RS3 vs. S3 What are the differences, even the small ones?

[Phoenix Fab]

I am just curious, outside of styling differences. Is there much difference between the S3 and RS3 besides brakes, engine and 7 speed transmission? Asking for a friend.

[dvan5693]

No heated steering wheel, cooled or power seats.


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[TheDude420]

RS3:

Starting price - $56,000
Engine: 2.5 L 5-cylinder 394hp
Large dual oval exhaust tips
Front-end is more aggressive
Optional alcantara steering wheel
Heated steering wheel

S3:

Starting price - $43,000
Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder 288hp
Quad exhaust tips
Front-end is similar to the RS3 but not as aggressive

The nicer super sport seats are an option on the S3 but they are manual not powered and heating is an option. Super sport seats are standard on the RS3.

I own an S3 so call me biased but I feel like it is the better option. You can save a lot of money and put that towards tuning and modding which will make it close to or better than a stock RS3. A tuned RS3 is a beast though and on another level. You can easily get 500+hp on an RS3 whereas on an S3 you would have to go Stage 3 which is expensive and requires a rebuilt engine to handle that much power. Of course if I had the money I would love to own an RS car such as the B7 RS4, new RS6, or an RS7.

[dvan5693]

RS3:

Starting price - $56,000
Engine: 2.5 L 5-cylinder 394hp
Large dual oval exhaust tips
Front-end is more aggressive
Optional alcantara steering wheel
Heated steering wheel

Heated and power seats are options on both the S3 and RS3. Super sport seats are an option on the S3 while standard on the RS3.

Where are you getting this information from on option power seats and heated steering wheel for the RS3?


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[TheDude420]

Where are you getting this information from on option power seats and heated steering wheel for the RS3?


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I was wrong and edited my comment. I was trying to say that about the S3 seats not the RS3. My S3 has super sport seats and heating but they are not powered. The standard sport seats on the S3 without the diamond stitching are powered.

[itsjustjed]

There are a number of mechanical differences between the S3 and RS3. Both are great cars, the RS3 feels more raw and engaging to drive, it sounds incredible and has a much higher tuning ceiling. It's also pretty fast in stock form. The S3 is a hell of a car, and I wouldn't fault anyone for picking an S3 over the RS3.

Some mechanical differences in favor of the RS3:

- Haldex is tuned to be more rear-biased in certain settings.
- The Haldex pump is larger.
- Control arm bushings are harder in the RS3, making the front end track better and turn-in more directly.
- The front track is wider, see above.
- The axles are upgraded over the S3 to handle the power.
- The steering ratio is quicker and provides more feedback (depending on tires).
- The RS3 has a magnesium oil pan and belly pan cover (more of a pain in the ass for oil changes).

I'm sure there are many more changes, but these mechanical differences plus the brakes, suspension tuning, transmission and the amazing 5-cylinder make for a big difference between cars. I own an RS3, so I'm biased, but I've also owned a MK7 Golf R with the same powertrain as the S3 and a B9 S4 in the last 4 years. The RS3 beats both cars in every significant fun metric I can come up with. That's not even factoring in how amazing these cars sound with a simple secondary cat delete.

[n8vs3]

S3 has VW engine
RS3 has Audi engine...
And i happy with a VW engine

[Gberg888]

Id love an RS3 but I cannot justify the cost for a daily... hence the s3 is in my garage for everyday use. 996tt comes out for the weekend fun times.

[jtrem714]

I guess it depends on what you are looking for.

Our S3 is my wife's car that I occasionally drive. So I made sure to tune it!

I tried to get her into the RS3 so I could steal in once in a while, but no joke the manual seats were a deal-breaker for her.

Right now the car sits Stage 2 and its great. Perfect Daily Driver. Quick enough and still plenty comfortable.

I drove the Rs3 and the TTRS. I actually preferred the TTRS as I thought it was a little more nimble and the steering wheel was pretty killer.

If I wanted to tune a monster and wanted 4 doors I would go with the RS3.

However, a tuned s3 is the perfect balance for the price, IMO.

[Phoenix Fab]

There are a number of mechanical differences between the S3 and RS3. Both are great cars, the RS3 feels more raw and engaging to drive, it sounds incredible and has a much higher tuning ceiling. It's also pretty fast in stock form. The S3 is a hell of a car, and I wouldn't fault anyone for picking an S3 over the RS3.

Some mechanical differences in favor of the RS3:

- Haldex is tuned to be more rear-biased in certain settings.
- The Haldex pump is larger.
- Control arm bushings are harder in the RS3, making the front end track better and turn-in more directly.
- The front track is wider, see above.
- The axles are upgraded over the S3 to handle the power.
- The steering ratio is quicker and provides more feedback (depending on tires).
- The RS3 has a magnesium oil pan and belly pan cover (more of a pain in the ass for oil changes).

I'm sure there are many more changes, but these mechanical differences plus the brakes, suspension tuning, transmission and the amazing 5-cylinder make for a big difference between cars. I own an RS3, so I'm biased, but I've also owned a MK7 Golf R with the same powertrain as the S3 and a B9 S4 in the last 4 years. The RS3 beats both cars in every significant fun metric I can come up with. That's not even factoring in how amazing these cars sound with a simple secondary cat delete.

This what was what I was looking for!! Thank you. I love my S3... and to know a little about me, I am never happy until I have the best power plant a model has to offer, I bought my S3 to dip my toe into the luxury brand and it has been the best ride I have ever had. So I needed to see all these subtle differences for me to decide whether to keep my S3 or get an RS3 eventually... You just answered my question.

[Phoenix Fab]

I guess it depends on what you are looking for.

Our S3 is my wife's car that I occasionally drive. So I made sure to tune it!

I tried to get her into the RS3 so I could steal in once in a while, but no joke the manual seats were a deal-breaker for her.

Right now the car sits Stage 2 and its great. Perfect Daily Driver. Quick enough and still plenty comfortable.

I drove the Rs3 and the TTRS. I actually preferred the TTRS as I thought it was a little more nimble and the steering wheel was pretty killer.

If I wanted to tune a monster and wanted 4 doors I would go with the RS3.

However, a tuned s3 is the perfect balance for the price, IMO.

I have two wonderful children which already hate my S3 (due to space) so a TTRS is unfortunately out of the question... Plus I already have a 2 door race car, this is just going to be my daily.

[chi_marketing]

• The EA888 engine has a better mid-range than the RS3 2.5T engine.
• The RS3 has OMG turbo lag - the S3 is much more refined through the power band
• The S3 is great to like 90MPH - the RS3 just keeps going...OMG.

[monsterlowcarb1]

rs3 has a dq500 while the s3 has a shit dq250. I have an s3 and now my car won't even go in reverse if you want safe power go with the rs3 as I should have

[Grey3]

If you have Rs3 $$$ than just about everyone here would have that 5 cyl beast


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[S3DUDE]

rs3 has a dq500 while the s3 has a shit dq250. I have an s3 and now my car won't even go in reverse if you want safe power go with the rs3 as I should have

Is your car modded? I had the 6 speed DSG on the S3 and I was stage 2 and it handled everything very well.

[S3DUDE]

For response on daily driving and midrange I would wholeheartedly recommend the S3. An S3 on stage 2 in the midrange is a riot, it is exceptionally responsive and smooth. If your friend is tight on money then I will recommend him the S3, I had a stage 2 S3 and it was so hard to let that car go. Even the brakes were so potent despite having a big single piston caliper. Gas mileage was excellent too.

if your friend has the money to blow the RS3 will be a good car but the S3 has a lot of check marks on the list that the RS3 can't fill.

[TheContrarian]

In addition, RS3 differential is stouter and of course the RS3 has monstrous 8 piston front brakes.

RS3 has the battery in the trunk, no spare. Suspension is lower, higher spring rates, thicker anti roll bars.

When driving in the RS3, all S3 and Golf Rs defer to you.

[TheDude420]

For response on daily driving and midrange I would wholeheartedly recommend the S3. An S3 on stage 2 in the midrange is a riot, it is exceptionally responsive and smooth. If your friend is tight on money then I will recommend him the S3, I had a stage 2 S3 and it was so hard to let that car go. Even the brakes were so potent despite having a big single piston caliper. Gas mileage was excellent too.

if your friend has the money to blow the RS3 will be a good car but the S3 has a lot of check marks on the list that the RS3 can't fill.

I agree. I have an APR Stage 2 high torque 93 octane S3 and it's a blast as my daily driver. The burst in power at Stage 2 feels like a rubber band contracting and then expanding on take off. It's great at traffic lights and when someone challenges you while cruising. I've yet to lose against anyone who has challenged me. If keeping stock and you have the money go with the RS3. If short on money or want to save go with the S3 and put some of that money into tuning.

If talking stock than A3<S3<RS3. When tuning there can be some overlap in that order but overall that order is consistent. A tuned Stage 2 S3 with the right mods can be faster than a stock RS3 however a tuned RS3 will be faster than a tuned S3. There are tuned RS3's that compete with and beat Lambo's and other super cars.

[Phoenix Fab]

I agree. I have an APR Stage 2 high torque 93 octane S3 and it's a blast as my daily driver. The burst in power at Stage 2 feels like a rubber band contracting and then expanding on take off. It's great at traffic lights and when someone challenges you while cruising. I've yet to lose against anyone who has challenged me. If keeping stock and you have the money go with the RS3. If short on money or want to save go with the S3 and put some of that money into tuning.

If talking stock than A3<S3<RS3. When tuning there can be some overlap in that order but overall that order is consistent. A tuned Stage 2 S3 with the right mods can be faster than a stock RS3 however a tuned RS3 will be faster than a tuned S3. There are tuned RS3's that compete with and beat Lambo's and other super cars.

For response on daily driving and midrange I would wholeheartedly recommend the S3. An S3 on stage 2 in the midrange is a riot, it is exceptionally responsive and smooth. If your friend is tight on money then I will recommend him the S3, I had a stage 2 S3 and it was so hard to let that car go. Even the brakes were so potent despite having a big single piston caliper. Gas mileage was excellent too.

if your friend has the money to blow the RS3 will be a good car but the S3 has a lot of check marks on the list that the RS3 can't fill.

I agree with what you are telling me becuase I understand it coming from the Subaru world. This is the same question people ask when comparing the WRX and STi. My S3 was kind of to test the waters. However, I really enjoy track days, and want to get back into them, and would feel uber envious of seeing and running against an RS3 on a Sunday, I would rather just have the equal counterpart that I can also daily. I asked this question to see how in depth Audi reallly got with the RS3... but all the responses tell me I would spend just as much building the S3 to be comparable,...Or I can just buy an RS3... I would rather have less holding me back in terms of the power I could create.

How reliable are S3? Coming from an STi that either blows a head gasket or main bearing every 500 miles on 580 whp. I still own her... I hate her.

[TheDude420]

I agree with what you are telling me becuase I understand it coming from the Subaru world. This is the same question people ask when comparing the WRX and STi. My S3 was kind of to test the waters. However, I really enjoy track days, and want to get back into them, and would feel uber envious of seeing and running against an RS3 on a Sunday, I would rather just have the equal counterpart that I can also daily. I asked this question to see how in depth Audi reallly got with the RS3... but all the responses tell me I would spend just as much building the S3 to be comparable,...Or I can just buy an RS3... I would rather have less holding me back in terms of the power I could create.

How reliable are S3? Coming from an STi that either blows a head gasket or main bearing every 500 miles on 580 whp. I still own her... I hate her.

On the S3 you have to keep an eye on the water pump which tends to fail. Also the Haldex AWD system has fluid that needs to be changed or it will cause problems. I'm not aware of any other issues. If you keep up with the maintenance it should be ok. I'm at 62k miles and no problems with APR Stage 2. I don't go to the track but it's my daily driver and I've owned it since 44k miles. The first owner babied the car and had all the maintenance records for it. Others can chime in on any other issues to look out for. I like Subaru's but don't know that much about them. I guess it would be similar to a WRX vs STI. You can buy a WRX and get it to STI performance or better. It depends on how much you're tuning the car. In some cases you can buy an S3, tune and mod it and still end up paying less than you would for an RS3. It all depends on the package/trim and how much you do to the car. Most people dont go for the basic package and go for the middle package instead. The the prices I listed earlier are the "starting at" prices.

Like others have pointed out there are some parts on the RS3 that are superior to the equivalent part on the S3. Some of that can be overcome with mods and tuning but not everything. I think with the WRX vs STI there are differences in the number of gears and other stuff.

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[n8vs3]

How often are folks replacing the haldex fluid.