[DoggieHowser]

Actually the rear of the M2 in the right colours looks aggressive as hell. That wide stance just tells you it means business.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

Actually the rear of the M2 in the right colours looks aggressive as hell. That wide stance just tells you it means business.

Just the 265s alone on such a small car indicates it's a performance model. Can't wait to burn through them and get 275s or 285s.

They used pizza cutters on the RS3/TTRS

[dmboone25]

I just built one on the Audi USA site and it was $59K. Not bad at all - definitely might be an option when my F80 lease is up.

What I really want is a shrunken down, size-wise, version of the F80 - like a M2GC. But it doesn't appear that BMW is going to make it...

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I just built one on the Audi USA site and it was $59K. Not bad at all - definitely might be an option when my F80 lease is up.

What I really want is a shrunken down, size-wise, version of the F80 - like a M2GC. But it doesn't appear that BMW is going to make it...

I've still got a deposit down in case they do and have my fingers crossed. My Dinan 235 vert needs a friend.

[///M2Seoul]

Ok, I've finally test driven the RS3 and M2. In terms of power, the RS3 is other worldly. I was even allowed to do launch control and....wow....is all I can say. I'm amazed to learn that the car hasn't been even broken in and heard that there's still yet power to be unleashed. I've driven lambo gallardo's, nissan gtr's and even an old school toyota supra and I have to say that the RS3 is very similar to those cars IMO.

BUT (capital on purpose) as great as the power is and the way that I was able to pass people up on the highway, there was just no excitement/thrill. On the flip side, the M2 albeit down on power vs the RS3 and to be honest I did not feel the crazy/other worldly power or torque on the M2. In terms of power, it was not as impressive as the RS3. But it was a joy to drive. When they say drivers car, fun, excitement, thrill, I think of the M2. It was just a joy to drive. Now I know why BMW keeps saying the M2 has enough power and it does. It is a hooligan when you need it to be.

This IMO sums it up. When I got out of the M2 my wife said that I had a huge smirk on my face that didn't go away, but with the RS3 she had to ask me if I was impressed and/or if I liked the car. The RS3 was great but just didn't excite. I don't know how else to describe it. Logically, the RS3 checks off a lot of the boxes but when it comes down to it, the M2 just pulls/tugs at your heart strings. It makes your heart bump and palpitate just at the thought of driving it. After you park it, you turn back and look at it and smile and get a little tingle just the thought that it's yours and that after whatever it is you're doing, you're going to be back to drive this little beast of a machine. It truly is the ultimate driving machine.

I think this is the ultimate reason why I decided FINALLY, that I'm going with the M2 because, at the end of the day it envokes joy and I will be happy and not regret the decision. The kicker is that it really does remind me of my beloved E46 M3.

[bruin1md]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

Just the 265s alone on such a small car indicates it's a performance model. Can't wait to burn through them and get 275s or 285s.

They used pizza cutters on the RS3/TTRS

Can you fit 275's or 285's without spacers or any other mods on the M2?
If so, that would be awesome

[mtoosexy]

Originally Posted by lopm2

The RS3 might be faster, more accessorised etc.

But for me, its side look is a total deal breaker. No personality, complete bland look.

Is that a Jetta?!?

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by bruin1md

Can you fit 275's or 285's without spacers or any other mods on the M2?
If so, that would be awesome

275s will fit no problem w/o spacers. This has been confirmed by Tire Rack. Any more than that, (wider rubber and/or spacers) need to be test fitted to check for rubbing.

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

Just putting it here. Look at the 0-200 acceleration times.

Two people in the M2 and manual vs DCT.
The RS3 might still be quicker, I have no idea but that is not a fair comparison.

[CanAutM3]

We are seriously considering the RS3 to replace my wife's aging B6 S4, which is now in its 12th year on the road. When the B7 S4 came out, we went for a test drive and my wife really did not like it much. It did not feel as "high-end" or "sporty" as her old B6 did. Which kind of makes sense as the S4 was brought down market to compete against the 335i/340i instead of competing against the M3. So she decided to hang on to her old B6 for a few more years. Interestingly, the RS3 is much closer in size to her B6 S4 than the B8 S4 is and it also feels closer in spirit to her B6 S4 than the B8 S4 does. Now if we could only have the RS4 Avant here in North America .

[leecarrera]

I have read all the comments with great interest since I have both an M2 and an RS3. On a price comparison basis out the door the difference was $8800.00. The Audi was loaded including the Audicare to 50k miles and the M2 had the manual gearbox, Executive Pkg, Apple car Play, a couple of the carbon fiber add ons, and the additional maintenance coverage. My wife will be the primary driver of the Audi (but will keep her E46 sport wagon) and I will be primary in the M2. This is our first Audi but we have continually had at least one BMW in the family since 1990.

The M2 is a kick to drive and it keeps me smiling. I traded my Porsche Macan for it and I did drive a number of 911s and Caymans before making the decision to order the M2. The manual gearbox is wonderful and the only change I have made is to add the UCP clutch pedal. This improves function and evens out the height of the brake and clutch pedals and with the adjustable over center spring gives a little adjustability to pedal feel. It also improves clutch engagement over the stock pedal. The whole car is very "lively" and tossing it around is loads of fun. It makes the right sounds even with the stock exhaust especially with the DSP button on the first click. Great burbles on de-acceleration. I would have to say I couldn't be happier and everyone who has driven the car is impressed (even my Porsche sales associate).

The Audi is a different beast and I do not think the two cars should be lumped together. You can compare performance but in all other categories they are different. My wife would not appreciate the M2 especially with the manual but the Audi is great for her. The S-tronic is a capable gearbox although I think the Porsche modified Audi DCT in the Macan was superior. I may change my mind with more seat time in the Audi but that is my initial feeling. The RS3 goes like crazy once you are moving but is a little slow on the uptake. Dynamic makes this less noticeable but really holds gear changes too long for lazy street driving and I will work with the Individual setting more to get a better compromise for the kind of traffic that seems to be continual where we drive. The interior is nicely done but I think the MMI is overly complicated although I think most of that is due to the fact that there are numerous ways to access the same functions whereas in the BMW it seems operation is very straightforward. Sound system in the Audi is better but neither is an audiophile's dream. The practicality of the Audi is great and the adjustability of the suspension is very much appreciated on our crappy roads. The size is exactly the same as my wife's E46 wagon and that was a must for her. Nothing bigger was acceptable. The 255x30x19 tire on the front makes me nervous again due to the roads and I would love to fit 18's on it to give a little more sidewall protection to the smaller wheel but it is going to be a very tight squeeze over that huge front caliper.

I enjoy driving both cars and as to their designs that is a personal preference and I'm sure some will object to the looks of either or both but they don't have to buy them if that's their opinion.

[ZPrime]

You should be able to get some 18s to fit over the brakes, but it will definitely be tight. I have some 18x8 Enkeis with a 50 offset on my TTRS, but I need a 10mm spacer (taking it down to 40 offset) to clear the front brakes... and I think the RS3 & 8S TTRS have slightly bigger brakes than the 8J TTRS did.

[JTO24]

I've not driven an M2 but I have a deposit down for one... yesterday I test drove an RS3 and was very impressed! I had a B8.5 S4 and more recently a tuned F80 and this thing, even short shifting at 5.5k RPM to respect break-in, was incredibly quick! I think I saw on Audizine a guy run consistent 11.8s @ 116 mph bone stock! That E.T. is better than the F80, although the trap speed is lower. I know straight line speed isn't everything, but that's hard to ignore, IMO.

It looked great, in person, too and the interior was very nice. It is now in my head but is totally opposite of what I've enjoyed in most of my previous/current cars: RWD + Manual.

But for a pure DD, this car makes a great case, on paper.... decisions, decisions!

[Spa2k]

I experienced my first RS3 yesterday, and wasn't at all impressed. Of course, it's a screamer off the line, but it otherwise it felt to me like an economy car with a big engine and hot suspension stuffed in it - sort of like the Shelby GT 350 feels like a race car with rental car roots. The M2 just feels like it's more honest, from start to finish.

[RedCarrot]

Originally Posted by Spa2k

I experienced my first RS3 yesterday, and wasn't at all impressed. Of course, it's a screamer off the line, but it otherwise it felt to me like an economy car with a big engine and hot suspension stuffed in it - sort of like the Shelby GT 350 feels like a race car with rental car roots...

Couldn't you say the same about the M2 though? Between the RS3 and M2, the former has higher quality material (Nappa leather seats; soft touch dash) and is more feature packed (virtual cockpit; adaptive cruise control with automous stop and go in traffic; active lane assistant; blind spot monitor; magnetic ride; "individual" drive mode equivalent to M mode that got left out of the M2, etc.)

I have both on order (RS3 arrives end of Sept; M2 in Oct/Nov). I am heavily leaning to M2 for its exterior styling and overwhelmingly positive reviews on its handling characteristic. Coming from cars like S2000 , 987S and C7, I am very concern the RS3 - while very fast - may be uninspiring to drive a la the 997 Turbo.

Unfortunately I won't have the opportunity to test drive an RS3 before mostly likely passing up on it. If you could share more about your experience with RS3's handling, I would really appreciate it

P.S. many of the RS3 videos on YouTube are lukewarm on its handling fun factor

[Spa2k]

I guess I'd say that despite the fact that the M2 shares some parts with other BMWs, it doesn't feel like it. The M2 being rear-wheel-drive is just more enjoyable to drive and toss around; I never feel like I'm not in control. The RS3 has stuff going on at both ends since it's all-wheel-drive, and sometimes each end is going to feel like it's fighting the other one. I've also had an S2000, C6 and Shelby GT 350, and they suited my driving style better. BTW, I do wish the M2 had magnetic shocks with multiple adjustments, and I don't think the M2 would be as good a winter driver as an RS3 - at least in the Midwest, where AWD matters.

Regarding things like adaptive cruise control and the electronic nannies, I hate them all. I can't tell you how many times our Volvo S60 with City Braking hit the brakes hard when we were pulling into our garage - or hit the brakes hard (to a stop) when we were exiting a parking ramp. I also almost got killed in a new Honda Civic when it hit the brakes hard at 65 when I was changing lanes; it thought I was driving off the road and stomped the brakes. (Salesman: "Oh, yeah, that happens a lot...") For me the nannies are more dangerous to have than to not have. The Audi Virtual Cockpit is cool, though.

The bottom line? My wife's daily driver is an A3. When I first looked at the RS3, I thought, "Oh, this is just like her car." I couldn't shake that feeling. The RS3 just didn't feel like it was worth $20-25K more.

[RedCarrot]

Spa2K, I figured you were an S2000 owner from your handle, hence the . I owned an AP1 from 2000-05 before switching to a 987S

Thanks you (and others in this thread) for your input on the RS3's handling characteristic. They basically concurred with what I have learned from other media sources. As much as I like its virtual cockpit and magnetic dampers, ultimately my rudimentary preference for "rewarding" driving experience steers me toward the M2 over the RS3.

I also would have liked the RS3's adaptive cruise control stop/go for my high traffic highway commute 2X a week. It works very differently from other mfrs' emergency braking nannies. It's a bit unfair to superimpose experience of other mfrs' clumsy techno nannies onto those of Audi's.

[Spa2k]

Originally Posted by RedCarrot

It's a bit unfair to superimpose experience of other mfrs' clumsy techno nannies onto those of Audi's.

That's absolutely true. I guess I just have a general aversion to nannies, except maybe the blonde one down the street.

[///MPE]

Most of the people here who say "M2 is better to toss around" probably are scared to go near the traction button and can't even drift.

[OSee]

Originally Posted by ///MPE

Most of the people here who say "M2 is better to toss around" probably are scared to go near the traction button and can't even drift.

Your feelings sound hurt.

Do you need someone to talk to?

[OSee]

The RS3 drives like it looks. Soulless.

It was never on my wish list unlike others here. So maybe I test drove it with a predetermined bias. The RS7 probably shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as the RS3 but I'll use it to make my point. The RS7s character is that of extreme violence and brutality. It looks and plays the part well. The car is constantly challenging you to keep pushing it. It reminds me of the Guns n Roses song "Welcome to the Jungle" . You know the part when Axel says "Welcome to the Jungle...DO YOU WANT TO DIE!???" That's the RS7.

Audi must have missed giving the RS3 any sort of character. It doesn't play any part particularly well. Maybe it opens up on the track when you're tossing it around. I'll probably never find out. I also wouldn't buy it for my wife like the other guys in here. Why punish her?

[norberts]

Was anybody able to test drive the RS3 from SF Bay Area dealers? I told the dealer I can't commit to order the car without test driving it, especially that it would be my first Audi. He just said they are selling very quickly so no test drives.