RS3 vs Golf R400?

Hi Guys,

Thought that I would try to steer the conversation back to the original topic :whistle2: Here are some pictures I took from the Goodwood Moving Motor Show. I really liked the R400 "concept" but what does everyone else think? Is it worth the estimated £40,000 asking price?

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I think the exclusivity factor of the car will make it worth it, I'd imagine it will hold its value reasonably well
 
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A45 is on the possible shopping list, always has been ;)

Let's face it, the S3 is such an underwhelming car, potential RS3 buyers may be looking for a better alternative ;)

Can't see the problem about taking about the A45 or R400 in a RS3 forum, all are alternative choices for someone who is looking to buy a car, best to get it all out there.
 
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Fuzzy5987 said:
Hi Guys,

Thought that I would try to steer the conversation back to the original topic :whistle2: Here are some pictures I took from the Goodwood Moving Motor Show. I really liked the R400 "concept" but what does everyone else think? Is it worth the estimated £40,000 asking price?
Click to expand...


I do like it, although the yellow flashes don't do anything for me.
 
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veeeight said:
I do like it, although the yellow flashes don't do anything for me.
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I kinda like them....certainly different! But I wonder what other paint combos will be available, if at all. Now black with yellow would look pretty nice :hubbahubba:
 
Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh tomoz
 
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I like it, but the wife says no way, to boy racer like. Plus I need 4 doors for all the minions. RS3 it is.

Would like to See what other wheels are available and colour choice.
 
Like the look of the Golf, although those two exhausts don't look right.
Too big to be that close to the centre of the car.
 
CraigI said:
Like the look of the Golf, although those two exhausts don't look right.
Too big to be that close to the centre of the car.
Click to expand...

The only thing I like about the R400 is that they mirrored the twin central exhausts of the R32!
The Golf R should have had these but they were lazy and followed the easy route of using the same exhaust mounts of the S3.
 
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josedebardi said:
The only thing I like about the R400 is that they mirrored the twin central exhausts of the R32!
The Golf R should have had these but they were lazy and followed the easy route of using the same exhaust mounts of the S3.
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They need to be about 6 inches further apart and more set into the diffuser, possibly even with black tips (Akrapovic style).
This looks a bit like an aftermarket effort that doesn't quite fit perfectly.
 
billyali86 said:
Owning an audi or an rs3 doesn't mean you can't appreciate other brands and their cars for what they are
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Perfectly said!. And also people want to compare cars if they are
getting a new one.
 
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The R400 does nothing for me looks wise, and £40k plus for a highly strung 4-pot doesn't make much sense to me. But hey, just my opinion. At least with the RS3 you are getting that legendary 5-pot engine as the main part of the package, that makes more sense. As for Merc, I just can't get past the cheap looks and plastics, sorry. At the end of the day it's all subjective and if we all agreed then the world would stop spinning - FACT.
 
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Personally I don't think the 2 cars compete against each other. The R400 is IMO aimed for those who want a more track focussed Golf from the factory (rumour says it may even be half caged). It's going to appeal to the attention seeking boy racers.

The RS3 is for the more reserved that likes to have the oomph and not shout about it or says "wanna race" and every opportunity. VAG knows this hence both models made to satisfy those people.

The 5 pot sound track is the RS3's USP. No doubt about it. Mod a 4 pot all you like, it won't ever sound like the 5 pot.

Like the RS3 designer said, it was designed with a Q car aspect as that's what the customer feedback was and he was happy to apply. It was never meant to be shouty like some other hatches out there.

Having the ability to surprise is one of the best things IMO about the RS3.
 
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Having come from Subaru's I'm getting old now and have a responsible job where I'm out meeting clients so the understated RS3 ticks my boxes it allows me to retain the power without the racer boy image. Oh and I have to do the school run so 5dr is a must.
 
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NormantheDog said:
Having come from Subaru's I'm getting old now and have a responsible job where I'm out meeting clients so the understated RS3 ticks my boxes it allows me to retain the power without the racer boy image.
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What about the adverts ? I have heard loads of talk in our mess room about the new RS3 and the majority aren't petrolheads
 
voorhees said:
What about the adverts ? I have heard loads of talk in our mess room about the new RS3 and the majority aren't petrolheads
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Sorry I don't understand the question, are you saying the adverts give it a racer boy image? Not sure anyone who saw the car in the flesh would relate it back to the adverts as it is so understated.
 
The adverts to me showcase the Quattro / Rallying heritage of the 5 pot motor (Advert 2?), and the sound track thru the Hindhead Tunnel (advert 4)

I'm sure the R400 advertising will be quite different (all based round the Ring I bet)
 
NormantheDog said:
Sorry I don't understand the question, are you saying the adverts give it a racer boy image? Not sure anyone who saw the car in the flesh would relate it back to the adverts as it is so understated.
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I meant that it reaches out to lots of people and the advert says its an animal
 
voorhees said:
Chained up ? What is it meant to represent then rather than a beast/animal ? Unicorn ? My little pony ?
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Really don't see what you are getting at. All I'm saying is in the 'flesh' it is understated. I won't be chaining mine up .
 
Agreed Noman. In fact, it's one of the reasons there is a lot of h8 for the RS3 is because of its understated looks. Those people prefer a) Halfords b) bolt on spoilers and c) go faster stripes ;)


I put a ;) at the end of my sentence so people can't get offended ;)
 
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Its an Audi RS3….besides that the Audi brand is a premium marque so instantly its never understated unless you live on the moon.
 
I suppose at the end of the day. All the profit goes back to VAG. There will be some who prefer the 4 pot Gti on steroids look, and some for who the Audi RS marquee represent the pinnacle of performance. I'm glad it is ultimately personal choice!
 
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voorhees said:
Its an Audi RS3….besides that the Audi brand is a premium marque so instantly its never understated unless you live on the moon.
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Have you seen the 'basic' bottom spec. A3 it was on my wife's company car list? I do live quite close to the moon too.
 
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NormantheDog said:
Have you seen the 'basic' bottom spec. A3 it was on my wife's company car list? I do live quite close to the moon too.
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Yes and even the 'basic' bottom spec A3 is an upgrade on a Subaru so I am unsure where you are going Norman,I am saying the RS3 is not understated at all with the coverage but if your opinion differs with the coverage then Audi will be miffed
 
I'm not sure it's hate to be honest. I think there is a lot of covert jealousy, and the fact the people want/need/prefer an external indication that they have invested in a premium performance car.

Times however change, once upon a time, pops and bangs were indicative of poor timing, bad valve seats or an inlet manifold leak. It was indicative of a poor state of tune. Now we artificially enhance this sound and people like this......

I love the understated looks; no one is forcing me to buy an RS3, and I am the fortunate position to buy cars costing a damn sight more. In fact I came very close to buying an F Type R last year, but didn't. There's a high difference between cost and value!
 
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voorhees said:
Yes and even the 'basic' bottom spec A3 is an upgrade on a Subaru so I am unsure where you are going Norman,I am saying the RS3 is not understated at all with the coverage but if your opinion differs with the coverage then Audi will be miffed
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Not quite sure why you have to have a dig at Subaru but that's your opinion. I don't understand why the adverts have anything to do with the understated look in your opinion though. As has been said Audi don't normally market an RS car with so many adverts maybe they realise it is a little understated and needs a marketing boost? Hopefully they don't come with chains attached......
 
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Sorry @NormantheDog but it is a no-brainer subaru v audi
The understated look means nothing if its in the public domain via advertising or it'd be not doing its job ? That was my point about my work fellows as they have noticed the RS3
 
And we aren't interested in power as we do engines with 78,000 lbf of torque so pfft
 
voorhees said:
Sorry @NormantheDog but it is a no-brainer subaru v audi
The understated look means nothing if its in the public domain via advertising or it'd be not doing its job ? That was my point about my work fellows as they have noticed the RS3
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Sorry where was I comparing Subaru to Audi? All I said I enjoyed the 'power' of the Subaru but never really wanted the look hence why I want the RS3. I have also had Exiges if you want to compare and contrast those too?
 
audi upgrades
Nimbus265 said:
I'm not sure it's hate to be honest. I think there is a lot of covert jealousy, and the fact the people want/need/prefer an external indication that they have invested in a premium performance car.

Times however change, once upon a time, pops and bangs were indicative of poor timing, bad valve seats or an inlet manifold leak. It was indicative of a poor state of tune. Now we artificially enhance this sound and people like this......

I love the understated looks; no one is forcing me to buy an RS3, and I am the fortunate position to buy cars costing a damn sight more. In fact I came very close to buying an F Type R last year, but didn't. There's a high difference between cost and value!
Click to expand...

I love these posts.
I can afford a much more expensive product, but choose not to as I don't want to spend that much money.
I agree though, less into cars, more into property! Unless those cars are depreciation proof that is.

Why didn't you order the F Type? They are absolutley superb cars. Well worth the premium for a custom built sports car. Would have considered one if I didn't need a set of rear seats for my daughter,

Do you think the £50k or whatever you are spending on the RS3 (which is, after all, an A3 that has had upgrades) is actually value for money?
 
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NormantheDog said:
Sorry where was I comparing Subaru to Audi? All I said I enjoyed the 'power' of the Subaru but never really wanted the look hence why I want the RS3. I have also had Exiges if you want to compare and contrast those too?
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Comparing your viewpoint and yes you can bring in Exiges in if you wish to…go-karts with a body and all credibility gone with exiting the car
 
CraigI said:
I love these posts.
I can afford a much more expensive product, but choose not to as I don't want to spend that much money.
I agree though, less into cars, more into property! Unless those cars are depreciation proof that is.

Why didn't you order the F Type? They are absolutley superb cars. Well worth the premium for a custom built sports car. Would have considered one if I didn't need a set of rear seats for my daughter,

Do you think the £50k or whatever you are spending on the RS3 (which is, after all, an A3 that has had upgrades) is actually value for money?
Click to expand...
F Type still only has 2 seats and I need 4
 
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