Buying an RS3 with a high launch counter

[M1k3ee]

This weekend I went to test drive a relatively high mileage (52,000 miles) 2018 RS3 8V Limousine to potentially buy it. Main reason I am looking at this car in particular is because the car has a rare exclusive colour (Nogaro blue). The condition of the car was immaculate, no scratches on bumpers and interior looked like new. I will be buying the car to daily drive.

Regarding maintenance and conditions:
- The car is loaded with options and has the increased speed limit (175 mph instead of 155 mph), magnetic ride, sports exhaust (which I will probably change to the more quiet exhaust).
- The front rotors were replaced 2,000 miles ago (at 50k miles).
- The car always got maintenance by Audi as scheduled, first gearbox oil and haldex oil change at 30k miles. This also means engine oil changes every 18,500 miles .
- As I requested this, the car will be delivered with new gearbox oil and new haldex oil in the case I buy it.
- The car is sold by an Audi dealer as Audi approved, with a 1 year warranty.

During the test drive the car drove exactly as expected, no issues whatsoever. I was surprised how violent the car accelerates, even compared to a stage 2 3.0 TFSI.

However, I was shocked when I pulled out the VCDS and looked up the launch counter; it said 124 launches. When I said this to the sales person he said that he did not expect this, as the previous owner was a 60 year old male without any children. If I was looking for a more generic RS3, this would put me off; however, as there are only 2 Nogaro RS3’s for sale in Europe (this one is the only limousine) right now, so I am willing to consider buying this one; also considering that the car still drives smooth (I couldn’t feel something is off, my own A5 3.0 TFSI has only 30k miles, 0 launches and drives just as smooth). I won't be launching the car myself any time, I will only drive spirited on back roads.

What are your thoughts on this, buy it or walk away?

[09S5]

It's a rare breed.

Purchase it, if it the box.


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[o1turbo30v]

It's a rare breed.

Purchase it, if it checks the box.


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^ this, if it still drives well after 126 launches it tells you how well made it is. Buy it and enjoy it

[noseyp]

I've launched my car over 150 times since Dec 19. Probably 75 of the launches were stage 1 or 1+ (e85). Nothing is broken.

[redline380]

Audi has the factory limit at 200. That should tell you something, that the manufacturer itself (and Audi is known for being kind of safe) is allowing you 200 launches before it cuts them out. If the Audi engineers have determined 200 is a safe level, sounds like you are still good.

Now, Audi engineers have been wrong before. But I don't really think launch control presents a potential weakness in these cars.

[714RS3]

Bought my RS3 with 197 launches (I was only able to launch 3 times and it never worked again until I tuned it). Confirmed with VCDS. It now sits on stage 1 e85 with 222 launches. Previous owner was also on stage 1 e85 for about 6 months or so. The launch number also goes up if you engage it and don’t launch it.

No problems here :)


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[HODL_B58]

And here i am looking to abuse the hell out of my DSG so can rebuild and go stage 4…

[FSTSNAL]

Where in vcds do you find the launch counter? Interested to see what the count is for mine.

[DrMerl]

Where in vcds do you find the launch counter? Interested to see what the count is for mine.

Quick vid on how to find -
https://youtu.be/baYqhWk2C7Y?t=162

[blown ION]

I thought I read on here a while back that Audi can reset the launch counter once it reaches the 200 limit?
They set that parameter for a few system checks and recommended services.
Maybe someone can correct me if I’m wrong.


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[kevin#34]

I guess you have to replace the mecatronic, to reset that value...

[mtwallace85]

This also means engine oil changes every 18,500 miles .

Typo? I hope that interval wasn’t used.

I guess you have to replace the mecatronic, to reset that value...

You lose the launch counter when you’re tuned.

[fzr100098]

18k oil change intervals on a high revving, high boost motor are completely insane, I don't care what manufacturers claim

[Kaliking]

Honestly I wouldn't sweat it when it comes to an RS3 with a high launch amount. Given the amount of abuse we put these cars through, they are absolutely rock solid. Could you run into issues, of course, but you could buy an RS3 with 3,000 miles and never launched and have more issues with that car then one with 70,000 miles and launched multiple times. There is no definite trend when it comes to launches that points to the fact that if you launch the RS3 this much it will soon be going boom. I have racing and modifying cars since the early 2000s and out of all the cars I've owned the RS3 beats all of them in one key aspect, the number of time slips. I mean I can't find the time to race this car enough. It's not that I didn't want to race all my previous cars this much, it's just that all of them had some sort of issue I had to fix or work on to get it back to racing form. For instance my EVO IX went through four clutches, multiple boost leaks all over the damn car. I'd fix one boost leak and it would start leaking somewhere else, my GTO was constantly over heating, my 3000GT VR4 earned me an expensive tow from the drag strip to my home and sat for nearly a year before I got around to fixing it, the list goes on. This RS3 thus far, no major issues and I have raced it three to four times as much as any car I've owned in the past.

[kevin#34]

sure? my TCU is tuned with Unitronic stage 2, and the counter is still there...

You lose the launch counter when you’re tuned.

[Potatohead_RS3]

18k oil change intervals on a high revving, high boost motor are completely insane, I don't care what manufacturers claim

18k is the maximum. It will trigger an oil change earlier if the algorithm determines it is necessary. It's not like here where the service interval is fixed at 10k.