I was a bit indecisive when I ordered my RS3 about 6-7 months ago. I had read all of the test reports and the car seemed to be what I wanted but no one was really raving about the car. The previous version understeered like a pork bun and the US did not get the hatch version(very sad that you would not let your customers decide for themselves and not cool at all OOOO). As you can see by my Partial list of previously owned Audis I have been down this road a time or two with AOA.
Last thursday I picked up the very first RS3 delivered at Audi Concord, Ca.. There was also a SOLD 2017 there that had arrived the day before my 2018 but the customer came in the day after I did to pick it up. The sales staff were super cool and everyone raved about the Nardo with Black optic! The car did come out Gorgeous IMHO! It was about 7:30PM by the time I left the store(I was pretty tired). That evening I did attempt to take her through the hills, Grizzly Peak Blvd if you know the area. The road was partially shut down due to a fire so police and fire were everywhere. I had to turn around and go home on Berkeley city streets. That night I was thinking... Had I made the wrong move? The car was OK, but not really what I had expected.....
The next morning I got up at 5 AM of course(new car excitement) and took her out on some isolated stretches of Wildcat Canyon Rd. I also deactivated Stability Management(fresh Idea) and of course as before selected Dynamic mode. OMG! This car is CRAZY FAST!! I have plenty of experience with fast cars but this thing feels like a cat on carpet and the torque is off the map! OH and did I mention that the little bugger has nearly neutral handling?!!!
I could NOT be happier with the car. Its my B5 S4 reincarnated but, it handles WAY better, is much lighter, and does not plow through corners like a Zamboni!
If you are on the fence about getting one... JUST go get it!
P.S. I did not opt for the Technology Package and I am super happy with how the standard Apple Car Play works!! Standard stereo sounds decent as well..
X-Pel goes on this saturday!

2018 RS3
Nardo Grey
Black Optic
Delete Front Plate
Dynamic Pkg

 

this morning in Tilden Park

 

Looks great! Congrats!

 

Looks awesome. Congrats!

 

OP:
I'm interested in knowing how you'd bench the new RS3 with the Cayman R.

 

Congrats! And glad you're enjoying it! I canceled my RS3 and decided to stay with my '15 S3 for the time being. Nice reading new owner's impressions however. Absolutely gorgeous car!!!

 

CaymanR was a spectacular car but the engine lacked turbos(NA) LOL!
Different concept but one hell of a Porsche! I do rate it higher than the GT4(both) in stock form.
RS3 is an all rounder CaymanR is a 2 seater. RS3 will desroy it in most ways though. Of course
HP can really make an impression!
RS3 is quite an amazing platform and pleasingly light to the touch!
The new 4 cyl CaymanS will whoop its a$$

 

Looks very good with the Black Optics; hoping mine looks that good as well!! Congratulations on your RS3. How long did it take you to receive it once you turned in your specs (I was told it would take about 3-4 months).

 

Congratulations on your RS3!!!

I'm glad you compared your RS3 to the B5 S4 you had because the B5 S4 was what drew me in to Audis in the first place. Back in 2000, I thought the B5 S4 was simply awesome! IMO, the latter S4s came close to it, but not quite.

The RS3 being even better than a B5 S4 is a huge selling point, for me at least. I'm sold. Again, congrats!

 

Awesome car. Congrats!!! Can we get a picture of the dash? This is the first one I'm aware of w/o tech package (and ergo, no VC). Thanks!!!