2023 Build Weeks

[monkeyhanger]

It's a long story but I ordered the RS3 last year when I got fed up waiting for the R.
It's white, comfort and sound plus adaptive chassis. Fairly basic spec but nice.

I got a few extra bits on my S3, but in all honesty, I wouldn't have specced most of it myself, they're already on the stock car. HBA - £100, I've activated it for free on my last 3 cars and OBD11, £290 for red painted calipers, would've been happy with the plain black - especially on what is a black car. Would've been happy enough with the 18" wheels, but the 19s are specced - I like them, but wouldn't have specced myself. Also have the comfort and sound - would've foregone it to get under the luxury VED threshold.

[monkeyhanger]

Not sure whether it's just me, or if Tractor Dave has thought the same. I drove past a parked current shape (8Y) A3 in white and it looked tiny (compared to a Golf), I had to do a double take and confirm I wasn't looking at an A1. Maybe it's a bit of an optical illusion with that colour, or it might just be me.

[SRGTD]

Not sure whether it's just me, or if Tractor Dave has thought the same. I drove past a parked current shape (8Y) A3 in white and it looked tiny (compared to a Golf), I had to do a double take and confirm I wasn't looking at an A1. Maybe it's a bit of an optical illusion with that colour, or it might just be me.

I passed a current shape A3 that was parked up the other day and thought it was an A1. Agree, it did give the impression of being smaller than a Golf.

There are differences in size; dimensions below are from VW and Audi websites and are for non performance models (A3 dimensions are for the 5 door sportback);

• Golf mk8; Length; 4,284mm, Width (ex door mirrors); 1,789mm, Height; 1,491mm Wheelbase; 2,619mm
• A3 Sportback; Length; 4,343mm, Width (ex door mirrors); 1,816mm, Height; 1,449mm Wheelbase; 2,636mm

[monkeyhanger]

Not sure whether it's just me, or if Tractor Dave has thought the same. I drove past a parked current shape (8Y) A3 in white and it looked tiny (compared to a Golf), I had to do a double take and confirm I wasn't looking at an A1. Maybe it's a bit of an optical illusion with that colour, or it might just be me.

I passed a current shape A3 that was parked up the other day and thought it was an A1. Agree, it did give the impression of being smaller than a Golf.

There are differences in size; dimensions below are from VW and Audi websites and are for non performance models (A3 dimensions are for the 5 door sportback);

• Golf mk8; Length; 4,284mm, Width (ex door mirrors); 1,789mm, Height; 1,491mm Wheelbase; 2,619mm
• A3 Sportback; Length; 4,343mm, Width (ex door mirrors); 1,816mm, Height; 1,449mm Wheelbase; 2,636mm

Looks like the Sportback is bigger everywhere bar the height (4 2cm shorter).

[BillSan]

White, comfort, sound and adaptive chassis are the ideal spec as far as I'm concerned.   I do love a hot, white hatchback. 

Congrats TD - looking forward to the pics now!

[Exonian]

Big fan of white hot/hyper hatches myself too.
If going for the silver trim spec (as opposed for the black packs) then white or the standard (Chemora?) grey seems to compliment it best.

Speaking to my VW dealer at a warranty visit for my own car about an in-stock R 20 Years that’s sitting there in base spec for a whisker under £50k (blue paint pushing the price up) just emphasised to me how close that sits to a base spec RS3.
I’d previously half promised myself an RS3 but with too much uncertainty about my job (and the temptation to just cash in my pension and retire to a simple but cash strapped life which has masses of appeal to me) I can’t bring myself to do it.

As for size, my son has an S-Line A3 and it’s definitely lower than my Golf, especially towards the hatch. The glass area is much smaller giving it a sleeker look. I think the new A1’s just look quite big rather than the A3 looking small.

[Tractor Dave]

Go for it!
I retired from full time work a few years ago. Set up a workshop at home and started tinkering with old classic Audis. Now there is a waiting list for my services. I can pick and choose what I do and when. Never been happier 

[monkeyhanger]

Size wise, the current Polo and A1 are pretty big cars for their class, but it's probably the lower stance of the A3 that made it look small on passing, that and my Cupra Born being akin to a Golf in Cuban heels (thanks to the battery pack in the floor pan).

I was looking again on the Audi website at "available" new cars, but this time on the German website. There's 53(!!!) RS3s available, other Audis available as new "stock" also plentiful. Seems like there's a real curtailment of UK production, or we're buying up cars quicker than the continentals are. I could see myself going for a total blowout on my last new ICE car in 2028/29 with an RS3 or similar.

[SRGTD]

Go for it!
I retired from full time work a few years ago. Set up a workshop at home and started tinkering with old classic Audis. Now there is a waiting list for my services. I can pick and choose what I do and when. Never been happier 

Agree; I joined the early retirees club around 8 years ago and I’ve never regretted it. Granted, I’m not as well off financially but I’m much happier and more contented with life than I was when working full time in a well paid job that could be pretty stressful at times.

It’s great having the flexibility to do what you want to do and when to do it - or not do it at all!

[Exonian]

Go for it!
I retired from full time work a few years ago. Set up a workshop at home and started tinkering with old classic Audis. Now there is a waiting list for my services. I can pick and choose what I do and when. Never been happier 

Agree; I joined the early retirees club around 8 years ago and I’ve never regretted it. Granted, I’m not as well off financially but I’m much happier and more contented with life than I was when working full time in a well paid job that could be pretty stressful at times.

It’s great having the flexibility to do what you want to do and when to do it - or not do it at all!

Unfortunately I skipped the well paid job bit in the middle! Therefore the war chest is empty and kept empty by kids that earn more than me but still need large  “loans” (those ones that’ll never get paid back!)
Worked all hours when the kids were small but now cut right back and taking it easy. Still, the business I work for has been taken over by a bunch of inept clueless capitalists who have turned huge profits into a rapidly sinking ship so maybe wishes might be granted in unexpected ways. I’d happily join the army of “fifty somethings” that refuse to return to proper paid work because we’ve had enough of sh!t employers, annoying colleagues and dreadful government.

Maybe an RS3 on finance could be the answer after all, if my job goes belly up I can always just hand it back…   
Soooo, what’s the APR on an RS3 PCP?  😁

Anyway, messing about aside, and on the subject of PCP’s, after seeing the “in stock” R 20 Years up for sale I had a quick nose at the GMFV on it and it was something like just over £20k after 4 years. VWFS obviously don’t have a lot of faith in their flagship of flagships!