savethemanual
Seasoned Member
I wrote a lengthy comparison when my wife first got her RS3 and wanted to write a 6 month update after 5K miles across both cars.
Going to focus primarily on driving experience and a little on the interior since nothing much has changed with the exterior impressions, still get a lot of compliments on both cars. The RS3 is just as rare as the blackwing around here so we still get plenty of what's that car.
Interior and technology-
The RS3 has far more rattles 5k miles later than the blackwing. I am hearing squeaks from the sunroof and a general fair bit more noise in the RS3. The blackwing feels as solid as a tank- no squeaks, rattles and the loudest noise is my kid's child seat moving around. With longer term usage I also appreciate the technology in the blackwing a bit more, the RS3 does not auto lock if you walk away with the key in the car(drives me nuts.) It also does not do memory based on the keys and instead relies on some profiles which is needlessly complex and does not work. Another small thing which drives me crazy, the garage opener does not work once ignition is turned off. Its still a more practical car(more room and adaptive cruise) so its seeing more regular use for school pickups and drop offs etc. I find the seats in the RS3 a bit more comfortable for longer distances. They hold you kinda well but are not as hard as the blackwing. But overall whoever dismisses GM interior quality and technology has not actually spent any time in similar german cars.
Drive experience-
This is where my opinion has shifted most significantly. The ride on the RS3 has somehow gotten worse in the last 6 months and is overly harsh even in the softest setting. It crashes over bumps and sends every small imperfection into the cabin. The blackwing on the other hand feels like a limo. all I hear and feel is a thump and the bump is muffled. The steering in the blackwing is leagues and miles better than the RS3. Its not even close. The blackwing feels more special as an experience and every time I want to actually feel something I drive the blackwing.
The RS3 has become the errand and highway car and the blackwing is saved for weekend canyon carving etc. The manual and steering feel plays a huge part in that, the RS3 is mostly engine, practicality and not much more.
Going to focus primarily on driving experience and a little on the interior since nothing much has changed with the exterior impressions, still get a lot of compliments on both cars. The RS3 is just as rare as the blackwing around here so we still get plenty of what's that car.
Interior and technology-
The RS3 has far more rattles 5k miles later than the blackwing. I am hearing squeaks from the sunroof and a general fair bit more noise in the RS3. The blackwing feels as solid as a tank- no squeaks, rattles and the loudest noise is my kid's child seat moving around. With longer term usage I also appreciate the technology in the blackwing a bit more, the RS3 does not auto lock if you walk away with the key in the car(drives me nuts.) It also does not do memory based on the keys and instead relies on some profiles which is needlessly complex and does not work. Another small thing which drives me crazy, the garage opener does not work once ignition is turned off. Its still a more practical car(more room and adaptive cruise) so its seeing more regular use for school pickups and drop offs etc. I find the seats in the RS3 a bit more comfortable for longer distances. They hold you kinda well but are not as hard as the blackwing. But overall whoever dismisses GM interior quality and technology has not actually spent any time in similar german cars.
Drive experience-
This is where my opinion has shifted most significantly. The ride on the RS3 has somehow gotten worse in the last 6 months and is overly harsh even in the softest setting. It crashes over bumps and sends every small imperfection into the cabin. The blackwing on the other hand feels like a limo. all I hear and feel is a thump and the bump is muffled. The steering in the blackwing is leagues and miles better than the RS3. Its not even close. The blackwing feels more special as an experience and every time I want to actually feel something I drive the blackwing.
The RS3 has become the errand and highway car and the blackwing is saved for weekend canyon carving etc. The manual and steering feel plays a huge part in that, the RS3 is mostly engine, practicality and not much more.
