Why do so many RS3/TTRS owners build their cars then sell immediately?

[JBones81]

I'm at the point now where I either keep the car as is, or add the downpipe and go stage 2...or beyond...? However, it's not too encouraging when literally every day there's another stage 2 or built motor car going up for sale on the facebook groups - most have fewer than 2k miles on the build or since going to stage 2. Why is this? Does the car suck to drive once built? Are people unhappy with the performance (was expecting more)? What gives?

I love this car, but even going stage 1+ for ethanol has brought a couple new headaches (cold start issues, horrible mileage), so does going further just bring even more problems?

[signde]

My take is the car world, like most hobbies, has a lot of impulsive people with extreme FOMO. They get the car, modify it to the gills, then need something else to keep their attention, so they move on to the next thing.

You could replace cars with basically any other hobby and see this same behavior.

[TToysRuS]

Above, plus some people cant afford to fix them when they hurt em so they build em, stuff happens and they go "back to stock" to avoid having to own up to the bill.

[tegxsi]

For the ones that haven't gone past stage2... it gives some people the opportunity to change things up since car values have gone up.

[3beeps]

During the build (see: many months), people get bored or see something else of interest. Once you think about selling, its all downhill from there lol.

[S3DUDE]

I almost let go at my Stage 1 unitronic last month

[steve111b]

Audi Canada will no longer sell any new car with the 5 cylinder engine. They claim there are regulations that prohibit selling the 5 cylinder in Canada.

[DOCEVG]

Audi Canada will no longer sell any new car with the 5 cylinder engine. They claim there are regulations that prohibit selling the 5 cylinder in Canada.

Whats the reason behind that? If emissions, I would think a 6 or 8 cylinder engine is even "worse."

Edit: https://carbuzz.com/news/audis-five-...rty-for-canada

Sad state of affairs when CA-North is more woke than CA-US.

[Alex D]

This is common amongst many platforms. The fun part is actually building the car and once it’s done you are usually looking towards the next project.

[JBones81]

lol, I guess that makes sense about moving on after the build. I'm kinda at that point, now that I think about it! I've done a lot of bolt ons and simple mods, and then thinking of whether I should do more or sell the car. The thought to just keep it as is and drive it doesn't really enter the picture, LOL...so apparently others finish stage 2, or build their motors/aftermarket turbo, then find themselves in the same boat. We need to learn to be content with these awesome cars, regardless of where you're at with mods

[brobst]

The more you mod a car and double or triple its output, the less reliable it becomes.
I have seen built cars have issues with built parts and untouched parts now needed reinforcement because the power is high. Its a never ending cycle. If you can break even with a car sale its worth it.

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[TheContrarian]

There are "car enthusiasts" and "driving enthusiasts". For the car enthusiast the answer to everything is a new part or mod. When that reaches a natural end, they sell the car. I think there's a lot of "shiny new thing" syndrome in there too.

[TheContrarian]

Audi Canada will no longer sell any new car with the 5 cylinder engine. They claim there are regulations that prohibit selling the 5 cylinder in Canada.

Actually the regulations preventing selling the 8Y in Canada are related to excessive use of gloss black plastic and unsafe headlights.

[tegxsi]

Actually the regulations preventing selling the 8Y in Canada are related to excessive use of gloss black plastic and unsafe headlights.

I don't get it...
Wouldn't the 8Y A3/S3 be on the same boat?

[Potatohead_RS3]

Most people have the attention span of a goldfish

[Kaliking]

Most people have the attention span of a goldfish

...

[Potatohead_RS3]

[8STTRS]

Admittedly, I have asked this question many times and have even messaged some folks on the side to ask them this same question. I am maybe a week away from getting my car back (I'm keeping hope) and I worry about the idea that I may not like what I get out of it. Especially since I see so many people build them and sell them shortly thereafter. I think a lot of the points made in this thread are true. People can sometimes afford to build them but not maintain them or, they get bored waiting for their cars and then drift off onto something else. I have been without my car since February and while I know it's nearly finished, I can honestly say that there are quite a few times that I wish I went a different route. I think a lot of that comes down to me not driving the car or being exposed to it regularly so, it's like something I've lost and slowly gotten over and now my attention is elsewhere.

For me, the fix has so far been avoiding too much car content consumption and just occupying myself with other things while I wait for the call to come get my car, then drop my wife's off right afterwards. If anything, this wait has only added question marks for my wife. She is now second guessing getting her car built, despite us purchasing a bunch of stuff for the build already. We are both hoping that my experience with the build and the subsequent results are good enough to keep us focused on the goals we set forth to begin with.

[M3_Dylan]

There are "car enthusiasts" and "driving enthusiasts". For the car enthusiast the answer to everything is a new part or mod. When that reaches a natural end, they sell the car. I think there's a lot of "shiny new thing" syndrome in there too.

Just finished watching the carmudgeon podcast too?

[HODL_B58]

What facebook groups are you finding all these built RS3s for sale? Asking for a friend…

[JBones81]

What facebook groups are you finding all these built RS3s for sale? Asking for a friend…

Just look up the rs3 and ttrs groups on facebook - join the few ones that have the biggest member base. You'll see AT LEAST 2-3 daily.

[Mcdougal]

Just look up the rs3 and ttrs groups on facebook - join the few ones that have the biggest member base. You'll see AT LEAST 2-3 daily.

Can you post the exact name of the groups? The ones I follow have few cars for sale.

[JBones81]

Can you post the exact name of the groups? The ones I follow have few cars for sale.

the main 2 where I see these postings are: audi/vw rs3 ttrs s3 mk7 & r the distrikt and 8y/8v/8s audi s3/rs3/tts/ttrs

I'm in several other smaller audi and audi rs3 groups but they don't have nearly the same traffic

[Mcdougal]

the main 2 where I see these postings are: audi/vw rs3 ttrs s3 mk7 & r the distrikt and 8y/8v/8s audi s3/rs3/tts/ttrs

I'm in several other smaller audi and audi rs3 groups but they don't have nearly the same traffic

Thanks!

[unclemat]

Hate fucking Facebook groups. Such a waste of time and resources. Like posting and deleting your post 2 days later. It is such a fucking garbage format compared to forum sites that can work as an information resource many years later.

Anyhow, checked couple of those groups there are people asking $70-90k for heavily modified cars. If they are getting paid anywhere close those there way morons with money around than I thought there are...

[RMode]

I'm at the point now where I either keep the car as is, or add the downpipe and go stage 2...or beyond...? However, it's not too encouraging when literally every day there's another stage 2 or built motor car going up for sale on the facebook groups - most have fewer than 2k miles on the build or since going to stage 2. Why is this? Does the car suck to drive once built? Are people unhappy with the performance (was expecting more)? What gives?

I love this car, but even going stage 1+ for ethanol has brought a couple new headaches (cold start issues, horrible mileage), so does going further just bring even more problems?

For a lot of reasons

1. Something else catches their eye but it’s 6-12 months away. Market is good now so they can capitalize

2. They really couldn’t afford to build it to begin with and borrowed to do it. Reality then sets in.

3. Doing it for the gram

4. Group dynamics

[RMode]

There are "car enthusiasts" and "driving enthusiasts". For the car enthusiast the answer to everything is a new part or mod. When that reaches a natural end, they sell the car. I think there's a lot of "shiny new thing" syndrome in there too.

Car enthusiasts
Driving enthusiasts
and the more common, current crop: attention enthusiasts

[VirtuousWolf]

Well I got arrested for street racing so I sold my Stage 2 RS3 😂

[brobst]

Building is expensive though. Thats why them cars are listed way above msrp

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[mtwallace85]

Just dropped my TTRS off on Monday to get the motor built and to install a DCT clutch/flywheel along with the other typical stage 2 mods: DS1 w/ flex fuel, downpipe, intercooler, injectors, plugs, and mounts. Not doing anything too drastic because the drivability with a big turbo had me worried. The clutch has me a tad worried too because I heard it’s not as smooth as stock, but I’m staying hopeful.

Either way, at the moment I plan on keeping the car for a couple more years. However, if the car comes back and the drivability goes to shit or I start having serious reliability issues, I’ll be the next person to put my car up for sale. Should have it back in about 2 weeks so I will be back to update this thread when I do.

[JBones81]

Well I got arrested for street racing so I sold my Stage 2 RS3 😂

whoa!! Really? What happened? Fill us in...was it in Texas? I thought they didnt care about street racing there. Isn't that why all the really fast cars go there and Florida?

[JBones81]

Just dropped my TTRS off on Monday to get the motor built and to install a DCT clutch/flywheel along with the other typical stage 2 mods: DS1 w/ flex fuel, downpipe, intercooler, injectors, plugs, and mounts. Not doing anything too drastic because the drivability with a big turbo had me worried. The clutch has me a tad worried too because I heard it’s not as smooth as stock, but I’m staying hopeful.

Either way, at the moment I plan on keeping the car for a couple more years. However, if the car comes back and the drivability goes to shit or I start having serious reliability issues, I’ll be the next person to put my car up for sale. Should have it back in about 2 weeks so I will be back to update this thread when I do.

Yea, please do...I've also been thinking about doing a light build before just going stage 2 (for some peace of mind while getting close to maxxing out the stock turbo setup).

[Alex D]

Just dropped my TTRS off on Monday to get the motor built and to install a DCT clutch/flywheel along with the other typical stage 2 mods: DS1 w/ flex fuel, downpipe, intercooler, injectors, plugs, and mounts. Not doing anything too drastic because the drivability with a big turbo had me worried. The clutch has me a tad worried too because I heard it’s not as smooth as stock, but I’m staying hopeful.

Either way, at the moment I plan on keeping the car for a couple more years. However, if the car comes back and the drivability goes to shit or I start having serious reliability issues, I’ll be the next person to put my car up for sale. Should have it back in about 2 weeks so I will be back to update this thread when I do.

If only going stage 2, the clutch change isn’t necessary.

[mtwallace85]

If only going stage 2, the clutch change isn’t necessary.

I enjoy launching the car and I’ll most likely be upgrading to a TC900XT in the fall.

[nothingbutspeed]

I enjoy launching the car and I’ll most likely be upgrading to a TC900XT in the fall.

If you have clutches and everything already better off going full frame. Full frame cars don't get nearly as hot when pushing them, at all. After 1-2 pulls max the hyrbid is getting really hot, where the FF motor isn't. My oil temps hardly go up much and that's me maxing the turbo out.

For me I sold my RS3 one month after building motor as I had unsolicited offer, fell through but I already moved on emotionally and financially committed to a built TTRS. But it does seem many move on.

[RMode]

As far as OP's issues with their car/mods, it's all in whomever did the tune. Unfortunately, it's a byproduct of modding; things are not always perfect from the outset on everyones car.

[mtwallace85]

If you have clutches and everything already better off going full frame. Full frame cars don't get nearly as hot when pushing them, at all. After 1-2 pulls max the hyrbid is getting really hot, where the FF motor isn't. My oil temps hardly go up much and that's me maxing the turbo out.

For me I sold my RS3 one month after building motor as I had unsolicited offer, fell through but I already moved on emotionally and financially committed to a built TTRS. But it does seem many move on.

I can pass emissions out here in California with a hybrid turbo but I can’t with a full frame. Additionally, I’m not interested in affecting responsiveness. The car is already fairly laggy with the stock setup so I don’t have any interest in exacerbating it. I plan on getting the oil pan spacer from Iroz to help with oil temps because I know that’ll be an issue. But it seems to me even the full frame kits can only handle so much before they need to cool down as well. The Hoonicorn episode featuring the Iroz RS3 is one example I can think of. After the pull they ask Hank if he needs to cool the car down and he says yes. There is also Gaptist_RS3 (Instagram) who I met after moving to SoCal and he blew his Iroz built motor running his IMS-850 with syvecs kit back to back at no fly zone. The good thing is is I’m in a TTRS already and the only car that’s gonna get me out of it is an R8 which I plan on getting next. Even then I may just keep the TTRS as a toy.

[VirtuousWolf]

That’s what I thought too! I thought I would just get a reckless driving ticket or something.

Long story short, allegedly raced a supercharged C7 to about 180 (won) on an empty highway and then a couple minutes later got pulled over. I didn’t even realize it was in regards to the race, I thought it was just because at that time I was speeding still like 80 in a 70, so I pulled over like normal. Next thing I know I’m being asked to get out and I’m arrested, I go to jail, and then county the next day, where I’m released on a PR bond. I’ve never been in trouble with the law outside of tickets so the whole experience was crazy. My pretrial is next month, I already had my arraignment.

I don’t think they have any real evidence on me and they just heard us and looked around for sporty cars. The problem is he had a dang go pro on his car and they took it from him (didn’t know at the time he got pulled over too, until I saw him in jail also)

Anyway, traded the RS3 the next business day for an Acura RDX (dad car) and took a big loss on it. I shouldn’t have told the dealer why I needed to trade it in but at the same time since I was so modded I was worried they would think something was wrong with it considering the low miles. Hoping the judge goes easy because of this and it was also mandated by the wifey.

Waiting to see what happens, assuming things go ok, I want to eventually get back into the car scene, but I’m all over the place when it comes to picking a replacement car. I won’t be street racing in Texas anymore, I can tell you that much.

whoa!! Really? What happened? Fill us in...was it in Texas? I thought they didnt care about street racing there. Isn't that why all the really fast cars go there and Florida?

[JBones81]

That’s what I thought too! I thought I would just get a reckless driving ticket or something.

Long story short, allegedly raced a supercharged C7 to about 180 (won) on an empty highway and then a couple minutes later got pulled over. I didn’t even realize it was in regards to the race, I thought it was just because at that time I was speeding still like 80 in a 70, so I pulled over like normal. Next thing I know I’m being asked to get out and I’m arrested, I go to jail, and then county the next day, where I’m released on a PR bond. I’ve never been in trouble with the law outside of tickets so the whole experience was crazy. My pretrial is next month, I already had my arraignment.

I don’t think they have any real evidence on me and they just heard us and looked around for sporty cars. The problem is he had a dang go pro on his car and they took it from him (didn’t know at the time he got pulled over too, until I saw him in jail also)

Anyway, traded the RS3 the next business day for an Acura RDX (dad car) and took a big loss on it. I shouldn’t have told the dealer why I needed to trade it in but at the same time since I was so modded I was worried they would think something was wrong with it considering the low miles. Hoping the judge goes easy because of this and it was also mandated by the wifey.

Waiting to see what happens, assuming things go ok, I want to eventually get back into the car scene, but I’m all over the place when it comes to picking a replacement car. I won’t be street racing in Texas anymore, I can tell you that much.

Wow, that's crazy! I'm shocked that they arrested you, unless they actually did have you tagged doing felonious speeds (like 130+). I hope nothing major comes of this, but if they do throw the book at you, what are you possibly facing??

I'm sorry to hear about all this. I think many of us forget when we're watching all these videos that there actually can be major consequences (legally or accidents/injuries/death). Your post was a good reminder, and I'm going to try to be a little safer out there, both so that I don't wreck OR get arrested! Wishing you nothing but the best of luck in this situation. It sounds like whether or not you were doing what they're accusing, you learned a lesson.

[LJS5]

Just dropped my TTRS off on Monday to get the motor built and to install a DCT clutch/flywheel along with the other typical stage 2 mods: DS1 w/ flex fuel, downpipe, intercooler, injectors, plugs, and mounts. Not doing anything too drastic because the drivability with a big turbo had me worried. The clutch has me a tad worried too because I heard it’s not as smooth as stock, but I’m staying hopeful.

Either way, at the moment I plan on keeping the car for a couple more years. However, if the car comes back and the drivability goes to shit or I start having serious reliability issues, I’ll be the next person to put my car up for sale. Should have it back in about 2 weeks so I will be back to update this thread when I do.

I'm running a IMS850 kit w/ HD1200s + Flywheel, actually about to hit 10k miles soon. Drivability hasn't changed much, normal driving in Comfort/D it feels same as stock minus random hard shifts when cold.
I was running 034 street mounts but ended up putting stock mounts back in and stuck with just the ECE dog bone, couldn't stand the NVH.