Thinking or purchasing an RS3 as a daily. Some questions.

[Auditude437]

Hello everyone,

I was entertaining the idea of trading in my B9 A4 and getting a used 2017-2018 RS3 for daily purposes. My intent was not to go higher than stage 1 91 with midpipes since it'll be for daily driving. Assuming the car was in great condition, never abused, and had a clean carfax report, do you think it would still be risky to get an rs3 with 40k+ miles?

Are there any major repairs to consider on higher mileaged RS3s (40k-100k miles)? I'm aware of the water pump issue, but wasn't sure if there were anything else to pay attention to (front struts, etc.)?

How expensive is maintenance (changing brakes, tires, etc.?)

I know prices are still inflated for used cars especially RS3s, but I'm also getting more of a positive return on my B9 A4 so I'm thinking about making the move.

Any insights or opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[sleepy_rs3]

just hit 40k miles in my 2019, zero issues and been tuned for most of the miles (note: i've never used e85...Nancy Reagan would be proud). 40k is the factory recommended time for the first transmission oil change and AWD clutch service, oil changes should have been roughly every 5k miles. if you're buying a high mileage rs3 make sure they were diligent about service. some people complain about a sunroof rattle and creaks. maybe i'm just lucky or maybe that was an issue with the 2017-2018? also, 2017-2018 are the only ones where the center screen can retract while driving.

buy your first set of brake pads/rotors from FCP Euro and you'll be set. front rotors last about 40k miles (not tracked) pads last about 20k miles. oem pads are $1000 oem rotors are like $1500 for the pair. you can buy OE equivalent from FCP for less and you'll be thanking yourself when you get free replacements every time you wear through. i'm still on the original rear pads and rotors at 40k miles, still no sensor tripped.

where I am oil change pricing is about $170-200 each time. if your roads are crappy like in nyc, put some tires with more sidewall and keep your tire pressures up. most of us had bubbles on the 255/30/19 OE fronts and went to other wheel/tire setups with minimum of 35 sidewall ratio.

good luck

[Woobachuckie]

Hello everyone,

I was entertaining the idea of trading in my B9 A4 and getting a used 2017-2018 RS3 for daily purposes. My intent was not to go higher than stage 1 91 with midpipes since it'll be for daily driving. Assuming the car was in great condition, never abused, and had a clean carfax report, do you think it would still be risky to get an rs3 with 40k+ miles?

Are there any major repairs to consider on higher mileaged RS3s (40k-100k miles)? I'm aware of the water pump issue, but wasn't sure if there were anything else to pay attention to (front struts, etc.)?

How expensive is maintenance (changing brakes, tires, etc.?)

I know prices are still inflated for used cars especially RS3s, but I'm also getting more of a positive return on my B9 A4 so I'm thinking about making the move.

Any insights or opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

You're already aware of the water pump issue but beyond that, a well maintained RS3 is a very safe car to drive. HOWEVER, the RS tax is realllllll. I decided to get around that by doing Girodisc Rotors and track focused pads.

I bought mine in August 2021 with 28,900 miles. It now has 59,800 and MOST of that has been Stage 2 Unitronic. Not a single issue. At all. I also drove 50 min to work today with cruise control getting me 32.8 mpg.

Makes 470whp and 490wtq. Love this car. My face smiles every time my butt lands in that seat.

[brobst]

First question are you searching above 40k miles because of the cost or just asking about a specific car?
This is going to be more expensive than an A or S as mentioned above. But I wouldn't reach for a high mileage rs just to have an rs.
But this car is relatively reliable as long as maintenance isn't neglected. Just know at 40k plus, you are closer to more of that maintenance

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[signde]

i would buy a 40k RS3 all day long no hesitation.

next more common issue after the water pump is weeping oil pan. way less common than the water pump though and much cheaper to fix. the oem tires suck butt, ditch them asap. aftermarket rotors will be be your best bet. stage 1 with midpipes will sound great. don't rule out the 2019 if you are planning on tuning, it will bring back the factory pops and bangs - the only thing you will be missing is the MMI that retracts while driving.

[S3DUDE]

I had a new B9 A4 back in 2018 and part of 2019, then I purchased the B9 S5 that I owned for 2 years all while owning the RS3. The engine on the RS3 is incredible, it is very stout and it sounds so good but the quaility ride of the car is terrible, one of the worst I had. The low profile tires and the magnetic ride is just so aweful that makes the driving unpleasant. The seats feel nice and more supportive than the A4 seats.

You can't go wrong with the RS3 as long as you are capable of endure the crappy suspension/wheel/tire set-up. Gas mileage wise is an exellent car, I get about 22 mpg on 91 oct with the tune mostly driving on "D" and softly.

[0000 RS5]

Nothing much to add that hasn’t been said already. I love this car! At 40k mikes now and knowing what I know now, I would have paid more back then. No interest in selling, it’s worth more to me than the equity.


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[sleepy_rs3]

but the quaility ride of the car is terrible, one of the worst I had. The low profile tires and the magnetic ride is just so aweful

Additional suggestion for OP - if looking for daily driver comfort make sure to get one with mag ride and get a DSC sport suspension controller - makes the ride much more luxurious/comfortable (esp with min. 35 sidewall tires up front) and tightens up the second you start driving hard

[Woobachuckie]

i would buy a 40k RS3 all day long no hesitation.

next more common issue after the water pump is weeping oil pan. way less common than the water pump though and much cheaper to fix. the oem tires suck butt, ditch them asap. aftermarket rotors will be be your best bet. stage 1 with midpipes will sound great. don't rule out the 2019 if you are planning on tuning, it will bring back the factory pops and bangs - the only thing you will be missing is the MMI that retracts while driving.

The MMI screen NOT retracting on a 2019 is so annoying. My first car was a SAAB(loved that hunk of junk) and I miss the Night Panel mode. The dash was driver focused and hitting that button turned off every light and dial except your RPM and Turbo gauge. I wish there was a way to have the screen retract on a 19' RS3.

[signde]

The MMI screen NOT retracting on a 2019 is so annoying. My first car was a SAAB(loved that hunk of junk) and I miss the Night Panel mode. The dash was driver focused and hitting that button turned off every light and dial except your RPM and Turbo gauge. I wish there was a way to have the screen retract on a 19' RS3.

it doesn't really bother me since you can still turn the screen off with the simple push of a button.

but i get it, we all have our preferences. the lack of homelink and wireless carplay bothered me more but luckily both of those were very easily fixable.

[jd_rs3]

Water pump issue? I guess I'm one of the few that isn't aware of this issue.

I have 30K on my RS3 and not a single issue.

If e85 is readily available, I don't see an issue with daily driving it on stage 2/e85.

$.02

[bbowers825]

Water pump issue? I guess I'm one of the few that isn't aware of this issue.

I have 30K on my RS3 and not a single issue.

If e85 is readily available, I don't see an issue with daily driving it on stage 2/e85.

$.02

I have a 2020 RS3, I have also not heard of the water pump issue, but I know some RS3 guys who have had to replace them. I'm wondering what years the "water pump" issue affects?

[Rod Paine]

2019 Audi RS 3 with 36,122 miles on it at the moment and 26,008 of these miles were made on
fast country back roads 3 days a week (10am-2pm only) weather permitting.

Only issues were the original tires (235/35/19 Pirelli Summer Only) which 2 failed by the 3rd day,
due to poor country back roads runs versus bad road surface pot-holes! Now fitted with 18" Neuspeed
RSe10 18x8.5 wheels and 245/40/18 Michelin A/S3+ All Weather. The Audi has functioned well
with no issues at all... other than my own associated with trying to locate what dash controls
do what? Their LABELS are very tiny and very hard to read at speed! Otherwise the RS 3 is staying
with us for another year os so... as I want a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS, before I get too old to
really enjoy it. The Audi will stay with us, becoming the wife's automobile, which she's already made
this her choice. Her 2015 Golf R DSG will be traded in the the Porsche or sold to a private party.

[Woobachuckie]

Water pump issue? I guess I'm one of the few that isn't aware of this issue.

I have 30K on my RS3 and not a single issue.

If e85 is readily available, I don't see an issue with daily driving it on stage 2/e85.

$.02

It's not really an RS3 issue, just Audi/VW things.

[VirtuousWolf]

Wow my first car was a Saab 9-5 2002, anyway.

To the OP, if you’re saying you just want a Stage 1 car with Midpipes. I’d say, get a B9 S4 it will cost less, have less miles, and has massaging seats. Now, if you really like to go fast and you’re just saying you’re gonna stop at stage 1 but really you’re going to go beyond, then get the RS3. I had my RS3 from new and traded it in at 16k-ish miles, but it was extremely reliable with FBO Meth E85 and it probably did 700+ roll races, many of them being 175+ 😂

Zero issues of any kind, I needed new pads at like 9k miles along with new tires but that was expected.

The B9 S4 is on my short list of replacement cars right now. Also I wouldn’t recommend buying an RS3 until the new 8Y RS3 comes out to lower the used market.

The MMI screen NOT retracting on a 2019 is so annoying. My first car was a SAAB(loved that hunk of junk) and I miss the Night Panel mode. The dash was driver focused and hitting that button turned off every light and dial except your RPM and Turbo gauge. I wish there was a way to have the screen retract on a 19' RS3.

[brobst]

My 2020 did have waterpump replaced at about 14k miles

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[o1turbo30v]

It's not really an RS3 issue, just Audi/VW things.

This ^

[signde]

yeah the water pump affects all model years and plenty of other VAG cars. it is a VW water pump. the fact that it is pretty much the only issue with these cars says a lot. and a big chunk of the cars in this forum are modified too, if past polls are any indication.

[iambjx]

This might not be an issue to a lot of people, but I've had a lot of random rattling all over the car, I've fixed most of them with felt tape but now im still chasing one that seems to come form the passenger door and my subwoofer seems to rattle when I have the volume and bass at anything over 50%...

This drives me crazy, but other than that I havent had any problems yet other than having to replace the front brakes.

[Rockhardfister]

This might not be an issue to a lot of people, but I've had a lot of random rattling all over the car, I've fixed most of them with felt tape but now im still chasing one that seems to come form the passenger door and my subwoofer seems to rattle when I have the volume and bass at anything over 50%...

This drives me crazy, but other than that I havent had any problems yet other than having to replace the front brakes.

Mine just hit 20k, and I know EXACTLY what you mean. I have a few, but I'm usually listening to music, but under a certain volume because of the sub rattle.

[M3_Dylan]

I picked up mine with 14k miles on it with PS4s already on and fully optioned out including the carbon-ceramic brakes & fixed suspension. This already covered most of the issues people had with the car from the factory (mind you Audi CCB replacement will cost you an arm and a leg if you ever have to replace them the cost is actually stupid). As far as creature comforts and interior you might be downgrading from a b9 A4. The RS3 is great to drive and I would say a more enthusiast and drivers focused vehicle than the B9 S4/S5 however, the B9 S4/5 wins in interior build and comfort hands down. Tuned they can make some awe-inspiring numbers, not anything that would come close to the RS3 tuned but something to think about if you would be willing to sacrifice performance over comfort.

[Rod Paine]

Interesting situation. We have a 2019 Audi RS 3 that has 36,122 miles on it with 26,008 of those
being fast country back road runs 3 days a week. We had to get rid of the factory 235/35/19
wheel/tire configuration as 2 of these tires failed within two days of having the Audi! We installed
245/40/18 Michelin A/S3+ on Neuspeed RSe10 18x8.5 inch wheels which have served us well
with no issues at all! We had the same problem with our new 2015 VW Golf R DSG and its
factory tire/wheel configuration! 18-inch wheels and '40' profile tires fixed this too!

[Meeshkra]

I recently purchased a stock 1 owner 2018 with 72k miles on it. Aside from the suspension feeling a bit bouncy and some clunk likely from being worn down in the northeast it feels extremely solid overall. I’m going to be dailying it and not necessarily worried about realizability based on my research (knock on the wood).

[b1aZe]

Reiterating others sentiments, it’s about as fun of a practical daily that you can get. Not much else touches it for the 50-55k mark except for MAYBE a lightly used M3/M4 but even then I’m not sure it’s a better, more reliable car.

I’m super happy with my ‘18 with 50k miles. I have full faith that if I do my part to maintain it and stash a way some “rainy day” maint money, it’ll last a long time. I likely won’t be modding past Stg2 but we all know how that goes 🤪

I will confirm tho that the retractable screen is VERY nice to have. I use it often and retains some of the old school entheusiast feel of previous gen cars while having all the creature comforts when you want them. Wireless airplay is easily fixed.

[DanMPower]

Reiterating others sentiments, it’s about as fun of a practical daily that you can get. Not much else touches it for the 50-55k mark except for MAYBE a lightly used M3/M4 but even then I’m not sure it’s a better, more reliable car.

I came from an F80 M3 Competition and the RS3 is better in most categories, except maybe looks (subjective) but I think the F80 M3 is one of the best-looking sedans ever made. F8x generation M3 had its share of issues, some possibly catastrophic like crank hub spinning, which can throw the timing off bad enough to cause piston/valve contact and total engine destruction. Leaking charge coolers are also common, which allows all the coolant in the charge coolers to be sucked into the combustion chamber, if you're lucky it's a small leak and you'll just get a CEL but if you're unlucky and it leaks bad enough, it may cause hydrolock, and again total engine destruction. The water pump failures on the RS3 don't sound so bad now eh? lol

[Woobachuckie]

I came from an F80 M3 Competition and the RS3 is better in most categories, except maybe looks (subjective) but I think the F80 M3 is one of the best-looking sedans ever made. F8x generation M3 had its share of issues, some possibly catastrophic like crank hub spinning, which can throw the timing off bad enough to cause piston/valve contact and total engine destruction. Leaking charge coolers are also common, which allows all the coolant in the charge coolers to be sucked into the combustion chamber, if you're lucky it's a small leak and you'll just get a CEL but if you're unlucky and it leaks bad enough, it may cause hydrolock, and again total engine destruction. The water pump failures on the RS3 don't sound so bad now eh? lol

Some of my friends have drop dead gorgeous F80 M3. Definitely a better looking car if you prefer the aggressive look. BUT I barely get to see them. Always in the shop.