body differences between rs3 and s3

[saxon]

Since picking up my rs3 I have been looking to try and find any literature that states exactly what is different between the rs3 and s3 besides the brakes, drivetrain, and slight body differences.

i know other models they have upgraded chassis stiffness, better mounts etc

any info would be appreciated

[Diversion]

I think nothing was changed visually other than different bumpers and maybe sideskirts (but not sure if these were the same as S3).

[Potatohead_RS3]

Front fenders are 10mm wider (each)

[phillyquattro]

Body differences I think are limited to the front bumper, wider front fenders, wheels, and the rear valence. I believe everything else, exterior-wise, is the same as an S-Line A3 and S3.

[stanglife]

Someone should measure the fenders - looks exactly the same to me. I think the bodywork could have been more aggressive, for sure. That's what I like best about my B7 RS4 - stands out but still classy.

[brad65ford]

in reality not enough differences imo.

[saxon]

in reality not enough differences imo.

thats what im wondering

theoretically someone with an s3 could make a near replica without there being anything thats a major difference besides bumpers, brakes and drivetrain

[PowerStroke]

thats what im wondering

theoretically someone with an s3 could make a near replica without there being anything thats a major difference besides bumpers, brakes and drivetrain

The exhaust is a another pretty obvious difference. I don't mind too much that they look similar. You buy the RS3 for the engine.

[saxon]

The exhaust is a another pretty obvious difference. I don't mind too much that they look similar. You buy the RS3 for the engine.

not that i mind, I just know some cars like this will have more welds, stronger bracing etc to make the chassis stiffer than the lower models

[uclaman]

thats what im wondering

theoretically someone with an s3 could make a near replica without there being anything thats a major difference besides bumpers, brakes and drivetrain

I kinda like the sleeper aspect.

Its all fun and games until the 5cyl pulls away.

George's words from Malaka Motorsports, "Gotcha bitch."

[uclaman]

The exhaust is a another pretty obvious difference. I don't mind too much that they look similar. You buy the RS3 for the engine.

Exactly... that 5cylinder is awesome. That rumble

[brad65ford]

still wondering if "sleeper" is the new word for not great looking.

[uclaman]

The exhaust is a another pretty obvious difference. I don't mind too much that they look similar. You buy the RS3 for the engine.

The rumble on start up is an awesome sound!

[uclaman]

still wondering if "sleeper" is the new word for not great looking.

To each their own. I think the rs3 looks awesome.

[Potatohead_RS3]

I don’t get why people think the car is unattractive, it’s a very handsome car. I’m not going to say it wouldn’t be better with inch wider fenders, but the way they are now doesn’t make it ugly. The wheels aren’t that nice though, we are lucky up here to have the Rotor wheel option.

[PowerStroke]

I don't think anyone is saying it's an ugly car, it just seems OP wants a more distinct exterior design.

[saxon]

I don't think anyone is saying it's an ugly car, it just seems OP wants a more distinct exterior design.

thats not what i was getting at, if thats how it sounds i apologize

i like the front and rear bumpers, I wish it was a "widebody" car but ive gotten over that

by "body" i meant the actual body. Like how its seam welded, bracing, bushings etc

[Potatohead_RS3]

thats not what i was getting at, if thats how it sounds i apologize

i like the front and rear bumpers, I wish it was a "widebody" car but ive gotten over that

by "body" i meant the actual body. Like how its seam welded, bracing, bushings etc

I highly doubt the body construction is any different. I suspect this is why it doesn’t actually have flared fenders, they didn’t want to have to mess around with the body in white and the factory tooling for it all.

Now things like bushings and bracing and what not could be different but probably won’t reqlly know unless you actually compare part numbers with an S3. Some will be different anyway just because the drivetrain is different.

[ahyeah]

I believe it was discovered that the upper strut bushings were different on the RS3. Don't recall where I saw it, but I believe it was perhaps a MSS spring thread?

[IGOTGAME]

When you lower this car and put on new rims this car looks very aggressive ...just look at the H&R RS3

[IGOTGAME]

thats what im wondering

theoretically someone with an s3 could make a near replica without there being anything thats a major difference besides bumpers, brakes and drivetrain

Who would want to drive a Fugazi

[Potatohead_RS3]

I believe it was discovered that the upper strut bushings were different on the RS3. Don't recall where I saw it, but I believe it was perhaps a MSS spring thread?

Yeah but that is just a bolt on part, not actually part of the body, and yeah I would not be at all surprised if those are different for this model.

[shoe3k]

There are noticeable differences, which include:

-rear spoiler
-front bumper
-front grill
-front fenders are wider to accommodate the wider track
-rear bumper insert
-rear exhaust tips
-suspension is lower

I made this to show you the differences.




The RS line will always have the unique exterior compared to the ones below it. I personally wish the "S" cars had more visual distinction because the regular cars can will look 99% identical if they get the s-line front/rear bumpers.

[Krillien]

There are noticeable differences, which include:

-rear spoiler
-front bumper
-front grill
-front fenders are wider to accommodate the wider track
-rear bumper insert
-rear exhaust tips
-suspension is lower

I made this to show you the differences.




The RS line will always have the unique exterior compared to the ones below it. I personally wish the "S" cars had more visual distinction because the regular cars can will look 99% identical if they get the s-line front/rear bumpers.

Thanks for that comparison, I always knew the rs was lower but I didn't know that it was reflected in the builder too.

[phillyquattro]

If you're expecting more unique differences in the body between A > S > RS, you're simply looking at the wrong brand. Audi has always had pretty understated performance lines. They also don't charge enough for the performance cars to allow themselves a profit margin if they did change more body panels. The average RS model markup is about 24% over the base S model. It's actually closer to 20% if you take the RS7 out of the mix as the markup between the S7 and RS7 is much more significant...but it also has more changes to the body than the RS3 and TTRS do. The RS7 has different side skirts and rear bumper than the S7. It's not a lot, but it's more than what the other RS models get.

If you wanted something comparable to the slight additional body changes that the RS7 has you'd be looking at a $60k base price for the RS3, which would effectively price them out of the market by a long shot. If they made more significant changes between the S and RS (similar to what BMW does with M models) I'd be scared to see what they would have to charge.

[stanglife]

If you're expecting more unique differences in the body between A > S > RS, you're simply looking at the wrong brand. Audi has always had pretty understated performance lines. They also don't charge enough for the performance cars to allow themselves a profit margin if they did change more body panels. The average RS model markup is about 24% over the base S model. It's actually closer to 20% if you take the RS7 out of the mix as the markup between the S7 and RS7 is much more significant...but it also has more changes to the body than the RS3 and TTRS do. The RS7 has different side skirts and rear bumper than the S7. It's not a lot, but it's more than what the other RS models get.

If you wanted something comparable to the slight additional body changes that the RS7 has you'd be looking at a $60k base price for the RS3, which would effectively price them out of the market by a long shot. If they made more significant changes between the S and RS (similar to what BMW does with M models) I'd be scared to see what they would have to charge.

Respectfully - it sounds like you are suggesting that people came up with this desire (different bodywork) on their own. Audi is the one that started...and is still putting unique bodywork on many of their RS models. I guess I've come to enjoy/expect it as part of what makes an RS an RS. B7 RS4, WAY different. All generations of RS4 since then, specific bodywork. RS6 (I think this is still different?...in fairness, a different price level). Old TT vs TTRS.

I'm not saying that I'm not falling in love with the RS3 but it wasn't love at first sight, like I had hoped.

[shoe3k]

If you're expecting more unique differences in the body between A > S > RS, you're simply looking at the wrong brand. Audi has always had pretty understated performance lines. They also don't charge enough for the performance cars to allow themselves a profit margin if they did change more body panels. The average RS model markup is about 24% over the base S model. It's actually closer to 20% if you take the RS7 out of the mix as the markup between the S7 and RS7 is much more significant...but it also has more changes to the body than the RS3 and TTRS do. The RS7 has different side skirts and rear bumper than the S7. It's not a lot, but it's more than what the other RS models get.

If you wanted something comparable to the slight additional body changes that the RS7 has you'd be looking at a $60k base price for the RS3, which would effectively price them out of the market by a long shot. If they made more significant changes between the S and RS (similar to what BMW does with M models) I'd be scared to see what they would have to charge.

That's my only gripe because the difference between an A --> S isn't really much when customers can get the s-line front/rear bumpers, but at least there are some "unique" differences on the RS models.

[phillyquattro]

Respectfully - it sounds like you are suggesting that people came up with this desire (different bodywork) on their own. Audi is the one that started...and is still putting unique bodywork on many of their RS models. I guess I've come to enjoy/expect it as part of what makes an RS an RS. B7 RS4, WAY different. All generations of RS4 since then, specific bodywork. RS6 (I think this is still different?...in fairness, a different price level). Old TT vs TTRS.

I'm not saying that I'm not falling in love with the RS3 but it wasn't love at first sight, like I had hoped.

Perhaps we have different definitions of what we consider "way different". That's fine, and by no means does that mean that I don't like the look of just about any RS model...aside from the new RS5, that thing has a face only a mother could love with all those awful hood lines. I was just stating some numbers as people seem to be disappointed there aren't more body differences between the A3 Sline, S3, and RS3. It's a simple numbers game in that regard.

I hear you about not falling in love at first sight. I didn't like the facelift at first either. It took Mops moding his S3 for me to start to like it. I couldn't see past the Lexus-esk headlights for the longest time, but hey, now I love it.

[flavormonkey]

in reality not enough differences imo.

...and isnt there a eurosport widebody for a3 and s3?

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[stanglife]

Perhaps we have different definitions of what we consider "way different". That's fine, and by no means does that mean that I don't like the look of just about any RS model...aside from the new RS5, that thing has a face only a mother could love with all those awful hood lines. I was just stating some numbers as people seem to be disappointed there aren't more body differences between the A3 Sline, S3, and RS3. It's a simple numbers game in that regard.

I hear you about not falling in love at first sight. I didn't like the facelift at first either. It took Mops moding his S3 for me to start to like it. I couldn't see past the Lexus-esk headlights for the longest time, but hey, now I love it.

The B7 difference was pretty drastic and gorgeous (I'm biased). I also liked the different body lines for the flares on the B8+ RS4s. The RS3 is very tame - to the point that I am still wondering if it's actually different.

IMO, I have a pretty neat pair right now. The B7 RS4 and a GT350R - I love them for very different reasons and I was kinda hoping that the RS3 would represent what these cars would be if they merged together (but only one payment ;) ). I'm not 100% sold on that but I'm nervously browsing youtube and liking it more ;)

[defau1t]

still wondering if "sleeper" is the new word for not great looking.

My wife drives the car mainly and she meets potential clients. She doesn't want them knowing she's driving a $64k car. We like the fact it's a sleeper to non-car people (which is most people). And yes, it still looks great.