Looking at two RS3's - anyone know them?

[Muzza80]

As title, after a year with my S3 I'm at the point of wanting to trade it in for an RS3, I just love the RS3 and after test driving one last week locally I'm sold, the gearbox is a revelation the power is effortless and I just love the styling.


I've kinda shortlisted two....

First this one from SSC

http://www.s-s-c.co.uk/audi-rs3-t-fsi-rs3-quattro-5dr-s-tronic-in-yorkshire-3835690

16k on it, very well specced, apparently in immaculate condition bar some wheel kerbing but the wheels are getting refurbed before sale. Only thing that puts me off is it's out of Audi Warranty in March.

I can get that on a 4 year PCP with my S3 Sportback trade in + £2k cash for £175 a month more than I'm paying for my S3 at the moment with a modest final payment of £13,700 which I figure I should make a good chunk back on if I sell it at the end (a well specced 6 year old RS3 should be worth close to £20k right?), finance is all approved I just need to pay the deposit and it's mine.






Then this curveball came along while looking today from Audi Preston.

September 2012 registered Missano Red with 14,500 miles on it.

This car again is in pristene condition sccording to the sales guy BUT aint highly specced at all, it has Nav, BT, Alu styling pack, cruise and I think that's it, I'm not even sure it has Bose I'll need to confirm tomorrow, I assumed that was standard on the RS3 but apparently not and looking at the spec list it\s not listed...

However, they have offered me quite an amazing deal, see what you think of this.

With my trade in S3 Sportback + £3000 cash on a 4 year PCP again, £400 per month (£25 more than my S3 and £150 cheaper than the Daytona above), final payment is a meatier £15,500 though. Also comes with the remainder of the 11 months Audi warranty + another full year extended warranty and also 2 free services!


I love the Daytona and it's about my max affordable budget, I love the high spec (although Buckets are not such a must have for me being honest) but the Missano seems like such a good deal and out of all the options it's missing really only Auto lights/Wipers (and Bose if it turns out to not be there) would annoy me.

I'm struggling to get my head around the Daytona is worth £150 a month more though even with the lower payment at the end (so a bigger residual)


Does anyone recognise either of the cars?

Any advice to a prospective buyer in general, must have options that I've missed?

Any thoughts at all between the two?

Cheers!

Muzza

 

[T-800]

Don't recognise the cars but I've been to SSC to look at one before i bought my Misano Red RS3, honest opinion, i didn't like the place at all and thought the cars were overpriced.

But hey thats just me, if i don't get a good vibe from the place then i ain't buying.

At least with the main dealer you are getting the backup and any issues should be sorted before you buy (if they are a good dealership that is)

 

[MrAudi]

i know the previous owner of the red RS3, it was very well looked after, or there are a few on the G C motors website

 

[Muzza80]

Cheers for the replies.

All things considered I've paid a deposit on the Daytona today, the lack of Bose and other obvious options kinda put me off the red one where as the Daytona is fully loaded.

So next week I'm going down to Huddersfield to go over it with a fine toothcomb and take it for a test drive etc. All being well I'll be back on the 18th to collect it, cant wait.

 

[-Ju-]

I've been down to SSC on quite a few occasions. It has been there a good few years but if it was me spending that kind of money, I'd be a little more choosy on where I spent it tbh!

 

[Muzza80]

I've been down to SSC on quite a few occasions. It has been there a good few years but if it was me spending that kind of money, I'd be a little more choosy on where I spent it tbh!

Dont worry, if the car is anything less than perfect I'll be walking away, worst case it's a day out of my life and a tank of fuel to get there and back, not the end of the world.

 

[Real Thing]

Nice spec but very over priced from an independent Just sold my Black 62 Plate (Jan 13) to GC Motors for £30K (Royal History as well Ex Prince Harry's) there've got it on at £33495.00 not as good spec as the Daytona but still has over 15 Months warranty left The Daytona one is out of warranty soon but might be worth checking it's not had a Remap (and returned to std) as quite a few of the RS3s are flagging up with Audi when it comes to warranty work buying from a Main dealer will give you the added security if they do find a tampered ECU.

 

[T-800]

Last thing you want to buy is a RS3 that's been messed with then put back to standard (in some cases the tuners are struggling to even do that)

Lot of people 'messing' with these cars in the wrong way if you ask me.

 

[Muzza80]

Cheers for the replies I really do appreciate the advice.

I don't think it's overpriced on the face of it. The specification speaks for itself, buckets and rails for a start probably add a couple of grand on to the value. It's in Audi warranty until April next year so a little over 6 months when I'm due to collect it, I've factored in £500 to buy an extended Audi years warranty too.

I'm not paying quite £35k for it and they're giving me nearly £1500 more than book trade in price for my S3 Sportback. The wheels are being professionally refurbished inc the diamond cut edges and it's going into Audi next week for it's second service.

I've done some digging and it was originally supplied by Bradford Audi from new, got it's first service there in February with 8,800 miles on it. At the same time it had a couple of recalls inc 66G1, 46F8 and the one for replacement discs, pads and calipers. It was back into Bradford Audi in September for warranty replacement of "elec ignition control" which I assume is coilpacks?

Regarding it being modified, yes that does worry me a bit to be fair, is anyone aware of any way I can easily tell if the ECU has been removed to be remapped?

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[T-800]

you'll struggle to tell i would imagine if its been messed with, i suppose you'll only find out if it needs anything doing at Audi.

Maybe try to get the previous owners details and call them or ask when it goes into Audi for it's 2nd service if everything is ok with it / check it on their software.

 

[Real Thing]

Cheers for the replies I really do appreciate the advice.

I don't think it's overpriced on the face of it. The specification speaks for itself, buckets and rails for a start probably add a couple of grand on to the value. It's in Audi warranty until April next year so a little over 6 months when I'm due to collect it, I've factored in £500 to buy an extended Audi years warranty too.

I'm not paying quite £35k for it and they're giving me nearly £1500 more than book trade in price for my S3 Sportback. The wheels are being professionally refurbished inc the diamond cut edges and it's going into Audi next week for it's second service.

I've done some digging and it was originally supplied by Bradford Audi from new, got it's first service there in February with 8,800 miles on it. At the same time it had a couple of recalls inc 66G1, 46F8 and the one for replacement discs, pads and calipers. It was back into Bradford Audi in September for warranty replacement of "elec ignition control" which I assume is coilpacks?

Regarding it being modified, yes that does worry me a bit to be fair, is anyone aware of any way I can easily tell if the ECU has been removed to be remapped?

Thanks again for the advice.

Come resale Extras don't really add much to the price (especially if your selling to a trader) although the Buckets are a must on some peoples list for the RS3 but as there is/was a 62 Plate (Sept 12) 15000 Miler Daytona Car (poor spec but are RS3's are well loaded anyway) at Poole Audi for £30K I would think a £35K slightly older Car from an independent is overpriced. Plus as the Poole Audi Car is bought within the Audi used car network if a tampered ECU is detected It would become there mistake for selling it to you (independent would become a legal nightmare).
I know we all hope that nothing goes wrong with the Car that we need to use the Warranty but with so many problems with the RS3 I think unless I could guarantee 100% I knew the History I would be sticking with a Main Dealer For My Purchase.
(If your looking at the one at SCC might be worth popping into Audi Bradford as there's a well looked after Suzuka Grey 14000 Miler 62 Plate 13 Year Car that was owned by a guy off the RS3OC Forum)

 

[T-800]

I cannot understand where SSC get all their RS 3 car's from ?

For a car with such a limited production run they always seem to have 3/4 RS 3's for sale

You never see a dealer with that many at one location.

 

[Real Thing]

I cannot understand where SSC get all their RS 3 car's from ?

For a car with such a limited production run they always seem to have 3/4 RS 3's for sale

You never see a dealer with that many at one location.

When I had a private add selling an A45 (Shak) SCC was one of the 1st to respond with a trade bid along with GC Motors who I later sold it to. I think there are a few independents that source these sort of Cars offer you a hassle free sale (less than you want but you can always say no) whereas I find most Main Dealers unless going in Part Ex can't even be bothered to ring back or give you a price when you just looking for a outright cash sale.

 

[Muzza80]

So I've been on to Bradford Audi again.

To clarify, It was sold there from new and came in for it's first service with 8800 miles on it on the 31st of Jan 2014, t the same time as above it had some recalls, a software update and the brake kit replacement.
On the 18th September it was back in and had a replacement gearbox mount (owner reported some noise) and a set of coilpacks under warranty.

The car's got just the original owner and 16k on it and will be getting serviced at Huddersfield Audi next week, the standard warranty expires on the 31st March 2014 so I'll get 6 full months.

The spec of the car is as follows:

Daytona Grey
Alu styling pack
Aluminium roof rails
Exclusive fine nappa Recaro bucket seats and doorcard inlays.
Back seat through storage facility with ski bag
Heated front AND rear seats
Bose 8 speaker stereo
Mobile phone prep low (the upgraded one with the charging point in the centre console?)
Cruise Control
Sight and Light
Privacy glass
Non smoking pack

I've factored in an additional comprehensive years extended Audi warranty @ £550

So given the fact that I'd be getting £1500 over book price for my current car, then add the extended warranty then take the remainder of the price I've agreed for the car it's coming in at a little over £33k


I'm going to see it Monday, I'll let you know how I get on, as I said before if it;s anything less than perfect I'll be taking back my deposit.

Cheers again.

 

[Real Thing]

£33K does sound a better Price and spec looks good If your Happy with the Car and Deal I'm sure you won't regret it as they are great Cars Good Luck for Monday

 

[Muzza80]

£33K does sound a better Price and spec looks good If your Happy with the Car and Deal I'm sure you won't regret it as they are great Cars Good Luck for Monday

Cheers, yeah like I said at the end of the day it's a tank of fuel and a day of my time worst case, best case it's a minted motor and I seal the deal.

I also may well sell on the Recaro buckets in exchange for some standard RS3 fronts and £1500-£2k, just a personal thing. Also I'll have my as new 19" BBS CK on MPSS I bought a couple of months ago for my S3, I think they will look stunning on the Daytona with the alu styling pack leaving me free to sell on the newly refurbed Rotors and good tyres which will easily net me another £1500.

So potentially looking at a £3000+ claw back from those too making the whole car actually very cheap for the spec.

 

[Mr_Freeze]

The Buckets are essential, I think you'll regret selling them.
You won't have a problem if you do as there are lots of owners looking for them, both RS3 owners and wannabes.

 

[Paul-RS6]

Buckets are a bit marmite, you either love or hate them.

 

[Real Thing]

Not a straight forward swap as I think the Buckets also deletes front side Airbags and if there not a must have on your list there is a lot more Cars to choose from.

 

[Somniac]

I get the distinct feeling regardless of input from others on the forum you've got your heart set on the Daytona one.
How about a 62 Plate Daytona with only 7K on the clock and 11 months warranty for 1K less than the SCC one ?
Previously owned by one of the guys on the RS3 Official Owners Club site ...........
http://www.gcmotors.co.uk/audi-rs3-t-fsi-rs3-quattro-5dr-s-tronic-in-north-yorkshire-3932670

 

[DAYTONA 500]

The worst thing you could be doing is buying a car from outside the Audi dealer network,I know of 3 cars that are advertised today for sale that have been mapped .You've just gotta read about the problems people have been having to realise it's gonna cost you a lot of money if Audi wash their hands of a warranty claim because you've bought a car that's had its ecu tampered with,at least if you buy from the Audi dealer network you will be covered.

 

[Muzza80]

The worst thing you could be doing is buying a car from outside the Audi dealer network,I know of 3 cars that are advertised today for sale that have been mapped .You've just gotta read about the problems people have been having to realise it's gonna cost you a lot of money if Audi wash their hands of a warranty claim because you've bought a car that's had its ecu tampered with,at least if you buy from the Audi dealer network you will be covered.

Every Audi approved RS3 ive called about this week have been proper poverty spec, I'm sorry if I'm buying a car at £30k+ I want simple things like BOSE and none of them even have that.

Somniac, that's a nice motor no doubt, i'll give them a bell.

 

[-Ju-]

GC motors have some stunningly expensive cars in and as an independent are leagues ahead of SSC imho

 

[Mr_Freeze]

Buckets are a bit marmite, you either love or hate them.

Yeah I've got them and I love'em.
Some don't have them and want'em.
Some don't have them and don't want'em.
Some don't have them and say they don't want'em when secretly they do.
Marmite, is a lot easier, love it or hate it!

 

[DAYTONA 500]

Every Audi approved RS3 ive called about this week have been proper poverty spec, I'm sorry if I'm buying a car at £30k+ I want simple things like BOSE and none of them even have that.

Somniac, that's a nice motor no doubt, i'll give them a bell.

I guess Bose is more important to you than an Audi backed warranty , you talked about buying a car with buckets ,putting wheels on that you already have and selling both to recoup some of the cost of the car and then buying an extended warranty which won't be worth the paper its written on if they find out the car has been mapped .

 

[Muzza80]

Oh dear.... just had a very interesting call from Azz (the sales guy) at Shaks.

When I gave the details of my car on Monday I'd advised that the car would be in standard form bar a Shark remap, the RS3 front grille, RS3 rear diffuser and ideally with the standard wheels as I'd like to retain my BBS CK's with new tyres for the new car. As it stands my car sits on 6 week old Bilstein B8 dampers and a set of front Eibach springs that drop the front by just 20mm, the suspension was never mentioned as it was never going to be part of the deal. I sent over some pics of the car as it stands for them to have a look.

Yesterday I'd requested to come and view the car on Monday, I explained that I didn't want to go to the expense of having the suspension and some other parts removed and hassle of fitting replacement wheels unless I knew 100% that the car was as good in person as it looks and had been described, apparently this was an issue as the car was in a compound that they wont have access to on Monday and "we'd rather you just came down on the 18th and get it all done on the day"......

So I just received a call, they have changed the position re my trade in and want the car as is with the suspension, wheels and tyres or they will give me £1000 less for the trade in.

Clearly this was not the original agreement and actually they have changed the goalposts completely. I advised that I'd not be willing to accept this and if that was the final decision then unfortunately they would just need to refund my £2000 holding deposit and I'll walk away, I'll get a car elsewhere.

I was then told, oh well I'll need to speak to Shak as I don't think you will get all of the deposit back as we have had two other people interested in the car which we have turned away, we may want to keep half!!

Ehhhhhhh, I dont think so.

So I've left it that he's going to speak to Shak with the instructions that I expect my deposit to be returned in full.

Oh dear.....

 

[Paul-RS6]

Good luck, I would walk away, they have shown their true colours.
I hope you paced depost with a credit card, if so take it up with them.

 

[Muzza80]

Good luck, I would walk away, they have shown their true colours.
I hope you paced depost with a credit card, if so take it up with them.

I sure did, hopefully wont come to that.

I'm sure the owner will see that clearly the arrangement has been, at best, miss understood and of course the deposit is due to be returned in full.

 

[45bvtc]

However you do it Muzza be assured you're going in the right direction, the RS3 is an amazingly good piece of machinery, its driveability is so much more than the S3, and I was in love with my S3 until I tried one of these: 3-days after I first tried one I'd found and paid the deposit; 6-days later (money transfers and all) it was in my garage; 3-years later and it is STILL in my garage; wouldn't swap it for anything else - so stay with it...

And that's a stunning S3 you have there...

 

[Muzza80]

So a little progress.

I've been speaking to the owner and the sales guy again who's apologised for the miss communication, he does come across genuine enough to be completely fair to him.

The deal is still on with me retaining the wheels if I want it so I'm going down to see it as planned next week, overall I still feel it's a really good deal and the car is so well specced that I do want to proceed if at all possible plus they are giving me a cracking trade in price for my existing car, £1500 more than any other dealer has been able to offer me.

No harm going to look and ill be armed with VCDS to check for any faults, and some advice from Awesome GTI on how to spot if the ECU's been opened.

 

[T-800]

The thing you've got to ask yourself Muzza80 is why did they decide to ring you with that sort of attitude ?

A locked compound to which they have no access ?? so any day but a Monday is fine then ? What?!!? Ridiculous !!

YOU are the paying customer they need to pander to you, they comment about coming down on the 18th to "do it all in one day" talk about pushy !! what if you didn't like it ? as you've said you'd have taken off everything you want to keep from your car by then.

£2000 deposit crikey even Audi only require £500 !! and the threat of keeping half if you don't buy it ?

I'm sure any interest they've had on the car would be a case of we'll take your number if the deal falls through (common sense)

As i said at the top of this post they aren't for me and as said above true colours could have been shown in that phone call.

I'd be running into the direction of an Audi dealer........

 

[Real Thing]

Not sure what it is that has a hold on you towards this Car (Your not fussed about Buckets and there's other Cars that have Bose) but you seem to have made your mind up and rejecting most of the advise/comments that owners are giving you Hope it all works out ok for you but don't get blinkered by there high Part EX Offer as like all deals it's down to the cost to change and also consider what sort of Customer service your getting.

 

[Muzza80]

The point is it's got all the right bits I'm after:

The preferred colour im after
I want the rails and it was always an option I missed on my current car as I hate having the ones that clip into the doorframe that I currently use, they look cheap and botched
I want auto lights/wipers simply for convenience as ive that on my last 3 cars and would miss it.
I want the through load facility as I genuinely will use it
Folding mirrors is a nice bonus and ill use it all the time
I need BT and phone prep is a nice bonus
I would not buy an Audi without an upgraded sound system, I listed to music all the time and it's a must have.
I think RS3's without the alu styling pack look quite plain in comparison, maybe just me
I like the fact it has buckets don't get me wrong, I may well keep them but if I don't then I can claw back £2k right there.

I've been on the phone to various dealers and indys all over the country over the last few days and every single car I've enquired about has been very poorly specced in comparison, I'm not paying over £30k for a car that's missing critical (to my mind) options, it's a very expensive motor and I want these options, and quite right too lol

It's a stunning car and I want to go and have a look at it..... is that so bad? I'm getting the impression it's been written off as a dog already and I actually cant quite work out why? I did say that if it's anything less than 100% as it appears then I'll walk away and continue my search.

Sure I could pick one up for £30k with few if any of the options I want but why would I do that, honestly?

 

[Real Thing]

I understand your point and after all it is your Money and decision Does sound a nice Car but as RS3 Owners I think most of as on here feel he's not only bending you over but pulling your pants down as well.
As I said good luck and you won't regret buying an RS3 but just may wish you'd saved £6K on options come resale Time.
Also not sure Anyone would want the Buckets that much to part with £2K (Was only that New) Maybe £1K if your lucky.
BTW: Shame you can't just put the 2.5 Block in your Present Car as it does look Good

 

[45bvtc]

The point is it's got all the right bits I'm after:

The preferred colour im after
I want the rails and it was always an option I missed on my current car as I hate having the ones that clip into the doorframe that I currently use, they look cheap and botched
I want auto lights/wipers simply for convenience as ive that on my last 3 cars and would miss it.
I want the through load facility as I genuinely will use it
Folding mirrors is a nice bonus and ill use it all the time
I need BT and phone prep is a nice bonus
I would not buy an Audi without an upgraded sound system, I listed to music all the time and it's a must have.
I think RS3's without the alu styling pack look quite plain in comparison, maybe just me
I like the fact it has buckets don't get me wrong, I may well keep them but if I don't then I can claw back £2k right there.

I've been on the phone to various dealers and indys all over the country over the last few days and every single car I've enquired about has been very poorly specced in comparison, I'm not paying over £30k for a car that's missing critical (to my mind) options, it's a very expensive motor and I want these options, and quite right too lol

It's a stunning car and I want to go and have a look at it..... is that so bad? I'm getting the impression it's been written off as a dog already and I actually cant quite work out why? I did say that if it's anything less than 100% as it appears then I'll walk away and continue my search.

Sure I could pick one up for £30k with few if any of the options I want but why would I do that, honestly?

STICK to your specification, Muzza. There are cars out there that'll meet your needs. Overall, the engine and gearbox and brakes are what make the RS3 feel oh so good on the road: the bucket seat, Bose, folding mirrors, etc., are just a nicety.

Stay TRUE to your needs, find the car that suits you, pay whatever it takes, and you'll be one happy fella.

I was lucky, couldn't order what I wanted, but found close, and added the other bits later: I KNOW it makes sense.

JUST hang in there and get what you want!

I DID! And am STILL a very HAPPY RS3 owner.

HANG in there.

Mine being let out/handed over to me/us - sh*t, what a day in my life!

 

[discostu49]

It's the game of life. Do I win or do I lose? One day they're gonna shut the game down. I gotta have as much fun and go around the board as many times as I can before it's my turn to leave.

Tupac Shakur

 

[Real Thing]

Did you get to see it today Muzza?

 

[T-800]

Interesting to see on SSC website they have a Blue RS 3 for £39,999

It has an MTM power upgrade and 5 year warranty, wonder if the MTM cancels out the warranty eh ? Especially as the 3 is looking so fragile in certain areas if you don't have any mechanical sympathy.......

 

[Muzza80]

Houston we have a problem.....

I'd put back viewing the car until Friday, was struggling for time yesterday.

This morning on the way into work my clutch has started slipping pretty badly, I don't know if the extra cold weather this morning can cause that but it's not good, I knew this was always a possibility on the S3 but a fortnight before I'd arranged to potentially trade it in!

Going to have to have a long hard think about this now as I'm probably looking at well over £1000 to have that sorted which essentially bumps the price of the RS3 up by the same amount and I'm not entirely comfortable with that, it's already as expensive as I was willing to pay for one.

Nightmare!

 

[Real Thing]

Interesting to see on SSC website they have a Blue RS 3 for £39,999
It has an MTM power upgrade and 5 year warranty, wonder if the MTM cancels out the warranty eh ? Especially as the 3 is looking so fragile in certain areas if you don't have any mechanical sympathy.......

Yeah makes me smile when you see these dealers advertising a Car with a Remap then in the same sentence saying it has Full Manufactures Warranty

Houston we have a problem.....

I'd put back viewing the car until Friday, was struggling for time yesterday.

This morning on the way into work my clutch has started slipping pretty badly, I don't know if the extra cold weather this morning can cause that but it's not good, I knew this was always a possibility on the S3 but a fortnight before I'd arranged to potentially trade it in!

Going to have to have a long hard think about this now as I'm probably looking at well over £1000 to have that sorted which essentially bumps the price of the RS3 up by the same amount and I'm not entirely comfortable with that, it's already as expensive as I was willing to pay for one.

Nightmare!

.
Do you think someones trying to tell you this isn't the right RS3 for you
Hope you get it sorted and I'm sure what ever you decide you'll be in an RS3 soon.