09-14-2019, 07:49 AM | #23 |
Ring Leader of G8X Haters
25064
Rep 8,761
Posts |
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.
__________________
Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300 |
Appreciate
0
|
09-14-2019, 07:57 AM | #24 |
Ring Leader of G8X Haters
25064
Rep 8,761
Posts |
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.
__________________
Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300 |
Appreciate
0
|
09-17-2019, 09:10 AM | #25 |
Colonel
1125
Rep 2,564
Posts |
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.
|
Appreciate
1
FreeDarko217.00 |
09-19-2019, 03:06 PM | #27 |
Major
1101
Rep 1,262
Posts
Drives: 20 BMW M2C 17 Mazda MX-5 RF
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: "Get Busy Living, or Get busy Dying"
|
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...
__________________
2005-2006 BMWCCA Boston Chapter president
2004 Mazda Rev It Up Finalist 2002-Present HPDE Instructor My 2020M2C Build: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1696726 |
Appreciate
0
|
09-21-2019, 01:25 AM | #28 |
Major
2621
Rep 1,477
Posts
Drives: BMW M2
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Zurich
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-21-2019, 02:14 PM | #29 |
Major
564
Rep 1,092
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 04:39 PM | #31 |
First Lieutenant
182
Rep 357
Posts |
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...
|
09-25-2019, 05:57 PM | #32 |
Lieutenant
285
Rep 547
Posts |
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 :/
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 08:20 PM | #34 |
Second Lieutenant
131
Rep 230
Posts |
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.
__________________
Montreal M Club Member
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 08:22 PM | #35 |
Colonel
4966
Rep 2,267
Posts |
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...
__________________
don't read this. too late...
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 09:44 PM | #37 |
Private First Class
170
Rep 190
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 09:47 PM | #38 |
New Member
26
Rep 24
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 09:57 PM | #39 | |
First Lieutenant
182
Rep 357
Posts |
Quote:
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). |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2019, 10:00 PM | #40 |
Professional Nostalgist
886
Rep 355
Posts |
Never have I heard someone list an electric handbrake as a good thing
__________________
2020 M2 Competition, Long Beach Blue, Exec, 6 Speed
2005 M3 Coupe, SMG, eventual S62 swap candidate 2013 X1 x28i, Valencia Orange, Premium, Cold Weather - N20 exploded 2002 325i/5, Tiag - sold 1998 M3/4/5, Cosmo - scrapped 1992 Miata, Brilliant Black, STS - on the island of misfit toys |
Appreciate
1
bimmerride025.50 |
09-25-2019, 10:58 PM | #41 |
Registered
0
Rep 2
Posts |
Brake warning signal?
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...?
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-26-2019, 12:10 AM | #42 | |
Brigadier General
4944
Rep 4,976
Posts |
Quote:
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.
__________________
Wife's Car: 2020 X4M Competition, Alpine White on Black Alcantara and Biege
Current Car: 2018 F80 M3CS, SMB, DCT, ZEC, MPE Recently Departed: 2020 F87 M2C, LBB, ZEC, 6MT (Euro Delivery Aug. 29, 2019, totaled by an idiot in a Camry who then ran from the scene) Wife's Prior Car: 2018 F80 M3, Yas Marina Blue, DCT, Black 19s, Carbon Structure Anthracite Cloth/Leather Combination, Driving Assistance Package (Euro Delivery Oct. 9, 2017) |
|
09-26-2019, 08:18 AM | #43 |
Banned
460
Rep 471
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-26-2019, 11:08 AM | #44 |
Captain
775
Rep 642
Posts |
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!
__________________
///Meant-to-be-sent
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|