My New 2022 RS3

[Crowlski]

My dealer where I purchased my 2020 RS3 called me up last week and says they are getting a black 2022 RS3 and wanted to know if I'd like to be the first one to take a crack at buying it. Of course I said yup! Well, here it is.
First impressions..
It feels (and is by 2" I believe) bigger inside and out.
It feels more luxurious, the new tech is impressive. The seats are more supportive and the ride is much more refined and quieter.
It drives MUCH smoother than the last gen. I am comparing this on the harsh roads of NJ.
The initial turn-in is sharper. The brakes are strong on initial bite. Some may not like that, I do, but takes a bit getting used to especially driving around town. I thought there would be some wander tracking straight with 265's up front but it rides nice.
The rims are the Matt black Y spoke which I think are the hottest ones Audi has come out with.
What's missing is heated steering wheel. Some might say big deal but for the price it should come with it, cooled seats as well.
I thought I'd miss the D shaped steering wheel but the rest of the interior updates make up for it.

Overall I love the newest iteration of the RS3. There is a significant difference in refinement between the 2020 and now, which might irk some out there. So far to me the 2020 seemed more tossible even while the 2022 feels more precise. Maybe because to me the new one looks so good you don't feel the need to ring it out... at least not in the first week of ownership!

If you get the opportunity to test drive and buy one, go for it. Id Love to hear what you think and what other new RS3 owners are saying.. 20220630_195355.jpg20220630_195417.jpg20220630_195404.jpgIMG_2272.jpg

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[ZRated_]

Very nice. Enjoy! Glad to see them finally show up in the wild for the US market.


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[Plake]

Congrats and enjoy!

[Crowlski]

Thanks! I'm still kind of in shock a bit for actually being able to snag one. Good luck to you all!

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[Vegasgolds]

mine is in Panama right now. Hopefully 2-3 weeks from now I'll have it.

[franklinplanner]

Very nice! The matte black wheels do look great!

[DRkNESS]

Great job OP, I’m going to assume that you are in North Jersey as there doesn’t seem to be any down my way.


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[Crowlski]

Great job OP, I’m going to assume that you are in North Jersey as there doesn’t seem to be any down my way.


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Thanks man, actually I'm in Ocean County by the coast. I've only seen a few pre-2022 RS3s around let alone any new ones and barely anything bigger like a 5 or so from time to time. My dealer was pretty upfront with me and said they are NOT getting another. There was some dude who drove from Pennsylvania because he heard that they were getting one. Not sure how he heard but with what I've been reading on here the demand is quite high.

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[NapalmEnema]

Enjoy - looks great in black :)

[HODL_B58]

Hope you’re right about spacious feel. I have 2 kids to haul one in rear facing seat still the other transitioning to front facing, have made it work with a 3 series but people make the RS3 sound so small. Different brands, but they’re probably still very equivalent in size

[mtwallace85]

Hope you’re right about spacious feel. I have 2 kids to haul one in rear facing seat still the other transitioning to front facing, have made it work with a 3 series but people make the RS3 sound so small. Different brands, but they’re probably still very equivalent in size

I have a Diono 3QXT and it barely fits in my SQ5, not sure I’d even get it through the door on my TTRS. In rear facing mode there’s literally no room for anybody to sit in the front passenger seat because it’s all the way up and forward to get it to fit. Once it’s forward facing there should hopefully be decent room. I hate to be a downer, but I’d guess you’re not fitting it in the RS3 until it’s forward facing.

[DRkNESS]

In my opinion I’m not seeing how an RS3 is a family car, heck I have problems even with my A6 fitting the in-laws in ha ha ha ha.


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[RudyH]

Hope you’re right about spacious feel. I have 2 kids to haul one in rear facing seat still the other transitioning to front facing, have made it work with a 3 series but people make the RS3 sound so small. Different brands, but they’re probably still very equivalent in size

my parents made due a Dodge Reliant when I grew up, including strollers...now it's Yukon or you don't have 'enough space'. I haul 4 people comfortably in my Golf.

I think one of the biggest gripes, and I had this in my B8 S4 was the super sport seats taking up more space from the rear passengers. When I sat in a 8Y S3 I felt like there was plenty of space too in the rear (6' 210 lbs). I think too the rear has a tiny bit more head room as well in the 8Y.

[HODL_B58]

I have a Diono 3QXT and it barely fits in my SQ5, not sure I’d even get it through the door on my TTRS. In rear facing mode there’s literally no room for anybody to sit in the front passenger seat because it’s all the way up and forward to get it to fit. Once it’s forward facing there should hopefully be decent room. I hate to be a downer, but I’d guess you’re not fitting it in the RS3 until it’s forward facing.

Yep heard you’re right on TTRS but RS3 is better. I think the problem is everyone just blindly assumes SUVs are more spacious even though they are (usually) built on same chassis as their sedan counterparts. My neighbor (tall guy) helped me drop my BMW off at the shop and he had to sit passenger seat on way home in front of the rear facing child seat. He’s a car guy so maybe biased, but he said he fit better in my 3 series than their Forester with seat in back (because SUV seats sit higher so your knees are more into the dash with kid seat in back opposed to sedan where it’s a little lower towards glovebox). When I was shopping for EVs I would park my 340i next to a Model Y/ID4 and do car seat space test and there was no discernable difference between space in my sedan and those crossover SUVs.

my parents made due a Dodge Reliant when I grew up, including strollers...now it's Yukon or you don't have 'enough space'. I haul 4 people comfortably in my Golf.

I think one of the biggest gripes, and I had this in my B8 S4 was the super sport seats taking up more space from the rear passengers. When I sat in a 8Y S3 I felt like there was plenty of space too in the rear (6' 210 lbs). I think too the rear has a tiny bit more head room as well in the 8Y.

Thank you! I’m from a tall family, mom is 5’10, I’m 6’ dad is 6’2 brother is 6’5 yet we grew up in sedans. Mom always called my dad a nerd for wanting a SUV (shes like me—truck or car, no in-betweens). Yet my 5’ wife from her short family seems to think you need an SUV with kids even though she can fit in anything, idk. I traded my truck to my parents for the summer so they can get moved into their retirement home, in return I got the RX350 and am only re-enforcing how much I hate SUVs. You still cant fit a large amount in back without folding down rear seats which you have to remove kid seats from the back, all that just to fit a big stroller or something? Truck all day long, aint got timr for that

[mtwallace85]

Yep heard you’re right on TTRS but RS3 is better. I think the problem is everyone just blindly assumes SUVs are more spacious even though they are (usually) built on same chassis as their sedan counterparts. My neighbor (tall guy) helped me drop my BMW off at the shop and he had to sit passenger seat on way home in front of the rear facing child seat. He’s a car guy so maybe biased, but he said he fit better in my 3 series than their Forester with seat in back (because SUV seats sit higher so your knees are more into the dash with kid seat in back opposed to sedan where it’s a little lower towards glovebox). When I was shopping for EVs I would park my 340i next to a Model Y/ID4 and do car seat space test and there was no discernable difference between space in my sedan and those crossover SUVs.



Thank you! I’m from a tall family, mom is 5’10, I’m 6’ dad is 6’2 brother is 6’5 yet we grew up in sedans. Mom always called my dad a nerd for wanting a SUV (shes like me—truck or car, no in-betweens). Yet my 5’ wife from her short family seems to think you need an SUV with kids even though she can fit in anything, idk. I traded my truck to my parents for the summer so they can get moved into their retirement home, in return I got the RX350 and am only re-enforcing how much I hate SUVs. You still cant fit a large amount in back without folding down rear seats which you have to remove kid seats from the back, all that just to fit a big stroller or something? Truck all day long, aint got timr for that

Yeah the RS3 is definitely better in that regard, however, the SQ5 is 2 series above the 3 series and I fit pretty comfortably in the back of the SQ5 behind the driver seat where I drive it and I’m 6’4’ 220. I can’t even get into an RS3 like that. The measurements on the car and driver website give the SQ5 3” more in the back vs the RS3 which isn’t as much as I thought. I also think the diono is exceptionally large. Either way, I hope it works out for you. Let us know how it goes.

[car.done]

Hope you’re right about spacious feel. I have 2 kids to haul one in rear facing seat still the other transitioning to front facing, have made it work with a 3 series but people make the RS3 sound so small. Different brands, but they’re probably still very equivalent in size

I have a Diono 3QXT and it barely fits in my SQ5, not sure I’d even get it through the door on my TTRS. In rear facing mode there’s literally no room for anybody to sit in the front passenger seat because it’s all the way up and forward to get it to fit. Once it’s forward facing there should hopefully be decent room. I hate to be a downer, but I’d guess you’re not fitting it in the RS3 until it’s forward facing.

Visually, now that the 3-series has grown to the size of a 5-series, I’m sure there’s more room than 8V RS3. I am continually surprised how small 8V RS3 is compared to the other smaller 4 door cars and even many 2-doors. To me, that’s the draw, I had a B9 RS5 SB which had way more utility with the extra length and lift back opening. For me, I’d rather have the smaller car for my daily when it is mostly only me in the car.

Diono 3QXT are too tall and angled in rear facing for many cars, not just 8V RS3. They are much better forward facing. With my twin boys, I used a set of our Britax Clicktight when rear facing and now using Diono forward facing. I love the Diono’s, especially since I can flip up cushion(s) and jam in the trunk. Plus, they fit fairly tight to go the seat back. Plenty of room right now for the kids and me but I’m only 5’10”.

Here’s a pic of the Britax. Sorry, none of the Diono that don’t show my kids so not posting those at the moment. Btw, here’s a pick of wheels+tires four wide across the back which was easy and convenient for m/b.
379A3A72-5AE7-4E62-B79F-22282FE3B7A9.jpg

F4B5DAF7-C76B-4F24-A03E-0EA230C765A2.jpg

[RS3TP]

How significant if any is the power of the 2020 compared to the 2022. Seat feel is fine too .. no need for hard numbers

[Crowlski]

How significant if any is the power of the 2020 compared to the 2022. Seat feel is fine too .. no need for hard numbers

Haven't really rung it out yet. Break in still happening. But there seems to be more lower end push to it compared to my 2020.

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[Crowlski]

One observation a week or so into ownership is the car rides smoother and I am not as afraid of moderate potholes that wreaked havoc on my 2020. I went thru three P-Zeros on the front passenger side in 6 months. I take the same roads thus hit the same ruts and holes as I did in my 2020 and the ride is much more compliant. Hopefully this helps as I know there were a number of threads about tire issues.

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[HarlemRs3]

I’m about to get rid of my 18 rs3 and get into a 22 myself, my only concern is that of the wheel and tire drama. Have you found the ride quality that much better that you don’t worry about tires anymore?

[NapalmEnema]

I’m about to get rid of my 18 rs3 and get into a 22 myself, my only concern is that of the wheel and tire drama. Have you found the ride quality that much better that you don’t worry about tires anymore?

Houston here with terrible roads- no issues with the occasional miss of a bad spot - car rides really well through whatever and doesn't seem worse for wear. Have about 2k of city driving on my 22.

[Crowlski]

I’m about to get rid of my 18 rs3 and get into a 22 myself, my only concern is that of the wheel and tire drama. Have you found the ride quality that much better that you don’t worry about tires anymore?

I think this is where the new 8Y really differs from the previous gen. The ride is much better than before. It takes bumps and ruts much better. Now, keep in mind the tires and wheel combo is essentially the same albeit wider up front and a solid pothole will split a sidewall or worse, bend a rim so you still need to be mindful. But it is MUCH better to say the least.

[HarlemRs3]

Thanks for the reply’s. Glad to hear ride quality is improved. I’ve replaced 3 rims, and countless tires over the last 4 years, AND YET, I love the 5 cylinder that much that I’m trading for another rs3.
Are the front wheels wider than the front staggered of the last gen? What are your plans for winter tires? I was using Pirelli winters square, which was a stretch up front, idk if they’d fit if the wheels are wider. 🤔
Last question, is there engine noise piped in to the cabin?

[o1turbo30v]

I think this is where the new 8Y really differs from the previous gen. The ride is much better than before. It takes bumps and ruts much better. Now, keep in mind the tires and wheel combo is essentially the same albeit wider up front and a solid pothole will split a sidewall or worse, bend a rim so you still need to be mindful. But it is MUCH better to say the least.

Well the chassis is pretty much the same, same wheelbase, Audi got rid of the BWI manufactured Mag-ride and went with the Golf R Monroe manufactured shocks and struts, those are probably tuned a bit differently and is probably the biggest contributor to the ride quality. Any 30/35 series tire will ride like sh*t so doubtful its the tires

[Crowlski]

Well the chassis is pretty much the same, same wheelbase, Audi got rid of the BWI manufactured Mag-ride and went with the Golf R Monroe manufactured shocks and struts, those are probably tuned a bit differently and is probably the biggest contributor to the ride quality. Any 30/35 series tire will ride like sh*t so doubtful its the tires

True, PLUS the track is wider by 2", the car is 2" longer as well.

[elijahallen]

I sold my 18 built motor RS3 in April hoping to get one of these but have had no luck until now. I am picking up a lightly used Kemora grey one on Thursday. I'm flying to St. Louis and then doing a 1500 mile road trip to visit family then back to Michigan. I'm looking forward to getting to know these new RS3's!

[Crowlski]

I sold my 18 built motor RS3 in April hoping to get one of these but have had no luck until now. I am picking up a lightly used Kemora grey one on Thursday. I'm flying to St. Louis and then doing a 1500 mile road trip to visit family then back to Michigan. I'm looking forward to getting to know these new RS3's!

Good luck!

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