2023 Audi S3 & RS3 Buyers Guide | Is it worth it? How does it compare?
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- In this video I explore the Audi S3 and RS3 pricing scheme for 2023 and how the Audi stacks up against the BMW M235i Gran Coupe, Mercedes AMG CLA 35 / CLA 45, and the Cadillac CT4 V and CT4 V Blackwing. Is the RS3's price tag as impressive as the way it drives?
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I completely agree with you on which options are worth it on the RS3! I just wish Audi offered the Bang & Olufsen sound system as a stand alone option. On the other hand, the RS sports exhaust is worth it IMO. For 60k it can’t get much better than this!
Great videos. For the carbon ceramics, I would still skip those if you're doing track days. They last forever for street driving, but they will be need to replaced much more often with tracking, which is really expensive. You really only want those if you are either racing, or just really hate brake dust (and don't really need thousands of dollars).
Hi Alex, great comparisons as always. in the future when comparing two trims, can you please put the matching features side by side and the differences on the top or bottom of the list, makes it much easier to read.
You posted the picture of the REAL 2 series in this video, not the terrible FWD version.
The terrible FWD version of the 2-Series is a disgrace and an abomination, and needs to leave the BMW lineup ASAP.
Haha I see that we feel the same about the knockoff looking FWD 2-Series.
above all else, AUDI PLEASE GIVE US THE HATCHBACK :((
Alex, what do you think about VW Golf R vs S3/RS3?
super informative. please do more videos like this comparing models within a make as well as against competitors.
Another important pricing consideration is the fact that the RS3 is missing some quality-of-life features that are available in the competition (heated steering wheel as an example). They might not matter to many people, but I think that's important to note.
Why i didn’t buy a S3. That and you can’t get remote start of any kind.
I’m in CA, so a heated steering wheel is pointless to me when it doesn’t even get THAT cold in the winter.
@@MarTin-ku4lx You would be one of those people. Last I checked, it does get chilly in northern California, enough where I would want a heated wheel, especially at this price point.
@@darrell9616 I live in Norcal and it doesn't really get that cold, but when you have a heated steering wheel (CTS Vsport), it's nice to use it anyway. Any time it's less than about 64 degrees outside I turn the heated wheel and seats on in the morning.
My mom's Audi A3 kinda turned me off to the Audi brand, but that rs3 is a whole other beast. Definitely gonna keep it in mind when I trade in
Can you mention how hard it is to procure an rs3 compared to an s3 at the moment. Officially only 300 or so rs3s made it to the american market for model year 2022. Its tough to procure one at msrp than an s3 and availability dates are uknown.
It would be interesting to revisit this comparison once you've driven the CT4-V Blackwing, especially if you have a change of heart. Please review the manual if you have the choice.
Second that.
I looked at a S3 loaded with options and it was nearly $60,000. Stupid. RS3 optioned nearly identical? $65,000. So happy I didn’t buy an S3.
Posted on the companion video - tested the S3, and underwhelmed. Dealership experience was bad. Went with the Genesis G70 SportAWS (+winters) for $10K less then the S3. My wife and I are both engineers.
BMW M340i could be a good comparison in terms of price. Some people are talking about CT4, which is interesting to me. I saw some RS3 in my city, but never a CT4 Blackwing. To me, CT4 is like Jaguar XE. People talk about them but seldom buy them.
If I'm buying a sedan at this price range, I think the Cadillac CT5-V would be my top choice. I don't need those high tech and luxury options, just the standard one for $51,700.
Or, if I rarely carry adults in the back, I'd also consider the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce, which is also around $50k after current discount.
Alfa Romeo, $1 per mile you'll get out of the car.
+1 .. For my money: Audi RS2 with silver alloy wheels, and the Technology Package.
The BMW you showed is the M240i, not the M235i, they're different cars. In fact they're so different that I wonder how BMW engineering department gave the M235i the green light.
New the rs3 is probably a better buy, 10k more and you get all the options on a prestige minus technology package s3 + 5cylinder and one of the best performance awd systems. Also will depreciate really slowly. This s3 is going to be a good lease, or a good value in 3-5 years when it's 30-45% cheaper.
I’ve talked to 5 dealerships in my area and none of them are taking orders the RS3. They said Audi is just sending them cars. No choice on options. That may change for 2023, but for now there are just a few for crazy markups….
I ordered one in September last year when the RS3 was launched in the UK, still don't have a build date. It pisses me off to see dealers getting cars and asking massive premiums, yet customers are not getting their cars.
@Lucius Sander
Just wondering Have you received your car yet?
@@km4089 I got the car on the 25th April 2023. Ordered it 17th September 2021. I still have to pinch myself that it's sitting out front! Tango Red sportback, full carbon pack and RS dynamic pack, that includes the ceramic brakes. Really pleased with it, although the B&O sound system is poor, something reviewers aren't mentioning.
Bit of some misinformation here on the RS3. You cannot add the Trofeo R tires without adding the Dynamics, Black optic, and sport exhaust packages.
Normally I wouldn’t opt for carbon ceramic brakes on a daily, but in addition to the low initial cost, the likelihood that these rotors will last 100K miles makes them seem reasonable for the RS3. The reduced unsprung weight is another advantage.
Regular rotors should last 100k or either you're driving hard as hell, or doing something wrong.
Great video. I would go CT4 Blackwing with the manual. In a couple of years, I just might.
Dealership wants $4k to place an order and delivery is 8-12 months away.
Insanity
It's a lot longer than that. I ordered September 2021 when the RS was launched in the UK and don't even have a build date. You are looking at 2 years I would say, based on the number of people like me who are at the front of the queue.
@@luciussander8217 I think I saw your comment on another RS3 video didn't I? In any event, I placed my order in early March of this year and will be taking delivery in about a month. It went into production 2 weeks ago. So the total time from deposit to delivery will be 9 months in the U.S.
And I'll be paying MSRP. I confirmed that before I even placed the order.
Right now, I can't think of a sports type sedan that compares to this RS3. Still, @ this price point I'd also consider another model from Audi, the RS5? Yeah it costs more. It's just that Audi has this very limited colors/options in totality.
I’d give up a second in the 0-60 and get the Lexus IS 500. V8, RWD and no planned obsolescence built in.
Too bad the IS500 is impossible to buy.
RS3 is a way better buy look at the resale value of the last gen on the market! Your comment is completely wrong frankly!
I want to know how much the RS3 is going to cost to own when it's out of warranty.
An interesting comparison to these two Audi's would be the Golf R. Which is the performance bargain?
Golf R all the way. EA888 Evo4 makes way more power (not just on paper)
@@cwx8 More power than the RS3 on paper lol?
Why no M240i?
No lane centering system is available on the RS3?
It seems as though their Technology Package is missing a lot of actual technology that is offered on the competition. Go figure.
@@darrell9616 I was just on the configurator and couldn’t find the technology package.
@@42dunbar It's the first option on the US configurator. I don't know about other countries.
Features that a Peugeot 208 or a honda City have...
Standard on the RS3 I have on order (UK)
I have always held the opinion that the existence of the Volkswagon Golf R and BMW M235i Xdrive made the Audi S3 and RS3 irrelevant
Same feeling.
Different strokes for different folks. In my opinion, the Golf R is irrelevant because of the horrendous infotainment/interior functionality overall. The BMW is hideous, but the new 230i coupe does have a lot going for it according to recent reviews.
Try driving a Golf R and then the new RS3, as I have. The RS3 is in another league and then some.
P.S., you didn’t mention the BMW M240i xDrive, which seems a better alternative to S/RS3 than the M235.
Yup because M235 is a joke in the BMW lineup!
Not sure why you're not including the M2 as a competitor to the RS3. I actually own an M2 Competition and will be trading it for an RS3 I ordered when it arrives next month. And when I bought the M2, the only other car I was considering was the RS3. They're almost identical in size and horsepower, and very similar in price.
can u tell me how to earn enough money to be able to comfortably finance or lease one of these cars? like I don't have a degree and I'm in Virginia USA. im working currently full time $20/hr
@@lofiboy6025 you'll need a degree to get a high paying job. Or you could try sales or start a business. It won't be easy though
I think I would rather have a 2 year old Cayman S for $70k, but I’d have to drive both to be sure. Also the Cayman is less practical
That exists?
@@Jacobk66 yeah I’m seeing some for $70k. A new Cayman S starts at $75k
Unfortunately it seems that Audi Canada decided not to offer the RS3, I guess because of supply chain issues vs small market.
It was due to emissions from the Canadian govt of the 2.5 engine if i recall correctly.
@@pauladams1753 Oh damn. Ok thanks for sharing!
It's almost impossible to find a rs3 in my area 😫.
I ordered mine in September last year when the order book opened in the UK, still don't even have a build date. Audi are a joke.
I'm not sure why these serious 'sports cars' include a large sunroof. Glass and all the other hardware in a sunroof module are far heavier than just a sheet metal roof. And to make things really stupid, all that extra weight is up high, raising the CG of the vehicle. That will affect performance. So for people who are potential customers of this car, who are supposed 'enthusiasts' who crave performance, a sunroof is one of those things that reduces performance and it adds about least a grand to the price. A sunroof for either of these vehicles should be optional, not standard.
Because it makes panties drop faster
Agree completely. I have no idea why the sunroof is standard on the RS3. It's truly baffling.
The RS3 is not a sports car, what on earth are you on about? It's a performance car, but a practical one. Hence things like sunroofs. Buy a Cayman GTS if you want a sportscar, as I did... and have the RS3 coming as my daily...
M240. Cheaper and a 2 door which is rare. RS3 looks great as well
RS3 is waaay better looking than the current gen M240i, and will hold its value 10 times better as well! It's worth the extra money it cost over the bimmer!
You did it to me again. I had to stop the video, take of the headphones, and wait to see if heard somebody thudding in the house or out. When you get really expressive in these videos where you are sitting at a table or desk, you thump the table and the mike picks that up.
I want a 2023 Audi RS3 avant.
The rs3 hatch officially is called sportback not avant.
@@pauladams1753 i dont want a hatch. i want an avant. they are two different things. avant is a station wagon. i have a sportback already, a stinger gt2.
@@TMS5100 so yeah they dont make that at all.
Base RS3 is now 61.700 ... 😒
Can't even find one in stock.
You're almost never going to find an RS car just on a lot waiting to be bought. It's not entirely unheard of, but practically. Dealerships only get a certain number of RS allocations so if you want one, you need to put a deposit down and wait in line.
I put a deposit down on an RS3 in early March, and it finally went into production 2 weeks ago. It's due to arrive in about a month. So 9 months from order to delivery.
RS3 👐🏼⬇️
I think the Lexus IS 500 is a better choice. NA V-8, Lexus quality and reliability, main downside is older interior and infotainment, but a fully loaded IS 500 is 62,500, whereas the RS3 is almost 70K.
Not big enough of a discount to go with the Lexus. Looks worse and the interior is so old looking
The Audi is the better car in almost all ways except reliability and if you prefer the V8. Audi has much more rear leg room, better transmission, better mpg, weighs 450lbs less even with AWD, better interior and infotainment as you mention. Pllus looks much better IMO. The IS chassis and powertrain.are very dated and it shows.
@@Carfan678 it’s tried and true and a true sports sedan! But you cannot deny that 5 cylinder
Is 500 is not awd.. otherwise yeah
@@Carfan678 lexus interior is best and lasts decades what you talking about? Lol
Alex, the top trending comment at the moment is a scam bot, posted by user name Alison Brie.
now if only i could put my TTRS interior in that RS3 ...hmmmm
Why would you want to do that? I had 2019 TTRS and the interior was very dated when compared to the new RS3.
Yea but if you’ve heard a 5 cylinder…
In AoA fantasy world, the Model 3 performance doesn't exist.
Lol good luck finding a new rs3 under 75 thousand dollars msrp is BS when dealers are corrupt
They are both overpriced and I am an Audi fan.