similar in weight transfer to the 911, with its weight behind the rear axle: most Porsche drivers have learned to compensate and if you want an RS3 to 'play' then so should you.

 

The NEW Focus has a much-better weight distribution than the RS3 and hence better back-road handling: so, if it's Focus 'chuck-ability' you want then the a would be best for you

 

Like having a 'race-horse' and a 'donkey' really; both have 4-legs, a head, and a tail but they just don't do the same job!

 

Me?  The Audi RS3 does it, period...

 

BEST to use your abilities to compensate for its 'few' if 'any' inefficiencies...

[nervus]

Weight transfer is a dynamic characteristic and how it effects the steering nature of the car can be adjusted somewhat with geometry settings, tyre pressures, suspension settings and hardware.

 

You don't have to live with the standard understeery safe mode dialled into ALL Audis from the factory. A set of lowering springs have just about eliminated it from mine to the point that its now my talent which is holding the car back. This is more than enough for any public road however.

Edited by nervus, 24 February 2016 - 11:09 AM.

[M AMG RS]

RS3 used as the test mule for Motor tyre test: 

http://www.motormag....-issue-preview/

some kind words in the test for the hack car of choice...

amazed at the all round performance of the Dunlop Sportmaxx! had them on the A45 and they were canned for hot lapping by ham fisted journos but they make a good road tyre, MPSS don't rate as well as I would have thought?

[Shaunee]

IMO, considering this is Audi's RS badge, it's sacriligeous that the car dynamics are as they are.  Perhaps it says more about the Audi demographic, then it does Audi themselves. Ha

 

I test drove an RS3 last weekend and the biggest issues I had were the steering and chassis dynamics.

 

Steering - you might as well be steering on the moon, with the feedback you don't get.  In reality you can tune yourself to deal with that imo, but it's not great.

 

Chassis Dynamics - whilst it does understeer (certainly more than my A45), it's not terminal..... well, not on the road anyhow. If I were really gunning it down a B Road it "might" become an issue..... but then you just slow down a bit more for the bends.  It would probably cause me more issues on track, but I don't do that as much now as I used to, so not really an issue.

[T-800]

It's a ruddy good job you didn't purchase an RS3 then......

Good on you for having the sense to buy the 'better' A45.

In fact.......isn't there an AMG forum you could go and bother......

This is an RS3 owners club.......

Not the A45 AMG whinging club......

Edited by T-800, 07 May 2016 - 07:15 AM.

[Shaunee]

You're a sensitive chap arnt you. Quite an aggressive one at that. Ha

What I said is my opinion. I have zero brand loyalty and zero need to substantiate my purchases. It was my subjective view.

If you re-read what I put, I'm insinuating that these areas are not really an issue for a road car IMO.

I'm still on the fence (purchase wise) about the RS3 as I think it's a great car, that I can tune the arse out of.

We all have differing opinions on things... That's what makes discussion interesting.

[T-800]

If you re-read what I put, I'm insinuating that these areas are not really an issue for a road car IMO.

 

Yet you still feel the need to highlight them............

 

You've come on an RS3 Owners club, with an A45 Avatar, basically slating the RS 3 and it's Demographic........

 

Then when you get Flak for it......you wonder why 

 

All from someone who doesn't even own an RS 3........

 

I wonder what the Merc/BMW Forums would say if i went on there and started slating cars.............

[Ozmosis]

No car nowadays has real steering 'feel'. I guess to the newbies (so to speak) who have only driven cars with power steering think that is feel....

Go try an old banger with no power steering or a Lotus/Caterham... And be enlightened!

Plus all cars (and yes that includes the rear-driven ones) have safe understeer dialled in as default. Yes some more than others, but the manufacturers know that not everyone who buys their cars has the ability to handle them like Schumacher....

[T-800]

No car nowadays has real steering 'feel'. I guess to the newbies (so to speak) who have only driven cars with power steering think that is feel....

Go try an old banger with no power steering or a Lotus/Caterham... And be enlightened!

Plus all cars (and yes that includes the rear-driven ones) have safe understeer dialled in as default. Yes some more than others, but the manufacturers know that not everyone who buys their cars has the ability to handle them like Schumacher....

It amazes me Oz.....

Then there's the 'Audi got this wrong, Audi got that wrong' brigade....

Similar to a certain S3 owner on another forum.....
Supposedly an 'expert' in all things Audi......yet all he does is slag his S3 (and the RS3) off and champion Focus RS, Golf R etc etc..........

Edited by T-800, 07 May 2016 - 10:05 AM.

[Ozmosis]

His name wouldn't start with a Vee and end with an 8 by chance??

[Shaunee]

T-800,

I've clearly said something that either you don't agree with or find offensive.  If I've offended you then I apologise.

 

Just because I don't "own" an RS3, doesn't mean I do not have an opinion. Whether you agree with that opinion or not, matters not. 

 

In hindsight I can see that my initial sentence could be seen as sensitive..... it was said tongue in cheek (hence the 'Ha').

[T-800]

T-800,
I've clearly said something that either you don't agree with or find offensive. If I've offended you then I apologise.

Just because I don't "own" an RS3, doesn't mean I do not have an opinion. Whether you agree with that opinion or not, matters not.

In hindsight I can see that my initial sentence could be seen as sensitive..... it was said tongue in cheek (hence the 'Ha').

No problem Shaunee.......

It's annoying though sometimes, going on various Audi forums how quick people are to judge these type of models without even ever having owned one for any length of time.

I can appreciate the RS 3 for some may have shortcomings..... Same as any other Marque I'd imagine.

But on our uk roads/towns/cities I find the RS3 is great at everything it does...

On the 'track' 'pod' 'ring' I don't know or care how it behaves, I never encounter them on my daily drive

If I was that way inclined I'd go buy something specifically for 'track' work and keep the RS 3 in the garage.

I like the RS 3 for what it is....... A road going car with the excitement turned up to 11

Edited by T-800, 07 May 2016 - 11:19 AM.

[Shaunee]

This is how we can all differ tbh.

 

My A45 (as in my performance fix) is my secondary car for weekend blasts and probable track days etc.

 

I've done a fair bit of competitive track and sprint work over the years, but it's not something I suspect I'll get involved moving forward.... too stressful! Ha  The reason I mention this is because I do put quite a bit of emphasis on the dynamics department.  Even for road use, I like feedback..... especially for hammering it down a nice B road, which is were I spend a lot of the time in the A45 at weekends.  That's fun to me.

 

To be fair the Audi dealer did ask me where I wanted to go on the test drive and I explained I wanted to give it a pounding down the local B roads.  They obliged although I'm not sure the guy knew what that meant! lol

 

The car clearly handles..... I had to make a rapid swerve down a B road as a pheasant decided to dawdle across the road.  I really did chuck the RS3 around on that very sharp and instant manoeuvre.  Three up in the RS3 and it did what I asked it to do.  No humans or birds were hurt in the process.  Although I think the sales guy and my Mrs may have "followed through". lol

 

I'm not sure you'd be able to dial much of the understeer out tbh.  Sure.... ARB's and suspension (or just lowering) may help.  I suspect it's inherent with the chassis, which is made slightly worse with the extra weight of the 2.5 over the front.

 

In reality I don't think it's an issue..... it's there, but I suspect its not a deal breaker for me.

 

I've got other things to tussle with, like the warranty risk and the fact I'd really want to tune this to be 500bhp as a bare minimum! That's really the biggest factor holding me back at the moment.  Ha

 

Anyway.... I've waffled for too long.

 

Apologies to the OP for taking their thread OT.

Edited by Shaunee, 07 May 2016 - 12:02 PM.

[booker]

In contrast to some I am interested to read other opinions of the RS3, both positive and negative. We all need to accept that no car is perfect - the trick is to find one that is 'perfect' for you and your requirements, and go out and buy it. Then you can read/hear other opinions about your chosen car objectively without feeling as if your masculinity is under attack - with apologies to any lady readers - secure in the knowledge that you are totally comfortable with your chosen car  

[T-800]

This is how we can all differ tbh.

 

My A45 (as in my performance fix) is my secondary car for weekend blasts and probable track days etc.

 

I've done a fair bit of competitive track and sprint work over the years, but it's not something I suspect I'll get involved moving forward.... too stressful! Ha  The reason I mention this is because I do put quite a bit of emphasis on the dynamics department.  Even for road use, I like feedback..... especially for hammering it down a nice B road, which is were I spend a lot of the time in the A45 at weekends.  That's fun to me.

 

To be fair the Audi dealer did ask me where I wanted to go on the test drive and I explained I wanted to give it a pounding down the local B roads.  They obliged although I'm not sure the guy knew what that meant! lol

 

The car clearly handles..... I had to make a rapid swerve down a B road as a pheasant decided to dawdle across the road.  I really did chuck the RS3 around on that very sharp and instant manoeuvre.  Three up in the RS3 and it did what I asked it to do.  No humans or birds were hurt in the process.  Although I think the sales guy and my Mrs may have "followed through". lol

 

I'm not sure you'd be able to dial much of the understeer out tbh.  Sure.... ARB's and suspension (or just lowering) may help.  I suspect it's inherent with the chassis, which is made slightly worse with the extra weight of the 2.5 over the front.

 

In reality I don't think it's an issue..... it's there, but I suspect its not a deal breaker for me.

 

I've got other things to tussle with, like the warranty risk and the fact I'd really want to tune this to be 500bhp as a bare minimum! That's really the biggest factor holding me back at the moment.  Ha

 

Anyway.... I've waffled for too long.

 

Apologies to the OP for taking their thread OT.

So the big question Mr Shaunee...........................

 

Will you be getting one or sticking with the Merc ?

[booker]

Will his decision cause you to change your car?

[T-800]

Will his decision cause you to change your car?

How will that make me want to sell my RS3 ?

[booker]

I don't know, that is why I asked

[T-800]

As you asked so nicely.............no

[peazz]

No car nowadays has real steering 'feel'. I guess to the newbies (so to speak) who have only driven cars with power steering think that is feel....

Go try an old banger with no power steering or a Lotus/Caterham... And be enlightened!

Plus all cars (and yes that includes the rear-driven ones) have safe understeer dialled in as default. Yes some more than others, but the manufacturers know that not everyone who buys their cars has the ability to handle them like Schumacher....

 

So true and why I still have my stage 2 mk4 ibiza cupra... turn off the traction control in that and you know what real feedback is!