I recently picked up an S3 prestige. I had ordered the premium plus trim but got tired of waiting so I took the prestige they had in stock. With rebates and discount I got almost 9 grand off the car. The RS3 is a lot more car, but with the dealer mark ups, you're probably looking at 20K more. I really enjoy the car, amazing interior and spirited performance.
I agree and did likewise, got $10 k off fully-loaded S3 w no wait, and love it. A few thousand in performance mods will make it much closer to stock RS3.
Can buy an S3 today. Going on wait list you may never receive an RS3 or will wait over a year. I gave up on my pre order it took so long my lease ran out. Im not upset, S3 is perfect daily for someone who drives to work. It’s loud enough as it is, any more would be fatiguing for me personally but im old.
Yeah it was an 18 month wait for our RS3. We bought a 2016 S3 when we ordered this to hold us over. Ended up selling the S3 for what we paid tho! So just depends on if you are willing to wait. We were in no rush for it
I love my 23 S3, but get an RS and just a few tweaks, intake down pipe, upgraded TCU,ECU and an inter cooler you’ve got a monster!!! I’ve upgraded a previous A3 with just a TCU, ECU and intake and that 2.0 ripped. I believe the 2.5 engine is near bulletproof and will easily handle the extra power
No brainer, you get the RS3. Had mine a year now, it's been great. Sportback in tango red, fully optioned, including ceramics and carbon external trim. S3 doesn't get a second look and it's just a Golf R with an Audi badge, nothing special at all. RS3 is on another level, looks and performance.
Both are nice i almost bought the S3 but i change my direction to the one and only 2023 BMW xDrive M240i with the Beast B58 6 cylinder in line and with stage one i have 500hp and 600 of torque bye bye Rs3 big bang for your back and much more Advance all around
In the UK for a 2025 model the list price for an S3 Vorsprung (highest spec with all options) is £52k, got mine for £48k due to dealer contributions that you get when you've bought multiple cars through them. An RS3 (if you can be bothered with the very long wait) starts at £60k but that's with manual seats and no tech frills. You're looking at just over £65k for a decent spec. £48k (with all possible options) vs £65k is a big leap, and that's not to mention the vastly increased running costs of the RS3 (insurance, road tax, fuel etc).
Agreed, I’m in the Uk .. ‘S’ cars are fast, comfortable long milers.. with ‘RS’ you sacrifice some of that comfort for performance. I drive a RS3 , my wife prefers her SQ5
I just traded in my A3 for a new S3. I absolutely love the S3 and I got the premium plus which was $55K. Audi of Brooklyn actually had a white RS3 on the showroom floor for about $70K, so for me that RS3 was a little out of my price range.
Quick question… are they both (s3&rs3) the same on reliability? And what about mpg? I’ll have to daily it so which would you recommend over all? And are they the same amount of money to maintain? I want something to last me for a while plus have a little kick to it! Thank you!
Overall reliability should be the same. Same with maintenance costs. The S3 is more fuel efficient. We got about 33 in our old S3. We get about 26 in the Rs3. S3 is a bit more livable for a true daily. Transmission is bit more conservative. But the RS3 holds a much better resale value. So you honestly won't lose money owning the RS3 vs the depreciating a brand new S3 would see. Both are great overall just depends if you want more performance or a bit more relaxed drive
I have never seen an RS for $65k… what packages if any did you order? Nice to see you passed on black optic pkg. your wheels and badges look 100 times better because you can actually SEE them.
Ours was $65k. We just have the RS tech package. Base price of the RS3 is around $63k. Took 18 months to get this car since we had to wait for dealer allocation and production. But we weren't in a rush. If you order one you shouldn't have a problem paying MSRP like we did.
Realistically, here in California, you'd be talking probably $15,000 to $20,000 more for a RS3 versus a nicely spec'd S3 Premium Plus. I thought about getting the RS 3 instead, but coming from a Mark 7 VW Golf R, I knew I couldn't use all the power and performance on that car (without risking my license more than normally...), so "only" 306 hp in the S3 didn't bother me. I ended up getting a nicely optioned (almost everything) in a 2023 S3 for $8500 off MSRP. Try doing that with a RS3.
I have a new RS3 as my daily. You are wrong. The RS3 is on another level to an S3, which is basically a Golf R in a frock. Less than 0.5% of owners ever track a car and if you do, like me you get a proper car for that, not a family car with rear seats. I think the ego comment is you telling us you can't afford the RS3, we get. Bless you little man.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 Ha ha - wrong there. I can afford anything I want. I have seven cars worth about two and a half million dollars. i rarely drive my supercars because they are uncomfortable and really no fun to drive except on the track or the occasional twisty mountain roads. the cost difference between the S3 and RS3 is what I spend on my livestock feed at my ranch for less than a week.
I got a 2015 A3 right now and I’m torn between putting miney into my car to make it as fast as an RS3 or saving that money and using it as a down payment on a RS3. Decisions, decisions….
Go for the RS3. It will hold value way better. A modded A3 will not ever be worth more than a stock one. Th RS3 holds better value over time and will cost less to own
@@Mikeselchow Fun car! If you’re going brand new. Stick with a Premium or Premium Plus. Not worth going Prestige since it’s so close to an RS3. However our 2016 S3 was $35k and we loved it! owned it for 2 years and sold it for what we paid
I have a B9 S4 Prestige with the suspension and diff options. It’s a significant step up from the A4 but if I can get an RS3 for MSRP that will be my next car. The interior of the RS3 is a step down from the S4 but the performance more than makes up for it and I want a smaller car.
@@hardykornfeld1733 Contact Audi Greenville SC. That's where I bought mine. No uncharge at all and they didn't even add any dealer add ons. It took 18 months to get tho since each dealer only gets a few allocations each year.
@@hardykornfeld1733 that's true. Physically speaking though, the A3 (with S and RS counterparts) is way too small for someone my size. My next car will be something mid-sized, and that's probably where I'll stay.
Yeah it's a smaller car. I've made some comparison with other $65k sedans like the M340i and IS500. Both are larger. However you lose the excitement and handling along with the extra speed the RS3 offers. So the power and handling of the RS3 makes up for it being small. It's a little rocket compared to the other $65k sport sedans
Not a prestige tho. If you can spend $60k on a car, $65k should be anything. And if it's too much to go up too, probably should be spending that much anyways. A nice Premium Plus S3 would be a better price point for people who are more limited.
They look like the outgoing versions. The 2024 version in the EU and UK have lost the front badges, and the S3 is now 333 hp to match the Golf R 20 years. I also don't think we get the red stitching in the UK. Regardless, a stage 1 tune of the S3 isn't that much cost, and whole life costs are a lot lower with the S3.
You say this is a great bang for the buck, but now in a recent video, you stated the new M2 is the best sports car for 65k! So, do you now think the M2 is more car for the same money as the RS3?
Any M2 content I filmed was before we bought the RS3. However Both I'd say are top at this price point. Personally I think the M2 is a slightly better sports car than the RS3. M2 steers better and feels a bit more solid. But if you need the 4 doors and want AWD and the DCT rather then a manual or ZF8 speed. RS3 is a beast of a sport sedan. My wife loves the RS3 and would pick it over the M2. But if it were my car, I'd go M2 to get the RWD and better steering.
@BrosFOURRSpeed I got a chance to try a 2020 S3, and wasn't that impressed by the overall experience! I'm sure the RS3 is completely different based on your reviews and everything I hear in general!
@@speeddemonRS3 Yeah it’s definitely a totally different car. For $35k our 2016 S3 was amazing! I don’t think I’d buy a new one for even $50k. Just seems like a lot for a 4 cyl
Only issue when comparing prices there was no accounting for dealer markups. On the RS3 every dealer I have talked with is marking up the RS3 at least 10k over MSRP. So now you are talking a little over 80k for a fully loaded RS3 vs a little over 60k for a fully loaded S3. Is the RS3 20k better than the S3? I have not test driven either but I am going to say no to that one. Thoughts?
I didn’t factor that in because I bought mine for MSRP. Had to wait 2 years for it, but no mark up. Yes, dealers are marking up, but a lot of brands do that with new or limited vehicles. Doesn’t mean you have to buy one with a markup. So if you are smart or willing to wait, that’s not a factor.
The RS3 is pretty easy to find these days thankfully! And unfortunately for owners (but fortunately for buyers) you can no longer sell them for more than you paid. Great car though - I think a used, low-mile RS3 at around 58-60K is a great choice
They are not 58 to 60k used with low miles lol!! Your not fooling anyone when all you have to do is Google used RS3! 65 to 70k for most of them, and wait time is still really long to get one! They will retain value well forever because so few get built to go around!
@@speeddemonRS3 no one is buying a used one for 65-70 when there are a ton of new cars available for that price. You can get one today with no wait. No dealer will give you over 60K for a used one. I know because I've already owned and sold an 8Y
@grahmdoughty There isn't a ton of new ones available like you say! Say what you want, but I see what they're advertised at, and you have to wait 1 to 2 years to get one at MSRP LOL! I bet you bought one during covid, drove it for a bit and then tried to make money of the car and turn a profit sadly! You're probably that guy who had no intention of keeping the car long-term!
I recently picked up an S3 prestige. I had ordered the premium plus trim but got tired of waiting so I took the prestige they had in stock. With rebates and discount I got almost 9 grand off the car. The RS3 is a lot more car, but with the dealer mark ups, you're probably looking at 20K more. I really enjoy the car, amazing interior and spirited performance.
Wow thats cool to get $9k off! I paid sticker for the RS3. But it was an 18 month wait for it. So just depends on what works out best
I agree and did likewise, got $10 k off fully-loaded S3 w no wait, and love it. A few thousand in performance mods will make it much closer to stock RS3.
Can buy an S3 today. Going on wait list you may never receive an RS3 or will wait over a year. I gave up on my pre order it took so long my lease ran out. Im not upset, S3 is perfect daily for someone who drives to work. It’s loud enough as it is, any more would be fatiguing for me personally but im old.
Yeah it was an 18 month wait for our RS3. We bought a 2016 S3 when we ordered this to hold us over. Ended up selling the S3 for what we paid tho! So just depends on if you are willing to wait. We were in no rush for it
I bought the S3 8y saloon glacier white great car stock tested 330bhp Dyno and tuning potential is great I run vpower 99octane 🇬🇧
@@BrosFOURRSpeedordered my RS3 in October 2023, it’s currently being made, ETA on delivery is July 2024…just depends on where you order from I guess
@@MrAirsoftdude223 Oh nice! Yeah when we ordered ours. The first 6 months was just waiting for our dealer to get an allocation for one
There is many new 2024 in so called
I love my 23 S3, but get an RS and just a few tweaks, intake down pipe, upgraded TCU,ECU and an inter cooler you’ve got a monster!!! I’ve upgraded a previous A3 with just a TCU, ECU and intake and that 2.0 ripped. I believe the 2.5 engine is near bulletproof and will easily handle the extra power
Oh awesome! Yeah we loved our 2016 S3 and the new RS3 is a nice step up for sure! Fun car with the mods especially!
You’ve been straight killing it with these videos man. Excellent film quality and knowledge base in your reviews. KEEP IT UP!!🙌🏾
Glad you enjoyed them! More to come!
No brainer, you get the RS3. Had mine a year now, it's been great. Sportback in tango red, fully optioned, including ceramics and carbon external trim. S3 doesn't get a second look and it's just a Golf R with an Audi badge, nothing special at all. RS3 is on another level, looks and performance.
Oh nice! Yeah the RS3 is a big step up and well worth it!
Rs3 is discontinued In Canada so no option 😢
@@asherpangu dang that’s a bummer!
What's the ride/noise like as a daily with the RS?
@@weirdshibainu perfectly fine. Very refined car overall and feels like a nice higher end vehicle from the brand
Both are nice i almost bought the S3 but i change my direction to the one and only 2023 BMW xDrive M240i with the Beast B58 6 cylinder in line and with stage one i have 500hp and 600 of torque bye bye Rs3 big bang for your back and much more Advance all around
Yeah the M240 is a cool choice for sure! However it's a much softer car than the RS3. The RS3 competes with the M2
Both are nice but you're right, you'd be better off paying the extra 5K because that RS3 bangs the walls!
For sure! Can't see not going for the RS3 over a Prestige. But a nice Premium Plus isn't too bad of an option
@ralphsnightmare103 yeah the price of the Prestige S3 is only about $5k less the then a base RS3
In the UK for a 2025 model the list price for an S3 Vorsprung (highest spec with all options) is £52k, got mine for £48k due to dealer contributions that you get when you've bought multiple cars through them. An RS3 (if you can be bothered with the very long wait) starts at £60k but that's with manual seats and no tech frills. You're looking at just over £65k for a decent spec. £48k (with all possible options) vs £65k is a big leap, and that's not to mention the vastly increased running costs of the RS3 (insurance, road tax, fuel etc).
Cool! Thanks for sharing.
S3 for me. No longer interested in harsh shifting, harsh riding, hyper-focused mode that never lets up....in the real world daily driving.
Great option. Just don't go for the Prestige. Way too much for the S3. Our 2016 S3 for $35k was amazing for half this lol
I had two s3 and now have a new rs3 great car but expensive in Ireland 100th euros and yearly road tax is 1250 still I love it
Oh wow that's a lot over there!
Agreed, I’m in the Uk .. ‘S’ cars are fast, comfortable long milers.. with ‘RS’ you sacrifice some of that comfort for performance. I drive a RS3 , my wife prefers her SQ5
Yeah very true. Really enjoying the RS3!
I just traded in my A3 for a new S3. I absolutely love the S3 and I got the premium plus which was $55K. Audi of Brooklyn actually had a white RS3 on the showroom floor for about $70K, so for me that RS3 was a little out of my price range.
The S3 was a fun car! Can't go wrong with it!
I’m hoping to get the s3 in June because it’s better lease prices then any bmw. Plus it has more options
Cool!
Audi RS3 sedan, Cause this car even sportier.
Yeah RS3 is a big step up!
The refresh will probably bring the s3 to 333 hp and more torque and will also add the rs3's drift mode.
It has.
Yeah will see
When will audi put the rs3 engine in the sq5. Seems like such a perfect fit.
That would be pretty cool! Make it like how the X3M has the M2 engine ;)
Audi has RSQ3 but not available in US…
RSQ3 is what we need here in the US. It’s the perfect addition
Quick question… are they both (s3&rs3) the same on reliability? And what about mpg? I’ll have to daily it so which would you recommend over all? And are they the same amount of money to maintain? I want something to last me for a while plus have a little kick to it! Thank you!
Overall reliability should be the same. Same with maintenance costs. The S3 is more fuel efficient. We got about 33 in our old S3. We get about 26 in the Rs3. S3 is a bit more livable for a true daily. Transmission is bit more conservative. But the RS3 holds a much better resale value. So you honestly won't lose money owning the RS3 vs the depreciating a brand new S3 would see. Both are great overall just depends if you want more performance or a bit more relaxed drive
I have never seen an RS for $65k… what packages if any did you order? Nice to see you passed on black optic pkg. your wheels and badges look 100 times better because you can actually SEE them.
Ours was $65k. We just have the RS tech package. Base price of the RS3 is around $63k. Took 18 months to get this car since we had to wait for dealer allocation and production. But we weren't in a rush. If you order one you shouldn't have a problem paying MSRP like we did.
In my country the price difference between the two models is about 20k USD, making the RS much more hard to get.
Oh wow! A base S3 is about $20k cheaper than a loaded up RS3 here. But generally ours are $5k-$10k apart
Realistically, here in California, you'd be talking probably $15,000 to $20,000 more for a RS3 versus a nicely spec'd S3 Premium Plus. I thought about getting the RS 3 instead, but coming from a Mark 7 VW Golf R, I knew I couldn't use all the power and performance on that car (without risking my license more than normally...), so "only" 306 hp in the S3 didn't bother me. I ended up getting a nicely optioned (almost everything) in a 2023 S3 for $8500 off MSRP. Try doing that with a RS3.
Wow that's surprising to get a brand new S3 with a discount! Good deal with that for sure
8500 of msrp is nuts if it wasn't a leftover lol! Giving them damn things away in comparison to its mechanical brother the Golf R!
The S3 has a similar engine to the Golf R/GTI?
Yup! Those are all the same 4 cylinder
My S3 is a great daily driver. Only reasons to buy the RS instead of the S is 1. Ego, and 2. Track use.
Or if you just want a faster car. S3 is a great car for sure, we loved ours. But after owning a GT-R for 5 years, I prefer the extra power in a car
I have a new RS3 as my daily. You are wrong. The RS3 is on another level to an S3, which is basically a Golf R in a frock. Less than 0.5% of owners ever track a car and if you do, like me you get a proper car for that, not a family car with rear seats. I think the ego comment is you telling us you can't afford the RS3, we get. Bless you little man.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 Ha ha - wrong there. I can afford anything I want. I have seven cars worth about two and a half million dollars. i rarely drive my supercars because they are uncomfortable and really no fun to drive except on the track or the occasional twisty mountain roads. the cost difference between the S3 and RS3 is what I spend on my livestock feed at my ranch for less than a week.
@@gixxer750r3 didn't know this review turned into a dick measuring contest lolz
What a sorry excuse to go with the S3 instead lol!! People will say anything when they can't afford something better!!😂
I got a 2015 A3 right now and I’m torn between putting miney into my car to make it as fast as an RS3 or saving that money and using it as a down payment on a RS3. Decisions, decisions….
Go for the RS3. It will hold value way better. A modded A3 will not ever be worth more than a stock one. Th RS3 holds better value over time and will cost less to own
Get the rs3
I daily a 2017 mk7 gti, I want to upgrade to the rs3. Do you think the rs3 is big enough upgrade to justify getting rid of my gti.
Definitely. Huge difference in car. Even the S3 is actually a nice step up from the GTI.
@@BrosFOURRSpeed appreciate it, I was just looking at the s3 as well. That might be the route I go , since I have my zl1 for my weekend car.
@@Mikeselchow Fun car! If you’re going brand new. Stick with a Premium or Premium Plus. Not worth going Prestige since it’s so close to an RS3. However our 2016 S3 was $35k and we loved it! owned it for 2 years and sold it for what we paid
Get the S3 instead. Only wish I could buy Audi with a manual, while the VW has one available
@@BrosFOURRSpeed sorry thought I responded. Appreciate your time and feedback
While this car is too small for me, they still offer a ton for the price. As an owner of a 2022 A4, that's the smallest size I can fit in.
Yeah these are definitely smaller. But for sure a lot of fun! The A4 is a nice grown up sedan with a good size
I have a B9 S4 Prestige with the suspension and diff options. It’s a significant step up from the A4 but if I can get an RS3 for MSRP that will be my next car. The interior of the RS3 is a step down from the S4 but the performance more than makes up for it and I want a smaller car.
@@hardykornfeld1733 Contact Audi Greenville SC. That's where I bought mine. No uncharge at all and they didn't even add any dealer add ons. It took 18 months to get tho since each dealer only gets a few allocations each year.
@@hardykornfeld1733 that's true. Physically speaking though, the A3 (with S and RS counterparts) is way too small for someone my size. My next car will be something mid-sized, and that's probably where I'll stay.
I'm 6'3" and fit just fine in my new RS3. Assume you must be a fat body person, as head and leg room in the RS3 is pretty darn good.
I like the s3,rs3 but it’s feel a little small for the price
Yeah it's a smaller car. I've made some comparison with other $65k sedans like the M340i and IS500. Both are larger. However you lose the excitement and handling along with the extra speed the RS3 offers. So the power and handling of the RS3 makes up for it being small. It's a little rocket compared to the other $65k sport sedans
S3 make sense for those with limited budget
Not a prestige tho. If you can spend $60k on a car, $65k should be anything. And if it's too much to go up too, probably should be spending that much anyways. A nice Premium Plus S3 would be a better price point for people who are more limited.
In Australia.. the Rs3 is $130,000, the S3 is only $79,000
Wow that's insane!
How much is an A3 then?
They look like the outgoing versions. The 2024 version in the EU and UK have lost the front badges, and the S3 is now 333 hp to match the Golf R 20 years. I also don't think we get the red stitching in the UK. Regardless, a stage 1 tune of the S3 isn't that much cost, and whole life costs are a lot lower with the S3.
Not too sure with other markets. But now the 2025 model year has received a facelift
You say this is a great bang for the buck, but now in a recent video, you stated the new M2 is the best sports car for 65k! So, do you now think the M2 is more car for the same money as the RS3?
Any M2 content I filmed was before we bought the RS3. However Both I'd say are top at this price point. Personally I think the M2 is a slightly better sports car than the RS3. M2 steers better and feels a bit more solid. But if you need the 4 doors and want AWD and the DCT rather then a manual or ZF8 speed. RS3 is a beast of a sport sedan. My wife loves the RS3 and would pick it over the M2. But if it were my car, I'd go M2 to get the RWD and better steering.
@BrosFOURRSpeed I got a chance to try a 2020 S3, and wasn't that impressed by the overall experience! I'm sure the RS3 is completely different based on your reviews and everything I hear in general!
@@speeddemonRS3 Yeah it’s definitely a totally different car. For $35k our 2016 S3 was amazing! I don’t think I’d buy a new one for even $50k. Just seems like a lot for a 4 cyl
RS3 is not a sports car
RS3 is not a sportscar. Compare RS5 to M2, Audi win.
Do rs3 vs Supra!! There’s only one other video
Filming that tomorrow!
Rs3 all day
Yeah it's a fun car!
Only issue when comparing prices there was no accounting for dealer markups. On the RS3 every dealer I have talked with is marking up the RS3 at least 10k over MSRP. So now you are talking a little over 80k for a fully loaded RS3 vs a little over 60k for a fully loaded S3. Is the RS3 20k better than the S3? I have not test driven either but I am going to say no to that one. Thoughts?
I didn’t factor that in because I bought mine for MSRP. Had to wait 2 years for it, but no mark up. Yes, dealers are marking up, but a lot of brands do that with new or limited vehicles. Doesn’t mean you have to buy one with a markup. So if you are smart or willing to wait, that’s not a factor.
No way I'd spend 60k for a S3. I'd be looking at an S4 or S5 for that money.
I'd only consider a S3 for upper 40k or very low 50k
Yeah I don't see these Prestige ones selling all too well. A nice more basic trim would be a cool option tho
M240
Good blend between these two!
The RS3 is pretty easy to find these days thankfully! And unfortunately for owners (but fortunately for buyers) you can no longer sell them for more than you paid. Great car though - I think a used, low-mile RS3 at around 58-60K is a great choice
Really? I'm still seeing 20k mile 8Y RS3's going for about MSRP
They are not 58 to 60k used with low miles lol!! Your not fooling anyone when all you have to do is Google used RS3! 65 to 70k for most of them, and wait time is still really long to get one! They will retain value well forever because so few get built to go around!
@@speeddemonRS3 no one is buying a used one for 65-70 when there are a ton of new cars available for that price. You can get one today with no wait. No dealer will give you over 60K for a used one. I know because I've already owned and sold an 8Y
@grahmdoughty There isn't a ton of new ones available like you say! Say what you want, but I see what they're advertised at, and you have to wait 1 to 2 years to get one at MSRP LOL! I bet you bought one during covid, drove it for a bit and then tried to make money of the car and turn a profit sadly! You're probably that guy who had no intention of keeping the car long-term!
@grahmdoughty I waited 18 months for my 24 RS3, and a guy I know was told 2 to 3 years, which is the worst wait time I've heard yet!!