Audi RS3 vs. BMW M2 Coupe:

[993140]

Since some of you have compared the two, here's an article you might find interesting:

https://www.slashgear.com/1632240/au...-practicality/

[theverge]

Audi's torque converter automatic

. Um

[Jetdriver]

. Um

Yeah. He kinda lost me there...

Sent from my SM-F721U using Audizine Forum mobile app

[fzr100098]

Initially I could not get past the M2's fugly/boxy design, but it's tolerable in dark colors - with about 485 hp expected for the 2025 model on a dyno, it's definitely intriguing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJsc0mXJ5jA&t=17s

Track times will be interesting, apparently the previous M2 ring time (not that it's everything) was on a slightly longer course and car did not have carbon ceramics (plus different tires)

[grandpab]

Man...that dash makes the interior even uglier than the exterior.

[Rguy]

I find that lego block front end on the M2 hideous. Previous gen was so much better looking.

[NapalmEnema]

Man...that dash makes the interior even uglier than the exterior.

Agreed. Even if you can get past the front end they hit you with that and um....yeah.

Pretty telling as well they didn't do a zoomed out shot of the dash, it's so bad there is no good angle. Just one shot of the steering wheel.

Lame.

[fzr100098]

All that stuff becomes irrelevant if the driving experience is good. Chris Harris review changed the overwhelmingly negative narrative, now there are more positive driving reviews. I have no doubt it drives better than the previous M2 and will be faster (with 2025 power bump) on track (also faster than 8Y)

Plus the S58 makes crazy power for those willing to pay up for tuning

[Rguy]

if you need a track car, M2 all the way.

If you need a car that does it ALL well, RS3 really presses more practicality buttons.

30 something me with no kids, M2 all day.

40+ something me with wife/kids, RS3.

[fzr100098]

510 rwhp with 150 lbs weight loss I'm a buyer

https://www.motor1.com/news/729093/b...sepower-rumor/

[IanCH]

Gonna be pretty hard to get a CS, always has been but that car will be freaky

[handspin]

the rear torque converter seems to maintain the drift and all that is needed is more throttle

vs. normal rwd that is modulated and modulated with steering

so, kinda auto drift mode like some one above said

the torque converter is similar to that found on the focus rs except tuned more for drivability vs hooning

audi quattros have always prioritized faster times vs pure drifting in that sense

https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/20...s-of-rwd-audis

really awd drift mode where the front slip angle correction is not as drastic as rwd drift

[RudyH]

wait the RS3 doesn't have Individual mode? I didn't see it listed there
the RS3 was disappointed to hear about turbo lag, the S3 has quite a bit, but is it really turbo lag or the DSG itself? Oddly I find the 8Y S3 has more turbo lag then my MK7.5 R did

seating position too have to agree, I don't like it, but same as my R I didn't. It's comfortable at least.

End of day, yes I am kind of between the 8Y.5 and M2 but its a daily driver to replace my S3, so I would likely favor the RS3, but lets be honest the M2 is fantastic

[IanCH]

The only reason to get the m2 is if you want the manual transmission.

There are plenty of things the m2 does better stats wise, but it's not an improvement over the previous m2 in driving experience.

[Jetdriver]

I would not cross-shop a 2-door coupe with a 4-door sedan. Not sure why these two cars are always compared. They're obviously compared by people who don't care about 4-doors. Do I need 4-doors all of the time? No, but when I do, I'd rather not have to squeeze people in through the front door between the jam and the seat. I'd much rather compare an M330i xDrive to the RS3, but even then, you're giving up performance to the RS3 if you go 330 by a pretty big margin. The RS3 is in a league of its own. So is the M2. So is the M3. All of these cars have their unique place in the market.

[IanCH]

I agree that all the M line is awesome. I would buy any of them in different needs/circumstances.

I have two young kids that are about to be both forward facing, 4 doors mandatory.

I have a wife who cant be bothered to learn stick and while she will not drive the car 99% of the time, she must be able to drive it. 3rd car comes after RS.

[Jetdriver]

I agree that all the M line is awesome. I would buy any of them in different needs/circumstances.

I have two young kids that are about to be both forward facing, 4 doors mandatory.

I have a wife who cant be bothered to learn stick and while she will not drive the car 99% of the time, she must be able to drive it. 3rd car comes after RS.

I've had many cars with manual transmissions over the years. I got my learner's permit on a manual. That was 31 years ago. I still have a '17 WRX with a manual sitting in the driveway that is pretty much my daily driver/work commuter. Every car I've ever bought for myself has been a manual and after getting the RS3, I don't think I'll ever go back. The fun-factor of a manual is just not there for me anymore enough to sacrifice the performance gain of a DCT or ZF type tranny. Today's automatics are far superior to any manual transmission you'll find. I never thought I'd ever say that.

[Rguy]

One fun car with a 6 speed and The RS3 next to it is the perfect two car garage.

Then a nice Hybrid SUV for the wife, and a big Wagoneer for the daily kid hauler.

The Rguy garage is perfect :P

[NapalmEnema]

One fun car with a 6 speed and The RS3 next to it is the perfect two car garage.

Then a nice Hybrid SUV for the wife, and a big Wagoneer for the daily kid hauler.

The Rguy garage is perfect :P

Agreed - Type R is my ultimate stick shifter - M2 is my RWD hoonigan then the RS3 is the best AWD. All flavors ftw! FWD / RWD / AWD

[Yes2m3cs]

One fun car with a 6 speed and The RS3 next to it is the perfect two car garage.

Then a nice Hybrid SUV for the wife, and a big Wagoneer for the daily kid hauler.

The Rguy garage is perfect :P

^^Exactly - My GR Corolla fills the manual trans void and the RS3 perfect all around ride!

[9kracing]

The BMW M235i Gran Sport is the closest competitor to the RS3, and even then it's really more competing with the S3.

Both AWD front biased platforms with 4 doors and auto only.

If BMW came out with a M240i Gran Sport it'd be a real competitor.

AS it sits, I feel like the M2 and RS3 are not in the same class.

[fzr100098]

The only reason to get the m2 is if you want the manual transmission.

Manual trans in the M2 isn't that good (rubbery), geared too high and down on torque compared to the ZF (worse for 2025). Manual trans is overrated on many of these cars - the S2000 was above average but if I'm going to row most of these just don't cut it

The new M2 is simply much faster than the RS3 and it's RWD, that's my reasons for considering it. I don't have anything bad to say about the RS3 other than you sit fairly high up and doesn't feel like a true sports car - I still love the sleeper aspect of it though and it sounds good (it looks better as well from most angles)