As an 8y owner, positives on the face-lift are the front end styling (apart from the rings and lack of RS badge), rear diffuser, seats and return of the large circular rev counter display. Don't like the steering wheel (apart from the red RS buttons), prefer the current lights and not sure about the wheels? You can get a cold start like that now - press the start button without holding down the brake to wake the car up, press the RS button and then start the car 😉
Irish motorist pay a serious amount of tax on new cars. Especially on petrol models with a half decent amount of power. So hybrid models like the 530e /330e give much better bang for the euro when buying new compared to a 3.0 diesel or petrol model
8Y RS3 sportback owner here. I wasn't sold on the FL, but now Audi UK have finally listened and are offering almost all options, including those buckets, I'm good with it. Think I still prefer the looks of my car, but not disliking the FL either. I don't hate the new steering wheel, so that'll be fine. Wheels look good in satin grey and in carbon spec the car looks a lot better. Ironically vorsprung means a silver finish on the wheels, which I don't like at all. Ordered ours in Goodwood Green. No ceramics offered to UK this time. I have them on mine and in the wet they're a bit of a liability if you apply them after a period of not using the brakes, like on the m/way. So, fine with the steel brakes this time. Just waiting to find out how long to get it. Last one took 2 years!
The one thing Im not a fan of is that corvette like steering wheel, like c'mon, just stay with a flat bottom wheel and thats it, seats look killer though..
I don't understand something, they changed the branding right? As well the RS logo, so why there is STILL the old logos on the buckets and steering wheel ?? On the steering wheel you can see the difference of the logo on the red button and on the bottom of the steering wheel. That would drive me mad lol.
Let’s try and appreciate how hard it is for OEMs to keep supplying this sort of vehicle this day and age without loosing the emotion we all love and yearn for. I would say one thing and that’s that the wheels look like the knock off lambo wheels you see on old golf’s etc . Love to Joe and all.
VAG group cars have lost their way since 2017. Lots of cost cutting, but their RRP's have skyrocketed. There are so many better options available for them same and a lot less money.
I was fighting with myself to wait for rs3 but I went with s3 and when I look at this steering wheel I feel relief, I can live with this 1 extra second for 0-100km 😅
Whoever comes up with a correct mounting point for the new grill and starts 3D printing them so you can mount an RS3 badge, $$$ Other than that, all these quality-of-life changes, seats, flat-bottom steering wheel, and going back to the digital centre sports dial/speedo are great moves from Audi. Overinflated price but a great car to buy in 5 years.
60k is not alot for what you're getting. That's how much these cars cost. They also hold their value well. Looked at even 6 year old rs3 and they didn't go down much
Wait, aren't those the same or very similar wheels to the ones the old RS3 Performance came with? Which was a limited model? Plus, you also get the bucket seats now, so whoever bought that last gen performance model is probably not too happy. Except they probably are as soon as they see that steering wheel, whatever happened there...
Not for me, i like being subtle and that is the theme accross most audi cars. I would even go as far as removing all rs3 badges , including the rear one, just to blend in with the poor.
RS3, M140 and Golf R as just so plain looking, all could be a standard variant. I wish they would bring out a something that stands out as being something special like the Focus Mk2 RS that looked like a rally car from stock.
@@DudeThedudesky 100% spot on mate. You missed the Focus RS, which looks like boy racers wet dream. My brother had one, probably the most uncomfortable car I have ever been in.
It's a two year waiting list for the US sedan version of the RS3. Bad enough that we don't even get the hatch version. Why can't Audi (VAG) produce these cars? What is the hold up? Does it have to with the Manufacturer Average Emissions Standard? Why does it take Audi 2 years to build a deliver a vehicle? There's no way that 's still a "harness shortage" from Covid or the Ukraine. I don't believe it.
Old 8V looked too soft and had a naff interior, I owned one for a year. Never gelled with it. 8Y so much better and looks wise, blows the 8V into the weeds.
How does that raised volume on the startups work and for how long? Does it raise the revs or something and would it work from cold start? Great video Joe!
Yeah it’s a pretty shitty design honestly, the 2016 was better, especially the interior and the wheels, these new wheels just look like they’re trying to rip-off the GT3/RS wheels. They might as well look as absurdly similar as they do, they still haven’t really changed anything proper about the platform. That 5 cylinder is still mounted WAY too far forwards, essentially sitting in front of the front axle, and it’s still essentially FWD with the exception of launches, which just makes it a horribly balanced FWD car 95% of the time (the horrible handling of this platform is *the* biggest reason I walked away from a “Final Edition” TTRS, that thing understeered in a terrifying way, it just plows thru turns trying to pull you off the road; almost any proper hot-hatch handles FAR better). The TTRS and RS3 have basically been one-trick-ponies for SO long, and that trick is their launching function for straight line speed, but it gets boring really fast. Not to mention I just wasn’t ready to ditch a manual, so I ended up staying in my comfort zone and put in a slightly-late order for a 6MT M2 CS, which despite being fairly short (though hilariously wide), still manages to have an inline-6 longblock BEHIND the front axle. Audi seriously has no excuse for that flat-5 being mounted so far forward, especially with the transverse mounting. It straight up ruins what could be a really great car, though for it to be totally satisfying, they’d also need to get that engine to rev higher than 6800rpm, it just feels so disappointing when it hits that hard limiter. Then again, I’m used to my 993 track car, and the much higher revving S55 in the M2, so maybe the low RPM grunt of that 5cyl just isn’t for me, but I’ve owned other hot hatches, like a JCW GP2, and that thing never felt like it had a lack of revs despite cutting out right at 7k (eventually it was cammed and fully forged, lighter springs, tiny flywheel, etc, so it did eventually rev to about 7500ish, but it took quite a few years of tinkering to get it there). In any case, the way that little GP2 handled was wayyy more predictable and precise than any RS3 or TTRS I’ve ever driven, faster around a track without a shadow of doubt. Obviously the 5cyl RS cars would crush that GP2 off the line, even after it was fully built, but by the first turn, the Audis would be plowing *wide* and the GP would be right on the apex. I don’t know why Audi doesn’t put in the effort to just mount all their engines further back, they used to have no problems with it, even with the V8’s. Plus, the Quattro systems are just better balanced in those older cars, and some of the bigger RS Audis. I don’t understand why that system is so insanely inconsistent when it’s essentially mechanically the same in every model except for the R8. The R8 is “Quattro” at its absolute best. It’s far too front-biased in the others.
Joe, thanks for the vid. Respect your views and comments. Probably like a lot of comments, please share your view on this new model after driving. I think I prefer the preceding model for looks externally and steering wheel, but will the drive override all aesthetic preferences. The fact there might still be opportunity to purchase the outgoing model now. Would be good to know your impressions and thoughts.
Car prices are out of control. I just bought a V6 diesel Mercedes from 2015 as my work commute changed from trains to driving. The car, tax, insurance and a bit of maintenance all added up to £18k. How are people paying for new or nearly new cars?!
Most live for today and can’t really afford these cars, AIMHO. The first thing I consider when even contemplating purchasing a car is depreciation and that usually makes my decision and as a cautious person, it stays as a dream! Good luck to anyone who has a different outlook or opinion.
In the Netherlands this will set you back starting at ca. 108k euro. An ///M2 starts at ca. 122k euro. I would go for the ///M (despite weight and poor rear end grip) seen my first hand experience of completely failing Audi's when you step the loud pedal on German Autobahns.
Don't think I'll be chopping my 22 RS In for one of these anytime soon. Like the previous generation, the PFL is the better looking car IMHO. That being said the return to the 8V esque virtual cockpit display is nice.
Nice of you to have a plane fly overhead for the reflection on the side mirror @ 10:16. Remove Before Race could only manage having a fat bug crawl across the steering wheel in his video.
"Is it worth £60k" is something someone who doesn't drive Audis would ask. You have to keep in mind that with Audi the base model of any car omits basic functionality that one would expect and in order to get that functionality (for example in the case of the RS3, at £60k it doesn't even come with powered adjustable seats) you have to add a bunch of optional extra packs, or just go for the Vorsprung which in this case will likely be around £70k. I just got the new S3 and fortunately have enough experience with poorly spec'd Audis that I went for the Vorsprung.
@@stefanvogel8255 let me educate you. Do you know how much power the 2025 m2 has? It’s the same as the base m4 which is underrated and the car is 70 lbs lighter. They make ~470 to the wheels. Now tell me which is faster, a 2025 m2 or 2025 rs3? You may win to 60 maybe even the quarter mile, but nowhere else. Now which is cheaper? Let’s not even bring up the upcoming m2 cs (523 hp) or m2 m xdrive (AWD with 473 hp). I wont go there that’s unfair.
Convinced an RS3 is my next car - but with the price premium over other possible options semmingly widening, I'll likely just pick up a 1 year old one now.
Doesn't look as if they fixed the biggest shortcoming of the previous model. The interior materials were substandard and unacceptable for the price range. This and the asthmatic AC and heating system made me sell my RS3Y after one year, despite enjoying its driving dynamics. Interior materials used for door panels, dashboard, center console do not seem to be different formt the "Y", why no full leather or alcantara option for 2-3k Audi?
Expensive for sure here in Australia probably be around $120,000 dollars 😮 but as with any Audi here in Aus it will be popular even though that steering wheel is average at best
But will they actually make any this year? Near impossible to find stateside and w/o a markup? I gave up! ever frustrating to be a car enthusaid these days i don't even want to look but thanks Joe!
I just cant get over these audi exterior colours. This green colour looks like a toy car. Why can't Audi just make more classy colours like a beautiful olive green?
Its the halo colour… there are other colours but all manufacturers are limiting the options pallet due to cost but you can pay for ‘paint to sample’ if you are dead set on olive green. Remember colour choice and shade is always subjective.
Agreed! I was planning on changing but now I can see it's simply not worth the extra £££. Let's face it, the UK will no doubt be shafted on some specs again.
Thats a really nice color. I like it but not as much as the m2. M2 just has a special look to it like nothing else on the road. This looks like any other audi.
@Jack-fr9bk horrid yet it absolutely blows this away for the same price. I agree stock they aren't insane looking but just a few modifications and they truly look amazing imo plus u get the S58. JVette01 does a solid comparison of the two. He's no trading his rs3 and keeping his m2. He hates the rs3 and wishes he kept his Golf R.
Can you have it with the front paint finished or you gotta get it in this I-bought-it-used-and-aftermarket-it look that only appeals to chaps that spend too much time in industrial areas?
@@G82Watts so apparently i read that apparently it has to start again in every new car from 2024. But I hope im wrong. It's really Disgusting what these women are doing. (Ursula VON DER LEYEN) No opposition to removing freedom at all. 😡🤬🤬
Why yet again have Audi decided that the UK will not get the options other countries get! I was looking forward to finally getting decent bucket seats but they will not be offered in the UK :( I wonder what else will not be available...
Yes, silly money probably. However, selecting those buckets is putting a death wish on your car because most will end up in one of the many chop shops Bradford or Birmingham!
@stefanvogel8255 no it’s not. We don’t handicap cars by hp or weight. Cars are compared by their classes. Which car is lighter? Yet, you don’t want to use that as an excuse c, now do you? Only where the m2 has the advantage (power).
The front grill takes up the entire front end (again). The exhaust area of the rear end looks out of place and almost bulbus. The interior has way too much going on. Piano black center area with no physical shifter again. A squircle steering wheel? Touch capisitive buttons? But why?.... lights are cool, though.
Not enough of an improvement for current 8Y owners to change. Would wait for a new platform, hopefully with the engine not so far forward. Dont like the shape of the steering wheel, wont flow through the hands as easy, would feel more uncomfortable, and hard work. Buttons too close to edge of wheel. Why no front grill RS3 badge? Not keen of the gear selector, prefer what the other RS cars haveThink it has a electric boot now, which is good. Like the diffuser, but not the vertical rear reflectors. Need more than 2 colour options for interior touches. Wheels look good, but wouldn't want to spend the time cleaning them. Would tick for the carbon bucket seats. They have lost their reputation they had for interior quality, falling behind Porsche and BMW. Interior options far too limited cimpared to the compertition where is the colour, themeral alloys, choice in materials like extended leather trim. Dont like these packages where you have to buy options you might not want to have, to have the options you do want! Put the customer first, not because it suits you Audi. Some good improvements, from a mixed overall facelift.
Wrong. 've now sat in a FL when out in Germany. Steering wheel was just fine the flesh. Buckets are a UK option and they were gorgeous when I sat in them. Wheels look OK in satin grey and why you're moaning about colour options when you can any colour you want I don't know. I'd add that whilst I did not drive the 'new' car, I can confirm it sounds a lot better. Pops and crackles are back and it had a nice burble to it. Had my RS3 8Y for nearly two years, wasn't convinced if worth changing for the FL, but am now. Order placed yesterday for a carbon sportback, added buckets with red stitching, red callipers, didn't bother with the tech pack as it added nothing I'd want - shame no ceramic brakes though which my car has and gone for Goodwood Green this time. Should look the dogs nuts.
Exactly what I'm debating now, I've test drove the m2 and it's a decent drive, didn't blow me away, hoping to test drive the new rs3 as soon as I can. Currently driving the new golf r and it's time to level up.
@@gymheadif the M2 didn't blow you away, the RS3 certainly won't. The M2 is more engaging and exciting of the two. There's another guy on RU-vid who owns an M2 and has (for had an Golf R). He replaced the Golf R with an RS3 and hates it. Overall he likes the M2 leagues more than both of those. @JVette01 is his channel.
@@chrisburry8147 was just going to suggest he watch that guy's channel. He explains perfectly why the m2 is just overall better. Feels more special and the low end torque of the audi is abysmal
