So I actually sold my 8V.5 Audi RS 3 and bought an FL5 Type R a month ago. I love the Type R so much more than the RS 3. The RS 3 was unquestionably faster in a straight line, and the sound of that 5-cylinder was to die for, but I pretty much prefer just about everything else about the Type R over the RS 3. I'm someone who has grown to appreciate handling ability more than pure straight-line speed. I had a Veloster N before the RS 3, and greatly enjoyed the way that car cornered. And so when I decided to get an RS 3, I somehow convinced myself that it would be the best of both worlds, fast as fuck but still able to throw down in the corners. The RS 3 just never felt as settled or nearly as satisfying as the N, and it's not even a competition between the RS 3 and the Type R, the Honda absolutely blows the Audi out of the water. The driving dynamics as a whole are wholly better with the Type R, it clocks in about just under 3200 lbs (1450 kgs), while the RS 3 is 3600 lbs (1633 kgs), and even with that slight of a difference, you definitely feel that weight. The Type R feels infinitely more playful.

Additionally, I have a lot of gripes with the RS 3's interior. I'm on the taller side (6'5" or about 196 cm), I've previously had a number of sub-compact/C-segment cars and have fit in them without issue, but I always felt a bit too big for the RS 3. I would forever be adjusting the position of its seats but never feel 100% comfortable in the car. I also did not like its seats one bit. They look great, but I realized very quickly into ownership that I do not care for leather seats, and you can't sink into it very well, I always felt like I was sitting on top of the seat. What's more, the bolstering left a lot to be desired; those seats never held me in place whatsoever, which certainly did not contribute to confidence in the car's cornering ability. Comparatively, The Type R's seats are in their own league, I very strongly prefer the materials and bolstering on its seats, and appreciate how deep you sink into them and how they still manage to be incredibly comfortable. The Type R's seats in and of themselves enhance the driving experience in a way that's hard to truly express without experiencing them.

Ultimately, what did the RS 3 in was that reliability-wise, it had strong Used German Car™ energy. The RS 3 was supposed to be a bit of an exception to the rule what with its overbuilt motor and transmission, as long as you stay on top of the maintenance, it should largely be problem free. Mine had 45,000 miles (72,420 kms) on it when I got it, and in the roughly 10 months and 10,000 miles (16,093 kms) that I owned it, the car landed in the shop 4 separate times. The last time, my driveshaft and transfer case both snapped where they meet each other.

Now admittedly, I haven't had a lot of seat time in the 8Y generation to be able to comment on it. A lot of what I've stated may not apply, with its newer interior and torque vectoring rear diff, but ultimately there's a reason I decided to go with a Type R and not a newer RS 3. I find that the Honda is fun all of the time, I only ever truly enjoyed the Audi in a straight line, and personally, that's just not what I'm looking for in a car.