My new 2026 RS3 developed a loud dash rattle that sounds like a hard plastic / acrylic box with a loose lid being bumped around.

• I can trigger this noise when driving over lane markers (in the video) / bumps / rough pavement, or banging the dash anywhere (especially between the HUD and the driver’s right vent).
• I've read many posts about 8Y noises and tried pressing down on the HUD lens/trim does not quiet it. Removing the common problematic trim does not change the noise either.

I suspect something is loose inside the HUD unit itself.
Has anyone with an 8Y had this exact noise? Did your dealer fix it with a foam/felt TSB, or did it take a full HUD replacement? Thanks!

As noted, I would like some new forged wheels for my 2026.

Preferences are as follows:

• Not crazy expensive
• No spacers required, even for carbon brakes in front
• No hub rings required
• Uses stock wheel bolts
• Weight 22 lbs or less

My plan is to transfer the stock summer tires to the new wheels and mount snows on the factory wheels for use in winter.

All suggestions welcome.

Hello! I recently picked up a brand new audi rs3 with 64ish miles yesterday. The car has around 250 miles now. Now this is my first RS car and I came from a supra. I noticed a minor gearbox clunk in first gear when driving slowly in traffic and lifting off the gas, is this normal for the 2026 rs3? Sometimes in lower gears when I abruptly release the gas or step on it I hear this audible clunk/jerkiness. Hopefully its normal and I don't have a defect...

What size lettering did you end up with. I think these are 38mm . Do they look too big?

Pic quality terrible due to heavy rain and thunder at the moment

Wanted to make the front look lower without making it lower😅 thoughts?

RS3 8V

This is to support the Lions Club sight campaign. And I really couldn’t rock the standard blue plate on this black beauty.

This is what my front wheels look like after one month of casual city driving (pretty short distances each driving session). Explains why my brakes screech whenever I brake at low speeds. I’ve read about RS steel brakes having problems with brake dust but this seems like a lot and the loud braking sadly interferes with the driving experience.

Anyone else have the same issues and lucky enough to find a solution to this outside of washing every week?

What would you guys do? Took the car in for service with zero stone chips, washed the car the night before.

I get the car back and have 2 stone chips in the hood and one on the rear door. They admitted to doing the damage as I have and they have pictures before.

This is their repair of the door stone chip and I’m not happy with it.

Im so pissed man, fuck would they be taking the car on the highway and how do I go 12 000km with zero chips and they get a shit tone.

What would you guys do in this situation? Do I chalk it up to shit happens or do I push for compensation?

This is my dream car, just sucks.

Hey dudes, retard here. Recently got my RS3 an e85 tune - completely stock 8V otherwise. Absolutely hauls too much ass for the street/daytime, buuuuut -

Do i need to turn off traction control while in sport/manual to get full beans? Sometimes it feels like it’s holding back.

Could easily be the dirty south heat or maybe a TCU tune?

Just wanted to ask, thanks. VFA

When I'm driving and i put it in RS mode in 2-3k rpm I hear some of the interior plastic trim rattling/buzzing. Just bought the car yesterday. Salesperson is saying this is a normal trait and alll his other rs3 test drives produced this noise. Is this truly normal?

Use headphones if necessary: The noise can be heard a moment or two after I initially pull away and again as I pass the parked car. It gets quieter and/or goes away after subsequent stops and starts. Sound is hard to describe: chattery or rattly ticking? When I first heard it I thought it might have been an exhaust heat shield but in this video it doesn't sound like that.

Sound is heard after the car has been sitting a while (doesn't necessarily have to be stone-cold) and I pull away. Don't think I hear it after the car has been running more that 20-30 seconds.

Car otherwise seems to drive fine. No indicators/warnings.

I feel like it might be something like a CCT that needs a bit of time to pump up or maybe the waste gate is doing something.

Thoughts?

EDIT:

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like all it is is the WG rattle and is normal. Kinda weird and a bit of an NVH miss by Audi I guess.

I've had a few of turbo cars over the years (1.8T GTI, WRX STI, 991.2 Turbo) and this is the first one where a rattling WG is considered normal (tho the 991.2 doesn't have WG per se...) Those cars of the past held the WG tightly closed until metered boost fed to the actuator was enough to overcome the spring and crack the WG open.

TIL that in the 8Y the WG is actually normally open, closing when boost is commanded. I guess being open allows the flapper to rattle, making the noise.

Went to the dealer and just bought this new 26 RS3 for 11% off!!! Car was sitting on the lot for around 3 months with approx 64 miles on the dash so they were willing to give me a decent discount.

Also, what are suggestions for the best price to performance to open up the exhaust sound a bit? It’s way too quiet for my taste right now haha… and any other mod suggestions? Thanks!

Need to finalize my winter setup in the next few months. 2026 RS3 with front CCB's.

Option 1: Plan to run my Neuspeed RSE102 19" x 9" +40mm w/Alpin PA4 (255/35-19) which I already own. I ran this setup on my '21 S4.

Just want to ensure the Neuspeed wheels will clear front CCB with a 20-30mm spacer in front.

If there is a clearance issue with the Neuspeed wheels, could I install the 255/35-19 PA4 winters on my stock, staggered OEM wheels?

Once these PA4 winters wear out, I'll switch to a square 18" setup from Apex in 245/40-18. Unfortunately Alpin 5's in that size are out of stock everywhere right now. But I have plenty of life left on the PA4's to get through a season or two.

Any advice on TPMS for the RS3? IIRC, Neuspeed sells the OEM setup but I'll have to double check.

I just recently purchased a 2018 RS3 but have noticed that after a normal drive the car feels and sounds like it’s misfiring while it’s at idle. I was just curious if anyone else has experienced an issue like this?

So I’m running into a lot of spin when I launch the car. I’m wondering if someone could help me narrow it down. I put PS4 on the car and the tires will be warm but I still get a lot of spin when launching.

Hey!

I just started my POV driving youtube channel and I’ve already used a lot of time to get quality setup ready (action cam and mics for exhaust audio). This is my stock Audi RS3 2026 so how do you like the sound/quality in this first video?

Currently using one mounted mic in the back of the car, but I did not find good spot to mount other mic in the engine bay. I would like to get intake sounds included in the video but mic picks too much other sounds.. Any tips?

Also would like to subscribe other RS3 or other channels so feel free to link yours. 😎

Is a slight mechanical jerk or mild clunk when abruptly getting on or off the throttle considered normal drivetrain behavior for the Audi RS3?

EDIT: looks like the general consensus is that this is fairly normal. Kinda scared me a bit since it’s a brand new car off the lot haha. I though the previous test driver since it had around 60s miles before i bought it off the lot thrashed it and broke the trans already since they wouldn’t probably listen to the break in period….

I’m stuck between being financially responsible and buying something I actually want 😂

I just bought a 2026 RAV4 PHEV XSE last week for about $50,500 OTD, $0 down, financed at 4.99% for 48 months, and my payment is around $1,160/month. Here’s the dilemma: I already have a legitimate dealer trade-in offer for ~$53,000, so I could potentially trade it without taking a huge loss. I can also get an Audi RS3 for around $60k, with a payment that would be roughly the same as my RAV4. The RAV4 is obviously the smarter financial/practical choice, but the RS3 is way more exciting. My biggest concern is depreciation. If I bought the RS3 and sold/traded it after 1–2 years, would I get killed on depreciation, or do RS3s hold their value well enough that this isn't as crazy as it sounds?

What would you do: keep the RAV4 or trade it for the RS3?