[stein_325i]

Great comparison! Both cars are awesome in their own ways. Still haven't driven the new RS3 yet, but from what I hear and read the 5-Cylinder engine is a real peach and sounds good too.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by ZeroFx

You forgot to mention the god awful screen that pops up in the Audi. What an ugly after thought.

I'm surprised you hate that feature, I've always loved it, when you don't need it, you can put it away, really helpful at night. Although, I believe after 2019 they stay fixed in the up position due to US regulations that the back-up camera has to be on within a short period of time.

[trey100]

Interesting that you found the engine overall better in the M2. The RS3 I guess is all about that violent launch but may not feel as powerful once going. One big plus for the RS3 is the extra set of doors. A 4 door M2 would be a great car.

[FreeDarko]

Originally Posted by trey100

Interesting that you found the engine overall better in the M2. The RS3 I guess is all about that violent launch but may but feel as powerful once going. One big plus for the RS3 is the extra set of doors. A 4 door M2 would be a great car.

Honestly a 4 door M2 with similar dynamics would be a dream come true!!

[SEAT TIME RULES]

I've driven and instructed in several "S" Audi's over the years.

There's a reason you see so few of them at HPDE's, time trials, autocrosses etc.

Audi's just aren't as much fun to drive at the track. The RS3 is a good step in the right direction though. Weight is similar to the M2C, 52/48 balance and its AWD. Problem is the AWD system. Even though the latest RS3 sends more power to the Rear axle it still pushes everywhere. Not as bad as the last version but its still there.
My last track car was AWD and no matter what I did with spring rates, sways and camber it still was an understeering pig. Not rewarding to drive at its limits like a well setup RWD rig.
I live in MA and have driven all 3 of my M cars in the snow now for 20 years.
I don't have to go to work when we have a big snow storm and with the Pirelli Snows on them they were awesome...

[VIERsr]

[mr_lab_rat]

Great write up. Thanks, this could be very useful for someone undecided.
Last year I lined up the OG M2 and RS3 for a test drive on the same and came to very similar conclusion:

RS3 - better grip, better gauges, obviously more practical, more comfortable suspension.
M2 - better handling, exhaust sound, power seats, interior (I do like the carbon), more aggressive looks.

It came down to two things - the looks, I drove a sleeper for 7 years and was ready for something more aggressive looking. Audi cheaped out on wide fenders. But more important - manual gearbox in the BMW.

[BM dnobagaV]

How is an electronic parking brake a positive over a traditional handbrake?

[mfurse]

I had an RS3 prior to my F80 M3, was fun as the exhaust and engine sounded way better than my M3 and would pop and bang on down changes but outside of that the acceleration I got used to, the chassis was leaden and nose lead and unadjustable and it wasn't as quick as it seemed by the numbers because the 0-100 time was launch control and how often would you use that on the road? Also the brakes are still not fixed. Audi told me I needed disks and pads after 15000 KM's! I asked if they had a revised part which wasn't made of cheese...

[s4awd]

Nice review. I do find it a bit sad that people put in thoughts about exhaust sound and infotainment and totally exclude steering feel. Given it's these two cars, they both prolly suck :/

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by Craig8

-When you release the trunk it lifts up without having to lift it.

This can be adjusted in the M2 to do the same thing. There's several threads on this.

[2015F80]

Made of cheese, nothing like saying the truth. Ha ha. Are those 8 pot calipers in front on the audi?

The brakes on the m2c look awesome. 6 pot. And those disc make the discs on my m3 look smallish. They look like a brembo big brake kit.

[10"]

SOUND wise the RS3 wins by about a bazillion miles!!

Love that inline-5! What an engine. Can't stand the sound of the S55.

Nice review...Although i think the M2C is almost as practical all year round. Just need snow tires...

[PARTS@STBMW]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[BlacMacJac]

As a former RS4 (b7) owner, I'd been dying for the RS3 hatch to arrive stateside, and then was willing to selling for the sedan - but holy cow, Audi has nurtured the aggressive body width of the RS models so much, I find it hard to see much difference side by side with an S. It's a real shame (that ,and no 6sp).

I was even willing to forgo the manual, but when I see the RS3 in person the skinny look just kills it for me.

Ironically, I waited to buy a M2 because I wanted to see how the M2C turned out and the first time I saw it (it was a HS color), I was crushed because it appeared BMW had nurtured it too. But then I saw mine, in white, and felt much better. Although my desired color (grey) was discontinued, but it showed the backend off much better.

I never have determined if the M2C narrower than the M2.

[bimmerride0]

Wow great review! Detailed and unbiased since you are the owner of both.
Both cars are gorgeous but you're right the interior of the Audi looks better. sporty yet luxurious kind of feel??

Only things I dislike about the Audi are those bulky pizza slice looking rims and the full digital dash.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by 2015F80

Made of cheese, nothing like saying the truth. Ha ha. Are those 8 pot calipers in front on the audi?

The brakes on the m2c look awesome. 6 pot. And those disc make the discs on my m3 look smallish. They look like a brembo big brake kit.

They are but they're also terrible and the car doesn't stop half as well as it looks like it should. F80 brakes are better at sustained abuse and last 8-10x longer. Also, they don't squeal like an old truck (had to get my Audi brakes recalled to stop that!).

All in all, BMW is going to entertain for longer as you have to "learn" to go quickly in it but the chassis balance, adjustability and general engineering is a step up from the RS3. Every M Car I've owned pivots around me as a driver and dances around my inputs, the Audi was a level detached and never moved about even under heavy provocation.

The Audi is an "engine car" in my opinion, makes a great noise, is nicely put together, a nice place to sit but it's not all that exciting after a couple years of ownership and when you push it the chassis belies it's roots as an A3/Golf with slightly better suspension (the fact a Golf R consistently beats an RS3 on track says it all).

[phantom7835]

Never have I heard someone list an electric handbrake as a good thing

[JulesInAZ]

I have a 2013 X3 with 100k miles. Just got this warning signal today. Do I need to replace immediately or how much further can I drive...? Just trying to gage the urgency of this message...?

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by JulesInAZ

I have a 2013 X3 with 100k miles. Just got this warning signal today. Do I need to replace immediately or how much further can I drive...? Just trying to gage the urgency of this message...?

Maybe go post this in the X3 forum and not in the M2 forum in a comparison thread....?


https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/

But here is a bit of free advice, you think brakes are an important safety feature of your car? If so, maybe follow the instructions on the screen and go to the dealer.

[19x]

Great review. Thanks.

I always had this dilemma. I love the M2C, but I absolutely need 4 doors. And while the M3 was always an option, I just felt that it’s too big.

The RS3 comes in 4 door and I’d be all over it if it wasn’t for the fact that it doesn’t come with a manual, which is a deal breaker.

I wish BMW made the M2 in a 4-door with MT. I’d buy it right now.

[BMthusiast]

Personally the only reason I'd go RS over ///M is for the engine sound. The S55 has a nice buzz sound (and gets deeper with higher output tuned) but man the engineers at Audi really know how to make their RS engines sound delightful.

To me M2C's traditional instrument cluster is far superior to digital. I had a G20 for a few days and the digital instrument cluster was flat out distracting. Thankfully in the M8 (and I'm guessing other upcoming new ///M cars) there's an ///M digital instrument cluster option that I'm really digging. It's not distracting at all and has a real motorsport feel to it. A standard looking digital instrument cluster on a high performance vehicle just doesn't make sense to me though. One because the look and feel don't match the identity of the car and two, most importantly, drivers shouldn't be distracted by their own vehicle while driving!