Anyone move to a RS5 from RS3?

[MARKORS3]

I test drove three 2019 RS5's today, one coupe and two sportbacks. I was really impressed with the ride quality and how they didn't feel too big and floaty as I was expecting. I test drove an S5 SB when I bought the RS3 and it really felt like a boat from what I remembered. I have worked out a great deal on a fully loaded Daytona Grey with full carbon - sport package - advanced driver assistance etc. It looks fantastic and drives amazing, I just don't know if I should pull the trigger as I still love the nimbleness and sportiness of the RS3. Has anyone else made this move and had any regrets?

Thanks in advance. It would be nice to hear from anyone that made this change.

[walsh]

I test drove three 2019 RS5's today, one coupe and two sportbacks. I was really impressed with the ride quality and how they didn't feel too big and floaty as I was expecting. I test drove an S5 SB when I bought the RS3 and it really felt like a boat from what I remembered. I have worked out a great deal on a fully loaded Daytona Grey with full carbon - sport package - advanced driver assistance etc. It looks fantastic and drives amazing, I just don't know if I should pull the trigger as I still love the nimbleness and sportiness of the RS3. Has anyone else made this move and had any regrets?

Thanks in advance. It would be nice to hear from anyone that made this change.

I went the other way, had the same RS5 SB in Nardo and swapped it for an RS3. It’s an awesome car but once you get used to it… it’s a bigger car and a much more “refined” feel as opposed to the RS3 that is more sporty and connected. So it depends what you’re looking for. If you want as fast, comfortable, spacious, and refined DD… the RS5 checks those boxes. If you want more of a traditional sport car feel that can be whipped around, has high tuning potential, lots of aftermarket stuff, is nimble, etc. then RS3 it is.


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[0000 RS5]

I went from a 2015 RS5 to a 2018 RS3 (both new). Below are my first impression after an afternoon in a demo 2017 RS3 back in the day. Over 3 years later, and a few mods later, I still love my RS3.

The following is a brief comparison, pros/cons and misc. observations, between the RS3 and our RS5.

Looks: the RS3 is a good looking car, but the RS5 is a great looking car (I mean look at those fenders) - advantage RS5
Power (feel, obviously not just hp): the RS3 is definitely quick, and faster than the RS5 - advantage RS3
Weight: you can really feel that the RS3 is 500 lbs or so lighter than the RS5, it feels much more nimble and agile - advantage RS3
Suspension: both cars suspensions feel very nice, but the RS3 has adjustable suspension which is nice (thought I think you can only get this on the speed limited option of the RS3) - advantage RS3
Turbo: obviously this contributes to the power and torque, but you do feel a little bit of turbo lag - overall impressive
Electronics: the virtual cockpit is quite nice, very nice, and Apple CarPlay is a must - advantage RS3
Overall interior: fit and finish is nice in the RS3, but the RS5 feels to be of slightly higher quality - slight advantage, RS5
Seats: the seats in the RS3 are good, I like the pattern, but lack of power and more importantly memory positioning - advantage RS5
Engine noise: it’s hard to compete with the glorious V8 in the RS5, but the sound that the RS3 makes is pretty darn cool - slight advantage, RS5
Brakes (comparison of non-carbon on both): the brakes are strong on both (not sure is the stock RS3 pads are butter on the track, like they are on the RS5), but the RS5 have the fancy scalloped rotors - advantage RS5
Rear view mirrors: color matched on the RS5, advantage RS5
Doors: ease if ingress and egress, as well as having 4 of them - advantage RS3
Back seat room: the is more space in the back seats in the RS3 - advantage RS3
Wheels: 20” and in my opinion, look nicer on the RS5, only 19” on the RS3 - advantage RS5
Overall - advantage RS3


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[pulpoinspace]

i think its only worth it if going for the coupe imo

[MARKORS3]

Funny you should say that. I slept on it and realized the coupe is the only option really. They have a loaded 2021 Nardo - black optics that I've asked for a quote on this morning. If it doesn't work out, I continue to build my current 2018 Nardo RS3. I already have Uni stage 1+ and upgraded wheels to Neuspeed. Next will be springs MSS Sport - intake - inlet etc.

[cseaman]

Not 100% relevant but having gone from a B9 S4 to an 8V RS3, and still having a B9 SQ5...one is a riot and one is quick and nice. I never once took the B9 out for a drive. 8V all the time. If you're looking for an amazing do it all DD, get the RS5. If you have any intention to track or are looking for a weekend toy, get the RS3.

[o1turbo30v]

Great thread, I’ve been trying to figure out what I could get into (new) with our trade in values so high, thought an rs5 sport back but just seemed to be missing something from that test drive, also thought their wasn’t all that much more room inside? Excited to read others feedback

[Jonnylaw]

When I sat in an RS5 coupe, I felt much more comfortable. But, the looks and driving experience of the RS3 was much better imo.

[mike_TX]

I had a S3 last year when I was trying to upgrade. So I test drove the new S5 sportback and hated it. Just like the OP posted about how boaty the S5 felt, I got the same feeling. I ditched the idea after 2 test drives and got a RS3 and have never looked back. Builds on the amazing chassis dynamics of the S3 but an even better powertrain.


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[Bezlar]

Sold the rs3 ordered a new 2022 rs5 coupe. We have never driven the rs5 but I’m pretty sure it will be fine. The rs3 wins in engine alone. But the rs5 wins in most other categories. Im rooting for my horse. Lol

If we don’t like it I’ll get the new rs3 which I think looks a lot better than our 2018 did.


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[mike_TX]

Sold the rs3 ordered a new 2022 rs5 coupe. We have never driven the rs5 but I’m pretty sure it will be fine. The rs3 wins in engine alone. But the rs5 wins in most other categories. Im rooting for my horse. Lol

If we don’t like it I’ll get the new rs3 which I think looks a lot better than our 2018 did.


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I'll disagree on the looks part, I feel the sharp lines of the current model has been diluted and the whole car made somewhat dull. Let's also not forget about one of the main reasons folks go for the RS3 which is the sound. From what I've heard myself online they sound like crap and Audi most definitely has diluted the mean throaty sounding exhaust of the current setup. Not sure if that could be rectified. In any case, I've decided to stick with my RS3 and in a couple years go for the new G80 M3 once they start coming off leases.


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[Bezlar]

I'll disagree on the looks part, I feel the sharp lines of the current model has been diluted and the whole car made somewhat dull. Let's also not forget about one of the main reasons folks go for the RS3 which is the sound. From what I've heard myself online they sound like crap and Audi most definitely has diluted the mean throaty sounding exhaust of the current setup. Not sure if that could be rectified. In any case, I've decided to stick with my RS3 and in a couple years go for the new G80 M3 once they start coming off leases.


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I’m pretty sure there will be ways to make that 5 cyl sound glorious. I’m most interested in can the new rear end hold the power of what the tuners will get out of it?


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[Jonnylaw]

I’m pretty sure there will be ways to make that 5 cyl sound glorious. I’m most interested in can the new rear end hold the power of what the tuners will get out of it?


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From what I’ve been reading, the new diff will not be able to hold higher power levels as well, but will obviously perform better than the Haldex at stock power levels.

[8STTRS]

I almost pulled the trigger on a new RS5 coupe but, the lack of aftermarket goodies stopped me from doing so. But, it wouldn't have been too terrible if I did. The wife picked up a RS3 so, we could have just had both. Instead, I picked up a TT RS and I think I'm ok with it in the end. If only for the tuning potential alone.

[MARKORS3]

I thought about it all weekend and I'm going to hold onto my Nardo RS3 for another couple of years. I have it already uni tuned - changed the brakes - new neuspeed rims etc. I've put too much in now to just walk away on a knee-jerk decision. I also can't stand the MMI in my face in the RS5 and honestly, my exhaust tune and general rumble sounds better. I can't see any real smart reasonable reason to make the change. I will wait for the B10 RS5 as well as wait out a couple of years for the new RS3 to get the quirks out and buy one or the other and move my current RS3 to my son.

[Domino_z]

I’ve gone rs3 Sportback to rs6, with it due to arrive in 6 months, as I needed the baby capsule and boot space. As much as I wanted to love the rs4 for the smaller size (we get the proper RS wagons here) I just couldn’t get on with that 2.9l engine, and there is no way I could let that 5 pot go for such a vanilla v6 - but that 4.0l v8 with a full turbo back akra should make it easier to let the rs3 go

I bought the wife a 22 s5 sb. I gave tje 2.9l another go, this time in rs5 guise and now facelifted with the opf thinking maybe they’d have to tune the exhaust now, but it still sounded like a vacuum cleaner, albeit a bit quieter, and felt like what it is, an off the shelf Porsche suv engine, it just doesn’t stir you up and make you want to rev it or go through gears, and the aftermarket exhaust options make it sound even worse - IMO the 3.0l in s4/5 is a more characterful engine

Audi have always been hit and miss with their RS cars, the b9 RS cars are a massive miss