RS3 8Y Ordering and Spec

[Dan Knight]

Dan,
I can tell you from actual experience that unless front & rear tyre diameters are matched, you will have problems with an RS3. With my previous 8V model, I initially replaced OE fitted Pirelli P Zeros with Michelin Pilot Sports but of exactly the same dimensions as the car came with (wider front vs rear). This resulted in the traction loss warning light coming on/off all the time & I could hear the centre torque split control differential whining a lot more than normal. After having it checked, I changed front & rear tyres to Michelins of exactly the same dimensions (in between original front & rear sizes) & problems disappeared.

When I noticed the issues, I didn't leave the first set of Michelin tyres on for long as I suspected it would have increased wear on the Quattro drive system or even caused damage. Around then I also read of instances of 4 wheel drive cars suffering damage due to changes that owners made to the tyre dimensions.

I don’t doubt what you’re saying as it makes a lot of sense but it’s something I’ll look into when the time comes cause if I can use the pilot sports then I’d like to give them a go

 

[Frankster77]

Wow! Certainly didn't expect all that in regards to tyres.....thought it was just like Pickles mentioned that everyone would have a "preference" type thing and you could change the brands at your pleasure. GREAT to know all of the above when I eventually go for the next set. Hopefully get like a good 40k kms out of them given it won't be tracked at all. Does that sort of figure sound about right for those of you with previous model RS3s?
On a side note - got my private plates. Wooo Hooo!

 

[Acer]

The OE fitted Pirelli P Zeros will probably only last ~ 18-20,000 kms. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my 8Y RS3 has covered ~ 13,000 km so far & whilst front tyres appear to be wearing uniformly, I can see that I will be lucky to get another 7,000 km out of them.

On my previous RS3, with the Michelin Pilot Sports of equal size all round, I was getting ~ 35,000 km out of them so close to what you are hoping. Also, shows that whilst we all have opinions about tyre brands, the technologies that leading companies such as Michelin have developed make a big difference.

Finally, on the 8V model the front tyres always seemed to wear rapidly at the inner edges. This is a bit dangerous as most people don't see that area & you can experience a blow-out due to Steel belts making contact with the road & pushing into the tyre. This happened to me but fortunately I was just leaving my house & travelling at low speed so no harm done. There are posts all over the internet about this issue with Pirelli blaming Audi for the for the aggressive front suspension geometry. The 8Y has a different geometry again, but with an increase in negative camber (improves steering response), I was wondering if it could be worse still. So have been keeping my eyes on my car & so far I don't see evidence of this issue, but I suggest you do the same.

I used to purchase a lot of high performance/top of the line Bridgetone tyres & had a very good relationship with our local dealer. But due to issues I saw with some of their tyres, they organized for their technical specialists to come & meet with me & they conceded that there were problems. This resulted in some free replacement tyres, but they also suffered from the same issues after a while. And the person that owned the Bridgestone dealership & had represented them for many years, also agreed that their side walls were too stiff. Maybe since then they have improved their tyre designs.

 

[IchBautAuto]

For all the VAG cars I'm familiar with, matching size on all wheels is the most critical criteria followed by wheel alignment and correct tyre pressures. Different people get different outcomes from the brands and while I have not had particularly good results from Pirelli P Zero, I have had outstanding results from Pirelli scorpion AT's (also pretty reasonable road tyres for an AT, having just done the Great Alpine Road with no complaints).
I use Michelin Pilots on the RS6 and happy with them so they'll also go on the RS4 when due. It's a bit like clothes, some people get it just right with one brand and not others.

 

[Dan Knight]

Not sure if anyone has seen this but 7 seconds faster around Nurburgring. Looks like they adopted the haptic buttons on the steering wheel like they used on the golf so not sure about that but don’t mind the new steering wheel design, noticed it also has a new dash display.

 

[Frankster77]

Not sure if anyone has seen this but 7 seconds faster around Nurburgring. Looks like they adopted the haptic buttons on the steering wheel like they used on the golf so not sure about that but don’t mind the new steering wheel design, noticed it also has a new dash display.

Jesus what a ride!!! That was awesome to watch. Thanks Dan!
I think that steering wheel design is straight off the E-Tron GT face lifted version?
If you scroll down here you will see what I mean (if you are interested):

New Audi RS e-tron GT facelift revealed - pictures | Auto Express

Pictures of the updated Audi RS e-tron GT

www.autoexpress.co.uk

 

[Dan Knight]

Jesus what a ride!!! That was awesome to watch. Thanks Dan!
I think that steering wheel design is straight off the E-Tron GT face lifted version?
If you scroll down here you will see what I mean (if you are interested):

New Audi RS e-tron GT facelift revealed - pictures | Auto Express

Pictures of the updated Audi RS e-tron GT

www.autoexpress.co.uk

Yeah that guy is either extremely talented or has huge balls the way he was throwing it around. That looks like the same steering wheel, I thought it looked like it has a couple of red buttons either side.

 

[Pickles]

An unreal Tape,....I wonder what his tires were like after that?!

 

[Dan Knight]

An unreal Tape,....I wonder what his tires were like after that?!

Well scrubbed I’d imagine lol. I’d imagine some of the time difference between that and the current ones times would be attributed to the driver but wonder whether there’s been some refining of the toque splitter or there’s some engine performance gain.

 

[srr888]

Well scrubbed I’d imagine lol. I’d imagine some of the time difference between that and the current ones times would be attributed to the driver but wonder whether there’s been some refining of the toque splitter or there’s some engine performance gain.

there is also a new brake vectoring system

Audi press release for those interested

 

[Dingo]

And the elephant in the room is the fact that the engine is apparently unchanged. I had high hopes for a good 10% more power like the new S3. Apparently not! Now doubtful that I will bother trading my 8Y for essentially the same car with a terrible wheel and haptic buttons! I can’t even tell the difference body wise and I daily my RS3. Really feels terribly underwhelming (for an 8Y owner) at this point.

 

[Dan Knight]

Looks like a couple of new vents at the bottom of the grill, don’t know if I like the huge rear diffuser. Think I still prefer the current model but don’t mind the new one from what I’ve seen

 

[Pickles]

Haven't been checking RS3 pricing of late, but I did notice that Barry Bourke has a new S.B. listed at $115948 MRDP.,MRDP is the Manufacturers Recommended Dealer Price, which according to an explanatory note on the Dealer's Audi page, is supposed to be "driveaway" to include all Govt taxes, stamp duty, reg etc etc. This price appears to be substantially lower than many S.B.'s listed on Carsales. Maybe this signifys that RS3s are no longer on back order, and there are cars in stock, rather than the up to 2 yr wait that some have experienced?

 

[WF717]

Has anyone had a recall notice for central electrics to be updated. Mine is in on Thursday for the update. I didn’t get a recall notice but was in there the other day and the service guy told me

Recall Services:
Updating central electrics
• 97HY -

 

[stitch]

Attached is the US version of this recall. Will give you an idea what the issue is and how they fix it.

 

[Whistler]

New S3 owner here, doesn’t seem to have the auto hold feature unless I’ve somehow missed it?

 

[Dan Knight]

I don’t hate it but other than the Carbon seats and there’s a slightly different interior lighting around the console I prefer the older version, hopefully we can upgrade the software to this software and improve the handling

 

[srr888]

I don’t hate it but other than the Carbon seats and there’s a slightly different interior lighting around the console I prefer the older version, hopefully we can upgrade the software to this software and improve the handling

The thing that I really want from the facelift is the RS central dial and the update to the exhaust flap control..

from the price in euro I think it is going to be around 10% increase in price.

 

[Dan Knight]

The thing that I really want from the facelift is the RS central dial and the update to the exhaust flap control..

from the price in euro I think it is going to be around 10% increase in price.

The central dial doesn’t interest me much as I prefer the dial set up from the 8V than the current one, the exhaust is easy to fix with aftermarket kits also but I do like the seats and am curious about the software update it’s got. I’m still in two minds about that rear bar as I don’t like the big diffuser and I’m used to the big fake vent bit on mine but am curious to see it in real life. What I don’t like are the front and rear lights, the front end, the wheels and the steering wheel but that’s my taste

 

[Frankster77]

Found this good "visual aid" to make the Sedan comparison...couldn't find the SB comparison as yet
In my opinion, the new back end on both Sedan and SB look better to me....the "honey comb mesh" business at the back was a bit underwhelming for me - and yet I bought one!

I'm gonna bet that the lovely "Performance Version" seats don't even make it to Oz.

I'm with Dan on the Steering wheel - looks "try hard" to me?

Lastly - anyone seen a carbon pack SB in this 2025 model which has the roof top spoiler????!