RS3: Have you ordered one? Have you received a build date?

[Calm Chris]

Pentagon, Chris. They went t1ts up.

Oh, that good were they..

[NewNiceMrMe]

I hadn't realised you couldn't order an RS3 now.

I think Dave suggested the route I'd be going down. Forget it and go find something else.

RS4, 1M, M3, Z4 35i sDrive with a full spec and low miles, 135i, C63 AMG, lots out there.

[Tipex]

I hadn't realised you couldn't order an RS3 now.

According to Audi's website and the configurator you still can, but then given it's Audi's website and configurator.....

I suspect they just used up the last of the old shells to make them, and now they've run out it'll be onto the new A3.

[ashleywater]

Thanks for all the comment, a lot of it has been useful and informative, especiallyy MrMe, with hand on wallet and tongue in cheek, trying to flog me a Z4, a car TBH I wouldnt do my final trip to or from the crem in, rag tops have never been my thang, like ever

I can get a new order on the system, for delivery Q3/4 this year "Allegedly"

So I think this is the route I am going to take, as this car has now become "soiled" goods in my eyes, it was due to arrive wrapped and then straight to the detailers (Independently)and driven away, it has now been unwrapped driven around the gaff by the garage monkeys, on quite a few occassions, and been slapped around inside by the tint installer, they have gone ahead with cling filming it, to try and bring me around to the idea, that it is now all okay, sorry peeps it just aint.

So we will see tomorrow, what the score is, in regards to money and sourcing a new car, unless I can get enough discount for there feck up, new car will be ordered,with the mother of all options,including exclusive paint, simple as that I guess

[Milo]

I think you've made the right decision on rejecting the current car. I wouldn't have been happy with aftermarket tints nor would I have accepted new OEM glass.

If you can re-order and don't mind the wait, then good luck and fingers crossed they get it right this time

Ask to see the order and check it. I didn't when they re-ordered mine as I assumed they would get it right however when inputting the options, they didn't realise the was a page 2 of 2 hence the heated seats got missed off second time around.

[NewNiceMrMe]

especiallyy MrMe, with hand on wallet and tongue in cheek, trying to flog me a Z4, a car TBH I wouldnt do my final trip to or from the crem in, rag tops have never been my thang, like ever

Pah.

It's a hard top anyway. Look at it, it's stunning. Rides like a dream. Well, if you drive across a road made of duvets.

Good luck with the new order though. If it was me I'd be moving on to something else but if you've got your heart set on an RS3 then I can understand.

[Tipex]

Are you going for the same colour again?

I don't really understand why people are anti replacement glass? You could drive it off the forecourt and have a stone flicked up and take the rear screen out, you'd be p1ssed off but you'd get it replaced and it wouldn't be thought about again.

Anyway, gutted for you, and personally I would be looking elsewhere, not because of the car, as it's clearly what you want, but because of the dealer, and the likelihood of it being fecked up again.

[NewNiceMrMe]

I just couldn't wait this length of time for a car and then wait again. It'd drive me up the wall. By the time it arrives there'll be people that have had them over a year or more won't there?

[Luke]

I think id be worrying about the value of the car when it finally arrives. Will it not be worth quite a bit less than retail price as its basically a new car but an old model? Blimey by the time you get it there will be spy shots of the new A3 two models down the line! Also not sure if I'd trust the garage not to feck it up again either.

[Milo]

I don't really understand why people are anti replacement glass? You could drive it off the forecourt and have a stone flicked up and take the rear screen out, you'd be p1ssed off but you'd get it replaced and it wouldn't be thought about again.

What if they creased a wing in the compound and replaced it? Would you still have it? After all, you could park it at Aldi on the way home from collecting it and find someone has driven their Vauxhall Cavalier into it and driven off. You'd be pissed off but you'd get it repaired etc.

What if some clumsy twunt scratches the rear quarter panel when doing the window changeout and it needs paintwork? It sounds like it could be a nightmare colour to match. It could go 100% swimmingly. Or it may not. Why take the chance and potentially get even more grief?

If I choose to replace a wing or the windows, then that's my decision. It's up to me what I want to do; it shouldn't be forced upon me by someone else's incompetence.

Audi assured me once they'd removed the seats and dismantled the dash on my brand new car to put it right, everything would go back together perfectly and there wouldn't be a squeak or rattle as a result. Well that was fine by me - take it apart to put it right and sell it on to someone else as I wasn't prepapred to take the risk. Why should I? I didn't buy a new car to have it taken apart before I picked it up just to correct their error.

You might not be bothered about what happens to your new £45k car before they hand over the keys, but lots of people, myself included, are.

edit - personally, I'd take the money and run but I can understand why Ashley wants to re-order.

[Eric Pisch]

Changing a bonded rear screen often means it ends up broken as it is very difficult to take out without breaking. It can also lead to bodywork scratches if not very careful. The privacy glass option on the RS3 also includes a different rear parcel shelf with an inbuilt sunblind.

they all have this, my original car was pretty poverty spec with no drug dealer glass and it had the rear blind. Edited May 16, 2012 by Eric Pisch

[Eric Pisch]

Cheers Matt, I might well take you up on that, if not in fact the "alternative"vehicle we were discussing recently, the way things are going with the RS3 to date I guess some peeps might think I am being slightly "anal" here, but TBH, a light coloured sportback A3 without privacy glass, just looks cr4p IMO, and considering the wait and cost involved with this car, I am simply not accepting glorified cling film being lashed on the windows, Corsa Boy Racer Style, so we will see, if we cant come to a suitable financial commpensation deal, then they are just going to have to, order another one, waited this long, so another year doesnt phase me at all, past caring anymore, I currently view Audi "Customer Service" as nothing more than a "Defunct Rodent" it stinks!

its all relative i guess as i hate the breadvan / drug dealer blacked out glass look but your car should be to your spec, slapping flim over the windows is taking the piss

[Eric Pisch]

This is somewhat more complicated than some posters would have you believe. 1. The car cannot be re-ordered again as they have closed the orders for RS3 - last car was ordered about a month and a half ago. This car was a special circumstance too.

this is what i was told when i ordered my replacement, that i had 2 days before the book closed for good

[ashleywater]

Pah.

It's a hard top anyway. Look at it, it's stunning. Rides like a dream. Well, if you drive across a road made of duvets.

Good luck with the new order though. If it was me I'd be moving on to something else but if you've got your heart set on an RS3 then I can understand.

Dont get me wrong, it really is a gorgeoous looking car, but just totally not me,I am far to "visually" challenged, to spoil the lines of that, by owning and driving it.

I have always liked stealthy performance stuff, of the externally boring variety (Think RS3) this is far to "sexy"" for my tastes, having said that, my missus would absolutely love it

[ashleywater]

I think id be worrying about the value of the car when it finally arrives. Will it not be worth quite a bit less than retail price as its basically a new car but an old model? Blimey by the time you get it there will be spy shots of the new A3 two models down the line! Also not sure if I'd trust the garage not to feck it up again either.

Not really concerned about values and residuals etc, as if I was, I'd be buying an A1 or such like, however in regards to the new A3 platform, if they come out with an S3 in the early run out, then will give me an opportunity to jump ship, on the re order car,but in reality, I was buying the RS3 for the engine and practicality (Obviously not for the looks) so it will be a keeper, whenever I actually get one to my ordered specification that is.

[Tipex]

You might not be bothered about what happens to your new £45k car before they hand over the keys, but lots of people, myself included, are.

Bodywork and glass are completely different things though, you don't have to colour match glass for a start, but even then, so long as the car is perfect, what does it matter if it's had a dent or scratch repaired? You'd be amazed at how many new cars have bodywork done prior to delivery.

I appreciate it's not ideal, but if the car is no worse because of it, what's the issue?

Anyway, it's irrelevant really as it doesn't look like they offering to swap the glass anyway, and Ashley seems to have made his decision, and sad that it is that he's been put in this position, I'm sure it's the right decision for him.

[NewNiceMrMe]

Dont get me wrong, it really is a gorgeoous looking car, but just totally not me,I am far to "visually" challenged, to spoil the lines of that, by owning and driving it.

I have always liked stealthy performance stuff, of the externally boring variety (Think RS3) this is far to "sexy"" for my tastes, having said that, my missus would absolutely love it

Ashley, no need to say any of that, I'd not sell it to anyone I knew, not even online. It's s*** with a capital S.

Whoever buys it, off whatever dealership ends up getting it, needs their head examining.

[Calm Chris]

Ashley, just walk, walk away. Save your pennies for something else, something that won't be 18 months in to a stone like depreciation before you even collect the keys.

I know you want it, but be realistic and accept that what I'm suggesting is the sane way forward.

There has to be something else that will float your boat. If there really isn't then punt for a discount and take the car, realise in 18 months that you want something else and let it be less painful to your pocket, heart and head.

I sort of have empathy. I bought an r32 and due to lust deposited before the dealer knew what a R was, waited a year, had the colour changed from Blue to Black and took car 11, which was the 3rd or 4th uk ( non pr / sales play car) on the road.

It was bliss, aside the hesitancy issue pre firmware update, but.....

Yours will be 18 months old by delivery in terms of market

It is a bins part car of sorts

Audi have treated you like poo (dealers with failures, Audi with build push backs and delays)

It won't age well

At cost, £45k or so there really is so much better available, collect the keys tommorrow jobs.

And more important than any of the above

Life is too short for all this hassle

You must have better things to occupy your non work hours

Its only a car.

Repeat, it's only a car.

[ashleywater]

Ashley, no need to say any of that, I'd not sell it to anyone I knew, not even online. It's s*** with a capital S.

Whoever buys it, off whatever dealership ends up getting it, needs their head examining.

Still looks nice though, and yes I am being totally honest, the Z3 looked what is was "Shite" the Z4 particularly in black has great linesand looks great, nicest looking car in that particular field, Boxster etc

I still cannot figure why you bought it though, it doesnt really tally with your on line "persona" was it an impulse buy? Seduced by the looks maybe?

[Milo]

...... but even then, so long as the car is perfect, what does it matter if it's had a dent or scratch repaired?

Why would you knowingly accept something that's been repaired when you have option not to?

Each to their own, I guess.

[ashleywater]

Ashley, just walk, walk away. Save your pennies for something else, something that won't be 18 months in to a stone like depreciation before you even collect the keys.

I know you want it, but be realistic and accept that what I'm suggesting is the sane way forward.

There has to be something else that will float your boat. If there really isn't then punt for a discount and take the car, realise in 18 months that you want something else and let it be less painful to your pocket, heart and head.

I sort of have empathy. I bought an r32 and due to lust deposited before the dealer knew what a R was, waited a year, had the colour changed from Blue to Black and took car 11, which was the 3rd or 4th uk ( non pr / sales play car) on the road.

It was bliss, aside the hesitancy issue pre firmware update, but.....

Yours will be 18 months old by delivery in terms of market

It is a bins part car of sorts

Audi have treated you like poo (dealers with failures, Audi with build push backs and delays)

It won't age well

At cost, £45k or so there really is so much better available, collect the keys tommorrow jobs.

And more important than any of the above

Life is too short for all this hassle

You must have better things to occupy your non work hours

Its only a car.

Repeat, it's only a car.

I get your point of view Chris, but unfortunately it ticks all the boxes for me,and believe me, when I say I have driven and considered pretty much everything else in that price range, and I just dont buy second hand cars anymore, which I know makes no financial sense, but as Engineer, I prefer to bed them in and know there history, from a mechanical perspective, also a 5 year warranty, means I aint got no serious bills for the forseeable, if something goes bang, which it invariably does on performance cars of this type.

Anyway "D" day tomorrow, lets see what happens, had some sound advice from Milo, which should prove useful, as I know my ground now, should be interesting

Depreciation, well cars are just a great way to burn money, whatever you buy

[ashleywater]

Why would you knowingly accept something that's been repaired when you have option not to?

Each to their own, I guess.

Reminds me of my MK5 R32 purchase, put a deposit on the car,it then went for a clean in the wash bay, and one of the "Monkeys" used a pressure washer with the plastic bit on the end missing, exposing the actual steel nozzle, and proceedeed to put a nice 2 foot long scratch down the drivers door, my brother fortunately spotted it, before they had a chance to do a repair

[NewNiceMrMe]

I still cannot figure why you bought it though, it doesnt really tally with your on line "persona" was it an impulse buy? Seduced by the looks maybe?

Love the look of it, always have. Loved the sound of it (sounds fab). It's quick in standard form and even quicker now. It handles very well.

However, I didn't drive it enough and I also underestimated what it drop would be in general to go from a 6 series to a Z4.

Basically, just a huge mistake.

[ashleywater]

Love the look of it, always have. Loved the sound of it (sounds fab). It's quick in standard form and even quicker now. It handles very well.

However, I didn't drive it enough and I also underestimated what it drop would be in general to go from a 6 series to a Z4.

Basically, just a huge mistake.

Got yah, thats the thing with car tests etc, they dont tell you what a car is like to live with, the initial buzz often turns into a PITA car.

Case in point JC hated the S3, slagged it no end, and I have found it, one of the best all round cars I have ever owned, he bummed up the Golf R, basically the same car, which is better handling and steering is ace, but not as nice to live with in all honesty, as an S3, my missus and me are currently running both these models side by side, so I do have a valid opinion where these particular cars are concerned.

He then raved about the Mk5 R32, which I thought was an okay car,but pretty soft and more like a GT type of a car, but the MK4 R32 was just in a different league for loads of reasons.

there you go, pays your money........I guess

[scillyisles]

I get your point of view Chris, but unfortunately it ticks all the boxes for me,and believe me, when I say I have driven and considered pretty much everything else in that price range, and I just dont buy second hand cars anymore, which I know makes no financial sense, but as Engineer, I prefer to bed them in and know there history, from a mechanical perspective, also a 5 year warranty, means I aint got no serious bills for the forseeable, if something goes bang, which it invariably does on performance cars of this type.

Anyway "D" day tomorrow, lets see what happens, had some sound advice from Milo, which should prove useful, as I know my ground now, should be interesting

Depreciation, well cars are just a great way to burn money, whatever you buy

RS3 is a great car and I understand why it ticks all the boxes for you. The performance is very very good and the noise it makes is epic. It is however very practical and stealth like.

Depreciation wise the RS3 is predicted to be hold it's value much better than any of it competitors and as you say the 5 year warranty is a no brainer - I took it too.