First and ongoing thoughts on 'Baggy'

[CraigI]

They all look like an A3 with rotors mate, thats the point.

The point of a RS Audi is that it looks like the regular model??????
I'm not sure that has ever been the case, nor should it be.

 

[Ashbrummy]

The only thing I think they could/should have done is added some options like the S1 and the A45 have so the buyer can choose to have a simple looking car, or tick some boxes and make it a bit more stand out.

Couldn't agree anymore, so angry they haven't done this!!

Anyway lovely car, all the best with ownership!

 

[Rocketer]

I like the sleeper mode. Look f.i. at new Honda Civic type-R . That is a nice car couple of weeks than its too much with manual stick (only) and with high rpm screaming like maniac just with inspired driving.

 

[josedebardi]

I also like the fact it's on the discrete side, however I'm surprised how many people do take note of it (even when the engine is off - when it's running people hear it a mile off and then make a confused face as its a hatchback not a Lambo!).

 

[Yorrick]

Nope, tried that! Has to be start engine then cycle. I'm not too bothered as it's only the pops/bangs you lose, and the reality is if I car about them I would probably have already gone from Individual to Dynamic anyway, it just annoys me that it's not 'advertised' to the driver that it's not in the mode you think it is.

Thanks for clarifying that Jose - I thought it was starting up with dynamic exhaust after I'd turned off in Individual (sound = dynamic) but you're right, it's dynamic loudness but withoput the pops and bangs.
Can you check something else out for me? Even after cycling through the modes I think there's a difference in the level of popping and banging between Individual (sound = dynamic) and full Dynamic mode. I'd have expected them to be the same but it seems to lose something in Individual mode. (My Individual is sound, engine, steering = dynamic, mag ride = comfort). Cheers

 

[BillTheButcher]

I like the sleeper mode. Look f.i. at new Honda Civic type-R . That is a nice car couple of weeks than its too much with manual stick (only) and with high rpm screaming like maniac just with inspired driving.

The new Civic Type R is one of the most embarrassingly-ugly cars I've ever seen in my life. I thought it looked bad in the pictures and then I saw one on the road.

 

[josedebardi]

Thanks for clarifying that Jose - I thought it was starting up with dynamic exhaust after I'd turned off in Individual (sound = dynamic) but you're right, it's dynamic loudness but withoput the pops and bangs.
Can you check something else out for me? Even after cycling through the modes I think there's a difference in the level of popping and banging between Individual (sound = dynamic) and full Dynamic mode. I'd have expected them to be the same but it seems to lose something in Individual mode. (My Individual is sound, engine, steering = dynamic, mag ride = comfort). Cheers

Can't say I can detect any difference, pops and bangs are pretty damn loud in Individual! I had the window down earlier and my god, you forget how much louder it is outside the car!

 

[Terminator x]

I agree that full dynamic seems louder than just having the exhaust in dynamic on individual!

TX.

 

[Yorrick]

I agree that full dynamic seems louder than just having the exhaust in dynamic on individual!

TX.

And the engine just seems more aggressive as well in full dynamic mode. Individual is more like an 'Auto Plus'!

 

[EddieRS3]

The point of a RS Audi is that it looks like the regular model??????
I'm not sure that has ever been the case, nor should it be.

Yes that is the exact point it has 7mm wider arches on each side, that is it. Have you seen the promo video of the Rs3 designer? He literally tells us that he designed it to be discreet.

The exact point, from the exact designer.

 

[Terminator x]

If you parked an A3, S3 and RS3 together I'm pretty sure you could tell them apart

TX.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Yea the rs3 would have the best parking space followed by the s3 then a3. First up best dressed and all that lol

 

[CraigI]

Yea the rs3 would have the best parking space followed by the s3 then a3. First up best dressed and all that lol

The RS3 would be identified by the stink of "ego" all around it.
The S3 by a whiff of jealousy, although at the same time smugness if it's a saloon that they have the best looking car of the three.
The A3 owner wouldn't notice the other two, despite the stink they are kicking up, as they were in to get their shopping.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Jose how's it going? How's the new arrival getting on?
Oh and where's all these detailed pics lol

I went for a look at a Panther s3 saloon yesterday make sure I like the colour can't believe how good Panther is really excited now

 

[josedebardi]

They are coming... Will get a few today as its having a top up wash from the same detailer and it's not raining (was when I picked it up last week so couldn't get the shots I wanted then), but delayed the full photoshoot to Jan as its gonna be an A45 vs RS3 showdown shoot now

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

More like a45 shown up lol look forward to it bud enjoy the Christmas period and no doubt hundreds of visitors to see the baby. Lol

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Jose how's it going? How's the new arrival getting on?
Oh and where's all these detailed pics lol

I went for a look at a Panther s3 saloon yesterday make sure I like the colour can't believe how good Panther is really excited now

Panther is lovely mate .... You should have no worries

 

[josedebardi]

Yea the colour is crazy cool. The detailer was wetting himself over it. He couldn't get over how many different shades it goes in different light, and how much sparkle it has either (crystal is a big jump up from metallic).

He wasn't too impressed with the factory paint finish. Had a lot of orange peel effect, and the bonnet/roof final lacquer was quite thin so he couldn't get the finish quite as perfect as he really wanted on them.
The final result was like night and day - I thought it looked good when I picked it up from Audi, but this time round I was truly blown away, it was like a different car!

Anyway, needless to say I'm pleased with the result, just a shame I can't share any proper pics I was hoping to get thanks to the damn weather!

My detailer took a load on his phone as he did it (it's an interesting insight to how they do it as he puts commentary on each pic, if scary when you see the sandpapered paintwork!). You guys can take a look at these for now!
facebook.com/lycvd/albums/653573731450988/

 

[Nickyc]

Do you think the change in pops and bangs is something to do with audi not wanting it to be too loud when starting ? Like if it did the big pops and bangs on start up in the morning, my neighbours would probably crap themselves lol

 

[josedebardi]

On the basis it starts up with a loud pop and growl (it revs to 2k) regardless of the mode I don't think so!
My neighbour has named it 'The Thunderstorm'

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Ha ha ..... I'm so looking forward to hearing mine start up in my garage in a morning when I get it, based on the comments above

 

[josedebardi]

I tried to start it up quietly on the in laws drive by selecting Comfort first, that was when I realised discreet exits weren't an option! The cold start high idle is dirty!

 

[AndyB-S3]

Haha I really want one even more now... my neighbour thinks my s3 is loud when i start it. Haha

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Cool ..................... is it March yet ?

Sounds brilliant ...... literally

 

[Terminator x]

My neighbour commented that it makes him smile in the mornings upon startup. I don't see him in the morning so presumably he is still indoors!

TX.

 

[RGBARGEE]

We have lovely neighbours around here, noisy Porsche, Audis and BMW's mainly.. no complaints. Only issue is the ********* next year who disturb me going to church early on a Sunday in their orange Honda CRV.. Completely Rubbish Vehicle.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Next door has tts and a new s3 not to bad. My neighbour at old house lived my subarus Early start when I worked onshore. But the loved the rs4 with miltek lol

 

[RGBARGEE]

Predictive text issues... Post hash 66 should read next door!!

 

[RGBARGEE]

70 days to go.....if I can wait that long!

 

[Snake Pliskin]

70 days to go.....if I can wait that long!

Hopefully you and me both

 

[RGBARGEE]

Some interesting used RS4 Avant on Audi.co.uk. 49k for a well spec 9 month old... Tempting

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Some interesting used RS4 Avant on Audi.co.uk. 49k for a well spec 9 month old... Tempting

Nah .... Brand spanker RS3 all the way mate

 

[RGBARGEE]

Probably, reckon the 8V chassis is great.. not so convinced with big barges apart from in a straight line!

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Funny used rs4 what I keep looking at but sticking rs3 and will look at new rs4 in a few years Mibi get a nice saloon

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Final finance agreed yesterday Jose.

Any chance of more pics pal a cant view the Facebook ones

 

[josedebardi]

Final finance agreed yesterday Jose.

Any chance of more pics pal a cant view the Facebook ones

Really - it's a public album, you don't even need a FB account to log in.

I'll be taking some in a couple of weeks which I'll post direct, along with some thoughts at 1000 miles (only just got there after 2 months of ownership!).

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Yea says I need to log in to view bummer like showed the dealer the ones further up he was well impressed his wife has a Panther s3

 

[Princess RS3]

So I've had a couple of days with my RS3 now, and managed to take a few pics, so thought I'd share initial thoughts along with them.

So the good...
The NOISE! OMG the noise! It's stupendous, and far better than I remember on the few test drives.
With it in Dynamic mode anyone within 100 yards will be under no illusions about what this car is, it is not possible to drive it quietly!
I have to say even in comfort it makes a fair amount of noise (I attempted to creep on/off the in-laws drive, but failed!), inside it becomes very quiet in Comfort, still audible and the same sound, just probably 40% of Dynamic mode.
It also starts up with a throttle blip and overrun burble/snarl regardless of the Drive Select Mode it was left in! And if cold the high idle is very loud for 30 seconds or so. It's really not a car to get if you want to have good relations with neighbours!

The POWER! The main thing you notice is how linear and unrelenting it is, and at ANY speed. I've had 300+ BHP cars before, but the RS3 just keeps pulling, it's very impressive, and you really have to be aware of the speedo as it doesn't take long to get round the dial! So far I've not gone too mad, just a couple of squirts to see whats she's like, over the next few hundred miles I'll continue to give it a hard, but not brutal run-in, for what should hopefully be a nice free-revving engine in the long run.

The LUXURY! Being in the S1 for a year, I'd forgotten how much I liked some of the plushness and creature comforts the SQ5 had. The 8V platform as a whole is VERY nice inside, and the RS3 with it's little extras like the mono-pur knee and door pads is fantastic. I love the red accents in the air vents that fold in/out as you pull the knob to narrow the air flow, just like the tail pipe of a jet engine does to achieve the same effect as the thrust is turned up - the A3/S3 have the same but you don't notice it without the fact that the flaps are red. A small piece, but one I really like, is the super slimline/sleek rear view mirror, and also that the auto-dimming button/light/sensor are no longer offensively large sticking out the bottom!
The noise inside the cabin is also minimal, very little road noise or tyre roar (considering they are 19s!), this is generally good, but will come back to this in 'the bad'...

The TECH! The LTE/4G Audi Connect is SOOOOO much faster than the 3G in my S1/SQ5 were. And the MMI as a whole is much faster to respond to inputs. The track pad makes it much easier to use, particularly when scanning around the nav map (not quite got the hang of left-handed text input with it yet though!).
Other bits of note are the advanced key is now much more sensitive and locks/unlocks much quicker than previous models, so you don't have to grad, wait, pull, you just grab and pull as if it was already unlocked.
The adaptive cruise is going to take some getting used to as well, I had it on the SQ5, but it lacked stop-and-go and would disengage at <20mph - but the RS3 happily comes to a stop, and if it's a brief one (up to 3 seconds) pulls away again, otherwise once the car ahead moves you blip the throttle or pull the ACC stalk and it pulls away on it's own - not sure I'll realistically use it much if at all for this, it's mainly for the long-haul motorway that I wanted it, but it's a clever feature all the same - I'd prefer if the 3 seconds stop time was longer though (might see if I can change that in VCDS).

The LIGHTS! The LED lights are in every way better than any BiXenon I've ever experienced. They have a slight blue cast to them, but the throw is amazing, even on 'dipped' you can see so far without dazzling traffic in-front. And the corner lighting is lovely. Very impressed as from what I'd read people didn't rate them as that much better than BiXenon, but I think they are much better and a very welcome edition to the standard spec. I also need to reduce the High Beam Assist activation speed with VCDS, as 37mph is too fast to need to go for them to turn on, it needs to be around 30mph for the unlit villages around here - I've done this on a few cars so presuming it's as easy on the RS3.

The B&O! Oh how I missed you! The Bose in the S1 was just not up to par (and cost the same amount!!). It needs a few hours to bed in, but I can already tell it's better than the SQ5 one, mainly because it's a less boomy space. The ability to set the sub as well bass/treble is a nice extra. It's a beautifully balanced system, with superb clarity. Even with the volume up as loud as you would ever reasonably want it you could still have a normal conversation with the front seat passenger without shouting - the only other car I've experienced this in was my 135i which had a Harmon Kardon system, this B&O has a bit more depth than that did so I think it's going down as best stereo I've had yet



And the bad...
Low speed brake squeal - Oh yes, it's inherited it from the Mk1! Only had it once or twice and very short at the final 1-2 feet of stopping and TBH I'm REALLY hoping it's while the brakes bed in, but we'll see!

Jerky gear change - Twice today on 1st to 2nd I noticed it basically just slammed it into 2nd, for no good reason, I was probably at about 10% throttle pulling away from a set of lights both times. Also twice today, in 6th, ~45mph come to an incline and the downshift to 5th (I made no change to throttle input it just decided it was needed) was also pretty harsh. Neither of these were neck-wrenchingly bad, but given all the other changes have been so smooth they stood out, and especially as both were under light load. I'm hoping maybe the gearbox program will learn over time as it adapts to my driving, again, we'll have to see.

Cabin Noise - so because the cabin is so well insulated, it means that 1) the exhaust is MUCH louder outside and you need the window open to really get the full effect and 2) you start to home in on all sort of other little noise which would otherwise be drowned out, like the A/C fan, or earlier on a road with some loose clippings (going dead slow so as not to flick to many up!), you would hear quite loudly every one that did hit the underside/bodywork. It's hard to truly call this a bad point, but it's something I picked up on!

Drive Select - it has the same problem as all the S/RS's seem to, in that after engine restart if left in Dynamic or Individual with Engine/Gearbox setting as Dynamic, on startup it's quietly gone back to Auto without any indication other than the pops and bangs don't happen and you have to cycle through the modes to properly engage Dynamic mode. On the plus side in Individual, with the Exhaust Sound setting left as Dynamic, this does stay put, so the only thing you lose on a restart is the pops and bangs, it's still damn loud!!

Phone Pocket Under Armrest - Handy net to put your phone in, excellent, make it 5mm too small to easily fit the iPhone with the RIDICULOUSLY large AMI plug on the bottom of it, stupid!
TBH this is an AMI cable design fault, there is no need for it to add over an inch to the length of the phone! A minor quibble, but annoying none the less.




I think for now those are my initial observations! As the weather has been so pants I've not had the chance to really do any 'spirited driving' and in all honesty probably won't for a few weeks until it's got a few more miles on the clock, so I'll save updating this thread until then with thoughts on that and after living with it for a while. As of now though VERY HAPPY! Oh, and I still giggle when I see the plate I got for it!


Anyway, here's Baggy (Panther Black paint, Black Panther in Jungle Book, Bagheera aka Baggy)...

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Thank you for your writing,
I can't express just how much I have enjoyed reading this.


Congrats, baggy looks beautiful.

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

Anymore ongoing thoughts bud? How's the panther to live with? Pics?

Cheers Greig

 

[josedebardi]

Hey, sorry. I wanted to get some more sooner than this.

Short answer is very good. And just had a top up detail this weekend so hoping to get some pics of the weather ever plays ball this week, and will accompany them with a more detailed report!!