8P RS3 worth it?

[Hartosh1]

Hi all, as the title suggests are the 8P RS3's worth buying now?

I'm looking to replace my current car and finally get back into something I actually enjoy driving. I've been out of the hot hatch scene for some time now! My last car being a 200sx 10 years ago, wish I'd kept it now looking at prices for them.

Unfortunately with my budget I can't stretch to an 8V. With the RS3 being over 10 years old now and I can imagine most of them have probably done some spirited driving my question is, is it worth the punt for an old car like this? It would be more of a weekend car as I work away but also have 2 young nippers I need to fit in. There's a few nice examples around the 21k mark which is probably a bit over my budget but I don't mind paying that for the right car. I've done plenty of research Ref common problems etc but I just want to hear from the folk that have had experience with them. I would only do subtle mods with a stage 1 map.

Any feedback is much appreciated
Steve

 

[-Ju-]

For me the 8P RS3 is a classic and as long as your careful it would be a great car to own with little depreciation. Finding the right one could be tricky though as like you say they have a lot of history behind then now being 10 yrs old plus.
Have you not thought about an RSQ3? Same engine and running gear with more space for the kids and surprisingly fun and easy to live with especially if you can stretch to a facelift!

 

[Hartosh1]

For me the 8P RS3 is a classic and as long as your careful it would be a great car to own with little depreciation. Finding the right one could be tricky though as like you say they have a lot of history behind then now being 10 yrs old plus.
Have you not thought about an RSQ3? Same engine and running gear with more space for the kids and surprisingly fun and easy to live with especially if you can stretch to a facelift!

Thanks for the reply - Ju-, as nice as the RSQ3 is the whole crossover/suv thing isn't for me. Plus they're out of my price range anyways.

I'm sure sticking to regular maintenance schedules and using genuine parts it would be fine. I've always took good care of my cars but buying something with 50k+ slightly concerns me. Do folk bother with any sort of warranty on old cars like this? I might just need to go back to the trusty old 1.8 20V haha!

 

[-Ju-]

The 5cyl engine is a fabulous motor and has a really addictive soundtrack....you just have to own one at some point!
I've had 4 8P's (2x3.2's and 2xS3's) but never the RS3. I had a plan to get one as a weekend toy, as I love the 8P shape, but I needed an suv too for my disabled other half and thats why I ended up with the RSQ3.....Best car I've owned by a country mile!
The 8P is an old platform now dating back to 2004 so the tech and chassis is a little dated
You'll get 2 types of owner. The enthusiast who does everything by the book and looks after it like a baby or the boy racer who abuses it and moves on to the next toy.
Definitely stay away from multiple owner cars and those with a poor service history.
If you buy from a dealer you will have more comeback if any issues but I doubt you'd get one at a main dealer so a proper audi warranty is probably a no.
Also make sure you have the right options on the car as you know how tight audi are with the standard spec.

 

[JayA3sline]

RS3 8P is the longest car I’ve owned - it ticks all the boxes. Love hate relationship but if you do all the preventative maintenance and resolve the common issues then you should have less of a headache. Find the right spec though.

I always update my 8P with the latest models to keep it as modern as can be. Eg touch screen, change cabin leds, TTRS 8S steering wheel etc etc

 

[Hartosh1]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll start looking for a clean example, if there's any left haha! Then just stick to routine maintenance. I'm not going to be launching it or hooning it around everywhere I go so it will be looked after, let's just hope it looks after me.

Apart from bucket seats which I'm not that fussed about, what optional extras should I be looking for? Did they all come with electric folding wing mirrors? To be honest this car will be a big step up for me as I've only ever had older cars apart from my current but even that is the most basic spec you can get.

Steve

 

[45bvtc]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll start looking for a clean example, if there's any left haha! Then just stick to routine maintenance. I'm not going to be launching it or hooning it around everywhere I go so it will be looked after, let's just hope it looks after me.

Apart from bucket seats which I'm not that fussed about, what optional extras should I be looking for? Did they all come with electric folding wing mirrors? To be honest this car will be a big step up for me as I've only ever had older cars apart from my current but even that is the most basic spec you can get.

Steve

I was persuaded to test drive an 8P RS3 at Stafford Audi on Wednesday 12th October 2011, Steve, this the first RS3 I'd ever seen though I had read all of the magazine articles and was duly interested
Thursday 13th October 2011: so impressed we telephoned Stafford Audi and asked "can we order an RS3." No, all 500-cars sold; best you can do is find one as near to your specification as you can. 3-hours later found 2-available, one in Daytona grey and in Cornflower blue.
Friday 14th October 2011: Telephoned the Cornflower blue seller and told the car already SOLD but that no deposit received. Hmm, so not sold! "What time do you open tomorrow" says I.
Saturday 15th October 2011: Parked outside of sellers premises an hour before opening and within 5-minutes of seeing the car I'd paid the deposit; didn't bother to sit in it, start it, drive it, nothing.
Saturday 22nd October 2011: Paid in full and collected the car, and we still have it...
Other than low-speed front-brake squeal early on we've had ZERO issues with the car.
Go for it...

I'll send you a PM with my email address Steve so I can furnish you will ALL the details you need

Electric folding mirrors were an option, see 6XE:

 

[Alan Oliver]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll start looking for a clean example, if there's any left haha! Then just stick to routine maintenance. I'm not going to be launching it or hooning it around everywhere I go so it will be looked after, let's just hope it looks after me.

Apart from bucket seats which I'm not that fussed about, what optional extras should I be looking for? Did they all come with electric folding wing mirrors? To be honest this car will be a big step up for me as I've only ever had older cars apart from my current but even that is the most basic spec you can get.

Steve

Don't know where you are based Steve but i am in the Midlands. There are a couple of Independent Dealers in the area with low Mileage decent spec RS3.

I personally wouldn't buy an 8P RS3 without Bucket seats. I know there are a few long time owners on here that for various reasons didn't want the Wingback Seats. As ever, Each to their own, But for me, 1st thing I'd want. They imho enhance the driving experience and a top of the range model should have a standalone feature over & above the "Cooking" models in the range. Folding Mirrors is a nice option. Can be coded back in by the likes of NTM etc but will be expensive.
Expensive the keyword here. The Cars I have enquired about were £23K. With greedy Indy dealers preying on the Supply & demand situation they have been on sale for months. Cheshire Performance in Audenshaw have 5 8P RS3 iirc, Again £1500 too much. I wouldn't mind paying top dollar for the right car but then you get a Bottom dollar trade in. If these cars in question were 21K they would sell straight off.

Like everything, Depends how badly you want one.