RS3 or RS5

[Mikehenryjr]

I cannot make up my mind between the 2019 RS3 and 2019 RS5. My wife and I have a 2017 S3 and we love it. I am replacing my 08 Acura TL-S. I love the simplicity of the RS3 and the size of it. On the other hand I love that the RS5 has more horsepower, power seats, and is 2 doors.

I don’t love the location of the MMI controls on the RS5 in front of the gear selector. The RS5 is $10k more than the RS3. I am not sure if the RS5 is worth the extra money.

Please tell me your thoughts.

[Why-man5]

If you can afford the RS5, for me it’s a no-brainer .. the RS3 is a really nice car, but if I had the choice it would be the RS5..amazing car.. once I get my last two kids through college it’s what I plan on buying

[dvan5693]

Rs5 has more power but I’m pretty sure the rs3 is faster...I could be wrong. Rs5 will be a nicer ride, a little more comfort/cruising in my opinion. Car is way to big to actually track.

My boss has a 2015 rs5 and it’s nowhere near as raw as my 2019 rs3. You also do not get the incredible 5 cylinder sound or the release value of the rs3.

Resale and sound of the rs3 alone make it a no brainer for me....I was considering the rs5 sport back. However there’s truly nothing like the 5 cylinder sound for this price of a vehicle.


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[2010A6]

Rs5 with carbon ceramic is the closest thing to a crotch rocket with 4 wheels. Rips through the gears and has almost zero rotational mass so little power to the ground is lost spinning the wheels and rotors.

Plus, it looks like a beast. Rs3 looks just so so

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[Mikehenryjr]

The one I am looking at does not have the carbon ceramics or carbon package.

[S3DUDE]

Each one has pros and cons, perhaps my opinion could help clarify a couple of things and hit some reality facts. I also had a S3 before and I absolutely loved it but now I have a RS3 and I also love it. I personally love compact cars and the RS3 is just perfect for me because I am your average height and your average weight and we don't have a big family therefore everyone fits perfectly on the RS3.

I also have a (B9)S5 sportsback which has a large trunk and also fits 4 comfortably. As far is exteriors, I think that both cars looks good (RS3 and RS5) although I would say that the Sportback looks sleeker than the coupe and that is not just my opinion, I am talking about the sales ratio being much higher on the sportsback because it is far more functional and it looks very good.

As far is performance, , they are very similar, as a matter of fact, I posted a RS3 vs RS5 comparo straight from Car and Driver and the RS3 had more favorable numbers although maybe in real life the RS5 is probably in same terms of performance.

RS3 vs RS5 link started by me last year : https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ted-comparison
The price is a key point here and here is why. You can negotiate some what the RS3 price, it really depends on the dealer and the allocations, some dealer don't have any allocations at all and therefore your only choice is ordering one from factory which can take easily 6 months or you can have one shipped from another dealer or travel yourself to another dealer to get a slightly better price. On the other hand, the RS5 are literally everywhere, dealers have 4, 5 , 6 even a dozen RS5 on their dealerships(look in Los Angeles and you will see what I am talking about).

There is no shortage of RS5 and therefore the prices can be negotiated much better but there is more demand on the RS3 and that is why you don't see them as much plus limited production.

If I had the money I would go for the RS5. It is more refined car than the RS3. The interior of my fully loaded $68,640 S5 looks like a spaceship compared to my $61,000 RS3. The interior of the RS5 looks better(in my opinion) but if you are conscious about your money and don't want to spend that much you can still get the RS3 and be very happy with it.

Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

[S3_Miles]

The ONLY reason I do not drive an RS5 today is because it does not fit in my garage, lengthwise. I had the chance to pick up a low-mileage 2014 RS5 vs my 2015 S3 I ended up with. I measured its length and its too long for my garage by just inches :(

[Mikehenryjr]

S3DUDE thanks for all the information and insight.

Each one has pros and cons, perhaps my opinion could help clarify a couple of things and hit some reality facts. I also had a S3 before and I absolutely loved it but now I have a RS3 and I also love it. I personally love compact cars and the RS3 is just perfect for me because I am your average height and your average weight and we don't have a big family therefore everyone fits perfectly on the RS3.

I also have a (B9)S5 sportsback which has a large trunk and also fits 4 comfortably. As far is exteriors, I think that both cars looks good (RS3 and RS5) although I would say that the Sportback looks sleeker than the coupe and that is not just my opinion, I am talking about the sales ratio being much higher on the sportsback because it is far more functional and it looks very good.

As far is performance, , they are very similar, as a matter of fact, I posted a RS3 vs RS5 comparo straight from Car and Driver and the RS3 had more favorable numbers although maybe in real life the RS5 is probably in same terms of performance.

RS3 vs RS5 link started by me last year : https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ted-comparison
The price is a key point here and here is why. You can negotiate some what the RS3 price, it really depends on the dealer and the allocations, some dealer don't have any allocations at all and therefore your only choice is ordering one from factory which can take easily 6 months or you can have one shipped from another dealer or travel yourself to another dealer to get a slightly better price. On the other hand, the RS5 are literally everywhere, dealers have 4, 5 , 6 even a dozen RS5 on their dealerships(look in Los Angeles and you will see what I am talking about).

There is no shortage of RS5 and therefore the prices can be negotiated much better but there is more demand on the RS3 and that is why you don't see them as much plus limited production.

If I had the money I would go for the RS5. It is more refined car than the RS3. The interior of my fully loaded $68,640 S5 looks like a spaceship compared to my $61,000 RS3. The interior of the RS5 looks better(in my opinion) but if you are conscious about your money and don't want to spend that much you can still get the RS3 and be very happy with it.

Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

[Mikehenryjr]

So after lots of reading and going back and forth I put a deposit on an RS3 that will be here in August. I think I like the size of the RS3 and how nimble it is. I also love the sound of the 5 cylinder. I drove the RS5 a few months ago and it felt a little heavy and muted. I will see what the RS3 is like when it comes in or maybe go to a dealer that has one and take it for a test drive.

[S3DUDE]

^^ Congratulations, you are going to love the RS3. If you loved the S3 you will then be thrilled with the rs3. Good choice, you will save a few thousand dollars and you will be very satisfied with the purchase. Also, you just order a car that will give you back some dividends in the form of resale value. The RS3 holds its value better than the RS5