RS3 Reliability

[P5stunna]

I'm new to Audi and I think what's held me back from joining sooner was the low reliability perception that I had of the brand. Can some of you RS3 old timers chime in with how many miles you have on the stock car and the problems, if any, that you've experienced so far? I used to be a VW guy back in the day and always seemed to have some issue or another, even on new cars, so I took a 20 year break from the brand and have only recently gotten back into it. Curious to see how reliable this brand is from owners and not commercials.

[cityazndan]

20 years sheesh. Yeah they fixed their oil consumption/burn recently and are as reliable as a German car would be. But if you expect to drive it like a Japanese car and then say why my car is broken then you best stick to a emissions efficient friendly vehicle.


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[nicholasdaa]

I've put 35,000 miles on my 18 RS3, the first 10,000 of those were stock. The rest have all been E85 with not a single issue that wasn't tune related and fixed without any lasting effects. I run 1/4 mi times as fast or faster thab similarly modded RS3s with only 5k or less miles on then.

I've done oil, spark plug, and aftermarket parts changes all on my own without any issues or signs of major wear.

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[AeyBeCei]

What are the issues that needed to be fixed that weren't tune related?

[S3DUDE]

I switched to Audi 3 years ago, before I had the big other German popular brands. So far I love Audi, I am not an old timer on this brand but we love the cars a lot and we haven't had any mechanical issues. This is what I purchased in the last 3 years: A3 (8V) ,S3(8V) ,A6 3.0 S/C, A4 B9, RS3 and S5 sportback (B9). All cars combined we probably put 75,000 miles within the last 3 years. No regrets, I will probably stick with Audi for a while.

[joszer]

I have a 2016 Golf R with 30,000 miles. 25k of those have been on a stage 2 tune. Zero issues so far. Just routine maintenance, and I've done everything myself. It's very easy to work on.

I now have a 2018 RS8 with 8k Miles. The last 3k have been on E85. So far I've done 1 oil change and I've had zero issues. I'm sure I'll have the same track record with it as with my Golf.

[nicholasdaa]

What are the issues that needed to be fixed that weren't tune related?

Sorry if that read wrong, I've had 0 issues other than the few that were solely because of the aftermarket tune.

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[Potatohead_RS3]

They're so unreliable

[P5stunna]

They're so unreliable

I’m surprised to see Volvo at the bottom. We’ve had our 2017 XC90 for 40K without a single issue and I figured it would rank higher than that.

[Velicos]

I've been in an MK7 VW GTI for over 3 years, stage 1 for close to 2 and stage 2 for almost 1 now - appx. 25k miles. The ONLY issue I've had so far is the keyless touch entry/locking on the driver's side door stopped working and the car battery gave out earlier than expected - otherwise it's been extremely solid.

[adamRS]

I’m surprised to see Volvo at the bottom. We’ve had our 2017 XC90 for 40K without a single issue and I figured it would rank higher than that.

My wife has a 2019 XC40 - mostly fine, but have had some random issues

Otherwise my RS 3 has been solid

[ThunderGatti]

I was in the same mindset as the OP while trying to decide whether to buy my S3. I made the mistake of keeping my 2004 S4 too long after the warranty expired. It was a maintenance nightmare and everything was very expensive to repair. My S3 was 100% trouble free though and Audi reliability is outstanding now. However, if you're asking because you want to mod it into an 8 second car, I'd say all bets are off. I'm personally not about to touch my RS3 anytime soon aside from cosmetics. As hard as it is to say no, never mod your DD. I feel like I need a coin to carry around...one day at a time LOL

[immanental]

'18 RS3 18k mi. APR Stage 1+ e85 .. it was stock for about 2k mi when i first got it. about 5 track days. no issues except for a little bit of oil consumption, less than half a quart every 5k mi. oil changes every 5k mi. previous car was a b7 s4, it was also rock solid although i did sell it before the infamous timing chain maintenance hit me.

[arulrs3]

18 RS3 with 13k+ miles. 20 mins on track @ VIR lol and few trips to 1/8 mile drag racing and 1 trip to 1/4 mile drag strip. All Stock.
Only issue I had so far was drive train malfunction in last December and engine RPM was restricted to 4000. Got home safely almost drove 15 miles with warning light in virtual cockpit..
Next day morning I started the car and all looks good. Took to the dealership and they found a low pressure fuel fault code. Advised that it might never happen again ...
I would say so far car is solid.

[Brian@Unitronic]

almost 40k on my stock motor/trans before I decided to build the motor.

there's a reason this chassis is as popular as it is, the car is built very well and handles modifications like no other car i've owned.

[SolarRS3]

I have 17000Km, autocross/quarter mile event participation. My car takes 0l of oil (that is visible on the dipstick, obviously). Only malfunction light I had was a too rich idle bank 1 that was sorted by the ECU boxcode 4 from Audi directly.

[TheContrarian]

I've gone to the drag strip twice, autocrossed four times and taken it out for hot laps on a road course in the first 6000 km (4000 miles) without issue. However, at this point the available data on RS3 reliability is scant, especially with the new 5 cylinder.

I think that high performance and reliability are somewhat inversely related. Life is short so take your pick; have fun or buy a Japanese appliance.

[old_spool]

I'm not expecting much reliability but will be pleasantly surprised. You gotta pay to play...while it's annoying, it's also part of the fun. For me, when shit breaks, I learn something...so there's that.

[ThunderGatti]

almost 40k on my stock motor/trans before I decided to build the motor.

there's a reason this chassis is as popular as it is, the car is built very well and handles modifications like no other car i've owned.

True...very surprising considering motor isn't forged. Longevity though it s still TBD

[PowerStroke]

20k miles stock, then tuned with Uni. Had to go to the dealer once for an emissions sensor that had to be replaced (this was prior to tuning). No other issues. This platform has proved to be able to take a beating.

[RSKYBET]

True...very surprising considering motor isn't forged. Longevity though it s still TBD

Pretty sure it’s just the pistons that aren’t forged.


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[sleeperwagon]

Just passed 40K miles today and driving 7 hrs to Virginia on Friday then back on Sunday. Zero issues: Stage 1+ E85, love this car

[ThunderGatti]

Pretty sure it’s just the pistons that aren’t forged.


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Interesting. That benefits anyone looking to build out their motor, but really doesn't do anything for guys adding power who aren't. All modern direct injection, high compression motors now have such tight tolerances for maximizing fuel efficiency, but will all have slight variances in areas like ring gaps. There's usually a power threshold, where it's safe (at least on the engine) to push a stock motor to, assuming fuel supply is still enough. After that, one motor can handle the power, while another detonates on the dyno trying to get there.

Eventually when I mod this car, I'll go with forged pistons and rods. I would assume down the road there will be (or is?) a drop in kit we can buy that won't require expensive engine re-balancing, but I really don't know enough yet. Are there even fuel system upgrades available, like injectors, high and low side fuel pumps? I bet you could even add a voltage booster to the stock fuel pump to get more out of it. Jeez, I can't even believe I'm entertaining these thoughts already LOL.

[CdnaudiS4]

'18 RS3 18k mi. APR Stage 1+ e85 .. it was stock for about 2k mi when i first got it. about 5 track days. no issues except for a little bit of oil consumption, less than half a quart every 5k mi. oil changes every 5k mi. previous car was a b7 s4, it was also rock solid although i did sell it before the infamous timing chain maintenance hit me.

What do I need done to run E85? We have ONE gas station that sells it. I'm in the same boat, coming from a B7 S4 to a 2020 RS3 actually. Do I just need a aftermarket tune? Haven't looked into any modifications yet as I'm picking up the car next week and don't want to void warranty.

[sakn]

What do I need done to run E85? We have ONE gas station that sells it. I'm in the same boat, coming from a B7 S4 to a 2020 RS3 actually. Do I just need a aftermarket tune? Haven't looked into any modifications yet as I'm picking up the car next week and don't want to void warranty.

Yes, you would need a tune to run it and it would void your warranty.


2019 RS3: Uni ECU Stage 1+ 93, TCU Stage 2, 4” Inlet; Eventuri Stage 3 Intake; MSS Sport Springs; 034 Rear Sway Bar, End Links, Upper/Lower Dogbone, Midpipe; VMR 19x8.5; Michelin A/S 3+ 245/35/19.

[catalyst686]

I only have 6k miles on mine, tore a serp belt while totally stock a few weeks after getting the car. I have exhaust now but that's it, it's been fine since the first issue.

[BAYsikz]

Oil pan leak seems pretty common. I have a 2019 and had it at like 2k miles

[Spike Spiegel]

Oil pan leak seems pretty common. I have a 2019 and had it at like 2k miles

First time hearing about this. Did the initial remedy fix your issue?

[BAYsikz]

Search the forums, there are a few instances of oil pan leaks. I got it taken care of under warranty. Seems to be fine now

[Jekyll]

First time hearing about this. Did the initial remedy fix your issue?

Me and nearly everyone I know with an RS3 have noticed the oil pan leak as well. Mine started slowly after 5K. Thankfully it's an easy job.

[defau1t]

Mine leaked oil too, fixed under warranty when I took it in to service

[Rod Paine]

7260 miles on our 6 month old 2019 RS 3, 4350 miles (60%) are fast country back road runs mid-morning to mid afternoon times while little or no other vehicles. Only issues were stock 19" 235/35/19 tires which were extremely harsh riding on these worn condition back roads. Installed 245/40/18 Michelin AS3+ on 18" Neuspeed RSe 10 wheels and road surface issues are no longer a problem and handling improved!

Same issue I had on our 2015 Golf R on these same roads (which were in better condition back then), switching to 18" Enkei wheels and 245/40/18 tires. Good luck with 19" wheels/tires, if you intend to do any fast driving on such country back roads! No other other problems with our 2019 RS 3 noted, other than the factory 19" tires performance.
-Rod

[itsjustjed]

I've been wondering if my pan's weeping would qualify for a replacement. Any thoughts?

Before my last oil change.


After my last oil change.

[Dominick's S4]

My 2019 RS3 oil pan stared to leak @ 5,000 miles. Although it could have been repaired under warranty I did not want to bring it to the dealer so I had my tuner shop Solo Motorsports fix it when they change the oil.

[Spike Spiegel]

My 2019 RS3 oil pan stared to leak @ 5,000 miles. Although it could have been repaired under warranty I did not want to bring it to the dealer so I had my tuner shop Solo Motorsports fix it when they change the oil.

How much did the shop charge you to fix the leak?



Best,


Space Cowboy

---

2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[BAYsikz]

I've been wondering if my pan's weeping would qualify for a replacement. Any thoughts?

Before my last oil change.


After my last oil change.

This is exactly how mine looked. Dealer fixed under warranty but not before a fight. They tried to deny warranty coverage sine I had midpipes.

[Jekyll]

This is exactly how mine looked. Dealer fixed under warranty but not before a fight. They tried to deny warranty coverage sine I had midpipes.

WOW that dealer is an asshole.

[BAYsikz]

WOW that dealer is an asshole.

Agreed. Will not be going back there

[Leonitus86]

I know this question may have been asked already, but I figured I'd ask it here. Can these motors handle stg 1+ e85 power levels for daily driving? Without the internals taking a dump. I mean I understand there are many variables at play etc., but overall whats the concensus on what this motor can handle safely for a d.d.?

[5PotNewb]

I know this question may have been asked already, but I figured I'd ask it here. Can these motors handle stg 1+ e85 power levels for daily driving? Without the internals taking a dump. I mean I understand there are many variables at play etc., but overall whats the concensus on what this motor can handle safely for a d.d.?

I think it can but if i remember correctly in a post a long time ago hank @iroz was saying something that stg 1/2 were blowing due to egr gas build up. I'm sure someone can research that info or knows exactly what was stated.