Anyone move from a B8/.5 S4 to an RS3? (Feedback)

[BDP]

I'm possibly going to look at a 2019 RS3 tomorrow and was curious if anyone here has moved from a B8/.5 S4 to an RS3? I've got the dealer down about 12k off MSRP and I'm really happy with that. However, I'm struggling with getting out of my S4. I literally love the car and it's been great the past 4 years I've owned it. I just think it's time for something new and I really like the tuneability of the RS3 and the higher ceiling.

First and foremost please post your experiences as their may be something I'm not thinking of but I do have a few questions that some will laugh at because they aren't MOAR faster questions.

1. The B&O system....How is it compared to the S4? Since you can't really upgrade the stereo's in these cars how does it compare?
2. Trunk Space...Can you fit a golf bag in the back without folding the seats down? I have two girls who I tote around now with golf clubs in the trunk. Yes the struggle is real...lol.
3. Rear seat leg room. The S4's is pretty abysmal suprisingly for the size of the car. Is the RS3's comparable...I can't see it being much smaller if at all.


A lot of these I can answer myself when I go look at the car but I'm curious to hear from people who have made the switch.



Thanks!

[AeyBeCei]

For starters I've owned a 2014 S4 that was EPL Stage 2 Single pulley tuned and the stock rs3 is probably just as fast or faster. I think you are getting a great price since people are mentioning that the incentives that were given back in December are all gone and its back to playing hard ball. To answer some of your questions, I've had the BO system on both the s4 and rs3 and they're basically the same, I can maybe say that the rs3 may sound better since the car is smaller? But to each its own. The rear seat leg room is still marginal but you can kinda assume that already since the rs3 is a smaller car. For my driving impressions, the rs3 feels very nimble and almost go kart feeling in comparison to the S4 and I've had the sport diff. My overall impressions since getting the rs3 is that I do not regret at all making the switch at all.

[TheContrarian]

I have to take the longest clubs (driver, etc) out of the bag and lay them diagonally to fit. The RS3 is not a very wide car.

[BDP]

For starters I've owned a 2014 S4 that was EPL Stage 2 Single pulley tuned and the stock rs3 is probably just as fast or faster. I think you are getting a great price since people are mentioning that the incentives that were given back in December are all gone and its back to playing hard ball. To answer some of your questions, I've had the BO system on both the s4 and rs3 and they're basically the same, I can maybe say that the rs3 may sound better since the car is smaller? But to each its own. The rear seat leg room is still marginal but you can kinda assume that already since the rs3 is a smaller car. For my driving impressions, the rs3 feels very nimble and almost go kart feeling in comparison to the S4 and I've had the sport diff. My overall impressions since getting the rs3 is that I do not regret at all making the switch at all.

Thanks for the feedback. I ask about the leg room because I see a lot of people saying the RS3 is small...it is don't get me wrong but the S4 rear seat leg room is 35.2 inches versus 35.1 in the RS3. I don't think S4 owners realize how craptastic it is in the back seat. The only real difference I see is the trunk space.

I have to take the longest clubs (driver, etc) out of the bag and lay them diagonally to fit. The RS3 is not a very wide car.

And that's not the end of the world...I have to lay my bag diagonal in the S4 and it just fits. I appreciate the feedback.

[normcaldwell]

2. Trunk Space...Can you fit a golf bag in the back without folding the seats down? I have two girls who I tote around now with golf clubs in the trunk. Yes the struggle is real...lol.

Pic of mine in the trunk. As the previous poster noted, one has to angle the bag, but it seems to work o.k.
S3 and RS3 trunk space should be virtually the same as each other.

[DOCEVG]

I have both. No one has ever sat in the back seat of either car (but the RS3 back seat leg room looks to be slightly less), and I don't play golf, so can't really help you there.
RS3 is stock for now and, once the turbo lag is behind you, its quicker than my (Stage 1) S4. Its certainly more nimble than the S4, and the driving feel is lighter.
Audi clearly cut corners on the RS3 interior and, while its still acceptable, its not as luxurious as my (prestige trim) S4. Lack of power seat adjustments and homelink just seems ....cheap (as do the stock wheels on a US-spec RS3 - I traded for some Canadian black rotors which was a huge improvement).
Of course, adjusting the heat vents on an S4 doesn't leave you feeling like you're looking at the breasts of a robot woman like the RS3's do.
I can't detect any difference in the sound system quality.

[jl87]

Had a 2016 S4 and traded in on my RS3. Unpopular opinion, but some days I miss the S4- it was more refined, comfortable, and the torsen diff was awesome.
B&O is similar between them, the RS3 probably is slightly better though. Golf bag, as people showed above, fits but take the driver out.
Legroom, RS3 has slightly less, but it's more the headroom where you'll notice the difference. I'm 6'1 and I will scrape my head on the roof of the RS3 if I'm not careful whereas the S4 I didn't.
Go fast potential, RS3 wipes the floor with the S4.

[normcaldwell]

Of course, adjusting the heat vents on an S4 doesn't leave you feeling like you're looking at the breasts of a robot woman like the RS3's do.

lol . . . . . . I'll never again look at those vents the same way . . . . . maybe I'll give 'em a squeeze; see what happens.

[rdf5186]

lol . . . . . . I'll never again look at those vents the same way . . . . . maybe I'll give 'em a squeeze; see what happens.

Hahahah haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cseaman]

I traded a 2019 Quantum/Magma P+ S4 for a 2019 RS3. It was the right move for me. The RS3 is a riot. I drive it completely differently than the S4. If you're trying to have fun in an Audi sedan, the 8V RS4 is the move. I can confirm that the B&O is wayyy better in the S4. The RS3 interior, in general, is not as nice. But, the S4 was an absolute snooze compared to the RS3.

[ahyeah]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like the B&O doesn't sound very good compared to the last B&O i had. Fwiw.

[Gberg888]

I went from a B8 S4 to an S3.

I hated everything about my B8... too big, engine was too hard to work on... not reliable... DSG trans in the B8s is absolute trash and cost me 6k in repairs... The B8 was shit on track...

S3 is perfect in literally every way and I KNEW I should have bit the bullet 18 months (skipping the b8) earlier and just gone straight to the S3... but I didnt and wasted 20k in the process...

S3 is the perfect size. Its toss-able but still big enough for a daily driver. The engine in the S3 is tried and true and easily makes 400 hp which is enough to keep up with the b8 s4 if not be faster... plus its also 600-800 lbs lighter. The trans is leaps and bounds better and more refined even though its also still a DSG trans. I do not find the interior to be of lessor quality but it is more spartan and more simple compared to the B8. Materials are of the same quality.