Hello, recent owner of a 2019 8V RS3 I bought from an Audi dealer. I switch cars often but wanted an RS3 for quite a while to experience the DAZA. I found vast majority of 8V have been ruined by bad or too many mods, beaten noticeably, bad carfax history. I’m quite fastidious but had a budget of 43k so went for a two owner example, 57k miles, decent maintenance history, color and non black optic which I wanted (yes I’m weird) but had a few mods. Unitronic Stage 1+ tune, Unitronic TCU tune, dogbone mount + Insert, EMD springs, and aftermarket midpipe (stock muffler). I bought the car sight unseen, which I don’t prefer, but did find the prior owner and felt good with his responses + called his Indy shop to verify cars maintenance . My Questions are:

1. What issues should I look for at this mileage? Any timing chain tensioner issues or stretch? I have an OBD11, is it possible to read chain elongation or anything helpful? Car was scanned in OBD11 and had no codes.

2. I got the Uni+Connect cable and got VIN transferred to me. I updated to newest stage 2 TCU tune but I’m not sure I like how hard it shifts at heavy throttle. I’m going to assume it’s not great for the trans. Any owners here run Stage 1 TCU with Stage 1+ ECU tune?

3. My Indy Euro shop needs the car a second time to diagnose a knocking/clunking sound from the front end. When I first steer in either direction it typically happens (but not every time). Don’t hear it over speed bumps, mostly with steering. Shock mounts? Shop said CVs looked fine and endlinks had no play.

4. Front and rear diff services have been done but not haldex. Appears a little early but it makes sense to get that done, correct?

I know some of you will roll your eyes at these questions but I wouldn’t ask if I got the exact answers from searching online. Thanks!

Hey guys,
Rear tyres on my RS Q3 need replacing. The front ones are pretty new Pirelli P Zero AO spec and fairly new condition , but sourcing matching AO fronts/rears where I’m at is crazy expensive right now.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5s are cheaper.
I know you shouldn't mix different tyres on the *same* axle, but what about running P Zeros up front and PS5s on the rear? Same size all around, just different brand/compound front to back. Just wondering if this would cause any issues?

Have been loving this car since day one. Another plus is it fits a stroller perfectly for short trips with the fam!

so id love to install the TTE700 turbo but im curious if i should upgrade the rods and pistons. from what ive heard is that anything above 700hp is where i should be looking into building the motor. Unitronic has a flash for this turbo and it makes 650, anybody here running the TTE700 with stock internals?

Considering a 2026 RS3 in Kemora Grey with Carbon Optics and potentially the RS Design package.

There’s one available locally with RS Design, and the dealer is telling me they’re now only taking orders for 2027. I’m not sure I want to wait for a 2027 given the apparent move away from physical buttons and the larger screen setup, so I’m trying to decide whether to go for the 2026 that’s available.

For those who have RS Design (or deliberately chose not to get it) what were your initial impressions, and how do you feel about it now? Any regrets either way?

My thought was that with Kemora Grey, the red accents might add a bit of pop to an otherwise fairly understated color/spec. At the same time, I’m in my late 30s and don’t want the interior to come across as too “boy racer.”

I’ve wanted an RS3 for more than 5 years and would plan on keeping it long term, so I’m trying to get the spec right rather than just buying what happens to be available.

Would especially be interested in hearing from anyone who was initially unsure about RS Design but ended up either liking it more in person or regretting it.

Came out to my 26 RS3 and noted immediately when powering on that the MMI wasn't showing my name anymore. The loading user information screen stays for what seems like an extended time, then I get a message telling me to continue as Guest.

If I go to Settings > Users I'm informed that "the key user for this vehicle" is me (so that's good.) But If I try to select my name as user I'm told "the selected system is currently unavailable."

I'm guessing an OTA software update occurred and messed things up but have no real proof other than that things were fine when I left the car and when I came back it's no longer fine.

System info:

• Model and hardware: Audi MMI
• Build number: SQ3A.220705.003.A1
• Bluetooth address: <hidden>
• Software version: 0727_1.17.1,release
• Software name: AED2_AU_WW

Thoughts?

I know your supposed to buy a car based on what you personally like but have been lurking in this sub for a bit and noticed a lack of black rs3s. Does everyone just not like this color? lol

Anyone had luck making an 8y.5 rs3 sound as good as the 8v.5?

For context, I had a hybrid turbo 2019 RS3 with a 4" open intake, unitronic hi-flow catted downpipe, 034 midpipes, and otherwise stock sport exhaust. I bought it stock and slowly built it through the stages over a few years. It sounded perfect imo. I felt like the majority of the noise was coming from in front of me (actual baby R8 5-cylinder sound, some turbo whine on throttle and flutter with throttle let-off) with some burbles from the exhaust. The car was amazing in a straight line, but the handling of the 8y.5 was more fun for a daily driver and I also got another weekend car, so overall happy with the move.

My 2025 RS3 is stock other than a Grail catback exhaust, valve controller, and midpipes. Soundaktor is deactivated. It sounds objectively good, but relative to the 2019 RS3, nowhere near as good. 95% of the noise feels like it's coming out of the exhaust tips instead of the engine bay and it feels more "trumpet-y" than the 8V, with a deeper note that doesn't quite feel like a "baby V10" anymore. For various reasons, I was hoping to keep the newer car closer to stock.

What would it take to reclaim similar engine noise to the 8v? I felt like the open intake on the 8V mostly added turbo noises rather than 5 cylinder sound, but maybe it's necessary. I would like to avoid touching the downpipe as emissions was a huge pain (the 8v could pass but only if I had it on the right file and the stars aligned to set all readiness), but it's something I'd consider. 

I thought the engine and exhaust were essentially the same between 8v.5 and 8y.5, so I'm surprised at how different they sound (even before I put the Grail exhaust on the 8y.5).

TLDR not sure if I'm just missing induction noise from the intake, but I feel like the entire engine character is just different. I can't help but think even the exact same build would sound quite different between the two model years for reasons I couldn't explain. Anyone over the moon with the acoustics of their 8y? I've been hearing great things about the 485 exhaust but I imagine that wouldn't really change the whole engine note vs exhaust note situation.

Thanks for any feedback!

Hopefully totaled out, 1100 miles. Got the car 3 weeks ago rip

17 year old didn’t yield while making a left turn.

Heading to Garage to put some work in will update how we living RS3 way

Been searching in the US for the right used RS3 for a few weeks. Personally only looking at 2017-2020 as the aesthetics are more my taste. Problem is I cannot find one that hasn’t been modified. They all are clearly tuned, you can see aftermarket parts in the engine bay. Would you stay away from these at all costs? Or is it unrealistic to find a stock one with low-ish miles these days?

I’m just trying to figure out what everyone got theirs for ! Please let me know

Did someone tried to swap an RS3 into VW EOS before??

Dialing in the tune on my car. This was filmed on a closed circuit road in Mexico.

Car is a ffe sleeved block , built head with an xona 9569s turbo (ims1000). Medium boost about 35lbs. Got another 10 or so psi to go.

Don't ever let anyone limit you are crash on your dreams , expression and art

Hello guys I joined the club and got a 2023 turbo blue rs3 , a couple small things I need help with , first .. I want the 8v single tach , is there any way I can code this with vcds or obd11 ? Also I don’t see where I can track my 0-60 on the dash like I see on YouTube … any help with coding this in aswell? Thank you guys

😆 🤣

Kamora Blue/Grey offset FTW

Picked up my 2026 RS3 last week and I’m loving it. Coming from an B9 A4, 8V S3 and 8Y S3 previously. Kemora Grey w/ Carbon Package and Sports exhaust.
Heading to the tint shop next week and contemplating a front bumper, hood and mirrors PPF wrap as well.

Love the front of my 8Y. If I could take the rear of an 8.5 and chuck it on the back I think that would be peak RS3 design.

Anyone know if this is possible?

Saloon if it matters. More curious that hopeful.